After the operation to wipe out the bandits, the border fortresses of Two Rivers County heightened their alert and shared the relevant intelligence with the other Northern Frontier nobles.
Yet although Two Rivers County had hastened to complete the autumn harvest in preparation for a possible war, no Barbarian army appeared. It could even be said that they had not seen so much as a single horsehair.
Victor then mobilized all the Intelligence Department resources in his territory, along with the affiliated Barbarian Tribes, to gather intelligence on the grasslands. The result showed that most Barbarian Tribes were preparing for winter, with no signs of war whatsoever.
The Two Rivers Legion, which had long been prepared, felt as though it had punched cotton. They had gathered all their strength, only to find that their opponent had not come at all.
The two frontline commanders were the most disappointed. Marvin and James had both witnessed the might of the Type 38 Cannon and were full of confidence about a war against the Barbarians, waiting only to earn new military merits. Yet now the Barbarians were not coming after all.
The research team behind the "Thunderous Wrath" project was also disappointed. Their planned field test could only be postponed again, though fortunately, they had a new project on hand.
Victor was speechless as well, but his vigilance toward the Barbarians rose another level. Compared to their former reckless style of acting at the drop of a hat, the grassland Barbarians now seemed far more cunning.
After confirming that the Barbarians had made no military moves, Victor simply ordered half of the border troops withdrawn to the territory. The Northlands' bitter cold was terrifying, and the Barbarians could not possibly wage war in winter. Rather than let the army waste supplies at the