Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1317

Alec arrived to report the casualties from the first battle: 356 dead, and 1,732 injured.

The mood among the officers immediately plunged back to the freezing point.

They had been tasked with defending the city, with archers stationed on the walls. But even with their defensive advantage, the Sandorians had managed to deploy their siege ladders and hurl stones, causing so much loss of life and injury.

This wasn't even a full-scale siege the Sandorians were simply testing their strength and the teamwork of the Southern Frontier Army.

It was clear that the Sandorians understood the situation. They weren't rushing to deploy their full forces. Instead, they were playing a psychological game, careful not to provoke a decisive battle just yet.

The Southern Frontier Army, despite their diminished morale, would fight fiercely once their lives were at stake.

But if these probing attacks continued, the casualties would steadily rise. Ultimately, the psychological toll would break the Southern Frontier Army's will to fight.

At this point, discussing battle strategies seemed pointless. Everyone's spirits were so low that they couldn't muster the strength to even consider another fight. It would be a futile sacrifice.

an entire pouch of dry tobacco, their minds unable to come up with a new plan. Even if the court decided to send reinforcements, it wasn't clear who would

a speech to rally their spirits. We can't let

dust mixed with dried blood. It wasn't his blood, but the blood of a soldier

was feeling especially terrible right

Hell Monarch has been killed. Unless

it for a moment before setting it aside as it

The soldiers no longer believe victory is possible. To them, stepping into battle now is just walking to their deaths. If the Sandorians keep up these smaller-scale assaults, our troops' morale

Louis, his hesitation evident. "Do you think His

he would have sent word

his head. "I don't think we should be so pessimistic. His Majesty can't possibly believe

far from

advise him. He only needed the older man to sit in the council, to maintain the illusion of control and keep the scheming nobles at bay, all while solidifying his own position. The next day, Louis and Timothy called together the original Southern Frontier Army, the Hell Monarch Army, and the Sinclair Army. The three armies gathered in the training field, standing in formation. The mass of

their eyes sharp and their voices thundering, now there was no fire in their hearts. Their eyes were filled with disappointment and confusion, their bodies

on horseback, riding along the gaps between the ranks. He spoke passionately of the Southern

voice was hoarse, but the cheers he had once stirred up were nowhere to be heard. Instead, there were only a few scattered, lackluster shouts,

Louis was consumed by frustration. His eyes blazed with anger. He swiftly mounted his horse and shouted, "Pull yourselves together! What's this pitiful display? Are you still the undefeated