Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

35 – 35. Martyr’s Blood (12)

Cloé hesitated in front of the altar in the chapel. Elin, who was sitting next to her, was the same.

Cloé and Elin. Where the two girls’ gazes met, there was always a silent and somber atmosphere, with a man standing there.

No, now he might not exude such a somber atmosphere.

His neatly combed back hair was impressive. His well-groomed hair was not tangled as usual, and his blunt expression, which always seemed melancholic, seemed to have regained some vitality.

Ruccio Antinelli’s change was quite shocking to them.

“Elin, it seems like something happened to Professor Antinelli.”

“If a person suddenly changes, they say they die….”

“Oh…! Is that really true…?!”

“I don’t know if they die or not, but it seems like it was very difficult for him.”

Meanwhile, not far away, Laura, who had fallen, was also confused.

“He suddenly canceled class, so I came out of curiosity….”

What a strange situation. Laura’s face changed strangely. The unusual appearance of Professor Antonelli brought about a significant sense of dissonance.

“The lecture on the Bible is here.”

Professor Antonelli’s voice on the podium echoed through the chapel. Those who had engraved his sermons in their hearts in various ways slowly joined their hands.

“Then, let us have a benediction and conclude the worship.”

As Professor Antonelli joined hands and closed his eyes, the students and theology professors in the chapel closed their eyes as well.

“May the grace and love of the Lord be with us here. May the Lord bless us and keep us, and grant peace to everyone present here.”

“Come, Lord!”

In the peaceful atmosphere, the final Sunday worship of the evening came to an end.

It was a worship that was held in a slightly different atmosphere than usual.

* * * * *

After the final Sunday worship held in the early evening, I quickly left the church. My steps towards the dormitory for faculty members became faster and faster.

I didn’t really have anything to prepare, but I still wanted to attend the alumni meeting in the best possible appearance.

Behind me, Sofia followed closely.

“What time is the appointment?”

“The letter says 7 p.m. in the evening. It seems like it’s not going to last too late.”

As I said that, I glanced briefly at my wristwatch.

The current time was half past five in the afternoon. There was still an hour and a half until the appointment time, but the restaurant was a bit far. I had to prepare in advance.

“Well, it’s a very famous restaurant. It will be difficult to reserve for a long time.”

As Sofia and I chatted about various things, we found ourselves in front of the dormitory without realizing it. Sofia smiled at me.

“Father-in-charge. Are you nervous?”

“Not really.”

I’m nervous. Very nervous.

Except for Major Mayhem, these people are not so vividly remembered, as if their faces are fading from my memory. And the same would be true for them as well. They might not recognize me.

How will I look? Can I really fit in well with them? Will they look down on me?

It felt as if I had become a student transferred to a different school. I kept fidgeting with my neatly arranged hair and entered the dormitory.

As I opened the front door and entered, Sophia Buse followed me naturally. It seemed like she wanted to tidy up my appearance one last time.

Her such behavior was awkward. Usually, Sophia Buse, who always showed a lively and mischievous side, seeing her taking care of me so tenderly and meticulously made me see her in a new light.

“Is this good?”

“Well… here, move the hair a little more to this side…”

“Like this?”

“Yes. Much better!”

Sophia Buse’s smile that was beaming brightly was delightful. With a fluttering heart, I avoided meeting her eyes.

After everything was ready, suddenly there was only an hour left until the appointment time. I tried to quickly leave the dormitory.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Principal Priest.”

When Sophia Buse called out to me, I turned around.

“Do not attach too much significance to the past events. Do you understand?”

“……”

I swallowed my dry saliva. I took a deep breath to organize my thoughts, so that my words wouldn’t get twisted.

I looked at her standing a little distance away from me. I met her emerald-like eyes, which I used to always avoid this time.

Beautiful green eyes, like the color of greenery, seemed to be filled with all the freshness of the world…

…truly, they resembled each other so much. They were eyes that were exactly like Helena’s. Whenever I saw those eyes, I would think of Helena.

And now, Sophia Buse, who resembled Helena, was smiling brightly and giving me a playful gaze. As I looked into her eyes, the weight of guilt became lighter. Perhaps because of that.

