Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1283

Salvador glanced at Rafael and said, "Of course, it must be your reputation that has struck fear into Sandoria. Even their marshal, Victor Crow, is clearly afraid of you."

Rafael naturally didn't think his brother was speaking sincerely.

With a wry smile, he said, "Your Majesty, you overestimate me. I don't possess such an overwhelming influence. Marshal Crow isn't afraid of me. They're just exhausted, with no way out after being defeated." "And yet, if they've been beaten so badly, surely they couldn't have regained their strength in just two or three short years," Salvador replied.

"Under normal circumstances, that would be true," Rafael agreed. "But even if they haven't fully

recovered, they wouldn't let us expand the Southern Frontier uncontested. They should be harassing us at least occasionally, yet they've been unnaturally quiet."

Salvador studied him for a moment. "You think someone is conspiring with them? That they're biding their time?"

"It's a possibility, isn't it?" Rafael replied.

They had discussed this before, and Salvador himself had leaned toward this theory. But Rafael knew his brother well-somewhere deep down, the king didn't want to acknowledge it.

a noncommittal sound and

Words hovered on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back. There was no point

If they were to truly guard against Sandoria, sending Rafael back to

military power, using Carissa as a means to do so. To reinstate him now would mean undoing that decision-a bitter pill Salvador clearly wasn't prepared to swallow. Until he had

in the royal study, no real progress had been

signaled for another

your instincts and believe in your suspicions, Rafael. But I also trust General Quinton and General Farrell. Even if Marshal Prince hasn't been on the battlefield in

disagreement would serve him

in Oliver stemmed from a handful of victories in years past. Yet those victories had been hollow, achieved with overwhelming numbers rather than strategic brilliance. Moreover, ever since he was injured, Oliver had developed a fear of fighting. The man had made almost no achievements while stationed at the Southern Frontier. He neglected military drills and

could Salvador not know

better than to voice his objections now. It would only risk provoking the king, potentially leading him to make impulsive decisions

was trust-or rather, Salvador's lack of

that understanding, Rafael rose to his feet and bowed. "I'll take my

-

a hand dismissively.

with the latest intelligence. The news came from the spy network they had built through the efforts of Wilfred and a few others, corroborating