Ironvine Territory (Twelve)

Victor was very surprised after hearing Viscount Ferry's words. He had thought that the Ironvine Territory was already in a crisis, but he did not expect that there were special considerations involved.

Victor was very interested in the Ironvine Territory's counterattack plan and asked directly, "If possible, could Lenster and Viscount Ferry explain this counterattack plan to me?"

This time it was Lenster who answered, stepping aside to say, "Viscount Victor, please come to the camp for further discussion. I will explain the details to you."

Victor readily accepted and instructed Michael to take men to inform the main force not to rush on their way.

Just as Michael was about to leave, Viscount Ferry called him back. Then Viscount Ferry said to Victor, "Viscount Victor, why don't I go and receive the War Department? It will also make it easier to arrange the camp. The camp in the Front Valley is already full."

With such a hospitable host, Victor couldn't refuse. "Thank you for your help, Viscount Ferry."

However, Victor vaguely remembered that he had seen a large open space in the Front Valley earlier, and he didn't know why Viscount Ferry would say that there was no place to camp in the Front Valley.

After that, Victor followed Lenster directly to the main camp in the center of the valley, and sure enough, the defensive arrangements inside the camp were quite ingenious.

Victor saw many traps and antlers. The tents were built on high platforms made of logs and earth and stones. The main roads in the camp were generally about one meter lower than the barracks area.

Victor looked around the camp and took it all in. Lenster noticed Victor's actions but just smiled and didn't explain.

After Lenster led Victor back to his tent, dismissed his men, and invited Victor to sit down, Lenster said to Victor, "Viscount Victor, you should have already noticed the special features of our camp, haven't you?"

Victor nodded. He had indeed discovered something, and combined with what Viscount Ferry had said earlier, Victor vaguely sensed part of the Ironvine Territory's counterattack plan.

"I wonder if there are any rivers or channels around this valley?"

After hearing Victor's words, Lenster immediately gave him a thumbs up and said to Victor, "I've long heard that you are a rising star among the Northern Frontier nobles, brave and skilled in battle, and a promising young talent relied upon by Count Colt. Meeting you today, I can see you are indeed extraordinary. It seems that Viscount Ferry's understanding of you is still too shallow."

After saying that, Lenster took out a map from the cabinet on the side of the table. After unfolding the map and placing it on the table, Victor could see that it was a map of the Southern Four Counties, with Cornwall County located in the very center.

The map was very detailed. Although Victor couldn't determine the scale, the locations of the mountains and rivers were clearly marked, making it far superior to the map he had obtained from the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce Guild.

"Is this a map from Ironvine Territory's collection? It's truly a treasure."

Victor was very envious. Such a good map was very precious. Even the high-precision map he had drawn could only highlight the key points, and could not record all the information in such detail as this map, which even marked some small river tributaries and caves so clearly.

Lenster carefully arranged the map. "This map is the culmination of a century of our Iron Vine Family's accumulation. My father said it was the Iron Vine Family's heirloom. As long as we have this map, the Iron Vine Family can maintain absolute influence over the entire Southern Four Counties. However, it seems that my father was exaggerating a bit."

Victor understood that Lenster was referring to the current state of the Iron Vine Family. After all, the Iron Vine Family's castle was now surrounded, and a significant portion of their territory had fallen. Not to mention maintaining their influence, even the family's survival was in question.

However, Victor felt that Count Lloyd made sense. With this map, as long as the Iron Vine Family maintained its strength, it already had an advantage over other forces in the Southern Four Counties, whether it was the duchy or other nobles.

After all, the entire Southern Four Counties comprise nearly 120,000 square kilometers of land, of which the two counties directly subordinate to the Duchy are only 30,000 square kilometers, and the remaining 90,000 square kilometers are divided equally between Hampshire and Cornwall County.

