234: Senna's advice

During a meeting, Reyn successfully handled all the senior officers remaining in the Iron Wall Fortress, earning their complete respect and admiration.

With his strength and status, coupled with the fact that Reyn himself originated from the Border Defense Army, these individuals naturally accepted him readily.

Over the next few days, Reyn thoroughly grasped the situation of the entire Iron Wall Fortress and even met privately with former friends from the Border Defense Army with whom he had good relations, chatting to reconnect.

The Iron Wall Fortress truly lived up to its name as the largest fortress complex in the Rage Bear Territory. Standing high up, Reyn could clearly see the massive Main Fortress spanning the pass, completely blocking the road leading south from the Northern Wasteland.

Hundreds of fortresses, large and small, sealed off every possible small path leading south in the vicinity, forming a tight defensive line with the Main Fortress.

The fortress walls were not only tall and thick but were also enchanted with magic, giving them extremely strong resistance.

Inside the Main Fortress was also a Mage Tower. This Mage Tower was the center of the entire fortress complex's Magic Array, routinely responsible for maintaining the fortress's Magic Array.

Permanently stationed within the Mage Tower was a Gold Rank Mage and a Mage Corps led by a Gold Rank Archmage.

Alman was the Archmage permanently stationed at the Iron Wall Fortress, having been garrisoned in the Iron Wall Fortress Mage Tower for over a century.

As a border region, the Iron Wall Fortress was not an ideal posting for a Mage, but Alman, whose talent was not overly dazzling, resolutely chose to come here.

Time proved his choice was correct. Compared to the fiercely competitive Rage Bear Fortress, Alman received more resources at the Iron Wall Fortress, which lacked Mages, although he occasionally had to fight the Fel Orcs, facing constant threats to his life when dealing with the sinister methods of the Evil Beastmen Priests.

Many companions who came to the Iron Wall Fortress with Alman had already died fighting the Fel Orcs and other foreign races.

However, Alman was fortunate. Not only did he survive, but his strength broke through, and he became a Gold Rank Archmage, now commanding all the Spellcasters within the entire Iron Wall Fortress.

As a High-level Spellcaster, and one who had fought foreign races for a century, Alman long possessed a strong, unflappable heart. It had been a long time since he felt intense emotional fluctuations.

Today, he felt this long-lost sensation again.

Looking at Reyn, who was gazing at the fortress complex not far away, countless thoughts flashed through Alman's mind.

The moment he saw Reyn, a feeling of dread involuntarily surged in his heart. The sense of crisis—that urge to immediately flee, making the hair on his arms stand up—made Alman's previously relaxed state become tense.

"What's wrong, Archmage Alman?"

"Are you afraid of me?"

Reyn turned around to look at Alman behind him. The Archmage he couldn't afford to offend three years ago was now trembling just standing behind him. This massive difference made Reyn himself feel a little emotional, let alone Alman.

Reyn's Perception was far stronger than Alman's. Alman's emotional changes held no secrets in Reyn's eyes.

"My Lord, your strength is astonishing."

"Is that so!"

Reyn walked over to Alman, and the two sat facing each other. Then, Reyn suddenly began discussing the Principles of Magic.

Alman looked at Reyn in astonishment. He hadn't expected Reyn to understand such things, and as the conversation deepened, Alman realized he couldn't keep up with Reyn's ideas.

Towards the end of the conversation, Reyn was unilaterally explaining the Profound Mysteries of Magic, while Alman quietly listened, occasionally showing expressions of sudden enlightenment.

It wasn't until dusk that the conversation ended, and Alman reluctantly stood up.

"My Lord, your teachings are astounding. I never expected you to be a Scholar. Compared to the Scholars of Rage Bear Fortress or even Golden City, you are no less impressive."

"I will visit the Mage Tower when I have time, and we can exchange ideas again then!"

Reyn paid no mind to Alman's flattery. This exchange was merely a test; the main course was yet to come.

