"Hurry, we must rush to the south of the valley in front of that group of bastards to notify Hans and the others. Once the enemy is allowed to infiltrate, the consequences will be disastrous."
At dusk, the two task force members who accepted the mission had already approached the mouth of the south side of the valley. The two of them spent most of the day on the road, except for stopping to drink their horses.
Yesterday evening, the two of them were called to the room of Oliver, the deputy captain of the task force. Oliver told the two of them to return to the garrison in the south of the valley the next morning based on the news that a previous team member had learned in the Sauronburg Tavern.
Early in the morning of the second day, the two task force members made a hasty breakfast and then left the city with dry food. After finding the hidden horses outside the city, they immediately headed north. In the afternoon, we finally arrived at the mouth of the valley in the south. In another day or so, we can reach the canyon where Hans and others are stationed.
While the two were heading north, Oliver and others who were still in Sauron Castle were not idle either. In addition to continuing to monitor Ward Burley's movements, Oliver also sent two team members to Milan, the seat of the Lombard Palace. The two of them had two tasks. One was to collect useful information, and the other was to monitor the movements of the Lombard army and guard against enemy sneak attacks in the valley. If there are any abnormalities, report them immediately.
Before the Duke of Lombardy sent the group of people heading to the valley, the knight from Ward Burley's house who had sneaked into the valley before also took five people to detour through Provence, and they were almost approaching the border between Burgundy and Provence. The main purpose of the group this time was not to assassinate Art, but to inquire about the recent situation in Wales (whether Art had been assassinated).
Ward Burley has always placed his hope on the two spies who are still lurking in the valley. But as time passed, he still couldn't sit still. As long as Att is not eliminated, he will not be able to live in peace for a day. It's a pity that God was not on his side this time~
………
It was dark on May 10th. Six riders coming all the way from the south of Provence were almost approaching the border post set up by the Province of Wales. A few people stayed day and night along the way, appearing extremely low-key.
"...Hurry, everyone dismounts!"
The thin guy riding the horse at the front shouted to the people behind him in a low voice, and he also reined in the reins.
The other five people answered in unison.
"Hurry up and find a place to hide the horse. Then change into old clothes~"
Hurry up. Not long after, a few homeless-looking guys came out of the grass on the roadside. The guy at the head was wearing a rag jacket, and only half of his trousers were full of holes. His whole body exuded a stench that could be smelled twenty feet away. The other guys were dressed similarly, and they all looked like refugees suffering from hunger.
"You, stay here to look after the horses and cover us. If there is any movement, blow the whistle to notify us."
"Yes, sir."
"The rest of you, let's go!"
"Yes."
Before the arrival of early summer, one or two insects chirped in the grass from time to time. As the sun sets in the west, the air gradually becomes slightly cooler. Five guys dressed as refugees hugged their shoulders tightly and walked slowly towards the border outpost.
From a short distance away, the burning torches on the stone walls on both sides of the gate of the border post remained as still as two guards. The golden flames danced up and down, adding a touch of life to this remote outpost. Inside the outpost, four or five soldiers were wearing armor and were constantly patrolling the surroundings.
Since the spies from Lombardy sneaked in last time, the security here has been tightened. At sunset every day, the gate of the outpost is closed on time and no one is allowed to enter. Those waiting outside were not allowed to pass until sunrise the next day after being inspected and questioned.
In order to prevent refugees or business travelers from freezing or being attacked by wild beasts, the border outpost also specially built a simple thatched shed that can accommodate thirty people for shelter not far from the gate. In addition, two meals of porridge and soup are provided every day, so that the hungry refugees will not starve to death in the surrounding area.
Of course, this was all Art’s idea. While developing business and trade, he also did not forget to win people's hearts. In this way, the kindness and kindness of the Earl of Wales will spread through the mouths of these people.
Not long after, five guys dressed as refugees appeared outside the gate of the outpost within a stone's throw. From time to time, one or two people would appear from the thatched hut outside the gate, shuttling between these simple houses.
"What are you doing?"
When a few people approached the gate of the outpost, the soldier on duty asked.
"My lord," the leader said in Burgundian, which he was not very proficient in, "I, we are refugees from Provence. I heard that you are recruiting workers here, and we want to come and have a look."
"Refugees from Provence?" The soldier standing at the door covered his mouth and nose while looking up and down. "Didn't you see what's written on the wooden sign at the door? It's forbidden to enter the city after dark. If you want to go into the city, come back tomorrow!"
The soldier was almost stunned by this group of guys dressed as refugees and hurriedly took a few steps back.
"Sir, look, it's already dark. We've been traveling all day and there's really no place to go. Otherwise, please let us in." The leading refugee begged.
"Have you seen the thatched huts over there? If you don't want to be eaten by the wild beasts in the mountains, just roll over there and stay there. That's what our Lord Count built specially for you untouchables." The soldier pointed to the row of thatched huts on the left side of the gate.
The people outside the door glanced to the left, still unmoved.
“Hey, you bastards!” The soldier scolded them when he saw several people standing still. "I'm telling you, if you stay here and don't leave, you will end up like the two heads hanging on the gate!" The soldier said and glanced at both sides of the gate.
The refugees outside the gate hurriedly took a few steps back after hearing this. Focusing on both sides of the door.
"Can't you see clearly? Then I'll let you take a good look!" Immediately, the soldier took out the torch on the side of the gate and raised it high.
"Ah!" a guy among the refugees shouted. There was also a hint of fear and uneasiness on the faces of several other people.
