章 688: Kaboom!

Above them, the moon hung full and luminous, a silent observer of the earth's weary combatants. Its pale light bathed the landscape in a ghostly glow, reflecting the weight of Julian's long service and hinting at the peace he longed for. The tranquillity of the moonlight seemed to soothe the rugged features of the old general's face, offering a momentary escape from the relentless march of war.

The night was heavy with the weight of passing years as Emperor Antonius and General Julian stood beneath a starless sky, their once youthful force dimmed by the inexorable march of time. "We have all gotten old," the emperor sighed, his voice a sad echo in the still air. "I remember, just twenty-five years ago when we first met—full of energy and ambition. Julian, you have been pivotal in our shared victories."