Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
The wall clock in the room makes noise. It is the only being that makes noise in this room.
Listening to it, I slowly close my eyes and fall into thought.
Time flows. For humans, dwarves, and elves alike.
Furthermore, even before the gods, time passes. What an arrogant and omnipotent existence.
Time was flowing. Fierce, like a river that has burst its banks during the rainy season. At the end of this flow of time, what will ultimately remain?
A destroyed empire? A wasteland with nothing left for the dwarves? Or the World Tree of the elves, turned to ashes?
I couldn’t tell. That is why it is all the more frightening.
The world, which has mounted this cruel flow of time. And the destination to which this flow of time will take me.
Two cute daughters, running and laughing in the yard of our mansion, happily drinking brandy with my beloved wife. The thought that this future might shatter into pieces was unbearable to me.
Maximilian could only wish that the destination this flow of time brings would not lead to the worst situation. He sincerely hoped for that.
In many ways, this was a time requiring patience. Maximilian thought so.
– Knock, knock.
At the sound of someone knocking on the door, Maximilian awoke from his thoughts.
“Come in.”
As soon as Maximilian’s deep permission echoed, the door opened as if it had been waiting. Maximilian casually checked the face of the person entering.
“Lieutenant Carmondorf.”
Entering through the door was Lieutenant Carmondorf, Maximilian’s personal aide.
With thick, rough eyebrows and a manly, angular jaw, Lieutenant Carmondorf had the appearance of a born soldier. Maximilian cherished him quite a bit.
After quietly closing the door behind him, Lieutenant Carmondorf saluted with precision. Maximilian waved a hand to stop him.
“That’s enough. More importantly, what’s the matter?”
Lieutenant Carmondorf immediately lowered his hand. He rummaged through his pocket for a moment before taking a few steps closer to Maximilian.
“This is the operation order that arrived today.”
“…Operation order?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Maximilian stared blankly at the document Lieutenant Carmondorf was offering. An order, an order, just like that?
“What is this order about? I haven’t received any prior information.”
“It is an order sent from the Ground Defense Command Headquarters. I don’t know the details either, as I don’t have the handling permit for Level 2 secrets, Sir.”
Maximilian still wore a bewildered expression as he received the order Lieutenant Carmondorf handed over. The document envelope with a red stamp indicating Level 2 secrecy was tightly sealed in his hand.
“…Thank you. You may leave now.”
“Yes. Then.”
Just as he had come in, Lieutenant Carmondorf exited the commander’s office with a crisp salute. The sound of the clock hand ticking away began to resonate again.
Maximilian moved his hand slowly. Following his touch, the envelope opened, and the sealed documents were greeted by fresh air.
Finally, Maximilian was able to slowly read through the order in his hand.
“……”
As he read through the order, Maximilian looked blankly into the air.
“…Is this true?”
In disbelief at the content, he stared at the ceiling for a moment. Maximilian quickly regained his wits.
He hurriedly put on his military cap and grabbed his coat before rushing out of the commander’s office. In the distance, he spotted the back of Lieutenant Carmondorf.
“Lieutenant Carmondorf!”
Turning swiftly on hearing his name, Lieutenant Carmondorf, who had been speaking with his peers in the corridor, assumed a salute position. His fellow officer, who had been conversing with him, also saluted with a look of concern.
Maximilian nonchalantly acknowledged their salute as he passed by Lieutenant Carmondorf. The lieutenant smartly followed him.
“Sir, what’s the matter?”
“Gather the staff. Right now.”
“Understood. Should I assemble them in the command control room?”
“Please do so. As quickly as possible.”
Unbelievable news conveyed from the headquarters. News that could possibly overturn the tide of the war in an instant made Maximilian grit his teeth.
“Damn…”
Even as this happened, time flowed. Like a winding river, its destination unknown to anyone.
Yes, in a direction that no one could have anticipated.
I looked on.
At the man standing in front of me. A human who belongs to a category I truly hate and loathe. I just stared.
“Why on earth…”
Why has he come here? What is the vile and dirty intention behind his actions? What scheme is he planning this time?
Feeling my head getting hot, I slowly closed my eyes.
Calm down. Stay calm.
How he got here isn’t particularly important. With a social status like that of the Adelhaid Duke, stepping into the practice field would be a trivial matter.
