PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

Priest Peter examined the man in front of him.

His sunken eyes resembled those of a dead fish. His skin was pale to the point of being white. He had slightly tousled black hair and glasses that seemed haphazardly perched on his nose.

Standing in his priestly robes, the tall, lean man looked devoid of excess flesh. Yet, his black priestly robe, which should have looked neat and solemn, somehow appeared dreary.

Watching the sub-priest next to him with her flowing golden bob swinging as she chatted cheerfully, the contrast between the two became even more striking.

In short, this man was far too gloomy. Priest Peter almost unconsciously scowled.

‘Could this man… be the Head Priest of the Seminary?’

It seemed so, given the circumstances. When he had communicated with the Academy, he had received a reply indicating that the Head Priest of the Seminary would personally come to greet him.

Slowly, Priest Peter walked toward him.

The negative reaction was also shared by Priest Camilla. As she approached the man, she whispered to Priest Peter.

“Priest Peter, is that person really the Head Priest of the Seminary?”

“…It seems so.”

“Oh dear… Is the Caldera Imperial Academy in its twilight?”

“Don’t judge a person by their appearance, Priest Camilla.”

“No, that’s not acceptable. At least he should maintain some decorum.”

Priest Camilla’s statement was accurate. In terms of attire for welcoming priests from the Holy Empire, the man’s appearance was quite shabby. At the very least, he could have tidied up his messy hair.

While thinking this, they had nearly closed the distance between them. Priest Peter was the first to speak as they reached a conversational distance.

“May the Lord’s grace be with you. I am the humble servant of the Lord, Intermediate Priest Peter, belonging to the Blue Rose Society of the Holy Empire. This is Intermediate Priest Camilla.”

“I am Senior Priest Lucio Antorelli. Along with being the Head Priest of the Seminary, I also teach theology. This is Sub-priest Sofia.”

“May the Lord’s grace be with you…”

Upon seeing Priest Peter, Sub-priest Sofia shrank back and lowered her head. Her demeanor resembled that of a frightened animal.

Seeing her reaction, Priest Peter tilted his head in confusion.

‘…Have I met her somewhere before?’

Her face seemed somewhat familiar. He vaguely recalled having seen her a few times while passing through, but he dismissed the thought as unimportant.

‘She must have been a student at the Seminary.’

Having been in charge of the dormitory there, it made sense that he would have seen her. Priest Peter smiled kindly.

“Excuse me, but did you perhaps graduate from the Seminary in the Holy Empire?”

“…Hic.”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Sub-priest Sofia started hiccupping, causing Priest Peter to express his confusion. Head Priest Antorelli stepped forward and said.

“Sub-priest Sofia tends to be a bit shy.”

“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”

“It’s… alright…”

Sub-priest Sofia was hiding behind Head Priest Antorelli, peeking out with just her head. Priest Peter showed a somewhat awkward expression.

‘This has completely become a matter of dislike.’

During his time as the dormitory manager, he had indeed been strict and rigid. However, that was all in the past now. Priest Peter didn’t intend to create friction.

Still wearing a smile, Priest Peter spoke to Head Priest Antorelli.

“Haha… Since we are pressed for time, I would like to visit the Seminary Main Chapel right away…”

“Of course. Please follow me.”

Priest Peter began to follow Head Priest Antorelli, who started walking ahead.

‘This time, I must make sure…’

Recalling the purpose of his visit.

* * * * *

The Seminary Main Chapel was desolate. The students in class and the theology professors were not present, leaving only a few caretakers to manage the place.

It had been quite a while since he entered the Head Priest’s office. To be honest, he had been busy with assignments lately, so it made sense.

The office was furnished with a plush sofa and a tea table, meant for welcoming guests like now. Without hesitation, he sat on the position of honor on the sofa.

It was only natural, considering that he held a higher rank than the two.

Priest Camilla and Priest Peter settled on the sofas facing each other. Given that they hadn’t exchanged a word during their walk to this point, it was obvious their relationship was not particularly good.

At that moment, Sub-priest Sofia approached cautiously.

“Um, Head Priest, would you like me to bring out some black tea?”

“Please serve me the black tea I always drink. And are the two of you alright with black tea?”

At his question, Priest Peter smiled warmly.

“I’m fine with anything… but I would appreciate it if you treat me well.”

“I like it too.”

Sub-priest Sofia hurried to brew the black tea.

“Um.”

He glanced at Priest Camilla. She was surveying the Head Priest’s office with keen eyes.

In contrast to Priest Peter, who seemed to have entered middle age, Priest Camilla looked like she hadn’t yet surpassed her mid-twenties. Her rank had risen quite rapidly.

Of course, even I, who was barely approaching thirty, felt it was too early for the title of Senior Priest. In my case, my contributions during the Great War had played a significant role.

So, what could be the reason for Priest Camilla’s rapid rise to Intermediate Priest?

