South City, Kingdom of Lynden.
Sumit's eyes were lifeless and dull, as if no soul remained behind them. He stood before the war tractor, directly in front of the pile of bodies prepared to be set ablaze. When the lieutenant general asked for volunteers to carry out the task, most people stayed back, but Sumit stepped forward and chose to shoulder the responsibility himself.
He did it not out of pity for the fallen indigenous soldiers, nor from any sense of duty. He did it because he felt guilt, deep and gnawing guilt, for having been so ignorant and arrogant that he had once dared to complain about not getting a chance to take action in the war.
