Chapter 286
Chapter 286 - Episode 036 Why Aren’t You the One Who Died (3)
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Perhaps it was confusion. Perhaps it was awe. Perhaps it was misunderstanding. Perhaps it was fear...
There were all kinds of reasons, but as far as their eyes could see was a sea of camouflage, as grounded as trees in this land. They stood tall, spirited, and unyielding. Every single one of them wore a resolute expression, undeterred by wind or rain.
This space seemed utterly quiet, the only sounds left were those of a frenzied storm and a tsunami.
The awe-inspiring aura of a single person was incapable of affecting them. However, when everyone stood together with that same intensity, they were rendered speechless. It seemed as though all their words had suddenly become unnecessary.
Facing these formidable soldiers, they had no choice but to yield, or rather, they didn’t even dare to harbor a notion of resistance.
"Are you all standing here like rigid poles?!"
At the standstill, Bard Walker’s annoyed voice rang out, riddled with questioning and rudeness. It sounded like he was furious, but there were no visible sparks in sight.
He was a leader. He knew what his soldiers were thinking.
What they needed was nothing more than simple respect.
They were prepared to relinquish their lives for this country. All they asked for was to gain the most fundamental respect.
These were innocent soldiers, many of them recruits, still holding onto their original dreams. They were willing to believe that the people they protected were truly grateful for them.
𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
However, many civilians failed to fulfill this simple wish.
"Reporting to the Captain, we want to keep standing like this!"
A frogman at the very front stood ramrod-straight, much like a wooden pole. However, the tone of his voice was resoundingly firm, seeming like a conviction that couldn’t be swayed on short notice.
Bard Walker is suddenly amused by their resolve, his voice amplified, shouting at all the men, "What do you want to do?!"
What do you want from all this?
In their uniforms, it was as clear as day what their intentions were.
In that moment, almost all the soldiers puffed out their chests. Hundreds of men all roaring out in a voice that rang through the heavens, deafening —
"We want an apology!"
The penetrating voice rang through the storm. The shocking magnitude of their declaration left all the civilians dumbstruck.
An apology?
All this for an apology? Was it necessary?
The civilians couldn’t understand, but seeing the roaring crowd and the red-rimmed eyes of newly-enlisted soldiers as young as their own children, they paused. Baby-faced young men who should’ve been pampered at home were standing amidst a raging storm, yelling out their demand for an apology.
The civilians who were jeering at them moments ago exchanged glances, suddenly feeling somewhat ashamed.
They had taken the soldiers’ help for granted. But was it really... right to expect these young, bright individuals to march toward their own deaths?
After a pause, Bard Walker, having observed everyone’s reactions, asked the civilians with a somewhat grave expression, "What do you think?"
Without a doubt, Bard Walker stood on the side of his own soldiers.
If he didn’t stand by their side, who would he stand with? Was he supposed to hurt their hearts as well?
Not all civilians were thoughtless. Some of them had a clear understanding. Without hesitation, they pulled along those they knew and hurried to the soldiers, frantically bowing and apologizing.
Their action seemed to carry a flicker of sincerity.
— End of Chapter 286 —