“Y-You don’t have to follow me…”
“How can I not follow you? Who knows if you’re going to go drinking again?”
“No, I never said that…”
Once a charismatic commander on the front lines, now Colonel Meijhem had fallen into the life of a married man, captured by his wife. He let out a soft sigh.
‘Damn… I just wanted to sneak out…’
It was his pregnant wife, Melissa, who controlled his outings, wondering where he would go with a pregnant wife left behind.
As she was four months pregnant, it was understandable that she wanted to stay close to him, especially considering her noticeably rounded belly.
Having already experienced childbirth twice, carrying a new life still brought a sense of anxiety. Moreover, knowing that this third child was a considerable latecomer added to that feeling.
However, being cooped up at home didn’t help either, and the gloomy expression of Professor Antorelli, whom he had met a few days ago, kept flashing before his eyes.
‘By the way, today is that day…’
Alongside this, he also wanted to pray for his fallen comrades who lost their lives that day.
If he had managed to sneak out, he would have gone straight to the Caldera Imperial Academy to meet Professor Antorelli, but who could have guessed he would be caught right at the entrance?
To avoid putting pressure on his wife, who insisted on following him, Colonel Meijhem had no choice but to head straight to the imperial cemetery.
‘By the way, I wonder if Priest Antorelli has already arrived?’
If he was already there, it would be a pleasant surprise, and if he had not arrived yet or had already left, he could just visit the graves of his old comrades, which was just as fine.
Still, he really wanted to meet him. He had begged to attend veteran meetings in the past, but he had turned down Professor Antorelli’s request, and it weighed on his mind.
“Anton. Look at this.”
Colonel Meijhem turned to the sound of his name being called. Melissa was smiling and pointing somewhere.
‘Ah… this brings back memories.’
Though they had already been married for several years and now had three children, there had once been a time filled with young love between them.
Seeing Melissa smile so cheerfully made Colonel Meijhem reminisce about the days when he was dating her and he slowly walked over.
“Yeah. What’s got you so excited?”
“Look! There’s a statue now.”
“…Huh?”
As Melissa said, there was a statue that he had never seen before. It was not just a rough carving; it was a beautifully and carefully crafted statue.
“This is…”
It depicted two soldiers, one helping an injured comrade, both expressing desperate determination. Colonel Meijhem examined the statue closely.
‘Oh…’
At the edge of the statue, the name of the sculptor was engraved. It was the name of a person so renowned that even Colonel Meijhem, who had little interest in art, had heard of it, adding to his surprise.
“Did this exist before? There wasn’t a statue like this the last time I came here, was there?”
“…That’s true…”
As Melissa said, the last time Colonel Meijhem visited was a year ago. It had also rained heavily that day, just like today, and he recalled that he had come here with Melissa.
And at that time, there hadn’t been such a statue. Except for the arched entrance unique to the imperial cemetery, there was hardly anything to see.
But what was this statue? Colonel Meijhem looked at the two small signs placed in front of it.
[ O valiant spirits who have fallen for the protection of the Empire. Even in unknown deaths, may your souls be guarded by the Lord. ]
[ Dedicated to the valiant spirits by the Claryon of Palmas, through the sponsorship of the Adelhaid Duke. ]
‘Adelhaid…?’
Colonel Meijhem’s expression grew subtly grim. His gaze was fixated on the phrase “through the sponsorship of the Adelhaid Duke.”
“Anton?”
“……”
The implication that the Adelhaid Duke sponsored this meant that he likely funded the entire cost of making this statue. Colonel Meijhem examined the statue once more.
It seemed relatively newly made; the wrinkles on the face, the hair sticking out from under the cap, and even the unkempt beard were rendered so meticulously that even a layman like Colonel Meijhem found it to be an extraordinary work.
If someone wanted to commission such a statue from a renowned artist, it would surely cost a fortune.
Which means it was made at a tremendously high price, and that money was provided by none other than the Adelhaid Duke.
‘…What a coincidence.’
That was about all Colonel Meijhem felt. He had once been angry with the Adelhaid Duke and blamed him for the significant losses suffered due to the lack of supplies.
Yet, having realized the importance of a warm family now…
Of course, he still felt anger and heartache over the attitude the Duke had shown back when he was General Adelhaid…
From a commander’s perspective, the decisions made by the Adelhaid Duke were ultimately unavoidable. Colonel Meijhem, being a commander himself, understood that well.
“…Am I misremembering things? Did this exist before?”
Suddenly, Melissa came closer to Colonel Meijhem and asked. Her question broke him out of his thoughts, and he smiled warmly as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“No. I’m sure this didn’t exist before.”
“Right?”
Melissa hugged Colonel Meijhem’s left arm tightly as she folded the umbrella. Underneath his large umbrella, they began to walk together.
It was a small hill. As several tombstones were aligned in rows, Colonel Meijhem continued to walk with Melissa.
“…Huh?”
And then, he saw it.
At the destination of his steps, a golden-haired head could be seen flickering.
