She was a knight who had committed the gravest of acts.
Emotions were an elusive concept to her, and the experience of beauty remained foreign. Her decision to pursue kingship wasn't solely predetermined; it was born out of a desire to protect everything she had experienced.
She didn't know what beauty was.
She didn't know what emotions were.
Becoming a king, wanting to protect people, was not driven by any feelings of guardianship within her heart but merely because it seemed like a noble act.
That was all.
However, someone shattered the carefully laid plans and challenged her worldview.
The person defied Merlin's vision of an ideal king, effortlessly dismantling the kingdom's strategies and laying bare the true essence of kingship.
What's more, even Caliburn, the legendary sword, recognized this individual's worthiness to wear the crown.
Confronted with these undeniable truths, she made the decision to pledge her unwavering loyalty to this king.
From the estate to the arduous journey, from the trials in Caerleon to the chaotic wars of succession, from the harrowing battles against mystical creatures to the relentless development of Cornwall, and even in the epic slaying of Vortigern... she was involved in everything.
She always listened to the king's words without any hesitation.
Being loyal to the king, obeying the king's commands, and carrying out the king's deeds—this was not just the way of a knight but also her inner voice.
She always believed it was solely due to loyalty, until her dear friend Arcueid used her Mystic Eyes, breaching the barriers of her heart and engulfing her in an overwhelming surge of emotions.
In that moment, she came to a profound realization. It wasn't solely her unyielding knightly spirit that fueled her actions; a deep admiration for the king had taken root within her heart.
Indeed, it had been a considerable amount of time since she had begun harboring such admiration for the king.
Only the king remained oblivious to this sentiment, and she herself had been unaware of it until now.
And now, thanks to her good friend's Mystic Eyes, in a mere instant, all her hidden emotions were laid bare.
In the depths of her being, she had never before experienced such a surge of intense emotions. In a moment of confusion, these overwhelming feelings engulfed her mind, leading her to commit the gravest of acts—betraying not only her role as a knight but also her identity as a woman.
She betrayed the king.
She betrayed the king who had placed unwavering trust in her.
The king's will was strong, and there were no outbursts while awake. It was only during deep slumber that the true outbursts began.
Her mind was clouded, and her consciousness became murky. The king pinned her down and ravaged her relentlessly for two days and two nights, until she finally passed out.
With a pale face, she quickly tidied up the aftermath and then hurried to Tintagel under the cover of night.
She had always held great admiration for the king, but it was this specific incident that caused her immense pain.
It was the most shameful and treacherous act she had ever committed as a knight – betraying the king.
Later, Agravain, Gawain, Merlin, and even her elder brother Kay became aware of this matter.
Gawain had initially intended to inform the king, but Agravain managed to convince him otherwise, and ultimately, they made the decision to keep it concealed.
Due to the king's imminent departure, and the pressing need for an heir of royal blood within the kingdom, Agravain advocated for secrecy, speaking from the perspective of the kingdom's best interests.
However, no one could sway Merlin's resolve, and he couldn't be compelled to act against his will.
In the end, it was only when she personally pleaded with him that Merlin chose to maintain his silence.
From the very beginning, Merlin was indeed in league with them.
Whether it was the initial act of having Merlin present the child or the subsequent revelation of the child's identity as someone else's, it was a meticulously crafted plan devised by Agravain and Merlin, with the explicit aim of targeting the king and eradicating the correct answer from his thoughts.
And, unfortunately, the king did indeed fall into their trap.
Perhaps the king never even considered that the few knights and the magus he trusted the most would join forces to set a trap for him.
But without a doubt, whether it was her, or them, or even Merlin, they all committed the most despicable and revolting act.
By exploiting the king's trust, they betrayed him.
She admired the king, but she never thought of using that admiration to bind him. Rather than keeping the king firmly in her grasp, she preferred to let him go.
What truly mattered to her was the king's safety. That was her definition of beauty.
Her sister was filled with possessiveness. If she desired something, she would grasp it tightly, holding it in her hands. But Artoria chose to let go.
"If you are well, then it's a sunny day."
Their final embrace symbolized the end of their journey together.
That was all.
And for that new life, she gave everything she had to offer.
She poured all her love into loving her.
That was all she could do, to live peacefully together with that child.
