Chapter 143

Very occasionally, I think such thoughts.

I think about Helena wishing she could come back to life. Even if her body, already dead, has disappeared, I hope that at least her brilliantly shining soul still exists.

Though it is more frequent than just occasionally, the frequency has decreased greatly in recent times, so it can be considered occasional.

The important thing is the world beyond death.

If souls exist, where could Helena’s soul, which burned brighter than any I have seen, have gone? Heaven? Hell? Or has she been reborn as another being?

Whatever it is, it is a question far beyond my ability to guess. However, I….

“Hmm… that’s a surprisingly good piece of advice. Thank you, Sub-priest Sofia.”

“No, it’s my pleasure if it helped.”

I gazed quietly at Sub-priest Sofia, who smiled brightly at Professor Underwood.

Sparkling green eyes, flowing blonde hair. And….

– She resembles Helena. Especially her smile…. I understand now why you bring her along.

Her sunlit smile, with its unique brightness and liveliness.

Even such small aspects resembled Helena. Of course, if examined closely, one could find countless differences from Helena.

The important thing is that looking at Sub-priest Sofia makes me think of Helena.

This was an unavoidable thought for me when I project Helena’s image onto Sub-priest Sofia, as long as my brain doesn’t become brain-dead.

“Anyway, in the end, isn’t communication important? If Professor Underwood is feeling quite uncomfortable, we will have to think of another way, but I believe the most effective method we can take right now is communication.”

“Communication….”

“Yes. However, if we engage in conversation without sincerity, you might end up arguing again like before, so, just as I mentioned earlier, you need to have an honest conversation.”

“Surely… that seems right.”

I did not want to say something ridiculous like Helena’s soul has entered Sub-priest Sofia’s body. Even if I am not in a normal state, I have not completely lost my mind.

Simply put, Sub-priest Sofia is too much like Helena.

“What do you think, Head Priest?”

If this is an inevitable flow of fate, then it is a too harsh fate for me.

That is all.

“Head Priest?”

“…Ah, yes.”

I woke from my reverie. Sub-priest Sofia was looking at me with curious eyes. Professor Underwood, sitting across from me, was the same.

“What do you think, Head Priest?”

“I’m curious too. Sub-priest Sofia’s advice was certainly helpful, but I would like to hear Professor Antorelli’s thoughts as well?”

“I….”

Honestly, I lacked the courage to speak.

What advice could I give to Professor Underwood, who lives a perfectly normal life? At most, I could advise him on religious matters based on theological knowledge or suggest how to crawl quickly in a prone position.

No, in fact….

“…I wanted to say something similar to what Sub-priest Sofia said.”

Perhaps because there was nothing else that came to mind other than the advice from Sub-priest Sofia, which was too similar to what Helena had said.

“Professor Underwood. I don’t know who that person is, but you will surely get the results you desire! Hang in there!”

“Haah… I suppose I’ll have to arrange a meeting soon. Thank you both so much.”

“No, it’s nothing….”

While such thoughts deepened, Professor Underwood and Sub-priest Sofia continued their conversation among themselves.

Slowly settling down toward the thick sea where sunlight cannot even reach, breathing heavily and deeply.

I watched the two of them floating above the sea surface.

Their figures, floating with their backs to the sunlight, were truly pleasing to see.

* * * * *

“Well then, aside from the dormitory, there were no other particular issues.”

“Yes. By the way, there were times when the window in the annex corridor was left open, so please make sure to check that.”

“Understood. Thank you for your hard work.”

After receiving the handover from Professor Underwood and leaving the duty staff behind, we stepped out of the faculty office with heavy steps.

“Professor Antorelli, thank you for your efforts.”

“Professor Underwood, you’ve worked hard too.”

“Yeah, I will admit I’ve worked particularly hard. Who would have known I’d have to wipe bloodstains while on duty?”

“…I truly apologize for that.”

“I’m joking. Just a joke.”

Professor Underwood lightly tapped my shoulder with a mischievous smile. Unlike our first encounter, when we had a heated argument, I felt like we had grown a bit closer through our duty together.

We walked in silence for a while. The beautiful academy courtyard drenched in fresh morning sunlight was lovely, but I had no leisure to enjoy such scenery, as I was weighed down by a fatigue reminiscent of blood rising upside down.

“Haah… I’ve worked duty several times, but working during the break is definitely the hardest.”

Professor Underwood mumbled, rubbing his shoulders. He didn’t seem to be expecting a response, so I silently nodded in weak agreement.

“Hmm… uhh….”

Sub-priest Sofia, who started dozing off as the sun began to rise, had now fallen into such a deep sleep that she wouldn’t notice even if someone carried her away.

It was not just a figure of speech; Sub-priest Sofia was genuinely resting on my back. I was intending to carry her all the way to the staff dormitory.

“Hmm….”

The feeling of her chin resting on my right shoulder was particularly distracting, but since it didn’t hurt, I decided against waking her.

Being aware of Sub-priest Sofia who was asleep on my back, Professor Underwood casually spoke to me.

