Chapter 71
A large hand picked up the fallen wine pouch.
The man twisted it open and sniffed the contents, and his eyes shone with delight. However, his words. were filled with anger.
“How dare you hoard fine wine in the military camp? This will be confiscated!”
With that, he turned and stormed off.
Carissa sat on the ground, rubbing her nose and blinked away tears. She could only vaguely see a tall figure darting back toward the command tent.
“The marshal confiscated it,” Bun said, stunned. Then, he sighed deeply. “Even a sip would have been fine. Why make such a fuss? Now it’s gone.”
Violet didn’t expect Rafael to come by either, and chuckled. “Do you really think I just had one pouch when my bag is so huge?”
Bun and Travis hurried inside, singing Violet’s praises. Then, they quickly drank another pouch of wine that Violet had stashed away.
-It was refreshing!
The call to arms for the second battle sounded, and the ground shook with the pounding of iron hooves, as if the earth itself were being torn apart.
Rafael ordered that the focus of this battle be on injuring the enemy rather than killing.
Bun was puzzled. “If we can kill the enemy, why not? Injured enemies will just come back to fight once they recover.”
Carissa held the Rose Spear, and replied, “I got it.”
“What is it?” Bun asked.
Carissa explained, “On the battlefield, we follow the marshal’s orders, and mine as well. Injure the enemy’s limbs and tendons, or cut off their arms and legs. Only kill if absolutely necessary!”
There was no time for more discussion; the fighting had begun!
With her distinctive Rose Spear, Carissa quickly became a target. Over a hundred enemy soldiers surrounded her.
Twenty–five long spears thrust at her simultaneously, but Carissa leapt into the air and vanished. The enemles, unable to adjust in time, ended up hitting their own comrades with their spears
Carissa shouted, “Vivi, Snake Bind!”
Violet flew in over the circle of soldiers, her long whip moving like a swift serpent to snatch away all the long spears.
Then, she shouted, “Carissa, Goddess’s Petals!”
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Carissa soared through the air with her spear in hand. She swung the Rose Spear with powerful, fluid motions, sending the spearheads flying into the enemy ranks. Each strike found its mark, piercing through enemy soldiers.
Carissa and Violet looked at each other. Their teamwork was perfect!
Surrounded by enemies targeting each of the five of them, they decided to consolidate their efforts, moving as one to disrupt the enemy’s strategy.
They fought back to back with seamless coordination–Bun with his knife, Travis with his sword, Cynthia with her hammer, and Violet with her whip. None of their strikes missed!
Carissa was relentless; each strike of her Rose Spear drew blood. Her attacks either severed tendons or shattered leg muscles, often ending with a final, fatal wound.
The sounds of battle filled the air around Ilyrian City–horns of attack, cries of agony, and the clash of swords echoed throughout the surrounding wilderness. The sky was thick with a red haze of blood, and the only things visible were weapons and gore.
Rafael kept adjusting tactics, advancing step by step. He joined the fight himself, wielding his golden blade with precision and effortlessly slicing through enemy limbs.
The objective of today’s battle was to inflict injuries rather than to kill. He didn’t use lethal force, not out of mercy, but because he knew that many wounded opponents would slow the enemy’s progress. With the limited number of medics, some soldiers needed to stay behind to care for the injured. No commander would ignore the welfare of his wounded, as it affects the troops‘ morale.
The battle continued until dusk before the signal to ceasefire was finally given.
Rafael gave Carissa a thumbs–up. “You’ve earned another achievement!”
The cold had caused the enemy’s blood to congeal on Carissa’s face, forming a grim, bloody crust.
She wasn’t overly concerned with personal glory. Her sole focus was reclaiming the Southern Frontier and fulfilling her father’s wishes. With the fall of her family, she vowed to recover the Southern Frontier, even if she was the only one left.
Looking at her now, with her face stained and battered, Rafael remembered how she had looked when she first arrived.
Although her face was red and her skin had cracked from the cold wind, she looked strikingly beautiful.
Now, it was hard to say if she still resembled a woman.
Chapter 72
Carissa’s hair was a tangled mess. It was stiff with dried blood from the battle, and there were strands clumped together in all directions. Even a bird’s nest looked better.
Her wooden armor was torn and stained with blood, and her face was a canvas of grime and mud. She hadn’t bathed or washed herself in many days, and even the beggars on the street would appear neater compared to her.
“Are you uncomfortable?” Rafael asked, recalling how vibrant and lively she had been each year when visiting the Pathfinders Guild.
She seemed like a completely different person now.
Carissa’s cracked lips parted to utter a single word. “Hungry!”
Rafael snorted. “Yes, we’re all hungry. Just bear with it.”
