Retirement

Early in the morning, Ang packed his belongings and prepared to return to the Grand Duchy of Tan'anster with the convoy transporting the ashes of fallen soldiers.

The day before, he had said farewell to each of the comrades he knew and had specifically left Lika a Black Magic Crystal as a parting gift.

Ang himself carried five Black Magic Crystals and more than 800 Gold Wack, preparing for his future life. Exchanging for the battle axe had cost him eleven magic crystals. He had obtained thirty-one in total, and the remaining fourteen had all been exchanged for Gold Wack.

Commander Richard told Ang that there would be a convoy transporting ashes today. Without this opportunity, he would have had to walk alone from the canyon to Wolf City.

Wolf City was the closest human city to the canyon. Funded and built by Count of Wolf of the duchy, it was an important city in the eastern Maple Sugar Plane. Trade routes extended in every direction here, and many vital supplies were transferred and stored there.

Maple sugar was refined in Wolf City, then transported to Maple Sugar City before being sent through the Plane Portal to the Grand Duchy of Tan'anster.

Wolf City was guarded year-round by more than a hundred thousand heavily armed troops, showing just how strategically important it was in the eastern region.

Standing at the gathering point and watching the convoy prepare to depart, Ang was filled with anticipation and emotion. He realized that this journey was not only the final stretch of his farewell to the battlefield, but also a new beginning. Carrying hopes for the future and memories of the past, Ang set off for home to embrace the new life awaiting him.

Ang sat in the carriage, his gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged urns inside. His heart could not help but stir. The carriage was filled with the ashes of soldiers who had given their lives in battle. Now, they could only be crowded together in a single carriage, and Ang could not help lamenting the unpredictability of life and the cruelty of war.

As the carriage rolled forward slowly, Ang began to admire the scenery outside. This road had been opened by his own hands when he was in the Logistics Regiment. Back then, he had always been tense, focused on ensuring the road remained safe and clear, with hardly any time to truly appreciate the scenery along the way.

Majestic mountains rose in the distance, while the deep blue sky resembled a beautiful painting. Crisp birdsong cut through the air, bringing a trace of tranquility. Sunlight spilled across the land, as though coating everything in a layer of golden radiance. Feeling that beauty, the unrest in Ang's heart gradually settled.

This road had once been where he sweated through battles and missions, yet now it appeared before him in an entirely different way.

Ang took a deep breath of fresh air, as though feeling a long-lost sense of peace.

He knew that although the battles of the past had brought him much pain, the beautiful scenery along this journey had also shown him another side of life.

From the soldier driving the carriage, Ang learned that the Infantry Regiment coming to reinforce and relieve them was already on the way. They might even meet on the road.

The 36th Regiment would probably be withdrawing soon as well. They would take the same road as him.

The soldier driving the carriage was named Joseph. He told Ang that he had been born in the Maple Sugar Plane, and that both his parents were from the duchy.

His parents had answered Tananst VII's call and come to the Maple Sugar Plane. Besides Joseph himself, they had two older sons, a daughter, and a younger son.

Ang found that humans in this world suffered heavy losses, but their population also grew quickly. Almost every family had several children. He himself had a younger brother and sister as well.

Through his conversations with Joseph, Ang learned some interesting facts.

It turned out that not everyone needed to serve five years in the military. As long as one male of the same generation in a family completed five years of service, the other men only needed to serve for two years, primarily in logistical units.

This two-year service came with no military pay. Only those who completed five years of service could receive a salary.

This information gave Ang a deeper understanding of this world's social structure and military system.

He realized that although war and conscription had an enormous impact on every family, family unity and responsibility played important roles within it.

Every family member worked for the family's honor and survival. Though sacrifice and devotion were unavoidable, those sacrifices also brought them hope and a future.

Joseph complained to Ang that the Maple Sugar Plane had once been peaceful and harmonious, but the arrival of the Demons had disrupted many people's lives.

His expression revealed his hatred for the Demons. Joseph told Ang that he had met many pitiful people in Wolf City. The lands they had painstakingly cultivated had been occupied by the Demons, and many had lost their lives because of it.

Now, those people had fled to Wolf City, losing everything and living in extreme hardship.

Ang had not expected Joseph to be such a compassionate person. He deeply sympathized with the refugees' plight.

