Winner Takes All

As he watched Jack's stunned and incredulous face, Achilles simply smiled, "I actually did have the resolve to die at that time, but when I knew what would happen instead, I was as stunned as you are now." "What had actually happened?" Jack probed further.

Achilles' eyes took on a strange light, but he got up and took out some alcohol from a shelf in the house.

Without any words, he popped open the bottle and poured a mouthful into his mouth, and then he sprinkled some of the contents into the fire.

The fire danced and leaped because of it.

The sudden outburst of flames caused Jack to retreat instinctively.

In contrast, Achilles didn't move an inch as he stood stonily and allowed the flames' warmth to envelop him.

"You must have known pretty well how cruel and ruthless is it in the battlefield after following us for a survey, no?"

Jack nodded.

The fight they had just earlier on indeed shed some light on some previously unknown things on the battlefield.

Killing was prevalent, and everywhere he laid his eyes he could see bloodied intentions and ruthless killing.

Immediately, Achilles continued, "In fact, I don't really want to recall this particular matter, because it was more bloodied and cruel than war itself."

After a pause, Achilles allowed himself a forlorn smile.

At that moment, Jack felt like he was looking at another Achilles.

A war-torn and steely man like him had this gentle and emotional side too?

"It was a huge fight, and after that we had to sweep the battlefield cleanly. It was just a small town that belonged to foreign tribes."

Achilles chronicled the details slowly, "In the battlefield, it was all pure killing between warriors, and elderly women has no part in it. What could they do? They could only tremble in fear and from their condition, who would have thought that they would all steel themselves and fight back vehemently just before their clan was annihilated?"

Jack's brows furrowed deeply and there was an excited light in his eyes.

Perhaps... the key reason lied in those elderly women!

The next second, Achilles crushed the bottle of alcohol in his hands with force, and the contents immediately splattered everywhere.

Achilles was gnashing his teeth hard, "That son of a bitch brother of Shawn sliced open two children, an old man and he even bore some lust towards a group of young ladies when he was taking care of the aftermath... Do you still think that I should leave him alive?"

This news came as a huge blow to Jack's mind. Achilles' words rammed hard into his consciousness.

All of a sudden, he felt his own sense of morality crumbling.

The hapless and weak elderly and youth were the most innocent and powerless group in any war!NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.

Judging from the fact that the Dragon Cavalry Squad was able to sweep the small clan after the war, it meant that those who were still alive should be considered fugitives of war who had long lost their will to fight.

Despite that, the little brother of Shawn didn't bat any eyelid as he tore through those weak and helpless group with cold blood!

Was there any difference between someone like him and an animal?

Even though Achilles had only shed a little light on the brother's past, Jack was able to conjure a very bloodied and inhumane scene in his mind.

"He should be killed!"

Without warning, Jack shouted.

"Yes, you are right. The dictator agreed with me!"

Achilles nodded, "The Dragon Cavalry Squad is an elite and honorable team of warriors. How could we allow such filth to penetrate into our ranks? If someone like that wasn't rooted out, wouldn't that deal a huge dent in our reputation and dignity? Everyone would think that the Dragon Cavalry Squad was a team of barbarians without any discipline and order."

Jack said nothing to refute that.

He finally knew the reason Zenith decided to help pave the way for Achilles' ascent.

Zenith was known for his steely discipline and rugged ways. His words were the law and his principles had to be followed strictly.

Someone like him wouldn't be able to tolerate anything that went against his principles!

He would never allowed such a trash to exist in his team of elites which he had worked very hard to create!

On the other hand, what had Achilles done was exactly what Zenith would like to see!

Any leader who was far-sighted and had wisdom would come to a decisive verdict for a matter such as this.

"For me, I can do anything stupid, but I will never ever lay my hands on weak and defenseless people. I would never. After all, everyone is born by their parents, and everyone has families. That trash, that barbaric animal had it easy even for the suffering and punishment he received."

As Achilles added to his chronicles, his face was a little blushed at the moment.

However, Jack was well aware that his slightly drunken state wasn't because of alcohol.

"That Shawn was mad at me for not overlooking his brother's atrocious mistake. He was vengeful because I had used his little brother as a stepping stone to rise through the ranks."

Achilles shrugged noncommittally, "When I was the Chief Guard at that time, Shawn kept humiliating me in the army, which I was well aware of but had no intention to care about. After all, no matter how hatefu he was towards me, he couldn't touch me. Of course, I didn't let the dictator to interfere in our squabble."

As he rubbed his face, Achilles looked at Jack helplessly, "Too bad, I wouldn't be able to foresee that I would stumble into your hands because of Chattis. After being sent down the rankings by the dictator, Shawn didn't even hide his contempt and attempt to bring down the hammer on me. Tell me, if I am not the former Chief Guard and have deep ties with the other Golden Guards, do you believe that he would have stabbed me from behind?"

Jack smiled with disbelief.

There wasn't any other answer to Achilles' question.

As a commander, Shawn couldn't let go of past grudges as he continued to embarrass himself. All he wanted as to make mincemeat out of Achilles and made him the laughing stock of the squad.

For someone as narrow-minded as him, he was doing something that brought no benefit to himself and others. For someone like him, was there any limits to what he would do?

After taking in a deep breath, Jack brought his gaze back up at Achilles, and there was now something different with his gaze.

He slowly began, "Today, I finally get to know you for real. I am sorry for snatching away your Chief Guard position because of that incident and caused you to be in such a pinch."

"That doesn't matter. I was blinded at that time, and I had done something I shouldn't have done. The dictator had done the right thing."

Achilles smiled dismissively while waving his hands around. After taking in a deep breath while looking at a point above him, he brought his face back to face Jack, and there was no longer sorrow on his face, "Don't worry, in the past three months looking over you, the dictator wouldn't treat me badly after you leave. If he could bring me to the top in the first place, he can do it the second time around. As for Shawn, there is all there is to it about his life."

At that moment, Debut and the gang returned after laying out the dining table.

They were moving through the snow as evident by the flakes sitting on their shoulders.

After entering the house, Debut said with huffed voice, "Hey, hey, hey, I am freezing to death. Set up the table and let's start drinking!"

Jack and Achilles exchanged a smile.

After a conversation, the air between them had finally been cleared up.

At this time, the five of them settled around the fire and started to drink and eat.

After their winning contribution at war, no matter what rank this was in the army, it was a cause for celebration.

And for the Dragon Cavalry Squad who wasn't at war at the moment, they were pretty light and flexible about celebrations in the ranks. Compared to the calm and solemn demeanour of Jack and Achilles, Debut, Cole and Yarol was especially excited and agitated. However, what awaited them was prematurely getting drunk. In no time, they were all sprawled out on their beds.

The lively atmosphere in the barracks returned to its silent state with Jack and Achilles still being awake. Although they weren't out cold yet, they were a little tipsy as their eyes swam.

Jack was dangling a bottle of alcohol by the brazier as he was watching the dancing flames in the brazier.

After some moments of silence, he suddenly laughed faintly with a hint of alcohol, "Achilles, didn't you want to know what I think about that matter? Now I think I know what to do."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