“I’m so exhausted!” Carissa replied weakly, “I’m so tired I can barely stand.”
“Carissa!” Rafael said sternly. “Do you realize that no general in Starhaven’s history has defeated so many enemies on their first battlefield? Not even your father You’ve done something remarkable. So, hold your head up high and walk out there with pride.”
Carissa straightened up, adopting a proud posture, even though she hobbled with a pained limp and used her Rose Spear as a makeshift cane. Then, she made her way out of the command tent.
Rafael followed her, smiling, but there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. He had watched her grow up, and had once thought….
Supplies of food had arrived from Tower City. Although it wasn’t much, it was enough to give the soldiers a good meal.
That evening, Rafael gathered the senior commanders for a meeting. Carissa, still leaning on her Rose Spear, limped into the tent.
Inside, everyone looked at her with admiration. The Sinclair family’s female general was truly impressive!
Rafael called the commanders together to plan the next battle. He pushed a chess piece across the board, his eyes flashing coldly.
“Next, we’ll be attacking the city!”
The commanders were taken aback, feeling that such a move was overly risky. Given the current number and weaponry of the allied forces of Westhaven and Sandoria, attacking the city seemed like a hopeless
task.
Only Carissa asked, “A feigned attack, right?”
Rafael turned his gaze to her. “Exactly.”
Carissa asked, “So, the first time is a feigned attack. The second time is also a feigned attack, and the third time is the real assault, right?”
Rafael waved her over. “Commander Sinclair, come here.”
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Using her spear as support, Carissa walked over. “Yes, marshal!”
Rafael stood up, and pinched her cheek. “How did you become so smart? You’re a natural leader.”
Carissa winced. “Marshal, that hurts!”
Rafael laughed heartily. “Once you’re a soldier, you can’t be so delicate.”
Carissa wasn’t being delicate, the biting cold was causing her face, which had been pampered for years, to ache painfully. Rafael’s fingers were rough and calloused, and the pinch felt like needles jabbing into
her face.
After laughing, Rafael said, “We need to capture Ilyrian before the reinforcements arrive. We’ll drive them to Simonton City, and then we’ll face them in the final battle there. Commander Sinclair, I look forward to seeing how you and your husband will work together. I hope you both shine on the battlefield.”
Carissa considered mentioning her divorce with Barrett, to avoid awkwardness if he and Aurora arrived with reinforcements and everyone still thought they were married. She also thought it might prevent misunderstandings, especially since she and Aurora were temporarily aligned against the same enemy.
Before she could speak, another general, Owen Llyod, said, “Barrett is truly fortunate to have married someone as skilled and brave as Commander Sinclair.
Timothy smiled at Carissa. “Carissa, if he dares to mistreat you in the future, just let me know. I’ll deal with him, even if his rank surpasses mine.”
“No need for that,” Owen added with a smile. “If Barrett dares to bully her, her own soldiers will stand up for her. Besides, the son–in–law chosen by Madam Sinclair herself can’t be that bad. Let’s not speak ill of them and spoil their relationship.”
When they mentioned her mother had personally chosen her husband, Carissa’s words got stuck in her
throat.
Rafael noticed her change in expression, and felt she was hiding something. However, since she didn’t say anything, pressing further didn’t feel right.
Chapter 73
That night, Carissa couldn’t sleep.
Despite being at the front line for days, she usually slept soundly even when half–starved, except for the first and the current day when she was full.
But tonight, even after a satisfying meal, she couldn’t get any rest.
The hardships of the front–lines were terrible, and she admired her father and brothers for enduring it for so many years. She herself could endure, but she hadn’t explained her situation with Barrett to Rafael and the other generals, and it felt wrong.
How could she explain?
That her mother had chosen a man who, after gaining some achievements, threw her to the side and wanted to marry a female general like Aurora?
People might think she came to the Southern Frontier to prove she was better than Aurora
She didn’t care about the gossip in the capital, but on this battlefield where her father and brothers had sacrificed so much, she didn’t want her loyalty and dedication to her father’s legacy to be mistaken for jealousy.
But eventually, Barrett and Aurora would arrive, and the truth would come out.
Carissa sat up, and the snoring around her stopped. Even though everyone was deeply asleep, they were alert enough that they woke up when she moved.
Through the curtain, Travis noticed the silence and asked, “Carissa, can’t you sleep?”
“There’s something on my mind,” Carissa said, hugging her knees and feeling frustrated.
Everyone sat up. Cynthia leaned against her shoulder with her eyes closed, and asked, “What’s troubling you?”
