November 5, 1898
Seoul, Korean Royal Palace — War Council Room
The great war room inside the Korean Royal Palace stood unusually quiet. Sunlight poured in through the tall stained-glass windows, casting long beams across the polished floor. The war maps that had once overflowed with pins, markers, and hurried scribbles were now sparse, their clutter replaced by measured calm.
General William Caldwell sat at the head of the council table. The deep bags under his eyes betrayed weeks of sleepless nights and unrelenting decision-making, but today, there was a glimmer of peace behind his gaze. Beside him sat General Lee Sang-hoon, upright and poised, while General Haruto Okada of the Japanese Imperial Army reviewed the latest reports with a subtle nod.