Volgograd (6)

After a while, Ang pondered for a moment, then asked, "What about Charles Remant?"

"Charles is also Viscount Ang's friend?" Hal looked at him with slight surprise.

Ang nodded, a glimmer of reminiscence appearing in his eyes. "We shared a dormitory at the Warrior Academy. Back then, he always liked attending dances among the nobles."

Hal sighed softly. "Charles is a baron now too, but... something happened to his family."

"What happened?" Ang's expression tightened.

"The Remant Family's direct battle regiment was wiped out by Demons in a campaign." Hal's tone visibly grew heavier as he spoke.

"The ambush came too suddenly. The regiment barely had time to react. They say that battle claimed Charles's cousin, uncle, and several senior family members as well—none of them survived."

Ang frowned, his features heavy. "I remember his family came from viscounts. Their foundations weren't weak. How could they decline like this?"

"Raising another force isn't difficult." Hal shook his head. "But training an elite unit capable of truly taking the field in a short time is nearly impossible."

"Besides, with an entire generation of core warriors gone, the Remant Family suffered not only a devastating loss of strength, but a complete collapse in morale."

Ang fell silent, as though he could not accept the current circumstances of that once-spirited friend.

"And Charles... how is he?"

"He's become much more depressed." Hal hesitated. "For the past few years, he's drowned his sorrows in drink. Though he still serves in the military, he rarely volunteers for battle anymore. Most of the time, he guards cities for others and mechanically carries out orders."

"Where is he now?"

"Like Donna, he's stationed in Wolf City." Hal paused, then added, "Donna handles the front line, while Charles is responsible for logistical supplies and city defenses. Their duties