Chapter 200

The clear and brightly shining sky rises higher, causing not only people but also horses to gain weight.

Beasts gather the food that is strewn about and take it back to their burrows to store, preparing for the harsh cold season that is to come.

It is a joyful time when food is overflowing and the season of harvest approaches.

In order to deal with the surplus food that is not only overflowing from the granaries but also beginning to rot, people naturally start to think of ways to process it.

They open the granaries and enjoy the food together with all the villagers, and in this way, people from the neighboring village, then another village, come to enjoy the blessings of abundance and praise God in a joyful time.

Even the beggars in the streets are happy with full bellies and smiles on this day.

The season of abundance. The blessings of autumn.

A festival.

It is undoubtedly a communal act that everyone should enjoy. In this act, the boundaries between enemy and ally become meaningless.

However, the girl before my eyes.

With her white hair flowing like silk and eyes shining like a bright red gem that evokes the image of ruby, she looks pure as if she has committed no sin whatsoever.

Rina von Adelheit.

What reason does she have to not enjoy the festival?

Of course, I know it is not because Rina is unqualified. The reason is simply that her body is so frail that she feels burdensome to attend the festival filled with bustling people.

So, while Rina might outwardly deny it, she likely recognizes her true feelings deep down.

Stepping outside with this body, attending the Academy’s fall festival, even if it might inconvenience her beloved family and those around her by worrying about her.

She wants to go out.

She wants to go outside. She wants to feel the refreshing autumn sunlight, laugh and chatter with her family, and enjoy the autumn festival.

“Rina, would you like to join us for the Academy’s fall festival tomorrow?”

The reason Rina opened her eyes wide when she heard my words was likely because of this.

Her already large eyes grew even wider, and her sparkling red pupils shook without restraint.

“… I’m fine. Professor Antenelli.”

Eventually, she slowly shook her head with a sagging gaze. As if she really meant to say she was fine, struggling to raise the corners of her mouth.

“I… feel very sorry for my father and mother for living cooped up in this mansion. I can’t impose any more than this, so please don’t make such a suggestion to me again.”

She was saying something that she had no desire to do at all.

No, it’s not that she doesn’t have any desire at all. With a temperament that is so kind and a heart so soft that she can shed tears for others, Rina must genuinely think that way.

But then…

“Rina.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Is that enough?”

“….”

Then, Rina von Adelheit.

“Do you really not want to attend the festival? Don’t you want to enjoy the festival booth that your sister, Laura, has prepared for months?”

“….”

“What about the fireworks? The beautiful sight of them shooting up into the night sky, adorning the stars like jewels… don’t you want to see that with your family?”

“I….”

“I will ask again. Rina.”

Who will be responsible for your happiness?

“Really, is that enough?”

“….”

Rina remained silent. She simply gazed into my eyes quietly.

“… You have a truly kind heart, Professor.”

“….”

“You seem to express your compassion naturally, without making the other person feel burdened.”

But, Professor.

Rina looked at me and smiled. It was still a powerless smile, as if only the corners of her mouth were lifted, a semblance of a smile.

“I’m fine.”

“… Rina.”

“For the sake of simply being happy alone, I don’t want to see my loved ones worrying about me. Neither my mother, nor my father, and… my sister. They would certainly be unable to enjoy the festival because they are worried about me.”

Her concern was valid. I listened to her words while silently looking into Rina’s bright red pupils.

“There is no way I can enjoy the festival without exhausting my emotions. It’s because my body is inherently weak.”

“….”

“This year, I have been recovering reasonably well, but as the seasons change, I’m back to this state again. Unfortunately.”

Rina spoke, and there was no trace of sorrow in her eyes.

It was as if she were saying, ‘I knew this would happen.’ Yes.

It was the look of someone who had given up on everything. Yet with a kind gaze that worries that others will not be unhappy.

“I’m fine. Really, I’m fine, Professor Antenelli.”

“… Rina.”

“So please, I hope you can give my sister… an unforgettable memory. Yes. That would satisfy me.”

“….”

Looking at Rina’s bright, smiling face, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. A heart-wrenching agony, as if my heart was being carved out.

Why is it that…

Always giving in foolishly, always sacrificing something for others.

– Reverend Helena. Reverend Antenelli. Please get out of here with those people.

– I can’t do that.

– Reverend Helena. Our 858th Mage Infantry Battalion will probably disappear from the tactical map in about three days.

– Then, I cannot retreat any further.