The soldier laughed loudly and said, "Don't be afraid! Let me tell you, these two bastards sneaked in and wanted to assassinate our Earl, so the Earl ordered their heads to be beheaded and hung on the gate for public display~"
The leading refugee looked up at the heads through the firelight. The face of one of them had long since rotted away, and the rotten flesh on his nose had been washed away by the rain, leaving only a bit of skin connected to the face. Several large holes had been pecked into the head by crows, and carrion could be seen vaguely exposed. The other guy's situation was similar, but the small shining iron rings on his head and ears were extremely familiar to him.
"Joel!" the leading refugee said silently in his heart.
"Get out of my way quickly, or you will end up like them!" The soldiers standing on the other side also came over and stared directly at the few people outside the door.
"Sir, let's go right now, let's go right now~" Then several people stepped back and left, heading towards the thatched hut on one side.
"Sir, what's wrong with you?" one of the refugees with a dirty face asked. Apparently, he noticed the change in the leader's expression.
"It seems that those two guys have already~"
"Sir, who are you talking about?"
"Quick! Return to Lombardy immediately～"
.........
While several people were returning south quickly, the two members of the task force had almost arrived near the mouth of the valley.
"It's just ahead, be careful where you step~"
As the two of them walked in, the road became narrower and narrower, and the shrubs and weeds became thicker, so they had to lead the horses through it slowly.
A few days ago, when the group went south, they deliberately cut down the weeds and shrubs on both sides. Unexpectedly, in such a short period of time, the road became narrow and difficult to pass.
"I just don't understand. This valley is full of weeds and shrubs. It's difficult for just one person to pass through these places. What do you think, Lord Count, to build the trade road to the border of Lombardy? How many years will it take to open it up~"
The task force following the other person muttered in confusion as he kept cutting down the branches sticking out on both sides.
"You boy, you have been following the count for so long, but you haven't developed any skills at all. Since the count has spent so much energy and money on this trade road, he must have his reasons. Let's not worry about it. Let's quickly inform Hans and the others of the news. When the time comes, wait for those Lombard bastards to come, they will look good~" The guy walking in front spat fiercely.
"Yes, none of them will be able to get out alive by then!"
Half a day later, the two finally arrived near the narrow mouth of the valley ~
"Sir Hans, there seems to be someone in the bushes over there."
The soldier who was on duty at the checkpoint at the valley gate turned around and reported to Hans who came to check the situation.
“Let me see~” Hans approached the hole and looked out, vaguely seeing the bushes not far away swaying from side to side.
"If there is an enemy situation, the people above are ready!" Hans raised his head and ordered to the two soldiers on duty above the checkpoint. After a while, several soldiers who were resting in the temporary barracks also ran over.
"Ready the bows and arrows!"
Seeing the figures emerging from the bushes, everyone was ready to defend themselves against the enemy...
"Hey, don't shoot the arrows, we are from the task force~" The guy who just emerged from the bushes looked up and saw two soldiers holding crossbows and ready to release arrows above the checkpoint and shouted hurriedly.
"It's really those guys from the task force~" the soldier standing above muttered, and then put away his crossbow.
“Sir Hans, the task force is back.” Another soldier said to Hans who was standing below.
"...Sir, it is estimated that those soldiers will arrive here in one day, and we must take precautions early." A task force member reported all the news that Oliver and others had learned in Sauron Castle to Art.
Att sat at the table, tapping his fingers on the table from time to time.
"What's going on with the Lombard army?" After a moment, Art asked.
"Back to your lord, Earl, there is no sign of the Lombard army heading north. However, Chief Oliver has sent two people to Milan. If there is any trouble, he will notify the valley at any time."
Matt nodded, then got up and walked around the tent, thinking about countermeasures.
Now it seems that it must have been that bastard Ward Burley who revealed the situation in the valley to the Duke of Lombardy. His intention is obvious. Once his assassin fails to assassinate him, he can use the hands of the Duke of Lombardy to get rid of him to avoid future troubles. If I hadn't sent people to station here in time, once those people were allowed to enter the valley, something might happen again.
At this point, it is impossible to hide. Art's plan to secretly penetrate the valley was aborted. Since the Duke of Lombardy sent people to explore the road, it means that he has become greedy for the valley. Once he shows weakness, the old guy will definitely take advantage of it. The only way now is to let him quit.
"Ron, take forty soldiers and find a place to ambush outside the valley entrance. Once those bastards enter the encirclement, I will chop off all their heads!" There was a murderous look in Art's eyes, and his face suddenly became serious.
"Yes, sir!"
After half a year of fighting, Ron was finally able to operate on these Lombards, which made Ron extremely excited.
“Your Majesty, Earl, I request to go with Commander Ron!” Hans, who was standing aside, couldn’t help but said. A few days ago, Hans was demoted and had his salary cut by Art because of the incident involving the mountain people. If he didn't take this opportunity to accumulate military merit, he might not be able to stand up.
At turned around, looked at the expectant Hans, and said: "I originally intended to let you station here, but since you have spoken, I shouldn't stop you. Remember, bring me two Lombard heads back!"
"Yes, Lord Count!" Hans knelt down and thanked him.
Bury, who was standing aside, saw that a battle was going on, and the enthusiasm in his heart was aroused.
As soon as Burry opened his mouth and took half a step, Art stretched out his hand to stop him.
"Bury, don't go. If you two leave, who will be in charge of the station."
"I~" Bury glanced at Hans aggrievedly, wanting to argue, but didn't dare to speak.
"Now it seems that the Duke of Lombardy has set his sights on this fat piece of meat in the valley. Everyone, this place is of great strategic significance, so you must be vigilant."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Count." Everyone replied in unison.
"Also, Ron, after you go down, ask Graynor to lead a few people to completely destroy all the mountain trails that can enter the valley entrance. They must not be allowed to get in through those places."
"Yes, sir."
"Okay, everyone, go down and prepare. When those bastards arrive, let them see the power of the Wells Army!"
「Yes, Your Majesty the Earl!」