NOVEL NEXT chapter 10
10 – It’s Just Good Luck
They sought prosperity and glory for the empire.
Rest here with the great ancestors.
Only the gods will know their names.
The woman standing in front of the tomb of unknown soldiers gently caressed the gravestone.
The noble patriots who faded away without even leaving their names.
From the beginning to the end of the empire, they will shine eternally.
“Your Highness, the princess. It’s time to go.”
Princess Mikaela raised her head and boarded the carriage.
Decoration of Honor ceremony. A day when the entire empire pays tribute to one person.
Normally, she would be heading to the War Castle courtroom, but today’s destination was different.
The Academy. The Ivory Tower of the Empire. That was the venue for today’s ceremony.
Clatter—
As they moved towards the place, Mikaela examined the honoree for this ceremony.
“Karl Adelheit. The eldest son of Count Friedrich.”
Truly a peculiar individual. The son of a count joining the military as a common soldier. Such cases were extremely rare in the history of the empire, especially during its early days. After that, such incidents were practically non-existent because it became a headache when direct descendants of influential families became prisoners.
Nevertheless, this young man Karl, while deceiving himself, managed to enlist. Even after his true identity was revealed, both the War Castle and the Count accepted it. They said, “If my son truly did it out of loyalty to the empire, I should understand his intentions.”
“That’s what I said, but there were many concerns, especially from Lica.”
The daughter of the Adelheit family. The next Count Friedrich. Lica Adelheit, with a three-year age difference from her younger brother, couldn’t hide her anxiety even in front of Mikaela.
When news of Karl’s enlistment reached her, she would say, “Hmph! I don’t want to hear news about that guy!” However, Karl, who enlisted in this way, fulfilled his duties as an imperial soldier. He underwent training with his comrades, went to the battlefield, and fought against the enemies.
In the process, he achieved an unbelievable miracle, rescuing several hundred allies.
It was a tremendous achievement, one deserving of a hero’s welcome.
However, the fact that this became known so belatedly was due to Karl hiding his true identity.
Since the war was still ongoing at that time, investigating was difficult. However, after the war ended, as the official investigation began, testimonies about the events of that day poured in.
At that time, Mikaela herself was serving as a major in the Imperial Army.
Therefore, she understood very well that rescuing allies, especially hundreds of them, on her own, was truly a remarkable feat.
It was not merely saving hundreds; it was rescuing thousands of parents, wives, and children from misery.
Saving soldiers who would carry the burden of guilt for their comrades’ deaths for a lifetime.
The Empire owed a great debt to the sword. Therefore, receiving a medal of honor was a matter of course.
“Your Highness.”
As Mikaela reached the Academy Square designated for the medal ceremony, soldiers of the Imperial Army approached.
Upon seeing them, Mikaela, who had reflexively intended to salute, soon lowered her hand.
During the war, she had received their orders as an ‘Lieutenant’ in the Imperial Army.
But in peacetime, she was respected as the ‘Princess’ of the Empire.
Although she still wore the rank insignia of a Lieutenant, it was only natural.
The polite individuals in between continued the conversation.
“The preparations for the medal ceremony are complete. However, is it truly necessary for Your Highness to personally…”
“I’ve said it before. Paying tribute to a young man who saved not just hundreds but ultimately thousands, tens of thousands, for the Empire by sacrificing himself is a matter of respect. What’s the issue?”
Mikaela’s intent was firm, and the military personnel did not object further.
In fact, it was enough. The medal of honor was so prestigious.
Even if the Emperor personally paid his respects, his subjects would have bowed their heads in admiration.
“Who is today’s hero?”
“He is waiting.”
“How much time until the medal ceremony?”
“Approximately 10 minutes.”
Ten minutes. That should be enough.
“Well then, let me have a brief conversation with the hero before the ceremony.”
She was curious. Who was this person? What kind of courage led to such a bold act?
Surrounded by enemies. And not just any enemies, but the Elven ghosts who surrounded our allies.
A soldier who willingly threw himself into the midst of those considered hopeless.
Mikaela herself, filled with a sense of duty toward the Empire, was uncertain about her own actions.
“Sergeant Karl Adelheid?”
The recipient of the Medal of Honor, Karl Adelheid.
“Sergeant Karl Adelheid! It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness!”
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Don’t shout so loud.”
Just an ordinary young man, one you could find anywhere, really.
In a past life, I had the misfortune of shaking hands with a battalion commander.
Yeah, a battalion commander. Three stars. A lieutenant colonel. Lucky, huh? Damn, are you kidding me?
It wasn’t luck, it was almost a complete disaster. My hands are still trembling.
It was brief, but I lost count of the eyes that were watching me.
Behind those eyes lay a hidden set of intentions.
– Make a mistake and you’re dead. If any words slip out from the commander’s mouth, you die, and I die. –
But today, more than a three-star disaster, a buster call came to me.
“Stay on edge. Her Imperial Highness, the First Princess, will be arriving soon.”
