Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Everyone present, including Rafael, was stunned by Freya’s words. Rafael quickly looked at Sophie, whose eyes were slightly red. She met his gaze and nodded faintly. Timothy, Owen, and other veterans of Hector’s old army were equally shocked by the terrible news.
“How could this have happened?”
Sophie softly replied, “Eight months ago, Westhaven spies infiltrated the capital. Everyone in my household… except those who accompanied me to Valor Estate, was killed,” “Oh my god!”
The generals could hardly believe this devastating news. Hector and his six sons had died on the battlefield, and now they learned that even his family had been wiped out. It was a tragedy beyond words! But why would the Westhaven spies do such a thing?
“Lady Devin, you even hid this from them? What are you trying to do?” Freya continued to provoke.
“Enough!” Rafael scolded sternly. “How many troops did you bring?”
“I brought one hundred thousand Capital Army soldiers, ten thousand Sacred Fire Regiment soldiers, and fifteen thousand troops from the Mystic Army,” Blake replied, rubbing his cheek.
Rafael turned to Sophie. “General Devin, you will command the fifteen thousand Mystic Army troops. General Farrell will lead the Sacred Fire Regiment soldiers. Tonight, settle them in the camp outside the city. Tomorrow, we begin training.”
Freya screeched, “General Devin?! What right does she have to be a general? Did you use your authority as a marshal to give her that title, Your Highness?
“Promotions on the battlefield should be earned, not handed out because of her father and brothers’ merits. How can the soldiers who give their blood, sweat, and tears to fight respect someone who was appointed general so casually?”
Rafael coldly responded, “General Devin has participated in five major battles and killed countless enemies. She was also the one who infiltrated llyrian City and opened the gates during the siege. “She held off nearly thirty thousand enemy troops with just three thousand of her own, while also guarding the supply depot. Her achievements have been reported to the king. His Majesty himself appointed her as a fifth-rank Valor General, and there are official documents from the Ministry of Defense. to prove it. Would you like to see them?”
Freya was shocked. “A fifth-rank Valor General? This must be the result of some maneuvering by those. who support her! I don’t believe she has killed so many enemies!”
Rafael’s eyes grew cold. “Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant. Stand down.”
“But we brought the Mystic Army! Why should she command them? I won’t accept it!”-Freya protested.
The Mystic Army was the most elite force of soldiers Letting Sophie command them was like directly handing her another chance to gain more achievements!
With the Mystic Army under her command, Sophie could simply stay behind and direct them to fight. She wouldn’t have to charge into battle herself, but would still be credited with all the glory!
Freya couldn’t believe that Sophie had accomplished so much in the previous siege. It seemed more likely that her father’s old allies had elevated her. Freya understood the need to maintain the reputation of military families and let their prestige live on to boost morale, but she refused to accept this outcome.
What qualifications did Sophie have? Just because of her background? As a woman, how could she possibly be competent enough to be a fifth-rank Valor General?
Freya could easily guess how Rafael and the other generals had exaggeratedly praised Sophie in their reports.
“What did you say? You said you refuse to accept it?” Rafael asked, as if he had not heard her clearly..
“I refuse to accept it,” Freya repeated, standing tall and lifting her head.
How could she be content after braving storms and hardships on their journey here, only to end up serving someone else’s interests?
Rafael’s eyes were as cold as ice. “I have no need for disobedient soldiers here. If you can’t accept it, return to where you came from.”
Blake quickly dropped to one knee. “Marshal, we will follow your orders. The reinforcements we brought with us are under your command, and even my wife and I will obey your orders.” Rafael didn’t even look up. “Of course you will follow my orders. Do you think you’re in a position to override me?”
“Not at all!”
Blake glanced at his wife, who was still stubbornly resisting, and tried to pull her back.
However, Freya shouted, “Marshal, you’re underestimating us. We made significant contributions at Victory Pass…”
Rafael cut her off, his voice as sharp as ice, “Who here hasn’t made significant contributions?”
Blake pulled on Freya’s hand as he addressed Rafael, “Marshal, please calm down. General Ernst was just momentarily impulsive. She didn’t mean to challenge your authority.”
“If you cannot accept military orders, leave the Southern Frontier immediately. I need generals who are absolutely obedient,” Rafael replied coldly.
Though Freya was still unwilling to accept it, she dared not speak further and resigned herself to merely giving Sophie a cold glare.
As a noble lady from a prestigious family, Sophie was naturally held in high regard. Her inherent wealth and status were far beyond that of a humble general’s daughter. Yet, Freya had earned her position through sheer effort and sacrifice, unlike Carlssa, who seemed to have her achievements handed to her.
As Freya reluctantly followed Blake, she said, “My military rank is low and my background is humble, so I have no right to argue. I will, of course, obey your orders, Marshal.”
Her statement was clearly a jab at Sophie.
Freya was even hoping that Sophie would come forward to argue. However, Sophie simply stood silently, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked pitiful and didn’t offer a word in her own defense.
To Freya, it was clear that Sophie was in the wrong here. The former vowed that she would one day expose the latter’s true nature. She would reveal Sophie’s scheming nature to the world.
When that time came, the fact that her achievements had been gained through the influence of her father’s old allies would earn her disdain from true warriors!
After Blake and Freya left the command tent, Timothy knelt and wiped tears from his face.
Hector and his six sons were gone. Even Melanie and her grandson were no longer around. Sophie was the only living member of the Duke of Northwatch’s family.
Timothy wasn’t the only one crying. Several other generals couldn’t help but secretly wipe away their tears, mourning the loss of their comrades and the fall of the Devin family. Even Rafael’s eyes were slightly red.
Tears swirled in Sophie’s eyes, but she quickly fought them back. She had cried too many times, and would collapse every time she did. She needed to hold herself together.
With a voice thick with emotion, she slowly began, “Eight months ago, when I was still Blake’s wife, I was caring for my sick mother-in-law at Valor Estate when received news that my entire family had been slaughtered overnight.
“I raced back to Northwatch Estate, and was met with scenes of bloodshed upon entering. My mother, sister-in-law, nephews and nieces, guards, and all the household servants had been massacred-none escaped.
“My mother and sister-in-law had been hacked to pieces, while some bodies’ heads were severed. My second brother’s son, Ryan, had his head cut off…”
She took a deep breath, choking on her sobs. She couldn’t speak further, the pain crashing over her like a landslide. The memory of that night was seared into her mind.
“Who did it?” Rafael asked.
Sophie took a moment to control her emotions before she managed to utter a reply, “Westhaven spies.”
Rafael’s eyes flashed with fury. Everything made sense now.
Eight months ago, Freya had slaughtered civilians and captured Westhaven’s prince. So, the massacre of Sophie’s family was intimately connected to Freya’s actions at Victory Pass and Fawnrun City. “Generals, please step outside. I need to speak with General Devin alone,” Rafael said softly.
Wiping his tears, Timothy glanced back at Sophie with a look of deep sorrow and sympathy. He seemed to be about to say something but ultimately remained silent as tears slid down his cheeks.
He and the others turned and left.
Rafael poured a glass of wine and handed it to Sophie. Sit down and have a drink.”