Carissa replied, “I’m thinking about telling the marshal about Barrett… Do you think if I say it directly, the marshal might think I came here to compete with Aurora?”
“Aren’t you here to outshine her? I thought you wanted to surpass her and step over her,” Travis said.
Carissa rolled her eyes. “If even you think that, then everyone else definitely will.”
Violet scratched her head, feeling an itch like bugs crawling on her scalp.
“What’s wrong with competing with her? Aren’t you better than Aurora? You’re now a regiment. commander. Do you know what that means? In official terms, you’d be a fifth–ranked major if it were a formal appointment. The Ministry of Defense hasn’t updated your rank yet.”
Carissa lay down, placing her hands behind her head, “I’m not here to compete with her. My father and brothers sacrificed themselves on the Southern Frontier. I want to help the marshal reclaim it and fulfill their wishes.
That’s right. I remember her saying she wanted to be an outstanding general like her father and brothers. She’s not here to compete with Aurora,” Travis said.
“We believe that, but who else will? People will think that if she wants to be the best warrior, why did she
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choose to marry and manage the household? Why only come to the battlefield after being abandoned?” Violet said bluntly.
“It doesn’t matter what others think. What’s crucial is whether the king and the marshal believe in her. They are the ones who decide her future and promotion,” Bun said.
Everyone fell silent.
It didn’t matter what gossip was spread; the real issue was whether the king and the Hell Monarch would view her battlefield efforts as just a means to compete in a domestic rivalry.
Cynthia’s eyes widened. “So what? Carissa has proven herself with real achievements. In the first and second battles, claiming she’s the top performer among all the soldiers is no exaggeration.”
Travis pounded the bedding in frustration. “Yeah, Carissa. Don’t worry about what others say. It’s not your fault! It’s the fault of that worthless man and woman. We don’t need to explain anything. When those two come, everything will be clear. If they try to pin any blame on you, even if he’s a general, I’ll deal with him personally.”
Carissa sniffled. “They’ll probably say my mother has poor judgment.”
“Madam Sinclair’s judgment isn’t the best. I’ll talk to her when we get back
Chapter 74
Tears instantly welled up in Carissa’s eyes.
“You can’t blame her. Now, I’m the only one left in my family.”
That was something she hadn’t shared with her friends. It was her deepest pain, something she couldn’t talk about without trembling with grief.
Travis and Bun abruptly threw back the curtain, their faces showing shock and horror in the darkness. They exchanged a stunned glance with Cynthia and Violet, and said in unison, “What?!”
Carissa buried her head in her knees, hot tears streaming down her face.
“They were killed by Westhaven spies lurking in the capital. All the spies from Westhaven were mobilized, and my entire family was wiped out. At that time, I was still Barrett’s wife and living at the Valor Estate, so I avoided that massacre. But if I hadn’t married, they might still be alive.”
Her friends were horrified.
The destruction of an entire family was a devastating blow.
The four of them moved closer, embracing Carissa and sharing her grief.
“Carissa, don’t cry. We’re here for you!” Cynthia cried..
Violet pushed them aside and held Carissa tightly, patting her back. Her voice trembled with tears, but was filled with determination. “Have all the Westhaven spies been dealt with? If not, we’ll find them and get revenge after we win the battle!”
“Some are dead, and some have escaped. It’s difficult to track them down once they’ve fled,” Carissa said.
She had kept silent about Aurora’s role in the massacre. If they knew Aurora’s actions had driven the Westhaven sples to slaughter her family, they wouldn’t care about the bigger picture. They would likely kill Aurora on sight.
This situation was more complicated than it seemed.
“It may be hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible,” Violet growled. “We’ll find them after the battle.”
Even though Violet came from the martial world, she knew Westhaven and Stafhaven had an agreement to avoid harming civilians over border issues. To resort to such ruthless acts against a whole family was nothing short of despicable.
“Yes, we’ll find them after the battle,” Cynthia agreed.
Bun and Travis nodded vigorously. “Don’t worry, Carissa. Those people won’t escape!”
Carissa embraced them, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Thinking about her family, she couldn’t stop crying. Once she started, it was hard to hold back.
That night, none of the five could sleep well. The next morning, their eyes were terribly swollen. Fortunately, Violet had some powder to help cover up the puffiness. With everyone already looking dirty to begin with, it wasn’t too noticeable.
The first fake assault on the city caught Sandorla forces off guard. They quickly gathered their troops on
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the city walls, positioning archers in rows to shoot arrows.
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The attackers were armed with shields, and surged forward in waves. They even brought ladders and catapults with them, but after an hour of assault, they retreated without even setting up the ladders.
