Salute To The General (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 1842

Zions expression darkened as he answered calmly, “That's right. We are no longer young and should be taking care of each other more. Given our age, no one can predict what will happen tomorrow.”

Everyone around them was surprised.

Zion was obviously saying that no one knows who President in the end will be and have the last laugh.

Both old men had hurt each other and lost a son respectively.

And given the way things are, their conflict was far from over. In fact, it was just getting intense.

Clifford nodded before pointing his finger outside and remarked, “When I stepped in a moment ago, I saw the flowers in the garden were blooming beautifully. Would you like to take a walk and relieve some of your grief?”

Zion furrowed his eyebrows slightly and responded, “In that case, I'll walk with you.”

Clifford ushered, “After you!”

Zion quipped, “No, after you.”

As both of them stepped out, no one dared to follow. Even their respective National Guards kept their distance.

In front of the funeral parlor, there was a garden filled with trees and flowers. Both elderly men walked shoulder to shoulder.

Suddenly, they heard a toad's agonizing scream.

Among the bushes nearby, both of them saw a small snake biting a large toad, trying desperately to swallow it.

The cry from earlier came from the toad.

Clifford exclaimed at the sight, “How tragic!”

Zion glanced at Clifford before he commented, “Nature has determined that only the fittest survive."

Clifford nodded. “Despite how tragic the conflict between animals is, the conflicts between men are much more frightening.”

Zion agreed, “That's right. There's just no other way around it. Just like the little snake swallowing the toad. It simply has to do it for its own survival.

Clifford added, “Indeed, the snake has to eat the toad for survival. But for the conflict between men, it doesn't really have to be so cruel. We don't have to swallow each other. Instead, all one needs to do is to admit defeat.”

Zion understood what Clifford was trying to convey.

President. And then I'll support you after that?”

Clifford answered slowly, “It seems we have come to an impasse and we will have to fight tooth and nail against each other.”

Zion remarked, “Let's see who has the last laugh. By then, we will know who the snake is and who is the toad.”

Both of them ended the conversation with tension in the air.

Clifford stormed off with his men while Zion continued to receive guests for his son's funeral.

However, not long after both men left, they weren't aware that the small snake had choked to death while swallowing the large toad, which was simply too big for it.

As for the toad, it was already dead after being poisoned by the snake.

Hence, both animals lost their lives in the end.

What would both men have thought if they saw the outcome?