Reflections
The Hope that Remains

Constantine stopped his horse. He then came down from his mount and led him slowly to enter the gates of his kingdom.

Constantine took a long breath. The girl closed her eyes, recalling the moments after the battle in the past.

In the past, they always won and went home with pride. People cheered full of happiness. Haru's mood drowned. After that, they will party three days and three nights and all the people will be put away.

However, the present scene was clearly too contrasting with the scene of the time. This atmosphere .. is too quiet. Constantine could only hear the footsteps of the horses and the knights behind him.

Constantine could hear his own heartbeat—his chest rumbled behind the metal suit. The atmosphere, really made him feel depressed. Perceivedness.

Dingy. It's really too grim.

After entering the gate, many people were waiting. They were silent and dissolved in each other's minds. Constantine was afraid to notice it.

"Is this what you give to those who have fought for your people? Our nation?!" Ma Zhengyi's voice sounded. Obviously, he looks very upset. His army was indeed defeated, but he still did not fully accept that reality. "FUCKING EMPIRE! STUPID EMPEROR! FUCKING WAR! YOU GUYS PLAY CUNNING TO BEAT US! YOU COWARD! A COWARD! LOOK HOW WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR INDEPENDENCE BACK!" the laundrum.

"CLOSE YOUR MOUTH, BAJING^N!" One of the enemy knights on guard raised his voice and pointed his sword at Ma Zhengyi's neck, while Ma Zhengyi who was shocked by the sudden amcaman moved reflex to shift his body and then screeched.

On the other hand, other generals and knights could only bow their heads. They feel embarrassed because they have failed to make people feel disappointed.

"Mother, where's Dad? Shouldn't I go home with this group?"

The question was faintly heard. It was a boy with a head who asked. However, even though he said very slowly, Constantine could still hear him clearly.

"Be quiet! Don't ask me that here?" The mother replied in a voice that sounded trembling. Either because of anger or want to cry.

Constantine Yang looked at the two, then walked over. He knelt down before the little boy. The mother was already frightened, while the child looked confused. However, the look on people's faces turned to surprise when they saw the General stroking the boy's head.

"You're looking for your father?" konstantine asked with a very thin smile. His lips looked pale and dry. The little boy responded with a small nod.

"Dzhanshi. Isn't my father a captain under your command, Miss General?"

"really. Then, what's your name?"

"Yingxi. Father gave me that name!" answer with spirit.

Constantine patted the boy's shoulder gently. "What a good name. Your father was a warrior and he expected you to be a hero. You realize that hope, Xiong'er?" he asked, while Yingxiong answered him with a fiery nod.

"You want me to tell you a little bit about your father?"

"Sure! I am very, very, and very eager to hear firsthand the story about my father from this Miss General I admire!"

Hearing that, Constantine paused for a moment and turned his spotlight a glance towards Yingxiong's mother. The woman turned, and Constantine understood the reason. She is a mother who does not want to look weak in front of her child; who wants to look strong by not showing her tears and sadness from her wounded mind.

"Your father was a great captain. He fought with us on the battlefield; he defeated many enemies to fight for his people. He is a hero to us and certainly a role model to Xiong'er" said Constantine Yang. "Look .., maybe, this sounds painful. But, you have to know."

Constantine gulped his saliva and closed his eyes for a moment. He stared at the face full of innocence. "Your father, along with his comrades in arms, has been partially killed. They ... die as heroes. We'll remember him. If you loved him, you would have wasted his struggle, right, Xiong'er?"

Yingxiong blinked his eyes a few times, looking surprised. Everyone thought the boy would cry, but unexpectedly, he hugged General One tightly. "Thank you for telling me the greatness of my father, Miss General ...! It makes me love him more and more and I will admire you like my late father admired you. Father said, Miss General is a great leader. Someday, I want to be by Miss General's side to be a confidant" he said.

"Prove it!" Constantine smiled faintly and returned the child's embrace. Apparently, Yingxiong's mother also showed a grateful expression to her for helping explain to her son about her husband's death.

"GENERAL AN, TAKE ME WITH YOU! JIAN BI, DO YOU REMEMBER THAT NAME?!"

Hearing the sudden exclamation, everyone turned to the source of the voice and looked at the whereabouts of the long-haired teenage boy.