The next morning, the 5,000 troops, bidden farewell by the people of the Kingdom of Ice and Snow, set off on their journey. Wang Lan sat in the vehicle, looking at the thin, sallow faces outside the window.
There were no cheers, no goodbyes—the road was shrouded in smoke and utterly silent. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the passing army, as if to imprint their faces onto their hearts.
"What kind of experiences have made their emotions so heavy?" Wu Shaohua sighed softly as he turned his face away in the vehicle.
"They're betting on the nation's fate, their hope, their everything. This is the last international assistance. Victory means peace and clear skies forever; defeat means the entire country will be beyond redemption," Princess Aier said solemnly, tears welling in her eyes.
