But I matured, became a man, and made my way to the acclaimed Kippe Academy.
I wanted to become a military officer, to help lead the armies of the new
Eisen which I continue to hope will arise from the ashes of useless strife.
I do not disdain violence - it is a most efficacious means of achieving one's
ends. But if it is used without clear purpose, or for a foolish purpose, it
avails nothing. You see, I disdain only unreason - in violence or passivity.
I found the academy to be a truly perfecting experience, and I began my quest
to forge my body and my mind into sharp and resolute weapons for use in the
coming struggles. But I found there that I was soon to outpace even my instructors
in my understanding of military philosophy. For even they were still hampered
by sentimentality, which is really only the effete cousin of irrationality.
They spoke in terms of justification, and acceptable losses. Reason leads
us inevitably to the correct, and therefore moral, conclusion: there must
be established a beneficial and orderly society in which each individual's
talents are maximized in service of the Whole. This is to be considered moral
goodness. Any action, in battle or in private life, which contributes to the
attainment of this goal is to be considered justified. There is no need in
considering any other matter, for there is but a single end. And as far as
losses are concerned, it is only a mathematical question about the expenditure
of resources. This is the sort of clear thinking that must take hold in Eisen
if we are to restore her to greatness, and make her the beacon of all civilized,
rational nations. Our goal must be not some small thing that seems as good,
but the Good itself. With this firmly in mind, we can see that the good of
any one man is nothing when compared to the good of all men. Indeed, this
must be the underlying insight of every military officer.
However, I have found myself on a surprising path: the Kreuzritter. This is
an order of warriors, scholars and priests who root out the living and present
servants of a most terrible evil. These villainous beings have infiltrated
all of Theah, and have sewn treason among the ranks of men. I now see that
my destiny is clear: I must use the prowess I have developed to uphold Order,
which is really after all the will of the Creator, and use my valor and clearness
of thought to strike down every servitor of and collaborator with this eternal
Foe. And so far, I've met with great success. Some day, I think the forces
of Legion will regret ever coming to Theah. Perhaps we will even take the
fight to them.
About my companions:
Jean-Luc: Jean-Luc is... my friend. Perhaps you will think I am weak to reflect
on such matters in a time of such great struggle, but when I was a youth I
found friendship to be a most useful and pleasing thing. Jean-Luc understands
me on some level, I think, and though he makes himself most useful through
deception, I think I can trust him. He too understands that violence is a
necessary adjunct in the battle against darkness.
Gaspar: Gaspar is a good and gentle fellow, which sums up both his virtues
and his flaws. I was concerned initially in our group that his practice of
medicine, with its zealousness for the preservation of life, might make him
morally soft and susceptible to lapses in judgement. He has proved me wrong
on every important occasion, however, and I'm grateful for it. When victory
is on the line, he always hardens his resolve and makes the right choice.
His medical skills have been a great boon, of course. But I do not understand
his foolishness about that dog.
Sylvia: Always getting into trouble, that girl. Still, she's a brave soldier
and she does her duty. She shows the natural spirit of valor and justice that
characterizes the nation of Eisen. She always knows what her task is, and
fights with her last bit of strength to see it done - just the sort of life
which is cheaply spent by a military officer giving his commands. I trouble
for her a bit, but it is the way of things. An Eisen, a soldier, and a woman:
thrice-doomed to misery.