Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Inside the chamber, he saw a bloodied figure hanging by his hands, his feet not touching the ground. His body was a mess of bruises and wounds, with his tattered clothes doing little towel net thehin marks and burns allover him. His face was so swollen and battered it was impossible to tell who he was.
When Rafael cut through the chains holding the man’s hands, he collapsed to the ground. As the prince helped him up, he noticed the man’s knees were bleeding. It dearly was a serious injury that made it difficult for him to move.
“I’m Rafael. What’s your name?” Rafael asked, observing the man’s cracked, blistered lips.
Despite being of similar height as the prince, the man was incredibly light, a testament to the severe torment he had endured.
“Law…” he choked out in a raspy and strained voice, as if he had a fire burning in his throat.
He gripped Rafael’s sleeve tightly, his eyes wide with concern. “Are they… safe?”
Rafael felt a lump in his throat. “They’re safe. We’re here to rescue you.” “That’s… good…”
The man’s words trailed off as his hands fell limp and his eyes slowly closed.
Alarmed, Rafael quickly checked the man’s pulse and breathing. He was relieved to find that he was still alive. After hoisting him onto his back, Rafael hurried to get them both out.
During the negotiations at Fangridge Mountain earlier in the day, Oliver’s stance was exceptionally resolute.
Before the talks began, both Timothy and Louis had urged him not to mention the Hell Monarch in front of Victor. However, Oliver believed that since they had once served under the prince, they would undoubtedly favor him. So, he agreed to keep quiet while plotting his own strategy.
In previous negotiations, Oliver had been bargaining persistently. He had offered gold, food, and textiles in exchange for Septimus. Each time, Victor had rejected the terms, leading to a deadlock in the negotiations.
This time, Oliver had truly lost patience. He had already made significant concessions for Septimus’ sake. He had increased his offer from 5,000 gold coins to 10,000 gold coins, 400,000 pounds of grain, and 2,000 bolts of silk.
If Sandoria still refused, it would be due to sheer greed.
Giving them Simonton City, which had been recaptured by the Hell Monarch, was out of the question. If it were lost again, it would be a severe blow to Oliver.
At the start of this round of negotiations, Oliver had again raised the grain offer, this time to 660,000 pounds.
However, Victor still rejected it.
Fuming, Oliver slammed his hand on the table. “I see that you’re not sincere about this at all. I’ve made the greatest concessions, yet you demand even more. This is utterly unreasonable. If this is how it’s going to be, then the negotiations are over.”
The statement was translated, and Victor sneered after hearing it. “Are you certain you want to end the negotiations? Are you willing to sacrifice your spies?”
“It is you who lacks sincerity. If you are unwilling to negotiate in good faith, then we have nothing more to discuss. Do as you will. This is the Hell Monarch’s decision,” Oliver replied.
Timothy and Louis’ faces went pale.
Hadn’t they already said not to mention Rafael?!
The name “Hell Monarch” needed no translation-Victor understood immediately. His demeanor turned alert.
“The Hell Monarch? Are you saying he’s here? Why isn’t he negotiating instead?”
Victor’s translator conveyed this message, and Oliver was about to respond when Louis interjected, “The Hell Monarch issued the order, but was unable to come in person. He recently got married and can’t leave the capital at this time.” Louis spoke in Sandorian, so no translation was needed. Not understanding the language, Oliver shot a suspicious glance at Louis.
Victor looked at him with suspicion. “The Hell Monarch is here, isn’t he?”
“If His Highness were here, he would certainly want to meet you, Marshal Crow. The war between our two kingdoms has ended, and we in Starhaven have a saying: ‘You don’t know someone until you’ve fought them His Highness has great respect for you, Marshal Crow. If he were in Simonton City, he would certainly be eager to befriend you,” Louis replied with a smile.
