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Chapter 70
Kaugnay na kabanata
Her Graceful War Song 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 itsel
Her Graceful War Song 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
Her Graceful War Song 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.
Her Graceful War Song 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 cr
Her Graceful War Song 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 Ilyrian, 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. “Commander 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 fall
Her Graceful War Song 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 Ilyrian 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. So
Her Graceful War Song 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 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 shout
Her Graceful War Song 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 Carissa 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
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Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1580
"Elise, must your mouth run on without end?" Carissa frowned at her daughter, who had been chattering away beside Ryan from the moment he stepped through the door.The little girl's face was flushed from the sun, her hair tangled into a messy nest that made it clear she had only just returned from playing outdoors. She hadn't stopped talking since Ryan came back from his travels, pestering him with questions about what he had seen and done.Elise turned to Carissa with wide eyes, looking up with a face so innocent it could soften stone. She truly had inherited the best features from both her parents."Mom, I haven't seen Ryan in such a long time. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. We've been apart for so long, so of course I have a lot to say to him."Carissa's frown deepened. "And who taught you to speak in such a ridiculous manner? An eternity—where did that come from?""Sage Isaac said it to Aunt Violet. He went back to Meadow Ridge for a few days and said it to her
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1579
Though Ryan had told Cecil he was going on a journey, he didn't stay long at Eldermere Keep. After just seven days, he left and made his way to the Pathfinders Guild.He had initially planned to return to the capital to seek out Claire, but soon reconsidered. Instead of troubling her, he thought it best to directly ask Winona to teach him the art of disguise.It was not difficult to learn, but to do it well—to the point where no one could tell—was another matter. Such skill could not be acquired in just a few months.The simpler form of disguise involved merely altering one's features with makeup and slight adjustments to the face. This was fine for ordinary situations, but could easily be seen through in more challenging circumstances, like on a rainy day for instance.Therefore, Ryan knew he couldn't settle for such a basic method.The more advanced form of disguise involved creating a mask as a false face. However, these masks had their own set of problems. They were thick, unco
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1578
That evening, Ryan and Clarence sat by candlelight and spoke quietly. They avoided discussing court politics as Clarence had no interest in such matters. As long as the kingdom was peaceful, that was enough for him.He was no longer the eldest prince of Starhaven, and only had himself to look after now. Everything else had faded into the past.It was better not to speak of politics; it was too sensitive a topic. In his younger years, Clarence hadn't understood why his "death" was so tied to such matters. But over the years, Sebastian had explained everything to him, bit by bit, including the risks and consequences.The bond between Clarence and Cecil was not without affection. However, to gamble with one's life and future for the sake of family might not be the wisest choice for any of them.Clarence had come to terms with it. Life had to go on; it was better to live it well today than to wonder about tomorrow."Aunt Carissa said you're no longer able to stand, but you were walking
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1577
The azaleas of Eldermere Keep bloomed in a riot of color, spreading across the hills in a blaze of purple and red. The sight was enough to dazzle anyone who set eyes upon it, especially those who had never visited this secluded place. It was the kind of beauty that made one long to stay forever.Yet, there was one exception.A young man rode his horse to the base of the mountain, dismounted, and secured his steed. Without a glance at the dazzling scene around him, he began to walk the path up the mountain, his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.The vivid azaleas stretched out along either side of the path, reaching out as if to claim him, but he merely brushed them aside with a casual swipe of his hand.His pace was swift, and he occasionally used his Lightfoot Skill. Eldermere Keep was not high up, but its location was well-hidden, with many winding paths leading in. However, he had studied the map countless times before embarking on this journey, so the route to the keep was et
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1576
Rafael glanced at the robe. "Isn't that mine? Are you saying I've gotten fat? I'm not fat.""Oh, is it yours? It's too long, then. I'll have someone alter it for me," Carissa replied casually.Rafael shook his head. "If you want something loose, just have someone make it for you. Why bother altering my old clothes? It's not even comfortable.""I'm going to Meadow Ridge for a year. Wearing your clothes will make it feel like you're still with me," Carissa said with a bright smile, as if the idea of being apart for a year was no more serious than being apart for a day."A year?" Rafael looked shocked. "You're going back for a whole year? Why?""Well, of course, my mentor misses me, and I miss him too," Carissa replied, placing her hands on her hips as she handed the robe to Lulu, who was standing by with a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh."But I won't leave right away. Since Ryan is about to inherit the duke's title, I'll wait until that's settled before I go back to Meado
Her Graceful War Song Chapter 1575
On the 13th day of winter, Salvador suddenly woke up feeling clearer than before. Saying he was hungry, he specifically asked for beef stew and milk pastries.Derek hurried to make the necessary arrangements. When the food arrived, Octavia sat by the bed as she had done many times before, ready to feed him. But Salvador insisted he wanted to sit up to eat himself.Derek gently helped the king sit up, placing a soft cushion behind him to support his back. Salvador had grown so thin that he seemed to be nothing but skin and bones. His body slouched as he sat, so Derek had to kneel beside the bed, holding his waist to keep him steady.Salvador finished an entire bowl of stew, eating it all without leaving a single bit behind. Then, he picked up a small milk pastry. But after a bite, he felt a little nauseous, so he didn't eat any more.Sebastian sent word to Victoria. After a brief conversation, her face turned pale and tears started to fall almost immediately. Though she had tried to
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