On the city walls, Liam looked down with a cold expression. “They’re panicking. Do they think a few soldiers are enough to take the city? Do they think we can’t fight back, just because they’ve injured so many of our troops? The Hell Monarch is not so impressive after all.”
Standing beside him, Victor said, “If the Hell Monarch lacked strength, how could he have captured over twenty cities? Don’t underestimate him–underestimating the enemy is a grave mistake.”
Liam shot him a cold look. “They captured over twenty cities because you were ineffective.”
Victor frowned. How could Westhaven be so arrogant? Did they really think their three hundred thousand soldiers were invincible?
The second assault was more intense than the first. They sent thirty thousand soldiers and used many stones with their catapults, causing some cracks in the city walls.
However, the Starhaven soldiers quickly faltered under the relentless arrows, and the attackers were forced to retreat in disgrace.
Liam laughed loudly. “The Hell Monarch is nothing special! Give it a few more days. When they run out of food, we’ll launch a full–scale attack and take Tower City!”
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Chapter 75
In the command tent outside Tower City, Rafael leaned forward over the desk, his tall figure tense with excitement. His eyes shone brightly, like stars in the night sky.
“Send the order: we will launch a major attack at dawn. Once we capture llyrian, we’ll have plenty of food, meat, warm clothes, blankets, and all the supplies we need. The Westhaven forces are rich, and have brought tons of supplies to the Southern Frontier.”
At the mention of meat, everyone’s eyes lit up. Rafael’s forces had been enduring hunger for too long: they were eager to devour anything they could get their hands on!
Unfurling a map, Rafael pointed to a small circle on Ilyrian, and called Carissa forward. He indicated the circle with a slender, dark finger.
Ommander Sinclair. After we breach the city, you will take three thousand troops straight to Serene District. The supplies will be stockpiled there. Sandoria and Westhaven have many wounded, so they will prioritize moving them first once the city falls. Supplies come second to them because they still have plenty in Simonton. However, we are in dire need.”
Everyone now understood why Rafael had focused on creating as many casualties as possible in the previous battle, rather than just defeating the enemy.
On the battlefield, he never showed any mercy.
At sixteen, he was granted the title of the Hell Monarch. Every strike he made was intended to take lives- how could he be merciful?
Carissa felt a surge of excitement. Food, meat, armor, warm clothes, blankets–these were all supplies their forces desperately needed!
“I’ll make sure the mission is completed!” Carissa said confidently.
“If three thousand soldiers aren’t enough, I can give you five thousand or even seven thousand. Just tell me how many men you need,” Rafael said.
Carissa examined the terrain on the map. Serene District was located to the west of the city, and there were no complicated alleys. They could make a swift push to protect the supply depot.
“No need, three thousand will be enough,” she said with certainty.
Rafael approved her decision, then said to the rest, “Aside from Commander Carissa, the rest will with me to eliminate the enemy and drive them out of llyrian.”
stay
Realizing that capturing the city might be challenging, Carissa asked, “Do you have a plan for the siege, Marshal?”
Rafael answered straightforwardly, “No plan–it will be just a brute force assault!”
That night, they assessed everyone capable of the Lightfoot Skill. It wasn’t enough just to know the skill- they needed to be well–versed enough to leap up to the city towers of Ilyrian City.
Twelve crossbow machines were on top of the city towers, positioned high to target the attacking soldiers. Each crossbow could shoot eighteen arrows at once, and there were also sacred firearms.
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Though they could only fire once at a time, they posed a significant threat to the attacking forces. The Starhaven forces needed experts to fly up to the city towers, quickly destroy the crossbows, and seize the sacred firearms. The rest of the attackers could then proceed with brute force.
Waiting for reinforcements to attack the city would be much safer, but they couldn’t afford to wait without food. To capture the city and survive, they needed to secure the supplies.
Many in the army could use the Lightfoot Skill, but few could reach the high city towers and quickly destroy the enemy’s crossbow machines.
Carissa and her group could do it, as could Timothy, Owen, and Dylan, Rafael could certainly handle it too.
“Whoever completes their mission first must immediately open the city gates. The others will cover you. I will provide you with the best armor,” Rafael said.
He looked directly at Carissa, clearly placing great expectations on her.
As the marshal leading the charge, he would become the primary target. The soldiers on the city towers would focus their attacks on him. After all, taking his head would be worth a fortune to them.
If the marshal fell, it would be like the deaths of Hector and the junior generals of old. Sandoria would seize the opportunity to overrun all the Southern Frontier’s territory.
In short, if Rafael were to fall, the many cities they had captured would be swiftly overrun by Sandoria and Westhaven’s forces.
However, Rafael’s participation in the battle also gave Carissa and her team a significant opportunity.