The Iron Vine Family alone possesses nearly 20,000 square kilometers of territory. Including vassal families, the total exceeds 25,000 square kilometers. It can be said that Earl Ironvine Count can directly intimidate the entire Southern Region with just a stomp of his foot.

As for the current predicament of the Iron Vine Family, it cannot be entirely blamed on Count Lloyd. If the former Count had not been too arrogant and aroused the wrath of the nobles in the Southern Region, the duchy would not have found an opportunity to bite the Iron Vine Family hard.

Victor slowly looked at the map and found the Yalori Valley. This valley was marked very prominently on the map, indicating that it held an extremely important position in the eyes of previous Count.

However, Victor discovered that there were no large rivers around the valley, only a few streams flowing from the mountains through it, which contradicted his previous guess. He looked at Lenster with a question in his mind.

Lenster seemed to know what Victor wanted to ask and answered directly, "Actually, just as Viscount Victor guessed, our camp was built for water attack. This valley was originally an ancient riverbed, and the terrain was originally very low-lying, but there were also some highlands. We built our camp based on these highlands."

Once the enemy breaches the outer wall of our valley entrance and begins attacking our camp, we will divert water into the valley, flooding them all.

You should have already noticed them in the camp, those tents on the high platforms, already intersecting with the low paths inside the camp."

"Just as I thought. However, if we launch a water attack, especially in such a low-lying area, no matter how high we raise the camp, it's impossible to completely guarantee the safety of the defenders."

"This brings us to the question of where the water comes from."

Lenster pointed directly at a small hill on the eastern side of the Yalori Valley. Victor observed it carefully and saw the information marked on the hill. In addition to the name of the hill, there was also a name that seemed to be that of a cave. Victor thought for a moment and then suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"Could this cave be..."

Lenster didn't keep him in suspense and answered directly, "Yes, it's a natural cave, and there's an underground river inside."

One of the Count of our Iron Vine Family discovered this place by chance while hunting. At first, he simply marked it and did not investigate it further.

It wasn't until his brother, a naturalist who had studied in the Raine Kingdom, researched the Yalori Valley and the underground river in the cave, that a conclusion was reached.

The rivers that originally flowed through the Yalori Valley, some of which merged into tributaries of the Green Water River, also became underground rivers.

The upper reaches of the underground river are now located in the mountains on the eastern side of the Yalori Valley. If a large amount of water suddenly gushes out of the underground river, this water will continue westward along the ancient riverbed, which is the Front Valley and Rear Valleys of the Yalori Valley, and flow directly into the Green Water River.

After that, our family kept this matter hidden, intending to preserve it as a part of our family's heritage. Unfortunately, during the internal strife within the family, this valley was taken away.

Fortunately, we recaptured the valley last year, and Father decided to utilize this strength to inflict heavy damage on the enemy at the right time."

Victor understood that the Iron Vine Family must have already built a dam in that underground river, which could divert water to flood the Yalori Valley at any time.

"But Lenster, how can we control the underground river? Even if we raise the foundation, these camps are only two or three meters above the lowest point of the valley, which doesn't seem to completely prevent the impact of floods."

"You may not know this, but although this valley is low-lying, once you leave the valley and head west, the terrain becomes even lower. As long as the water flows into the Rear Valley, it will flow westward into the Green Water River without any obstruction."

The drop between the Front Valley and Rear Valley is just over 2 meters. As long as we ensure that the main camp in the Front Valley is slightly higher than the one in the Rear Valley, we can guarantee that the flood will not submerge the camp.

As Lenster spoke, he drew the direction of the water flow on the map with his finger. Victor had no more doubts. It seemed that these old noble families were not to be underestimated.

Even he couldn't have discovered such an opportunity.

"Lenster Renster, since you've already done so much, I feel like my role hasn't been very significant. However, it seems I'll be able to capitalize on this favorable situation for once."

"No, Viscount Victor, it's wonderful that you've come. Viscount Ferry and I alone couldn't have accomplished this mission."