Returning North

Seeing that Count Lloyd was about to bow to him, Victor quickly grabbed the Old Count's hand and stopped him. "Count Lloyd, please don't do that. I'm here to support the Iron Vine Family on Lord Count Colt's orders. I don't deserve such courtesy."

The Old Count shook his head. "One thing at a time. All I know is that if Colt had sent anyone else, I estimate the city would have fallen and I would be dead by now!"

Also, don't call me Count, just call me Lloyd!

"That won't do. You are Alex's father-in-law and Lenster's father. They are both my friends, so you are naturally my elder. You cannot be without respectful terms of address!"

The two started arguing without saying a word. The older man tried to bow and express his gratitude, but the younger man tried his best to stop him, and no one else could get involved.

It wasn't until the noblewoman spoke that they were stopped, "Father, you've just recovered, you should be careful. You wouldn't want Mother and us to continue worrying about you, would you?"

Then the young woman smiled and introduced herself to Victor, saying, "Viscount Victor, I am Desmond Ironvine, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Victor quickly returned the greeting. "Hello, Miss Daisy!"

At this moment, Lenster, who was behind her, also said, "Dess is my fourth sister, and she and my third sister Vivian are full sisters, sharing the same parents!"

Upon hearing this, Victor understood the identity of this Miss Daisy: Alex's fiancée's younger sister, his sister-in-law.

Just as Victor was wondering why Miss Daisy was there, Count Lloyd spoke up, "Daisy is my favorite of all my daughters, and she's been taking care of me these past few days after I was injured."

Victor looked on with admiration. Count Lloyd had been in a coma for some time, and Miss Daisy had been taking care of him, which meant she was cleaning up his excrement and urination. It was hard to imagine an Old Count doing that.

However, seeing Victor's expression, Daisy immediately realized that Victor had misunderstood, and her face flushed as she was about to explain.

But Count Lloyd grabbed Victor's hand and invited Victor into the carriage, saying that there were chilled drinks prepared in the carriage to entertain Victor.

However, Victor still refused. "Count lord, now that you've come to my camp, it's only right that I entertain you. Why don't you come and sit in my tent for a while? I also have something to ask you."

Count Lloyd noticed that Victor's expression was serious and knew that his attitude was firm, so he nodded in agreement.

The Old Count beckoned to his daughter, Daisy, to help him into the carriage. After Daisy helped the Old Count into the carriage, she nodded to Victor and got into the carriage herself.

Victor shook his head, mounted his horse again, and led the way for the carriage. He said to James, who had been leading the way, "James, is it your shift today?"

"It's me!"

"Very well, you may go back now. I will personally entertain Count Lloyd!"

James looked disappointed, but he couldn't disobey his lord's orders, and since his regiment was indeed in charge of the entire camp's combat readiness duty that day, he had no choice but to leave, looking back every few steps.

Seeing his expression, and considering the gleam in his eyes when Miss Daisy got out of the car, Victor knew that this guy had definitely been lustful at first sight.

However, Victor understood that the gentle and beautiful Miss Daisy was indeed charming, and it was normal for James to be captivated by her at their first meeting.

However, since Count Lloyd brought his daughter to see him today, he probably had ulterior motives. Given Victor's understanding of Count Lloyd, James's path to love may be quite difficult.

As Victor was lost in thought, Lenster caught up on horseback and rode alongside him.

"I'm sorry, Victor, you've been so busy these past few days, and I'm bothering you again."

This morning, when Daisy was taking care of my father as he woke up, the old man woke up.

At first we were all very happy and rushed to see the old man. But when the old man saw me, he asked me about the situation of his territory.

After learning that you led the Fourth Legion to break the siege of Ironwire City, they insisted on seeing you.

I really couldn't stop my father, so I had no choice but to bring him to see you!

After saying this, Lenster clasped his hands together to express his apology.

Victor shook his head. "There's nothing I can do about it. Actually, I should have gone to visit the Old Count, but there's been too much going on with the legion lately, and I haven't sorted things out yet. Plus, the Old Count is injured, so I didn't dare to bother him too much."

During the conversation, the group arrived at Victor's tent. Victor dismounted, walked to the carriage, helped the Old Count down from the carriage, and led him into the tent.

