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.

had smoked nearly 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 be chosen. For now, they just

We need to write a speech to rally their spirits. We can't let this go

but the blood of a soldier who had been standing beside

especially terrible

give. The marshal is gone, and no one has been ordered to take his place. Everyone believes the Hell Monarch has been killed. Unless he appears on the battlefield in the Southern Frontier, the morale of the troops will

it for a moment

of morale after Mr. Prince escaped. The soldiers no longer believe victory is possible. To them, stepping into battle now is just walking to their deaths. If

glanced at Louis, his hesitation evident.

Highness were still alive, he

don't think we should be so pessimistic. His Majesty can't possibly believe His

so optimistic. Although they were far from the

the years, he had systematically undermined the power of the court officials. Salvador didn't need Jeremiah to 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

thundering, now there was no fire

the gaps between the ranks. He spoke passionately of the Southern Frontier Army's

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

this, 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 Southern Frontier Army, or