However, what I truly want to know is…
“……”
The reason he chose to make an appearance here, knowing I would be present.
The flames of rage within my heart began to subside, replaced by a cold and muted fire. I slowly opened my eyes.
And I realized why he had walked all the way here.
“Laura? Why are you silent?”
“Um, Father… what brings you here?”
“Haha… As your father, I should at least watch my daughter win, don’t you think?”
The Adelhaid Duke’s gaze was solely directed toward Laura.
In his manner of ignoring my presence completely, the cold anger within me began to rekindle.
Anger that arises from contemplation, a low boiling point, is exceedingly terrifying. Biased thoughts bring about a heavy contemplation, and that anger often stems from there.
However, my thoughts are skewed in a just direction. Anyone would think so, and it is far too right to simply call it a biased viewpoint.
Thus, the anger that was beginning to boil up again was also justified. I believed that. No, there’s no room for doubt.
Should I confront him? Or should I shout here and now? Or if not that, should I not just stand idly by but run out and throw a punch at his jaw?
As I was pondering what action to take in my mind…
“Head Priest…?”
Suddenly, I heard a voice calling me from beside me. I turned my head toward the direction of the voice.
Emerald-like shining green eyes. Those perfectly clear eyes were trembling slightly, seemingly anxious about what was to come. I gazed thoughtfully at those eyes.
I can see it. Reflected in those green eyes is me. A slightly different expression, with facial muscles twitching uncontrollably.
“Are you alright?”
Then came the voice of Sub-Priest Sophia. I slowly calmed my breathing.
“Yes. I’m alright.”
“You really are alright, correct?”
“I’m truly alright. Student Chloe, and Professor Esther. I have something to take care of, so I’ll go ahead.”
“Um, okay… Be safe.”
Leaving behind the perplexed expression of Professor Esther, I began to walk forward, keeping my eyes straight ahead. The path led out of the practice field, and I would inevitably have to pass by the Adelhaid Duke.
Laura warmly embraced the Adelhaid Duke. I had no intention of intruding between the two, so I tried to pass by.
“Priest Antorelli.”
The deep, hateful voice came as I was right next to the Adelhaid Duke, having just finished hugging and was getting up. I should have ignored it and kept walking, but I found myself stopping.
The deep voice continued from behind me on my right.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“……”
“Are you still angry about that incident?”
I ultimately gave no response. I simply moved my previously frozen legs.
As I started to walk again, Sub-Priest Sophia caught up to me. I quickened my pace to distance myself from that place.
The Grade-by-Grade Duel at Caldera Imperial Academy, the last day.
Today, when I should be congratulating my students, was destined to be the worst day.
Just as it was yesterday, last week, and last year, tomorrow the sun will rise. That is a simple law that makes up the world.
Yesterday, someone’s life was extinguished, and the day before yesterday, someone ended their own life; tomorrow, someone will eventually die.
And there are still those in this world who cannot accept that fact.
Maximilian did not consider the deaths of soldiers who fell due to his orders as in vain. Rather, he was thinking that their deaths had created the current empire.
But that was all. Those who live must continue to live.
It was war. Where the living kill the living, offering an equal death to anyone, regardless of status. Naturally, the blade of that death could aim at anyone.
Maximilian looked at the back of a disappearing man before him. His back in a short-sleeve shirt appeared straight, yet a dark shadow loomed behind him.
“…What a pity.”
It truly saddened Maximilian that he could not accept that fact.
Laura, who had heard Maximilian’s mumbling, looked at him with a puzzled expression. Maximilian was still gazing at Priest Antorelli.
“Father?”
“Yes, Laura. I can’t stay long, but I will come back to watch the finals when they start. I have some business to take care of nearby.”
Maximilian patted Laura’s head and then turned his wistful gaze away from her.
‘…Priest Antorelli.’
I knew he had been assigned to Caldera Imperial Academy, but I never expected to meet him like this. Maximilian clicked his tongue unconsciously.
‘Right after the war, he was so out of it… But it seems he has gotten better recently. Poor fellow.’
He was a pitiful young man, even when reconsidered, but to Maximilian, Priest Antorelli was just that for him. Responsibilities are not borne by individuals.
Maximilian moved his steps.
If he wanted to see his beloved daughter’s duel, he had to finish his business quickly.
