True Alpha's Chosen Mate-Chapter 286: Final Act I: The new dawn IV

"The wolves... I will live in seclusion."

Silence...

Some of them looked at each other with confusion, while others, like Bowie, seemed to have understood why the emperor proposed this idea as he nodded.

"This great country had persisted and made its name known across the world. However, what happened last night was an eye-opening experience. If not for the lamb, it will be known as the night of a massacre. The reason some of us, including myself, stand right before everyone is solely is because I received the lamb’s mercy and it is something I am forever grateful for." Deimos expressed solemnly, settling his eyes on Bowie, who was someone who had lived in seclusion with his tribe. "Wealth, fame, power... those were the things that made the wolves great... or what I had always believed."

"However, because of those things, we had slowly forgotten the real nature of our kind and what truly mattered. The werewolves were part of nature. This world that the lamb protected before the wolf and the child of evil arrived... we had to protect it," he continued, while his tone grew firmer. "We received mercy and taking it for granted by what this world could offer, and how many lands we could conquer is the exact opposite of repayment.

This world used to be a world for humans and the Tarsa were the lamb’s people to be nature’s guardians. In other words, we do not have the right to take more than what we had already taken from them. Humans are pitiful creatures, unlike the wolves, who were granted strength a normal human couldn’t surpass. Our strength and capability to tear one’s limb aren’t what makes us strong."

Deimos paused as he cast everyone a look. They were all listening in silence as their eyes never left his figure.

"Humans had brief lives and they tend to forget about the life on the surface they walked on. As for werewolves who were loved by nature, I, Deimos Tempest, swear an oath to protect them from destruction. Even if I had to step down, I would do so to fulfill my duty not as the emperor, but as a mere protector of nature that breathed life into this world." He pressed his lips into a thin line and forced a smile, gazing up at the sky only to see the sun already shining so beautifully, announcing a new day for every living being in this world.

"Until the day they returned, I needed to be certain this world they cherished will not become a wasteland."

Deimos huffed as he felt like a weight off of his shoulder was lifted and sported a smile to everyone. "This is a selfish decision for an incompetent emperor such as myself, but I will step down to fulfill this one. Those who want to join me on this journey are welcomed, but for those who wanted to continue the greatness in Ronmin, my heart will always be with you."

There was a long silence that came right after Deimos’ announcement. They studied the emperor’s eyes, and they instantly could tell he had already decided and no man could change his mind.

The emperor was stepping down, leaving the new dynasty to whoever would take the role of leading the werewolves to a new height.

"The Tarsa had always lived and protected nature in the lamb’s stead. Be it then or now, we, the Tarsa tribe, would always protect nature until she would walk on to this world once again." Bowie spoke after a long time, breaking the silence in the air. "Your Majesty, if you do not mind, the Tarsa will happily assist you on this journey."

Deimos’s lips stretched as he had predicted this response from Bowie. However, just as his lips parted, Daniel spoke.

"How can Ronmin continue its greatness when no one sits on the throne?" he arched a brow and cocked his head to the side, blinking his eyes innocently, hands on his hips. "Our people had loved and admired the emperor so much they would die for him if he asked for it. I agree that Your Majesty’s decision is selfish, but not because you changed your perspective in life and what mattered, but because you want to abandon us."

"Although we had always chased after greatness and recognition, this change might shock everyone in the empire. However, I don’t think there’s a single person who will volunteer to lead a nation that had no citizen in it." Ivo also voiced his opinion, rubbing his chin.

The twins, Kieran and Cyran, who were also with Ivo, nodded and spoke in unison. "The emperor is not just the strongest werewolf, but the father of all werewolves. Wherever you go, the wolves will follow. After all, the werewolves were simple creatures. We simply want a place where we can freely run to our heart’s content!"

"Not to mention, the matters in the outside world are too chaotic. Living with nature had always been the peaceful way," someone also added.

"Isn’t Ronmin surrounded by a vast forest?" Tito stressed. "The only reason Ronmin is known to everyone is that we cut down a few trees and left an impression on others. The world will not stop revolving if the werewolves cut off ourselves from these worldly matters."

"The vampires could wreak havoc, but so long as they do not destroy the world, I don’t think humans wouldn’t persevere. That race, although weak in nature, always finds a way to survive."

Deimos looked at everyone as they all spoke their thoughts about it, one after another. His lips curled up into a subtle smile as his heart warmed up while listening to their opinions.

"It won’t be easy, and it will take some time for everyone to get used to this, but I’m certain all will slowly take place." After Daniel’s remarks, everyone turned their attention back to Deimos, smiling kindly at him. "What do you think, Father? Will you lead us once again, but this time, not towards the standard of greatness the society had set, but towards the path of preserving nature?"

For a moment, Deimos remained silent as he studied everyone’s faces. These people... were surely stubborn. All the werewolves are. This might be a big step that would stray them from the usual path they had always thought they should take. But deep in his heart, he believed werewolves weren’t just savages who only knew how to destroy.

"Then... let’s see if everyone thinks the same as we do." When he smiled back, everyone’s lips stretched from ear to ear until their teeth were showing.

The night where there seemed to be no end, the new dawn granted everyone to start over.

That day, Deimos, although exhausted, gathered everyone in the plaza to announce that he would step down and explained the reason. Obviously, unlike those who were with Deimos and stood with the emperor, not everyone immediately decided. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Those who had supported the emperor sincerely didn’t hesitate, but there were still those who had second thoughts. It was a lot to handle in a single day; their lives would change forever, and many things were needed to be reconsidered.

But in the end, the majority of the citizen of Ronmin gathered in the plaza days later for a petition to be ruled by Deimos once again; even if it means living amongst themselves and letting go of the standard of living to protect nature as their own instead.