日
Chapter 76
Rafael acted decisively, immediately ordering the troops to prepare. By midnight, the war drums began to beat, and the attack horns sounded.
Today was only the first day of the siege, and the Westhaven–Sandoria coalition inside llyrian would never expect a second assault in the early morning hours.
The crossbow machines were activated, and archers took their positions. Though bonfires lighted the city walls, Starhaven’s attacking forces remained hidden.
It was like they were out in the open under the light, while the Hell Monarch’s army pushed forward from the shadows.
Carissa and her team moved swiftly toward the city gate on horseback. As they neared the city, they used their momentum to leap into the air, charging up to the city towers. Carissa’s Rose Spear pierced through the soldiers controlling the crossbow machines, and then she shattered the machines with a single blow. The archers aimed at her, but Rafael quickly soared up, his golden armor gleaming in the firelight.
Someone shouted, “It’s the Hell Monarch! Kill him! Kill him!”
All the archers turned their bows toward Rafael, unleashing a storm of arrows. Rafael spun his golden blade, deflecting wave after wave of arrows.
A group of soldiers rushed in, attacking Rafael with their swords.
Seeing this, Carissa and her team quickly destroyed the crossbow machines. The five of them then jumped down, and opened the city gates.
Two people opened the gates, while the other three provided cover. Amidst the chaos of swords and spears, the gates were finally opened. The swift and unexpected attack left the coalition forces unable to react in time.
Even Liam, who was still asleep, was startled awake by reports of the Hell Monarch’s army attacking again.
He merely scoffed, “Again? This is a joke. Just shoot arrows to scare them away.”
“No, Marshal, they’ve broken in!”
“The Hell Monarch’s army is inside the city!”
“The gates have been opened!”
The alarming shouts made Liam leap out of bed. He quickly donned his armor and grabbed his sword before rushing out.
He exchanged a glance with Victor, whose eyes revealed a hint of disdain.
Liam was furious. “Your men were guarding the gates and they didn’t even notice the enemy’s assault? This is ridiculous!”
Victor had long been annoyed with Liam, but after years of battles with Rafael, he had lost many troops and faced severe supply shortages. Without Westhaven’s help, they would have eventually lost llyrian and Simonton.
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Though frustrated, Victor had to keep his composure “Stop talking and get moving! Pass the order, and prepare to deal with the enemies!”
With the war drums sounding, the Hell Monarch’s army, numbering just two hundred thousand, clashed with the coalition’s nearly five hundred thousand troops.
Carissa trusted that Rafael had a strategy behind this risky move, so she focused on her task–guarding the supply depot and preventing the enemy from setting them on fire if they retreated.
Before dawn, Bun carried a torch and ran for about half an hour before arriving at Serene District, where the supply depot was located.
A small force guarded the supply depot, and Carissa gave the order, “Attack!”
She charged in first. With a swift swing of the Rose Spear, she struck the vital arteries of the enemy soldiers. Her master had taught her that hitting this spot could cause rapid death due to severe blood loss.
The enemy had no chance to counterattack. The supply depot’s defenders were only a few hundred. With three thousand troops against them, the supply depot was quickly taken,
Carissa entered the supply depot to find the food stacked like small mountains. The backyard was filled with meat, much of it frozen in the harsh cold. She uncovered some, salivating at the sight.
Realizing that the Hell Monarch’s army was hungry and likely to target the supply depot, the enemy sent twenty thousand soldiers as reinforcements.
Carissa and her troops defended the supply depot, with the main force being the five of them, especially Carissa herself.
The battle was fierce and bloody.
Against twenty thousand enemy soldiers, each of Carissa’s troops had to face about six opponents. After two hours of intense combat, most of the enemy was defeated, and the remainder fled..
Carissa’s forces, reduced to just over one thousand, had survived only because the five of them had given everything to eliminate most of the enemy.
No previous battles had been as exhausting as this one. They collapsed to the ground, still panting heavily, but they didn’t dare to relax.
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Chapter 77
Sweat mixed with blood streamed down from Carissa’s face, and in the freezing weather, it quickly turned into ice. The heat hadn’t even faded before the cold had seeped into her bones.
“Carissa…” Bun panted heavily, frost clinging to his eyelashes. “Shouldn’t we help them? Aren’t we just going to stay here and guard the supply depot?”
“Orders s are orders. We’ve been told to guard the supply depot, so we guard it,” Carissa replied, leaning against the wall.
Though she was wearing golden armor, she had been stabbed in her arm twice. There was no bleeding or pain, but it left her feeling cold and uncomfortable.
She glanced at her companions, all of whom were injured and their armor in tatters. It had been a ruthless battle.
