Chapter 78: Death of the Commander (Part II)

　　In the heat of the confrontation, the Nord forces felt the true weight of this rejuvenated Voxmire army. These were soldiers who moved with lethal precision, advancing and retreating in disciplined waves, their courage unshaken as they answered every command. Their junior officers fought in the vanguard, while the senior commanders orchestrated the battle with cool resolve. Forced into a temporary stalemate, the Nord army could do little but retreat behind their palisades and wait for a shifting of the tides.　　But the ensuing struggle was not merely a test of patience and grit; it was a trial of royal trust and internal cohesion. Despite the tightened security, Nord spies managed to infiltrate the city walls and sow poisonous rumors.　　Coletier had been a model of leadership—just in his rewards, stern in his punishments, and meticulous in his tactical deployments. Under his hand, the army had reclaimed its ancient spirit, shedding the lethargy of previous years. Such a commander, a future Sovereign, could rightly be seen as a blessing to his people and the salvation of the state.　　Yet, the rumors painted a darke