Ironvine Territory (Eight)

Before this southward campaign, Victor left Little Paru and Gale in Golden Sunflower Territory, because most of the Southern Four Counties were dense forests, and Gale might not be of much use.

More importantly, the Gale played a crucial role in the Battle of Rotten Tree Beach. It was thanks to the gale that the enemy's change of formation was discovered in time, allowing Victor to lead his Personal Guard to support Marvin and Santos. Otherwise, Santos would not have been injured; he might have died on the battlefield.

In that battle, Gale was also injured. Because he was too close to the battlefield, he was hit in the wing by a stray arrow. If he hadn't been strong, he might have died. After the battle, Victor didn't take them with him so that Little Paru could take good care of the injured Gale.

However, after receiving the intelligence, Victor immediately arranged for a message to be sent by carrier pigeon to the Golden Sunflower Territory, instructing them to send Little Paru and Gale directly over. After all, Gale was the best choice, bar none, whether for reconnaissance or communication.

Victor didn't expect that just three days after sending the letter, Little Paru and Gale would arrive. He quickly arranged for the fleet to slow down and sent a small boat to pick up Little Paru and the others from the shore.

As soon as Little Paru boarded the ship, Michael rushed up and hugged him. The two friends were overjoyed to see each other again. Michael said to Little Paru, "I knew you could participate in this battle. The Viscount will definitely remember you. We can fight side by side again this time. Let's see who can make more contributions."

Little Paru is now almost as tall as Michael, with only a few centimeters difference between them. He stood on tiptoe to look Michael in the eye and said, "I'll do whatever Lord Victor tells me to do. Don't act like a child and keep comparing yourself to me like that."

You're already a Company Commander, and this time you might even be promoted to Detachment Commander. You should be more mature."

"You brat, I'm happy for you, and you still talk to me like that? You're not even an adult yet, what are you pretending to be?"

Michael was very unhappy with how Little Paru spoke, so he reached out and grabbed Little Paru's head, ruffling his hair.

Little Paru covered his head and glared at Michael, who was even more vulgar and impolite than him, a Barbarians. Just as the two were bickering, Victor called out to them.

"Michael, bring Little Paru over here."

Victor had just finished playing with Gale for a while, and Gale had even shown Victor its healed wounds, indicating that it was healthy and could continue fighting.

Little Paru walked up to Victor, bowed and greeted Victor: "Your Excellency, after receiving your orders, Little Paru immediately rushed over with the Gale. Captain Santos even arranged a small Cavalry to escort us. Fortunately, we caught up in just two days and nights."

Victor looked at Little Paru carefully and said with some concern, "You must be exhausted from traveling these past two days; even your hair is a mess."

After saying that, Victor reached out to tidy up Little Paru's hair. Michael, who was standing next to him, immediately turned his head away, worried that Little Paru would complain. Fortunately, Little Paru just glared at Michael and then said, "Viscount, carrying out your orders is not hard work. Gale is also very happy to help you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Gale beside him let out a loud eagle's cry, as if echoing Little Paru's words.

Victor chuckled and patted Gale's wings, praising, "Gale, you're amazing! We'll have to rely on you this time too."

The Gale proudly raised its head and flapped its wings vigorously. In an instant, Victor and the others felt a strong wind. By the time they shielded their eyes from the wind and opened them, the Gale had already soared into the sky.

Little Paru quickly explained, "The Gale is showing off his body, indicating that he is healthy now."

Victor looked at the agile figure overhead, smiled and nodded, "Little Paru, you must take good care of Gale. The mission's safety is paramount, understand?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Then, taking advantage of the Gale, Victor briefly explained the operation to Little Paru and assigned them their tasks.

"Viscount, I understand. I will cooperate with James and Lord Ron to help them discover the enemy's movements and avoid being ambushed. At the same time, I will be responsible for communicating with the garrison in Ironwire City and informing them of our arrival."

"Yes, this is the task."

Little Paru nodded. It wasn't a complicated mission after all, and it would be safe to follow Ron and James's Cavalry.

"However, Your Excellency, is there any token that can gain the trust of the garrison of Ironwire City?"

"Some."

After speaking, Victor took out a badge, a token given to him by Alexander when they went south. With this, they could mobilize the power of the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce. There happened to be a branch of the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce in Ironwire City, which also served as a communication channel between the Iron Birch Family and the Iron Vine Family. As long as they could contact them, they could help prove Little Paru's identity.

After the two finalized their mission, Victor told Michael to take Little Paru to rest. After all, two days and nights of forced marching and the madmen's non-stop, frantic travel had exhausted even the Little Paru.

Just then, Victor sent someone to inform James and Ron to come to the main fleet to meet him. Victor planned to take Little Paru away after the two arrived, so there was no need for Little Paru and Gale to go after them.

A day passed, and James and Ron arrived at the main fleet. Victor explained his plan to them and assigned them their tasks.

After Victor finished explaining, he looked at the two of them and asked, "So, do you both understand now?"

"Understood!" x2

Seeing that the two men truly understood their mission, Victor breathed a sigh of relief. He continued to instruct them, "This time, you only need to hold the enemy back. There's no need to actually engage in a direct confrontation. After all, your Cavalry includes not only our troops but also the Cavalry of Great Oak Territory. Be cautious."

If the situation truly reaches its most critical moment and Ironwire City falls, Little Paru will communicate with the Ironwire City garrison, at which point you will be needed to assist the Ironwire City army attempting to break through.

Also, you must protect Little Paru and Gale; they are the treasures of the territory."

After Victor finished giving his instructions, Ron patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, there definitely won't be any problems."

James added, "Don't you trust the two of us? We'll definitely complete this mission perfectly. And if we find an opportunity to defeat the Fourth Legion, don't be stingy."

Victor looked at him seriously. "If you really succeed, I certainly won't hold it against you. But if you fail to complete the task I assigned you, I will not consider our friendship at all."

After James and Ron left, Victor finally breathed a sigh of relief. His plan had now been fully implemented, and the entire southward-bound army had begun their respective operations according to his orders.

Once James and Ron returned to their troops, they led tens of thousands of Cavalry of various kinds to the vicinity of Ironwire City, first drawing the attention of the siege force led by the Fourth Legion and slowing down their siege progress.

Meanwhile, Victor's main fleet took this opportunity to reach the ferry crossing and head south to join forces with the Iron Vine Family's Southern Front Forces, where they fought to repel the enemy there.

Victor was in his room, looking at a map of the Southern Four Counties. As he looked at it, he thought to himself, "It's a pity that the territory's surveying team has not yet reached the Southern Four Counties. I don't have a high-precision map of the area, so I can only rely on the old map that I got from Alex for the time being."

The exact location of the Iron Vine Family's Southern Front Forces is still unknown. The terrain near Tyre City is far too complex, with dense forests, rivers, and mountains. No wonder Count Lloyd established a defensive line here; it is indeed easy to defend and difficult to attack.

It's a pity the Gale had other tasks, otherwise it would have been perfect for scouting this area.

Victor then put aside his distractions and continued working. He had to find a suitable marching route by tonight so that they could reach the crossing early tomorrow morning. At that time, the main force of the Southern Marching Legion would not rest but would set off directly for their destination.