Board :	Story Contest
Author :	Archon Iyagi
Subject :	1st Place by Ayakka
Date :	2/19
In the Land of Hwaeom, King Seojun reigned supreme. He was a sovereign of great resolve, commanding unmitigated obedience from his subjects and inspiring fear in the hearts of all. Despite his severity, the kingdom flourished, but tranquility was about to be disturbed.   One day, tidings of war reached King Seojun. A neighboring realm had declared aggression against Hwaeom, and the cause for the attack remained a mystery. Determined to defend his kingdom at all costs, King Seojun summoned his finest warriors to his side and proclaimed a state of emergency. The people of Hwaeom were filled with trepidation, as many of them had never known the horrors of war.   A young farmer by the name of Minho lived in Hwaeom. Though he had little interest in the affairs of state, he cherished his kingdom with a deep passion. Upon hearing of the attack, he felt a sense of obligation to defend his homeland and journeyed to the capital to offer his services to King Seojun.   King Seojun was impressed by Minho's bravery and granted him a place among his army. Minho accepted and soon found himself on the front lines of the war. Despite his lack of training, Minho displayed an innate talent for combat and soon proved his worth to the army. He fought with all his might, resolved to defend his kingdom and its people.   As the war raged on, King Seojun became increasingly merciless, ordering his soldiers to commit acts of cruelty against the enemy. Minho, who had joined the army with the intention of protecting his kingdom, began to question his loyalty to the king. He came to realize that the war was not only about defending Hwaeom, but also about preserving the values that the kingdom held dear.   In the end, Minho made the difficult decision to prioritize his beliefs over his loyalty to the king. He deserted the army and joined the forces of the enemy, fighting for a cause that he believed in. The war eventually came to a close, and Hwaeom emerged victorious, but Minho was not celebrated as a hero. Instead, he was branded a traitor and was forced to flee the kingdom, never to return. Despite this, Minho remained steadfast in his conviction, knowing that he had followed the dictates of his conscience. - Ayakka.