When Carissa heard this, she assumed her friends had arrived, and quickly said, “Lead me there.”Dylan guided her to the rear. From a distance, she spotted several familiar figures.Holding her Rose Spear, she leaped forward with her Lightfoot Skill and called out loudly, “Rod, Bun, Thia, Vivi!”The four of them looked up to see her soaring through the air. A young swordsman in green unsheathed his sword, and leaped up to meet her. They exchanged light blows midair.The young man's swordplay was swift as lightning, while Carissa wielded the Rose Spear with a ghostly grace. The red ribbons on the spear flared like scattered fireworks, leaving the soldiers dumbfounded by the incredible skills on display.As they landed, the young swordsman in green snorted. “Your moves are slow.”“Your swordsmanship has improved, Rod,” Carissa said, examining the young man with a bright smile. “And you’ve grown taller.”Travis Mullen was the only male apprentice of Lunar Guild. Since his master on
After enlisting, Carissa and her friends were immediately thrown into training.The five of them and a group of new recruits were sent to the training grounds. Basic drills like sword practice and wood cutting were incredibly easy for them.In no time, they completed ten training exercises, leaving the new recruits in awe. However, when it came to learning battlefield strategies, they settled down and listened attentively.Aside from Carissa, who was familiar with warfare, the other four had no prior experience with battles.Since Carissa had a tent, albeit a small one, they all squeezed in together comfortably. That evening, they asked Carissa eagerly about her marriage.Carissa hugged her knees, and said with a smile, “Yes, I got married, then divorced. I’m single now.”“That's great!” Cynthia clapped her hands excitedly. “Jasper was so upset when he heard you got married. Now that you’re divorced, you can marry him.”Carissa tapped her forehead with a finger. “I don’t want to
The second deputy defense minister, Ethan Smith, said, “Your Majesty, sending reinforcements now may be too late. Our spies didn’t pick up on this, which means all our spies in Sandoria and Westhaven must have been killed.”Salvador remembered that ten days ago, Carissa had come to the palace with a forged letter, claiming it was information from Kyle. At that time, he thought she was simply bitter about Barrett and Aurora’s marriage. In turn, he reprimanded her and put her under house arrest.He didn’t realize she was speaking the truth. Had he believed her ten days ago, they could have sent reinforcements immediately and started gathering supplies. With his brother’s command capabilities, they might have stood a chance against the Westhaven-Sandoria alliance.Meanwhile, Aurora and Barrett exchanged glances. Their long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived!They had used their achievement at Victory Pass to request a marriage edict. If they could achieve great success on the S
After Barrett and Aurora took their leave, Salvador and Jeremiah discussed selecting an inspector general and arranging for food supplies to be sent to the Southern Frontier. The outcome of the battle was crucial. Having already captured twenty-three cities, Salvador was unwilling to fail at this critical moment.-After leaving the palace, Barrett frowned and asked Aurora, “How can you guarantee that we’ll reach the battlefield before the Westhaven forces? They’ve already been on the move for over ten days, and we haven’t even left the capital yet! Even if we travel day and night, we won’t catch up with them.”Aurora was determined, and replied, “Nothing’s impossible if we give it our all. We’ll make it!”Barrett was frustrated. “Easy for you to say! When we led the Capital Army to Victory Pass, it took us two full months to get there. Now, we only have twenty days to reach the Southern Frontier. How will we manage?”Impatient, Aurora snapped, “Instead of complaining, you shoul
Barrett didn’t share Aurora’s optimism. While he had initially been eager to go to the Southern Frontier, that was under the assumption there would be only Sandorian soldiers to face. Now, with Westhaven’s three hundred thousand soldiers pouring into Ilyrian and Simonton, and with Sandoria possibly sending even more soldiers, the situation had changed drastically.The enemy forces now numbered around five hundred thousand. Meanwhile, Barrett’s forces totaled less than one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers. Combined with Rafael's exhausted and under-resourced forces, they only had about three hundred thousand soldiers in total. Rafael’s forces were now severely exhausted, with many wounded soldiers and a shortage of supplies. They were waiting for provisions on an empty stomach, so it was impossible to capture Ilyrian at the moment. They would have to wait in place for reinforcements to arrive.Winter made the situation even worse. The Southern Frontier was harsh and cold, wh
The news that Barrett and Aurora were heading to the Southern Frontier stirred both excitement and concern in Rebecca. She knew that going to battle meant both fortune and peril—victory would bring great achievements, while defeat could cost their lives.After reflecting on it, Rebecca trusted her son and Aurora. After all, Aurora had played a crucial role in the Victory Pass battle. She was capable.As generals, they would only need to command the troops—the soldiers would do the actual fighting. With this thought, Rebecca's joy overshadowed her worry. She made preparations for their departure.A few days after Barrett and Aurora left the capital with their troops, the Starhaven spies stationed in Sandoria finally returned with reports. The confidential messages matched exactly with the news from Rafael at the Southern Frontier and the information Carissa had provided over half a month ago.The young and handsome king angrily tore up the reports. Over half a month had been lost!
