When Woraston's family arrived in the Archipelago Plane, a fine rain was falling.
The sky over Valagajudi was gloomy, and the air was thick with the smell of blood and scorched earth.
Woraston, who had once fought so bravely, had left behind only a shattered battlefield and yellow soil stained red with blood.
His wife fell to her knees, trembling as she caressed the ground he had defended to the end, her sobs breaking free.
His younger brother Workston clenched his fists and stared fixedly at Ang's territory in the distance.
"He is still alive." Workston's voice was low yet chilling. "Viscount Ange is still living well on this land, while my brother... died without even leaving a whole corpse behind."
The rest of the family remained silent.
Their grief left them no time to pursue responsibility for the moment.
But after the memorial service, they turned and headed for Fortress of Will.
Upon arriving, Workston stormed into the Military Department's station and slammed his hand on the table in rage. "I want to report Viscount Ange! He stood by and watched as the Lizardmen crossed the Valagajudi River without lifting a finger. He is the true culprit behind Valagajudi's fall and my brother's tragic death!"
The Woraston family's accusation quickly spread throughout the Archipelago Plane.
Public discussion erupted everywhere.
Some nobles sneered. "Mutual aid among allies? A noble actually watched his comrades fight to the death without sending a single soldier. Viscount Ange has utterly disgraced noble honor."
Others defended Ang. "He was kicked out by the Third Legion long ago, and now you expect him to clean up the Military Department's mess? Do you really think he is some paragon of virtue?"
Even more radical rumors quietly emerged. "I heard the Lizardmen could never cross the Valagajudi River