With that familiar color, Colonel Meijhem stared blankly at the spot and continued forward. Melissa walked with him, unaware of what was happening.
‘No way, no way…’
As he fully ascended the low hill, what lay before him was a seemingly endless row of tombstones.
And among them… two people stood out.
A woman with short, golden hair and striking green eyes, wearing a black short-sleeve shirt adorned with Roman collars, and—
“…What the hell.”
In front of the tombstone she was looking at, a man was kneeling, his umbrella tossed aside, in ruins.
That was Professor Antorelli.
– Crack…
In front of him, his devoted sub-priest, Sofia, stood watching. He had brought her here, and—
– Don’t just consider her a substitute for Helena. It could lead to a deep wound.
Ignoring Colonel Meijhem’s serious warning—
– Don’t return that unreciprocated goodwill with a sharp dagger.
Despite knowing how Sofia felt, ultimately…
Professor Antorelli had sunk into despair.
“Ah, Anton?”
“…Wait here.”
After handing the umbrella to Melissa, Colonel Meijhem strode through the pouring rain. His beard trembled slightly. It wouldn’t be strange if blood oozed from his tightly clenched teeth.
“Uh…?”
Sofia turned to look at him. Her bright green eyes were wide in surprise.
Seeing those eyes only made Colonel Meijhem angrier.
“…Priest Antorelli.”
“……”
Even as the heavy rain pounded against him, Colonel Meijhem’s voice was strong enough to cut through to Professor Antorelli.
Professor Antorelli showed no signs of movement. Looking down at him, Colonel Meijhem gestured to Sofia.
Once she understood his gesture, Sofia’s eyes trembled, and she staggered towards Melissa, turning to walk away. Only Colonel Meijhem and Professor Antorelli remained before Helena’s grave.
“Priest Antorelli.”
“…What brings you here?”
“Is it a place I shouldn’t come?”
“You said you couldn’t come.”
“Yeah, I did. If Melissa hadn’t insisted on coming with me, I really wouldn’t have shown up.”
Colonel Meijhem’s voice was laced with anger. The fire that had once sparked when he commanded troops on the front lines flickered in his eyes.
“I came here thinking of you. Yes, that’s right.”
“……”
“But seeing this… I shouldn’t have come at all.”
Professor Antorelli slowly rose. Soaked through by the rain, he was in a pitiful state.
His hair, normally unkempt, was drenched and hung limply. His eyes were hidden beneath his hair.
Colonel Meijhem stepped closer to him.
“Indeed, this place is open for all of us. For you, for me…”
“……”
“If you want to honor those who fought and died for the Empire, anyone is welcome. However…”
Colonel Meijhem’s fist trembled. His eyebrows, resembling a tiger’s, twitched.
“At the very least, you shouldn’t have brought Sofia here.”
“I…”
“If it was just to honor our fallen heroes, that would be acceptable, but your reason for bringing Sofia wasn’t just that. Am I wrong?”
Professor Antorelli stayed silent, looking down. His shoulders quivered irregularly.
Seeing that frustrated figure only fueled Colonel Meijhem’s anger further.
“I thought I had warned you enough.”
“……”
“I told you not to think of that girl as a substitute for Helena. I said so explicitly.”
“…That’s right.”
“And yet, what is this about?”
Professor Antorelli didn’t respond again. It was the second time.
And without a doubt, there wouldn’t be a third time. Just like when he commanded troops on the battlefield.
“Answer me… right now.”
“……”
“Priest Antorelli! Answer me—!!”
Colonel Meijhem’s rough left hand grabbed Professor Antorelli by the collar. The priest’s body was weakly dragged closer.
“Is that all you can do for that child? Is that really all?”
“I…”
“If that’s truly the case, I have misjudged you entirely.”
Colonel Meijhem released his hold. Professor Antorelli fell away weakly.
“Don’t try to absolve your guilt that way. You mean it.”
As he shook off the rainwater collected in his palm, Colonel Meijhem tried to turn away.
“…What do you know.”
“…What?”
Colonel Meijhem turned his head. His surprised gaze met Professor Antorelli’s.
Through his wet hair, Professor Antorelli’s eyes shone deep and bright. They seemed devoid of color, appearing as if they could pull you in.
“Do you know what I felt as I stripped myself bare?”
“……”
“Do you know what I felt… I… I…”
“Whatever excuses you make, bringing Sofia here is…”
“…I wish I could stop hurting too.”
Colonel Meijhem fell silent. Professor Antorelli’s eyes were focused elsewhere, not on him.
“I prayed every day… Please, come back. If you must leave, at least forgive me before you go.”
Beyond Colonel Meijhem’s shoulder, somewhere. Professor Antorelli seemed to be gazing at something far away.
“I want to stop hurting… The pain of having my heart carved out as I struggle every night… I can’t seem to get used to it… So…”
“……”
“So, I… I was just being greedy… I… I…”
He… What could it mean?
“…I should never have met you.”
Who exactly was he talking to?
The words thrown into the void ultimately scattered, failing to reach anyone.
Into the rain, as if drawn into the thick fog.
