The General of Irca

After the encounter with the kataws, the group hadn't met other troubles with sea monsters. They finally arrived at the Capital and headed directly to the general to report.

"General!"

Captain Ravil and his troop saluted to the general.

Standing gallantly from being seated at his desk filled with documents, the general walked towards the troop's direction and approached them. His grey hair and creases on his face emblematize his seasoned and established accomplishments in his long years in service. His intimidating aura struck everyone, even Captain Ravil who's already used to facing him. His cobalt eyes, which look straight to each member's eyes, seem to scrutinize the scouts and the cadets.

"At ease…"

The general finally saluted and welcomed them. The general dismissed the five cadets while leaving Captain Ravil to discuss the report.

"I've heard you met with Commander Oahk."

The general sat on the couch and motioned the captain to sit across him. He called for a retainer to serve them tea and some sweets.

"Yes, General."

"You've made your commander worried."

Even in his sitting position, the general is quite well-built. He might be getting on with his grey hair and creases but his face is still perfectly sculpted.

"I…"

Captain Ravil looked down with a faint expression.

The general is trying to imply that he should've met with his commander first as he left his post for an important task.

"I won't ask you why you did that. But that's insubordination and I will let your commander deal with the penalties."

It's time the refreshments were served and the general took a sip from his earl grey tea.

"This tea was perfectly brewed with the right water temperature and timing. You should try yours, Captain."

"Yes, General."

Captain Ravil took his cup, and sip from the tea right away. Since the temperature of the tea is still beyond what his tongue can manage, it was scalded. He squeezed his eyes shut and wasn't able to hide his pain and started to drop some tears.

"Tsk!"

Noticing the captain's trying face, he clicked his tongue and burst into laughter. It was quite a scene should there be anyone else with them.

"Ge… neral… Ruv."

The captain's eyes and mouth widened in surprise seeing how the general almost lose his composure.

"I… hahaha! I'm sorry Qadir."

General Ruv continued with breathy giggles after laughing hard and released a pent-up breath, exhaling.

"Phew! That was… something I haven't done for a long, long time. Who knows it might be the same age as Irca. Haha…"

"General Ruv—"

"Uncle…"

The general cut Qadir correcting him how he addresses the former. Qadir was stunned by the general's remark.

"…call me Uncle like you used to."

"But…"

"Oh!"

The general stood up and saluted Qadir as the latter followed in an instant.

"Captain Ravil, you are dismissed."

"Eh?"

As the general continued making the captain dumbstruck, the latter can't help but question the general.

"Gene… I mean Uncle. Why?"

Getting himself seated once again, the general curved his mouth into a polite smile and looked straight to the captain's confused eyes.

"I would like to apologize for the times I wasn't there for you and Elaine."

The captain flinched and his eyes squinted.

"Your mother was well aware of my position but she still tried to leave the two of you in my care. Even until Elaine's last breath, I wasn't able to fulfill my responsibilities to the both of you."

The captain turned his now vacant gaze away from the general and stared outside the window. His mood began to falter, and he fell into deep thoughts.

"I thought the weather was fine, and yet the sky began to speak of rage right now? It's not nice to change all of a sudden, huh."

There was a strange sense of silence shrouding the room as if at any moment… the room will crumble, and he won't be able to avoid the falling vaults or wall.

He tried to break the silence and spoke flatly.

"Your responsibilities lie in the nation of Irca, the denizens. You don't have to feel bad for our loss."

"I understand that I don't have to feel bad, but it wasn't right. She's my sister."

A flash of blinding lightning illuminated the now gloomy sky, followed by the menacing roar of thunder.

"Though you were already advancing in wars… you were still young back then. I was someone you looked up to aside from your father. And I was also the one whom you believed who betrayed your trust. You're brave, but you're still young back then."

"Did you think…"

The captain slowly bent his body, placing his hands on the table, he leaned forward and eyed the general. Though the latter didn't budge even an inch, he steadily kept his gaze at the former.

"…because I am young at that time, I won't understand the important job that was for me?"

His gruff voice was stilted.

"Everyone gets scared, envious, and oblivious. That was a mistake that I had to live with even after I met your family in the upper realm."

"I buried everything in the past."

The captain pulled back and sat down. He covered his right clenched fist with his left hand as he tried not to show resentment and self-reproach. He lowered his face to conceal his trembling eyes and crimson face. His shoulders shudder as his body temperature rises.

"Your son…"

He knew it was unnecessary to speak of the general's son but at least to recognize his death for his greed; it is also something for him to carry in his death bed.

"…"

General Ruv flinched but tried to collect himself abruptly.

"Please don't get me wrong. I still respect you… General."

He felt his heart suddenly throb. General Ruv stood up and trudged towards the window. As the general's gaze falls on the gloomy skies, the rain incessantly washes the earth.

Captain Ravil couldn't help but fall once again in deep thought.

"Why…"

He looked where the general was.

"Why can't I seem to despise you?"

His entire body and mind protested but his heart couldn't just feel any hate. He stood up and was about to leave the room when General Ruv spoke.

"I believe in you, Qadir."

Qadir's heavy feeling was felt as the lever handle of the door broke.

"Why… only now?"

He spoke his heart's intention for the last time and left the room without turning back.