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 said

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

was, Salvador knew Oliver wasn't fit for command anymore. If they were to truly guard against Sandoria, sending Rafael back to the Southern Frontier would be the most logical move. But the

of his military power, using Carissa as a means to do so. To reinstate him now would mean undoing that decision-a bitter pill Salvador

the royal study, no real progress had

room fell into a heavy silence, neither brother speaking. Standing by the door, Derek quietly signaled for another round of coffee to be served, hoping that a

Salvador finally broke the quiet, saying, "I trust 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 years, I'm confident he can manage with their support. Marshal Prince may not have

agreement nor disagreement would

numbers rather than strategic brilliance. Moreover, ever since he was injured, Oliver had developed a fear of fighting. The man had made almost no

could Salvador not

only risk provoking the king, potentially leading

its core, the issue was trust-or rather, Salvador's lack of

his

-

a

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