However, deep down, she knew it was merely wishful thinking.
As the mightiest knight of the kingdom, and with the king and Scathach gone, she stood as the sole contender who could rival Attila.
Furthermore, Agravain assisted her because he wanted to support the child who would inherit the king's bloodline and eventually ascend to the throne.
From the moment of birth, this child bore an uncanny resemblance to her and was fated to become a ruler.
However, just as the king had entrusted her with the choice of her path, she made the decision to relinquish the power of choice to this child.
Whether the child would follow the path of a king or pursue a different destiny in the future would be entirely in her hands.
Furthermore, Agravain would remain steadfastly by her sister's side as long as she excelled as the king, prioritizing the stability of the kingdom above all else.
Undoubtedly, that man always approached matters from the perspective of the kingdom's well-being.
It was precisely because of this perspective that he chose to betray the king.
However, circumstances took an unexpected turn.
Her sister, Morgana Le Fay, vanished without a trace.
She had been missing for an entire year!
For a year, the kingdom had been without a king!
The people of the kingdom grew increasingly apprehensive, while the lords began displaying erratic behavior, and certain scheming nobles entertained nefarious thoughts. Beyond the kingdom's borders, the nations that once paid tribute to the dynasty revealed their own sinister intentions.
Most notably, Attila recognized an opportunity to strike and dismantle the kingdom.
The realm was constantly plagued by disturbances, throwing it into disarray.
Even the Knights of the Round Table succumbed to chaos, each asserting their own interpretation of the king's recorded wisdom and championing their individual ideals. In order to restore order, Guinevere, who resembled the king, stepped in to mediate and gather all the records of the king's wisdom.
The prospect of the kingdom's collapse instilled terror in the hearts of the people, who dreaded a return to the chaotic era of warlords. The need for a king was dire and urgent.
However, the child who inherit the king's bloodline was no older than five years, far too young to shoulder such a weighty responsibility.
Hence, with the careful coordination of Guinevere and Merlin, the ceremony of the Sword in the Stone was once again set into motion.
Merlin recounted the hardships the king had endured after drawing the Sword in the Stone, prompting the knights to step forward and attempt to draw the sword as well. However, everyone was gripped by fear.
The weight of the burden that the king had once shouldered was too heavy, and the hardships he faced were too terrifying.
Even Gawain, renowned for his unwavering bravery, found himself lacking the courage to attempt to pull out the sword.
Ultimately, the people summoned her, invoking the name of the King of Knights, and she made the decision to embark on a journey to Camelot.
However, prior to attempting to draw the Sword in the Stone, Merlin unveiled an immense secret to her.
This revelation filled her with unimaginable dread.
They conspired to betray the king, but in turn, the king betrayed the people of this generation.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the king secretly sought to bring an end to the Age of Gods by quietly exterminating this generation.
"In that case, do you still want to wield that sword? Should you choose to do so, you shall bear the weight of this sin. And if your actions are discovered, your fate will be far from pleasant," warned Merlin.
She lapsed into silence.
"Take as much time as you need to consider," Merlin offered.
Yet, the collective voices of everyone called out to her, their hopes and expectations resting upon her.
In the end, under the watchful gaze of everyone, she bravely grasped the sword that belonged solely to King Arthur.
Ultimately, she was the one who pulled it out.
Fate had come full circle, yet the result returned to its origin.
However, there was a significant difference.
She was no longer the person who didn't understand the hearts of others.
She had genuinely embraced the path of the king, embodying the ideals of that remarkable ruler.
Unbeknownst to her, she had grown and matured while relentlessly pursuing the king's footsteps.
This time, her decision to become a king was not driven by mere superficiality, nor was it a noble facade.
It stemmed from the profound understanding that this kingdom had been painstakingly constructed, brick by brick, by the very king whom she admired.
How could she allow this kingdom to crumble?
Wouldn't all of his tireless efforts be in vain?
Regardless of the cost, she vowed to preserve this kingdom, even if it meant sacrificing her own life!
Because this was the dynasty that the man had painstakingly lifted out of the abyss.
Because she had promised the king to protect this kingdom with all her might. If this kingdom were to fall, even in death, she wouldn't have the face to meet that king.
She rose to power as King Arthur, taking on the name and responsibilities.
