Chapter 216

A multitude of soldiers strides forward, powerfully extending their legs.

Bravely advancing and smashing the enemy lines, the tanks, which serve as the measure of strength distinguishing great powers in this era.

In addition, airships soar countless times into the sky, fully engulfing it.

Propaganda flyers commissioned during the Great War to encourage resource recruitment and portray conscription as a glorious act.

The soldiers in the flyers fix their gazes straight ahead, meeting the eyes of those who view the flyers, and without exception, each bears the lion emblem badge on their chests.

Below, only a single sentence is engraved.

– The Empire does not fall.

A slogan raised by the imperial family to promote unity among the citizens.

With that large and exaggerated slogan displayed prominently on the flyer, alongside various proud depictions of the Imperial Defense Force, people’s attention naturally concentrates on that single flyer.

And, they begin to yearn.

War. That which has unchanged since long ago.

And the Empire, a colossal nation that has grown through war. War is the foundation of the Empire, its sustenance, and an honorable act that elevates the Empire’s name and status.

They participate in such wars. They defend His Imperial Majesty and this vast Empire against the dangerous tide of foreign races.

Bravely vanquishing the enemy like the soldiers in the flyers, they are honored with medals for their meritorious deeds and return home, adorned in gold. Yes, just like the soldiers in the flyer.

‘I too can become a hero!’

…Who would have known?

That the notion of a hero is, from the start, a privilege of the wealthy.

For them, becoming a hero merely involves executing strategies meticulously devised by all the intellectuals of the Empire with a mere swing of a command baton.

However, for the common soldiers, junior officers, and lowly non-commissioned officers, who constitute the overwhelming majority of the Imperial Defense Force…

They must sacrifice their lives.

They must bleed, their flesh must be torn, and their bones must break and fracture.

What they gain at the end of that suffering is a small medal and a pension that is far less than expected. The societal gaze that neither respects them nor treats them as honorable people.

Should they suffer some physical disability, that gaze does not regard it as an honor of combat but instead treats them with contempt or as lesser beings.

Three years ago, now nearing four, the Great War.

A brutal and desperate conflict that claimed an unprecedented number of lives. Though it has passed, those who bled the most are still disregarded.

That cannot be. It is truly unacceptable.

Maximilian von Adelheit, intoxicated by the honor that was ultimately built upon someone else’s blood, which blinded him with contributions to the Empire’s safety, thought that cannot be allowed.

Duke Adelheit slowly opened his weary eyes. The grand semicircular structure of the Senate was already filled with numerous noble legislators, gathered closely without a single omission.

“It seems that everyone is almost here. Chairman.”

“…It appears so.”

Duke Adelheit’s sharp eyes scanned the Senate. Within his pupils lay a burning will.

‘Today, here… I will take the first step.’

He immediately drew forth the ceremonial longsword. As the noble legislators, who had been murmuring while seated, along with a few commoners, rose to their feet.

Duke Adelheit slowly raised the longsword. Although aging, his body was unwaveringly strong, and the tip of the longsword did not shake in the slightest.

According to tradition, when the tip of the sword signaling the Senate’s convening trembles, it foreshadows impending misfortune. Duke Adelheit suppressed the almost instinctive sigh of relief and shouted softly.

“From now on, I declare the opening of the 1247th Imperial Senate meeting.”

Looking toward where the tip of his blade pointed, beneath the massive glass ceiling of the Senate.

Maximilian von Adelheit thought.

For those he was meant to protect, which Duke Adelheit could not safeguard.

For those whose lives have faded away in distant lands, though they seem insignificantly small and unremarkable compared to theirs.

It is time to express gratitude, albeit belatedly.

* * * * *

The Academy professors are invaluable human resources.

In times of emergency, professors who are not on duty may have to rush to the Academy without delay.

For this reason, Academy professors must obtain permission if they wish to go anywhere during summer vacation.

This is why I detailed the reasons for my unavoidable absence from the Academy during the winter break.

After incessantly tapping on the typewriter and after several revisions, I managed to hold in my hands a few pages of a suitably written report.

I do not sigh. I have already sighed too much beforehand.

‘The immediate fire is out….’

Now what remains is to plan for the journey, as Sofia Sub-priest advised.

In truth, it isn’t even called a plan. We are merely going to experience the famous Holy Empire’s Christmas streets.

While I have experienced it several times and Sofia Sub-priest, being from the Holy Empire, must have grown tired of it… it is difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind suggesting such a journey.

But, yes.

– They say the Holy Empire’s Christmas is incredibly beautiful.

– Really? I’ve never been to the Holy Empire, so I wouldn’t know.

