Chapter 82: Forces Reach Falair

　　Voxmire harbored grand ambitions of reclaiming Diar, a goal that required a total redeployment of their military strength. But the Nords were not about to grant them that luxury. Seizing the momentum of their recent victories, the Nord army pushed forward relentlessly into the Trell region, determined to shatter the final eastern barrier of the empire.　　The garrison stationed at Trell, hiding behind the pretext of "guarding against Nord spies," cruelly refused entry to the broken troops retreating from Diar and the civilians seeking refuge. In stark contrast, the Nords dispatched a civil official to handle the intake and protection of these displaced people. Under this mantle of sanctuary, the populace was spared the edge of the sword; citizens were permitted to return to their cities and resume their lives, while disarmed soldiers were either integrated into the Nord ranks or sent back to Diar to assist the Nord-appointed Prefect in maintaining order.　　Though such administrative work demanded time, it reaped a rich harvest of goodwill and trust—and far from hindering the Nord campaign, it accelerated it. Some local residents, fueled by a thirst for vengeance against their former masters, revealed a hidden pass to the Nord commanders. However, when scouts followed these guides to the enemy's rear, they found that Voxmire had already fortified the position, holding the high ground to protect their vital supply lines.　　Infantry from bot