However, there was apprehension among the people about having a woman as their King.
They feared that this newly appointed king would disappear just like Morgan did, for no apparent reason.
As a last resort, she had to publicly present herself as a man who coincidentally resembled a woman.
And so, the kingdom found stability.
People returned to their lives, filled with peace and satisfaction.
However, the true and most formidable enemy finally made her presence known.
Attila, along with her powerful Hunnic Empire, arrived on the scene.
At this point, Attila's influence had reached its peak.
Stretching from the east, all the way from the Caspian Sea, to the west, encompassing the Western Roman Empire, and from the south, beginning at the Danube River, to the north, extending up to the Baltic Sea.
Numerous kingdoms and powers succumbed to her rule.
Even the Eastern Roman Empire opted to surrender.
The Western Roman Empire was utterly destroyed and ravaged by Attila.
In the west, the only remaining enemy of Attila was the Kingdom of Camelot.
Compelled by circumstances, Artoria had no choice but to entrust the child to Guinevere. With Excalibur, the sword that symbolized her promised victory, and the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad in hand, she ventured forth to confront Attila in the Battle of Gaul.
Indeed, it was the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad.
However, she couldn't unleash the true power of the Holy Lance. So Merlin used a spell to bind the Tower of Light, modifying it into a form that she could wield.
She engaged in a fierce battle against Attila.
From the might of their respective nations to strategic warfare.
The conflict escalated from localized skirmishes to all-out warfare.
A worthy opponent finally crossed paths with her.
For a grueling period of five years, they clashed, experiencing victories and setbacks on both fronts.
Retreating was not an option for her, as she stood as the sole individual within the entire kingdom capable of facing Attila head-on.
Retreating would have dire consequences, as Attila would seize full control of their territories.
With Gaul and the Visigoths under Attila's command, she would ascend as the Emperor of the entire European continent, effectively surrounding Britain and Ireland. The kingdom would face inevitable doom.
Attila's dominion was simply too vast, and as time went on, the kingdom found itself increasingly strained, struggling to hold its ground.
Hence, she devised a cunning plan.
During the conflict between the kingdom and the Hunnic Empire, Emperor Marcian of the Eastern Roman Empire refused to pay tribute to Attila's empire for three years.
This bold move led Attila to redirect her forces towards an attack on the city of Constantinople, compelling the Emperor to once again demand submission and tribute, including numerous maidens.
Among these maidens was a remarkable Germanic beauty, who was presented to Attila as a gesture of apology from Emperor Marcian.
Unbeknownst to everyone, it was Artoria herself disguised as the maiden.
Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere within the palace, she swiftly assassinated Attila. However, not without sustaining a grave injury as Attila fiercely fought back, piercing her lungs.
Despite the severe wound, she miraculously survived and managed to return to her troops.
Following Attila's demise, her appointed successors engaged in a power struggle for the imperial succession, leading to the fragmentation of the Hunnic Empire.
Meanwhile, Artoria took the initiative and forged an alliance against the Huns. In the decisive Battle of Nicaea, she emerged victorious, eliminating the Hunnic successor and dealing a severe blow to the empire. This significant defeat marked the beginning of the complete collapse of the Hunnic Empire, which eventually faded from European history.
After seven arduous years, she finally achieved victory over her greatest lifelong enemy—Attila.
However, the dynasty bore the heavy toll of the prolonged conflict.
Nonetheless, that no longer mattered; the war had concluded, allowing them to shift their attention towards recuperation and the rebuilding of the kingdom.
Thus, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Despite her resilient dragon factor, she was utterly drained and covered with wounds from the battle, requiring much-needed rest.
Most importantly, she could finally go back and reunite with the child she had entrusted to Guinevere's care, a moment she eagerly anticipated.
Emperor Marcian of the Eastern Roman Empire pledged his allegiance to the kingdom. As a gesture of goodwill, he presented her with a newborn lion cub.
She graciously accepted the gift, tenderly cradling the small lion cub, imagining how the child would adore this lovely cub.
Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't help but constantly think about the child and long for her presence. Balancing her roles as both a ruler and a mother, she prioritized the child's well-being. Without allowing herself much time to recover and recuperate, she returned to the kingdom, bearing the physical and emotional scars of the long and grueling war.