I tend to have difficulty suppressing my curiosity, but there is a certain progression in human conversations. Leaning back against the sofa, I turned to Priest Peter.

“Did you encounter any discomfort on your way here?”

“Yes. Riding the inter-empire train that I had only heard about in rumors, it’s true that the Empire is indeed a vast and advanced nation. The journey was quite comfortable.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Priest Camilla remained silent. She merely sat quietly, listening to our conversation.

Seeing Priest Peter initiate conversation on my behalf made it seem that he was the one with a slightly higher rank. Even among Intermediate Priests, priests did not only consider rank.

“As I’ve heard, the Seminary of the Caldera Imperial Academy is indeed splendid. Comparing it to the churches I’ve seen in the Holy Empire, it is definitely not inferior.”

“Thank you.”

After Sub-priest Sofia brought out the black tea, we continued to casually enjoy the tea while conversing.

How long this formal conversation continued, I wondered.

“Excuse me… Head Priest Antorelli.”

Priest Peter lowered his voice slightly. I had a strong feeling that the point of this meeting had finally arrived.

“Yes, Priest Peter.”

“The purpose of our visit here… you already know, don’t you?”

“You’ve come all the way here to dispose of the fingers, haven’t you?”

When the topic of the fingers arose, Sub-priest Sofia, who had been standing behind me, flinched. Priest Peter, noticing her reaction, nodded gravely.

“Exactly. His Holiness the Pope is still deeply concerned about the fingers that remain at the Caldera Imperial Academy.”

“Hmm…”

“If it’s alright with you, Head Priest Antorelli, we would like to check those fingers as soon as possible…”

Priest Peter seemed quite anxious. Indeed, I too had been concerned about the ominous fingers that I was personally keeping.

“Understood.”

I nodded readily. I immediately rose from the sofa and approached the desk by the window.

Opening the drawer, a luxurious box that had been prepared in advance came into view. I carefully lifted the box with both hands.

Returning to my seat, I placed the box on the table. Priest Peter and Priest Camilla seemed unwilling to take their eyes off it.

“It’s inside this.”

“This, this contains… the fingers…?”

Swallowing hard, Priest Peter slowly extended his hand toward the box. He looked quite tense, and Priest Camilla appeared similarly so.

I quietly observed their reactions.

‘So that rumor is indeed true.’

If two priests from the Holy Empire reacted this way, I had no choice but to believe the rumors about the first Head Priest Giovanni.

Then, the fingers contained within truly belonged to Head Priest Giovanni. A chill ran down my spine.

Clunk.

As Priest Peter’s hand pushed aside the lid covering the box, a long object wrapped in a cloth appeared inside.

“Is it wrapped in cloth…?”

“Yes. Just in case.”

“I see. Certainly…”

Priest Peter carefully began to unwrap the cloth. Soon, a dark, shriveled finger emerged.

“Is there an evil spirit sleeping inside this?”

I asked, and Priest Peter shrugged slightly.

“Who knows… it’s still uncertain. But it seems inappropriate for a place like the academy, where students come and go.”

“I think so too.”

He was a discerning person. My evaluation of Priest Peter rose slightly in my mind.

Priest Peter fiddled with the finger for a moment before putting it back into the box. The lid of the box was cautiously closed.

“Haha… We will ensure that these fingers are properly disposed of, so you need not worry too much.”

“I entrust them to you.”

“Hmm… But…”

Holding the box against his chest, Priest Peter stroked his beard while gazing at me intently. Not understanding the intention behind his actions, I asked.

“What is it?”

“I apologize for the intrusive question, but have you ever participated in the Great War?”

“…Why do you ask?”

A defensive tone slipped out of me involuntarily. Priest Peter looked a bit taken aback.

“Well… It’s rather impertinent of me to say this, but you seem quite young for your rank. I thought you must have achieved a significant feat.”

“…I won’t answer that question.”

Both their eyes widened slightly. Undeterred, I continued.

“It’s purely a personal matter, so I hope you don’t misunderstand. I’m sorry.”

“Ah, no. It seems I’ve asked too personal a question.”

I looked at Priest Peter, who wore a flustered expression, with slightly cold eyes.

I had no intention of revealing my participation in the war to the people of the Holy Empire. Based on my experience, I never received a good impression from the Holy Empire, and they did not inspire trust in me.

That was also why I never ended up speaking to Sub-priest Sofia.

“Now then, about where the two of you will be staying for the next few days…”

Just as I was trying to forcefully change the subject.

“Um, Head Priest Antorelli?”

Priest Camilla, who had remained silent throughout, finally opened her mouth to me.

Hearing her husky voice, I turned to her. Her sharp eyes were staring at me.

Priest Camilla opened her mouth again.

“Do you know a priest by the name of Helena?”

With her one sentence, that one sentence alone…

“……”

The world I had been desperately holding onto crumbled down so easily.

So painfully.

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