Ironvine Territory (Nineteen)

Viscount Asur and Viscount Melendo left the main tent together. As independent nobles in Cornwall County who had preserved their private armies relatively well, their every move attracted much attention.

The two found a secluded spot next to a section of the wall that hadn't collapsed from the ruins of the city lord's mansion and began their conversation.

"Asur, how about we work together this time? If we get into the valley first, we might even get some credit."

Asur thought Melendo was oversimplifying things. "What's the strength of our two families? You should stay behind the main force and ensure your own safety first."

Moreover, I think this so-called confidant of Baron Sebas is really not worth scrutinizing, and I don't know why that fellow Rusa is so certain."

Asur remained skeptical. The southern front had been stagnant for so long, partly due to the lack of support from the Hampshire nobles, and partly due to the formidable defenses of the Iron Vine Family in the Yalori Valley.

It seems highly improbable that someone would suddenly appear and offer to surrender the city walls.

The two discussed for a long time, but neither could convince the other. Just as Melendo took a step back and was preparing to take Asur to find a place to have a drink in the Tyre City, a person walked in their direction and called out to them.

"Melendo and Viscount Asur, you haven't left yet!"

Asur and Melendo saw the figure; it was Dawan, Melendo's cousin from a collateral branch of the family, a fat, sleazy-looking fellow.

Asur's face immediately fell when he saw the person who came, and he was about to turn around and leave when Melendo quickly grabbed him.

"Asur, don't rush off. Don't you feel something's amiss?"

Dawan gave me a hint before the meeting, so he definitely knows something. We can ask him. Now that the meeting is over, he'll surely be able to tell us something."

With Melendo him back, Asur stopped insisting on leaving and, since he genuinely wanted to know more, decided to stay put.

Dawan strolled over leisurely, stroking his mustache as he walked and said with a smile, "You two must be looking forward to the battle in three days, finally able to avenge your comrades in Cornwall County."

Asur didn't respond, Melendo had no choice but to ask, "Dawan, you're well-informed. Do you think what Rusa said is true? Is there really an inside man who would willingly surrender the city walls?"

Upon hearing this, Dawan narrowed his eyes and glanced at Asur, knowing that Viscount Asur had always been hostile to the nobles of Hampshire.

He had almost clashed with other Hampshire nobles before, but he was quite prestigious among the Cornwall County nobles and was also one of the few military nobles in Cornwall County.

If it weren't for the former governor Viscount Dansoer, using his connections in Silver Maple City, he might have become the governor of Cornwall County.

However, his personality was too bad. When the Grand Duke Mora raised an army in the Southern Region, he was one of the few independent nobles who did not respond to Mora immediately. So even after Viscount Dansoer died in battle, the position of Governor of Cornwall County did not fall to him and was simply left vacant.

However, Viscount Asur and his private army were quite capable fighters, and many Cornwall County nobles were willing to support him. Even if he made a mistake, Rusa could only reprimand him and could not punish him directly.

Looking at the indifferent Asur and the enthusiastic Melendo beside him, Dawan knew that Melendo's question was asked on behalf of Asur.

He knew his cousin Melendo all too well; he was a good man, but not a proper nobleman. He was incapable of governing his territory or leading troops into battle, though he was good at making friends.

Dawan didn't keep them in suspense; he took the initiative to approach the two of them, having his own ulterior motives, and didn't care about being snubbed.

"Melendo, this is definitely true, but the truth is not as simple as Rusa made it out to be."

At this point, Dawan paused to reveal himself, glancing at Viscount Asur. Sure enough, although Asur was turned to the side, he was also listening intently.

Dawan nodded smugly, "You know the Grand Duke sent the Fourth Legion to help us wipe out the Iron Vine Family, right? But you don't know that the Grand Duke actually sent not only the Fourth Legion, but also another force to help us. You've all heard of the Silver Maple Secret Guard, haven't you?"

Melendo and Asur exchanged a glance and both nodded. "That's for sure. Although I've never seen it, I've heard my grandfather talk about it."

"Rusa believed that although the Iron Vine Family had regained control of the four treacherous vassal families and carried out a purge, and had also established a new baron."

But Rusa believed that there must be Count Lloyd's opponents among these four families, especially since Lloyd's nephew had betrayed him before, there must be opponents within the Iron Vine Family as well."