Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
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 Blake for his slow march, but then glanced at Sophie. Given her significant contribution, he decided to hold back his criticism. Sophie understood his look, but chose not to speak. Violet was right-some things should be handled by Blake and Freya. There was no need for her to explain or get involved. She would rather keep silent to avoid any potential accusations of fabricating stories.”Sophie, take a bath and change into clean clothes. I’ll take you somewhere,” Rafael said.
Sophie 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.
Sophie 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 Sophie and brought a bucket. She brought out her stash of soap pods to wash Sophie’s hair, as she needed someone’s help to clean it properly.
Thirteen spent a long time washing Sophie’s hair to remove the blood, though the soap pods made it a bit frizzy. Sophie’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.
Sophie 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, Sophie 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.
Sophie had a sinking feeling about where Rafael was taking her. She feared it might be where her father and brothers had died in llyrian. 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. Sophie 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.
Sophie 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 Sophie 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.
Sophie quickly approached Rafael, and bowed. “Hello, Marshal.”
Rafael glanced at her. “This is good.”
“Yes, it’s quite good,” Sophie 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.
Sophie mounted her horse as well, and they rode off together.
ments
Sophie 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.
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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. Sophie’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 Sophie a flask of wine. Take this and offer a toast to your father. Tell him you’ve become an excellent warrior.”
Sophie 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 Sophie here because he believed she was a promising warrior who, with time, could become as formidable as her father.
Rafael had always thought that Sophie, 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 Blake instead. Given her intelligence and bravery, she would be able to help Blake become a renowned general. Blake 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 Sophie was trained from a young age in martial arts, why did she choose marriage Instead of avenging her family’s death on the battlefield? Sophie 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 Blake 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.
Since Salvador received the first military report, his blood had been boiling with excitement.
“Sophie Devin, Hector Devin’s daughter, the legitimate heiress of the Duke of Northwatch-who knew she would be so outstanding? She’s even surpassed Freya Ernst!”