chapter 18 _ Caesar 1
Twenty-Five Years Ago
In the Central Land, amidst the poor neighborhoods of Kemet, known for their simple beauty and enchanting tranquility, everyone lived in harmony with the world.
In a modest-sized house, neither luxurious nor shabby, a man in his thirties entered. His brown hair and warm eyes radiated kindness. Despite his simple attire, he carried a quiet charm.
"Darling, I'm home."
He was greeted by his wife with a radiant smile. She was about his age, but her breathtaking beauty was captivating. Her features were similar to Sarah's, but with the maturity that comes with the years.
"Welcome back. I'll prepare the meal right away. Sit down and rest for a bit."
He approached her tenderly.
"You always overwork yourself. Let me handle it today."
Gently, he urged her to sit despite her attempts to refuse. After preparing the meal, he returned to find her gazing at him with a deep smile, as if she saw her entire world in him.
"What? Am I that handsome? I'm sorry; I can't control my charm."
He said it with mock pride, making her blush as she puffed her cheeks like an upset child.
"Hmph... You're awful."
He burst into laughter at her childish expression and joined her for the meal.
"Today is our tenth wedding anniversary. I think it's time we went out for a stroll."
"Really?!"
She jumped with joy and quickly ran off to change. When she emerged, she looked like an eager child ready for fun.
"How foolish of me to have kept her waiting this long," he thought.
He took her on an outing where they bought gifts and played like children. The day was perfect until they returned to find a crowd cheering.
"What's going on?"
"It's the general's procession. That man has dedicated his life to protecting us," the husband said with admiration.
His wife added in a sorrowful tone, "But his son has been in a coma for 75 years... What unbearable pain."
As they spoke, the husband noticed a small boy sitting in a dark corner. His clothes were torn, and he was barefoot, staring into the void with deep black eyes.
The man approached cautiously and gently placed his hand on the boy's head.
"Hello, little one. Are you hungry?"
The boy slowly lifted his gaze but said nothing.
The wife extended her hand with food and asked softly, "Where are your parents? We'll take you to them."
"I don't have parents," the boy said quietly, his voice carrying a weight far beyond his years. The woman felt a pang in her heart.
"What kind of life has he lived to become so cold?"
The husband looked at the boy and said, "What if you became our son?"
The boy stared at the couple without responding.
"Don't worry. We're not rich, but we're happy. All we're missing is a child to complete the warmth of our home."
The boy finally smiled and quietly agreed, "Okay..."
"What's your name, little one?"
"Caesar."
"What a powerful name! From now on, you're our son, Caesar."
---
A week later, strange black scales began appearing on Caesar's body. He endured immense pain, trying to stifle his cries.
"I don't want Father and Mother to hate me," he thought.
One night, his strength gave out. His mother rushed to him, crying, while his father tried to calm the situation.
"What's happening?!" the father demanded.
The mother whispered, "Don't be afraid. We're always here for you."
Hearing those words, Caesar broke down in tears, but they weren't from pain—they were tears of sorrow.
At that moment, a deep voice emerged from the shadows.
"You two are truly good-hearted."
The couple turned to see a majestic man with long black hair and piercing eyes, carrying a sword by his side.
"The General!"