System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 962 - 286: Assault on Morgan Town (10,000) _5
Previously on System: Build My Own Territory...
"Let them be informed that once spring farming is completed, all soldiers from the estate must immediately assemble and march towards Morgan Town!"
"Concurrently, we must intensify the deployment of spies within Morgan Town."
"I require precise intelligence on the number of armored soldiers under that Lord's command!"
Zock, after regaining his composure, replied, "Understood, Viscount."
Jon’s eyes darted about as he contemplated for a few moments before speaking again.
"Have the merchant who hired Free People for that Lord been identified?"
Zock hesitated momentarily before answering, "My apologies, Viscount."
"The merchant, Boer Hansen by name, appears to have anticipated our actions."
"By the time I arrived at Fisherman’s Wharf, he had already disposed of all his fine salt and departed without making any new acquisitions."
Jon’s brow furrowed, and he inquired, "And the other merchants?"
Zock elaborated, "Viscount, apart from the Boer Merchant, the remaining traders are..."
Jon pressed, "Are what?"
Zock sighed, replying, "They are merchants from the Brown Clan, affiliated with the Merchant Guild."
"Their ship sails bear the insignia of the ‘Sea Black Snake’."
Jon’s brow furrowed even more tightly.
As their discussion concluded, a hush fell upon the third-floor balcony.
After a short pause.
Jon spoke, "I comprehend. You may be dismissed."
Zock, standing to Jon's right, did not dare to delay.
"Yes, Viscount."
Zock offered a slight bow of respect before making his exit.
Upon the expansive balcony.
Only Jon Zuck remained standing.
The night breeze swept past, causing the silk brocade robe he wore to ripple gently.
...
Meanwhile, on the opposing side.
Upon the dimly lit city ramparts.
Soldiers encased in standard plate armor stood at attention, positioned between the battlements.
A pair of eyes, peering through the eye slits of their iron helmets, intently surveyed the darkness beyond the fortifications.
At ten-meter intervals between each sentry, signal braziers had been erected.
The wood within blazed fiercely, crackling and sending embers flying.
These provided warmth and illumination for the guards on the walls, while also serving as a deterrent to any encroaching foes.
High above the battlements, banners adorned with the emblem of crossed greatswords and shields.
Flapped audibly in the night wind along the Seine River.
Along the walkway of the ramparts.
Similarly attired in the standard plate armor of the Sword and Shield Corps, Danke conducted a patrol with his squad of soldiers.
His gaze swept over the disposition of the sentries while closely observing the terrain beyond the walls.
Fortunately.
Apart from the pervasive darkness, no irregularities were detected outside the city walls.
Danke parted his lips slightly, inhaling a breath of the cool night air.
The next moment.
He commanded in a deep voice, "Maintain vigilance!"
"The enemy force targeting Spirit Reef Port is advancing with considerable speed."
"Report any unusual sightings without delay."
"Do you understand?"
As Danke’s directive concluded, crisp shouts resounded from the battlements.
"Yes!"
Satisfied with the resounding affirmations, Danke nodded.
His gaze once again fixed upon the expanse beyond the walls.
Despite Lord Godfrey having already dispatched scouts to patrol the distant routes and secure strategic vantage points away from Spirit Reef Port.
For the sake of absolute security, the walls required a continuous 24/7 guard rotation!
Standing atop the ramparts, observing for a further moment.
Danke was preparing to move on.
Suddenly, in the far reaches of the darkness, a faint glint of fire seemed to materialize.
He instantly halted his movement and turned his gaze back in that direction.
Closer to the battlement he strode, his eyes narrowed slightly, attempting to discern the source more clearly.
He even summoned the adjutant accompanying him.
"Sam, over there... do you see a flicker of fire?"
"Your vision is sharper than mine; perhaps you can identify it."
The man addressed as Sam stepped forward, reached the battlement, and peered beyond the walls.
After a few seconds.
Having gained a clear view, Sam responded.
"Captain Danke, it is indeed a fiery glow."
Upon hearing Sam’s confirmation, Danke’s brow immediately knitted together.
A sense of foreboding began to stir within his heart.
Danke could not refrain from asking again, "Are you absolutely certain?"
Sam affirmed with conviction, "Captain, I stake my life on it!"
Danke instructed immediately, "Dispatch soldiers to Knight Commander Godfrey’s residence and to Lord Lawrence at Siren’s Nest."
"Inform both lords of an anomaly detected outside Spirit Reef Port!"
Perceiving the gravity in Danke’s command, Sam responded swiftly without hesitation.
"Yes, Captain!"
Without delay.
Sam initiated the dispatch of soldiers to convey the urgent message within Spirit Reef Port.
Danke remained stationed at the battlements.
His gaze fixed unswervingly on the distant darkness.
Perhaps due to their rapid advance.
The firelight, initially barely perceptible, had now become distinctly visible.
And it was rapidly approaching Spirit Reef Port.
In the depths of this night.
Other than the scouts who had already gathered valuable intelligence and were galloping back on their swift steeds, there was no other conceivable explanation! This meant that Marquis Polk's formidable army had already penetrated the visual range of our scouts! Standing atop the imposing ramparts, Danke eagerly anticipated the approaching flicker of torchlight. Behind him, the distinct rhythm of hurried footsteps echoed up the stone stairs. Even before Danke had a chance to turn and ascertain the source, a slightly panting voice posed a crucial question, "Are we absolutely certain it's the scouts returning?"