After Alman left with complicated feelings, Reyn returned to his residence in the fortress, where Klimp had been waiting for a long time... "Your Grace, the Stag Territory's army has dispersed everywhere and is looting widely. Many territories have been breached, and the nobles in the Eastern Region have suffered heavy losses."

Belmont led his massive army aggressively toward the Eastern Border, heading straight for the Plane Passage. However, upon arrival, the army discovered that there were no Stag Territory troops near the Plane Passage at all.

The entire Plane Passage was guarded by only a small Guard Army unit, which immediately surrendered upon Belmont's arrival. Clearly, the Stag Territory had abandoned the area.

Belmont then received reports that the entire Eastern Region of the Rage Bear Territory was being plundered by the Stag Territory army. Only then did he realize that Heisenberg had actually divided his large army into dozens of teams, scattering them to invade the entire Eastern Region of the Rage Bear Territory.

Because the Rage Bear Territory's elite forces were all concentrated in one place, defenses everywhere else were relatively weak, leaving them completely unprepared for the Stag Territory's premeditated invasion.

"Bastard!"

"How could that Illegitimate Son, who possesses no sense of honor, do such a thing?"

"A truly uncivilized wretch, a shameless scoundrel!"

Belmont's roar echoed through the military tent. He wanted to replicate the First Magic Stone War, where both sides engaged in a quick, efficient decisive battle to determine the victor and the hierarchy in one fight.

But this time, Heisenberg did not play by the rules, causing Belmont's initial heavy punch to miss completely.

"Your Highness, although we have occupied the Magic Stone Vein, unless we heavily damage the Stag Territory, our current achievements are only temporary and completely useless."

Count Sena stepped forward and spoke:

"The Stag Territory's widespread looting is unsettling the nobles in the Eastern Region. I estimate they will soon receive pleas for help from their respective families, which will inevitably cause unrest in the army."

Belmont also felt that Sena made sense. Belmont placed considerable trust in this loyal Vassal of the Raging Bear Family; otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically asked Sena to lead the Border Defense Army elites south to assist him.

"Count Sena, what do you suggest we do?"

"Your Highness, we should immediately organize several powerful teams. The numbers don't need to be excessive, but they must be strong enough. Then, divide them into two parts."

"One part should target the looting Stag Territory teams. Find one or two of their raiding parties and annihilate them, hitting them where it hurts."

"The other part can imitate the Stag Territory's actions by penetrating deep into the Stag Territory and plundering the Stag Territory's Western Region, harassing their rear."

"These Stag Territory nobles only want to gain some advantage. Once they realize there are not only no gains to be made but also potentially huge losses, they will certainly gather together, and then we can engage in a decisive battle."

"Good. Count Sena is indeed a Veteran of many battles; this method is excellent."

Belmont happily approved Sena's Suggestion on the spot.

"Since Your Highness believes this method is feasible, I suggest that Count Zaradok and I each lead an elite team, one heading south and one north, to search for and annihilate the invading Stag Territory teams."

As Sena spoke, he turned his gaze toward Horn, who had remained silent.

"Count Horn is much stronger than both Count Zaradok and me, and his Knights are all brave warriors. It would be most suitable for him to lead his elites to attack the Stag Territory."

"Count Sena makes sense. Count Horn, what do you say?"

Belmont also looked at Horn. The military tent fell silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes focused on Horn.

The Knights behind Horn were extremely displeased with Sena's Suggestion. Any fool knew how dangerous it was to penetrate deep behind enemy lines. Why would they be happy to take on such a thankless task?

"Since Your Highness trusts me, then I shall go and teach the Stag men a lesson!"

Horn agreed expressionlessly. Belmont's eyes flickered, and he nodded, saying nothing more. The other nobles around felt a sense of relief but also disappointment; they had wanted to see if Horn would directly confront the young Duke.

"This Horn, usually so arrogant, isn't tough enough when it counts!"

"Tch, just a silver spearhead—looks good but is useless!"