The Battle of "Garden"

After occupying Silver Maple City, Victor not only needed to restore order within the city, but also ensure that it could be handed over to Alex intact.

At the same time, an unexpected gain delighted Victor beyond measure: by interrogating some of the captured Ducal House members in the city, he had actually learned the exact location of the Silver Maple Family's "Garden"!

The news thrilled Victor, for as far as he knew, this so-called "Garden" contained the Silver Maple Family's Silver Maple Forest and a great number of strange plants, including the raw ingredients for the Silver Maple Secret Guard's secret medicines.

If they failed to take it over and protect it properly in time, the remaining Ducal House loyalists might destroy it. They certainly would not be willing to hand these things over to those they considered traitors.

Time was of the essence. Victor immediately made his decision: Gaita would remain behind to handle the city's affairs, while Viscount Hawke was entrusted with command over the allied forces.

Victor himself led an elite Light Cavalry force at full speed toward the location of the "Garden."

Victor stood atop a high slope and looked into the distance, his gaze passing over layer upon layer of mountains before settling on the dense forest across from him.

He could not help sighing inwardly. It truly is an exceptionally well-hidden place. There isn't even a trace of it on the Grand Duchy's official maps...

This place was located within Notting County, only a stone's throw from the Carson Mountains.

Perhaps because the Grand Duchy had kept this place under strict secrecy, there was no sign of human activity for dozens of miles around. Even the noble estates commonly found throughout the counties were nowhere to be seen.

Just as Victor was