Ironvine Territory (Thirty-Four)

Rusa squinted at Suas, the old knight with a sinister face, who wore a rather plain chainmail that looked quite old, but was very well maintained, showing that its owner cherished it and was also a meticulous person.

Viscount Rusa nodded. "I have also heard about Baron Sebas's ordeal. Lloyd's behavior deserves our scorn. Once we storm the Ironvine Territory, I believe you will have the opportunity to take revenge."

However, my comrades in the Independent Regiment, you have already done a great service by handing over the Valley Outer Wall. I hope you can rest a little while longer, and then we will attack Ironvine Territory together after we have conquered the Yalori Valley."

Rusa spoke politely, but his tone was firm, and the Independent Regiment officers, including Suas and Portland, could hear the unyielding force in his words.

The group exchanged glances, realizing they couldn't fight city hall, and nodded in agreement.

Rusa smiled with satisfaction, "I knew you were all loyal men, how could you possibly disobey orders?"

In that case, I will have two battalions of weaponry sent to your Independent Regiment for your future expansion.

After all, once we've quelled the rebellion of the Iron Vine Family, we still need to head north to attack the Eastern Region, and in the future, we might even have to go to the Northern Three Commanderies.

If you want to achieve more military merits, your current troop strength is not enough; you need to make preparations as soon as possible.

"By the way, the weapons have been issued to you, but you'll have to find your own way to recruit soldiers. However, you're all local strongmen in the Ironvine Territory, so once we take over the Yalori Valley, I'll let you go and recruit soldiers in the Ironvine Territory at the appropriate time."

Most people were overjoyed to hear that Rusa had given them a batch of weapons for free and quickly thanked Rusa. Only Suas and Portland secretly exchanged a glance.

Rusa then left them and continued with his troops into the valley, planning to survey the interior before launching an attack.

After they left, the officers of the Independent Regiment huddled together and talked about what had just happened.

"As expected of the commander-in-chief, he's truly magnanimous. Although we can't go to the battlefield to earn military merit, getting a batch of weapons for free is still a good thing."

"Yes, once I return to Clear Camellia Territory, I'll recruit soldiers. Our territory just suffered a flood, and there are many people who are starving. Recruiting a few more squads will be easy."

"Then you're going to be the Battalion Commander?"

"I'll take them all."

While everyone was enthusiastically discussing the upcoming expansion plan, Suas and Portland walked to the side. Apart from Lanko noticing their subtle interaction, no one else noticed.

"Old man, what does that governor mean?"

Portland's tone was aggressive, and he even ignored Rusa's position as commander-in-chief, referring to him only as the governor of Hampshire.

"What else could it mean? I guess they see that the defenses of the Yalori Valley have been breached and want to bring their men to reap the benefits."

However, they underestimated the Iron Vine Family. The Yalori Valley had been cultivated by them for a long time, and their camps within the valley were strategically located and difficult to attack. They'd learn their lesson once they suffered a crushing defeat."

Suas responded to Portland's question with a cold laugh.

"So what? Do you think they can't conquer the Yalori Valley?"

Portland felt that Suas was giving an irrelevant answer.

"We can definitely take it, but the losses will be considerable. Even so, we won't be allowed to participate."

Well, since they don't want us involved, let's take our troops and get some rest. We might actually be very busy later.

Besides, even if the two of us are not satisfied, the others might not."

Suas was furious that the Coalition of Nobles had used them and then discarded them, but after all, they were too weak and had no bargaining power. Just the equipment that Rusa brought out was enough to appease most of the Independent Regiment.

Portland was still somewhat unconvinced. After being persuaded by Lanko yesterday, he wanted more military achievements to realize the possibility of inheriting the Ironvine Territory.

He found it hard to accept that he had been excluded from the battle in the Yalori Valley.

"Alright, let's leave it at that. Let's get our team away from the outer wall first, or we'll get kicked out."

Suas offered a word of advice, then turned and left to command his troops.

Seeing that the old man was like this too, Portland could only spit out his anger and leave.

