Chapter 68

“I lost count after thirty,” Carissa said, raising her arm. The Rose Spear felt incredibly heavy. War was truly exhausting.

“I counted—I killed fifty!” Bun tried to jump up with a fancy flip, but ended up face-planting instead. His sword had been knocked away in the melee. He fought with his fists before retrieving his weapon after the enemy retreated.

“I killed sixty-three,” Violet reported.

Rafael’s deputy, Dylan, approached them, covered in blood and grime. Carissa sat up, then used the Rose Spear to help herself stand. “Deputy Ziegler!”

“Carissa!” Dylan’s eyes sparkled with surprise and excitement. “Do you know how many enemies you’ve killed?”

“No, I lost count,” Carissa replied.

Dylan clapped his hands in delight. “The marshal personally counted the enemies you killed. Just counting those you pierced through the throat, there were over three hundred! That doesn’t even include the others. You’re amazing! Is this really your first battle? All the generals say you’re just like your father, General Sinclair!”

“Did I really kill that many? I didn’t keep track, but I’m so exhausted,” Carissa said, struggling to stay on her feet. She was unsure if it was cold or fatigue making her legs tremble.

Carissa seemed about to sit down again, so Dylan urged, “Come quickly! The marshal wants to see you!”

Bun sprang up energetically. “The marshal wants to see us? We should go then.”

Earlier, they’d been told that killing thirty enemies would earn them a promotion. Bun had definitely killed fifty, and Carissa had done exceptionally well, proving herself the best fighter among them.

They helped each other into the command tent, only to find several generals already seated inside, including Timothy. Bun stopped in his tracks, realizing there was no room. The sudden halt caused everyone behind him to stumble and fall into a chaotic heap of valiant youths on the ground, eliciting laughter from everyone.

Violet, annoyed by the spectacle, kicked Bun sharply. Rafael also laughed. His gaze fell on Carissa, and his eyes were particularly bright. “Carissa, you were outstanding!”

Carissa was too exhausted to be modest, so she simply smiled wearily.

“Carissa, you have General Sinclair’s spirit!” Timothy said happily. He was also thrilled, and clapped Carissa’s shoulder with such force that she nearly fell to her knees. She steadied herself, determined not to embarrass her father.

“Carissa, hear my decree!” Rafael rose and walked up to Carissa, his imposing figure almost overshadowing her. His gravelly voice carried a weight of authority.

“I hereby appoint you as a regiment commander! You’ll have a thousand soldiers under your command, and you have full control over them. As for the others, they are appointed battalion commanders with a hundred troops assigned to them, and they’ll all be under your command.”

The newcomers were unfamiliar with military ranks, so they began counting. A battalion commander commanded one hundred soldiers, while a regiment commander commanded one thousand. It was clear Carissa had been promoted to a very high rank and was now their superior. However, it didn’t change anything; she had already been their boss back in Meadow Ridge.

Carissa’s eyes widened in astonishment. Had she really been promoted so quickly, and to such a high position?

Rafael was clearly pleased. After praising Carissa in front of the other generals, he dismissed them, wanting to speak with her alone. Only Rafael and Carissa remained in the command tent.

Despite her exhaustion, Carissa, newly promoted to regiment commander, tried to maintain her composure and stood straight to face Rafael. “Marshal, do you have any orders?”

“Have a seat, and let’s talk.”

Rafael took a seat first. His face was still smeared with blood, and his beard was clotted. His appearance was a mess, though his eyes remained sharp and bright. Carissa carefully lowered herself into a seat.

Rafael pulled out a confidential letter from his desk and handed it to her. “This is the reason Westhaven has allied with Sandoria.”

Carissa’s eyes widened. She knew it—the alliance between Westhaven and Sandoria was likely connected to the destruction of her entire family!