Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

In Simonton City, Oliver was growing increasingly impatient. After four rounds of negotiations, Victor refused to budge. He insisted that he would only release Septimus in exchange for Simonton City.

The other prisoners had already been exchanged long ago. In fact, Starhaven had been on the losing side of the deal. The number of Sandorian captives they had was twice more than the Sinclair Army soldiers in Victor's hands. The numbers didn't add up, revealing how many prisoners Sandoria had killed. Now, they were demanding an entire city in exchange for Septimus' life.

It was absurd.

If it hadn't been for Rafael arriving a couple of days ago and urging him to delay the negotiations, Oliver would have flatly rejected Victor's demands.

Timothy and Louis had repeatedly stressed that Septimus had been an important figure in recovering the Southern Frontier, but Oliver didn't agree. He had reviewed the list of people in the Sinclair Army, and Septimus wasn't even on it. Even if his name not being on the list had been an oversight, how could one man alone provide critical intelligence?

So, Oliver believed that the intelligence Septimus delivered was something scouts could accomplish and wasn't of paramount importance.

The negotiations had already dragged on for too long. He was unwilling to delay any further. After all, the prisoners had been exchanged. If Septimus were a loyal and righteous man, he wouldn't want to see the kingdom sacrifice an entire city for his release.

The problem was that the king had sent Rafael to participate in the negotiations. After the prince's arrival, he issued an order to delay the negotiations, then disappeared. Oliver was fully aware of what this implied-sacrificing Septimus would bring disgrace, so Rafael had hidden away.

With the Hell Monarch out of sight, the responsibility for the negotiations fell solely on Oliver. Whether he chose to sacrifice Septimus or an entire city, the blame from the public would be directed at him, not Rafael.

decided to send people to search for Rafael while reporting to the court that the prince had vanished upon arriving in Simonton City. That way, Rafael would be held accountable

this point on would implicate Rafael as well-it was

Oliver called for Louis and Timothy to discuss

command tent, which was now far superior to the makeshift setup of the past. The spacious and brightly lit hall had comfortable couches and even a tunnel leading to a heated underground chamber for the

a cup of coffee made from beans that had been brought from the capital, finding the fragrant aroma soothing and

However, the negotiations can't be delayed any further. We must report back to the court. In your opinion, when should we terminate the negotiations?" Timothy and Louis exchanged glances. They both understood that Rafael hadn't gone missing or hidden

the

the latter was too impulsive. If I learned Rafael's mission, he might become arrogant or careless during the negotiations, which would easily be noticed by Victor, who

long time on the Southern Frontier battlefield, he was both brave and cautious, with a keen sense of suspicion. Oliver would find it difficult to outmaneuver him. "Why are you dawdling?" Oliver frowned. "In such a tense situation,

silent.

tense situation? How many such situations had they faced during battles? But he

fond of Oliver, he had

appointed marshal.

this out for another ten days or so, and hold a few more rounds of negotiations. At least it will show that we've done everything possible," Louis suggested. Oliver shook his head. "Ten

interjected, "Marshal Prince, regardless of his impatience, we should hold off for now. The king's order was for you to negotiate, but the final decision rests with the mar- the prince. We need to find him first. "Once we locate him, he can decide whether to reject Marshal Crow's demands outright or to offer a city in exchange for Septimus. Of course, I'm saying this with your best interest in mind to avoid public criticism." Louis added, "He's right, Marshal Prince. No matter what decision is