Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Blake’s visit to Northwatch Estate
He also advised her to be cautious and avoid any association with Blake to prevent damaging her own reputation.
Upon hearing the report, Sophie called for Travis. If Blake was spotted near the Hell Monarch Estate, Travis was to drive him away.
Travis said, “If he dares to come, I’ll break his legs.”
Violet said, “Just drive him away! We don’t need to get involved with him. Things in this capital aren’t like in Meadow Ridge, where you just have a fight if you don’t like someone.”
“Come on, I was just speaking metaphorically. We’re not actually going to fight,” Travis replied, somewhat frustrated.
Violet said, “That man has no backbone. He hides whenever trouble arises, and can’t make a clear decision. Fortunately, during the Southern Frontier siege, he didn’t retreat and hide. Otherwise, he would have been the cause of our downfall. He’s just a bad Lomen.”
Sophie was fanning herself, and suddenly remarked, “At this point, he should actually give Viola a letter of divorce. It will show whether he ine plans to rely on Oliver to get through this, or if he truly has the courage to be a man.”
–
Violet and Travis both understood the implication of Sophie’s words.
The situation in Westhaven was bound to change drastically. Once the current crown prince, Edmund, ascends the throne, the first order of business would be a thorough investigation of Fawnrun City. There were three reasons for that-revenge, consolidating his own political power, and redrawing the borderlines.
If Blake still had any sympathy for Viola, he should let her return to her family.
But if he kept Viola with him to force Oliver to stand up for the Jaffes, then he and Freya were essentially the same utterly selfish.
Feeling playful, Violet said, “Let’s make a bet. Will Blake give Viola a divorce letter? I think he won’t.”
Though he held Blake in low regard, Travis still remembered the man’s bravery on the battlefield and was willing to give him a small measure of support. “He might. At least he showed responsibility on the battlefield.”
The two looked at Sophie. “What will you bet on?”
Sophie tilted her head. “Actually, I don’t know Blake very well.”
Violet pulled out a banknote worth a thousand silver coins. “You still have to choose. Let’s bet a thousand silver coins.”
Seeing the large sum, Travis immediately shook his head. “No way. I’m not betting on that.”
Winning would be fine, but losing a thousand silver coins meant he would surely be punished by his master.
Sophie laughed and said, “Let’s do it for fun. Don’t bet so much-let’s make it ten silver coins.”
“Then which option do you choose?” Violet put away the banknotes. Money shouldn’t be flaunted. She saw the way Travis looked at the notes, as if he wanted to steal them.
Sophie thought for a moment. “I think he’ll probably go through the motions of asking Viola about it, just to ease his own conscience. But he won’t be completely honest with her. If Viola chooses not to divorce, he’ll accept it without any guilt.”
Violet chuckled. “It seems you know him quite well. But the problem is, there’s no way to verify your option. The Capital Guard is keeping a close eye on Valor Estate. We can’t sneak in to eavesdrop.”
Sophie shrugged. “So, I can only choose that he won’t divorce.”
Violet laughed. “You and I are betting against Travis. If Travis loses to us, it’ll be twenty silver coins.”
Travis sighed. “I hope Blake doesn’t make me lose money. Man, just be a decent person.”
On June 21st, Rafael and the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team departed from the cemetery. Over the course of three days, Victor had thoroughly searched the entire city and would soon think of the cemetery. So, despite Lawrence’s severe injuries, they had no choice but to carry him and leave. As they had to traverse two large mountains, Everett had bought enough dried food and water before setting out.
The rain had made the mountain paths treacherous, but for soldiers, it was manageable. They needed to increase their speed. Otherwise, if Victor discovered they had been at the cemetery, he would be able to infer their route.
Dylan carried Lawrence on his back, and everyone else carried provisions and water. Once they entered the mountains, they encountered many snakes, insects, rodents, and even wild animals. Dense vines and weeds obstructed their path, so Everett and Rafael took the lead, clearing a path with their blades.
Halfway up the mountain, Rafael cut some branches and brush on the other side and ran back and forth several times to make it look like someone had been there. Then net about fifty paces from the end of the path, they set up some rudimentary traps. With Sunstrike in hand and the thick vines around them, these traps were not difficult to set.
As expected, Victor and his troops stormed into the cemetery two hours after Rafael and the others had left. They found evidence that Rafael and the others had been there, and discovered several guards who had been tied up. When questioned, the guards revealed that Rafael and his team had been there for seven or eight days.
“Rafael is cunning-pursue them!” Victor roared.
The skilled fighters led the way, followed by the main group as they ascended the mountain, pursuing along the path the enemy had fled With Victor in the lead, he and his elite forces quickly reached the halfway point. Seeing the two newly cut paths, Victor sneered, A mere trick. Split up and pursue them on both paths!”
He only sent ten martial experts with a couple of ordinary soldiers to the left, while he and the rest went on the path straight ahead.
But not long after, they heard screams coming from the left.
Victor’s heart tightened-had they encountered Rafael and his group?
“Traps! There are traps!”
The cries of alarm continued. Victor leaped up a tall tree and saw wooden stakes wrapped in vines flying towards them.
Having already lost six or seven men to these crude wooden traps, Victor was furious.
“Pursue them! This is my territory. No need for idle chatter when you see the Hell Monarch-kill them! Anyone who brings me the Hell Monarch’s head will be rewarded with ten thousand silver coins!”
On June 19th, Oliver dispatched Timothy and Louis with three thousand soldiers to the mountains outside Simonton City. They were there to wait for the Hell Monarch and Septimus.
While Oliver chose not to concern himself with the rescue operation’s details, it was crucial that the pickup went smoothly. To secure his position as marshal, everything had to be executed flawlessly.
If the Hell Monarch’s rescue attempt failed and they fell into the hands of the Sandoria forces, it would spell disaster for Oliver. He couldn’t afford to send troops to the Sandoria border city.
Louis and Timothy reached the highest mountain outside Simonton City, and left a thousand men behind to stand by. They led the remaining two thousand further, hoping to intercept Rafael as soon as possible. However, after crossing another mountain, they ceased advancing. Beyond lay the nomad grassland tribes, where bringing two thousand soldiers would likely result in a battle.
In truth, once Rafael reached the grassland, the Sandorians would hesitate to enter. They would likely only send a few elite troops after him. With a manageable number of pursuers, Rafael could handle the situation if he was uninjured.
They waited for two days. On June 21st, Timothy grew increasingly anxious.
He said to Louis, “Waiting here doing nothing isn’t going to help. Here’s the plan-I’ll take a dozen men down into the grassland, cross another mountain, and see if we can find Prince Rafael. I’m worried he might have been injured when he rescued Septimus.” Louis replied, “Don’t rush. Taking just a dozen men won’t make a difference. The mountain is so vast and dense with forest, and there’s no direct path. It’ll be too difficult to locate anyone.”
“But waiting here accomplishes nothing,” Timothy insisted. “In fact, the marshal’s decision to station so many men here is pointless. If they manage to cross the grassland, it means they’re safe. Whether we have three thousand or a thousand men, we can’t traverse the grassland and climb the mountain.”
Louis lowered his voice, “He’s just trying to show full cooperation with the rescue mission, all to impress the king. He doesn’t care if sending us with three thousand men actually makes a difference.” Both men sighed.
They had served under the best marshals and had little respect for Oliver, but the king valued Oliver highly.
Fortunately, there were currently no ongoing battles. The task was simply to guard Simonton City and prevent the Sandorians from counterattacking.