Her Graceful War Song

Aurora didn't dare reply to Carissa's words.

Instead, she swallowed her pride and quietly said, "Barrett, I'll go with you."

Barrett cast a cool glance at Carissa and said, "Let's follow orders. Earning merit

or not isn't the point. The important thing is to finish the task and get back alive."

He didn't truly believe Carissa was going into the supply depot alone. After all,

once the wood nearby was set aflame, the supply depot would become the most

dangerous place of all. If she were to light the fire inside, how could she escape

the roaring flames?

Most likely, while they set fires outside, someone already hidden inside the supply

depot would start the blaze, while Carissa would simply go through the motions.

At first, Barrett felt a bitter sense of injustice. Such was the way of official life.

Great families passed down their rank and influence through generations. With

the support of the family's older generation, one could rise quickly, gain honor,

and preserve the family's legacy.

But then, Barret thought of his own father, who was a mediocre man. If it weren't

for Barrett's grandfather's military achievements, Jonathan would never have

been an official, let alone kept control of Valor Estate.

And wasn't that what Barrett was fighting for? To one day provide his own children

and grandchildren with the same blessings, to bring honor to the Warren family

name.

Besides, Carissa was indeed skilled in martial arts. She was capable. A person

with family backing, personal talent, and a little help from others was bound to

succeed. Even if she was a woman.

Once he understood this, Barrett stopped dwelling on it. With his status and skills,

he was grateful just to share in some of the glory.

Each member of the group hoisted their barrel of oil and set out under the cover

of night. Fawnrun City was under curfew from mid-morning until dawn, so they

had to be careful. They didn't use their Lightfoot Skill, for there were watchtowers

with sentries scanning the city. Using such speed would only draw attention.

Instead, they moved quickly but quietly. They hugged walls when possible and

crossed open spaces swiftly when there were none.

Stars twinkled in the sky, and the crescent moon appeared and disappeared now

and then. Under that vast sky, it was dark, but not completely. There was just

enough light to make out the direction they needed to go.

As the group neared the supply

depot, the number of patrols

increased. Additionally, there were

two rows of lamps on both sides of

the path leading to the supply depot,

each placed about ten feet apart.

They weren't very bright, but anyone

walking by them would definitely be

noticed.

The group hid in a narrow alley flanked by mud-brick houses. At the far end was a

messy stack of firewood. They crouched beside it, waiting for the patrol to pass.

Once the coast was clear, they climbed over the wall and slipped through to the

other side.

The supply depot itself was brightly lit. Although the building showed signs of age,

a heavy iron door had been recently installed. There were also small stacks of

wood piled on either side of the entrance.

The supply depot was surrounded by open ground, with stacks of wood piled on

both the east and west sides. The wood had been sitting there for some time, and

with the weather being so dry lately, it would catch easily once it was doused in

oil.

Carissa took note that there were fewer guards on the east and west sides. Most

of the two hundred or so soldiers were gathered outside the supply depot. They

hardly moved, often sitting or lying on the open ground, weapons held close.

These soldiers were scattered about and far less disciplined than the patrols

outside. After all, Fawnrun City belonged to Westhaven, and there were soldiers

patrolling outside. It was natural that the soldiers within the city would be

somewhat relaxed.

Logically, if Starhaven intended to

raid the supply depot, they would

send a proper force and not just a

handful of people. So, Carissanoveldrama

understood that the real threat the

guards feared was not the

Starhaven army, but rather Liam or

Arthur. But regardless of which of

them found the supply depot, they

wouldn't destroy the food stored

here.

Currently, the political strife and internal power struggle in Westhaven had

reached a critical stage. Liam and Leroy were fighting over military authority and

merit, which had become the core of the power struggle.

"Go set the fires first," Carissa ordered, keeping her voice low. "Once the flames

are burning strong, I will move."

Aurora tried to speak but was

stopped when Violet grabbed her

wrist and used her Lightfoot Skill to

drag her toward the east side of the

supply depot. The others followed,

each heading to a different side as

planned. Carissa had told Violet to

keep Aurora close, so she chose to

bring her along.

After about 15 minutes, fire flared on the east side. Chaos broke out among the

Westhaven soldiers as they rushed toward the flames. Just then, the wood on the

west side also caught fire, the roaring blaze lighting up the sky with a fierce red

glow.