The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

She wasn’t talking about keeping them safe, dodging the enemy, or avoiding capture–instead, she was talking about pulling off an impossible comeback and actually winning the damn war.

Winning a battle like this–especially something hyped up as a 5S–level mission like the Mura Campaign–was hard enough

as it is.

But now?

Brandon, the war god of Orian, had already surrounded them. Even the top frontline commander from Uria had packed his bags and run for his life….

Picturing a turnaround now was like imagining humans suddenly sprouting wings and flying–pure fantasy.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Bulruce’s eyes bulged like golf balls, totally stunned.

He barked. “The top dog on the Uria frontlines this time is Jonah. The guy’s fought in every kind of war you can imagine, and he used to be Uria’s Chief Executor before they even sent him here.

“And even he tanked.

“Now you–a woman–think you can pull off a comeback?

“So what, you think you’re somehow tougher than Commander Jonah?”

Bulruce and his nine brothers exchanged skeptical stares, all showing exactly what they thought of taking orders from a

woman.

Nova didn’t pay any of them the slightest attention.

She added calmly, “If you think I’m not up to it, you can leave anytime. I’m not here to beg for loyalty.”

“I’m with my goddess,” Columbus spoke up right away, his voice firm.

Bulruce just scoffed.

Not long ago, these two were thick as thieves.

But mercenaries like them–never liked taking orders from anyone, least of all a woman.

In Bulruce’s eyes, women belonged at home, letting the real men run the show–not out here on the frontlines.

Bulruce’s expression darkened instantly.

He barked, “Let’s go!

“Good luck, Columbus. Don’t come crying when she screws you over!”

With that, the group stormed off, weapons clattering as they left.

Most of the ones left were just students from Suntry Academy.

“What now? Another crew just bailed. What are we supposed to do?” the girl next to Nova blurted out, her voice trembling with panic.

They’d all signed up for this 5S–level mission thinking they could just keep their heads down on some backwater front and cruise to victory.

Instead, they were about to get tossed right into the heart of the action.

The whiplash was real.

“Why’d you say it like that?” Eric asked, looking confused.

“If all you promised was to keep them from getting snagged by Oria’s troops, maybe they would’ve stuck around.

“At least that way we’d have some extra muscle,” he muttered, still trying to make sense of it.

Eric was obviously skeptical that Nova could actually turn the tide of this mess.

And honestly, who could blame him?

But Eric wasn’t like that clueless Vivian.

Even if he didn’t buy Nova’s plan, he kept it to himself. After all, they were out of options anyway.

‘Those guys are always looking down on women. Let them leave, Nova thought, unfazed.

‘No need to hold them back.‘

Nova folded her arms, her eyes narrowing with a careless smirk as she spoke.

‘Wait, did she say that on purpose?‘ Eric wondered, a flicker of realization crossing his face.

Was she trying to make sure those guys never came back?‘

Eric and Mavis exchanged a look, and in that instant, it hit them just how little they really understood Nova.

Back when they were still in the academy, everyone thought Nova was ridiculously arrogant–who the hell did she think she was, actually suggesting they take on a 5S–level directive?

But looking back on it now…

Maybe she really was capable after all.

But then…

Eric and Mavis suddenly remembered Bulruce’s earlier outburst-“How does that girl from Zoria know so much about. mercenary business?”

Combined with Nova’s offhand comment about those guys always underestimating women, it got them thinking.

Both of them froze for a second, caught off guard.

They looked at this girl, no older than themselves, yet rattling off battle analysis like a veteran who’d seen it all.

‘Wait… Could she have been a mercenary?‘ The possibility hit them like a lightning bolt.

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