PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

It has been a week and two days since my meeting with Chancellor Damian.

Two days prior, it was announced that I had officially assumed the position of the head professor for the second-year program. My name was proudly displayed on the bulletin board of personnel changes.

Like me, other professors who experienced some changes in their roles likely received notifications regarding the personnel changes as well. I received one, but did the others?

And, I had mentally prepared myself in my own way.

I didn’t have any particular contingencies to present. This was a decision made by Chancellor Damian; I couldn’t question it, nor could I persuade those professors who might have come to demand explanations.

If anything, I would have offered excuses.

Thus, what I could do was only prepare my thoughts in anticipating professors coming to discuss the head professor’s agenda.

And so, a day passed since the notice of personnel changes was posted, then two days.

Not a single professor came to my office to question me.

“…Why?”

I muttered blankly while gazing at the ceiling. Why was no one questioning me?

Contrary to my expectations, the professors who had seen the notice or received notifications operated without any complaints; if there were changes, they simply transferred to the appropriate department or grade and quietly prepared for handover for their successors.

Amid all this, what was even more perplexing was that several professors in my year didn’t question me but instead began visiting my office to offer their congratulations.

“Excuse me? What did you say?”

“Oh, nothing.”

I shook my head while looking at Professor Marcello seated in front of me. There was sincerity in Marcello’s eyes as he regarded me.

“In any case, congratulations on assuming the role of head professor. It’s unprecedented for a second-year to hold the position, to say the least…”

“Y-yes…”

“But isn’t this proof that Professor Antorelli is fully qualified? Imagining the way you will naturally weave the Lord’s teachings into the overall lessons for the second-year students fills me with joy.”

“Ah, yes.”

Professor Marcello and several other theology professors seemed genuinely happy for me. Other professors were similarly supportive.

…Perhaps I had misjudged the situation a bit.

“In any case, I had my fill of tea. I must attend to work now…”

With that, Professor Marcello concluded his visit and left my office. Watching him make a point to offer sincere congratulations before departing felt oddly refreshing.

I had never expected to establish such a favorable position at the Caldera Imperial Academy, but surprisingly, the gazes directed at me were not as unfavorable as I had envisioned.

“Sofia Sub-priest.”

“Yes? Did you call for me?”

“People’s usual conduct is important.”

“Yes… Indeed?”

I tilted the teacup in my hand, slowly savoring the bitter aroma of black tea that filled my mouth. It was still just a cheap tea bag, yet after years of drinking it, I had reached a level where I could extract and appreciate flavors even from the most mundane.

‘…At this point, there’s no other choice.’

I had to do my best as the head professor.

If I didn’t want to assume the position, I could have yielded to other professors or approached Chancellor Damian to plead my case, but…

‘That doesn’t quite appeal to me.’

I had willingly stepped in as Helena’s successor.

Considering that they had pushed me this far, it wouldn’t sit well with me to whine or back away now; it would only unsettle my feelings for Helena.

Since it had come to this, I should accept my responsibilities.

Doing my best in my work was the only thing I excelled at.

I pulled a thick stack of documents, about half a span in thickness, towards me from my desk. This was a relic left behind by my predecessor, Professor Madison, who had left in haste.

The documents outlined the duties and responsibilities expected of a head professor, what needed to be attended to during the exam period, and a list of meeting materials to prepare before participating in important academy meetings with the head professors and chancellor. My workload had increased before the break, but the preparations for exams or new semester classes wouldn’t take long to complete.

‘For the time being, managing the chapel might be difficult.’

In that sense, I had to ask Sofia Sub-priest one important question.

“Sofia Sub-priest.”

“Yes, Head Priest.”

“Gradually, won’t we need another sub-priest to assist in managing the chapel instead of you?”

Upon hearing my question, Sofia tilted her head slightly, trying to grasp the meaning behind it, and soon her eyes widened in realization.

“…Are you suggesting a priestly ordination?”

Sofia had been serving under me as a sub-priest for a year now.

While she hadn’t held the position for very long compared to others, she was part of the academy and had become somewhat accustomed to using her holy powers. Moreover, we had conducted exorcism ceremonies confidentially.

Since Sofia had gained enough experience, there was no reason she couldn’t be ordained as a priest.

Upon relaying this thought, Sofia fidgeted with her chin for a moment, seemingly pondering.

“I’ll think about it for a bit.”

She said, hesitating to respond immediately.

“I will wait. I will do my best to assist with the chapel management, but it’s clear that we won’t be able to expect the same level of management as before until Professor Madison returns.”

“Yes….”

“Don’t worry too much, and take your time to think it over. I will do my utmost in managing the chapel.”

“…Understood.”

Watching Sofia nod solemnly, I found myself reflecting on my own ordination as a priest from long ago.

‘Compared to back then, I…’

Time flies, I thought to myself.

* * * * *

Maximilian von Adelheit’s day is busy.

Waking up bright and early, close to dawn, he begins his morning routine, and once he finishes bathing and preparing, he enjoys a simple breakfast before heading straight to the Senate.

As the Senate’s chairman, he manages the large and small affairs within the Senate and collaborates with other council members to adjust legislative issues beneficial to the Empire.

