Johan looked hesitant. "Duke... I don't think we're going to survive. We've been at war for hours, against six battalions at once relentlessly and now... the black spirits showed no sign of fatigue even after we have showered them with attacks." "So you're giving up?" asked Victor sharply. "You want to bend your tail between your legs like a scared dog and go home to Maraina?" "No." "Then fight to the end, Johan." Victor grabbed the back of the head of the man who's been with him for years. He forced Johan to look him straight in the eye. "That's what I'm going to do, Duke. It's just..." "What?" "Don't you want to go home to your wife and child?" Victor's pupils shrunk. Of course, he wanted to go home. Of course, Rose's words saying he doesn't have to care about the Alliance were v

