Her Graceful War Song

Patrick was taken aback by Carissa's calm response. For a brief moment, he stood there in stunned silence, then couldn't help but admire her. Even with her husband missing on the front lines, she managed to stay composed and offer such a level-headed analysis.

Sending reinforcements now could mean sending Chester's forces, those from Victory Pass, or even the Capital Army under Thomas' command. However, all of these options were too far away to make a difference in time.

The real issue wasn't the battle at the Southern Frontier, but the situation at the Atamore Mountain Range. The reinforcements would only serve to hold the Southern Frontier, not to change the course of the battle already unfolding.

Salvador listened to everyone's opinions, his face unreadable. He didn't make a decision, merely saying that they would have to wait.noveldrama

It was clear-no reinforcements would be sent.

Later that evening, Thomas and Rosalind paid a visit to Carissa. Thomas could sense that Carissa might still be worried, so he brought Rosalind along to discuss the situation further, hoping to put her mind at

ease.

"This battle is bound to be tough, but our army's aim is to eliminate several enemy leaders and strike a blow to their morale. Marshal Sanford's strategy is likely to draw the enemy into a trap. If they can use the terrain of Mount Whitemist to their advantage, it could be the deciding factor," he said.

"Do you know the Atamore Mountain Range well, General Farrell?" Carissa asked.

"Not in great detail, but we've done reconnaissance in the area before. The terrain is complicated, and the Southern Frontier Army has been stationed there long enough. They've probably already scouted the favorable positions. If they make good use of the mountain range's geography, they'll have a strong chance of success."

Carissa nodded thoughtfully. "I believe in him."

Thomas handed her a map of the terrain, one he had drawn himself. "This map isn't perfect, but it gives a fairly clear idea of where the Southern Frontier Army is positioned."

Carissa unfurled the map, her eyes scanning it before she looked up at Thomas. "So, you want me to send this to Marshal Sanford?"

Thomas shook his head with a knowing look. "Marshal Sanford has probably figured it out himself by now."

Carissa understood immediately. Thomas assumed she wanted to head to the front lines herself, so he had brought her the map to aid her. It seemed the married couple's quiet forays into battle had become somewhat of an open secret.

She smiled and shook her head. "I have faith in him. If he can't win this battle, my being there won't make a difference. It would only hinder him."

Thomas exhaled in relief and smiled in return. "Yes, you're right. It's better this way. It's best if you stay here."

-

Rafael stood atop Mount Chimera with 3,000 elite soldiers, watching the cold embrace the land. The days were warm, but the nights were far colder, colder even than Mount Whitemist.

Yet, there was an advantage to this bleak place-Mount Chimera had only one entrance. It was a high, narrow pass surrounded by towering cliffs, with a deep valley beneath it, directly facing Mount Whitemist. It was a perfect stronghold, easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Victor would never manage to scale these heights, but once his forces entered Mount Whitemist, a natural trap would be set.

Rafael was waiting for the right moment, a moment he would create himself.

Louis currently had 30,000 men stationed at Mount Whitemist, with the latest shipment of grain stored there as well. Victor desperately wanted that grain. His soldiers were so hungry they had resorted to slaughtering their own warhorses for meat.

The moment Victor moved to seize Mount Whitemist, the Southern Frontier Army would retreat. Once the latter army was out of the way, boulders would rain down from Mount Chimera, followed by a full-scale assault.

Rafael had initially considered a surprise attack, but that would only wear down both sides. He needed a decisive victory, one that could turn the tide.

So, he took a team of elite soldiers to find a path up Mount Chimera, where he could control the entire situation. The timing was perfect-the grain supplies were delivered just then, which would surely make Victor drool with greed.

For Rafael, it was truly the perfect combination of timing, location, and people. Now, he just had to wait for Victor's greed to take over, and he could spring the trap.

Victor would definitely fall for it. He had no choice left. His men were starving, their hunger so intense that scouts reported they had consumed nearly every bit of tree bark in sight.

Rafael's gaze drifted toward the distant capital, a twinge of longing filling his chest. For soldiers, the hardest struggles were hunger and cold. But for him, the hardest battle was missing his wife. Without him by her side, she was probably also having a difficult time during the New Year celebrations.