Blackwater City's Current Situation

Alex bid farewell to his father and left Count Colt's barracks. He walked alone through the camp without any guards.

The Sun had already set, and most of the soldiers had finished their dinner and returned to their barracks to rest. The camp was quiet, with only patrolling guards around.

A sudden gust of cool wind jolted Alex awake. "Father, I understand your thoughts and concerns, but Victor is definitely not our enemy. Without Victor's help, if we had followed our original plan, we might already be defeated!"

As Alex's close friend and the member of the Victor Iron Birch Family with the deepest contact with Victor, he understood all too well the help Victor had given to the Iron Birch Family and the Northern Alliance Army.

Putting aside everything else, Victor contributed the most to the establishment of a nationwide intelligence network by relying on the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce.

It was precisely because of their exclusive business in White Sugar and flour that the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce was able to find so many partners throughout the Grand Duchy, allowing the Iron Birch Family's intelligence network to grow unchecked.

Before Victor appeared, the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce mainly relied on horse trading to expand its business across the country. Although it was an exclusive business, the high costs, coupled with the joint price suppression by the nobles in the duchy, meant that the profits that could be distributed could not satisfy the appetites of the Iron Birch Family and the Northern Frontier nobles, so naturally, they could not share the profits with their partners in the interior.

But after the White Sugar and flour came out, especially the White Sugar business, it was incredibly profitable. The Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce cooperated with inland forces for sales, and the price they gave to the agents was enough for the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce to make a fortune. Alex didn't care how much the inland agents were willing to sell.

White Sugar was more affordable and of better quality than Maple Syrup, fully satisfying the sweet needs of nobles and wealthy Freemen. It was difficult to replace, and such a business naturally attracted a large number of partners.

These collaborators have gone to any lengths to cooperate with the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce, offering all sorts of assistance. Otherwise, Alex and Victor wouldn't have been able to successfully intercept the Raine Kingdom's Diplomatic Delegation with just over a hundred riders.

Moreover, the White Sugar and flour business earned the Iron Birch Family a great deal of money, and it was with this money that the Iron Birch Family and the Northern Frontier nobles were able to build up their current military force.

Alex was certain that without the funds from the White Sugar and flour business, the Northern Alliance Army would be short two legions.

Furthermore, Two Rivers Territory provided a large quantity of inexpensive and high-quality weapons and armor. Alex's Cavalry alone adopted a large number of Two Rivers Territory half-body armor and chainmail to replace their original leather armor, increasing their combat effectiveness by at least 20%.

It can be said that Victor's help to the Northern Alliance Army was multifaceted; without him, the Northern Alliance Army's current achievements would be greatly diminished.

In Alex's view, Victor was very important to the cause of the Northern Alliance Army, and Count Colt's sudden idea to suppress Victor was completely unnecessary. Moreover, Alex did not think it would be easy to suppress Victor and the Golden Sunflower Family.

Compared to other Northern Frontier nobles, the Two Rivers Territory is located on the edge of the Northlands, far from the Iron Birch Family and its allies. The Golden Sunflower Family does not only have one territory, but its main base is in the Eastern Region, where it has a large Golden Sunflower Family of allies.

Even if the Civil War ends and Count Colt becomes the Duke of the Kingdom, he certainly won't be able to achieve the same massive power as the Silver Maple Family. Victor's strong rise is simply unstoppable.

Alex made a decision: he had to persuade Count Colt to change his mind. However, Count Colt was probably still in a state of mental tension because of Haines's death, so Alex decided to postpone the plan.

Blackwater City, on a small hill to the south, two figures were perched on a boulder atop the hill, observing the situation inside the city.

"It's pretty much as the intelligence report mentioned; the city is under martial law, people are allowed to leave but not enter."

"There are more guards on the city wall now. In just a few minutes, I've seen three squads of guards patrolling the city wall."

"Look, the north gate is closed, and there's no one outside."

"The east and south gates are about the same, so it seems only the west gate remains. The commander is being quite cautious."

"Of course. We've encountered quite a few enemy scouts along the way, all trying to gather intelligence on our army."

From their conversation, it was learned that the two men were from Victor's scout unit, responsible for reconnaissance.

