Chapter 382

Following Commander Ryan's orders, the vanguard camp dispersed on the spot.

Gervas and his group headed straight for the Graystone Bridge in the northwest.

This location, along with Redstone City and the orc encampment, formed a perfect triangle, with each side roughly twenty miles apart.

The route was so long mainly because it wound through countless narrow trails.

Still, considered overall, this was a relatively safe spot.

Compared to the other two checkpoints, Graystone Bridge was the farthest and most difficult to reach; if the orcs chose to attack Redstone City, they would never prioritize this direction.

Even if they considered it, they wouldn't treat it as the main assault point.

Of course, after Gervas's group arrived at the bridge, they quietly began constructing a wooden stockade at its entrance.

Although there was still no confirmed report that the orcs would attack Graystone Bridge, proper defenses were absolutely necessary.

After Gervas and his men spent an entire night building the camp, they soon received word that the main army had reached the outskirts of Redstone City.

But the main army did not enter Redstone City directly.

According to scout reports, the orcs were deliberately waiting for Redstone City's gates to open, fully prepared to strike at any moment.

Clearly, these orcs intended to launch a surprise attack as the kingdom's army entered the city.

After all, the distance was only about ten miles—more than enough time for the orcs to reach Redstone City's gates.

"So we still need to hold Graystone Bridge?"

"Yes, Lord Gervas. You'll likely need to stay for another two or three days!"

"Because the other scout units have been moving frequently these past two days—all heading north to reconnoiter. I suspect the Commander-in-Chief plans to launch a preemptive strike and crush this forty-thousand-strong orc force."

"So right now, we need time not only for the main army to rest, but also for the scouts to confirm conditions to the north—like whether there are other ambushes nearby!"

"Only after rest and reconnaissance are complete will the main army move. Only then might you be recalled!"

Gervas nodded. "Captain Leide, thank you for informing me of this."

"Lord Gervas, even if I didn't tell you, you'd know within one or two days anyway. No need to thank me."

Captain Leide and his men were also fortunate this time—they seemed to recognize they needed rest too.

So they weren't assigned to the most dangerous front lines these past two days.

As he just mentioned, they were sent beyond the checkpoints to scout northward.

Instead, they merely patrolled behind the three checkpoints, ensuring none of them developed problems unnoticed.

Because of their relationship, Captain Leide personally came to Graystone Bridge and chatted briefly with Gervas, updating him on the current situation.

These details weren't critically important, but ordinary soldiers couldn't possibly learn them from Captain Leide.

After all, if the enemy found out, it would be the gravest breach of security.

After chatting a while longer, Captain Leide left two wild animals he'd hunted along the way, then departed with his men.

Gervas wasted no time, ordering his subordinates to summon Mil and the others for a roast meat feast.

Since we're stuck here for now, might as well enjoy ourselves.

This might be the most relaxed time we have for the next month—or even two.

Once we leave Redstone City's territory and head further north, we'll encounter orc patrols everywhere.

…

Of course, Gervas didn't know that while he thought he'd have two days of peace, some people didn't want him to enjoy it.

"You're Minister Willard?"

"That's right. You must be Deputy Commander Solit?"

"Yes! I'm Solit of the Shatterstone. Minister Willard sent word that you had urgent business to discuss with me. What is it?" Solit tilted his chin slightly, his face brimming with arrogance as he named his clan.

Though Solit wasn't even a direct bloodline member—barely a distant relative—Willard was used to the petty superiority of these noble houses and paid it no mind.

Instead, he beamed. "Minister Willard, I've long admired you. Let's sit and talk."

Solit nodded, pleased with Willard's demeanor.

He already knew why Willard had summoned him.

In that letter, Willard had detailed how Gervas had murdered his only son.

No sooner had Solit sat down than Willard cut straight to the point: "Lord Solit, you already know how Gervas killed my only heir."

"Moreover, I've heard that the brat Gervas offended the Shatterstone Clan and showed disrespect to you, Lord Solit!"

"That's why I invited you here—to join forces and kill that brat Gervas!"

"Hmm?"

Solit hadn't expected such blunt honesty—directly proposing the murder of a noble.

But that suited him fine; it spared them mutual suspicion.

And he truly wanted Gervas dead.

He planned to use this achievement to petition the Second Prince for rewards—to serve under him, or even be granted a lordship.

Correct, Solit's actions weren't directed by the Second Prince.

Though the Second Prince would certainly seek to eliminate Gervas if he learned he'd joined this campaign.

But Gervas's enrollment in the Northern Campaign was entirely Willard's doing.

The Second Prince knew nothing of it.

Solit had only just learned of Gervas's existence after receiving the list and basic profiles of the conscripts.

As a distant branch of the Shatterstone Clan, Solit held no status within the family.

Even his position as deputy commander of the vanguard had been bought with considerable gold, secured through family connections.

So since childhood, he'd resented his lowly position, always watching for any chance to change his fate.

He'd happened to hear, not long ago, that Gervas of Stormhold had offended the Second Prince.

Others might forget it quickly—it had little bearing on them.

But Solit remembered. And he saw it as a divine opportunity.

If he could arrange Gervas's death, he could go straight to the Second Prince for rewards—and rise to greatness!

"Minister Willard, tell me how you propose we cooperate?"

"Lord Solit, I have a perfect plan."

"I've heard that brat Gervas is stationed now at Graystone Bridge in the northwest."

"Graystone Bridge is over twenty miles from Redstone City. If we could somehow provoke the orcs into launching a surprise attack on them, those two or three thousand men would have no chance of survival!"

"Minister Willard, Gervas is indeed stationed at Graystone Bridge in the northwest—but the orcs don't take orders from us. How can we make them attack where we want?" Solit spoke calmly, unimpressed by the plan.

"Lord Willard, Gervas is indeed stationed at the Gray Stone Bridge to the northwest, but the orcs don't take orders from us—how can we expect them to launch ambushes whenever we say?" Solit spoke calmly, not seeing any merit in the plan.

Willard smiled and said: "Lord Solit, what if the orcs learned that Baron Mil was at Graystone Bridge?"

Only hearing Wilard laugh and say, "Lord Solit, what if the orcs knew that Baron Mil was at Graystone Bridge?"