Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
“If you don’t want to marry him, I’ll write to Isaac and tell him not to approach the Spencer family,” Sophie said, her voice thick with emotion. “Don’t torment yourself, Vivi. You haven’t done anything wrong. You’re not responsible for other people’s pain or happiness. The only thing you need to think about now is whether or not you want to marry Isaac.”
When Violet finally lifted her confused eyes, Sophie softly added, “It’s not about whether you’re willing.
It’s about whether you truly want to.”
Violet did not give an immediate answer.
After spending the entire night reflecting, she informed Sophie that if the marriage proposal were indeed made and her family consented, she would be willing to marry Isaac. However, as for whether she truly wanted to, she could not say, for her feelings were uncertain.
What she felt now was different from how she had once felt.
Sophie reassured her, and later that day, she set off for Meadow Ridge with Lulu. Her reasons were threefold. First, she wished to speak directly with Isaac. Second, she had not spent the New Year there for some time, and missed her mentor and other guild members.
Third, Winona had also returned to Meadow Ridge, and Sophie wanted to inquire whether any news from the Southern Frontier had reached her. She feared that Winona might have learned something troubling but didn’t dare share it with her. If she asked her directly in person, she would be able to tell if her senior guild member was lying.
Upon Sophie’s return to Meadow Ridge, both Adrian and Everett were startled to see Lulu with her. Immediately fearing that something had gone awry, they insisted on speaking with her in private.
The sight of their concerned expressions tugged at Sophie’s heart, resulting in her fighting back tears. In the capital, she had to always maintain her composure. But in front of her mentor and the members of the Pathfinders Guild, she would always feel like a child.
Wiping her eyes, she teasingly said, “I just thought it had been too long since I was last here, so I wanted to visit the two of you. I also wanted to catch up with my senior guild members.”
Everett sharply retorted, “We’ve only just returned from the capital and you’re talking about catching up? You’ve come back with Lulu, but why didn’t you bring those other troublemakers? What if something had happened on the road? Who would have protected you? Just because you think you’re capable now, does that mean you’re invincible? You’re far from it.
“You’re not thinking about how many people you’ve offended, or whether the remaining rebels have been dealt with. You’re not even considering that your husband is at war, and how many people want to use you to threaten him…”
Adrian raised his hand in an attempt to calm him. “Alright, that’s enough. Stop with the scolding.”
While scolding was necessary, the focus of the topic could still be shifted.
Everett shot back at Adrian, ranting, “You still have the gall to protect her? Isn’t this exactly what you always nag about? You’ve been fretting over her being targeted enemies, getting caught by this and that. Now that she’s dared
Sandorian spies, and worrying el. fet t?deave the city with just a maid, you’re reluctant to let her hear a few harsh words? If you’re so capable, stop nagging me about it every day!”
Adrian stood at attention, taking the scolding with his usual patience. He had long grown accustomed to it, but he certainly didn’t want Sophie to be scolded into becoming a meek and docile creature. How could she lead the troops if that happened?
Still, watching his foolish apprentice grinning through the tirade amused him.
After enduring her martial uncle’s scolding, Sophie released a small breath of relief. Everett had only expressed concern for Rafael being away at war, with no trace of heaviness in his tone. That clearly indicated Winona hadn’t shared any bad news with them.
If Winona knew anything about Rafael, she would have definitely told Everett, not daring to hide anything about his apprentice from him.
However, Sophie only felt half relieved. Though there was no bad news, the fact that there was no news at all still caused an uncertainty that weighed heavily on her mind.
Once the scolding was over, she wasted no time in seeking out Winona, who sighed as soon as she saw her. Gently pulling Sophie into the room, she closed the door behind them.
“I thought you might come looking for me. Just two hours ago, I received word from Skywing Spire. The message came directly from one of the scouts, Jordan. I’ve not yet dared to tell Sage Everett.” Sophie’s heart sank at Winona’s words. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine. “What’s happened? Please tell me,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency.