She was a knight who had committed the gravest of acts.
Emotions were an elusive concept to her, and the experience of beauty remained foreign. Her decision to pursue kingship wasn't solely predetermined; it was born out of a desire to protect everything she had experienced.
She didn't know what beauty was.
She didn't know what emotions were.
Becoming a king, wanting to protect people, was not driven by any feelings of guardianship within her heart but merely because it seemed like a noble act.
That was all.
However, someone shattered the carefully laid plans and challenged her worldview.
The person defied Merlin's vision of an ideal king, effortlessly dismantling the kingdom's strategies and laying bare the true essence of kingship.
What's more, even Caliburn, the legendary sword, recognized this individual's worthiness to wear the crown.
Confronted with these undeniable truths, she made the decision to pledge her unwavering loyalty to this king.
From the estate to the arduous journey, from the trials in Caerleon to the chaotic wars of succession, from the harrowing battles against mystical creatures to the relentless development of Cornwall, and even in the epic slaying of Vortigern... she was involved in everything.
She always listened to the king's words without any hesitation.
Being loyal to the king, obeying the king's commands, and carrying out the king's deeds—this was not just the way of a knight but also her inner voice.
She always believed it was solely due to loyalty, until her dear friend Arcueid used her Mystic Eyes, breaching the barriers of her heart and engulfing her in an overwhelming surge of emotions.
In that moment, she came to a profound realization. It wasn't solely her unyielding knightly spirit that fueled her actions; a deep admiration for the king had taken root within her heart.
Indeed, it had been a considerable amount of time since she had begun harboring such admiration for the king.
Only the king remained oblivious to this sentiment, and she herself had been unaware of it until now.
And now, thanks to her good friend's Mystic Eyes, in a mere instant, all her hidden emotions were laid bare.
In the depths of her being, she had never before experienced such a surge of intense emotions. In a moment of confusion, these overwhelming feelings engulfed her mind, leading her to commit the gravest of acts—betraying not only her role as a knight but also her identity as a woman.
She betrayed the king.
She betrayed the king who had placed unwavering trust in her.
The king's will was strong, and there were no outbursts while awake. It was only during deep slumber that the true outbursts began.
Her mind was clouded, and her consciousness became murky. The king pinned her down and ravaged her relentlessly for two days and two nights, until she finally passed out.
With a pale face, she quickly tidied up the aftermath and then hurried to Tintagel under the cover of night.
She had always held great admiration for the king, but it was this specific incident that caused her immense pain.
It was the most shameful and treacherous act she had ever committed as a knight – betraying the king.
Later, Agravain, Gawain, Merlin, and even her elder brother Kay became aware of this matter.
Gawain had initially intended to inform the king, but Agravain managed to convince him otherwise, and ultimately, they made the decision to keep it concealed.
Due to the king's imminent departure, and the pressing need for an heir of royal blood within the kingdom, Agravain advocated for secrecy, speaking from the perspective of the kingdom's best interests.
However, no one could sway Merlin's resolve, and he couldn't be compelled to act against his will.
In the end, it was only when she personally pleaded with him that Merlin chose to maintain his silence.
From the very beginning, Merlin was indeed in league with them.
Whether it was the initial act of having Merlin present the child or the subsequent revelation of the child's identity as someone else's, it was a meticulously crafted plan devised by Agravain and Merlin, with the explicit aim of targeting the king and eradicating the correct answer from his thoughts.
And, unfortunately, the king did indeed fall into their trap.
Perhaps the king never even considered that the few knights and the magus he trusted the most would join forces to set a trap for him.
But without a doubt, whether it was her, or them, or even Merlin, they all committed the most despicable and revolting act.
By exploiting the king's trust, they betrayed him.
She admired the king, but she never thought of using that admiration to bind him. Rather than keeping the king firmly in her grasp, she preferred to let him go.
What truly mattered to her was the king's safety. That was her definition of beauty.
Her sister was filled with possessiveness. If she desired something, she would grasp it tightly, holding it in her hands. But Artoria chose to let go.
"If you are well, then it's a sunny day."
Their final embrace symbolized the end of their journey together.
That was all.
And for that new life, she gave everything she had to offer.
She poured all her love into loving her.
That was all she could do, to live peacefully together with that child.