“Is everyone okay?” she asked, concerned.
Violet waved her hand weakly, too exhausted to speak.
The sight of the fallen around them–some enemy, some comrades–was deeply distressing.
The enemy forces continued their assault. Carissa sprang to her feet, and shouted, “They’re coming again. Pick up your weapons and fight!”
They plunged back into battle, fighting fiercely until the scene was awash with blood and darkness. At last, the enemy at the supply depot was mostly defeated, and no reinforcements arrived.
They collapsed onto the ground, utterly spent and gasping for breath. After an unknown amount of time, they finally heard drums and shouts.
“The enemy has retreated! We’ve won!”
Carissa and the others heard the cheers from where they were at the supply depot. With that, she knew. Rafael had achieved a great victory. Her tense nerves finally relaxed.
She shivered from the cold, her lips trembling as she spoke. “The Hell Monarch truly lives up to his reputation.”
“We defeated Sandoria! That’s fantastic! We’ll have meat to eat!” Bun’s plump face broke into a stiff smile as he rubbed his hands together in delight.
Carissa leapt up. “Let’s go!”
They left the supply depot, and joined the main force.
Rafael was covered in blood, and he entered the Ilyrian city hall with his golden blade on his back. The former city governor had been killed, and with Sandoria forces retreating, there was no one left to govern the city.
With food and meat now available in the supply depot, the soldiers could finally enjoy a hearty meal. With the military
Illyrian City and the garrison buildings built by Sandoria during their occupation, the
soldiers no longer needed to sleep in tents.
Sandorian troops had occupied many private homes, and had forced the local people out when
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Westhaven soldiers arrived.
Now, under Rafael’s orders, all civilians were allowed to return to their homes. The soldiers who couldn’t be housed in the garrisons set up camp in open spaces.
Following this victory, Carissa’s fame soared.
Although she had achieved significant feats in previous battles, this time she had defended the supply depot with three thousand soldiers. Her actions ensured the soldiers were well–fed, including having meat. This accomplishment was valued highly by the soldiers, even more than any previous achievements.
The real reason why the enemy had been driven out of Ilyrian, however, was that Rafael had captured Sandoria’s Marshal, Victor.
Rafael had learned from his spies that there was discord between the two army leaders, so he exploited their differences to capture Victor.
With Westhaven eager for revenge and Sandoria retreating, the confusion among their ranks allowed the Hell Monarch’s army to seize the opportunity.
The next day, after burying the fallen soldiers, Rafael called a meeting with the generals.
“This victory at llyrian was due to the discord between Liam and Victor. The lack of cohesion among the coalition’s top commanders gave us the chance to exploit their weaknesses. But after this defeat, they will likely set aside their differences, join forces, and reorganize. The rapid fall of Ilyrian is a huge disgrace for them.”
Rafael continued, “They won’t be able to counterattack immediately. It takes time to mend their differences and to resupply. Although Simonton has some supplies, it’s not enough for a swift counterattack. We can wait for reinforcements and prepare for the final battle.”
“According to our scouts, the reinforcements will arrive in about half a month,” Timothy said with frown
Rafael’s brows furrowed. “Half a month?”
He wanted to criticize Barrett for his slow march, but then glanced at Carissa. Given her significant contribution, he decided to hold back his criticism. Carissa understood his look, but chose not to speak.
Violet was right–some things should be handled by Barrett and Aurora. There was no need for her to explain or get involved. She would rather keep silent to avoid any potential accusations of fabricating
stories.
Chapter 78
“Carissa, take a bath and change into clean clothes. I’ll take you somewhere,” Rafael said.
Carissa looked up, and asked, “Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out when we get there. Everyone else, please leave. I need to bathe and change clothes as well, Rafael said.
Carissa and the generals complied, and exited the tent
In such cold weather, taking a bath required a lot of hot water. Fortunately, Ilyrian had an ample supply of firewood. It had been challenging to get a hot drink, even in the camp outside Tower City. Taking a bath was a luxury.
Since Garissa held an official position now, Rafael had sent a criminal slave to attend to her.
The criminal slave, who was about forty years old and smelled terrible, was called Thirteen. She used to run a small business in Heartshire City.
Due to a business dispute, she smashed a vase on a competitor’s head. The competitor didn’t die, but ended up becoming mentally challenged. She was sentenced to be exiled to the military camp as a slave for twelve years. Now, eleven years have passed, and she had only one year left before her sentence was completed and she was released.
Thirteen prepared hot water for Carissa and brought a bucket. She brought out her stash of soap pods to wash Carissa’s hair, as she needed someone’s help to clean it properly.
