For three long years, the battlefield echoed with shouts, cries, and clashing weapons. But now, after Weltaria's victory, a brief hush fell over the scene.
The soldiers kept a firm grip on their weapons, wary that the enemies might feign surrender and launch another attack. Once they realized victory, they dropped their weapons and erupted into cheers.
Compared to the ecstatic atmosphere on the battlefield, the Command and Control Center felt heavy ever since someone arrived.
"Our enemies agreed to a peace treaty with us, and their only demand was for Cassian to drink this bottle of medicine. If you want the war to end, just drink this. Don't you seek peace, Commander Cassian?"
Cassian Valor, the supreme leader responsible for strategic decisions, sat calmly behind the desk.
His physique was well-built, clad in shining armor, and adorned with royal symbols denoting his authority. With a sharp stare, he examined the mysterious bottle of medicine offered by Ronin, the President of Weltaria.
The president's presence at the command center created an uncomfortable atmosphere for Cassian's subordinates. They could sense that he had not come with good intentions.
"The war can stop as long as you take this medicine, this is the only requirement from our enemy." Ronin spoke again as Cassian said nothing. "Don't worry. It will only take away your power. It won't have any ill effects on your body."
Cassian earned the title "God of War" for his bravery in battle and ability to lead troops. He was skilled in martial arts and weaponry. People on the battlefield often said that not even God could save his targets. As a result, the soldiers called him the God of War.
With this extraordinary skill, he rose from being a mere soldier to assuming the highest command during Walteria's conflict against their enemy, Narman Empire.
Weltaria was a weak country before Cassian joined the army. They lost many battles and Narman ’s army was even very near to the capital. However, under Cassian's command, casualties were drastically reduced, Weltaria started to won in many important battles, now, their army had withdrawn to the original border line and was ready to start peace negotiations with Weltaria.
However, the president Ronin suddenly came and asked Cassian to take the medicine that made him lose his power. The people around Cassian immediately stood up, casting furious glares at the president.
"Even if you're the president, you can't make such a request! Don't you know the Commander has helped us so much over the years?"
"You've gone too far. We can't accept this!"
"You'd better leave before we do something bad!"
When everyone erupted in anger, Cassian raised his hand. With a smile, he addressed them, "Control yourselves. Is this how I've taught you to behave, showing disrespect to others?"
Before his subordinates could reply, he spoke again with a severe look.
"Return to your seats."
He turned his gaze to Ronin, asking, "Is there a specific reason I should take medicine? You have to give a good reason."
Ronin smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening before he explained with a somber expression.
"Narman thinks your strength is a threat. You're too strong, and people fear you. They wanted you dead, but I still thought of your service during this hard time. Thanks to my efforts, the Narman agreed to surrender if you lost your ability."
The explanation sparked the rage of Cassian's subordinates again. Having followed him for three years, they firmly believed that it was Cassian's efforts, not Ronin's dubious negotiations, that could bring an end to the war.
Elara, Cassian's assistant, could not stand Ronin's annoying request. Fearlessly, she looked the president in the eyes.
"Of all the losers I've met, you're the winner! Just admit that you fear Commander Cassian's reputation. He doesn't threaten anyone or anything with his strength, but you know it could threaten your position as president!"
Her boldly spoken words had Cassian's subordinates cheering in agreement. Receiving this kind of response, Ronin's face turned red.
But despite his anger, he would avoid the topic of the president's position to convince people that he did not care about it.
In a hoarse voice, he uttered, "I keep receiving reports of war casualties every day. Commander, you must understand my feelings! Aren't you sad about the dead soldiers?"
"Of course, I'm sad because they are my comrades," Cassian replied genuinely.
"Then, you are selfish not to take the medicine. More soldiers and people will die if the war continues. Thousands of our precious soldiers have already died. You must consider the peace of our country!"
The topic of the fallen soldiers was sensitive, especially to those who witnessed it firsthand. Elara's eyes welled up with tears as she recalled her fallen comrades-in-arms.
She could not accept Ronin bringing them up to manipulate Cassian into agreeing to his request. When she was about to voice her disagreement, Cassian again stopped her.
His warm smile brought sadness to his subordinates. Their Commander had gone through many hardships during the war, but as the main leader, he had to keep his composure and not worry the troops.
"Take this if you agree," Ronin offered the medicine bottle.
Cassian stared at the bottle with an unreadable look on his face. He was indeed grateful to have the strength that could help many people.
On the other hand, he also thought about the victims of the war. The separatist faction was very dangerous because they could sacrifice innocent people to make the soldiers surrender.
He knew the war could end thanks to his troops' abilities, not Ronin's negotiations. However, he was sure the president would provoke the separatists to rebel again if he refused to take the medicine.
"I've made up my mind. I agree to your request for our country's peace," he declared, gazing deeply into Ronin's eyes.
The decision he had taken with great deliberation turned the angry expressions of his subordinates into disappointment. Although he felt bad for them, he had to do it to avoid casualties in the future.
He picked up the bottle of medicine and drank it without any hesitation.
"You made the right decision," Ronin bowed his head to Cassian. "I honor your sacrifice to save thousands of lives, Great Commander Cassian!"
Since he bowed, no one saw the sly look in his eyes and his evil grin.
Cassian placed the medicine bottle back on the table as soon as he finished. Suddenly, blood trickled from his amber eyes. His vision blurred, and gradually, darkness enveloped everything.
It turned out that the medicine not only made him lose his power, but also blind! Ronin wanted to make him unable to fight anymore or hold a weapon.
He had already decided to lose that strength. Still, it hurt because he felt like he was losing a precious piece of himself.
"Mr. President, please take care of this country because I can no longer fulfill that responsibility. It's my final request!"
With those words, Cassian had fulfilled his last duty to the country. Elara walked to him, but she was furious when she saw Cassian’s eyes.
“Commander is blind! Ronin, you didn’t say that he would be blind!” Elara yelled, she raised her fist and was going to hit on Ronin’s face.
Ronin was panicked, he knew that the medicine would make Cassian blind, it was in his plan. Only a blind and powerless “commander” would make him feel safe, but he just tried to explain lying.
“I...I don’t know that! It must be side affect of the medicine!” Ronin shouted.
But Cassian stopped Elara, he knew she was sad.
“Don’t be sad Elara, it’s not an end. Trust me, this is just a start.” Cassian whispered to Elara, no one heard his words.
Elara looked at Cassian with confusion. What did he mean?
But Cassian just smiled and slapped slightly on her shoulder. He said, “Trust me.”
Then Cassian turn around and left.
The sobs of his followers rang in his ears, but he turned his back on them instead. As he stepped outside, he was greeted by the joyful cheers of the soldiers still celebrating the war's end.
They did not know that he sacrificed himself for their lives. He chose to hide this truth from them, unwilling to burden many with his departure. His bitter smile turned into happiness.
From now on, there would be no more days when he prayed for the souls lost in war. This was his destiny.
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