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Chapter 1263
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1264
Rafael's dinner had improved tonight. Dylan had caught a few small fish, grilling them until they were charred black on the outside. By the time they were finished, Rafael's mouth was full of the unpleasant combination of fishy and smoky flavors.However, the improvement was relative. At least the meal wasn't nauseating—it was simply revolting.Tonight, it was clear that more people had gathered in the deep cave. Black-clad figures, their faces concealed, were making their way up the mountain. It seemed they were about to make a move.Rafael finished the grilled fish and swiftly climbed a nearby tree, his eyes scanning the area below.Dylan had already crawled close to the deep cave, near enough to hear everything. It was a place they'd been watching for quite some time. This was where the men would relieve themselves, and the stench was overwhelming—enough to make one gag. But this was also the ideal spot for an ambush. Most of the time, only two or three men would come here at
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1265
As Rafael and Dylan walked, their eyes swept over every corner, searching for any hidden passages that might connect to other areas.Suddenly, the sound of a whip cracking echoed from ahead, followed by a muffled grunt.Then the leader's voice rang out, sharp and angry. "Have you forgotten the rules? Keep your eyes forward. No looking around!"The man who had been struck with the whip was the one carrying the torch in front of the leader. A deep gash appeared on his back, the mark of a brutal strike.The man winced but didn't dare cry out. He immediately steadied himself, lifting the torch high and marching forward with steady, deliberate steps.Rafael and Dylan exchanged glances.The discipline here was strict.-Meanwhile, Carissa and the others had already dragged Tiberius into the passage and were moving forward. Not far ahead, a group of burly men was transporting the grain. The passage was too narrow for carts, so each man carried a heavy sack on his shoulder, trudging al
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1266
Rafael and Dylan followed behind the grain transport group from Tiberius' side as they made their way out. The men here didn't wear veils, so when two unfamiliar faces appeared, they were suspicious, but they didn't question it. Perhaps they were just new arrivals who had been at the rear of the group moments ago.Compared to the well-trained people back at Stone Village, Tiberius' crew was utterly disorganized.Everett and Carissa retraced their steps, distancing themselves from the others. Rafael was aware of their presence up ahead, but he never dreamed it would be Carissa and Everett. He had assumed it was the supervising team, sent to ensure none of the workers were secretly stealing the grain. After all, these people appeared to be nothing more than hired laborers.Carissa glanced back several times, but never saw Rafael. The crowd was thick, and the distance between them was far enough to make it hard to spot anyone. She kept turning her head because, though she had heard D
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1267
Carissa and the others had already taken over Fernbrook Villa.There was hot water when they needed it and clothes were provided, though they were a little short. To avoid inconveniencing Rafael, Everett sent someone to find a set of proper clothes that would fit him.Rafael was soaking in the bath, while Carissa was scrubbing the dirt off his body and washing his messy hair. Tiberius was someone who knew how to enjoy himself. The fragrant shampoo he used worked wonders. After scrubbing for a while, one's hair would become extremely soft.But Rafael was a different story—he was far too dirty. It took three changes of water before he was properly clean. Then, Carissa gently helped shave off his stubble, revealing the handsome face beneath.Rafael looked at her face, which had become much thinner, and his heart nearly broke. He realized she must have been struggling with worry these past days. If he had known, he would have sent her a letter to ease her mind.Since the new clothes h
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1268
In Lunvale stood the grand Eternalis Atrium, towering by the expansive banks of the Lunvale River. To dine at Eternalis Atrium was a privilege reserved only for the wealthy and the elite.However, on the left side of Eternalis Atrium and facing the dock was a spacious and messy area where vendors set up their stalls every day. Some sold grain, others sold flatbreads or ravioli. The food was good and cheap, and most of the people coming here were common folks or dock workers.Outside each stall, there were a few crude, low tables surrounded by small stools. The diners gathered here, eating heartily in the noisy crowd. Conversations buzzed around them, discussing everything under the sun—except for matters of the state. Politics were too far removed from the daily lives of these people.At one of the ravioli stalls, two men sat. They were dressed simply, blending in with the rest of the crowd. One wore a gray cotton jacket and a faded cap, looking to be in his thirties. The other man,
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1269
This operation was labeled as a bandit suppression mission.The night before, they gathered to discuss the details. The mission wasn't particularly dangerous or difficult, but there was one certainty—the people from Stone Village in Lunvale were not the same private soldiers from Stonebrook County.So where had Yuvan's forces gone?Randall had mentioned before that several counties and states had similar strongholds. Rafael guessed they were likely similar in scale to Stone Village—several thousand people, not too many, but certainly not a small number either. Without military posts, relying only on local authorities would be insufficient to wipe out 5,000 men. It would be too easy for the enemy forces to turn the tables and take control.If the same amount of private soldiers in several areas rose up at once, it would wreak havoc on the common people. By the time the main army arrived, it would be impossible to know how many places would have already been taken over.Suppressin
