Chapter 438: burial


    Northern Sparta, headquarters of the Spartan army.


    After days of preparation and nning, today was the burial day for all the heroic Spartan soldiers that died in the just concluded main invasion war.


    Due to the war, the headquarters of the Spartan army suffered a lot of damage but as time went it was already almost reconstructed.


    As it was standing at the same level with the Presidential Vi as the symbols of honor of the Spartan republic, it was a given that priority would be given to it after the recovery measures started.


    Almost all the soldiers of the Spartan army seemed to have been gathered in the enormous military cemetery built inside the city-like territory of the armys headquarters.


    Outside the walls of the cemetery were gathered arge group of soldiers, their numbers were so much that they seemed like locusts flocking the skies.


    As all of them were dressed in ck both men and women, they formed a uniform table formation of rows and columns that filled all the space outside the cemetery.


    Behind thisrge group of soldiers were vehicles, military vehicles that conveyed the soldiers here both those of the highest ranks and those of the lowest ranks in the army.


    The line of vehicles stretching across kilometers was enough to tell how important this burial was and how many soldiers came.


    At this moment, the original mood in the headquarters could no longer be seen, everywhere and everyone had a solemn mood.


    Some of the soldiers secretly felt sad, but they didnt show it outwardly. Spartan soldiers believed that dying in the line of duty was not something to be sad about, it was something to be proud of.


    Among this group of soldiers stood rk. He stood at the row that was designated for soldiers from Southern Sparta, and General Vincent stood at the very front with a solemn look on his face.


    Besides rk was his best friend Leo. Turning his head to the side, he saw Kate, his best friends wife sobbing softly a great distance away from their location.


    Leo tried to persuade her froming but she insisted. She was crying because of therge number of soldiers that died, but mostly because of the soldiers that she knew that died.


    As the wife of a soldier of Leos caliber, it was a given that she would know other soldiers of the same grade.


    And in this war, tons of such soldiers died.


    She knew that crying while pregnant was unhealthy, but she just couldnt help herself as she kept on crying.


    She thought that escaping from her country was the end. She got married to a good, charming, and caring man here in the Spartan republic, but still, war was now haunting her.


    Why is this world so cruel? Shemented in her mind.


    Unlike other military burial ceremonies that were organized in the past, all the 17 Spartan Generals who survived the war were present, including the 3 avable Commanders of the republic.


    Yes, President Leonidas came for the burial ceremony and was the host who would be in charge of the speech to address the soldiers this time.


    As soon as everyone was gathered, the burial procedures started. Amidst a deafening silence, the numerous brave Spartan soldiers who died in this war wereid to rest.


    Seeing this, rk was reminded of his friend Benny.


    His hands clenched and unclenched, he took deep breaths to control himself as his body subconsciously straightened in respect for these heroes.


    Bam! Bam!


    Amidst the gunshots for the dead heroes, all the soldiers present raised their hands above their heads and saluted solemnly.


    After all the procedures were followed and done, President Leonidas finally stepped up to the podium to address the soldiers.


    He held the sound amplifier in the podium and kept quiet for about a minute before he opened his mouth to speak.


    We are Spartan soldiers. He paused.


    It is our duty to protect our fellow citizens who are helpless in the face of war, it is our duty to serve our country to the best of our ability.


    Nobody wishes for death, but were not afraid of it either. Those that died in this war are a testament to our unity, our courage, and our unflinching determination in the face of overwhelming odds.


    The Mocans provoked us for onest time. For as long as I live, I promise that a situation like this will not happen under my leadership again.


    They tested us, but we stood to our faith. As the President of this country, I am proud of that. Im proud of the courage that we showed.


    For those that lost loved ones in this war He paused as his facial features visibly tightened. Im sorry.


    That is all I have to say to you today, Im sorry.


    All I want you to remember is that youre a Spartan. The President patted his left chest with his right hand for emphasis.


    May their souls rest in peace.


    Amidst solemn apuse from the soldiers, President Leonidas stepped down the podium and the burial ceremony came to an end.


    Still, in the Spartan army headquarters, rk sat with his best friend and his wife in a restaurant as they ate a custom-made dish from the chief chef.


    Youre leaving? Leo asked.


    You cant really phrase it that way, Im just going for a mission.


    But you know how dangerous the earths special locations are, you told us the dreadful stories of Everest yourself. Why decide to go to the Sahara Desert now?


    rk smiled at Kate. As soldiers, if we dont take risks, well never improve.


    And besides, this is not an impulsive decision. I decided to go because of something extremely important to me that I want to retrieve.


    Leo gave his best friend a deep look before he retracted his eyes. How much time will you spend there?


    I dont know, really. rk spread his hands. A month, 2 months, maybe even 3 months.


    What of your city? Kate pressed.


    I already have ns in ce for how it would be run for the next few months. And besides, mymissioners are the ones who are in charge, Ive barely ever interrupted in their decision making.


    Leo and his wife kept quiet for a long time, then he finally replied. Ok, Goodluck buddy. I hope to see you as a General the next time we meet.


    rkughed at that as he stood up to hug his friend. He blew a kiss at Kates bulging stomach, then he turned to leave the restaurant.


    Seeing his best friend leave, Leo remained standing with his wife as they both looked on with a lot ofplicated emotions appearing in their eyes.


    In the end, they simply hugged each other.