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Ignoring the generals’ scornful remarks, Freya continued to address Rafael directly, “Didn’t you say anyone who is unhappy about the arrangement can challenge her, Marshal? I request to challenge y that
Sophie. If she loses, the Mystic Army will fall under my command.”
Aware of Rafael’s strictness, the generals found Freya’s direct challenge to his orders incredibly audacious. They expected him to be furious. But to their surprise, Rafael simply nodded lightly
“I permit you to challenge Sophie, If she loses, the Mystic Army will be under your command. However, if you lose, you will receive fifty lashes with a military rod for violating my orders and for your disrespectful words.
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“Additionally, all the military merits you earn at the Southern Frontier will be stripped from you, and y name will not be mentioned if our forces win.”
Freya was momentarily stunned, then immediately protested, “That is unfair. If I lose, I face fifty lashes and lose all my military merits, but she faces no punishment if she loses. You’re showing clear favoritism, Marshal.”
Rafael’s gaze was icy. “If she loses, she will have lost the Mystic Army. How is that not a punishment? Furthermore, her command of the Mystic Army was by my order. If she is replaced in the midst of battle, her reputation will suffer, and her authority will be diminished in the eyes of both the generals and soldiers. How can that not be considered a punishment?”
“But you yourself said that anyone who is unhappy with the situation can challenge her, Marshal,” said Freya, growing agitated.
Rafael’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s right. The penalty for losing a challenge is thirty lashes. But your challenge isn’t just about questioning her, it’s about taking the Mystic Army from her.
“You’re challenging her for personal gain. If you fail, you naturally have to face consequences. Otherwise, everyone would question my authority. So, will you carry out this challenge you wanted or not?” Considering Sophie’s slender frame, Freya believed the other woman would be no match for her. So, she gritted her teeth and agreed.
“Very well. I will challenge her tomorrow.”
Timothy opposed vehemently.
*This is a decision that has already been made! There is no need for further challenges. This is not a martial arts arena, it’s a battlefield. Such actions are detrimental to the unity of the army.”
Upon hearing this, Freya sensed that he was trying to prevent Sophie from losing. This assumption only served to bolster her confidence.
“Those who are capable should step up. What’s wrong with a challenge? Are you afraid she’ll lose? If you think her reputation will take a blow, then we don’t need to fight. Just give the command of the Mystic Army to me,” she said smugly.
Timothy snorted. “What wishful thinking! Just because you led the reinforcements to the battlefield, you think they’re all yours? I’m trying to save your dignity by preventing this challenge. Since you don’t appreciate my goodwill, do as you please!”
“No ne need for more empty words. The Mystic Army won’t be under General Devin’s command unless she defeats me,” Freya said.
With that, she stood up and bowed.
“I’ll take my leave.”
After she left, a confused Timothy turned to Rafael.
“Marshal, the command of the Mystic Army has already been given to General Devin. Why allow General Ernst’s request? Although the troublemakers in the reinforcements are gone, there are still whispers that General Devin is unworthy. If General Devin loses…”
Rafael cast a cool glance at him. “General Devin will not lose. Since there are still those dissatisfied with her among the reinforcement troops, let them see for themselves whether she is truly unworthy, or if General Ernst is just a name without substance.”
“Furthermore…” Rafael stood up, his imposing aura filling the room, his eyes deep as ink. “If one seeks her own disgrace and insists on foolishness, let her have it. Do not stop her.”
Though Rafael spoke with such confidence, everyone still felt uneasy. They had witnessed Sophie’s bravery, but Freya was a general praised by the empress dowager herself. Having achieved great merit. at Victory Pass, her martial skills should be formidable.
It would be acceptable if they ended in a draw, but if Sophie were to be defeated, all the prestige she had built up recently would be lost. Later in the afternoon, Rafael issued an order: Freya would challenge Sophie for the position of deputy commander of the Mystic Army.
This decision was announced to the entire army. Anyone who could find a spot was allowed to watch the duel in the open field.
The consequences of the duel were made clear in advance.
When Blake heard how high Freya was betting, he immediately opposed her. “Sophie is highly skilled in martial arts. Even with just a few moves, she could defeat you. I’ve witnessed her abilities personally. Freya, you mustn’t be impulsive!”
Freya, already fully dressed, was full of determination.
“Blake, I’m not being impulsive. I’m fighting for more than just the leadership of the Mystic Army on the battlefield,” she said firmly. “If I can command fifteen thousand armored soldiers, I’ll be their deputy commander once we return to the capital. Think about it! After our merits at Victory Pass, neither the king nor the Ministry of Defense assigned us any positions. After the Southern Frontier battle, there will be no wars for years. Without official positions, how can we succeed?”
She wasn’t just vying for a battlefield command, but also for future leadership of the Mystic Army. With fifteen thousand soldiers under her command, she could walk confidently in the capital!
However, Blake thought she was being naive. If there were no wars, Rafael would also return to the capital. At that point, all the Mystic Army would be under his command, not hers.
Worried, he said, “We’re relying on this battle to gain merit. If you’re defeated, you’ll lose your achievements and face military punishment. Once you’re flogged in the army, you’ll lose all respect as a general. How will you lead in the future?”
In other words, her career would be ruined.
“Lose to her? Blake, you’re underestimating me.” Freya’s expression was calm. “It’s not just Sophie. I don’t even see General Farell and the others as threats! Aside from the marshal and you, I won’t lose to anyone in a solo fight-especially not to Sophie. We both saw clearly how she fought Michael in the open field.”
Blake grabbed her arm, and looked her in the eyes. “What if, just what if, you lose? If you lose, you’ll have nothing. Would you be content staying at home as a housewife?”
“What’s wrong with washing my hands to cook for you? Freya teased.
Despite her words, she was certain she wouldn’t lose.
Freya’s words moved Blake deeply. Hearing such a statement from anyone else wouldn’t have touched him as much as it did coming from Freya.
She wasn’t just an ordinary woman confined to the household; she was a formidable general on the battlefield, a hero who had forced their enemy to sign a peace treaty.
For such an extraordinary woman to say she didn’t mind washing her hands and cooking for him, it warmed Blake’s heart. Any previous disappointment he had felt towards her vanished instantly. The challenge was set for sunset.
Rafael sent Dylan to notify Sophie. He found her still drilling her troops in the open field, and informed her of Rafael’s order.
She simply nodded. “Got it.”
Since the entire army knew about this, Violet and the others came looking for Sophie after their training. Each gave her a pat on the shoulder and said tersely, “Beat her.” Sophie smiled at them. Beating Freya would indeed be challenging, not because it was a fight to the death, but because it was a measured contest requiring great restraint
The setting sun didn’t dispel the chill of the frontier. In the open field, the fifteen thousand-strong Mystic Army stood in formation on the east side.
Soldiers, having heard of the event, crowded every available space. The area was densely packed with people, their chatter filling the air.
In addition to the reinforcements, the original Hell Monarch Army soldiers who were in the Sou Frontier from the start also came to watch. The Hell Monarch Army had the utmost confidence in Sophie’s abilities.
However, the reinforcements, stirred up by Freya, believed Sophie had risen to her rank through connections. To them, she was just a housewife who had stayed comfortably at home-a divorced woman, at that.
How could she be capable of leading on the battlefield?
Most of the reinforcement troops supported Freya, except for the Mystic Army. The Mystic Army had already acknowledged Sophie’s leadership, especially after witnessing her single-handedly injure Michael in one move. Those who were closer during the fight could even feel the intensity of Sophie’s inner force.
They knew how strong Sophie was, but the other reinforcement troops didn’t.