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1270
The operation began with a forceful strike. One team headed straight for the northern road of Stone Village, which was the way into the village.However, before this main force set out, other smaller teams had already moved into the mountains, surrounding the area from all sides. Their numbers were few, but their formation was strategic, creating a trap that left the enemy nowhere to run.Still, the battle wasn't an easy one.There were too many places to cover, and the enemy was very familiar with the terrain. Fortunately, Everett had already sent people to block all the entrances to Stone Village's secret passages. This forced the enemy into continuously fighting.Meanwhile, Dylan managed to rescue the two laborers he had previously left in the small cave. He sent them to find others, urging them to leave the village without their weapons.The two men were grateful, but cold and hungry. When they learned that a fight had broken out, they hurried off to warn those living on the
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1271
When the news reached Valken, chaos erupted at Horizon Estate.Yuvan was beside himself with fury, and he hurled a glass cup across the room. "Useless fools! 5,000 private soldiers—how could they be wiped out without a word of warning? What is Tiberius even doing? So many men went to Lunvale, and he had no precautions in place! Not even a messenger to report this!"His face was contorted in a fury so terrifying that even Harvey, standing quietly nearby, dared not speak.This was a blow they had not seen coming.Yuvan's group had been solely focused on the private army in Stonebridge County. None of them ever imagined that problems would arise in Lunvale.Stone Village had been concealed so carefully. How could it have been discovered?Lunvale should never have drawn any attention in the first place!Its terrain was perfect—hidden tunnels and a stronghold backed by mountains on three sides. Yuvan had always thought that should their plans fail, they could retreat there and rema
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1574
Once back at the palace, Salvador was unable to rise from his bed. Sebastian spoke briefly with him, hinting that he didn't have much time left. If there was anyone he wished to see, it should be done as soon as possible.The first person Salvador wanted to see was, of course, Victoria."That child… When he saw me, he couldn't stop asking about you. You didn't love him in vain, Mom," Salvador murmured, his voice weak.Victoria sighed deeply. "How cruel... his life must be lived hidden away in the mountains, never able to leave. Is there truly no hope for his legs?""I believe there is no hope," Salvador replied softly, his lips pale and drained of color. "But as I was leaving, he said, 'Dad, once I've learned enough medicine, I'll cure you. I'll make you better.'"Victoria's heart ached. "What a good child."Salvador's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his voice barely a whisper as he repeated, "Yes, he is a good child."After speaking with Victoria, Salvador asked Rafael to bring in
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1573
Salvador had temporarily settled at Eldermere Keep. The place was filled with every kind of medicine, yet his illness had reached a point where no remedy could ease his suffering.Still, staying there brought him peace. It was as if he had finally set down a heavy burden and could now live as an ordinary father. He spent each day with his son, sharing simple moments together.Carissa was allowed to visit and spend some time with Connor. He asked her about Ryan, specifically inquiring whether he had made any new friends."Ryan has no other friends but you. He always thinks about you," she reassured with a smile, thinking the eldest prince might be jealous.Connor was quiet for a long while, his expression tinged with guilt. Finally, with a deep sadness in his eyes, he softly said, "I have friends now, like Otto. Ryan should have his own friends too. I always think about him, but... I don't think I'll ever see him again."Carissa gently patted his head and smiled. "The future is lon
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1572
After the sun set behind the mountains, the temperature began to drop. Salvador had been carried up the mountain, but now, he was carrying Connor on his back as they made their way back into the estate.Connor had his arms tightly wrapped around Salvador's thin shoulders, and he couldn't stop the tears from falling. This was a scene he had never even dared to dream of. Not only had he never imagined being carried by his father, but even something as simple as having his father gently pat his head had always seemed like an impossible wish.But his father was so thin; there was no flesh on his back at all. How had he become so frail?Carissa and the others waited outside the gates. Not even Galen had been allowed in. Only Salvador's most loyal attendants, those who had carried the litter, were permitted to enter. The others, of course, were kept away from Connor. They all believed that Salvador had come to Eldermere Keep solely to recover from his illness.The estate itself was full
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1571
