Fast as the speed of light, Theodore, along with a few on their horses, cut through the forest under the guidance of Luke. The intense hoof sounds bluntly disrupt the stillness, along with the tree leaves being torn open. Even though Theodore has served in the military for years, the image of the war remains a mystery to him. The thought of seeing people using "the almighty will" to protect what they called "the greater good," screaming and roaring for victory with their hands stained with the blood of the innocent, makes Theodore despise.

"Hurry, we don't have much time left!" Luke's voice hissed through the wind. His grip on the horsewhip tightens.

Soon, they can hear the dreadful sound of battles from afar.

Gunshots...

Explosions...

And screams...

For all of a sudden, the haunted spider webs of the past once again emerge, this time bound to his bleeding heart. Theodore can't help but lose his breath for a moment. Nothing matters now, determination yearns to push away the blooming uncertainty to pull back his normal self at once.

The group continues to race against time through the depths of the dark woods, greeted at the end, lies a carnage scene. Collapsed bodies lie in puddles of grief, in countless wounds they covered. Flying above the sky are the vultures, singing the song of death, viciously immersed in the flesh of the bodies. The quiet forest, a pure hidden pearl, has been maculated. Luke held the sword firmly, a terrified yet agonizing glance was glimpsed through his eyes. Leaning forward, he hurried, "We have to go deeper, our unit must be somewhere nearby!"

From the embrace of the woods to the open field of carnage, before his eyes was the scene of a brutal encounter. It is indeed the land of swords and bullets, where sacrifice has seemingly become a day-to-day norm. Within a few steps, they finally arrived. How heartbreaking to witness the sanctuary of the injured. A few wooden planks, along with tattered canvas, are all they have to protect the vulnerable ones. Theodore wasted no seconds preparing the recently brought equipment and several herbal medications he had invented earlier, then rushed to the nearest soldier.

...

"Quick! Get these things unpacked, move them back to the mansion," Theodore shouted over guns and metal.

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The injured are placed on wooden rickshaws, piercing through the forest at the speed of light. As several soldiers hurriedly carried many people away from the battlefront, the sound of an explosion ripped through the air, causing the ground to shake. A young medic immediately rushed in, and hastily reported the current situation, "Sir! We are running on an incredibly low number of staff to transfer patients! Given the fact that the majority of our soldiers are critically injured. I-I'm afraid that we... can not make it through..." Theodore was astonished for a moment, let alone thousands of theories and strategies ran wild through his mind.

"Life is eventually a cycle of decisions, isn't it?" To live under the cover of a coward, to run away and step on the dead bodies like a defeated man, or to live in pride and glory, only depends on a simple decision. A simple question of life and death. Theodore let out a slight grin, arrogantly looking at the sword on his left. "Since when have I given up? Don't be absurd."

"Wrap things up for me and try to carry as many people back as possible, I will stay," Theodore said in a calm tone as if he was discussing what to eat for dinner. "The situation is far worse than we predicted. Be sure to call for support while you are on your way back as well. I'll be waiting for your good news." The young one bows formally to Theodore, then disappears into the woods. Adjusting his sleeve, Theodore pulled out the sword. The grating sound of metal tore through the air. "I never thought this old friend would have to taste blood again," Theodore said, an icy grin painted.

Theodore soon joins the battleground. With their navy uniforms soaked in sweat and blood stains. With swords and guns in their hands, they will fight to the last breath. "For the glory of the almighty God, Aon, and the King! Brothers, we will fight together!" the soldiers shouted in unison. Nested under those cracked wooden panels with only a handful of men against an army. Perhaps it's just a matter of time.

"Such fools, it appears I must teach them what fate those who dared to challenge our king will face," the commander says, raising his gun and holding the red flag and a delicate red dragon symbol in his left hand. Then a hail of bullets rains down on them. The wooden panel couldn't hold any longer. Their lives were compromised. In a split second, Theodore quickly scans his surroundings, noticing Luke is not too far away.

Carefully crawling to his position, Theodore whispers, "We have to come up with a plan, or else all of us will end our lives here." Luke was astonished for a moment, then instantly recovered, "It seems you already made up your mind, Doctor. Since you have come all the way here, care to tell me what you have?" Theodore nods, "We are running out of bullets and our regiment has been bestirring like this for almost a day. I suggest we call for melee combat to buy some time until the aids come. Let them play with us in their palms." He nods in agreement and then exchanges a glance with a man nearby.

"Oh? Quite bold of you to say that." In everyone’s shock is a man standing tall, arrogantly challenging the chief with a mocking voice. Theodore can't help but sense a charisma coming from that man, the one that makes everyone unable to look away. His black hair glistened in the breeze, exuding a commanding confidence that no one dared to challenge. Putting out a smirk, the man approached the enemy, "If you are that noble, then why would you still be there, hiding like a dog?", "Don't tell me barking is the only thing you can do." His defiant laugh fills the air.

For a mere second, emerald eyes fall upon Theodore, sending a slight electric spark down his spine.

Who is this man?