PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

Tuesday. The day when there were only two theology classes in a week.

“Head Priest!”

As I stepped out of the professor’s office with a theology book tucked under my arm, Sofia Sub-priest came running towards me, her face beaming with excitement. Watching her bobbing short hair sway as she ran reminded me of a golden retriever.

“Sofia Sub-priest.”

“Good morning!”

After a day of rest, Sofia Sub-priest was back to her vibrant self. Her green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she looked at me.

With her beaming smile, I felt as if my day would also be filled with energy. I lightly nodded while holding the handout she had in her arms.

“Did you rest well yesterday?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Head Priest, I feel great now.”

She slightly lowered her head and began to fidget. When I stared at her blankly, Sofia Sub-priest looked up at me with a somewhat worried expression.

“Um, you’re feeling alright, right…?”

“Ah. I’m fine.”

“…I’m sorry. Back then, I shouldn’t have asked such a question….”

She seemed to feel a bit guilty. After all, thanks to Sofia Sub-priest pulling the trigger, I had shown a rather unseemly side of myself.

But that was certainly not Sofia Sub-priest’s fault. As my assistant and sub-priest, it was important for her to assess my condition. It was just my own inadequacy.

“It’s nothing. It’s only natural for you to want to know my condition, Sofia Sub-priest. I’m the one who should apologize for showing such a sight.”

“B-but…”

“I’m fine now. Do I still look painful?”

Sofia Sub-priest stared at my face intently. I met her gaze.

In less than five seconds, she abruptly turned her head away. The tips of her ears peeked out, bright red.

“W-well…. I’m glad to hear you’re fine.”

With Sofia Sub-priest flustered, we headed toward the classroom. As we walked with a sense of relaxation, I felt my steps lighter than usual.

“Hmm…. You seem a bit lively today!”

Sofia Sub-priest walking beside me had returned to her positive demeanor. I tilted my head and asked.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You seem brighter than usual. Did something good happen?”

“Something good….”

Since my meeting with Damian yesterday, I had felt a bit of a weight lifted off my heart.

Although there would be the task of welcoming the clergymen from the Holy Empire, it was a relief that I could dispose of the troubling fingers. I was keen to remove them quickly, as I felt they would pose a significant threat to the students.

I had tried to examine them personally, but I found no signs, no traces, or any power emanating from them. For now, they were just desiccated fingers, like a mummy.

Of course, that didn’t mean I would become complacent. Until the priests from the Holy Empire retrieved them, I planned to watch and keep them secure.

I still recalled the demonic power I had encountered at the chapel back then. The chilling and grotesque distortion haunted me still. I hoped that the Holy Empire would investigate properly this time.

More than that, dealing with the clergymen from the Holy Empire…

I stopped walking and looked down at Sofia Sub-priest. When I halted, she too stopped and began to look up at me.

“…Why do you look at me like that?”

I felt that there was no need to worry about treating the priests from the Holy Empire, since Sofia Sub-priest would be with me.

“Sofia Sub-priest. It seems two priests will be coming from the Holy Empire next week.”

“F-from the Holy Empire…?”

“Yes. We will likely have to welcome them.”

Sofia Sub-priest, being from the Holy Empire, seemed a little excited about the news of fellow townspeople coming here after completing their studies at the academy.

Given the considerable distance from this city to the Holy Empire, it was no surprise that Sofia Sub-priest was a bit exhilarated.

“What are their names? Are they from the Seminary? Do you know what kind of people they are?!”

“Calm down, Sofia Sub-priest.”

“Ugh…. I hope they’re someone I know…”

Sofia Sub-priest pursed her lips. As we came to a halt in the middle of the corridor, we resumed our steps and continued our conversation.

“The people coming this time aren’t from the Seminary. However, I’ve heard that one of them briefly worked there. Though I believe they are currently affiliated elsewhere…”

“Oh….”

“The one who worked at the Seminary is named Priest Peter, and the other is Priest Camilla. I heard both of them hold the rank of intermediate priests.”

“…….”

Sofia Sub-priest’s complexion darkened slightly. Suddenly, I had an ominous feeling.

“Sofia Sub-priest?”

“Priest Peter…?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“He worked at the academy, right?”

“…Do you know him?”

Sofia Sub-priest nodded repeatedly. She nodded so vigorously that her blonde hair was getting tousled.

“I’ve never heard of Priest Camilla. But if Priest Peter is who I think he is… he was the dormitory supervisor at the Seminary… he was very strict and scary.”

“Hmm….”

“In the dormitory, we had to walk at all times, and if our priestly garments were even slightly disheveled, we’d immediately get demerits. Ugh…. Of all people, it had to be him…”

Sofia Sub-priest looked extremely worried. Seeing her break out in a cold sweat, it seemed he was indeed stricter than I had imagined.

“That’s strange.”

“…What is it?”

Sofia Sub-priest tilted her head. I patted her shoulder and said.

“Even though his rank seems to be lower than mine as a higher priest, what is there to fear?”

“Ah….”

