Ironvine Territory (X)

However, the Battalion Commander of the Garrison Army at the ferry crossing soon had nothing to worry about. While he was hesitating, a small force of several hundred men suddenly rushed out of the forest behind the ferry crossing fortress and, taking advantage of the garrison's attention being drawn to the river fleet, directly seized the fortress gate.

Upon receiving the news, the Battalion Commander was shocked and immediately tried to lead his men to retake the gate. Just as he was about to gather his soldiers...

The soldiers guarding the gate were released, and apart from a few who had been beaten black and blue, none of them suffered serious injuries.

The released soldiers told the others that the force that stormed the gate was reinforcements sent by Count Lloyd. Although the defending soldiers still couldn't believe it, their morale had already been affected.

Moreover, the fleet began to forcefully land. Although the Battalion Commander wanted to resist, the other soldiers had lost their will to fight and soon laid down their weapons, unwilling to fight.

Left with no other option, the Battalion Commander led several dozen of his trusted men to retreat to the bridge, ready to burn it down at any moment.

Just then, Victor had Michael present a token to the bridge: a token made of Salt-leaf Tree bark and gold. It was a gift from Viscount Ferry to Victor last year when he purchased weapons in the Golden Sunflower Territory, representing the status of the Salt-leaf Family's most distinguished guest.

At first, Victor had forgotten about the token, but while talking with the garrison soldiers, someone mentioned that the Battalion Commander was Viscount Ferry's nephew. Victor then remembered the token Viscount Ferry had given him and sent Michael to communicate with the Battalion Commander. Michael had helped Victor receive Viscount Ferry the previous year, so he should be able to get through to the Battalion Commander.

As expected, this method worked very well. After Michael presented the token, the Battalion Commander confirmed some details with him about purchasing weapons from Viscount Ferry and found that they matched up. Finally, Victor's identity as a reinforcement was confirmed.

Afterwards, the garrison Battalion Commander personally followed Michael to Victor and apologized to him, saying that he had been too reckless and had mistaken an ally for an enemy.

Victor certainly wouldn't be angry with this dutiful Battalion Commander at this point. He directly praised the Battalion Commander's actions, commending him for being worthy of being Viscount Ferry's nephew and for not disgracing Viscount Ferry.

"Lord Victor, the camp of our southern garrison is just ahead. Young Master Lenster and Uncle Ferri should be there. Please allow me to announce your arrival."

"Thank you for your help, Manzo."

Victor nodded to the young officer beside him. This young officer, named Manzo, was the Battalion Commander guarding the ferry crossing. After clearing up the misunderstanding with Victor, he volunteered to go with Victor's troops to the camp of the southern garrison, the Yalori Valley.

This is a valley plain formed by an ancient riverbed, a natural corridor connecting the southern end of the Iron Vine Family territory with the plains of central Cornwall County, with Tyre City at the other end of the valley.

Originally, this valley belonged to the Iron Vine Family. During the internal strife within the Iron Vine Family, it was occupied by the Red Raspberry Family, a vassal of the Wire Vine family. Since then, other Cornwall County nobles have used it as a bridgehead to threaten the heartland of the Iron Vine Family.

As a result, in the military operation launched by Count Lloyd at the end of last year, four vassal territories were recovered in one fell swoop, Tyre City was captured, and Viscount Dansoer, the governor of Cornwall County appointed by the Duchy, was killed, successfully reclaiming this strategic location.

After that, Count Lloyd did not abandon the area during his return campaign, and ordered Viscount Ferry to build a strong defensive line there to block the attacks from Cornwall County nobles from Tyre City.

Viscount Ferry executed the mission flawlessly, and with the help of Baroness Kailan, he held firm against the attack of the Fourth Legion and the Coalition of Nobles, relying on this location and several other strategic strongholds.

While Manzo was making his way to the camp, Victor stood at the mountain pass on the outer edge of the valley, observing this strategic location.

Although the mountains on both sides are not high, they are very steep, with large areas of exposed rock walls that are almost vertical. Victor believes that even the most skilled rock climbers, such as ibex, would find it difficult to cross these mountains.

The valley is gourd-shaped, with the Front Valley being the largest, estimated to be over ten square kilometers, Rear Valley is smaller, only two or three square kilometers. Therefore, the entire defense line was also deployed in the Front Valley.

