Maximilian stepped out of the military tribunal with a light stride.
The sky of the city was also painted with a sunset. The golden hue seemed to praise this current era of peace, bringing him satisfaction.
“General von Adelheit.”
“Lieutenant Carmondorf.”
Maximilian’s personal aide, Lieutenant Carmondorf, approached him.
The title he used felt quite awkward. Just a short while ago, he held the position of the brigade commander, but following the end of the war and his summons to the military tribunal, his position was temporarily vacated.
Maximilian shrugged and walked slowly, while Lieutenant Carmondorf quickly followed behind him.
“General, the promotion review results are out.”
“Has the Department of Defense already made an announcement?”
“Yes. And… congratulations on your promotion, Colonel von Adelheit.”
A laugh escaped his lips. Just moments ago, he had been under pressure from the various individuals gathered in the courtroom.
But regardless of how much they criticized Maximilian… in the end, the empire acknowledged his achievements.
He had played a crucial role in cutting off the enemy’s large-scale offensive as they exerted their last efforts. Although the number of sacrificed soldiers was not small, some degree of bloodshed had to be accepted.
Maximilian’s shoulders involuntarily lifted. He slightly turned his steps towards the vehicle, beginning to walk at a more leisurely pace.
“I’ve already contacted the mansion. Butler Alfred should have good wine prepared. Congratulations once again.”
“Thank you. I’m in a good mood today.”
Maximilian instinctively pulled out a cigarette.
Seeing this, Lieutenant Carmondorf smoothly brought out a lighter. Maximilian’s gaze naturally shifted towards it.
A luxurious lighter, engraved with intricate patterns. It was a gift he received when he was promoted to general.
Now that he had been promoted to colonel, he looked forward to how many more congratulations he would receive from those around him. Maximilian took a puff from the lit cigarette.
“Thank you.”
Like the lighter, the quality of the cigarette was superb. The sweet grape aroma gently enveloped his throat, something Maximilian very much enjoyed.
‘Emma also likes grapes.’
His wife, Emma von Adelheit, had a particular fondness for grapes.
Though Maximilian had no specific favorite fruit, they say love makes one resemble their partner. He had somehow come to like the sweet taste of grapes.
Since it had come to this, he should buy some good grapes on his way home. Maximilian exhaled the cigarette smoke and said.
“Lieutenant Carmondorf, are there any fruit stores open at this hour?”
“I’ll check.”
“Hmm. Will it take long?”
“No, I can find one quickly. Are we heading there directly?”
“Yeah. Let’s stop by the fruit store first, then head straight home.”
Lieutenant Carmondorf bowed his head. It was a natural gesture for Maximilian, who was accustomed to handling people.
“Let’s get going then.”
“Yes. I’ll escort you.”
Just then, as Maximilian was about to walk toward the prepared vehicle.
“Hmm?”
Something caught his eye. Two youths were sitting on the steps in front of the military tribunal, their shoulders drooping. Maximilian noticed the familiar silhouette of the two individuals.
“They’re the young men who caused a commotion in the courtroom.”
“Yes. They had requested to meet you just a moment ago, and I refused.”
Maximilian observed the two youths more closely. Although he could only see their backs, one was wearing priestly robes, while the other had on a somewhat shabby jacket.
“Hmm… No. I’ll meet with them.”
“…Colonel.”
“It’ll be just a moment. I have something personal I’m curious about.”
Despite Lieutenant Carmondorf’s attempt to dissuade him, Maximilian slowly approached the two. The two youths seemed to sense his presence and weakly turned their heads to look over.
‘Their eyes…’
When Maximilian met the gaze of the two young men, he barely managed to suppress a shiver that ran down his spine.
The eyes of the two looking at him. In particular, the cold gaze of the one in priestly robes was unsettling. It was devoid of any vitality, akin to the eyes of a fish rotting away in neglect.
There is such a thing as the Thousand Yard Stare.
The look of soldiers completely consumed by the horror of death and the shock of bloodshed in battle, unable to comprehend the situation before them or process their surroundings, staring vacantly into the distance like that.
Maximilian had seen that kind of look a few times when he had gone to inspect the front lines. And here, the eyes of the priest before him held the same look.
In contrast, the youth sitting next to him was different. His eyes were bloodshot, likely having cried for a long while after being thrown out of the courtroom. His red eyes were filled with sorrow and fury.
And those eyes were solely directed at Maximilian. Maximilian took another step closer to the two youths.
“Hey.”
“…”
When he spoke, the priest remained silent. He simply gazed at Maximilian vacantly with his hollow eyes.
He didn’t show any sign of anger. It felt as if there was no remnant of fury left, like completely burned-out embers with nothing left to ignite.
Maximilian turned his head. This time, he focused on the angry youth.
His striking light brown hair caught his attention. The bright brown eyes, too, were bloodshot, which evoked pity from Maximilian.
“I heard you wanted to meet me.”
“…You came by yourself. How bold.”
“You say that… are you planning to kill me or something?”
“If I had my way, I would like to.”
The anger the youth held surpassed Maximilian’s imagination. He stared intensely into the youth’s eyes for a moment before speaking up.
“What’s your name?”
“…Cesar Li.”
“Cesar Li… Do you know who I am?”
“Do I know? How could I not recognize a scum like you?”
