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    Under Hans''mand, the private soldiers didn''t retreat. Instead, they fought increasingly harder. They weren''t Yuvan''s soldiers. Over 10,000 of them had been carefully selected by Nichs over the years, trained through countless battles.


    Many of them carried tragic pasts, lives marked by pain and loss. They harbored deep resentment against the world and saw this war as their chance to turn the tide of their fate. As long as someone was leading them, they would not easily surrender.


    The Mystic Army would win, but it would not be quick, nor would it be without heavy losses.


    Carissa knew that if they didn''t surrender, the bodies would pile up-more lives would be lost with each passing moment. So she chose a team of elite soldiers, including the Meadow Ridge squad, with the mission to take Hans'' head.


    Without amander, the enemy''s forces would be much easier to defeat.


    Carissa devised a n-Bun and Travis would first break through their formation and clear a path. Then, she and Violet would advance swiftly, take the enemymander''s head, and retreat just as quickly. Taking the enemy general''s head amidst thousands of soldiers was no easy task, especially since the enemy was fighting with bloodlust. A slight hesitation could lead to being overwhelmed by a barrage of strikes.


    Hans was a battle-hardened veteran, and he quickly saw through Carissa''s n. He deliberately exposed a weakness to lure her and Violet in. What he sought was the same as what Carissa wanted to capture the leader to defeat the army.


    Carissa wanted to take him out, and he wanted to do the same to her.


    Once the opening appeared, he leaped forward with astonishing speed, his deing down in a deadly arc.


    Carissa and Violet had chosen short-range weapons, designed for closebat. But to use their Lightfoot Skill effectively in this situation, they needed some distance, which gave Hans''rge de an advantage. In that split second, they moved in perfect synchrony. Violet charged forward, mming into Hans'' abdomen, diverting his strike. His sword grazed Carissa''s shoulder, while Violet was struck by one of his soldiers.


    Bun and Travis arrived just in time. One wielded a meteor hammer, the other a long staff. With a


    resounding strike, both weapons mmed into Hans'' skull. There was no grunt, no cry of pain-only the sickening stter of blood and brain matter as he crumpled to the ground.


    With Hans dead, the rebel army fell into chaos and began fleeing in all directions.


    Carissa, clutching her bleeding shoulder, shouted, "Pursue them!"


    These men were driven by madness, their minds clouded by rage. The city gates were locked, but the real fear was that they would seek refuge in the homes of themon people.


    The officials of the third rank and above had gathered at the Knowledge Sanctum in the pce. They had known of the nned action, which was why they had entered the pcest night to attend to Salvador. However, Salvador had not called upon them, so they waited in the Knowledge Sanctum, where the Ministry of Defense also provided reports on the situation outside.


    Carissa quickly bandaged her wound and took Nichs into the pce to report on the battle herself. The officials at the Knowledge Sanctum were also summoned then. Upon seeing Nichs tightly bound, they all sighed in relief.


    Salvador gazed at Carissa, who was covered in blood. He couldn''t tell which was hers and which was from the enemy. It was clear that it had been a difficult battle.


    "You''ve worked hard, my loyalmander," he said softly.


    Carissa replied, "It is my duty, Your Majesty."


    Looking into her determined eyes, Salvador felt a wave of nostalgia. He was reminded of his old friend from the Sinir family-Carissa''s second brother, Nathan.


    He choked up, his voice trembling as he ordered, "Summon the royal physician. Have them treat her injuries first."


    Carissa epted the gesture with gratitude. As Derek guided her, the officials present gave her respectful looks. She was led to Victoria''s chambers.


    Upon seeing Carissa in such a state, Helen''s tears flowed freely. She hurried to carefully wipe the blood


    from Carissa''s face with a


    Qu


    handkerchief and asked t


    did you get hurt like this? Does it hurt?" .


    How


    She thought any ce with blood meant a wound and was careful not to rub the dried blood too hard. Carissa smiled, her eyes lighting up. "Mother, that''s all the enemy''s blood. I only hurt my shoulder." She was pleased-they had won the battle.


    Helen''s tears intensified, her voice trembling as she replied, "What do you mean, you only hurt your shoulder? Is that not serious enough?"


    Her gaze fell on the bandage wrapped around Carissa''s shoulder, now soaked with blood. She couldn''t bring herself to imagine how deep the wound must be.


    Victoria chuckled. "Well, it looks like my little sister has finally learned to care for others. Alright, let''s have a female physician rebandage itter. Don''t cause a fuss. Ryan is still outside, and if you keep crying, he''ll think his aunt''s injury is much worse than it looks."


    In the main hall, Nichs was bound tightly and was lying in a very strange position.


    With deep sorrow in his voice, he said, "I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. My dadmitted treason, which cannot be tolerated. However, he is still my dad. As his son, I failed to stop him. I am guilty, and I am willing to bear all the me for my dad. I ask for mercy on his behalf due to his old age, and I plead for his life."