Salvador now regularly summoned Carissa to the royal study to discuss military matters, granting her a seat at the table where battle strategies were planned and debated. Her place in these discussions was earned by leading the Mystic Army to crush the rebels.

It was a position forged in blood and sweat, with no one daring to challenge her right to it.noveldrama

The reports that shaped their discussions came from Victory Pass and the Southern Frontier. These dispatches provided the foundation for the court's analysis of the situation, guiding decisions on logistical support and strategies.

Yet, even when strategies were drafted, Salvador refrained from issuing direct commands. Instead, he offered suggestions, a gesture that showed his trust in Rafael and the Sullivan family-though that trust extended only as far as their abilities on the battlefield.

With winter approaching, the soldiers needed winter clothing and more weapons. Most of their discussions revolved around supplies.

Leroy and Victor faced similar predicaments, though their circumstances were not identical. Victor was backed into a corner with no escape and had little choice but to fight. On the other hand, Leroy still had Edmund as his ally, though that alliance was tenuous.

Edmund and Lisandra clashed on many issues, dividing the court into factions. In short, things were chaotic, and there wasn't much real help that could be given to Leroy. Still, having a potential fallback was

better than none at all.

But this escape route was a humiliation for Leroy. He originally planned to use his cooperation with Nicholas to push back the people from Starhaven and take over Victory Pass. That way, he and Edmund could gain the people's praise and win their support.

Leroy's obsession with outshining Liam had become an all-consuming fixation. This drove him to fight with unmatched ferocity on the battlefield, refusing to retreat no matter the cost.

Barrett and his companions had initially traveled to deliver birthday gifts to Dominic. However, due to Oliver's evident disdain for them, they found themselves unable to return to the Southern Frontier. They were left strategizing on how to persuade Dominic to allow them to remain at Victory Pass.

However, before Barrett and his companions could devise any plan, Westhaven launched an attack. There wasn't much to think about after that. They grabbed their weapons and prepared for battle. Barrett was no stranger to war at Victory Pass, and he owed an arm to the Sullivan family.

It was during one of the fiercest battles that fate seemed to intervene. While trying to rescue Wyatt, Barrett had his arm severed by an enemy blade. The prolonged stalemate on the battlefield left him bleeding out; he nearly didn't make it. Unconscious for five or six days, he barely clung to life and considered himself lucky to have survived at all.

Barrett had traveled to Victory Pass from the Southern Frontier with three others-Glen Yoder, Joel Conway, and Huxley Russell. They were seasoned fighters from the Southern Frontier, so they were able to kill many enemy soldiers at Victory Pass, earning credit for their achievements.

Still, the war wasn't over.

Leroy refused to retreat. As long as he stood firm, the conflict dragged on.

When Barrett recovered from his injury, he picked up a blade with his remaining hand and returned to the battlefield. He had no choice. To leave without proving his worth would disgrace his ancestors.

The Sullivan family's attitude toward him shifted somewhat-they began to respect his determination. Still, there was no deeper sentiment in their regard, only a soldier's appreciation for another's grit.

Barrett often found his thoughts wandering back to his first battle at Victory Pass. He couldn't help but regret that time couldn't be

rewound. If only he had focused on earning merit back then instead of ning getting entangled with Aurora,

perhaps his life would have turned out differently.

But life offered no second chances, and there was no magical cure for regrets.

He couldn't measure how much a wrong decision had cost him in life. He had made his decisions, and the consequences that followed were his alone to bear.

Carissa had also made mistakes,

chief among them marrying a man like Barrett. She had endured so much suffering and countless grievances because of that choice. Yet, she rarely brought it up. Instead, she focused on building her own life and career, moving forward without looking back.

"Damn that Leroy. He's one tough bastard."

Glen collapsed onto the ground beside Barrett, his face windburned and darkened by the biting cold. The winds at Victory Pass were every bit as brutal as those at the Southern Frontier.

"He keeps losing battles, yet he won't retreat. And those peace talks? He acts like they never happened. What a shameless coward."

Barrett set aside his swirling thoughts and replied, "Then, we'll fight until he retreats."

"Exactly. And now we've got the six-barrel matchlocks," Glen said with pride. "By the way, do you know who modified those matchlocks?"

"Who?" Barrett asked.

He had heard the court had sent the weapons to them and had personally tested their effectiveness, but didn't know who was responsible for their design.

"The Pathfinders Guild's leader," Glen

revealed, grinning. "And get

this-he's the mentor of the Hell Monarch's princess consort. Lady Carissa used to be your wife, right? But let's be honest, you were never good enough for her. The divorce was for the best."

Barrett didn't flinch at the jab. Long ago, he had come to terms with the truth. He was never a match for Carissa.