Chapter 261: A Higher Calling
Perhaps due to unfamiliarity with long stints on duty, after spending over two weeks straight at headquarters, Charles only wanted to stay home during his leave and go nowhere else.
Before, he would take time on leave to visit the motorcycle and tractor factories, but now he had no interest in moving. He rationalized it: after all, Deyoka could handle the business arrangements, so there was no need for him to personally inspect things.
There was another reason, too: Charles was now making millions of francs with ease from licensing production rights to the Americans, Russians, and British—each license alone promised millions in revenue.
Now that making money was easier, Charles no longer cared much about the profits from the tractor and motorcycle factories. If they went under, it would be a drop in the bucket.
If it weren't for their connections to the defense industry—the tractor factory's engines, for example, were essential to tank development—Charles would have closed them by now.
Then there was the matter of the annoying Francis. He had quieted down considerably lately. Charles had proven himself as a formidable competitor to Schneider, while Francis was nothing more than a pawn. If Charles wanted, he could easily crush Francis's tractor factory, even if Schneider backed him.
(Note: If Charles went all out against Francis, Schneider would likely abandon the pawn rather than start a full-scale conflict with Charles.)
But Charles found it meaningless to bother with him. Unintentionally, he had left Francis far behind. Attacking him now would be lowering himself.
Charles suddenly felt nostalgic for the electronic age—if only he had a smartphone, he could lie around at home reading novels, especially Steel Wings and Iron Riders, which he'd only read halfway before being thrust back in time.
…
The next afternoon, Charles braved the snow for a visit to the factory.
He didn't go to the motorcycle or tractor factories but headed to the Veterans' Welfare Center to find Captain Daries.
The center was no longer what it once was.
When first established, it operated out of the old motorcycle building. With more wounded veterans arriving, space had become tight, and many lived in makeshift tents or repurposed workshop rooms.
Last month, Charles funded the construction of a five-story building for the welfare center, with over 300 rooms, each equipped with a bathroom and able to house ten veterans.
Another building of similar scale was under construction, which would accommodate seven to eight thousand injured veterans. This investment cost Charles over three million francs, but he saw it as worthwhile—a form of investment that would soon prove essential.
…
Charles found Captain Daries in the factory. As head of the welfare center, Daries had always been dedicated and resourceful, finding ways to help disabled veterans overcome their limitations and perform useful tasks.
It wasn't easy to accomplish, as each veteran had different injuries, and Daries had to account for individual needs, even down to self-care. He even matched veterans with complementary injuries—pairing a veteran missing a leg with one missing an arm so they could work together.
Seeing how hard they labored, Charles felt a pang of sympathy.
Yet he knew that for these veterans, this was about more than work. It was about dignity, confidence, and, in many cases, a sense of purpose. Otherwise, they would be left only to burden their families or lie in bed waiting to die.
As Charles walked through the factory, the place grew lively.
The workers all stopped what they were doing to watch him, many of them veterans who had never met Charles and were buzzing with excitement:
"So, that's Master Charles? Finally, I get to see him!"
"It's a lucky day, gentlemen! I hope I get the chance to thank him in person."
"Oh, Ambroise, let it go. Master Charles is a busy man."
…
To everyone's surprise, Charles stepped right into the crowd, shaking hands and greeting the veterans with, "How are things, gentlemen?"
The veterans eagerly approached him, answering in a chorus:
"We're doing well, thanks to you, Master Charles!"
"No complaints, Master Charles! We're not only alive but able to send extra wages home to our families."
"I love it here, Master Charles. We can all help each other."
Charles nodded, looking at them with genuine respect.
He felt that these veterans were remarkable individuals who had sacrificed everything for France, and France shouldn't dismiss them with a mere 130 francs.
The veterans understood Charles's expression; though he didn't say much, they knew what he meant.
They struggled to express their gratitude, with some moved to tears. Beyond wages and work, what they craved most was this acknowledgment.
…
Captain Daries led Charles to his office.
It was a simple space, with a desk, chair, and shelves, but no French flag.
Everything was neatly organized, and everything looked nearly new—a contrast to Daries's one-armed appearance.
Noticing Charles's expression, Daries smiled as he brewed coffee with his only hand. "You might not believe it, Master Charles, but I used to be notoriously sloppy. Now, with only one hand, I keep the place spotless."
Daries laughed self-deprecatingly, handing Charles a cup. "Some say it's a change of character after coming close to death, but I don't think that's it."
"Then what is it?" Charles asked, accepting the coffee.
Daries took a sip from his own cup and sat down. "In the past, I thought I was destined for grand achievements, so I never cared about these small tasks. Now, I see this as my calling."
He gestured to the factory beyond his office door, a hint of pride in his smile. "It's meaningful. I feel like I've found my purpose in helping others."
"You've certainly done an excellent job here," Charles said genuinely.
"Oh, no, please don't thank me, Master Charles. I don't do this for you or anyone else. I do it for myself. Sometimes, I think my past self was just wasting time."
Charles nodded in understanding.
Life often worked that way—only in loss did people find true meaning; otherwise, they wandered through life, never sure what they were truly meant to do.
Charles felt a pang of hesitation, uncertain if his reason for coming might disrupt Daries's newfound peace.
Noticing Charles's hesitation, Daries grew anxious. "Master Charles, you're not planning to close the welfare center, are you?"
Before Charles could answer, Daries added, "If you're short on funds, we can manage without subsidies. Just don't close this place."
Daries's eyes, now focused on Charles, were filled with a mix of urgency and fear.
"No, Captain," Charles replied. "I have no intention of shutting it down. As long as I'm alive, the subsidies will continue."
"Then…" Daries looked at Charles with a puzzled expression.
Charles posed a question in response, "Captain, what if your purpose here isn't what you think it is? What if you're meant for something greater?"
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