Salute To The General (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 1536

General Zahn's frustration was more than evident in his growled answer. "I was worried about the operation, that's why.”

"And for a damn good reason too, it seems." He shot a withering glare at Axel. "Jordan, before you decided to attack General Cross, were you aware that your actions would cause a diplomatic mess so horrible it would take years to clean up?"

Axel's expression betrayed his shock and resentment at being chewed out so directly. "But, sir! General Cross and his people killed those captives— that's a direct breach of all the international laws we stand for-"

"And I don't blame him in the least," General Zahn interrupted coolly.

Axel was dumbfounded as he started to question, "Sir-"

General Zahn eyed the various captives kneeling on the ground with distaste. He was well aware of their status as the backbone of the Dark Temple. He said coldly, "Whatever you may think about these bastards, I'm going to assure you that they are at least ten times worse than that. They aren't just professional killers— no, they train others to become their brand of killers as well."

"Every year, they abduct millions of children from all around the world and bring them to concentration camps in Siberia." General Zahn chuckled humorlessly. "And that frozen hell is where they train those children to kill. Out of those millions of children, usually only one survives the entire ordeal."

Axel's eyes widened in horror. He sucked in a cold breath of air unconsciously.

A million children, set upon each other's throats to survive, killing and killing until only one prodigy survived.

This was truly success, if success was something cruel that demanded to be built on a mountain of bleached bones and rotten flesh.

General Zahn's next words were bitter. "And this brainwashing is exactly how they create their infamous assassins. For every top-grade assassin they create, countless families across the world loses a child. They are worse than cruel- they are literally living devils on this earth.""

"And so,” General Zahn said with the same sense of bitterness that had suffused his earlier words, "I say well done, General Cross."

Upon hearing General Zahn's words, Axel fell awkwardly silent. What had seemed like righteous anger earlier now felt extremely out of place, an insult to every victim of the Dark Temple. Without that feeling of justice, he was oddly unsure of how to address Nathan now.

General Zahn calmly said, "Now, Jordan, I want you to apologize to General Cross."

Reluctantly, as much as he chafed against it, Axel did as he was told. Summoning his courage, he apologized in a small voice, "General Cross, I'm sorry for offending you earlier. Please accept my apology."

However, his principles would not allow him to roll over so utterly and he raised his chin in a purposely defiant manner, gritting his teeth. "But I still believe it's wrong to just kill prisoners of war who have already surrendered to us!"

"Even if they are truly guilty, they still have to stand trial and let the law decide whether they should be killed or spared.” Axel's voice was impassioned.

Nathan just sighed lightly, as if he had heard this argument more than once. "The way I see it, I'm just responsible for sending the sinners to face God. Then it's His call whether He wants to forgive them or not."

Inside the Commanding Officer's cabin, Ava was kneeling remorsefully in front of a seated Nathan. Tears ran unrestrained down her cheeks as she cried like a little child.

Ever since that last incident, she had felt far too ashamed to see the General again, much less show herself in his presence. And yet, he had still come to rescue her and her family.

In the past, she had repressed every single emotion to survive the endless stretch of dark days. But now, on the plane headed back home, that dam had broken down thunderously. She threw herself onto her knees before Nathan, hugging his feet tightly as she cried and cried like a lost child finally returning home at last.

Nathan looked down at Ava silently, watching her body shake with every sob. In a measured tone, he said slowly, "I want you to know that the crimes you committed was unforgivable."

At Ava's soundless nod, he continued, "But the North Army now requires every bit of manpower it can get and training a new talent isn't easy. That's why I'm pardoning you. However, you will be demoted to the lowest rank in the army and you are given a chance to redeem and prove yourself again. Do you accept these terms?"

It was not so much a question than an order, but Ava raised her tear-streaked face to look up at Nathan without any hesitation. "Yes, General, I do."

Teary-eyed, she caught his gaze. "I am your humble servant, General, to the end of this life and this world. I will never ask for more again, not now, not ever. As long as

you're willing to allow me to serve under you and fight your battles, I will be content."

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