Repeating this endlessly, forgetting one’s own happiness for the sake of others, what on earth…

– Just rest for a bit. Please. Please, I beg you.

– … Priest Lucio. If we don’t move, what will happen to them…

How far do you intend to be a fool? How much do you intend to give?

Why is that? Why must you give so much?

I wanted to ask Rina about this. But I couldn’t. Because there was a resolve in her eyes that seemed unbreakable by anything.

What could the reason be to go this far?

Why is it…

– Priest Lucio. It’s something only we can do.

…

…

It’s something only I can do.

“… Rina.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“May I take a moment to handle something?”

“Oh, yes. Lucia will guide you. Lucia.”

“Yes, Professor, this way….”

So, something only I can do. The thing I must do.

“Head Priest, should I go too?”

“No, Sofia. Please stay here.”

“Uh, okay….”

Right. There was something I alone had to do.

I left Rina’s room with Priest Luciana.

As Rina’s door closed behind us, and after I had distanced myself enough to head towards the restroom, I spoke.

“Priest Luciana.”

“… Professor?”

I stopped Priest Luciana in her tracks. She turned around with a puzzled expression.

“Let’s have a little talk.”

“…….”

Her expression suggested that the inevitable had come.

* * * * *

The place where we arrived was a balcony that could be seen from anywhere in this mansion.

A beautiful garden glittering in the afternoon autumn sun was visible in one glance from that spot. I gazed silently at the garden while looking at Priest Luciana, who did not say a word.

“Priest Luciana.”

“… Yes, Professor.”

“I’m sure there are things we both want to say, so let’s not drag this out.”

Priest Luciana flinched. Her ash-colored pupils were directed at me.

“Priest Luciana, you must know.”

“What….”

“That which was openly used on the battlefield during the Great War.”

“…….”

Priest Luciana’s mouth was sealed. Despite her impassive expression, there was a subtle change.

“It inspires soldiers to rush into the trenches and allows the ill to rise to their feet—a miracle.”

“… Professor.”

“Priest Luciana, why didn’t you use ‘the prayer for the sick of Gerot’ on Rina?”

Priest Luciana’s lips tightened. As if she was about to say something, she moved her lips several times.

“… Professor, that’s not a prayer I can use alone. That prayer, fundamentally, requires two or more clergy to manifest a miracle….”

“I know.”

“… Then, why do you ask?”

“When I first mentioned a way for Rina to enjoy the festival, weren’t you there, Priest Luciana?”

“…….”

“At that time, why didn’t you suggest it first?”

The priestess assigned from the Holy Empire essentially belongs to the Adelhaid Ducal House. While not directly under the Duke of Adelhaid as a clergy, unless it is a religiously forbidden circumstance, she must follow his words and provide counsel.

And she knows the prayer that could briefly enable Rina Von Adelheid to overcome her sickly body and get out of bed to enjoy the festival. She understands that it is a fitting circumstance to use it.

Then, why?

“Why are you leaving Rina alone like that?”

Why aren’t any measures being taken for Rina?

As if my question was only natural, Priest Luciana quietly nodded and opened her mouth.

“The method you mentioned, Professor, did involve utilizing sacred powers for Miss Rina.”

“That’s right. And you knew that, didn’t you, Priest Luciana?”

“I knew. And because of that, I couldn’t dare to stop it.”

“So what does that mean…?”

“Professor, Miss Rina really doesn’t wish to go to the festival.”

Priest Luciana’s determined gaze closed in on me. The balcony felt narrow for that.

Her hair flared in the autumn wind, blurring my view.

“To speak accurately, Miss Rina wants to enjoy the festival, but she does not wish to do so at the cost of someone suffering or being hurt.”

“… That’s.”

“And yes, the prayer for the sick of Gerot also places a significant burden on the clergy’s body. Even if it’s between you and me.”

“….”

“Of course, if either you or I were to shoulder all the burden, it could be possible to trick Miss Rina into letting her enjoy the festival. And I am prepared to bear that burden. But….”

What Priest Luciana was saying was extremely valid.

“Professor, if I were to collapse while bearing that burden and suddenly disappear from Miss Rina’s sight… it would become impossible to deceive her. The festival wouldn’t remain a good memory for her.”

“…….”

“But that doesn’t mean I can just let you take on all the burden. My conscience won’t allow it.”

“Priest Luciana.”

“Yes, Professor.”

I should have had nothing to say in this situation, but…

“This is something only we can do.”

“…….”

“I will take full responsibility.”

Well.

I didn’t want to do that.