Inside the North Wind Warband's garrison, the air was thick with the smell of scorching and gunpowder. Ang lay on a crude bed, his brows slightly furrowed as though trapped in an unfinished nightmare. Outside the window, the distant sounds of battle and the howls of Hellhounds drifted over, making sleep impossible. After unconsciousness for a full day and night, Ang's eyelids finally trembled before he slowly opened his eyes.
"Ang is awake! Someone, hurry!" Quintina's voice rang through the barracks with a trace of excitement. Soon, hurried footsteps approached, and the North Wind Warband's soldiers gathered around the bed, their faces filled with concern and exhaustion.
Ang struggled to prop himself up, glanced at everyone, and asked hoarsely, "How is it outside?"
The soldiers exchanged looks. After hesitating for a moment, a squad captain stepped forward and answered, "My lord, the Hellhounds have launched several attacks. The outer city wall Lord Haru built was breached once, and many refugees... didn't survive." His voice lowered at that point, and guilt and grief appeared in his eyes.
"Marquis Yaglu didn't open the city gates and let the refugees in?" Ang asked urgently.
The squad captain shook his head. "My lord, the gates were not fully opened, but the Marquis sent people to drive away the Hellhounds near the walls. The breach in the outer wall has been repaired, and Lord Haru and the other warriors are defending it with their lives. However, I heard that several nobles fell in this battle."
Ang's brows knitted tightly. "Are they still fighting outside?"
The squad captain nodded. "Yes, my lord. Although the number of Hellhounds has decreased, their assault is still fierce."
Ang took a deep breath and said gravely, "All right. Since I'm awake, you don't need to stay here any longer. After