Thirteen spent a long time washing Carissa’s hair to remove the blood, though the soap pods made it a bit frizzy. Carissa’s face was also cleaned, revealing her delicate features, though her skin had lost some of its previous smoothness. Her cheeks were red from scrubbing, almost breaking the skin as she tried to remove the scabs and blood stains.
Carissa changed back into her original clothes, draped a black cloak over them, and tied her damp hair into a high ponytail. People in the martial world usually preferred high ponytails over intricate hairstyles for practicality in combat.
After bathing, Carissa wiped down her Rose Spear, removing all the blood stains and carefully straightening the red ribbons.
As she traced the rose patterns on the spear, her heart was heavy with sorrow.
Carissa had a sinking feeling about where Rafael was taking her. She feared it might be where her father and brothers had died in Ilyrian. She had only known her father died on the Southern Frontier battlefield, but not the exact location,
When she returned home from the Pathfinders Guild and asked her mother about the place where her family had died, her mother had been too distressed to speak and broke down into tears.
After a while, Dylan came to fetch her on Rafael’s orders. Carissa took her Rose Spear and stepped outside. There she saw a young, handsome man in a black cloak standing in the snowy courtyard.
He was tall and imposing, with a refined appearance. His skin was fair and slightly rosy, though the skin around his eyes and nose was rougher. His eyes were bright, and his features bore some resemblance to the current king Salvador, though he carried a fierce aura from his battles that the king didn’t.
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Carissa could hardly believe this was Rafael, the Hell Monarch. She recognized him by his eyes, as his previous beard had hidden the weathered look of his face and protected his skin.
No wonder they said he was the most handsome man of the kingdom!
Even though Carissa had little interest in romance, her breath caught slightly when their eyes met.
Dylan led two horses over, one of which was her own, Lightning.
Carissa quickly approached Rafael, and bowed. “Hello, Marshal.”
Rafael glanced at her. “This is good.”
“Yes, it’s quite good,” Carissa replied.
Not wearing wooden armor and not being on the battlefield meant that a temporary peace was indeed pleasant.
walked over to Lightning and stroked its head. Despite the harsh conditions, Lightning was still in robust condition, its powerful muscles a testament to its strength.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you somewhere,” Rafael said, mounting his horse. His saddle had a bag attached to it, the contents of which were unknown.
Carissa mounted her horse as well, and they rode off together.
to the capital,” Violet offered.
Chapter 79
Carissa and Rafael arrived at a small hill. The leaves had long fallen, and the hill had little vegetation. The paths were numerous, leading to higher terrain. The wind howled, sounding like a chorus of mournful ghosts.
de the
Rafael stood on the hilltop with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a path to the left. Beside path stood a blank monument.
“The people of llyrian erected that blank monument for your father. He stood alone on that path, despite being struck by numerous arrows, and still held his ground with his sword,” he said.
Carissa’s eyes filled with tears. Even though she knew Rafael had brought her to the place where her father had died and had mentally prepared herself, the pain in her heart was still overwhelming.
“He was leading the troops here at that time, cutting off Sandoria’s supply chain to Ilyrian. He wanted to fight with all his might, but after enduring continuous sieges, his troops were exhausted. At that time, the king had just ascended the throne and hadn’t yet established his authority in the court. Reinforcements were slow to arrive, and he struggled for a long time.
“The information comes from my spies in Ilyrian. The citizens were deeply moved by what they saw, and they secretly erected this blank monument here to honor him, hoping it wouldn’t be destroyed by Sandoria’s forces. During festivals, people would come here to pay their respects.”
Rafael handed Carissa a flask of wine. Take this and offer a toast to your father. Tell him you’ve become an excellent warrior.”
Carissa wiped her tears, took the flask, and led Lightning down the hill to the blank monument.
She knelt and poured the wine on the ground, her tears flowing before she could even speak. She could imagine the bitter struggle her father had endured, having fought on the battlefield herself.
The lack of options and the inability to continue fighting left him with only one path–cutting off the enemy’s supplies and waiting for reinforcements.
She cried silently, unable to voice even a single word. She wanted to call out for her father, but the words were stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t find the strength to say it.
She even choked back her sobs, and tightly restrained her grief. She dared not cry out loud.
Rafael remained on the hill, having visited the site the first night after the siege began. He had brought Carissa here because he believed she was a promising warrior who, with time, could become as formidable as her father.
Rafael had always thought that Carissa, who trained in the Pathfinders Guild, would one day take to the battlefield and become Starhaven’s first female general.
However, she chose to marry Barrett instead. Given her intelligence and bravery, she would be able to help Barrett become a renowned general. Barrett was lucky to have won her as his wife.
