Ironvine Territory (Eighteen)

Asur looked at him suspiciously. "Really? Can we trust what Dawan says? He's a nobleman from Hampshire too. Is he just trying to appease us?"

Melendo said confidently, "It's true, Dawan and I are cousins, he wouldn't lie to me."

Asur scoffed. He knew Melendo too well. Melendo's Greenleaf Vine Family was a long-established noble family, especially famous for its many offspring and numerous branches, many of which were doing better than the main line.

Take Dawan, for example. He's a viscount in Hampshire, and his territory is much stronger Melendo. Of the two legions that came from Hampshire this time, he brought two regiments, second only to Rusa, the governor of Hampshire.

With such power, he naturally held a high position among the Hampshire nobility, and it was quite possible that he possessed inside information.

However, Asur had met this Dawan a few times; he seemed very cunning and untrustworthy.

However, shortly after the meeting, Rusa, Governor of Hampshire, announced that the Ironvine Territory Regiment of the Yalori Valley had received new reinforcements.

Asur slammed his fist on the table. "I knew it! Meetings never bring good news. The Ironvine Territory's forces were already weak, and they had a real chance of breaking through the Yalori Valley."

Now that they've received reinforcements, their chance is completely gone.

Melendo looked at Dawan in surprise after hearing this, seemingly disbelieving that Dawan had deceived him.

Seeing Melendo's horrified expression, Asur forgot his anger and quickly thought of how to comfort him.

The meeting room erupted in noise because of this news. Many Cornwall County nobles shared Asur's opinion that the Hampshire army wasted the opportunity by not putting in enough effort.

One by one, people began to criticize the nobles of Hampshire. The nobles of Hampshire did not want to be criticized. In their view, the nobles of Cornwall County should be grateful to them for coming to Cornwall County to fight for them, but they couldn't even get timely supplies of military provisions.

The deep-seated conflict between the two sides erupted completely, and some nobles began to roll up their sleeves, preparing to take action.

Just then, Rusa took out a hammer and slammed it hard on the table, "Thump, thump, thump!"

Three loud taps in a row finally silencing the noise in the room.

Rusa was furious. "I haven't even finished speaking, and you're already reacting like this? Do you have some kind of grudge against me?"

I was appointed commander of this southern campaign by His Majesty the Grand Duke himself. If you have any objections, you can go to the Grand Duke yourselves."

Rusa had a loud voice that made everyone's ears ring. He only calmed down when he saw that everyone had stopped talking.

"We were lucky, too. Among the enemy's reinforcements were the Red Raspberry Family's private army, and the officer in charge was a confidant of Baron Sebas, who was killed by a traitor."

During our attack on the outer wall today, he secretly passed a message to our soldiers that three days later, on May 27th, he would be the commander of the outer wall garrison, leading his troops to defend the outer wall.

He will find a way to open the outer wall and let us into the valley. All we need to do is cooperate with him and hold the outer wall together when he opens the gate."

After hearing the information provided by Rusa, everyone started discussing it.

"Really? I don't think it's very plausible?"

"Is this man truly one of Baron Sebas's confidants? I remember Baron Sebas was betrayed and killed by his own family. Weren't his confidants thoroughly purged?"

The nobles shared their doubts with each other.

Asur and Melendo also had many questions, but this news finally put Melendo at ease, at least his good relative Dawan hadn't lied to him.

Asur was lost in memories. He had interacted with Baron Sebas and still remembered some of his Red Raspberry Family. Baron Sebas had betrayed the Iron Vine Family, but many family members opposed him.

At that time, Baron Sebas didn't feel the need to take action; most of them were imprisoned. However, he didn't expect that he would eventually suffer the consequences.

While the two were pondering their questions, a baron from Hampshire stepped forward and asked Rusa, "Your Excellency, is this so-called confidant of Baron Sebas trustworthy? Do we have any way to verify his claims?"

It might be a trap, after all, we've attacked the outer walls of the Yalori Valley during this time and seen quite a bit of the Ironvine Territory's defensive equipment.

Especially those terrifying Bed Crossbow; they can not only fire spear-like bolts, but also fist-sized stone projectiles. If we were trapped under the wall, we'd be sitting ducks."

His words were echoed by the other nobles.

"Yes! That horrible Bed Crossbow, I saw one bolt pierce through three people at once last time."

"If we enter the valley and get surrounded by the enemy, that would be bad."

Asur nodded in agreement. Although he had never led troops to attack the outer walls of the Yalori Valley, he had witnessed the powerful Bed Crossbow, which were indeed terrifying.

However, Rusa said calmly, "I have also considered this issue. After all, it is a matter of great importance. If we easily trust him, it could easily cause unnecessary losses."

However, he offered an option: when the appointed time arrived, he would not only open the gates but also lead his troops directly away from the city walls, handing everything over to us, allowing us to choose when to enter the valley."

Upon hearing this, the nobles immediately changed their tune.

"I never imagined that Baron Sebas would have such a trusted confidant, so loyal, hiding his true intentions to avenge his lord."

"Yes, that's really amazing."

Praise is given to them like it's free.

After all, everyone believed that even if there were any traps, as long as they completely controlled the outer walls of the Yalori Valley, they would be invincible.

After all, the Coalition of Nobles that gathered near Tyre City this time numbered nearly two legions, several times the size of the Ironvine Territory's private army. The Ironvine Territory's army was simply no match for them.

Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus, Rusa nodded and continued his impassioned speech, "Our allies on the northern front have already joined forces with the Duchy's Fourth Legion to attack the interior of Ironvine Territory and besiege Ironwire City."

We've been in the Yalori Valley for almost two months now, and we haven't done a good enough job. This time, we must seize this opportunity and take over the Yalori Valley.

"As long as everyone fights bravely this time, I will definitely petition His Majesty the Grand Duke for your commendation."

However, after Rusa finished speaking, the nobles present did not begin a heated discussion this time, which was completely different from the lively atmosphere just now.

Rusa knew he had offered too little, and cursed inwardly, "A bunch of bastards who won't work hard unless they get something in return. It's because of you that the progress on the southern front is so slow."

However, Rusa also knew how to motivate these nobles. "As long as we take down the outer wall and conquer the Yalori Valley, you can act freely once we enter the Ironvine Territory. I will not interfere."

"You may dispose of any property belonging to the Iron Vine Family as you see fit."

Upon hearing this, the nobles cheered in unison. They had participated in this battle partly on the Grand Duke's orders and partly for the benefits.

The Ironvine is, after all, the only Count family in the Southern Region. Their territory is large and populous, and they have been managing it for a long time. The Freemen in their territory are also very wealthy. As long as you work hard to plunder, you can definitely get a considerable fortune.

As for the rumored treasure trove of the Iron Vine Family in Ironwire City, even if it truly exists, it's likely the exclusive domain of Rusa and Fourth Legion Commander Paynes, and no one else could get involved.

The most realistic thing for everyone was to get a promise from Rusa that they could plunder freely within the Ironvine Territory.

Rusa breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that these guys had finally perked up. That's how the Coalition of Nobles is; they only have energy when it comes to benefits.

"Alright, now that you all have no questions, everyone hurry back and prepare. We'll begin our operation in three days."

This is such a good opportunity, we must seize it. Anyone who drags our feet, I'll send their troops to fill the gap."