When he finishes his daily work, it is usually well past dinner time.

Around seven or eight o’clock, Duke Adelheid hurries home from the Senate to meet his beloved wife.

After finishing a late dinner with his wife, bathing, and going to bed, his day’s work is done.

Unless there’s something particularly special, his days usually follow this routine.

“Haah….”

Today, however, was a bit special.

Duke Adelheid moved with a heavy heart. His destination was a high-end restaurant located in the central district of the city.

If he were simply meeting with other council members, he wouldn’t have needed to reserve a table in such a limited, exclusive restaurant; however, today was a bit different.

“I can’t believe I have to meet that brat again….”

Today was the day when Count Eniche, the Minister of Finance, Count Curbin, the Minister of Information, Sir Jericho of the Imperial Knight Order, and Duke van Kartroi, the Director of Defense, would all gather in one place.

Since it was officially Duke Adelheid who called these four, he needed to treat them generously, considering the dignity of the Adelheid Ducal House.

Indeed, as proof of that, the restaurant was exceedingly quiet. The only people moving around were the restaurant staff; aside from Duke Adelheid, there were no other guests to be found.

“Is this Duke Adelheid?”

“Yes.”

“Please follow me.”

Duke Adelheid followed the attendant who was guiding him, walking down the beautifully illuminated grand hallway of the spacious restaurant.

Soon, he was ushered to a secret room in one corner of the restaurant, and without hesitation, he stepped inside.

“Duke Adelheid.”

“Sir Jericho.”

Brendal Warren Jericho, a member of the Imperial Knight Order and the city’s Grand Executor, had arrived earlier than Duke Adelheid. After a brief nod of acknowledgment, they both sat across from each other at the designated seats.

“You arrived early.”

“Don’t mention it. I left an hour early and was just lucky; had I left right on the dot, I would have been late. The knight order’s branch is so far away.”

Although there was a hint of grumbling in his tone regarding whether it was necessary to reserve a restaurant so far from the knight order’s branch, Duke Adelheid simply laughed it off. Given the conversation that lay ahead, there was no need to sharpen any edges.

“What about the others?”

“They should be here shortly.”

Just as Duke Adelheid finished his sentence, Chief Curbin appeared. She glanced at the two with a somewhat haggard expression before briefly bowing her head and taking her seat.

“Chief Curbin. It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“Yes. I sincerely apologize for the long absence, Your Grace.”

“No need for that. I’m sure you’ve had a lot on your plate recently.”

Moreover, the fact that someone not quite comfortable possibly attended amid this gathering wasn’t lost on Duke Adelheid.

Chief Curbin looked quite exhausted, and her tone when responding to Duke Adelheid’s comment carried a certain weariness. Nonetheless, he knew of her recent heavy workload and made a point not to scold her.

Moreover, the Curbin Ducal House was nearly as esteemed as the Adelheid Ducal House, so there was no reason to create friction.

“When’s that brat arriving?”

“Chief Curbin.”

“…I will correct myself. The Minister of Finance…”

Chief Curbin’s words could not continue.

Her statement was cut off as their subject, the Minister of Finance, made his entrance.

“Ah… It seems you’ve arrived first again. My apologies, Duke Adelheid.”

“Don’t worry about it, just take a seat.”

“Haha… Thank you for your gracious tolerance, Your Grace.”

Count Eniche van Yenike, always sporting a cheerful smile, took a seat at the designated spot, grinning as if everything was perfectly fine. Chief Curbin, who found herself seated next to him by accident, wore a genuine look of discomfort as she brushed her shoulder.

“Chief Curbin, you’re quite overt with your feelings.”

“Ah, yes.”

“This is quite…”

Duke Adelheid surveyed the faces of those gathered in the room. Even with just the people in this room, they were influential figures who could greatly shake the Empire, yet the individual who had caused the main reason for this meeting had yet to arrive.

“With everyone gathered here, what should we do if the person responsible is still late?”

“Perhaps they are just wandering near the restaurant before entering. It shouldn’t take long.”

“That guy, every time this happens, tries to play some mind game.”

And so, Duke Adelheid was engrossed with disparaging the latecomer.

– Click—!

Finally, the firmly closed door swung open.

“…You’re late, Director of Defense.”

“You were the one who arrived early, Duke Adelheid.”

Francisco van Kartroi, head of the Kartroi Ducal House, one of the prime founding families of the Empire, and the Director of Defense overseeing the Imperial Defense Forces.

And a man who had been a childhood friend to Duke Adelheid but had now grown to become something akin to a rival.

As he stepped in, the air in the room grew unbearably cold.

Soon after, the food came out and the staff deftly excused themselves, but no one picked up their utensils.

After a long period of silence, it was Kartroi who first broke the stillness between him and Duke Adelheid.

“Let’s not delay any further; let’s get straight to the point.”

Kartroi unhesitatingly picked up his fork and knife. He swiftly cut into the large piece of meat before him and placed his share onto his plate.

“If those Elves truly do not want peace, then the Defense Department will prepare for war immediately.”

Despite the casualness with which Kartroi handled the meat, his words bore a weight beyond measure.

“…What?”

Duke Adelheid doubted his own ears.

---