The tent, which had been somewhat messy, had been tidied up. The desk had been moved away, and the original lunchbox had disappeared. Only a few chairs and corresponding small tea tables remained on the carpet inside the tent.

Victor then arranged for everyone to sit down. Just as he was about to call the kitchen to bring some snacks, Michael suddenly walked in, carrying a large plate with several dishes of snacks, as well as a kettle and cups.

Now Victor knew who had packed his tent. It seemed the kid hadn't had a chance to report for duty yet. Victor nodded to him, showing his appreciation for Michael.

After pouring water for the group, Michael left.

Victor asked curiously, "Count Lloyd, is there something you need?"

At this moment, Count Lloyd spoke up, "Viscount Victor, I have come here today because I have a matter that I must trouble you with."

Victor thought, "Isn't that obvious?"

But she replied very politely, "Please go ahead."

Count Lloyd sighed as well, "The battle that just ended has left many enemy soldiers scattered throughout the territory, forming small groups of bandits who are running rampant within the territory."

The southern part of the territory was relatively better off; the farms and villages were still intact, and the losses were not significant. However, most of the villages and farms north of Ironwire City were destroyed by the duchy's grain requisition teams, and even the patrol teams originally used to maintain order no longer existed.

The territory's army is currently limited in number, and suffered heavy losses in the defense of Ironwire City, making it difficult to send troops to wipe out these bandits. Therefore, we would like to entrust your troops to help!

Victor thought it was no big deal, so why would Count Lloyd come to him about something like this?

"It's nothing, actually Lenster could have just come to me."

"That's what Lenster said too, but I can't do that. You've already done so much for the Ironvine Territory, and I have to thank you properly no matter what."

Moreover, the war here has ended, and the main forces of the Northlands and the Grand Duchy are still facing off in Sykes County. It is estimated that Count Colt will soon send someone to inform you to lead your troops back north.

If this matter were to delay the army's advance, I would feel uneasy. Therefore, I have no choice but to shamelessly ask for your help while you are still here with your troops.

This time, I won't let you help for nothing. I've already taken out 5,000 gold coins to cover your military expenses. Please don't think it's too little; the Iron Vine Family has just suffered heavy losses in the war."

Victor was surprised by the Old Count's generosity. 5,000 gold was no small sum, especially considering that the Ironvine Territory needed a lot of money for reconstruction. He was about to refuse when he saw that the old count was still so generous.

But the Old Count had already seen through his thoughts. "If you refuse to accept it, there's no need to send troops. The Iron Vine Family cannot treat their benefactors like this."

Upon hearing the old man's words, Victor knew he couldn't refuse, but he quickly thought of how to return the favor, "Old Count, then I'll accept it. Actually, I also have something I'd like to trouble the Iron Vine Family with?"

The Old Count and his son and daughter exchanged glances, wondering what Viscount Victor meant.

He quickly asked, "Please speak, the Iron Vine Family will definitely cooperate fully."

Victor said that they had acquired a large amount of spoils, but the army's transport capacity was limited and there were no accompanying caravans. He hoped to sell them to the Iron Vine Family, estimating that seven or eight thousand gold coins would be enough.

The Old Count thought that Victor might think 5,000 gold was too little and wanted to make up for it, but the Old Count naturally wouldn't object. He thought that the territory had just recovered from the war and was short of everything. The supplies obtained from Victor would be useful, and it didn't matter if they were a little more expensive.

He quickly replied, "No problem, just contact Lenster; he can handle this entirely!"

The group then talked for a while in Victor's tent. During this time, the Old Count praised his daughter, Miss Dess, to Victor several times, but Victor did not respond. The Old Count realized that Victor did not care about his daughter, so he gave up and took his leave.

Since Victor had agreed to the Old Count's request, he naturally wouldn't waste any time. The next morning, he dispatched a rested Cavalry unit, which was fast and could also scout out the return route for the main army.

During this period, Lenster also approached Victor to discuss the trade of supplies, but Victor always changed the subject, saying there was no rush.

It wasn't until the day Victor's Southern Marching Legion had finally finished its rest and was preparing to return north that Victor arranged for someone to hand over the reins to Lenster.