Her Graceful War Song

While Barrett and Aurora were walking behind the group, he quietly said,

"Perhaps you were right that General Dominic truly wants to support Carissa."

"How so?" Aurora's eyes brightened. "Have you found someone secretly escorting us?"

Barret continued in a low tone, "The supply depot is in Fawnrun City. Normally, we'd have met sentries on patrol along the way, but we haven't seen a single one. We took small mountain paths and passed many villages. How could any of them know the way? I watched closely and found marks left on the trail. That means someone went ahead to scout. They might even be hiding near the supply depot now."

Aurora had already doubted Dominic would let his granddaughter risk so much without a plan. Hearing Barrett's words only confirmed her suspicions. She felt a bit disdainful, but also relieved she had come. If she had stayed behind, she would have missed the chance to win glory.

"You were wise to insist on coming," Aurora said with a note of approval.

Barrett shook his head. He wanted to say that he hadn't known the truth at first, and had only realized it along the way. But after seeing the praise in Aurora's eyes, he simply smiled and stayed silent.

They thought they spoke too softly to be overheard by the five ahead, but every word reached Carissa and the others.

"All about personal gain, huh?" Violet muttered under her breath.

None of them knew if Carissa had arranged helpers or backup. Still, because she asked them to come, they came. And since they were here, they would do their best.

By nightfall, they reached the small town near the supply depot. They didn't stay at an inn but found a shabby house to rest in.

Outside that house, Barrett noticed another azalea flower left carelessly on the ground. He was now certain someone was quietly managing the whole operation. Those helpers would probably appear when the time came.

Carissa and the others sat down and took out their dry rations, drinking water from their leather pouches. Aurora ate with them. Knowing there were more than just the seven of them eased the tight knot in her chest. She dared to hope their mission would succeed.

When they finished, Carissa said, "We may rest for four hours. We will move out at around two in the morning, but we can't all sleep the whole time. We must take turns keeping watch."

Aurora spoke up at once: "Barrett and I aren't as skilled as you guys, and we're already exhausted from the journey. It's only a few hours, so we'll skip the night watch. The five of you can work out the shifts among yourselves."

Violet sneered. "And what right do you have to say that? If you two are tired, what about us? Dragging you along has been nothing but a burden If your Lightfoot Skills weren't up to the task, you shouldn't have insisted on coming. And now you want credit for the mission? Let me warn you: if you slow us down when the time comes, we'll leave you behind without a second thought."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aurora snapped back, clearly angry. "It's not like

it's only the five of you on this mission. General Dominic sent others ahead long

ago. So, you can get all the glory, but we're not allowed any? Is that it?"

Carissa leaned against the wall with her eyes closed. "General Dominic didn't send anyone to help. It was my guild senior who left those marks along the way. It was to help us avoid sentries as well as to keep us from wasting time by getting lost. That is all. No one will step forward to assist us when we're at the supply depot. If you're afraid, then stay here when we move out and find your own way back to Victory Pass." noveldrama

Aurora didn't believe her, but chose not to argue.

She quietly said, "So what if it's just the seven of us? There's nothing to be afraid of. As for whether I'm here to earn merit? Yes, I am. Why shouldn't I be? Which soldier doesn't want that?

"Every soldier dreams of making a name for themselves, and I'm willing to risk my life for that. Barrett and I weren't born into privilege like you. We must earn every scrap of honor through sweat and blood. You wouldn't understand how hard that

is."

Barrett gave her a long, steady look,

a faint sting rising in his nose. Aurora understood him well, and she knew the humiliation his family now faced of the Warren family wanted to restore its former glory, there was no shortcut. The only way was for Barrett to fight on the battlefield and earn his merits the hard way.

"I'm hardly from some noble background myself. Fine, you want to prove yourselves, I get it. You've made your point. Go to sleep. No need for you to take a night shift. With skills like yours, you wouldn't notice if trouble came anyway," Cynthia replied.