“…I’ve felt this since the first time I met you, but Professor Antorelli, you seem to be very fond of Sub-priest Sofia.”

“Yes. It seems that way.”

“It seems that way? What does that mean?”

I shrugged my shoulders toward the subtly nuanced expression on Professor Underwood’s face. The brief conversation ended as he nodded and averted his gaze as if it were nothing significant.

Once again, a silence fell between her and me. My communication skills were painfully lacking.

“…And what about Sub-priest Sofia?”

Once again, it was Professor Underwood who resumed the conversation. I felt a sense of gratitude toward her and looked at her.

“I think she resembles someone I know. I’m not just talking about her appearance, but about her inner personality and… those things.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. That person was also lively in everything, just like Sub-priest Sofia. They were particularly passionate about teaching students.”

Whoever the person Professor Underwood was talking about, I didn’t know them. However, hearing that they were particularly passionate about teaching students made me think that the person might not be a staff member of the academy.

“Really… they resemble each other.”

The expression on Professor Underwood’s face as she looked at Sub-priest Sofia, who was fast asleep, was one that seemed to recall someone from long ago. A sentimental expression soaked in nostalgic memories.

Coincidentally, it was the same for me; Sub-priest Sofia reminded me of someone else. I carefully adjusted my hold on Sub-priest Sofia’s hanging body.

“Professor Antorelli, you actually knew, didn’t you?”

Professor Underwood asked me, her voice cautious. It was an unfamiliar question. I adjusted my grip on Sub-priest Sofia’s body a bit tighter.

“What do you mean?”

“About the person I want to reconcile with. Don’t you already know who that person is, Professor Antorelli?”

“……”

At this point, one might think all women are born with the ability to read minds. I feigned a nonchalant expression.

“I’m not sure about that.”

“No, you do know. When we had dinner together last night, you must have sensed it.”

“…This is just my guess, but.”

Honestly, it was getting difficult to continue pretending I didn’t know, especially since she was persistent. Professor Underwood readily nodded.

“Yes. Please feel free to speak.”

“The person you want to reconcile with, Professor Underwood, is… Professor Armstrong, isn’t it?”

“What? You knew?”

Contrary to my expectations, Professor Underwood did not seem taken aback. I had expected her to act shy; instead, her response was unexpectedly mild.

“Well… to be honest, I feel it’s quite remarkable that you didn’t notice who I was talking about after I described it in detail.”

“Are you talking about Sub-priest Sofia?”

“Sub-priest Sofia has, how should I put it… a somewhat innocent and naive disposition.”

I wanted to tease her a bit. Professor Underwood covered her mouth and laughed. In that moment, there was a side of her I didn’t usually see.

“Haah… Well, since you knew, can I speak honestly?”

“I don’t mind.”

“To explain in detail would take quite a while, so in short… my past relationship with Professor Armstrong was really good.”

I had heard that before. From Professor Armstrong himself, who was practically a party in the matter. Professor Underwood, who didn’t know this, continued to elaborate on the lengthy explanation that I had already heard once.

“Anyway, because of that… we haven’t been getting along well lately.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Anyway, I’m really concerned about how to deal with that stubborn person.”

– I still have a willingness to compromise, but every time that woman faces me, she just picks at me….

Professor Armstrong would have never spoken unnecessarily. Remembering the conversation I had with him, I subtly remarked to Professor Underwood.

“Professor Armstrong is having the same thoughts.”

“…Really?”

“During the grade-by-grade duel, we had a conversation on the train heading to Bruytni.”

“What did they say?”

Professor Underwood asked with an unexpectedly impatient attitude. Honestly, at this point, it only looked like a romantic conflict to me.

“Professor Armstrong said he still has the willingness to compromise, but that it’s difficult because you always take an aggressive stance.”

“Ah… hmm…”

“Do you have an inkling about this?”

“Yes. I have plenty of inklings….”

“Have compassion, extend tolerance, and forgive one another as the Lord forgives you.”

Professor Underwood fell silent. Perhaps due to my sudden quote from the Bible, she could only stare at me in silence.

“It’s from the book of Galatians, chapter 3, verse 19.”

“Ah…”

“It might be a bit presumptuous, but if you used to get along well, it would be that much easier to return to that state.”

“……”

For a moment, Professor Underwood cupped her chin in thought, then raised her head with a look of determination. As she turned her steps toward the staff dormitory, she said slowly.

“Professor Antorelli, thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve gained a bit of courage.”

“It’s nothing.”

“No, it was really a great help. By now, I should be at the training ground again, acting foolishly… I must go right away.”

“You will do well.”

“Thank you. Really…”

Leaving those words behind, Professor Underwood turned her back on us. I silently watched her gradually retreating figure.

They say that if something good happens to those around you, it’s a sign that good things will happen to you too.

Perhaps today, I would have a good dream.

“…Sub-priest Sofia.”

“…….”

“I know you’re awake.”

“Ku, uuuu….”

The only task remaining was to keep Sub-priest Sofia, who had already woken up and heard everything we talked about, quiet.