Victory had finally been secured.
It had not been an easy victory.
Nor had it been a difficult one.
It was simply the inevitable result of countless sacrifices.
The Republic of Aaru had reclaimed every territory once occupied by Britannia.
The war was over.
At least, that was what everyone believed.
Theodore sat quietly in the medical tent as a field surgeon finished bandaging his shoulder.
Outside, cheers echoed throughout the camp.
Soldiers celebrated.
Flags waved proudly in the wind.
For the first time in years, Aaru was free.
"We've finally reclaimed our homeland."
Claire stood nearby, smiling faintly.
"This is wonderful news for our people."
Theodore said nothing.
Claire folded her arms.
"Though you're not going anywhere until that shoulder heals."
Theodore glanced at the fresh bandages.
"I've survived worse."
"That's not the point."
Claire sighed.
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then her expression changed.
"You don't seem happy."
Theodore looked toward the tent entrance.
"I'm happy."
"Then why do you look like that?"
He paused.
"As if something is missing."
Claire's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Theodore simply ignored the question.
Instead, he began buttoning his sleeves and putting on his coat.
"Has Major John been eliminated?"
Claire hesitated.
Theodore immediately noticed.
"Claire."
She looked away.
"He escaped."
Theodore froze.
"Explain."
"He lost an arm."
Claire swallowed nervously.
"He suffered multiple gunshot wounds."
"Jack's men pursued him, but…"
"But?"
"They couldn't catch him."
For several seconds, Theodore remained silent.
Then his jaw tightened.
"Idiots."
Claire flinched.
"We had one objective."
Theodore's voice was calm.
Far too calm.
"And they failed."
He clenched his fist.
"We could have presented his head before the capital."
His gaze darkened.
"This happened because I became too lenient."
Without another word, Theodore rose from his chair.
Outside, the celebrations had already begun.
The flag of Aaru now flew proudly above Borgia.
The soldiers cheered as if the world itself belonged to them.
Perhaps it did.
"Tonight we drink!"
Jack shouted from atop a table.
The soldiers erupted into laughter.
"A toast to victory!"
The hall exploded with cheers.
"LONG LIVE AARU!"
"LONG LIVE CAPTAIN LEE!"
Theodore stepped inside.
The moment he entered, the room became louder.
Men raised their cups.
Others saluted.
Some simply stared at him in admiration.
Jack stumbled toward him.
His face was red.
"You made it!"
Theodore raised an eyebrow.
"You're drunk."
"I am not drunk."
"You can barely stand."
Jack pointed dramatically.
"That is slander."
Theodore sighed.
His eyes drifted around the room.
Looking for someone.
Claire.
"Looking for her?"
Jack leaned against a pillar.
"She's outside."
Theodore turned.
"Alone."
Jack nodded.
"She doesn't seem particularly interested in celebrating."
Theodore left without another word.
Outside, the celebration faded into the distance.
Claire sat alone beneath the night sky.
Her untouched drink rested beside her.
Theodore sat down beside her.
Neither spoke for a while.
Then Claire finally broke the silence.
"Those children…"
Theodore remained still.
"Those mothers."
Her voice trembled.
"Those families."
Theodore stared ahead.
Claire's fists clenched.
"They were running."
Tears formed in her eyes.
"They were terrified."
Theodore said nothing.
"They believed we would save them."
Her voice cracked.
"And you killed them."
Silence.
The wind blew softly across the ruined city.
"You killed them."
Theodore lowered his eyes.
"It was necessary."
Claire turned toward him in disbelief.
"Necessary?"
"If they remained behind, they would have become human shields."
His expression remained cold.
"The war would have lasted longer."
Claire stared at him.
Horrified.
"They were innocent."
"Innocence has never stopped people from dying."
"Stop."
"The outcome remains the same."
"Stop it."
"Every existence in this world serves a purpose."
Claire rose to her feet.
"And what purpose was that?"
Theodore finally looked at her.
"I was merely the executioner."
Claire's hand struck him across the face.
The sound echoed through the night.
Then another.
And another.
Her fists hammered against his chest.
"You bastard."
A punch.
"You heartless bastard."
Another.
"You monster."
Tears streamed down her face.
Theodore never moved.
Never resisted.
Never defended himself.
He simply stood there.
Accepting every strike.
Finally, Claire collapsed to her knees.
Sobbing.
Theodore gently caught her final punch
before it landed.
His voice was quiet.
"Let's celebrate, Claire."
Claire stared at him in disbelief.
"The Republic of Aaru has been born."
"The cost was too high."
Theodore looked toward the distant lights of the camp.
"Tomorrow…"
His eyes drifted toward the ruins of Borgia.
"Who will remember them?"
Claire could not answer.
Theodore released her hand and walked
away.
The celebration hall erupted as he entered.
Thousands of soldiers immediately stood.
The cheers shook the walls.
"CAPTAIN LEE!"
"CAPTAIN LEE!"
"CAPTAIN LEE!"
Theodore stepped onto the platform.
The room gradually fell silent.
He looked upon the men who had fought beside him.
The survivors.
The victors.
The broken.
"Today…"
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"…we celebrate."
The soldiers listened.
"The brave men who fought and died for this nation will never be forgotten."
Cheers erupted.
Theodore raised his hand.
"And tomorrow…"
The hall fell silent once more.
"We march to the capital."
The soldiers erupted.
"THEN WE SHALL HAVE OUR TRUE CELEBRATION!"
The room exploded.
"LONG LIVE AARU!"
"LONG LIVE CAPTAIN LEE!"
"LONG LIVE AARU!"
As the chants echoed around him, Theodore forced a smile.
The nation had gained its freedom.
The people had gained their independence.
The soldiers had gained their victory.
Yet somewhere deep within his heart…
The noise remained.