#00

What is war?

If such a question were asked, some would say that war is both a physical and non-physical struggle between two or more groups of people seeking dominance over a contested territory. Others would argue that war is something that should never exist in this world. 

Some may glorify war, but many despise it, wishing that it would never happen. 

The world was engulfed in its first global war. Around 67 major nations from six continents were drawn into the conflict. The once-beautiful world, full of diversity and bathed in sunlight, had now lost its splendor. 

There was no longer any diversity—only a single, unchanging reality: devastation. What was once an idyllic land was now drenched in the blood of the fallen, flowing like a river. Atomic bombs rained down like torrential storms, leaving the earth in ruin. 

Gunfire echoed relentlessly, bullets piercing the air. The cries of despair filled every corner of the world. Those who still clung to their faith—whether in God, gods, or some higher power—prayed without ceasing. 

Some prayed for the war to end and for peace to return. Others prayed for the enemy's destruction and their nation's victory. Countless prayers and pleas rose from millions of souls, yet no matter how fervently they prayed, the gods they worshipped did not answer. 

Day by day, the war grew fiercer, claiming more and more lives. Yet those who served their nations cared little for the mounting death toll. Even if they were cast into the deepest depths of hell, they would not surrender. Their souls and bodies had long been offered to their country. If demons truly existed, these men would have made pacts with them. But no demons came to their aid—only their own strength could bring about the peace they sought. 

But what kind of peace were they truly searching for? 

Achieving peace may be difficult, but it is not impossible. If every nation could set aside its pride and agree to either lose together or win together, then peace could be attained. 

Yet, unfortunately, humans are beings blessed with a multitude of emotions. Anger, love, sorrow, joy—these feelings are woven into the very essence of humanity. In some ways, this is a gift, allowing them to surpass all other creatures. But in other ways, it is a curse. For it is through these emotions that greed takes root—the insatiable desire to have everything. 

Perhaps it is that very greed that has kept this war from seeing even the faintest glimmer of resolution. 

--- 

In the midst of this ever-escalating war, a young man sat quietly on a chair. He looked no different from any other 24-year-old, yet there was a peculiar stillness in the way he observed the world map spread before him. 

The room he occupied was lavishly decorated, a chamber fit for nobility, but his gaze remained fixed solely on the map. Slowly, he picked up a pen and began marking it with precise strokes. 

These were no mere scribbles. They were the movements of his kingdom's forces, the strategic maneuvers that would dictate the war's next phase. 

Though he was not a king, his authority was absolute—he was the kingdom's highest-ranking general. Every soldier in the military was under his command. 

After carefully refining his battle plan, the young man allowed himself a faint smile. He believed he had devised a brilliant strategy. 

But in truth, that smile was empty. 

It was not the expression of a man filled with joy or triumph, nor was it born from any deep emotion. It was a hollow gesture, devoid of meaning. 

And yet, he did not resent it. For even if it was false, even if it meant nothing, smiling made him feel just a little more alive. 

With the plan now complete, he felt as though he could finally glimpse the end of the war. If everything proceeded as he envisioned, then world peace was no longer an unattainable dream—it was within reach. 

Or so he thought. 

A sudden knock at the door broke his train of thought. A young soldier entered the room, saluting before delivering his report. 

What the soldier said was something the general had never wished to hear. 

Three of the kingdom's largest cities had been annihilated by atomic bombs launched by the allied forces. 

In that instant, the young general realized that prolonging the war any further was meaningless. He had no way of knowing how many of his countrymen had perished in those three cities. 

Though he loathed the decision, he had no other choice. 

Turning to the soldier, he gave a single command: 

"Deliver this message to His Majesty—the Supreme General, Grim Hical, requests that the king raise the white flag."