Carissa and Rafael arrived at a small hill. The leaves had long fallen, and the hill had little vegetation. The paths were numerous, leading to higher terrain. The wind howled, sounding like a chorus of mournful ghosts.
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Rafael stood on the hilltop with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a path to the left. Beside path stood a blank monument.
“The people of llyrian erected that blank monument for your father. He stood alone on that path, despite being struck by numerous arrows, and still held his ground with his sword,” he said.
Carissa’s eyes filled with tears. Even though she knew Rafael had brought her to the place where her father had died and had mentally prepared herself, the pain in her heart was still overwhelming.
“He was leading the troops here at that time, cutting off Sandoria’s supply chain to Ilyrian. He wanted to fight with all his might, but after enduring continuous sieges, his troops were exhausted. At that time, the king had just ascended the throne and hadn’t yet established his authority in the court. Reinforcements were slow to arrive, and he struggled for a long time.
“The information comes from my spies in Ilyrian. The citizens were deeply moved by what they saw, and they secretly erected this blank monument here to honor him, hoping it wouldn’t be destroyed by Sandoria’s forces. During festivals, people would come here to pay their respects.”
Rafael handed Carissa a flask of wine. Take this and offer a toast to your father. Tell him you’ve become an excellent warrior.”
Carissa wiped her tears, took the flask, and led Lightning down the hill to the blank monument.
She knelt and poured the wine on the ground, her tears flowing before she could even speak. She could imagine the bitter struggle her father had endured, having fought on the battlefield herself.
The lack of options and the inability to continue fighting left him with only one path–cutting off the enemy’s supplies and waiting for reinforcements.
She cried silently, unable to voice even a single word. She wanted to call out for her father, but the words were stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t find the strength to say it.
She even choked back her sobs, and tightly restrained her grief. She dared not cry out loud.
Rafael remained on the hill, having visited the site the first night after the siege began. He had brought Carissa here because he believed she was a promising warrior who, with time, could become as formidable as her father.
Rafael had always thought that Carissa, who trained in the Pathfinders Guild, would one day take to the battlefield and become Starhaven’s first female general.
However, she chose to marry Barrett instead. Given her intelligence and bravery, she would be able to help Barrett become a renowned general. Barrett was lucky to have won her as his wife.
Before every campaign to the Southern Frontier, Rafael would visit the Pathfinders Guild to see the young. vibrant girl practicing her skills. Her face was always alight with innocent, passionate smiles.
But now, that joyful expression was gone, replaced by deep–seated restraint. The loss of her father and
brothers had been a severe blow to her.
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However, there was something else,Rafael didn’t understand. If Carissa was trained from a young age in martial arts, why did she choose marriage Instead of avenging her family’s death on the battlefield?
Carissa used to be a lively, spirited girl who was always full of pride. But now, she didn’t even cry out loud. It was as though enduring everything silently had become a part of her.
What else had she endured, apart from her family’s death? Was Barrett treating her poorly?
The thought made Rafael’s eyes grow cold.
After conquering Ilyrian, Rafael immediately sent a report back to the capital. The good news was delivered by the fastest couriers, so it reached the capital within three days and was delivered to the king.
