Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1362

Hayden clenched his fists, his anger and helplessness tightening his chest as he followed behind.

The physician worked quickly, examining Sonny's injuries. Both of his legs were broken, three of his teeth were knocked out, and his face was riddled with fractures. Despite the pain that twisted his expression, he still grinned at Hayden, forcing a smile through gritted teeth.

He tried to assure Hayden with a look that said he would be fine.

Hayden turned away, his heart aching. The man who had stood by his side for so many years now lay in such a state. Fury surged within him, but there was nothing he could do.

Back in Nerovia, he had ordered an extra emblem to be made, just in case the day ever came when Nicholas stole the original to mobilize Hayden's forces. If Hayden noticed in time, someone could use the duplicate emblem to stop Nicholas.

Hayden hadn't expected it to serve its purpose this way, though.

The chaos of the riverworks project was swiftly quelled. Cameron was arrested and imprisoned in Astral Prison for negligence in oversight. Edwin himself took over the oversight of the riverworks, and all other officials from the Waterworks Department involved were dismissed for negligence.

However, both Salvador and Carissa knew the truth—on the surface, Cameron appeared to be the one in charge, but in reality, the true mastermind had long been in control. Even with Cameron's death, nothing would change.

Nicholas remained unconcerned. He was waiting for good news from Clifford.

-

In Valken, Yuvan was growing restless. For over half a month, Thomas had been laying siege to the city without making a single move or showing any signs of an attack. This left Yuvan deeply uneasy.

The siege meant that no news from the outside could reach him.

He had no idea how the bandit uprisings he had orchestrated in various regions were progressing, whether Chester had managed to send reinforcements to join Thomas, or what the situation in the capital was.

Even with Valken under siege, it wasn't entirely impossible to get in. By taking the mountain paths and crossing through dense forests, one could still reach the city—though it would take considerable time.

In other words, even if any news did make it back, it would likely reflect the situation as it had been ten days prior.

"How goes the recruitment progress?" Yuvan asked, summoning Wayne.

Ever since word had spread that the court intended to impose heavy taxes, Wayne had started recruiting soldiers, stirring up the people of Valken to rebel.