Before every campaign to the Southern Frontier, Rafael would visit the Pathfinders Guild to see the young. vibrant girl practicing her skills. Her face was always alight with innocent, passionate smiles.
But now, that joyful expression was gone, replaced by deep–seated restraint. The loss of her father and
brothers had been a severe blow to her.
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However, there was something else,Rafael didn’t understand. If Carissa was trained from a young age in martial arts, why did she choose marriage Instead of avenging her family’s death on the battlefield?
Carissa used to be a lively, spirited girl who was always full of pride. But now, she didn’t even cry out loud. It was as though enduring everything silently had become a part of her.
What else had she endured, apart from her family’s death? Was Barrett treating her poorly?
The thought made Rafael’s eyes grow cold.
After conquering Ilyrian, Rafael immediately sent a report back to the capital. The good news was delivered by the fastest couriers, so it reached the capital within three days and was delivered to the king.
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Chapter 80
Since Salvador received the first military report, his blood had been boiling with excitement.
“Carissa Sinclair, Hector Sinclair’s daughter, the legitimate heiress of the Duke of Northwatch–who knew she would be so outstanding? She’s even surpassed Aurora Yates!”
When Salvador got the news that llyrian had been captured, he slapped the table and laughed with wild Joy.
“Excellent! A general’s daughter is never weak!”
He immediately summoned Jeremiah and Davis to show them the victory report.
Jeremiah was so moved, tears welled up in his eyes.
“We’ve reclaimed Ilyrian! Carissa Sinclair has done a tremendous job. She captured and held the support depot, allowing us to cut down on the cost of supplies. Just think of how much food and money this will save Starhaven! Hector, can you see this from the heavens? Your daughter is truly remarkable. She’s living up to the Sinclair family’s reputation!”
Davis was covered in goosebumps from excitement, and added, “Starhaven had Hector in the past, the Hell Monarch now, and Carissa rising as a young general. Among the young military talents we see now, these two can be called true generals. We have successfully transitioned to a new generation!”
Salvador could hardly contain his joy. “The most important thing is we’re only left with Simonton to recapture. Once we do that, Sandoria will have no strength to counterattack. And once Sandoria withdraws, Westhaven will have no reason to stay in the Southern Frontier, unless they want to fight us) again at Victory Pass.”
Jeremiah’s tears flowed freely. “The Southern Frontier is about to be reclaimed. To see it return in my lifetime–I can die with no regrets!”
Davis knelt, and praised, “Your Majesty, this is all thanks to your wise leadership. You chose Carissa to go to the Southern Frontier, assisting the Hell Monarch in capturing llyrian and securing such an abundance of supplies. It even feels like the Westhaven forces were actually delivering supplies to us on the battlefield.”
Obviously, Salvador hadn’t sent Carissa to the battlefield. However, it was important to mention that he had secretly arranged it to showcase his foresight.
Salvador laughed heartily.
“You’re right! They’ve solved our supply issues. With the heavy snow and ice blocking our way in this harsh winter, transporting food to the Southern Frontier was extremely difficult. Now that we have the supply depot in llyrian, we can ensure our soldiers are well–fed and warm before we take Simonton. This will help us win the battles!”
He was truly delighted. Reclaiming the Southern Frontier would be his greatest achievement as king, and future historians would certainly mark him as one of the most brilliant rulers.
Alas, this joy was tinged with regret.
Salvador felt deeply guilty toward the Sinclairs. When Hector faced danger on the battlefield, Salvador couldn’t send reinforcements in time, leading to the death of him and his six sons. 11
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Salvador had hoped that posthumously elevating Hector to a duke might help him make amends. But as Carissa had achieved great things and continued to showcase her family’s loyalty to Starhaven, he felt at renewed sense of debt.
He sighed softly. It had been a mistake to grant Barrett and Aurora their marriage.
He ordered Davis to pass on a decree.
“Proclaim my edict: Carissa Sinclair has achieved remarkable military success. The Hell Monarch has appointed her as a regiment commander in the field, and I have no objections. I will further bestow upon her the title of a fifth–ranked Valor General. Once Simonton is captured and the Southern Frontier Is reclaimed, she will be promoted to fourth–ranked Illustrious General,”
Promises made to soldiers on the battlefield–must be kept, and both the prime minister and the defense minister knew that a new star was rising for the Duke of Northwatch’s family,
It was unclear whether Barrett might feel some regret efter seeing how remarkable his ex–wife was on the battlefield.
Even if he did, it didn’t matter much.
Nowadays, the common folk saw Carissa as a worthless woman, If anyone said the Warren family wasn’t the cause of this matter, no one would believe them.
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