Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Barrett was on duty today, tasked with helping the Capital Guard maintain order.

As the eleven young soldiers rode past him one by one, he carefully studied each of their faces. When his gaze fell on Thomas, he noticed that the once-handsome, striking figure seemed less radiant than before. A mix of nostalgia and complex emotions stirred in his chest, along with a fleeting sense of inferiority.

Heroes.

Barrett had once been a hero too. When he returned from the Victory Pass battle, the citizens had cheered for him the same way.

But now?

Now, he had been reduced to a mere ninth-rank capital guard, stripped of the glory that once surrounded him. No longer the golden boy, no longer entrusted with important duties. Watching the eleven young soldiers, Barrett couldn't shake the sense of being worlds apart, like a speck of dirt beneath their feet.

If he was ever going to rise again, it would have to be through his brother-in-law's support. Or perhaps, another war would break out, giving him the chance to earn military merits once more.

How foolish Barrett had been back then, always imagining things so idealistically. He had once thought military accomplishments were easily won. After all, back at Victory Pass, Wyatt Sullivan had taken a blade for him, losing an arm in the process.

And on the Southern Frontier battlefield, Barrett had witnessed the true horrors of war-the brutal siege, mountains of corpses, and rivers of blood. Only then did he realize that earning glory on the battlefield was not as simple as Aurora had once made it sound. How many brave soldiers had died with their ambitions unfulfilled?

And how many, like the eleven young heroes, had been captured and tortured? To escape and form an intelligence network like they had-they were probably the only ones who could pull off such a feat.

As thoughts of captivity and torture filled his mind, a chill ran down Barrett's spine, freezing him to the core.

didn't know what would ultimately become of the Victory Pass incident. The king hadn't pursued the matter yet, but had sent people to keep a close watch on

would the Warren family. The new crown

continue scraping by. Despair settled deep in his bones at that moment, and his mind wandered to something Aurora had once said with such conviction: All she wanted was success. Yes, success. But it was far too difficult

looked up at

Aurora. But in the thick crowd,

who had rescued

Barrett either. His attention was focused on the heartwarming scene unfolding

he stood tall, his face filled with pride. In a moment like this, he

ground, their voices trembling as they said, "Dad, we haven't been the sons you deserved, but

he smiled instead. He helped them to their

around them, families had come out to greet their loved ones, and each tearful embrace was a sight that

his usual demeanor today. He

down her cheeks as she realized

of this world lay in how blood ties, once so close, could be severed, with no promise of ever meeting

she returned home,

straight to

sharing in everyone else's

was left