However, deep down, she knew it was merely wishful thinking.
As the mightiest knight of the kingdom, and with the king and Scathach gone, she stood as the sole contender who could rival Attila.
Furthermore, Agravain assisted her because he wanted to support the child who would inherit the king's bloodline and eventually ascend to the throne.
From the moment of birth, this child bore an uncanny resemblance to her and was fated to become a ruler.
However, just as the king had entrusted her with the choice of her path, she made the decision to relinquish the power of choice to this child.
Whether the child would follow the path of a king or pursue a different destiny in the future would be entirely in her hands.
Furthermore, Agravain would remain steadfastly by her sister's side as long as she excelled as the king, prioritizing the stability of the kingdom above all else.
Undoubtedly, that man always approached matters from the perspective of the kingdom's well-being.
It was precisely because of this perspective that he chose to betray the king.
However, circumstances took an unexpected turn.
Her sister, Morgana Le Fay, vanished without a trace.
She had been missing for an entire year!
For a year, the kingdom had been without a king!
The people of the kingdom grew increasingly apprehensive, while the lords began displaying erratic behavior, and certain scheming nobles entertained nefarious thoughts. Beyond the kingdom's borders, the nations that once paid tribute to the dynasty revealed their own sinister intentions.
Most notably, Attila recognized an opportunity to strike and dismantle the kingdom.
The realm was constantly plagued by disturbances, throwing it into disarray.
Even the Knights of the Round Table succumbed to chaos, each asserting their own interpretation of the king's recorded wisdom and championing their individual ideals. In order to restore order, Guinevere, who resembled the king, stepped in to mediate and gather all the records of the king's wisdom.
The prospect of the kingdom's collapse instilled terror in the hearts of the people, who dreaded a return to the chaotic era of warlords. The need for a king was dire and urgent.
However, the child who inherit the king's bloodline was no older than five years, far too young to shoulder such a weighty responsibility.
Hence, with the careful coordination of Guinevere and Merlin, the ceremony of the Sword in the Stone was once again set into motion.
Merlin recounted the hardships the king had endured after drawing the Sword in the Stone, prompting the knights to step forward and attempt to draw the sword as well. However, everyone was gripped by fear.
The weight of the burden that the king had once shouldered was too heavy, and the hardships he faced were too terrifying.
Even Gawain, renowned for his unwavering bravery, found himself lacking the courage to attempt to pull out the sword.
Ultimately, the people summoned her, invoking the name of the King of Knights, and she made the decision to embark on a journey to Camelot.
However, prior to attempting to draw the Sword in the Stone, Merlin unveiled an immense secret to her.
This revelation filled her with unimaginable dread.
They conspired to betray the king, but in turn, the king betrayed the people of this generation.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the king secretly sought to bring an end to the Age of Gods by quietly exterminating this generation.
"In that case, do you still want to wield that sword? Should you choose to do so, you shall bear the weight of this sin. And if your actions are discovered, your fate will be far from pleasant," warned Merlin.
She lapsed into silence.
"Take as much time as you need to consider," Merlin offered.
Yet, the collective voices of everyone called out to her, their hopes and expectations resting upon her.
In the end, under the watchful gaze of everyone, she bravely grasped the sword that belonged solely to King Arthur.
Ultimately, she was the one who pulled it out.
Fate had come full circle, yet the result returned to its origin.
However, there was a significant difference.
She was no longer the person who didn't understand the hearts of others.
She had genuinely embraced the path of the king, embodying the ideals of that remarkable ruler.
Unbeknownst to her, she had grown and matured while relentlessly pursuing the king's footsteps.
This time, her decision to become a king was not driven by mere superficiality, nor was it a noble facade.
It stemmed from the profound understanding that this kingdom had been painstakingly constructed, brick by brick, by the very king whom she admired.
How could she allow this kingdom to crumble?
Wouldn't all of his tireless efforts be in vain?
Regardless of the cost, she vowed to preserve this kingdom, even if it meant sacrificing her own life!
Because this was the dynasty that the man had painstakingly lifted out of the abyss.
Because she had promised the king to protect this kingdom with all her might. If this kingdom were to fall, even in death, she wouldn't have the face to meet that king.
She rose to power as King Arthur, taking on the name and responsibilities.