“How is she at fault? She went to the Southern Frontier with important news. If only I had trusted her, we could have been better prepared and not caught off guard. Even a day or an hour can make a difference in warfare. She did her duty. It’s my fault for not believing her,” Salvador said.He leaned slightly to the side. “I had the royal guards watch her, and she still managed to slip away in the middle of the night? It seems her Lightfoot Skills are quite impressive.”Derek smiled. “Your Majesty, she trained for seven to eight years at the Pathfinders Guild, the leading martial arts school in Starhaven. I heard she was one of their most talented apprentices.”“Really?” Salvador was surprised. He only knew of Pathfinders Guild through Kyle, and hadn’t realized Carissa was so capable. “I find it odd that Madam Sinclair would choose Barrett as her son-in-law. With the Sinclairs’ standing, she could have picked any prominent family. Why choose the declining Warren family?”Derek he
Ignorance was the most frightening thing.Derek shook his head. “I don't know anything. I’m just following orders.”His simple statement refrained Harvey from asking further questions. The king’s will was akin to divine authority—punishment was also a form of reward.After Derek left, the couple looked at each other in confusion. They served the empress dowager, and the king even graciously allowed her to stay with them at Hartstone Estate. They were generally on good terms, so why were they being punished without explanation?They hadn’t done anything wrong, or dared to do anything wrong. It was truly strange!-In the depths of winter, heavy snow had blocked the path of Barrett's troops. Although they had rushed out of the capital, the snow had fallen continuously for two days, covering everything with a thick layer. The severe cold wasn’t the only issue; progress had been severely delayed due to the heavy snowfall. Each step was difficult, making it hard to pull one’s foot
Hayden clenched his fists, his anger and helplessness tightening his chest as he followed behind.The physician worked quickly, examining Sonny's injuries. Both of his legs were broken, three of his teeth were knocked out, and his face was riddled with fractures. Despite the pain that twisted his expression, he still grinned at Hayden, forcing a smile through gritted teeth.He tried to assure Hayden with a look that said he would be fine.Hayden turned away, his heart aching. The man who had stood by his side for so many years now lay in such a state. Fury surged within him, but there was nothing he could do.Back in Nerovia, he had ordered an extra emblem to be made, just in case the day ever came when Nicholas stole the original to mobilize Hayden's forces. If Hayden noticed in time, someone could use the duplicate emblem to stop Nicholas.Hayden hadn't expected it to serve its purpose this way, though.The chaos of the riverworks project was swiftly quelled. Cameron was arrest
As dawn broke, Adrian led them to the Glimmering Tower. It was then that Carissa realized they weren't the only ones who had arrived—many guild leaders and elders were present as well. Even Violet and Bun's mentor had come.When Violet spotted her mentor Conrad, she gasped in surprise and rushed toward him. "Sage Conrad, what brings you here? You didn't even send word beforehand!"Conrad smiled warmly as he looked at his beloved apprentice, indulgence in his voice. "I heard you were guarding the capital. Naturally, I had to come and lend you a hand.""Sage Conrad, you're too kind. I'll get another villa for you once we're done here," Violet said, linking her arm with his, grinning widely.Conrad scowled lightly, feigning annoyance. "Why would I need more villas from you? No more, I tell you. However, I did hear about a hot spring at Solitude Peak. I thought of buying it, so your fellow apprentices can soak and strengthen their bodies."Violet nodded enthusiastically. "I'll buy i
The black-clad assailants' Lightfoot Skills were extraordinary, and they scattered in all directions. Adrian could have pursued one of them, but catching all of them was impossible.However, he chose not to pursue anyone at all. Emerging from the shadows, his hand darted out and grabbed Carissa by the ear, twisting it until she yelped in pain. "So bold of you, wasn't it? To engage without proper defenses? Do you think you're invincible? Haven't you heard the saying that there's always someone stronger out there?"Carissa shrieked and flailed in protest as the lamps were lit by Jacob, illuminating the courtyard and revealing the bloodstains on everyone's bodies.Only then did Adrian notice the wounds on Carissa. Yet instead of softening, his grip on her ear tightened, and he hissed, "You couldn't guess what Nicholas was planning? And you didn't think to write for reinforcements from Meadow Ridge? Are you so arrogant now that you've forgotten basic caution? Just wait until your mart
Hayden gestured for her to lower the sword. "Not tonight. Neither side is ready."Chaya frowned, confused. "Why? Didn't you say Mr. Russell was formidable? If he's taking action, surely he can capture Prince Nicholas?""He won't capture him," Hayden replied, rubbing his temples. "General Farrell has Valken surrounded, but he hasn't launched an attack because he knows Mr. Murphy has already undermined Prince Yuvan's authority. "A portion of Valken's population has joined the so-called rebel forces. If the capital falls now, the officials in Valken and Nerovia will find an excuse, under the court's banner, to slaughter the townsfolk. That would spark even larger uprisings. That's why Lady Carissa can't act prematurely."Chaya hastily tossed the sword aside. "And why isn't it the right time for Prince Nicholas, then?""It's simple," Hayden said. "He needs Mr. Murphy to first defeat General Farrell in a decisive victory. Once General Farrell is dealt with, he'll move on to General Mu