“Be strong. Be courageous. Wherever you go, the Lord is with you, so do not be afraid.”

“…That’s from Benedict, Chapter 8, Verse 24.”

Sofia Sub-priest’s expression brightened again. I shrugged casually and replied.

“It’s my favorite verse.”

“Hehe…. Well, yes. You are a higher priest after all.”

As we walked, I noticed a few students hurrying into the classroom. I glanced at my wristwatch.

9:28 AM. It seemed we needed to hurry.

“Sofia Sub-priest. We should speed up a bit.”

“Yes. And, um… Head Priest.”

Sofia Sub-priest called out to me, then smiled gently and said.

“Thank you. Truly.”

“…Let’s get into the classroom quickly.”

We entered the classroom. As always, it was exactly 9:30 AM.

* * * * *

Clunk. Clank.

Priest Peter sat composedly in his seat and looked out the window.

The scenery of the Empire that was solidly stepping into spring came into view. It was a scene that vividly reminded him of just having escaped from the Holy Empire.

On the stark branches, fresh green leaves sprouted, and the wildflowers that had hidden themselves in the snow were shyly revealing their faces; the arrival of spring was beautiful.

Moved by the breathtaking scenery, Priest Peter unconsciously tightened his grip on his rosary.

Behold the vast meadows. Behold the newly born lives. Behold the birds soaring freely. What could all this possibly mean if not for the grace of the Lord?

“Oh…. Holy Lord…”

He slightly opened the train window. The untainted fragrance of wildflowers wafted in with the breeze. Priest Peter closed his eyes and focused on the sounds and scents of nature.

“It’s spring now. The scenery outside is quite lovely.”

Suddenly, a voice intruded upon his reverie, causing him to frown involuntarily.

“…Priest Camilla.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I’m interrupting. Were you enjoying the Lord’s grace? I didn’t realize.”

Priest Peter clicked his tongue at her impudent demeanor.

Intermediate Priest Camilla. She rose to the rank of intermediate priest at a young age due to her accomplishments in the Great War, and Priest Peter found her thoroughly unlikable.

After the Great War, the Holy Empire had divided into two factions, each struggling for dominance. Those who looked down on individuals from the relief clergy who had participated in the war.

And those who prayed for those who fought in the war, whether it be out of obligation to their country or a noble wish to save people.

Priest Peter was certainly part of the former faction. This was why he held an unfavorable view of Priest Camilla.

It was not merely a matter of rank. Priest Peter, having more seniority than her, was not treated on an entirely equal footing.

He simply could not view favorably someone who had dipped their feet in a battlefield where people killed each other, devoid of generosity or mercy. He could not comprehend how she had risen in rank to intermediate priest after participating in such a terrible war.

If the Holy Pope had not publicly stated that priests who participated in the war should be taken care of warmly, she would have long been expelled from the Holy Empire. That was how Priest Peter viewed Priest Camilla.

However, this was not a private matter. Priest Peter discreetly looked around.

He noticed attendants checking the train tickets. If he raised his voice here, it would clearly disturb the peace that the Lord emphasized.

“Priest Camilla. Please refrain from aggressive words and actions.”

“I merely commented that the view outside is nice.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about—!”

Priest Peter barely managed to suppress his voice from rising. Fortunately, the other passengers in the same carriage seemed uninterested in him. He let out a deep sigh.

“Hah…. Priest Camilla. We are not here to fight. We are going to do the work entrusted to us by the Holy Pope.”

“Indeed. The Holy Pope apparently thought that sending just you was insufficient.”

“…Priest Camilla. Let’s get straight to the point. I am well aware that you do not look favorably upon me. So, what is the reason you volunteered for this task knowing that I would be dispatched?”

“I never said I dislike you, Priest Peter.”

“Are you lying before the Lord?”

“…I made a slip of the tongue.”

In effect, she had admitted to disliking him. Priest Peter shook his head in disbelief.

“Speaking of which, aren’t you also connected to the Caldera Imperial Academy? I heard you dropped out while attending their theology department to join the relief clergy.”

“…….”

“Is it because you miss it? The reason for volunteering for this task?”

This time, Priest Camilla turned her head to look out the window. The lush scenery continued to zoom past, changing its appearance in real-time.

“…That was a long time ago, Priest Peter. I was just a delinquent who dropped out long ago—what right do I have to miss it?”

Priest Camilla closed her eyes. She did not miss the academy. In fact, it was a place she wanted to forget.

Yet, there was a reason she stepped forward nonetheless.

“More than missing it, how should I put it… perhaps it’s guilt.”

“Guilt, you say?”

“…It’s my stubbornness. I’ve been regretting for a lifetime because of my foolish stubbornness.”

She sealed her lips thereafter. Priest Peter also did not press further.

It would take quite a long time. The land of the Empire was vast, and there was still a long way to go to the Caldera Imperial Academy.

Priest Peter donned a monocle and held the Bible in hand. As the attendant checking tickets moved to the next carriage and the noise from the passengers dwindled down.

In that silence, the train continued on its way quietly.

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