Chapter 105
Everyone was busy preparing for battle, and Carissa had been focused on training formations for several days. The fifteen thousand soldiers of the Mystic Army were divided into two groups: one for offense, and one for defense. Each group was further split into ten squads, making a total of twenty squads for both attack and defense.
Carissa's battle plan was straightforward: start with five squads on the offense, then quickly rotate in five defensive squads. Once the defense was solidified, they would rotate back to offense, and so on. This method of rotation would push their advance.
After several days of training, the results were already noticeable. The weapons were now in place: shields and short swords for the defenders, and long spears for the attackers.
Rafael had announced that the siege would begin in just a few days. As the vanguard, the Mystic Army needed to finalize their assault plans. During this period, Barrett would lead ten thousand men to set up siege ladders and operate catapults. In the days leading up to the battle, Carissa and Barrett needed to discuss coordination.
Rafael had already devised the overall strategy, so their discussions were mostly about fine-tuning and addressing any potential issues. They went through scenarios on a sand table, identifying and correcting any foreseeable problems.
Barrett had initially thought Carissa was merely a skilled warrior, but their strategic discussions astounded him. Carissa's deep understanding of tactics and her quick resolution of minor errors were impressive, ensuring that every aspect of the siege was flawlessly planned. Several times during the exercises, he found himself lost in thought, captivated by her earnest explanations. Her presence was even more striking than when he first met her; her bright eyes radiated an almost mesmerizing charm.
Regret churned in his heart more times than he could count.
After the exercises were completed, Carissa stood up, her expression returning to its usual cool demeanor. “That should be all for now. If you think of any additional issues, you can come and discuss them with me, General Warren.”
Barrett, still seated, looked up and was met with the elegant curve of her jawline. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “I have one question.”
“Please go ahead,” Carissa replied.
He slowly stood up and faced her, his gaze fixed intently on her. “Why did you hide your martial skills from me at the beginning?”
Carissa raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. “Does it really matter?”
Barrett pondered for a moment, looking somewhat despondent. “It doesn’t. It’s just that, it wasn’t until the day we parted that I learned about your martial skills. What puzzles me is, given your understanding of military strategy and your formidable skills, why did you choose to marry me instead of continuing your family’s military influence?”
Carissa remained silent, her expression as impassive as ever. Barrett watched her, his smile tinged with bitterness.
“Forget it. I suppose I have no right to question you. You don’t need to answer. I was just confused. Clearly, you’re exceptional and had your pick of the prominent families in the capital. Yet, you and your mother chose me. I’ve never really understood you, but what does it matter now? I chose Aurora, and she’s also good. I shouldn’t dwell on the past. I’m losing my mind. Aurora treats me well. I shouldn’t be telling you this…”
Carissa frowned and interrupted his ramblings. “You’re right. You shouldn’t.”
Barrett was taken aback and met her cold gaze. Something seemed to be blocking his heart, making him uncomfortable.
“I was being foolish.”
Carissa’s eyes were dark and serious as she said quickly, “I’ll answer one question for you as to why I chose marriage over the battlefield. My father and brothers were dead. Naturally, I wanted to go to the Southern Frontier to avenge them. But my mother opposed it. She feared I would also die on the battlefield. She wanted me to give up martial arts, marry, and live a stable life. I followed her wishes and chose to marry, but since my husband turned out to be less than ideal, I naturally chose to return to the battlefield after our divorce. It wasn’t to compete with Aurora.”
Barrett was surprised by Carissa’s sudden willingness to explain. As he listened, he understood her words. Carissa's explanation refuted Aurora's claim that Carissa had returned to the battlefield to overshadow her. Carissa's true purpose was to avenge her father and brothers, not to compete with Aurora.