"Warriors, our home has been destroyed, and our loved ones have been taken. We must fight for them!" Chance shouted from the high platform, filled with righteous anger.

After regrouping, Chance's army launched another attack on the ferocious Wolf Clan. His heart was both resolute and anxious as he looked at the ravaged land littered with the bodies of fallen warriors, his thoughts consumed with worry for Keiko's safety.

"Warriors, we must carve a path of blood for Chief Chance so he can rescue Lady Keiko," the leading soldier cried out, full of righteous indignation.

At that moment, the villagers formed a human barricade, creating a protective wall with their bodies, opening a path for Chance.

"Chief Chance, don't worry about us. Don't look back. Just charge forward," the blood-soaked soldiers urged Chance with their last ounce of strength.

Chance, on horseback, charged towards the tent where Keiko was held. He couldn't help but glance back at the battlefield, seeing the leading warrior impaled by an enemy spear, kneeling in a pool of blood. Chance clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face and dripping onto the ground.

Suddenly, he heard the agonizing cries of a woman from the tent. Snapping out of his sorrow, Chance's heart raced as he strode into the tent holding Keiko. The sight before him brought him to his knees. Keiko lay on the ground, pale and motionless, surrounded by a pool of blood. The midwife standing beside her shook her head solemnly.

"She went into premature labor," the midwife explained, tears in her eyes. "She lost too much blood. There's nothing we could do."

The child lay still, as if asleep.

Chance's lips trembled as he took in the scene, his world collapsing around him. For the first time, he felt the true pain of a broken heart. His breathing grew rapid, and tears blurred his vision. Staggering towards Keiko, he knelt beside her, gently cradling her lifeless body. Her skin was cold, and his sleeve was stained with blood.

"Keiko, Keiko, it's me. I'm sorry I came too late," Chance whispered, his voice breaking.

Chance felt the world crumble around him. He held Keiko's lifeless body, their tears and her blood mingling as they fell to the ground. The premature baby lay silently beside her, never having had the chance to take its first breath. This fragile little life had left the world before it even felt warmth.

He screamed to the sky, the sound echoing like a wolf's howl, filled with utter despair. His heart felt as though it had been torn apart, each cry expressing his endless pain and hopelessness. He clung to Keiko, as if his embrace could bring her back to life, but it was all in vain.

Tears streamed down his face, and his body trembled violently with grief. Keiko's face, though lifeless, was still beautiful, her eyes closed as if in an eternal dream.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the entire world disappeared, leaving only him and Keiko. Everything else faded into obscurity. His heart was filled with endless regret and guilt—why hadn't he protected her? Why hadn't he returned sooner?

In this profound sorrow, Chance's eyes burned with a desire for revenge. He vowed to avenge Keiko and make those responsible for this tragedy pay dearly. Holding Keiko tightly, his eyes blazing with anger, he silently promised her that he would seek justice.

Chance was no longer the naive young man he once was. He had grown into a true man, his heart burning with the fire of revenge, ready to face the coming storm.

"We will avenge Keiko and our lost loved ones," he swore to his men. "The Wolf Clan will pay for this."

Chance and the remaining dozen soldiers returned to the village. He brought back the bodies of Keiko and their child, carefully laying them on a bed and watching over them throughout the night. The next morning, upon hearing the news of Lady Keiko's death, the villagers gathered outside Chance's residence. With their combined effort, Chance buried them on a hilltop covered in wildflowers, overlooking the village—a land they had once irrigated and saved together.

After the funeral, Chance returned to the village, his heart heavy with sorrow, but his mind filled with plans for revenge. He remembered the cold nights he spent in the northwest, staring at the ice in the corner of his house. An idea began to form. He devised a plan to use the cold weather to create ice blades.

"We will turn water into weapons," Chance announced to his soldiers. "We will use the freezing temperatures to make deadly ice arrows."

He explained the plan to his men, instructing them to transport large barrels of water to the cliff above the Wolf Clan's route. The water would be poured over the cliff, freezing in the cold air to form sharp, deadly ice arrows, raining down on the unsuspecting enemy.

Driven by loyalty to Chance and a thirst for revenge, the soldiers worked tirelessly to prepare. They hauled water barrels to the cliff's edge, positioning them strategically for maximum effect.

The night of the attack soon arrived, the air biting cold. Chance and his men stood atop the cliff, ready and waiting, watching the Wolf Clan pass through the valley. The time had come.

The Wolf Clan's large force moved below the cliff, unaware of what lay above.

"Now!" Chance commanded.

The soldiers tipped the barrels, sending water cascading down the cliff. In the frigid air, the water turned into sharp ice arrows, falling like a deadly storm onto the Wolf Clan below. The ice arrows struck with precision, piercing flesh and armor. The valley echoed with cries of pain and terror as the Wolf Clan, caught off guard, fell into disarray.

The Wolf Clan panicked, trying to dodge the ice arrows, but more and more arrows rained down. Chance's team didn't stop there; soldiers in hot air balloons poured additional water, adjusting their direction to ensure the ice arrows hit their targets more accurately.

The relentless assault of the ice arrows inflicted heavy casualties on the Wolf Clan. Those who survived the initial onslaught found themselves surrounded by Chance's army. Inspired by their commander's brilliant strategy, the soldiers, full of fighting spirit, charged down the cliff to engage the remaining enemies.

The battle was fierce but brief. The Wolf Clan, weakened and demoralized, quickly fell to Chance's avenging forces. The once-mighty warriors were defeated, their blood staining the snow-covered ground.

Amidst the fallen enemies, Chance felt a mix of triumph and sorrow. He had avenged Keiko, but without her by his side, the victory felt hollow.

At dawn, Chance's soldiers gathered around him on the battlefield. They had won, but at a great cost. The memory of Keiko and their unborn child weighed heavily on them.

"Keiko, do you see? I have avenged you and our child," Chance said, his voice filled with restrained grief despite the tears in his eyes. "But let us remember our lost loved ones, the destroyed lands, the captured children. We must not forget their sacrifices."

The soldiers nodded in agreement, their faces showing resolute determination. They would follow Chance, not just out of loyalty, but because they saw him as a leader who valued emotions, a man of flesh and blood.

After defeating the Wolf Clan, Chance and his men returned to the village. The villagers greeted them with mixed emotions, relieved by the victory but saddened by the losses they had suffered.

As the people watched Chance's returning army, he made his way through the crowd to Keiko's parents' house. Kneeling before them, he apologized.

"I'm sorry. I failed to protect your daughter. I am deeply sorry," he said, bowing his head.

Though grieving, Keiko's parents did not blame Chance. They knew he was a great hero, and Keiko's death was due to the Wolf Clan's cruelty, not Chance's fault.

They helped him up, but Chance, overcome by exhaustion and grief, collapsed in their home.

Keiko's parents touched Chance's forehead.

"He's burning up. He's got a high fever."

"Quick, call a doctor."