Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Blake felt conflicted.
On one hand, he hoped Freya would refrain from causing trouble. Rafael’s actions were meant to uphold the Duke of Northwatch’s family’s name, which was understandable given Hector’s status as a model warrior and national hero. The preservation of his family would stabilize the army’s morale.
On the other hand, as a warrior himself, Blake found the situation deeply unfair. On the battlefield, everyone risked their lives to earn military merits, while Sophie seemed to rise effortlessly under Rafael and the other generals’ protection.
He realized that both he and Freya were facing a tough and somewhat tragic situation. Any lingering guilt towards Sophie vanished, replaced by disdain.
Sophie returned to the city after midnight, only to find Freya waiting for her at the city gate. The distant glow of a campfire illuminated Freya’s face, which was twisted in anger and disdain.
“Can’t you at least put in a bit more effort to save your dignity? You’ve tarnished the reputation of the Duke of Northwatch’s family beyond repair,” Freya taunted.
Sophie looked up and icily replied, “What does my family’s reputation have to do with you?”
“Can you stop pretending to be above it all? I saw everything today. It only took a word from the marshal to put you in command of the Mystic Army. So, why the charade with Michael? Do you think that will win over the other soldiers? Do you think everyone is blind?” Freya snapped back.
Sophie stared at her with a cold glint in her eyes. “You’re right. Not everyone is blind. Some things can be hiddert for a time, but not forever.”
Freya’s eyes narrowed, her resolve clearly wavering. “What are you implying?”
“Nothing much.”
Sophie tried to move past her, but Freya grabbed her arm.
Her voice dropped to a low tone as she warned, “Sophie, I don’t care what you mean, but this is a battlefield. The Mystic Army is a force of elite troops and should not be used for your personal gain. Stop causing trouble here and return to the capital immediately”
Sophie wrenched her arm free and strode away without saying anything.
Furious, Freya shouted after her, “You just want to prove you’re better than me, but is this really your own skill? No one in the army will respect you; they’ll only see you as a joke!”
Without looking back, Sophie said over her shoulder, “If I’ve become a joke, isn’t it largely because of your rumors and disdain for the truth?”
Freya scoffed. “Disdain for the truth? What truth? Do you think you became a general based on your own merits? Have you heard so much flattery that you actually believe you’re an invincible female general?”
Out of respect for Hector, Rafael had given Sophie command of the Mystic Army without considering the dangers of the battles to come. The Mystic Army was supposed to be a vanguard force, not a personal guard or a means to rack up enemy kills.
This couldn’t go on-if Sophie continued in this way, defeat in the Southern Frontier battle would be inevitable.
The next morning, Freya went to the command tent to request an audience with Rafael.
Rafael had risen at the crack of dawn and was already in discussion with the other generals about the plan to breach the city.
The battle couldn’t drag on too long. The enemy had retreated to Simonton City, where they had supplies. However, it was limited. They needed time to resupply and for their wounded to recover
Thus, the enemy wouldn’t be opening the gates. Starhaven’s forces couldn’t launch a direct assault and would instead have to breach the city walls.
When Freya requested an audience, Rafael raised his hand. “Let her in.”
Dylan stepped out to inform Freya, “The marshal asks you to enter, General Ernst,”
She entered briskly and noticed the ten or so generals present, realizing they were deliberating war strategy.
Feeling slighted, she bowed formally, and before Rafael could speak, asked, “Marshal, since you’ve gathered the generals to discuss military affairs, why weren’t my husband and I summoned to discuss it together?”
Sitting on his chair, Rafael’s sharp eyes were fixed on her. “Didn’t I already say? You’ve traveled a long way to provide support, and many of you are injured. Rest for two days before resuming training. You don’t need to be involved in strategy discussions at the moment.”
Freya hesitated.
Had he said such a thing? Even if he had, she felt it was unjust.
“Marshal, we came here on orders as reinforcements. Although the journey was difficult, a night’s rest was enough to recover. We can begin training today. I simply have one matter I’m unclear about and came to seek your guidance.”
“Speak,” Rafael said, leaning back in his chair with one hand resting on the armrest, watching her with a slight tilt of his head.
“The Mystic Army, being elite troops, should rightfully serve as the vanguard in breaking through the enemy’s lines. Yet, you have assigned them to be under General Devin’s command.”
“What about it?” Rafael’s tone was calm but carried an authoritative edge.
Freya raised her voice, “I believe your decision to use the most elite troops to protect a woman who only seeks to gain military merit on the battlefield is unwise, Marshal.”
When Timothy heard Freya’s words, he immediately interjected before Rafael could speak, “What do you mean by that? The Mystic Army troops will fight the enemy under General Devin’s command. And you’re right, they are indeed the vanguard force, meant to breach the city and lead the charge.”
Freya sneered. “The marshal really holds onto old sentiments, huh? If the Mystic Army breaches the city. it’ll be due to Sophie’s efforts. What’s the difference between that and directly awarding her military merit?”
Timothy’s anger flared. “How can you speak like that? If she leads the Mystic Army to breach the city, the merit is hers by her own effort, not something given to her. Do you believe that in warfare, only one person should charge into battle while the soldiers stay behind, General Ernst?”
“General Farell, are you suggesting that General Devin will also be on the battlefield, and not just hiding in the rear with her command authority?” Freya countered.
Timothy was incensed. “That’s absurd! As the vanguard force, a general must lead the troops. There’s no such thing as a general hiding in the rear while holding command.”
“Her? Lead the troops?” Freya laughed coldly, as if she had heard the greatest joke.
After a few moments of mocking laughter, she added, “A woman who’s never been on a battlefield is going to lead the Mystic Army to attack the city? I’d say it’s the generals here who will be leading her and the Mystic Army in the assault.”
“How can you say she’s never been on a battlefield? Didn’t she fight in those previous battles?” Timothy retorted.
Freya sneered and sarcastically said, “I’m sure everyone here knows exactly how she won all those. previous battles.”
Looking directly at Rafael, she dropped to one knee. 1, Freya Ernst, request to lead the Mystic Army in the siege. Marshal, if you insist on having Sophie in command, then I ask to fight her.
“I brought the Mystic Army to the Southern Frontier. I can’t stand by and watch them risk their lives in vain by following a commander who knows nothing of warfare.”
The assembled generals could barely contain their outrage. Though they wanted to hold their tongues out of respect for Rafael, they couldn’t help but voice their disapproval.
“General Ernst, how can you speak like that? If General Devin didn’t have the ability, would the Mystic Army follow her orders?”
“You even talk about lives being needlessly sacrificed before the battle has begun. That’s truly absurd!”
“If you claim she knows nothing of warfare, then how did she win previous battles?”
“Besides, the marshat has already issued orders for General Devin to command the Mystic Army. She has been training them since yesterday.”
“General Ernst, you’re being far too arrogant. You compare yourself to General Devin, but you might not even measure up.”