Night Raid on the Seventh Legion

"Ricardo, you're right, I'll go arrange it right away."

Hawk turned to go back, but Ricardo grabbed him.

"No need, sir. I have already sent someone to inform Quartermaster Brook in your name. He will handle it."

"Oh, Ricardo, thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you."

Ricardo pinched his beard and said smugly.

"Your Excellency, please don't say that. I, Ricardo, am able to achieve what I have today without the help of the Pumpkin family. Supporting you and protecting the Pumpkin family is my mission and also my promise to the previous Viscount."

Hawk was very moved after hearing this and made a move to hug Ricardo, but Ricardo had already dodged in advance. Hawk may be fat, but after half a year of training, he is all fat and muscle. He couldn't take such a sudden move.

"Ricardo, what should I do next?"

Although I was appointed by Count Colt as the Legion Commander of the Fifth Legion of the Allied Army, I have only assembled less than four regiments of troops, and many minor nobles' armies are still on their way.

We can't possibly fight the Duchy's Seventh Legion and Fifth Legion with these forces.

"Of course, my viscount, you are right, so you should write to Count Colt immediately and try to get some more War Department."

Hawk scratched his head. "But Count Colt has already sent reinforcements. Would it be inappropriate for me to ask for them now?"

Ricardo smiled. Hawk has improved a lot since then and thinks things through before acting.

"You're right, but you're not entirely wrong either. Count Colt has indeed made arrangements, but the enemy arrived ahead of time, so we have no problem needing reinforcements."

Count Colt may choose not to send more reinforcements, but you cannot refuse.

If you don't want it, won't people think that our Pumpkin family is very powerful, able to drag down the armies of some minor nobles and fight against the Duchy's Direct Legion?

That would be too conspicuous and inappropriate. After all, in this Civil War, the most eye-catching people should be the Iron Birch Family and their in-laws and vassals. Our family should keep a low profile.

Besides, since you mentioned it, Count Colt will remember it even if he does nothing, and it will become a merit for you after the war."

After Ricardo explained, Hawk understood.

"It's all your fault, Ricardo. I didn't think things through at all. I'll write to Count Colt as soon as I get back."

"Please wait a moment, Your Excellency, you can write it tomorrow!"

"Why?"

"I plan to lead my troops on a night raid tonight to conduct a reconnaissance mission against the new enemy."

Hawk was surprised to hear this. Ricardo had always been very cautious, so why would he take the initiative to suggest a night raid this time?

"It's very simple. Even if we're requesting reinforcements, we should still find out the enemy's specific situation. After all, the Iron Birch Family has enough intelligence sources within the duchy. If the intelligence doesn't match, it will affect our family's reputation."

We must find out the enemy's situation, and the newly arrived Seventh Legion should be quite strong.

However, they are newcomers, and the Fifth Legion's camp cannot accommodate them. They will most likely rebuild their camp, which will increase our chances of a successful night raid.

I will only take one large Cavalry unit; even if we fail, it won't affect the defenses of White Earth City.

After listening to Ricardo's idea, Hawk felt that what Ricardo said made a lot of sense. If it was all Cavalry, the retreat would be much easier.

"In that case, Ricardo, take both of our two Cavalry battalions with you, instead of just one battalion."

The opposing Cavalry force isn't too large, otherwise our troops wouldn't be able to retreat today.

"Your Excellency, you have truly improved a lot! You are so much more decisive than before!"

Ricardo said in a very admiring tone.

You have to understand that Hawk used to be a troublemaker, a bully who was afraid of the strong and a troublemaker. He was a notorious playboy among the Northern Frontier nobles. If it weren't for his good birth and the fact that he had no brothers or sisters, he wouldn't have been given the title of viscount.

However, after the battle with the Barbarians last year, things have changed dramatically. They are now more thoughtful in their actions, less unreasonable, and most importantly, more decisive.

According to Ricardo, it was a complete transformation; if he hadn't watched Hawk grow up, he would have thought he had been switched at birth.

Hawk rubbed his nose with his index finger, a little embarrassed. "You flatter me. This is nothing. If we're talking about decisiveness, it has to be Viscount Victor. He always makes the right decision at the most crucial moment."

Ricardo was pleased, "It's a pity that I stayed in the territory during the battle and was unable to see Viscount Victor."

I really want to meet Viscount Victor someday; I must thank him properly for making such a big difference to our viscount.

Ricardo also knew about Viscount Hawke's ordeal during the battle; Victor had a sword to his neck, forcing him to go to the battlefield and even tying him to a military flag to prevent Hawk from escaping.

However, as Hawk's right-hand man, Ricardo knew Hawk better than anyone. Victor's decision was indeed the right one. If Hawk had been left alone, Hawk would have definitely led his troops to escape at the first opportunity.

This is why Ricardo dared to let Hawk lead the troops into battle alone. Hawk may indeed bully the weak and fear the strong, but he can distinguish between the strong and the weak, and he will definitely run away at the first sign of danger.

After discussing the details of the night raid, Ricardo busied himself with preparations, while Hawk, in his capacity as Legion Commander, convened a meeting of the nobles within the legion.

Ricardo believed that there must be spies from the duchy among these minor nobles, and that summoning them to the camp for a meeting would prevent them from leaking information about the night raid.

At midnight, the western gate of White Earth City was gently pushed open, and a large cloud of white mist instantly drifted out from the gap in the gate.

These are the breaths of the raiding troops behind the city gates, which turned into fog due to the low night temperature.

Ricardo was wearing black leather armor. Although he was still short, his tall and upright figure was particularly eye-catching.

He slowly raised his arm and swung it down heavily, signaling to the Cavalry behind him that it was time to depart.

Led by Ricardo, the Cavalry poured out of the city gates, both men and horses gagged, their hooves wrapped in cloth and straw.

Soon the entire force disappeared into the night, leaving only the rustling sound of the ground beneath their feet.

In the central city lord's mansion of White Earth City, Viscount Hawke was entertaining several other nobles from the Fifth Legion of the Allied Army Forces.

He raised his wine glass and said loudly with confidence.

"Gentlemen, I have sent a letter to Count Colt requesting reinforcements. The Count will arrive with reinforcements soon, so there is no need to worry."

"Good, now that the Count is here, we have a powerful backer. What are two Duchy's Direct Legion compared to this!"

"Yes, yes!"

Hawk smiled and drank a glass of wine, but a hint of worry appeared on his face as he lowered his head to drink.

"Hopefully Ricardo will succeed this time, and even if he fails to complete the night raid, he can return safely."

At that moment, a nobleman walked over.

"Commander Hawke, don't drink alone, let's drink together."

Hawk looked up, his face all smiles again.

"Isn't it because you're drinking too slowly?"

Let's have a good drink tonight! I've already arranged for Ricardo to keep watch!

The nobleman praised it!

"Good, Legion Commander, not only are you cautious, but your alcohol tolerance has also increased significantly, and you're becoming more and more magnanimous. You're sure to make a great contribution this time and get promoted."

Other nobles echoed this sentiment.

Yes, yes!

The city lord's mansion was becoming increasingly lively.