Jake was done playing games. As soon as Ceythie had recognized him, her allegiance became irrelevant. He swiftly decided to eliminate this unpredictable factor. Faye's transformation had already shown him the wonders his charm could work. Buoyed by this initial success, he didn't hesitate to use it again.
Without a second thought, he unleashed his buried charm, focusing it entirely on Ceythie and, to a lesser extent, her close guards. Her Soul, much stronger than Faye's, didn't experience a drastic change, but soon a faint blush tinged her cheeks, and her breath became noticeably uneven.
The conscripts, still reeling from the revelation that they faced a Great General – and a stunning woman at that – noticed nothing amiss. But there were exceptions. Among these recruits were also former officers and commanders, now without a regiment after their units were slaughtered during the Havocspire reconquest or other battles.