Just as he was leaving, Lanko found him and asked about Portland's next plans.

"Let's leave the outer wall first and find a camp outside the valley. I estimate that more and more Allied Army troops will be arriving."

"After Rusa and the Allied Army have dealt with the Ironvine Territory's army inside the valley, we'll figure out a way to return to the Ironvine Territory's interior."

"Alright, I'll make the arrangements right away. Leave the matter of Baron Portland to me."

Lanko suggested it, and Portland, not expecting Lanko to be so enthusiastic, readily agreed.

Lanko immediately went to prepare, and soon his team was one person short again.

In the central camp inside the valley, Victor, Lenster, and Viscount Ferry are reviewing a report.

Viscount Ferry was the first to stand up and say, "The enemy has already entered the valley, and their numbers are quite large, nearly two legions."

Victor nodded. "Indeed, but with so many people, it's difficult for them to make a move."

My next assessment is that Rusa will definitely divide his forces to attack our three camps; otherwise, I don't think he could command so many troops.

Lenster continued to look at the map and the intelligence, comparing the enemy's possible troop deployment routes.

"Unfortunately, our intelligence sources are too limited. My inside agents are all in the Independent Regiment. We really don't know enough about this Coalition of Nobles mainly composed of Hampshire."

Just as the group was talking, another soldier came to report, "Sir, new intelligence has arrived."

Lenster quickly had a soldier deliver the intelligence to him. After receiving the intelligence, he said, "Arrange for the soldier who brought the message back to the logistics camp. Tell him that he has been commended and that he should get some rest."

Then he called Victor and Viscount Ferry to come and look at the intelligence. "Hiss, the Independent Regiment has all been driven out of the city walls. They won't be able to pass intelligence through the secret passages anymore."

It seems that Rusa is very cautious; he seems quite troublesome.

After Viscount Ferry finished speaking, he felt a headache coming on. They were simply lacking in intelligence, since this plan desperately needed to confirm the enemy's location and status.

However, Victor didn't think it was a problem. "It's okay if we don't have intelligence. We can go and see for ourselves. After all, we have the home advantage."

"Lenster, since you can build tunnels inside the outer walls and the valley, I don't believe you don't have hidden locations where you can observe the enemy's movements."

Lenster hesitated, "Yes, we do, but I'm worried that if we use it too frequently, the enemy might become suspicious, leading to the exposure of our operational plans."

Victor offered a suggestion. "There's a way to solve this. I'll send some scouts to help you get close to the enemy and conduct reconnaissance, while also drawing their attention. It'll only take a day or two anyway. As long as we get intelligence on the enemy's deployment, we can make our move over the underground river."

Lenster and Viscount Ferry agreed, and soon groups of Ranger Cavalry began leaving the camp to scout the Coalition of Nobles beyond the Valley Outer Wall.

At first, when the Coalition of Nobles saw so many enemies swaggering towards them, they sent Cavalry to drive them away.

However, Victor's Ranger Cavalry were too numerous, while the Noble Cavalry of the Southern Region were not so plentiful. After being counterattacked several times by Victor's troops, they dared not come out again.

Left with no other option, Viscount Rusa began to send out infantry units in large numbers to establish outposts and block the Ranger Cavalry's reconnaissance.

This actually did Lenster a great favor, as he happened to have a secret passage exit located behind the outpost of these Coalition of Nobles. After the outpost was established, the Coalition of Nobles lowered their vigilance, making it easier for Lenster's men to gather intelligence.

Soon, these spies obtained a large amount of intelligence and continuously delivered it to the three of them.

Viscount Ferry said with a hint of sadness, "It's basically confirmed. They'll launch a full-scale attack on us tomorrow. It seems they're in a hurry too, not planning to wait any longer."

Victor nodded in agreement. "It seems those guys are eager to make a name for themselves, but it also proves one thing: those Silver Maple Secret Guard really didn't flee south to Tyre City. They have no idea about the changes in our troop strength in the valley."

Lenster: "Now that it's confirmed, I'll send someone to inform the cave dwellers to prepare to open the underground river tomorrow morning."