By the early hours of the morning, the rain had lessened to a gentle drizzle, leaving the air cooler and the night more serene. The quiet respite lulled many into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.Seven or eight shadowy figures darted through the curfewed city, their movements light and swift. They barely left a trace as they touched down on rooftops, their steps silent.They arrived at the Capital Guard headquarters. The outer guards had already retreated for the night, leaving only Carissa and her companions waiting in the main hall, tense and alert.With a quick exchange of glances, the group gripped their weapons. The assassins had arrived!The dim light of the hall flickered, and as the black-clad figures descended, a gust of wind extinguished the lamps. Darkness enveloped the room, plunging it into an impenetrable black where even an outstretched hand became invisible.Amid the darkness, the faint sound of breathing and the subtle rhythm of movements became the only clues to
The damp, oppressive heat of summer seemed to weigh heavily on the spirit, stoking an inexplicable irritation in the air.Hayden, clearly affected by the weather, barely touched his dinner. After a few cursory bites, he set his cutlery down and announced that he was heading back to the study to practice his calligraphy to clear his mind. He gestured for Chaya to follow, and the two left the room.Before departing, Chaya made sure to take two heaping plates of snacks with her. After all, she wasn't about to let herself go hungry.Nicholas, still in his Gordon disguise, watched Hayden leave but made no move to stop him. It didn't matter where Hayden went—his every step was being monitored. Besides, Nicholas had far more pressing matters to attend to tonight.Back in his room, Nicholas locked the door behind him and methodically prepared for the night's mission. He changed into his stealth attire, then sat before a mirror. Opening a small wooden box on the table, he revealed an array
By evening, tensions finally erupted.The Waterworks Department had stationed soldiers to oversee the workers, ensuring work continued on schedule. Yesterday's heavy rain had halted all progress, but with today's rare overcast skies and no rain, Cameron ordered the workers to make up for lost time. In fact, he demanded they finish the project three days ahead of schedule.The workers were already agitated, and they refused. Tempers flared, and heated arguments broke out between them and the Waterworks Department officials. In a fit of rage, Cameron picked up a club and struck one of the workers. That single blow ignited an uncontrollable fury among the workers. Over a hundred men turned on the officials, attacking them in a chaotic melee.Fortunately, Carissa had already stationed people nearby to keep an eye on the situation. Word was immediately sent to Max.Max was wary, suspecting this might be a calculated ploy by Nicholas. However, based on their investigation, not all th
Adrian had also brought a cannon with him, though it had to remain outside the city for now. It couldn't be transported in just yet. This cannon, an improvement on the red canon of Nerathia, was the same one that had destroyed Everett's courtyard back then.In a few days, nearly all the martial factions that had been invited to Adrian's birthday banquet would arrive, each disguised in various ways. Knowing that martial artists would be thoroughly questioned at the city gates, they all decided to change their appearances completely.Adrian had specifically chosen people from Coldmoon Guild to keep watch at the Capital Guard headquarters and Hell Monarch Estate in shifts. There was a reason for this. The people from Coldmoon Guild rarely moved within the martial world, and they seldom visited the capital. Nicholas' men likely had never encountered them, which made them perfect for keeping Carissa safe without drawing suspicion.Adrian was certain that Nicholas' next move would be to
After the group entered the city, Michael was momentarily distracted by another merchant caravan arriving at the gates. He made sure to inspect them thoroughly, confirming that there were no issues before allowing them to pass.As he turned back, he noticed the merchant caravan was following closely behind the group he had just checked. Among them, a familiar figure caught his eye—a figure whose silhouette seemed unmistakable. It resembled Carissa's martial uncle from the Pathfinders Guild.The man's name was Everett, if Michael recalled correctly. But then again, the face didn't match. He thought about it for a moment, but the resemblance was only in the figure. The features—absolutely not. Still, Michael felt uneasy and decided it was worth investigating further.He instructed a few men to follow the caravan and watch for any unusual activity. An hour later, they reported back that the group had settled in a manor on Eastland Avenue. That area was known for being home to powerfu