A princess. Royalty. The invincible existence that renders stars trivial.
And this figure personally came to pin a medal on me and deliver a speech.
She’s even on her way to the waiting room, saying she wants to meet me briefly!
Please don’t come. Please, don’t. Damn it, why does this keep happening to a former soldier like me!
For us, having high-ranking individuals come and pat our shoulders is like torture!
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit?”
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit! It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness!”
However, this body started as a private and reached the rank of sergeant without a hitch until discharge.
I can handle this much. I didn’t eat dirt in the trenches for nothing!
“Uh, uh. Yeah. Don’t shout too much.”
“I understand, Your Highness.”
The First Princess, Michaela. I’ve never met her, but I’ve heard of her.
During the Luzens War, this woman was in the Imperial Army just like me.
To be precise, I was a soldier, and Michaela was an officer.
“Your physique is a bit more robust than I anticipated.”
“I apologize!”
“No need to apologize. It was just an observation. More importantly, you resemble Rika.”
Rika? Could it be Rikata, my sister?
“Forgive me, but I’m curious about your connection with my sister.”
“Friend. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
That’s odd. I’ve never heard anyone say my sister is friends with the princess.
Perhaps you were too embarrassed to say it? Or is it a concept akin to a distant storm?
“I’ll say the same thing after a while. I came to express my gratitude.”
“I’ve just done what needed to be done.”
“That’s right. I’ve just done what needed to be done. But the one who fulfills their duty deserves respect. Without that, who would strive to protect the country, or who would aspire to be a hero?”
…Hmm. I almost choked up for a moment.
Not because someone acknowledged my hardships, but because it felt like my comrades were finally receiving the treatment they deserved.
It was a statement that somehow made sense of all the experiences I had gone through until now.
“So, you can be proud of yourself. No, you must be. Because you, who remember those who have departed, are offering the best tribute we can give.”
“….”
“Now, get up slowly. It’s time for the commendation ceremony. Sergeant.”
Be proud of yourself. That is the best tribute we can offer.
That phrase seemed like it would linger in my heart for quite a while.
*
“Ladies and gentlemen, our esteemed guests. First, we will offer a prayer to the deity who is our protector and guide. O Light, bless this event today with your radiance. Captain Karl Adelheit was a brave soldier and a warm-hearted person. He served in the imperial army—”
A prayer to the deity. And the bishop’s blessing from the Illuminated Sect.
Captain Karl was tense, welcoming the ceremony with his entire body.
‘I imagined a disheveled appearance after rescuing hundreds. But that’s not the case.’
A smile appears. I understand why Rica was so concerned about her brother.
To call him a war hero would be a slight exaggeration. He did something significant on his own, but it wasn’t overly grand.
Of course, judging people by appearance is more foolish than anything else.
“…Next, we will proceed with the decoration ceremony for Her Highness, the First Princess.”
It’s my turn. The most crucial moment. As a representative of the empire and the royal family, I express gratitude to the hero.
After adjusting my attire, I stand up, clear my throat, and step forward.
“Thank you all for being here today. I appreciate your presence.”
I deliver appropriate greetings and mention how powerful the empire is at present.
I also acknowledge the efforts of everyone, including them, in everything.
“…Captain Karl Adelheit is no exception. Through his courageous actions, honored with a prestigious decoration today, I am truly pleased. Furthermore, I feel admiration for his noble deeds.”
It’s not just a rehearsed act. Even if they aren’t, at least I have to be.
For those who willingly sacrificed themselves for the empire and the royal family, regardless of their status, I must bow my head and convey infinite respect and admiration for their sacrifices.
“Captain Karl Adelheit, once again, I express my gratitude for your dedicated service to the empire.”
“What follows are detailed accounts of his heroic exploits.
Honestly, it was tough to memorize all this. I struggled quite a bit.
But I did it. I couldn’t just read off a script in front of a Medal of Honor recipient.
“…And thus, he performed the miracle of rescuing a total of 267 individuals. The ones saved by his actions will number in the thousands. A true hero of the empire. It is now our honor to present him with the Medal of Honor.”
The lieutenant holding the medal stands beside me, offering the gleaming symbol of sacrifice.
“The one and only rightful Emperor of the empire, having considered the opinions of the Imperial Council and the war council, has decided to bestow this Medal of Honor. It is to honor the unwavering courage and sacrifice, saving countless lives, displaying the noble spirit in any circumstance.”
The medal is draped around the colonel’s neck.
He didn’t seek such recognition for what he did.
Yet, we must do this much, at least. So that we can remember.
“If you have anything you wish to say, please do.”
As usual, I ask for a word from the honoree.
Despite his evident reluctance, Karl looks around before finally speaking.
“It was just… luck.”
After a moment of hesitation, he continues slowly.
“The real heroes… are the comrades who didn’t come back.”
A thunderous applause erupts toward him. Karl appears melancholic.
I fervently wished that this sound could reach his comrades too.