“Well then, please take care. I’ll see you at the professor’s office tomorrow.”

“…Sophia Buse.”

“Yes?”

Sophia Buse tilted her head. Even her flowing blonde hair resembled Helena.

Thus, I inadvertently spoke, as if possessed.

“If it’s okay with you, Sophia Buse, wouldn’t you come with me?”

I want to meet them together with you.

* * * * *

When we arrived hastily at the appointed pub, there were about five minutes left until the appointment time.

“Phew… luckily, we’re not late.”

Sophia Buse murmured, wiping off the sweat running down her neck. I nodded slowly.

The bustling atmosphere and the warm ambiance of an early evening in spring.

I looked at the warm glow coming from the pub. That light resonated within my heart.

The inside of the tavern seemed to be bustling. Through the opaque coated glass windows, I saw several people raising their glasses and cheering each other.

At the same time, the sound of people talking loudly inside the tavern faintly reached my ears. It reminded me of Lieutenant Mayhem shouting in his loud voice, and I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

I grabbed the doorknob and stood still.

“…….”.

To be honest, I still didn’t have the courage. To be precise, I didn’t have the guts to confidently enter such a noisy place.

I was afraid that the lively atmosphere would cool down because of me. I let go of the doorknob for a moment and took a deep breath.

“Phew….”

Suddenly, a warm sensation spread through my arm. I opened my eyes slowly.

“Don’t worry, Chief Inquisitor.”

Sophia, the sub-inquisitor, gently held onto my arm and encouraged me. I nodded gratefully and spoke.

“Thank you for accommodating my persistence, Sub-Inquisitor Sophia.”

Sophia looked at me. I looked into her eyes without averting my gaze and said again.

“Thank you. I mean it.”

“U-um, if you suddenly say it like that…”

“It’s because you kindly invited me to the lodge meeting. I’m truly grateful to you, Sub-Inquisitor Sophia. I was able to come here today because of you.”

“…….”.

Sophia, who had been gazing at me while taking a deep breath, slowly nodded her head.

“No. Chief Inquisitor, the reason you were able to come here is not because of me, but because you decided to take a step forward.”

“…Sub-Inquisitor Sophia.”

“I just gently pushed you forward, that’s all.”

Sophia smiled brightly. I stood in front of the tavern, staring at her laughter for a long time.

– Father Lucio, what are you doing?

Helena, who mischievously smiled and played pranks on me, comes to mind. Projecting Helena onto Sophia might be a disrespectful thought to Sophia.

But, what can I do?

Even when I see the yellow sunlight of dawn, I think of your radiant blonde hair.

Even when I see the leaves of a tree that burst with life on hot summer days, I think of your transparent eyes.

When I see Sophia’s bright smile, you come to mind.

What can I possibly do?

Helena. It seems impossible for me to forget you.

“Chief Inquisitor?”

At the sound of Sophia’s title calling me, I awoke from a deep reverie. Sophia’s title, filled with questioning eyes, was directed at me. Within them, a faint concern lingered.

Was it because I seemed to be dwelling on troubling thoughts again? I felt a twinge of regret for causing unnecessary worry.

“Is something bothering you? You didn’t answer all of a sudden…”

“…No. Let’s go inside now.”

“Yes!”

I gripped the door to the tavern. My hands trembled slightly, damp with sweat released from tension. It was at that moment, as I attempted to grasp the doorknob once again.

“Um, are you not going in? I have to go in now…”

A slightly breathless voice reached me from behind. I turned my head.

It was a man with small scars on his face. As if he had just come from strenuous work, there was a bit of dust on his clothes.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Would you like to go in first?”

“Yes. Thank you…. Huh?”

Bowing his head, the man who had been about to enter the tavern suddenly froze. The pupils looking at me began to shake slowly.

“Um, could it be…”

“Yes?”

“Oh, aren’t you Father Antonelli?”

My heart pounded. I didn’t expect anyone to recognize me, but apparently, I was wrong. I nodded slowly towards the man.

“Yes. I am indeed Father Antonelli.”