“I see. Unfortunately, I doubt anyone else shares your sentiment.”
“What a bastard…!”
As Cesar flared up, Lieutenant Carmondorf stepped forward beside Maximilian. Maximilian gestured to Lieutenant Carmondorf to stop him.
“Lieutenant Carmondorf. It’s fine.”
“Colonel, it’s dangerous. It would be better to keep some distance…”
“It’s fine, so don’t worry about it.”
Lieutenant Carmondorf’s face showed displeasure, but he spoke out of concern. Maximilian turned his attention back to Cesar.
“I have no intention of playing games with you. If you want to talk to me, I’d rather go now than continue with this senseless exchange.”
Cesar’s face turned beet red, but that was all. He seemed to have forgotten what to say, merely opening and closing his mouth at Maximilian.
Maximilian, waiting for a coherent response, heaved a faint sigh and turned his body. He was eager to get to the mansion to see his waiting wife and two daughters.
“Lieutenant Carmondorf, let’s go.”
“Yes. Right this way.”
Just as Maximilian was about to head towards the car.
“…Maximilian von Adelheit.”
Maximilian’s steps abruptly halted. He turned his head towards the source of the voice.
“May I speak?”
Unlike his demeanor in the courtroom, his calm tone and formal language earned his approval. Maximilian nodded slowly.
“Finally, a rational person has emerged. Seeing you in priestly attire, you must have served as a military chaplain, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“I see. Which unit were you with?”
The priest fell silent for a moment. He seemed to struggle to form words, as his lips moved without sound.
“…858th Mage Engineering Infantry Battalion.”
Finally, his mouth opened. Maximilian stared at him blankly.
“858…Mage Engineering Infantry Battalion. You’re from there?”
The priest nodded his head heavily. The effort looked so difficult that it seemed like someone was holding his jaw.
Only then did Maximilian begin to understand everything. He realized why this young priest had shouted in the courtroom.
He was from the 858th Mage Engineering Infantry Battalion, which suffered the greatest losses due to Maximilian’s operation. Maximilian asked him.
“What’s your name?”
“…Antorelli. Lucio Antorelli.”
“Right, Priest Antorelli. What is it that you want to say to me?”
The haggard man in priestly robes, Priest Antorelli, once again did not reply immediately. He kept his mouth shut, as if pondering what to say, maintaining silence for a while.
Just as Maximilian’s patience began to wear thin.
“…Do you feel any remorse?”
“…Huh?”
Maximilian was taken aback by the unexpected question. Remorse? What was he talking about?
“Do you feel remorse for the soldiers of the 858th Mage Engineering Infantry Battalion?”
Was that what he meant? A sigh escaped Maximilian’s lips.
“After all that, you wanted to ask me that?”
“It’s purely my own question. Cesar has nothing to do with this.”
“Hmmm…”
Remorse, remorse. Do I feel any remorse?
The pause before Priest Antorelli asked that question was long, and ironically, Maximilian’s contemplation was rather brief.
“I don’t.”
The expression on Priest Antorelli’s face twitched slightly. But that was all. His face remained expressionless.
“The deaths of the soldiers of the 858th Mage Engineering Infantry Battalion were sacrifices born out of their noble hearts, not due to someone pushing them into death.”
“…”
“Therefore, yes. I have no intention of expressing remorse. To apologize to them would disgrace the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives for the empire. Do not attribute the deaths of your comrades to someone else’s responsibility.”
“You crazy bastard…!”
Cesar, who had been simmering with anger, lunged at Maximilian again but was once more restrained by Lieutenant Carmondorf. Maximilian looked at him with a derisive gaze.
“Learn from your friend. How nice it would be to converse calmly, like Priest Antorelli.”
“Ugh…! Let go! I’m going to kill you!”
“Tsk…”
As Maximilian clicked his tongue, Cesar began to yell and flail around. Maximilian turned his attention back to Priest Antorelli.
“…?”
Tears were now flowing from the eyes of Priest Antorelli. It was a puzzling sight. Without any change in his expression, only the tears streamed down his face.
Priest Antorelli, who had been silently watching Maximilian, spoke.
“…May I ask you one favor?”
“What now?”
“Please tell Helena I’m sorry… just those words.”
“Oh… well, I don’t do apologies. To begin with, who is that? I don’t know her.”
Priest Antorelli’s expression turned strange. His face twisted and then crumbled completely.
The expression of neither crying nor laughing sent a chill down Maximilian’s spine.
“…If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”
“Where do you think you’re going! Hey! You can’t just say you won’t apologize?! How many…!”
Maximilian turned his body. The sound of Cesar shouting behind him was irritating, but once he got into the car, that noise faded away.
A moment later, Lieutenant Carmondorf, having detached Cesar, took the steering wheel. Maximilian comfortably settled into his seat.
“We’ll be departing now.”
“Let’s go.”
As the car began to move smoothly, Maximilian unconsciously glanced out the window.
All at once, a chill ran down his entire body.
Priest Antorelli stood at the spot he had just been, staring at him.
He was not gazing at something in the distance; he was precisely watching the car of Maximilian as it moved away.
Still maintaining that grotesquely distorted expression.
As the distance increased, until his figure disappeared from view.
Truly, for quite a while.