They originally planned to operate in small teams, but they discovered a large number of cavalry scouts 50 kilometers from Blackwater City, forcing them to split into pairs to conduct in-depth reconnaissance.

It took them a lot of effort to get close to Blackwater City; at least they didn't encounter a single one of their squadmates.

After obtaining some information, the two quickly made a record and left the scene to return and report.

During their return journey, the two encountered a Cavalry unit from Blackwater City, which appeared to be clearing out scouts and rangers.

The two finally returned after going through many hardships and delivered their intelligence to Orlando's Intelligence Department.

Only then did they realize that of the 50-person team that set out, only half had successfully returned, and only their group brought back intelligence.

"Secretary Orlando, these are the three intelligence reports we received today!"

Inside a room, a young man ran up to Orlando and handed him a document.

"Have you read all three documents? Have you verified them against each other, and are there any conflicts with the intelligence we initially received from the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce?"

Orlando took the document but didn't open it. Instead, he pointed to another document on the table and said...

The young man quickly shook his head. "No, Minister, it's basically consistent with the intelligence we received from the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce."

Orlando nodded and tossed the document directly into the wastebasket beside him.

The young man hesitated, as if he wanted to say something, but Orlando looked at him and explained, "The purpose of our Intelligence Department is to ensure that we collect enough intelligence and that it is true. In fact, the second point is more important than the first."

Now that the authenticity of this intelligence from the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce has been confirmed, this other intelligence gathering is no longer important.

"But we lost so many people?"

"Their sacrifice was worthwhile!"

After saying that, Orlando picked up the documents on the table and left the room.

The young man looked at the documents in the wastebasket, sighed, and then left.

Orlando found Victor: "My lord, this is the intelligence we obtained from the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce regarding Blackwater City, and it has been verified!"

Victor was doing his routine morning exercise, shirtless, wielding a huge lance, sweat pouring down his face.

Upon hearing Orlando's words, he immediately withdrew his strength and casually planted his lance in the ground.

Several guards stepped forward and handed him towels and water cups. Victor took the towel in one hand and the water cup in the other, wiping his sweat and drinking the water at the same time.

After he finished wiping his sweat, they returned the water glass and towel to the guard.

He waved directly at Orlando, signaling him to give him the documents.

Orlando quickly followed and handed the document to Victor.

Victor immediately opened the file and began reading. "As expected of the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce's intelligence network, the information they've gathered is truly comprehensive."

Let me see. The current Governor of Raine County Krick, a court viscount and a member of a collateral branch of the Ducal House. However, he is mediocre and his temporary promotion to governorship is solely due to his loyalty to the Ducal House."

Victor suddenly found this very funny. The Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce's biggest collaborator in Raine County was Viscount Krick, and it was with his help that the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce was able to establish a vast intelligence network in Raine County and Blackwater City.

"Oh, a garrison of one regiment, but it's not even at full strength, only three battalions, with a total strength of only 2,700 men. I thought the duchy had already withdrawn all its troops from these counties, but I didn't expect there to be so many troops left."

The city is equipped with Bed Crossbow, and both the north and south gates have been sealed off from the inside. And...

The city also has ample food reserves, with warehouses storing massive amounts of military rations, a fact confirmed on-site by intelligence personnel from the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce.

Normally, Blackwater City supplies food and provisions to the Duchy Army of Sextus County are delivered from Blackwater every two weeks, but recently no convoys have been sent to the front lines for 17 days.

Upon seeing this, Victor suddenly paused, pointed at the spot, and asked Orlando, "Are you aware of this situation here? Have you sent anyone to confirm the specific cause?"

A few beads of sweat immediately appeared on Orlando's forehead. He said, "My lord, I'm sorry, I didn't notice this place. I'll send someone to investigate immediately."

"Forget it, we still need to go into the city to check the situation. It will take a lot of time to go back and forth. Fortunately, our reinforcements have almost arrived. I'm ready to start the siege immediately."

Whether it's a shortage of military rations preventing them from continuing to support the front lines, or simply a lack of timely transport, once we begin the siege, they will have no chance to send supplies to the front lines!