Winona placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, her expression serious. “Listen carefully. Jordan said that the Southern Frontier Army pursued the Sanderian forces to Atamore
Mountain. There, they fell into ambush set by Victor, and the entire foree was scattered. Six separate teams were formed, but Jordan’s scouts have confirmed that none of them include Rafael.”
Sophie’s breath caught in her chest, her heart pounding. “What do you mean? Is he missing? Or worse…”
“Don’t panic,” Winona said firmly.
“Jordan says the teams broke apart. Some smatter groups have yet to reassemble. He was able to only that much before onfiden message back. The rest of the scouts are still gathering no information, and Jordan himself is on his way to join them.”
Sophie held back her tears, trying to steady her breath. “So, have they been fighting at Atamore Mountain this whole time? The food supplies must have run out by now. What are they eating?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Winona replied. “The grassland tribes said they wouldn’t offer help, but they sent all their dried meat to them. The army also has the rations and hard biscuits they brought. It should last a while.
“Plus, with the endless mountain range around Atamore Mountain and Ice Lake, they can hunt for food as long as they have weapons. They’ll be half-starved, but they’ll get by.”
She paused for a moment, her expression darkening. “But I doubt it will last much longer.”
“Sandoria can’t hold out much longer either,” Sophie said as she lifted her head, her voice steady despite her rising panic.
The two armies’ positions were nearly the same, though the Southern Frontier Army was in slightly better shape. If Victor didn’t get reinforcements or rations, he would have to face the Southern Frontier Army head-on.
There had to be a conclusion to the standoff-victory or defeat.
But with the forces scattered, reuniting would be difficult. It would make it nearly impossible to directly engage Sandoria’s main forces.
How had they gotten caught in an ambush? Rafael wasn’t the kind of person to let his guard down like that.
Suddenly, a thought sparked in Sophie’s mind, her eyes lighting up with realization.
She quickly asked, “After the Southern Frontier Army was ambushed, were there many casualties?” Winona shook her head. “Not many. Just that their forces were scattered.”
Sophie thought back to the terrain around Atamore Mountain, considering the possible struggles both armies were facing. Sandoria was already stretched thin. After being chased and forced to flee, they were now cornered and had set up an ambush out of desperation.
Could it be that Rafael had intentionally allowed himself to be caught in the ambush? Perhaps he was hoping to trick Sandoria into becoming overconfident and careless, then launch a surprise counterattack. She shared her theory with Winona, who listened carefully.
After a long pause, Winona responded, “It’s good to be optimistic, and it’s good to have faith in Rafael. But Atamore Mountain’s environment is harsh, and people’s tempers can change. He may have made a mistake under the pressure of the situation. Even if he intended for the ambush to work to his advantage, the harsh conditions might have clouded his judgment.”
Winona had meant to offer comfort by going along with her junior guild member’s thoughts, as she would have done in the past. But Sophie had grown, and was now ready to hear other perspectives. Of course, it was also possible that what Sophie said was correct.
Jordan himself had spent a few days gathering intelligence at Atamore Mountain and admitted that the conditions were nearly unbearable, making him anxious and impatient. He said he couldn’t imagine being stuck in that place for two months, fighting a guerrilla war, would do to the soldiers’ mindset. The psychological toll would be immense.
So, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Rafael to have ended up falling for an ambush because he had been too anxious and impatient.
Sophie replied, “You haven’t been to a battlefield, so you don’t know the kind of losses an ambush like that can cause. And they were part of the main force. Even if they’d been ambushed, they should’ve been able to fight their way out.
“But the fact that they were so thoroughly scattered… This could very well have been a strategy to take advantage of Marshal Crow’s overconfidence. It would make him think victory was within reach, only to fure him into a trap.”
Winona considered her words carefully, then smiled. “You make a good point. Let’s hope Rafael returns victorious soon.”
“He will,” Sophie declared with a conviction that surprised even her.
She wasn’t entirely sure, but she believed it.
After speaking with Winona, she