However, there was apprehension among the people about having a woman as their King.
They feared that this newly appointed king would disappear just like Morgan did, for no apparent reason.
As a last resort, she had to publicly present herself as a man who coincidentally resembled a woman.
And so, the kingdom found stability.
People returned to their lives, filled with peace and satisfaction.
However, the true and most formidable enemy finally made her presence known.
Attila, along with her powerful Hunnic Empire, arrived on the scene.
At this point, Attila's influence had reached its peak.
Stretching from the east, all the way from the Caspian Sea, to the west, encompassing the Western Roman Empire, and from the south, beginning at the Danube River, to the north, extending up to the Baltic Sea.
Numerous kingdoms and powers succumbed to her rule.
Even the Eastern Roman Empire opted to surrender.
The Western Roman Empire was utterly destroyed and ravaged by Attila.
In the west, the only remaining enemy of Attila was the Kingdom of Camelot.
Compelled by circumstances, Artoria had no choice but to entrust the child to Guinevere. With Excalibur, the sword that symbolized her promised victory, and the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad in hand, she ventured forth to confront Attila in the Battle of Gaul.
Indeed, it was the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad.
However, she couldn't unleash the true power of the Holy Lance. So Merlin used a spell to bind the Tower of Light, modifying it into a form that she could wield.
She engaged in a fierce battle against Attila.
From the might of their respective nations to strategic warfare.
The conflict escalated from localized skirmishes to all-out warfare.
A worthy opponent finally crossed paths with her.
For a grueling period of five years, they clashed, experiencing victories and setbacks on both fronts.
Retreating was not an option for her, as she stood as the sole individual within the entire kingdom capable of facing Attila head-on.
Retreating would have dire consequences, as Attila would seize full control of their territories.
With Gaul and the Visigoths under Attila's command, she would ascend as the Emperor of the entire European continent, effectively surrounding Britain and Ireland. The kingdom would face inevitable doom.
Attila's dominion was simply too vast, and as time went on, the kingdom found itself increasingly strained, struggling to hold its ground.
Hence, she devised a cunning plan.
During the conflict between the kingdom and the Hunnic Empire, Emperor Marcian of the Eastern Roman Empire refused to pay tribute to Attila's empire for three years.
This bold move led Attila to redirect her forces towards an attack on the city of Constantinople, compelling the Emperor to once again demand submission and tribute, including numerous maidens.
Among these maidens was a remarkable Germanic beauty, who was presented to Attila as a gesture of apology from Emperor Marcian.
Unbeknownst to everyone, it was Artoria herself disguised as the maiden.
Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere within the palace, she swiftly assassinated Attila. However, not without sustaining a grave injury as Attila fiercely fought back, piercing her lungs.
Despite the severe wound, she miraculously survived and managed to return to her troops.
Following Attila's demise, her appointed successors engaged in a power struggle for the imperial succession, leading to the fragmentation of the Hunnic Empire.
Meanwhile, Artoria took the initiative and forged an alliance against the Huns. In the decisive Battle of Nicaea, she emerged victorious, eliminating the Hunnic successor and dealing a severe blow to the empire. This significant defeat marked the beginning of the complete collapse of the Hunnic Empire, which eventually faded from European history.
After seven arduous years, she finally achieved victory over her greatest lifelong enemy—Attila.
However, the dynasty bore the heavy toll of the prolonged conflict.
Nonetheless, that no longer mattered; the war had concluded, allowing them to shift their attention towards recuperation and the rebuilding of the kingdom.
Thus, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Despite her resilient dragon factor, she was utterly drained and covered with wounds from the battle, requiring much-needed rest.
Most importantly, she could finally go back and reunite with the child she had entrusted to Guinevere's care, a moment she eagerly anticipated.
Emperor Marcian of the Eastern Roman Empire pledged his allegiance to the kingdom. As a gesture of goodwill, he presented her with a newborn lion cub.
She graciously accepted the gift, tenderly cradling the small lion cub, imagining how the child would adore this lovely cub.
Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't help but constantly think about the child and long for her presence. Balancing her roles as both a ruler and a mother, she prioritized the child's well-being. Without allowing herself much time to recover and recuperate, she returned to the kingdom, bearing the physical and emotional scars of the long and grueling war.
