Chapter 9
Owl’s idea had worked and the Einra had surrendered. The leader had gone to Central to speak directly to his Excellency and their troops were outside the city, finally getting a rest after almost seven months of war.
It had been a tense few weeks; tension filling the air as they awaited for the orders to go back home.
Unfortunately, what arrived wasn’t what any of them was expecting.
“Extermination?” Lauren repeated what the general had said; his expression of horror was echoed by most soldiers, including Owl and Yun.
“That slimy piece of shit used the surrender to try and kill his Excellency by blowing up the room with a hidden bomb.” The General snarled, hands shaking and face contorting in rage. “He said he and his people would rather die than surrender, that their god disapproved of what our country is doing!”
“Is his Excellency alright?”
“How dare they?!”
“We are the ones in the wrong?”
“How?!”
“Those dogs!”
“This is madness!”
The general raised a hand to shut up the noise, “His Excellency was gravely injured but we believe he will recover from this. Unfortunately, General Uttwer and Roman had passed and we have many injured as well. We believe Commander Joahr was involved on the assasination attempt but the office is still investigating.”
“Oh thank the Heavens…”
“Commander Joahr?”
“Poor General Uttwer, he was so close to retiring too…”
“B-But extermination?”
“They’ve killed our men for the last seven months!”
“Yeah! And they almost killed his Excellency as well!”
“They should pay for what they’ve done!”
“Let’s kill those damn dogs so we can go home!”
“Blood and steel!”
“Blood and steel!”
“Blood and steel!”
Owl looked down to his wrist, the words hadn't changed. The golden letters were almost mockingly as he understood that if he wanted to become a Colonel he would need to keep this up.
“Blood and Steel!” He echoed, eyes glinting with determination.
“Blood and Steel.” Lauren echoed with a whisper, looking heartbroken.
“Blood and Steel,” Yun said from Owl's right; the sightly shake on her hands being the only sing she was as shaken as Lauren was.