Louis abruptly pushed Felix away, and scrutinized him closely. He looked different from before, but Louis recognized him.


    Tears mixed withughter on Louis'' face. "You''ve aged, and you look so ugly now. How did you be like this?"


    "Don''t just focus on your reunion. Check on our other brethren," Rafael gasped, his hands trembling uncontrobly. Lawrence had beenid on the ground after being taken off Rafael''s back, but he still hadn''t woken up despite their attempts. Louis and Timothy looked at the eleven surviving men, tears welling up in their eyes. It was such a relief to see so many of them alive.


    But Lawrence''s condition was critical, and no one present had medical expertise. The only option was to continue crushing and administering the medicinal pills.


    Everett was at a loss. Although he was skilled in bloodletting and purging, Lawrence''s problem wasn''t internal injuries. His condition was due to pus-filled wounds causing a high fever, which was very dangerous. Suddenly, a roar from below echoed in the air-"Get up there!"


    Victor had arrived with his men. But given the steep cliff, it was uncertain how many of them could manage to climb up.


    "This is Sandoria territory! Those who trespass shall die!"


    "Let''s go!" Rafael struggled to his feet. Casting a final nce at the enraged Victor below, he calmlymanded, "Let''s retreat quickly."


    Let Victor and his mene up. They wouldn''t be able to bring up many people, anyway. After all, Rafael and his group had already uprooted most of the small trees.


    "Hell Monarch!" Victor roared at him, "You Starhavens are cunning. Instead of negotiating, you resort to dirty tricks?"


    Rafael responded in Sandorian, "When you and your people invaded the Southern Frontier, you didn''t negotiate with us either."


    He raised his hand. "Victor, may we never meet again!"


    Then, Rafael straightened up and slowly started walking away. Soon, Victor''s and his men''s figures vanish from view.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Rafael''s shoulders sagged, utterly exhausted. His arms felt like they were no longer his own, and he couldn''t coordinate his legs.


    Louis carried Lawrence on his back, while Timothy insisted on carrying Thomas. Thetter''s severe back injury had likely reopened. Thomas had truly struggled to the end before Timothy and the others arrived. They ascended the mountain, descended it, and divided into teams to cross the grasnd. The strong winds on the grasnd blew away the heat and refreshed their spirits somewhat.


    After crossing the grasnd, they had to continue up the mountain. As they approached, they heard the soldiers'' cheers. Many people surged forward, surrounding them as they cried out joyfully.


    The Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team membersughed through their tears, finding the scene before them almost dreamlike. The cheering seemed toe from far away, even though it was right beside them.


    Upon returning to Simonton City,


    tears streamed down their faces as


    soon as they entered the city. Except for the semi-conscious Lawrence, all ten of them fell to their knees on the city''s ground and silently wept.


    BAUMS


    They were finally back in the homnd they often dreamed of. They had returned, and Southern Frontier had been reimed as well.


    It was a profound significance for them!


    Even if they had to die or their bodies couldn''t be returned to their families, it was worth it.


    Everything they had done was worth it.


    Upon hearing of Rafael''s sessful rescue and the return of the eleven men, Oliver immediately came to greet them.


    Rafael copsed into a chair, and his first words upon seeing Oliver were, "Send for the best military physician."


    Oliver appeared particrly excited. "He''ll be here soon."


    He didn''t know any of the eleven men present, but he approached each one and patted them on the shoulder. "Well done!"


    The eleven men had once been part


    of the Sinr Army, and had served under Hector. They didn''t know Oliver, and they were so exhausted that they couldn''t speak a word. They could barely stand after they had sat down, and their legs trembling uncontrobly


    "No need for formalities. Sit down," Oliver said with a smile. "I am proud of you all."


    nei


    After saying that, Oliver instructed Louis to take good care of the men and went back to write a report. He needed to send the report to the court. It was to inform the king that under his strategicmand, the Hell Monarch had been sessfully retrieved, and all the hostages had been saved.


    No one cared about what Oliver''s report contained. Everyone''s concern was focused on Lawrence''s condition.


    The military physician stated that Lawrence''s situation was dire, and it was uncertain if he could pull through. Even if he did survive, he might never walk again due to severe fractures in his leg.


    Rafael told the military physician, "Spare no expense in saving him. If you can''t save him, at least alleviate his suffering and extend his life as long as possible. I''ll take him back to the capital to Sebastian."