Chapter 381: The Frontline Camp Delivers Another Victory!

"Father, if we go another fifty li forward, we'll reach Red Stone City, won't we?"

"That's right, Adamas. According to the reports from the Magic Swift Hawks, a force of tens of thousands of orcs is currently besieging Red Stone City!"

"If nothing goes wrong, we'll likely face our first battle of this year's Northern Campaign just outside Red Stone City!"

"Our first battle?" Adamas finally showed a hint of nervousness.

Of course, thanks to Lord Harry's previous teachings, his mindset had improved considerably.

He felt nervous, but not afraid.

Seeing this, Marquis Austin gave a barely perceptible nod.

His eldest son's reaction was quite good—nervous, yes, but not terrified.

It seemed that once they reached Red Stone City, all he needed was a brief adjustment period before being assigned to direct combat.

"Report! Frontline Camp delivers another victory!"

At that moment, hoofbeats and shouts suddenly came from ahead.

"Another victory report?"

Adamas and his father exchanged a glance, both turning their eyes forward.

Meanwhile, the Legion Commander and the two Dukes both wore expressions of delight.

They knew the Frontline Camp was to attack Valley Gate Wood Fortress today; Commander Laien had already sent a messenger last night to inform them.

So they had been waiting for this report all along.

"Commander, the Frontline Camp arrived at Valley Gate Wood Fortress this afternoon and immediately launched an assault. After one hour of fighting, they successfully captured Valley Gate Wood Fortress!"

"Excellent!" The Legion Commander exclaimed at once, swiftly taking the report scroll.

As he opened the scroll and read for a moment, the Legion Commander suddenly froze, then his expression grew increasingly complex.

"What's wrong, Commander? Is there something unusual about this battle?"

Duke Hernand and Duke Shatterstone, both seasoned veterans, immediately sensed something amiss.

The Legion Commander nodded but did not speak outright; instead, he handed the scroll directly to the two Dukes.

Soon, both Dukes had finished reading.

"Again this Gervas? He detected the orcs' ambush with a Magic Swift Hawk? He has one too? Could he be from some great family?" Duke Hernand exclaimed in astonishment.

Of course, his voice was very low—only Duke Shatterstone and the Legion Commander could hear.

"Duke Hernand, I'm equally astonished. This Viscount Gervas has now earned two consecutive primary merits!"

"And more importantly, I'm certain this Gervas comes from a minor noble family."

"After the last incident, I specifically sent someone to the Southern Border Inspector to obtain Gervas's records!"

"The result? This Viscount Gervas is merely the second son of a baron—and only became a minor noble of the southern border through the second-son selection process!"

"A southern noble?" Duke Hernand was even more astonished.

He knew how harsh the southern border was—limited arable land, constant dangers.

After all, Catherine was stationed there; he had long wanted her to relocate to his own duchy.

Unfortunately, Catherine refused.

Yet such a dangerous, miserable place had produced such an outstanding minor noble—it was truly rare!

"If I get the chance, I'd very much like to meet this Viscount Gervas. Such an outstanding minor noble is not easily found!"

"Hah! Duke Hernand, after this battle ends, I'm sure we'll have the opportunity. After all, such an outstanding individual may well require our personal audience!" the Legion Commander replied with a laugh.

…

"What? Another victory report from the Frontline Camp?"

"Yes, Lord Willard!"

"And this time, did they say who earned the greatest merit?"

"Commander, they didn't specify, but they said all Frontline Camp troops earned considerable merit!"

Willard's face turned instantly ashen.

Others, hearing of the Frontline Camp's latest victory, might be delighted.

The more smoothly our side fought, the less danger they faced.

But among them, Willard was the sole exception.

Why had Willard risked coming here?

To avenge his son.

So the news he most wanted to hear was the complete annihilation of the Frontline Camp.

A few days ago, hearing of their victory had already filled him with dread.

Now, barely days later, another report arrived.

Even though this time no specific hero was named, it was still utterly unacceptable to him!

He had sent those men to the Frontline Camp to die—not to keep earning glory again and again!

Especially since the Legion Commander had recently requested records on Mil and Gervas.

He could understand wanting to know about Mil.

But how had the Legion Commander even learned of Gervas?

This made Willard sense something was off.

"This can't continue!" Willard finally made up his mind.

"Yar, go to the Frontline Camp at once!"

"This… Lord Willard, isn't the Frontline Camp too dangerous?"

"You won't go unrewarded!"

Seeing his subordinate hesitate, Willard pulled out over a dozen silver coins.

The subordinate could no longer refuse. "Lord Willard, whatever your order, no matter how dangerous, I'll carry it out!"

"A few days ago, I learned from a Frontline Camp messenger that the deputy commander seems to be targeting Gervas. I need you to deliver something to Deputy Commander Solit…"

…

After the victory banquet, the Frontline Camp rested overnight inside Valley Gate Wood Fortress.

Mainly to guard against the orcs outside Red Stone City learning of the loss and counterattacking the fortress.

Fortunately, no such attack occurred. Though orc scouts did approach the valley mouth, they showed no intention of assaulting the fortress.

Perhaps the orcs knew the Frontline Camp's rear must be guarded by the main human army.

And the situation proved true: the next morning, scouts brought more news—the tens of thousands of orcs besieging Red Stone City had ceased their assault.

They had withdrawn five li from Red Stone City and now huddled motionless there.

Upon receiving this news, Laien wasted no time. He left a thousand soldiers from the Northern Legion to garrison the fortress, then led the rest of the Frontline Camp out of the valley and onto the broad plains of Red Stone City.

Yet they did not enter Red Stone City; instead, they continued advancing northward—the direction the orcs had retreated.

Of course, they were not going to charge head-on against a force of forty thousand orcs with only ten thousand men.

They were heading north to block key passes and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas when the main army arrived.

But there were three main routes from Red Stone City leading north, so the Frontline Camp now had to split forces.

For fairness, Commander Laien chose to assign positions by lottery.

The results came quickly: the Eastern Region troops would garrison the pass known as Mount Kara to the northeast.

The Western Region troops would hold the central road.

The Southern Region troops would guard the Stone Bridge over Pearl River to the northwest.

"Gentlemen, your garrison locations are set. You must depart for your destinations immediately!"

"Remember, your duty is to hold the passes and prevent enemies from sneaking into Red Stone City's territory!"

"If you encounter a large enemy force beyond your capacity to resist, immediately send word and retreat!"