“Ha…! I knew it…! It felt familiar somewhere!”

Contrary to my worries, he approached me with a bright smile. I stood still, staring at him.

“Don’t you remember me? I came! Private Dennis!”

“Ah.”

I thought his face seemed familiar, and only now did his face become truly recognizable.

“You treated my arm, Father! That time, when… when was it?”

“…When we rescued the 3rd Platoon?”

“Oh yes! That’s it! Back then! Wow… It’s been a while, hasn’t it?!”

Dennis laughed heartily and tried to hug me, but then he hesitated and stepped back.

“Oh, right… I just came from working on the construction site… Sorry about the dirty clothes.”

His dejected expression tugged at my heart. I embraced him warmly despite the clean priestly robe being tarnished with a bit of dust. It didn’t matter.

“F-Father.”

“Is dirtying your clothes a concern when we’ve reunited? The fact that we’ve met is more important.”

He hesitated for a moment, then soon responded to my embrace. I bit down on my trembling lips tightly.

Private Dennis, who used to be a timid young man, had now turned into an uncle with a rugged body and a thick beard.

A feeling of fullness surged in my chest. The long-lost camaraderie revived with Dennis. Meeting one of those who had shared life and death with me ignited indescribable emotions.

As we embraced for a while, we eventually separated and smiled at each other. It was a very short time, but thanks to Dennis, I could briefly recall the good memories from the battlefield.

“Anyway, I’m really glad to see you.”

“I’m also really… really glad, Dennis.”

“Did you come to attend the comrades’ gathering? You’re really welcome. Many of the fellows were waiting for the priest to arrive.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. But what about over there…?”

Dennis pointed towards Sophia, the assistant priest. I turned to look at her.

“Oh, this is my assistant…”

“Hello! I’m Sophia, the assistant to Priest Antonelli!”

Sophia greeted us energetically. Dennis, who had been looking at us with surprised eyes for a moment, soon smiled warmly and nodded his head.

“Oh… Priest, you’ve really made a name for yourself. Now you even have an assistant?”

“That’s how it turned out. But Sophia, can she come in too?”

“Oh, of course! Instead of standing outside, let’s go in quickly!”

Dennis opened the door with a hearty laugh, and I took a calming breath to ease my nervousness. Sophia smiled broadly and stood by my side.

“It seems like the priest’s worries won’t come true. Right?”

“I hope so.”

“Hehe… Well, shall we go in? Priest.”

I closed my eyes tightly and took a step forward, following Sophia. The sensation of stepping on the ground felt awkward. Initially, my foot, which seemed glued to the ground, gradually became more accustomed to moving after taking the first step.

One step, two steps. Finally, after the third step.

“Everyone, attention! Priest Antonelli has finally graced us with his presence at this comrades’ gathering!”

As Dennis, who entered first, shouted with a booming voice, everyone in the tavern turned their gaze towards us.

“Well, well!”

“Where is he! Where!”

I opened my trembling eyes. Along with the tumultuous noise, familiar faces crowded around me.

“Priest Antonelli! It’s really you!”

“Long time no see! Hahaha!”

“How long has it been? How have you been?!”

“Wow, you haven’t changed at all!”

“I told you I would come! Hahaha!”

With a wide smile and wrinkled face, Lieutenant Mayhem stood before me.

Everyone’s welcoming gesture…a completely opposite situation to the unfortunate future I had anticipated.

“Ha, hahaha….”

To me, it brought such a sense of relief.

“It’s been so long, everyone….”

I couldn’t help but embrace them warmly.

As I did, I saw Sophia, fighting back a single tear. Inadvertently, I whispered her name.

“…Helena.”

I made up my mind to take a step forward.

In this narrow and suffocating world, I took a step to break free from the mold.

Suddenly, a passage from a book I read on Earth before possession comes to mind. It couldn’t be a mere coincidence.

– The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.

A saying left by the ancient theologian Tertullian.

Yes. I have always firmly believed in your existence, and the traces you left in the past.

Now, I have reunited with the bonds sprouted from memories with you.

So, this is undoubtedly….

The seed of you, finally sprouting outside of this world.