Everyone looked at him with sympathetic eyes, but at the same time, they were also reminded that their own wives might have married someone else in their absence. Among the group, only Ivan was unmarried. He was the maternal nephew of Thomas'' mother, a young soldier on his first battlefield experience.


    Scott and Wilfred were from Stonebrook District. Like Ivan and Tobias, they were just ordinary soldiers.


    Felix was Logan''s elder brother. He had been adopted by Audrey, and was not her biological son. Lacking sess in his studies and with a passion for martial arts, he had ended up on the battlefield. After several years of service, he had be a centurion before being captured.


    Before Felix went to war, he was engaged. But with news of his death reaching home, it was likely that his fiancee had found another suitor. The head of the Quinton family was kind and virtuous. He would never ask someone to remain a widow and condemn her to a lifetime of misery.


    Felix also hoped his fiancee would find happiness.


    Still, he felt for Thomas. Over the years, Thomas had often mentioned his wife and shared stories about their life together.


    Lawrence would also talk about his own wife. He mentioned she was timid and couldn''t handle such a loss well. If she knew of his death, she would surely grieve for a long time. Lawrence had hoped she could return to her natal family home rather than stay in the Marquis of Elderglen''s family, as there was a good chance he and the others might never return.


    These years had been truly perilous, with the constant risk of capture. If they were caught, there would be no way out.


    They had chosen loyalty, forsaking trust, and it was their fault for not being there for their wives.


    Joshua and Benson were the sons of the Minister of Protocol, Richard Cooper. Joshua was the legitimate son, while Benson was a son of a concubine. Above them were three older brothers who were schrs and officials, leaving only the two of them to take up arms and fight on the battlefield.


    When they "died", Richard was still a deputy minister. It could be said that the military achievements of his two sons,bined with his own diligence, had elevated him to the position of Minister of Protocol.


    Richard had also been the one to officiate Rafael and Carissa''s wedding.


    After a long while, Thomas finally raised his head and smiled bitterly. Tears welled in his eyes, though he fought to keep them from falling.


    "It''s for the best. She''s married now,


    and she won''t have to endure the loneliness of these years. She''s a lively person and deserves more than to be left alone in an empty house. It''s my fault she had to


    suffer. If she has found a good


    match, I wish her happiness."


    Everett disregarded the


    conversation. He went outside, and sat down with Rafael. His usually stern face was even more solemn now. "Both of them are severely injured. It seems it will take a few days before we can set off


    "We can''t dy for too long. Our food supplies are running low." Rafael sighed heavily, looking up at the moon as it wove in and out of the clouds, its light shifting between bright and dim. "We''ll have to depart within three days at most. We''ll carry those who can''t walk."


    Returning to Simonton City was the only safe option.


    Everett sighed. "Then we''ll do as you say. I''ll do everything in my power to help. I also want to return to the Pathfinders Guild as soon as possible. Without my supervision, those monkeys might run amok." He nced back at the room. "I can''t bear to listen to this any longer. I''ll go out and patrol."


    "Be careful, sir," Rafael advised.


    Everett scoffed. Alone as he was, who could spot him flying around the border city?


    Dn was already distributing food-sausages, cured meat, tbread, buns, and water.


    Lawrence couldn''t eat the meat. He could barely chew. He could only eat the buns after they were soaked in water, which Dn fed to him.


    The night was silent, and the wind had ceased. Even in the sweltering heat of early July, the Sandoria border city, which would soon be frozen for the winter, was ufortably warm.


    Aside from the sounds of chewing, there was no other noise.


    After a long time, Thomas finally asked Jacob, "Sir, could you tell me... Who did she marry? Is her new family treating her well?" Jacob patted his shoulder. "Now that she''s married, you don''t have to worry whether her new family treats her well or poorly." Thomas stared nkly for a long time, understanding the implication of Jacob''s words.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.