The North Wind Warband's soldiers had been exhausted by days of hunting. As the hellhound packs were cleared out on a large scale, the ones that remained were mostly massive groups. These hellhounds had also learned to avoid the main force of the support troops, roaming farther afield instead. Ang was quite helpless about this and could only lead the North Wind Warband around the outskirts of the main army, specifically hunting the hellhounds that had scattered from the larger packs. However, the gains from this were clearly nowhere near as efficient as direct engagements had been.
The soldiers' fatigue was obvious. They had no horses; every pursuit and patrol relied on their own legs. They ran through wilderness and dense forests from dawn to dusk. Many had worn through their soles and covered their feet in bloody blisters, yet they still gritted their teeth and endured. Ang saw it all and felt sorry for them. While gathering the troops after one mission, he suddenly announced:
"Starting tomorrow, we'll be stationed on the city walls and wait to go home."
The soldiers were stunned at first, then gradually relaxed. Some could not help cheering quietly, and at last, a trace of smiles appeared on their exhausted faces.
"My lord, we really don't have to chase those damn dogs anymore?" one soldier could not help asking, unable to hide his delight.
"Yes." Ang patted the man on the shoulder, his eyes softening somewhat. "Leave the hunting to the other troops. We've already done enough. Guarding the walls, conserving our strength, and waiting to return to the Empire are what matter most now."
This decision immediately boosted the North Wind Warband's morale considerably. Though they no longer had the tension and rewards of hunting in the wild, they could finally catch their