Aftermath, Part Two
Victor was about to refuse Alex's offer, but he suddenly paused, then said to Alex with a complicated expression, "I understand, leave it to me!"
Victor wasn't stupid; he quickly figured out why Alex was doing this. The Iron Birch Family had suffered heavy losses this time, not only in terms of core family members but also in the loss of most of their private army. This was bound to cause internal turmoil, and Alex had to return as soon as possible to stabilize the situation.
As for why the position of commander-in-chief wasn't handed over to someone else, it's because among the Northern Alliance Army in the Duchy, only Viscount Edmund and Viscount Hawke are qualified to take over the position. The Red Maple Family and Pumpkin family behind them are both deeply rooted and long-established Northern Frontier nobles. At this time, letting them take over as commander-in-chief might not be a good thing for the Iron Birch Family, which has lost most of its strength!
As for Victor, although he doesn't share the Iron Birch Iron Birch Family, and given his good personal relationship with Alex, he's a safe choice.
Alex knew Victor's personality and knew Victor might refuse. Just as he was about to explain to Victor, he heard Victor actually agree.
He glanced up at Victor's complicated expression and knew that Victor had figured it out. "It's you again, I don't even need to explain!"
I'm only taking the Iron Birch Family's army with me this time. The rest of the Coalition of Nobles is yours. I'll have Hawk and Edmund serve under your command!
Alex was about to leave when Victor called him back, "Alex, take all the gold and Silver Coin you've collected from the Duchy Army!"
I reckon the Iron Birch Family doesn't have much stock left, but you might find it useful!
After Victor occupied this ducal military camp, he found a lot of money here, which may be the Duchy Army's unpaid wages or rewards for battle, totaling nearly 30,000 gold and silver Silver Coin.
The reason Victor let Alex take him away was that he needed some cash to return to the Northlands, as he needed to reward the victorious soldiers and possibly prepare for Count Colt's funeral.
Alex nodded without refusing, and Victor quickly ordered a carriage to be brought and the boxes of gold and Silver Coin to be loaded onto it.
Before seeing Alex, Victor gave him a few words of advice. "Alex, be extra careful after you return to the Northlands. Leave the fighting in Durham County to my father-in-law and Viscount Albert."
You should stay in the rear and provide support. Do not go to the front lines. You are now the guarantee of the Northern Alliance Army's survival; you must protect yourself!
"I understand! You too. The three directly administered counties in the Central Region are the core territories of the Silver Maple Family, and they still have a lot of power there."
If this assassination attempt fails, they might continue to cause you trouble. Don't be overconfident and take unnecessary risks!
After saying this, Alex mounted his warhorse and, with his carriage and guards, left Victor's camp.
After returning to White Earth City, Alex only stayed briefly before leading the Iron Birch Family's troops back north that afternoon!
The Iron Birch Family's private army, which had arrived fully equipped with three legions, had less than half of its members leave alive this time, a truly tragic sight!
Victor didn't see him off; there was still a lot of work to be done on this battlefield that had just ended.