After crossing the latter half of the forest, now burned beyond recognition, the Baha Balm army entered Stanki's territory.

It was late spring. Grain seeds had already been sown in the fields.

I gazed at the neatly plowed fields lining the road. The crisp air carried the scent of fresh earth. I was stunned.

I’d never visited Stanki personally before.

Stanki was a decent southern territory. Though not as rich as Leahdon, it was fertile. Flood damage here was lighter than elsewhere. Its grain output ranked high in the south.

Hearing about it was one thing. Seeing it firsthand still shocked me.

Compared to Leahdon, which I’d seen, Stanki matched it perfectly.

Villages were denser than in Baha Balm.

No decay showed in them. They thrived with life.

Farmers swung their hoes diligently in the fields.

Hope shone in their eyes... not despair.

Their governance far surpassed mine. This prosperity wasn’t just from natural advantages.

Many territories, no worse than Stanki, now suffered with starving people.

I didn’t know this wasn’t the lord’s doing.

So I felt deeply conflicted. I’d soon fight a wise ruler.

Against a worthless noble? I’d hesitate not. Crushing them would be justice.

But a lord who brought prosperity... was attacking him right?

“Hurry up, don’t look.”

“Mom, who are they?”

“They’re bad people. Let’s go.”

The woman feared angering our army. She dreaded capture.

Imagining what capture meant, cold sweat soaked her coarse linen dress.

A mother and child hurried past the Baha Balm troops. Fear in her eyes pierced my heart.

They were no different from our own folk. Just as simple.

Yet such people feared us.

I saw her body trembling slightly. Her hand gripped her child’s tightly.

Bad people?

Come to think of it.

No war is truly just.

Whether revolution against an empire, suppressing rebels, or my own actions.

The goal always boils down to one thing.

Profit.

No one starts a war without gain.

Wars are waged for the benefits behind them.

Few launch wars just because “Gentlemen, I love war.”

I, starting this war now, have no justice.

To these people, I am the villain. The antagonist.

Like when we faced Leahdon. We fought bravely to repel invaders.

Now we stand where Leahdon once stood.

How will I feel watching Stanki’s warriors die heroically for their land?

As the villain in their ballad of bravery...

Where is our justice?

Watching that mother and child fade away, I felt lost.

Civilians along the road stared at us with fear. It crushed every soldier’s morale.

“No looting. No burning. No harming civilians.”

I commanded it.

Wars always bring plunder and cruelty. Commanders usually allow it.

It’s an outlet. Soldiers live under constant pressure. Letting them vent makes them easier to control later.

But... I couldn’t tolerate it.

I’m soft-hearted.

Perhaps sparing the people is the only thing I can do.

The only act that feels just.