Balin entered the city with just a dozen men. They were all strong and sturdy, with curved des at their waists, looking fierce and intimidating.


    But when they sat down to eat and drink, their tanned faces broke into wide, radiant smiles.


    Balin was in his fifties, with skin as dark and shining as his men''s, his eyes sharp and intelligent. He was a man of great wisdom and was meticulous in his thinking. In other words, he remained cautious and never fully trusted the Hell Monarch.


    His one demand was simple: this would be a one-time alliance. After driving back the Sandorians, the Southern Frontier Army was to withdraw from the grasnds swiftly. No one was to step foot in the heart of the grasnds again without permission.


    Rafael agreed, and the treaty was signed immediately.


    Once the agreement was made, they didn''t linger any longer than necessary and left.


    The grasnd tribes held little fondness for Starhaven, as the endless warfare often spilled over into their territories. However, with so many tribes scattered across thend, they weren''t united, which meant they couldn''t oppose either Starhaven or Sandoria directly.


    Timothy escorted them out of the city, then returned to Redstone Manor to discuss how best to conduct the uing pursuit.


    The grasnd tribes had offered theirnd, allowing the Southern Frontier Army to press forward in pursuit. However, a pursuit was very different from a siege. Logistics were crucial-supplies, food, arrows, weapons-all had to be ounted for. Medical care, stretchers, and support for the troops were also necessary.


    It was arge-scale operation,plicated by the harsh winter cold. The risks were significant, but the rewards could be great. If they seeded, it would deter Sandoria for at least the next ten years. The generals deliberated through the night, crafting a strategy. By morning, the basic n was ready, and orders were issued. Naturally, they also sent an urgent report to Salvador. As usual, a letter for Carissa was included with it.


    When on the battlefield, there were no secrets between husband and wife, and fewerplications were always better.


    When the court received the report, some officials felt Rafael''s decision was overly ambitious and reckless. With the harsh winter looming, leading arge force into pursuit seemed a risky move. Plus, they still had to guard against the grasnds tribes seizing the opportunity to attack Simonton City.


    The officials petitioned Salvador to order the Hell Monarch to retreat and defend Simonton City, arguing that holding the city would be sufficient to keep the Sandorians at bay.


    However, some believed that simply holding the city would cause more problems in the long run. Soldiers unable to farm would increase the burden on the court, and military supplies would drain the treasury. Even their families had to be supported.


    If they let Victor drag things on, who knew how long it would take?


    Plus, he might never return to his homnd. With a group of soldiers with no food or clothing, they would likely resort to raiding, asionally harassing border towns, killing civilians, and looting. It would be a real nightmare, and the people Would live in constant fear, never truly having peace.


    In the court, the two sides argued back and forth, each expressing their opinions, but Salvador remained mostly silent.


    It wasn''t until the officials


    supporting Rafael gained the upper hand that he slowly said, "I trust the Hell Monarch''s judgment and military ability. For true peace in the Southern Frontier, we can''t continue dragging things out like this agree with the Hell Monarch''s decision to end this quickly."


    With Salvador''s endorsement, and the opposition unable to counter the arguments of Rafael''s supporters, all those present knelt in unison and praised the king''s wisdom.


    Jeremiah understood Salvador well. Firstly, the king fully trusted the Hell Monarch''s military abilities. Secondly, he knew that Salvador wouldn''t allow the Hell Monarch to lead the troops in the Southern Frontier for too long.


    Carissa paid no attention to the court''s debate. Like Jeremiah, she knew Salvador would approve of Rafael''s battle n. Right now, she just wanted to find a quiet ce to read the letter he had written to her.


    The seal on the letter had been broken, though carefully resealed afterward. With a trained eye, one could see the marks of tampering. But Carissa wasn''t bothered by that. After all, the letter usually contained usual greetings, with maybe a line saying how much he missed her.


    Yet that one line "I miss you"-was enough to soothe her longing.


    When she opened the letter this time and read the first two lines, her eyes widened in shock.


    She quickly ced a hand over her chest and muttered angrily, "How shameless... Only someone like that would sneak a peek at a couple''s private letters."


    Her heart raced, a mix of embarrassment and anger, as she started reading from the beginning again.


    "My dearest Carissa, winter has


    The words that followed grew more passionate and unrestrained, dering his love for her in the most vivid terms.


    Carissa held the letter up, studying the handwriting. It was undoubtedly his, but he knew Salvador would have read it first-how could Rafael have written such an intimate, heart-pounding letter?


    Was there some other meaning behind it?


    Or perhaps... Was it the effect of her simple line in the letter saying she missed him that had caused such a reaction?