Ang asked Joseph about his family. Joseph told him that his home was near Wolf City and had not suffered from the Demons' attacks. His family mainly grew Fire Sweet Potatoes, which were also their primary source of income.

Ang did not know what Fire Sweet Potatoes were, so he asked Joseph to explain further.

Joseph told Ang that Fire Sweet Potatoes were a plant containing slight fire elemental energy. Eating them regularly could strengthen a person's constitution, though one had to eat a great many for the effects to show.

Generally speaking, the Fire Sweet Potatoes grown by his family were mainly sold to the duchy's troops, especially the Black Mane Horse Unit, because those horses particularly loved eating Fire Sweet Potatoes.

After hearing that, Ang recalled the Black Mane Horses he had seen in the army, but he had not noticed any obvious difference in them from eating Fire Sweet Potatoes.

Joseph explained that while Fire Sweet Potatoes could strengthen the body, the effect was not immediate and required a long period of accumulation.

The Black Mane Horses did indeed become stronger from eating Fire Sweet Potatoes regularly, but such improvements were not easily noticed in daily life.

Listening to Joseph, Ang gained a better understanding of this world's agriculture and economy. He felt that even under the shadow of war, people were still striving to live and searching for hope. The story of Joseph's family growing Fire Sweet Potatoes showed Ang another kind of resilience and persistence, making him cherish the peace before him even more.

Joseph also told Ang that Wolf City had many fun places. He mentioned the maple sugar factories, around which a sweet scent always lingered. Many people liked to wander near the factories and enjoy that sweet fragrance. Joseph also said he had heard that smelling it often could make people more sensitive to magical elements.

"You have to try it," Joseph said to Ang. "It's one of Wolf City's special features."

In addition, Joseph mentioned First Street in Wolf City, where there was a beautiful fountain square that was a great place for people to gather and relax. The castle at the Lord's Mansion was also a magnificent structure worth seeing. Joseph especially recommended the various snacks in Wolf City, particularly Fire Sweet Potato Cakes. He suggested that Ang make sure to try them after arriving in Wolf City.

"Fire Sweet Potato Cakes are delicious," Joseph said. "Not only do they taste good, but since Fire Sweet Potatoes contain slight fire elemental energy, they're good for your body too."

Joseph also told Ang not to stay at those fancy inns and to choose one near a tavern whenever possible. It was both affordable and convenient. Joseph explained, "If you get drunk at the tavern, you can quickly return to the inn and rest. You won't have to worry about wandering around the streets."

Ang smiled and asked, "Joseph, have you gotten drunk before too?"

Joseph gave an embarrassed smile and laughed it off. "Ah, well... who hasn't been young? Still, you need to be careful after you get to Wolf City. It can be unsafe there at night sometimes."

Ang nodded, deeply grateful for Joseph's advice. Joseph had not only told him about the enjoyable places in Wolf City, but had also thoughtfully given him some practical advice for daily life.

Ang asked Joseph, "After we get to Wolf City, can you show me around?"

Joseph shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I still have duties to carry out. But I can have my sister show you around. She's very familiar with Wolf City, and she has some talent for magic too." Joseph's face was full of pride as he said this.

The other soldiers driving the carriages heard this and laughed. "Joseph, you're showing off your sister again, future noble!" Everyone burst into laughter afterward.

However, Joseph was not embarrassed by their teasing. Instead, he introduced her even more proudly. "My sister's name is Mary. She studies at the Magic Academy in Wolf City. She's very talented in magic, and many teachers think highly of her already. Once you meet her, you can ask her about any magical questions you have."

After hearing this, Ang became very interested in Mary. He thought that since Mary had studied magic, perhaps she could help answer some of his doubts.

Ang had always been curious about magic, but he had never met the right person to ask. He had previously sought guidance from Shamat Mage, but Shamat had told Ang that he had no talent for magic. Otherwise, he would not have come to the Logistics Regiment as an ordinary soldier.

Now that he had a chance to meet a gifted magic apprentice, it was the perfect opportunity.

"Then thank you, Joseph," Ang said. "I'm looking forward to meeting your sister."

Joseph nodded and said with a smile, "Don't mention it. I believe you'll become good friends."

As the carriage continued onward, Ang had more to think about. He looked at the scenery along the road, feeling Joseph's stories intertwine with his own memories. His heart gradually calmed.