Lord: I can see loyalty.

Chapter 244 A Great Victory on the Front, Approaching the Gray Wolf

The Southern Army only stayed at Anvil Keep for one day.

The next morning, the horns sounded again, and the black-armored cavalry of the Azure Peak Knights were the first to leave the city, advancing along the westward road towards the Grey Wolf family's territory.

The militia formation followed closely behind, their spears like a forest, their steps perfectly synchronized, and the dust obscured the rising sun.

The residents of Iron Anvil Fort hid behind doors and windows, watching those departing figures, unsure whether to feel fortunate or fearful.

Vio rode his horse in the middle of the group, with Alec and Jimmy on his left and right respectively.

His gaze fell ahead, on the territory of the Gray Wolf family, which was also their destination.

He needs the Grey Wolves' home, not their land, but their position.

One middle-class family in the North who stands by his side is better than ten minor lords who have been forced to surrender.

"Any news from Russell?" Vio asked.

Jimmy shook his head. "Not yet. The main force of the Golden Saddle Horse family is still gathering and shows no signs of heading south. Cedric's Griffin Legion is also silent."

Vio nodded without saying anything.

Cedric was more composed than he had expected. Despite losing thousands of men and several cities, he remained unmoved.

What is he waiting for? Is he waiting for the Golden Saddle Horse Clan and the Black Serpent Clan to send troops? Or is he waiting for the supply lines in the southern border to be extended before cutting them off in one fell swoop?

Whatever he was waiting for, Vio wouldn't give him the chance.

A messenger on horseback delivered news of the fall of Iron Anvil Fortress to Golden Horse City, the heartland of the Golden Saddle Horse family's territory.

This is a city ten times larger than Iron Anvil Fortress, with towering walls and a wide moat. The core direct descendants of the Golden Saddle Horse family live within the city.

The council hall was brightly lit by candlelight, and the long table was filled with knights and vassal lords of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

The head of the Golden Saddle family, Earl August Golden Saddle.

One of the few remaining old earls in the North and South, his hair was completely white and his face was covered with age spots, but his eyes were still sharp and his back was still straight.

He fought on the battlefield in his youth, and retired behind the scenes in his old age, handing over family affairs to his eldest son.

But this time, he had to come forward in person because he had received too many messages.

The messenger stood in the center of the hall, trembling, his voice hoarse: "My lord, the outpost city of Anvil Castle—has fallen."

The hall was deathly silent.

August sat in the main seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, making a monotonous sound, without speaking immediately.

"The main force of the Southern Earl is advancing westward, and their target is likely the territory of the Grey Wolf family," the messenger added.

A middle-aged man standing at the table on the west side suddenly stood up; he was August's eldest son, Renault Kingshort.

His brow furrowed, his voice laced with barely suppressed rage: "Father, we can't wait any longer! The Earl of the Southern Border is already at our doorstep. If we don't send troops now, Iron Anvil Fortress will be a cautionary tale!"

"Send troops?" another voice rang out, tinged with sarcasm. "With what can we send troops? Where are His Majesty Cedric's reinforcements? Where are the Black Serpent's reinforcements? Are we, the only ones, going to fight to the death and let them reap the benefits?"

The debate was in full swing, with the pro-war and pro-defense factions arguing fiercely. August did not stop them, but simply listened quietly.

After a long while, he raised his hand, and the hall fell silent instantly.

"Any news from His Majesty Cedric?" he asked, looking at his adjutant beside him.

The adjutant lowered his head. "His Majesty only said—to let us wait a little longer."

"Wait?" Renault's voice rose several decibels. "If we wait any longer, the Earl of the Southern Border will be at our doorstep!"

August glanced at him, and Renault's voice immediately lowered.

"His Majesty is indeed forcing us." August's voice was calm, but every word was clear. "He wants us to send troops first. If we don't send troops, Iron Anvil Castle will be lost, and the Grey Wolf family will most likely defect as well. With the Earl of the South at our gates, not only will the Golden Saddle family lose, but Cedric will also lose."

"So what do we do?"

"Yeah, what should we do—"

Several vassal lords whispered among themselves.

August remained silent for a long time, then stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the gray sky.

"Send troops." His voice was soft. "But not for Cedric, but for the Golden Saddle Ma family. If we win, we'll have merit; if we lose, we won't be without options."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Cedric wants us to work for him, but he's forgotten that we, the Golden Saddle Horse family, are not so easily manipulated."

Renault stood up and clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "Father, let me go!"

August glanced at him and nodded.

"You go and test the waters first. Take 10,000 men. Remember, it's not about you winning, it's about holding them off. Hold them off until the Black Serpent clan sends out their troops, until the Griffin Legion marches south. As long as we hold them off, we'll win."

Renault accepted the order and strode out of the hall.

As the bugle sounded, the army of the Golden Saddle Horse family began to assemble, their iron hooves shattering the morning light, and their battle flags fluttering in the wind.

Ten thousand men, five thousand elite knights, and five thousand elite militiamen marched in a mighty procession toward the southern army.

Grey Wolf Castle, the territory of the Grey Wolf family.

The news came faster than expected.

Earl Old Grey Wolf stood on the terrace, holding a newly delivered urgent report in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly.

Iron Anvil has fallen, and the Southern Army is advancing toward their territory. Although the Golden Saddle Horse family has already sent troops, Cedric's reinforcements are still on their way.

"Father," Leon said calmly, standing behind him, "the Earl of the South is approaching our territory."

Ald didn't speak, but just stared at the gray plain outside the city.

He seemed to already see those flags, the flags of the Southern Territory, the silver-white battle banners of the Azure Peak Knights, which were particularly dazzling in the morning light.

"How many of them came?" Old asked.

"The outpost appears to have only a few hundred cavalry, but the main force is still behind. According to scouts, there are at least five thousand knights."

Old closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. He knew this day would come sooner or later, but he didn't expect it to come so soon.

"What does he really want? My territory? Or my army?"

"He wants your stance," Leon said softly. "He has already sent a messenger to indicate that he doesn't want to fight; he wants to talk."

Old was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Leon. "Do you think he genuinely wants to talk?"

"He is the Earl of the South," Leon said calmly. "If he only wanted to annex our land, he wouldn't send anyone to negotiate first; he would attack directly, just like he attacked Anvil Castle."

Olde stared at him for a long time, then sighed. "You want me to choose him?"

"I don't want you to choose anyone," Leon shook his head. "I just want you to choose a path that will allow the Grey Wolf family to survive."

Olde fell silent.

He knew Leon was telling the truth, but what about Cedric? What about the Golden Saddle family?

If House Grey Wolf sides with the Southern Reach, Cedric will certainly not let them off the hook, nor will House Golden Saddle.

But if the Grey Wolf family doesn't side with the Southern Border, the Earl of the Southern Border won't let them off the hook.

“Father,” Leon stepped forward, “the wizard Audrey is dead, the Golden Saddle Horse family is caught in the middle, and the White Horse family even had their eldest son, Marcus, captured. How many of those families that followed Cedric have fared well?”

Old looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

"Let me think about it some more."

Leon nodded, turned and left. Ald stood alone by the window, gazing at the southern flags outside the city, his eyes filled with weariness.

He knew there was no time left to think.