“What nonsense is that? Even if the war is over, we’re still not friends. The Hell Monarch is as terrifying as General Devin. We Sandorians do not wish to befriend such a fearsome person,” Victor countered. Hector had once recaptured the Southern Frontier, but unfortunately, Sandoria sent reinforcements to launch a counterattack. He didn’t receive the support he needed in time because his request for help was delayed. This was due to the fact that the dying king had been gravely ill then, and Hector’s call for aid was buried under paperwork. As a result, his forces were defeated, and the enemy retook the Southern Frontier. Victor had never interacted with Hector personally, having taken the battlefield only after the latter’s death. Even so, Hector was a formidable and fearsome general to him. “What did Louis say?” Oliver asked the translator.
Louis shot a warning glance at the translator, but he was just a local merchant who spoke both languages. Having been Oliver’s interpreter throughout the negotiations, he hadn’t had much contact with Louis. So, he relayed Louis’ words to Oliver exactly as they were.
Oliver glared sharply at Louis, then said to Victor “Yes, the Hell Monarch has been in Simonton City for a few days. However, he hasn’t come to negotiate himself and sent me to convey his message. If you agree to these terms, the negotiations are over. Do whatever you need to do.”
“That is the Hell Monarch’s decision,” Oliver reiterated.
Victor immediately grasped the situation and ordered, “We’re leaving. Now.”
Timothy quickly nudged Louis, who hastened to say, “Marshal Crow, there’s no need to rush. We can continue discussing things. Is Simonton City really your only goal?”
Timothy hurried over and intercepted Victor.
Victor coldly glared at him. “Get out of my way!”
Louis ran over and performed a formal salute. “Marshal Crow, let’s continue our discussion calmly. What’s the rush? You want Simonton City, correct? We can talk it over. Let’s sit down and continue the negotiation.”
Seeing the unusual behavior of the two men, Oliver grew suspicious.
He was the one in charge of the negotiations, and he had already stated that there was no need for further discussion. So, why were the two of them trying to intercept Victor? Was there a reason behind it?
Since Oliver had only assumed command after the recapture of the Southern Frontier, his subordinates were already unwilling to accept his authority. If negotiations were taken out of his hands, it would diminish his authority, which he absolutely could not accept. “Both of you, come back here,” he said sharply.
He then instructed the translator, “Tell Marshal Crow that if he’s not sincere about it, the negotiations will end. If he still has a desire to negotiate, then the terms I set must be accepted.”
After the translator conveyed the message, Victor turned to look at Oliver. The former’s face showed clear signs of impatience, though he did not appear entirely assured. Nonetheless, he did not let his guard down.
“Return to the city!” Victor ordered.
Louis and Timothy rushed forward, continuing to stand in Victor’s way.
Louis bowed deeply. “Marshal Crow, Marshal Prince doesn’t know Septimus personally and has no emotional attachment to him. So, he is unwilling to exchange Simonton City for him. However, we place great importance on Septimus, as he was once our comrade in arms. Please wait a little longer while we persuade our marshal.”
“If you could persuade him, you would have done so by now,” Victor said coldly. “And didn’t the Hell Monarch already make it clear? If you don’t agree to exchange Septimus for Simonton City, then there is nothing more to discuss.”
“No, that’s not it,” Louis insisted. “His Highness is already on his way to Simonton City and should arrive in a few days. He values Septimus greatly, so things should take a turn for the better once he arrives.”
“The Hell Monarch is on his way?” Victor scrutinized Louis, not missing any subtle expressions on his face.
Louis nodded earnestly. “Yes, that’s right. He will arrive in a few days.”
Timothy retreated to apologize to Oliver, “Marshal Prince, please be patient. Even though we have decided to end the negotiations, it is important to maintain a facade of prolonged discussion. Otherwise, if news spreads that we gave up hastily, it could damage our reputation.”
Growing increasingly suspicious of the two men, Oliver pulled Timothy aside and asked, “Tell me the truth. Where is the Hell Monarch now?”
Timothy hesitated. If he spoke candidly, Oliver might hold a grudge, especially since Rafael’s mission to rescue Septimus had only been shared with Louis and him, and not with Oliver.
Timothy could only say, “I’m not sure, but having followed His Highness for three years, I have some understanding of him. He may have gone to Sandoria to rescue Septimus, but he didn’t inform us to avoid leaks.”