Salvador didn't fare well along the long and tiring journey, his condition worsening with each passing day. Sebastian did what he could—applying needle treatment and using medicine—but all he could offer was temporary relief. As they pressed on, the king's condition only seemed to deteriorate further.Fortunately, Salvador was a man of remarkable willpower. Despite his suffering, he gritted his teeth and carried on, unwilling to give in. He could not afford to back down—not now.Eldermere Keep lay in the southern province of Mendoria, where the climate was mild and temperate, perfect for someone needing rest and recovery. Even though it was now winter, the air was neither cold nor biting, more akin to the gentler days of autumn.The locals knew little of Eldermere Keep, though they often spoke of a physician's office that was the largest in Mendoria, as big as the one in the capital, also called Arcane Sanctum. There were other keeps, but this one was renowned for its abundance of r
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1570
Before Salvador left the capital, Rafael had already become regent and taken on the required duties. With his great military achievements, he had earned respect from both civil and military officials. At first, no one questioned his authority, and many even held him in high regard.However, with Salvador now ill and traveling incognito, rumors began to spread within the palace, warning people to be wary of the regent. The fear was that, as Cecil was still so young, Rafael might take advantage of the situation and eventually replace him.As often the case, such suspicion and rumors spread like wildfire, fueled by the mouths of many. Consequently, a number of officials lost their previous respect for Rafael. They even began to disregard his orders, paying them little heed and carrying out his commands half-heartedly.Noticing this troubling shift, Davis felt a sense of urgency. He decided to speak with Patrick, the Minister of Justice, who was also Cecil's grandfather and the father o
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1569
On the day of the first snowfall, a sudden idea struck Salvador. He hadn't attended court in some time, and now, seated on the throne, he declared his plans for a private journey to admire Starhaven's beautiful landscapes. As for the kingdom affairs, they had already been entrusted to Rafael, and that arrangement would remain unchanged.As Salvador appeared very thin and weary, many court officials tried to advise against the trip. But once he had made up his mind, there was no swaying him. He insisted that Carissa and Galen accompany him, along with Sebastian and Dorian.The very next day, they set off.It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision—Salvador had already discussed the matter with Rafael and Carissa beforehand. Sebastian had advised against it, but the king's mind was made up, so the renowned physician had no choice but to accompany him.While Salvador certainly wanted to see more of the kingdom, his true destination was Eldermere Keep, as he longed to see his son one last
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1568
Eustace waited patiently for Violet to finish her greetings before he could finally choke back his emotions."Rise, you little imp," he said softly, his voice thick with feeling.Violet slowly stood, her eyes brimming with tears. She tilted her head back, fighting to hold them in.At that moment, she regretted her decision. Why had she been so stubborn? Why had she insisted on getting married in the capital when none of her relatives were here?"Dad, once the wedding is over today, may we return with you? We can hold a celebration at home. Afterward, we can go to the guild and host another, if that's all right," Violet suggested.Eustace was pleased by the thought, but didn't want his daughter to wear herself out with so much traveling."Didn't you say you don't have many friends in Ebonflow? That's why you didn't want a grand wedding there," he reminded her."I don't, but you do, Dad, and so does our family. I can't be so selfish. I don't want you to be embarrassed because of m
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1567
Carissa had intended to spend more time talking with Violet today, but she had forgotten how many little tasks came with weddings. The hired bride attendants arrived to do Violet's hair and makeup, and before long, an hour had passed.Violet was already stunningly beautiful, but under the skilled hands of the bride attendants, she looked even more radiant—lovelier than the flowers themselves.Lunchtime came and went with only a light meal, and soon, the guests began arriving to see Violet off.As the groom's elder sister-in-law, Zoey wasn't supposed to be present but had insisted on coming. She said that since she was family to the groom, and as good as family to the bride, there was no problem. After all, it was a good day, and as long as everyone was happy, what did it matter?As Violet put on her wedding gown, a sudden wave of nervousness washed over her.Was she really getting married?Marriage meant taking on responsibilities—managing a household and having children. It woul
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1566
Isaac and Violet were finally set to marry in the golden month of October.In truth, Violet had accepted Isaac's proposal the year before, during the Starlight Harvest Festival. From that moment, she knew he was the one she wanted to give her heart to. When she agreed to marry him, she did so with all sincerity, trusting her feelings in that moment.It had taken a full year to arrange the wedding, but it wasn't because of the wedding gifts or dowry.Violet's dowry had been prepared by the Spencer family since her birth, gradually adding to it year after year. Now, they had even bought a house and a large estate in the capital. As for the wedding gifts, the Pathfinders Guild had long since prepared them on Isaac's behalf.Instead, the delay was due to differing opinions among the Spencer family, the Inferno Guild, the Pathfinders Guild, and Violet herself.Violet wanted to get married at Hell Monarch Estate, then have Isaac escort her to her estate in the capital. It seemed easier
