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
“I lost count after thirty,” Carissa said, raising her arm. The Rose Spear felt incredibly heavy. War was truly exhausting.“I counted—I killed fifty!” Bun tried to jump up with a fancy flip, but ended up face-planting to the ground instead. Because there were too many people on the battlefield, Bun's sword had been knocked away. He ended up using his fists and feet to fight before finally retrieving his weapon after the enemy forces had retreated.“I killed sixty-three,” Violet reported.Rafael's deputy, Dylan, approached them, covered in blood and grime.Carissa sat up first, then used the Rose Spear to help herself stand. “Deputy Ziegler!”“Carissa!” Dylan’s eyes sparkled with surprise and excitement. “Do you know how many enemies you’ve killed?”“No, I lost count,” Carissa replied.Dylan clapped his hands in delight.“The marshal personally counted the enemies you killed. You used your spear to pierce their throats—just counting those, there were over three hundred! Th
In Ilyrian, Westhaven's marshal, Liam Simmons, stood on the city walls, watching the Starhaven soldiers in the distance. Hatred and anger burned in his eyes.“They won't be able to defend the Southern Frontier,” he said coldly, his gaze almost fiery enough to incinerate the distant Starhaven troops.“Your soldiers are injured and exhausted. Take a few days to rest before attacking again,” suggested Sandoria's marshal, Victor.Liam shook his head. His white hair was covered by a thick hat, and he exhaled clouds of white breath. Gripping the wall’s stone bricks, he said, “No! We can’t let them enjoy their victory for too long. We will resume the attack the day after tomorrow. Within three days, we must capture Tower City.”Victor was indifferent. Most of the soldiers on the front lines were from Westhaven, and they had brought their own soldiers and supplies.“We’ve investigated the matter you asked about. The general Aurora Yates is indeed among the Starhaven reinforcements, and is
Back in the camp, Carissa managed to compose herself. Despite her promotion to regiment commander, she still had to share a small tent with Cynthia and the others. The only difference was the addition of two new blankets sent from Tower City.Since Bun and Travis were men, a curtain was drawn in the middle of the tent for privacy while they undressed to tend to their wounds.Everyone had suffered minor injuries, though nothing serious. The cold weather made the pain more intense than usual.Carissa handed out medicine for their injuries, but no one needed it. After all, everyone going to battle brought their own supplies, and each guild had its own healing remedies.Carissa took back the medicine. “Never mind.”“Carissa, I heard your ex-husband and his new wife are coming to support us. Won’t that be awkward when you meet them?” Cynthia asked while dressing and cleaning up the powdered medicine on the floor.“Awkward? Not at all,” Violet snorted, her face as cold as frost. “Jus
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 itsel
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
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.
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 cr
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