The Supreme War God Has Returned!

Chapter 004 – Zach’s Emotional Stir

*****

Still in the tent.

Zachariah watched the six men with his ever-unreadable face, though a faint tightening at his jaw betrayed the slightest stir of surprise.

He hadn't anticipated this reaction… not the instinctive loyalty or the fire in their eyes.

No, he hadn’t briefed his past with the six for pity, for validation, or because he expected them to leap to action.

He had done it because they deserved some explanation.

And yet, watching them, Zach couldn’t help but feel something unfamiliar prick at the edges of his consciousness.

For the first time in years, a flicker of emotion stirred in him, and before he even realized it, his lips twitched… not fully, but enough to soften the cold mask he wore.

Contrary to what most people assumed, Zach hadn’t come to the West End because he wanted to save the country.

He had never fought with his life on the line for glory, praise, medals, titles, or even the endless worship shoved in his face.

The only reason he had ever stepped onto this cursed battlefield years ago in the first place was that it was the final assignment given to him by his master, and yet…

His gaze remained blankly locked on the six loyal men for a long moment.

As for the six men, they waited with high anticipation, their breathing shallow, but then Zach released a small, restrained exhale, shaking his head once.

“This debt is mine alone to settle,” he responded at last, his voice calm and flat.

The moment the six men heard him, however, they stiffened in place, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Hope had bloomed in their chests earlier, all six believing that Zach would let them follow and share his burden.

But reality crashed down immediately, leaving them unable to react for a second until...

“Master, please…!” the four Gods of War called out.

“Supreme War God…!!” the President and the Patriarch also echoed; however, it was useless.

Zach had already made his decision, and once his mind was set, no force on earth could move it.

Without sparing them another glance, Zach turned around and walked to the table.

Then he calmly picked up the worn, battle-scarred military backpack resting on it, slinging it over his shoulder with practiced ease.

The bag looked heavy, but he handled it like it weighed nothing at all and then turned around, heading toward the tent entrance.

“You can disperse the armies here tomorrow." His voice came calmly from behind him. “Leave a small force stationed as a lookout in case any unexpected incident occurs. The rest should return to their family.”

He paused briefly, just long enough for his words to settle.

“I don't think those countries will launch another attack anytime soon after tonight's defeat.”

With that, he continued walking, leaving the six frozen in place for what felt like an eternity, none of them moving or blinking.

But then… almost simultaneously, their eyes burned red, and as if sharing the same thought, all six men turned around, rushed out of the tent, and:

Thud!!

They dropped to their knees behind Zach, the sound loud and perfectly synchronized.

“Thank you, Supreme War God, for your priceless contributions to the nation!” The six men shouted at the top of their lungs, their voices loud, sincere, and filled with reverence.

“Please go settle your matters in peace!” One of them continued, his fists pressed into the ground. “We will take over from where you stopped and ensure none of your great work is ever undone!”

Zach stopped in his tracks.