The news that Xander was going to marry Athena spread through Pidence City like wildfire.

Naturally, this news reached the military camp as well. Xander handing over the military token had already shaken the morale of the troops. There were worries the King might discard him after using him. The union between the two noble houses was like a reassuring tonic, steadying the troops’ morale. The return of Kurtis was like an anchor dropped into stormy seas. The soldiers gradually forgot their fears and eagerly discussed the upcoming wedding.

Mateo Friedman, who was cleaning his spear, accidentally dropped it with a loud clang onto the stone ground. “Prince Xander is marrying Duchess Athena? Is that true?”

A young soldier nearby responded in a loud voice, “Of course it’s true! They say the King personally arranged the marriage. The gifts filled eight carriages and stretched all the way from Crimson Street to Sanlow Gate…”

“Really?” asked Jett Gould, the one-eyed veteran, his bloodshot eyes lighting up. When Xander handed over the military token a few days ago, he had sat beside the campfire all night, unable to sleep. Now he finally smiled with relief. “General Kurtis just returned to Pidence City, and we have already received such joyous news. The King hasn’t forgotten us after all!” They had served with Kurtis for many years, always hoping for a day like this.

As the men chatted and laughed, Mateo tilted his chin toward a figure in the distance. The rest immediately stopped talking, stood up, and walked toward the man who was busy scrubbing clothes. Under the blazing sun, the washbasins were filled with foul-smelling clothing. Michael’s hair was messy, and his hands moved mechanically.

His fingers were pale from the water, sweat dripped from his forehead, and in just under a month, he looked utterly worn down. His once-handsome face was now gaunt and sun-darkened, his stubble reaching up to his cheeks. If not seen with their own eyes, no one would believe that he was once the mighty and valiant Lord Osborne.

“Yo, Lord Osborne, you’re far too noble to be doing our laundry. I really can’t accept this honor,” Mateo said as he kicked over a washbasin. The clothes fell into the dirt, covered in mud. Dirty water splashed all over Michael’s face and body. He paused for a moment, then numbly bent down to pick the clothes back up.

This routine happened every day. It was as if heaven were punishing him, forcing him to suffer all the pain Athena had once endured. Michael felt no anger. In fact, he wished they would treat him even worse. Only then could he feel some sense of redemption.

Mateo stepped forward again, intending to hit him, but was held back. “Why waste energy on someone like him? You abuse him, and he probably thinks he’s repenting. Don’t dirty your hands.”

Mateo spat. “If I had known Duchess Athena was being sent to the military camp back then, I’d have risked my life to protect her. Some people are worse than scumbags. Thankfully, karma caught up with him.”

He then deliberately provoked Michael. “Well, good for her. She’s about to marry Prince Xander. She’s protected now. The one you didn’t cherish is now beyond your reach. Are you regretting it now?”

Michael froze, pain surfacing in his eyes. He regretted it every moment. He hated himself for being blind, for not seeing how much Athena had given him. He had mistaken glass for a gem and hurt Athena again and again. If anyone deserved punishment, it should be him. Michael seemed to have all the strength drained from him. He stared blankly ahead.

He wished he could die. A man like him had no right to keep living and blocking Athena’s path.

“Is that so? Then I wish her happiness,” Michael said with a bitter smile. But the words were sincere. He had no right to stay by Athena’s side. All he hoped for was her happiness.

Seeing him so lifeless, the soldiers quickly lost interest.

“Look at him. Might as well be a corpse. Let’s go, forget him.”

“If I were you, I’d just bash my head in and be done with it. Useless scum.”

The group walked off, cursing him as they left. Michael put the clothes back in the basin and resumed scrubbing.

Suddenly, a piercing war horn shattered the night sky. A flock of crows scattered from the tree near the barracks.

Mateo barely had time to warm his spear when he saw a messenger galloping past with a torch, shouting, “Emergency orders! Bandits in Azure Gorge have slaughtered three villages! The general is calling troops to march immediately!”

The military camp instantly erupted into organized chaos.

The one-eyed Jett took a deep swig from his flask. His murky eyes stared at the ominous clouds outside the barracks gate. “That area is all steep hills and dense forests. Captain Pruitt led a squad in, and not even a corpse came back. Word is the wolves got them.”

“No one knows where these bandits came from. They’re ruthless and vicious. Burning, looting, killing. Nothing is beneath them. They hide in the treacherous terrain and move like ghosts. It’s been over a month and we haven’t even seen their shadows,” said Stetson Byrne with a sigh. His wife was six months pregnant. He couldn’t stop thinking what would happen to his wife if he died.

Everyone called up looked glum.

But Michael, who had been dragging himself through each day, suddenly had a glint in his eye. If this half-dead existence continued, he’d rather just die in battle. He squeezed his way to the front line, surprising the others.

“Why’s he so eager to die?” someone whispered.

At the front tent, the new commanding officer, Ryker Hubbard, looked deeply worried. He’d already lost two squads, and now no one dared step forward.

“Anyone familiar with Azure Gorge, step forward!” he called three times, but no one responded.

Just as he was about to curse in frustration, a deep voice replied, “General, I’m familiar with the area.”

Ryker looked over and saw the filthy, foul-smelling Michael stepping forward. His eyes flickered. He had once served under Michael. Now the tables had turned; Michael was under his command.

Seeing this fallen lord, Ryker suddenly lacked confidence. Michael might be in a sorry state, but he was a master at warfare. If he distinguished himself again, he might rise once more.

“You? You want to fight bandits? You’re just heading off to die.” Ryker sneered, deliberately insulting him to prevent Michael from stealing the spotlight.

But Michael no longer cared about reputation or glory. He bowed respectfully and said sincerely, “The bandits know the terrain. We need someone to draw out their main force. I’m willing to take the lead and charge forward.”

Hearing that, Ryker finally looked at him properly. Azure Gorge was a perilous place. Even the locals didn’t dare go near it. If Michael went first and survived, the credit wouldn’t matter much. If he died, then Ryker had nothing to lose.

Ryker gave a cold chuckle and said, “Then you’d better be sure. You may not come back from this.”