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Oliver’s sudden flight not only shattered the morale of the troops but also left Louis, Timothy, and the others feeling deeply disheartened and demoralized.
Had Oliver stayed and died here, the effect wouldn’t have been nearly as disastrous.
Meanwhile, rumors spread quickly throughout the Southern Frontier. It seemed someone was deliberately stirring the pot, creating panic and undermining the soldiers‘ spirits. If Sandoria claimed victory in the first battle, it would be a crushing blow, and the Southern Frontier Army would likely be on the defensive from then on.
An urgent dispatch was sent to the capital, racing to deliver news of the crisis.
Before the dispatch could even reach the capital, Salvador was the first to realize that Rafael had gone missing.
On the fifth day of Rafael’s sudden illness, Salvador sent Robert and Derek to visit Hell Monarch Estate once more.
Jacob originally planned to stick to the story that Rafael had gone to Sebastian’s villa to recuperate. On second thought, Salvador had sent the royal physician again just a few days later, even though he knew Rafael’s condition was improving under Sebastian’s care.
Clearly, Salvador’s doubts hadn’t been put to rest.
Since Salvador still had doubts, simply claiming that Rafael was at Sebastian’s villa wouldn’t suffice. Robert could go there, and if Rafael wasn’t found, it would only raise more suspicion. So, Jacob told Robert and Derek that Rafael had left for Meadow Ridge the previous day to rest and recuperate.
Of course, Salvador wouldn’t believe this, but Jacob knew he wouldn’t send anyone to investigate either. He would only grow increasingly suspicious, likely wondering if Rafael was plotting something in secret–or even worse, if he was taking advantage of the chaos during Yuvan’s rebellion to make a move of his own.
The more sinister Salvador’s thoughts, the less anger he would direct at Rafael when he eventually learned that the latter had gone to the Southern Frontier to fight in the
war.
Because of this reasoning, Salvador wouldn’t take action against the people at Hell Monarch Estate. At most, he would send someone to keep watch.
Sure enough, after Derek returned to the palace to report, Salvador’s face turned
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ashen. He immediately summoned Ian.
“Keep an eye on Hell Monarch Estate,” Salvador instructed. “Watch Carissa’closely -every move she makes and who she speaks to. Also, keep an eye on Jacob in the estate. I want to know everything!”
Ian was Salvador’s trusted confidant. He knew Salvador’s mind well enough not to question too much, though he understood the gravity of the situation. He nodded, acknowledging the order.
Once Ian left, Salvador was left alone, his thoughts spinning. From the moment Rafael had fallen ill, he had felt something was off–something wasn’t right about the entire situation.
It was precisely at this time–when internal strife and external threats arose that the court desperately needed capable men. And yet, Rafael’s illness had struck with such speed and suddenness.
Now, it seemed Salvador’s suspicions had been confirmed.
For all this time, Rafael had been investigating the forces behind Yuyan’s rebellion, but hadn’t come close to discovering anything. Was there a possibility, though, that Rafael himself was the one pulling the strings behind Yuvan?
With Yuvan’s betrayal, Rafael’s sudden “illness” and departure for Valken made perfect sense. With his commanding presence, Rafael could effortlessly take control of Yuvan’s forces, shifting the power in a heartbeat.
Of course, this theory was riddled with complications, such as the fact that Rafael had mentioned another figure behind Yuvan’s rebellion. If this mysterious person was indeed Rafael, then why mention them at all? Surely he could have kept that information to himself.
Unless, of course, he wanted to mislead others—perhaps to throw suspicion onto the plot and draw himself into the conspiracy. It would allow Rafael to get closer to the people involved on that side, positioning himself in the middle of the treason.
But what about Lunvale? That didn’t make sense, either. Did Rafael know that the 5,000 soldiers there were completely loyal to Yuvan, and that he had assessed the situation and found it impossible to control? Was that why he decided to use the forces from Meadow Ridge to eliminate them instead?
The possibility certainly existed.
Salvador’s thoughts were a tangled mess, swirling with rage and a fear he could not
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ignore.
No one was more suited for rebellion than Rafael. He held royal blood, was a military genius, and had the support of the Southern Frontier’s army. Most importantly, he had established a reputation with the people, winning their hearts and minds.
All he needed was a legitimate excuse to rise in rebellion.
That was why Salvador had hesitated to make a move against the people in Hell Monarch Estate. Once he did, Rafael would have the perfect reason to act–one that could justify any uprising.
Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he ordered Derek, “Send for Carissa!”
