Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“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?”
Sophie 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 Sophie. 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 martial uncle arrives-you’ll regret it!”
It was the first time Adrian had ever been so furious with Sophie. No matter how much trouble she caused when she was younger, he would always bow, offer gifts, and apologize on her behalf. Now, it was Sophie’s turn to bow and beg for forgiveness.
“I know I was wrong! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me, Sage Adrian!”
Adrian kicked her on a spot with no blood-right on the knee. He didn’t use much force, but to Kyle and the others, it looked harsh.
None of them dared to speak up. It was Jacob who finally stepped forward, bowing as he tried to mediate. “Sage Adrian, perhaps we should tend to their injuries first? There will be time to reprimand her later.” Seeing the injuries on Sophie and Kyle, Adrian’s heart softened, and he set aside his anger. “Go treat your injuries! Don’t tell me the Capital Guard headquarters doesn’t even have basic medical supplies stocked.”
“We do! We do!” Sophie hurried to assure him, her eyes still shimmering with a wet, puppy-like gaze. She had clearly missed her mentor dearly.
The group dispersed to tend to their injuries. As Violet helped Sophie wrap her wounds, she whispered, “I’ve never seen your mentor scold you like that before.”
Sophie stretched out her arm to reveal two sword cuts. Thankfully, neither had reached the bone. She smiled and said, “He’s only strict because he cares about me.”
Violet tightened a bandage. “If my mentor cared about me like that, I’d cry.”
Once Violet had finished with Sophie’s bandages, it was Sophie’s turn to help Violet. The latter had taken a sword to her shoulder and a shallow cut to her waist, but the most serious injury was to her calf. Fortunately, her soft armor had shielded her torso from any deadly blows.
“How’d you end up with a cut on your calf?” Sophie asked.
“I kicked one of those thugs away, but I wasn’t expecting another one to swing at me. I couldn’t dodge in time, so I got nicked. It’s just a flesh wound, nothing serious,” Violet explained.
She paused, then added, “Oh, and I got hit on the back. Probably with a metal rod-it hurt, but it didn’t leave a cut. Just bruised me good.”
Meanwhile, Kyle, Jacob, and Travis were gathered in another corner, tending to their wounds.
For Jacob, it was his first time witnessing Adrian’s martial prowess, and he was completely stunned. If not for Travis applying the bandages with excessive force, Jacob might still have been lost in his awe.
All three were injured to varying degrees, though Travis seemed to have fared the worst. For some reason, whenever a fight broke out, he became a magnet for elmet aggression-everyone seemed eager to land a hit on him.
Once their wounds were treated, Sophie leaned against her mentor. Though she wasn’t as playful as usual, she still acted more sweet and carefree than compared to her usual self as Commander Devin. “When did you get here, Sage Adrian? How come I didn’t know? I’ve had people stationed at the city gates every day.”
By now, Adrian had already removed his disguise. But even if he hadn’t, both Kyle and Sophie would’ve recognized his voice.
“The guards at your city gates couldn’t even detect the weapons I smuggled in. Is this the caliber of soldiers under your command?”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “No way! They didn’t catch the weapons?”
She had issued strict orders prohibiting the transport of weapons into the city. Even martial artists were required to leave their weapons at the gates for safekeeping.
What was Michael doing? Hadn’t he enforced the inspections?
Adrian shook his head and sighed deeply. “If I hadn’t come, do you really think you’d have succeeded in this?”
“Thank goodness you showed up when you did! Otherwise, we
Care wouldn’t have escaped unscathed, Sophie shivered at the thought tonight’s brutal battle. She had known their opponents were skilled, but hadn’t anticipated just how formidable they were.
“I’ve been here for a while,” Adrian said casually, sipping the coffee Jacob had brewed despite his injuries. “I’ve been keeping an eye on them. How else do you think I knew they were making a move tonight?”
He set his cup down and added, “It’s not entirely your fault. Nicholas has hidden himself well. Over the years, he’s probably sought guidance from countless masters and combined the best of their teachings. For all we know, he may have disguised himself and joined our guild at some point.”
“The one who came tonight-it was him, wasn’t it?” Kyle asked.
“Yes, it was him.” Adrian frowned and glanced at him. “I was counting on you to protect your martial sister, yet look at you-so useless.”
Kyle immediately lowered his head, feeling embarrassed. “I lack skill and couldn’t protect Sophie well. Please don’t tell Sage Everett.”
Adrian waved a hand dismissively. “Actually, I was about to say, don’t mention any of this to your martial uncle. The last thing we need is him finding out you fought like a bunch of amateurs.”
Everyone looked pale and embarrassed.
As dawn broke, Adrian led them to the Glimmering Tower.
It was then that Sophie 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 it!”
–
Everyone looked at Conrad with envious eyes. Most mentors fed and clothed their apprentices, sometimes even providing them with fine weapons.
But Conrad? He was living a life off his apprentice’s generosity.
And he was doing so with such shameless ease!
As the morning light filtered through the windows, Hayden stepped out of his study. Having stayed up all night, his face looked worn and tired-after all, he was getting older and couldn’t handle sleepless nights. Seeing “Gordon” still standing guard at the door, he let out a short laugh. “Returned defeated, I see.” Gordon lowered his gaze. “Your Highness, will you be heading out today?”
“No, go back to your duties,” Hayden replied flatly.
Yet, Nicholas didn’t leave. He stood steadfastly beside him.
Hayden’s gaze turned cold. “If you have questions, ask them.”
Nicholas lifted his head. “Did you already know that Adrian and the others have come to the capital? Who passed on the news? It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak-it’ll come out in the end.”
The Shadow Guard who had been watching over Hayden last night had vanished, and the faint scent of blood still lingered in the study. There were no signs of a struggle, suggesting a quick, fatal blow. Nicholas had a good idea of who might be behind it.
Hayden’s eyes flared with fury. “Go ahead and kill them. If they don’t die now, they’ll die later. It’s better to kill them all, so you won’t use them to threaten me again. I might as well die right along with them.”