At the very front of the Front Valley, which is also the narrowest point, there is a rock wall connecting the two mountain walls. Victor could tell with his naked eye that it was made from the mountainside on both sides and was about seven or eight meters high. With a dozen or so arrow towers, Victor could tell from the sight that the rock wall was very sturdy.

Behind the rock wall in the Front Valley was a military camp. In Victor's eyes, these camps were cleverly designed, divided into several small camps and one Main Camp, forming a defensive perimeter. Even if the rock wall was breached, each camp would still have defensive capabilities.

The enemy troops that rushed into the valley would face at least three camps interfering with them, no matter which camp they attacked, making it a very tight defense system.

Victor knew this was probably Viscount Ferry's doing as well; he had long heard that he was very good at defensive warfare, and seeing it today, he could indeed see that it was very well-organized.

Victor couldn't help but sigh, "It's a pity Marvin didn't come; otherwise, we could have discussed with him how to break through here."

In order to make contact with the Southern Front Forces of the Ironvine Territory as soon as possible, Victor led his Guard Cavalry and Manzo directly to this place first, while the main force was still behind. Naturally, Marvin and other officers did not come with them.

However, Victor didn't just sit idly while waiting; he gave a lecture to the Guard Cavalry right there in the valley, which was indeed a case worth learning from.

Just as he was giving his lecture to the guards at its climax, they heard the sound of hooves. Everyone looked up in the direction from which the hooves came and saw a small troop of Cavalry, led by Manzo, who had just gone to deliver the message.

Victor also saw the two people behind Manzo. One was Viscount Ferry he had met once before and had a pleasant conversation with, and the other was a handsome young man. Based on his appearance, Victor judged that he was Lenster Ironvine Territory, the heir to the Ironvine.

Victor stroked his chin and said, "Is this Alex's brother-in-law?"

"He's very handsome. Judging by that, his sister must be very beautiful too. Alex's worries can be put to rest."

Victor had heard of Alex's concerns about his future marriage partner, but it seems those concerns are no longer valid.

Just as Victor was lost in thought, the Cavalry troop had already reached them. Although Victor's guards knew that these Cavalry were not enemies, out of their instinct to protect Victor, they all stood in front of Victor.

A loud laugh rang out, and Baron Ferry had already dismounted, exclaimed, "Although I had received news from Manzo's messenger, I didn't expect Viscount Victor to actually come in person!"

Many of Victor's guards had participated in last year's operation and had seen Viscount Ferry in Golden Sunflower Territory. Upon seeing him, they all made way for him.

Victor also went to greet Viscount Ferry, "Viscount Ferry, please forgive me for coming without prior notice; the military situation is extremely urgent."

"You're too kind, Viscount Victor. Your presence has been a great help to us. It's a pity Count Lloyd isn't here, otherwise he would have certainly treated you to a good meal."

"By the way, Viscount Victor, this is the future master of our Ironvine Territory, Lenster Ironvine."

Just as Viscount Ferry was about to introduce Victor to Lenster jumped forward, grabbed Victor's hand, and said excitedly, "Viscount Victor, thank you for your help to the Iron Vine Family. Now the Iron Vine Family is saved."

Viscount Ferry, seeing the somewhat distraught Lenster, did not interrupt him, for he knew the pressure Lenster had been under lately.

Before being besieged in Ironwire City, Count Lloyd had ordered Lenster to stay on the Southern Defense Line. If Ironvine Territory could not be held in the end, he required Viscount Ferry to personally lead Lenster to break through and head north to the Northlands, ensuring the survival of the direct bloodline of the Iron Vine Family.

During this time, Lenster devoted himself entirely to his work. He could not disobey Count Lloyd's orders, so he had to numb himself with work.

The Southern Noble Coalition also gave him face, launching a fierce attack on the Southern Defense Line during this period. Lenster would sometimes lead his troops to fight on the city walls and participate in the defense, which relieved some of the pressure on him.

However, these pressures were not relieved. On the contrary, the situation in the Ironvine Territory became increasingly severe, especially after Ironwire City was besieged, and less and less information came in.

This time, Victor suddenly brought reinforcements to support them, which made not only Lenster but also Viscount Ferry extremely excited.

They had already given up hope of reinforcements, since they knew that the Northern Alliance Army and the Duchy Army were locked in a stalemate on the main battlefield.

That's why Lenster was so excited. If Viscount Ferry hadn't been so old and experienced, he might have already jumped up and down with Victor in his arms.