– I’ve never been during Christmas either. Hehe…. But, yes.

‘Surely, if we go together… we can create the best memories— right?’

That is a memory of considerable value that will surely linger in my mind for a long time.

It is not that I am reluctant to go with Sofia Sub-priest; still, perhaps it could be said I am hesitantly reluctant. Since I find myself inadvertently recalling memories of Helena while accompanying Sofia Sub-priest.

I promised myself not to, and I received a sharp reprimand from Meijhem, yet…

On a somewhat hopeful note, I can say that I succeeded in viewing Sofia Sub-priest as just Sofia Sub-priest during the Academy’s Fall Festival.

Though it was merely a brief moment, and even Sofia Sub-priest didn’t notice it, I only became aware of it after some time had passed.

This might be, after all, a chance to free myself from the net of Helena… from Sofia Sub-priest.

To put it more drastically….

Perhaps, it might be possible to break free from Helena’s shadow on this occasion?

…However, considering that hopeful observation, I find myself disinclined. After all, it feels like trying to ‘utilize’ Sofia Sub-priest to force myself to forget Helena.

No, it isn’t just a feeling; it is the truth. One cannot disguise the truth as a lie.

It is fortunate that Sofia Sub-priest remains unaware of this fact.

– Once the war is over, let’s go out and explore various places together.

– …You want to go out and have fun?

– Yes! Let’s go to the sea. Let’s have fun at the summer sea, watching the waves crash beautifully… and at night, let’s walk along the beach shimmering under the moonlight while chatting.

– That’s not difficult.

– And, let’s go to the mountains. On a summer night, filled with the symphony of chirping insects… I want to lay on the grass under the stars.

….

It’s not hard, is it?

– Let’s also enjoy the Academy festival. Let’s explore various places together. Our academy club booths have many fascinating things, making it perfect for unique experiences, right?

– If by unique experiences, you mean the ones I am utterly tired of right now.

That’s not it. You fool.

I could have responded with something a bit kinder.

– And when winter comes….

– When winter comes?

– …Hehe. Let’s visit the Holy Empire together. After all, the Holy Empire streets during Christmas are famous.

…Fine.

I won’t deny it.

I want to forget Helena, Helena…

‘… I want to forget.’

I want to forget that, even if it appears like I’m ‘utilizing’ this journey with Sofia Sub-priest. No more.

Thus, what I can do is… just that.

It might be a good idea to start thinking about enjoying the trip with Sofia Sub-priest wholeheartedly.

– Thud.

With the familiar sound of the door opening, a bright blonde head popped out from the doorway.

As I momentarily stared at it in silence, the blonde head bobbed up and down before suddenly coming into view.

“Head Priest!”

“…Oh, Sofia Sub-priest.”

Perhaps because I had just been thinking about Sofia Sub-priest, my body reacted momentarily with a small tremor as I recognized the person who entered the professor’s office.

Sofia Sub-priest approached me with a bright smile, hands behind her back, leaning forward as she casually invaded my work desk.

“Is this… documentation regarding the trip?”

“Yes. As you can see….”

“Ooh… You’ve written in great detail. You didn’t have to go this far… After all, Head Priest, you are meticulous!”

“…What does that mean?”

“Oh. Didn’t you know? This year, we unexpectedly had many professors assigned, so starting this year, the travel restrictions have been slightly relaxed. There are now more professors to cover the duty shifts.”

“……”

Why are you only saying this now?

I looked at Sofia Sub-priest with a gaze that could not comprehend. Noticing my expression, she briefly shrank back but then bravely puffed out her chest and proclaimed loudly.

“Hmph…! This is a punishment for Head Priest forgetting our promise!”

“……”

“So, this matter is… a good lesson…! Ahaha….”

“…Sofia Sub-priest.”

“Yes, yes?”

“For the time being, there will be no snacks.”

“…Ah.”

Sofia Sub-priest fell over with a face that seemed to witness the world collapsing, but I paid no mind and held onto the winter break trip documentation.

Draping my coat over my clerical robe, once I finally finished preparing to leave, Sofia Sub-priest finally came to her senses and simply gazed up at me blankly.

“…Head Priest.”

“……”

“Head Priest. I’m sorry.”

“……”

“P-please don’t ignore me…!”

I was on the verge of leaving the professor’s office when I saw Sofia Sub-priest nearing tears, and I let out a quiet sigh. Indeed, seeing her face just slightly holding back tears… is something I cannot help.

“Follow me. I will buy you a warm drink.”

“…Hehe…! I was counting on you…! W-Wait?!”

“……”

Sofia Sub-priest, who was about to run towards me to embrace me, fell dramatically.

I could not hide my complicated feelings.