Nothing in this world exists without a purpose.
Whether driven by ambition, duty, love, or hatred, every person walks a path for a reason.
Yet despite the expansion of civilization, despite all our discoveries and achievements, one question continues to haunt humanity:
What is the purpose of our existence?
I have asked myself that question countless times.
And even now, I do not know the answer.
My name is Theodore Von Lee.
I am twenty-five years old.
Captain of the 3rd Squadron of the Salvalian Army.
A man entrusted with the future of a nation.
Yet I cannot even understand myself.
"Captain Lee."
The voice pulled me from my thoughts.
General Wolf stood before a large campaign map.
"We've received new orders from headquarters."
His finger tapped the northern coast of Borgia.
"Our supply chains and ammunition depots must be secured. You are to advance north immediately."
I straightened.
"Understood, General."
Wolf nodded.
For a moment, the stern expression on his face softened.
"And Theodore…"
"Sir?"
"Take care of yourself."
A rare smile crossed my face.
"I'll try."
The General chuckled.
"That's all I can ask."
The War of Luck had nearly reached its conclusion.
After years of bloodshed, Salvalia had finally secured its independence from Britain.
Nations across the world had begun recognizing our sovereignty.
Only one final battle remained.
March 5th, 1856.
The Siege of Borgia.
The battle that would determine the future of our nation.
As I studied the maps before me, my thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To a much smaller room.
To a much younger version of myself.
I never knew my father.
I never had brothers or sisters.
There was only my mother.
She raised me alone.
In a world that offered women few opportunities, she survived however she could.
And despite everything, she always came home smiling.
She was the only person I ever truly loved.
"Theodore."
I looked up from the floor.
My mother stood at the doorway.
"I'll be back soon."
"Really?"
She laughed softly.
"Of course."
I ran over.
"When?"
"Soon."
She knelt down and ruffled my hair.
"Take care of the house while I'm gone."
I puffed out my chest.
"Leave it to me."
She smiled.
Then she left.
I waited by the door.
Hours became days.
Days became weeks.
Every morning I hoped to hear her footsteps.
Every night I prayed she would return.
Eventually…
The person opening the door was no longer my mother.
It was me.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Until one day I stopped expecting her to come back.
"Captain?"
I blinked.
The memory faded.
Lieutenant Claire stood beside me.
"The men are awaiting orders."
I exhaled slowly.
"Bring in the reserve battalion."
Claire nodded.
"The five hundred soldiers?"
"Yes."
I looked toward the dark horizon.
"We march north of Borgia at dawn."
"The General's orders?"
"Exactly."
Without another word, Claire left to prepare the troops.
Tomorrow would change everything.
Tomorrow, the final campaign would begin.
And countless men would die.
Hours later, I found myself sitting alone in a quiet tavern.
A cigarette rested between my fingers.
I stared at it.
Unlit.
As always.
I never understood why I kept buying them.
Perhaps I simply liked having something to hold.
The next thing I knew, someone was shaking my shoulder.
"Captain Lee!"
I opened my eyes.
The room was dark.
"Captain, wake up!"
Claire stood over me with folded arms.
I glanced at the clock.
Half past two.
I had fallen asleep.
Again.
As I stood, pain shot through my shoulder.
"Ah."
Claire covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"You really shouldn't sleep in a tavern."
"Perhaps."
I stretched.
"When you go to sleep, there are only two possibilities."
Claire raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You either open your eyes tomorrow…"
I adjusted my cap.
"…or you don't."
Claire rolled her eyes.
"That's a cheerful way to start the morning."
I smiled faintly.
"I'm grateful I got another chance."
The two of us stepped outside.
The cold night air greeted us.
The streets were nearly empty.
A familiar voice called out.
"Theodore!"
I turned.
A large man waved from outside the tavern.
Admiral Lloyd.
One of the few men I genuinely respected.
"Admiral."
Lloyd approached with a grin.
"Been a while."
"The navy keeping you busy?"
He laughed.
"Busy? It's driving me insane."
"I can imagine."
Lloyd studied me for a moment.
"You look exhausted."
"I feel exhausted."
"Then why are you awake?"
"Couldn't sleep."
"You came to a tavern?"
"To clear my head."
"And?"
"I fell asleep."
Lloyd burst into laughter.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've been told that before."
The Admiral shook his head.
"One day someone's going to steal that pistol off your belt while you're sleeping."
"Then I'll have learned a valuable lesson."
"You really do enjoy tempting fate."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"Perhaps."
Lloyd ordered another drink.
I adjusted my coat.
"It's time for me to leave."
"Already?"
"We march in thirty minutes."
The Admiral's expression became serious.
For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he extended his hand.
"When this war is over, we'll celebrate properly."
I shook it firmly.
"Agreed."
"With drinks."
"No."
Lloyd groaned.
"You're impossible."
I laughed.
For the first time in days.
Then I mounted my horse.
Claire was already waiting.
The soldiers stood assembled beneath the moonlight.
I tightened the reins.
"Lieutenant."
Claire turned.
"Yes, Captain?"
"Prepare the men."
Theodore looked toward the northern horizon.
Toward Borgia.
Toward destiny.
"We march in thirty minutes."