NOVEL WEB Chapter 35
Chloe glanced at the podium in front of the chapel. Elin, sitting next to her, did the same.
Where their gazes met stood a man who always exuded a quiet and somber atmosphere.
No, perhaps he wouldn’t be so somber anymore.
His neatly brushed-back hair looked stylish. His normally messy hair was well-groomed, and the perpetually gloomy expression that always seemed to be on his face appeared to have regained some vitality.
Professor Lucio Antorelli’s transformation came as quite a shock to them.
“Elin. It seems something really happened to Professor Antorelli.”
“They say sudden changes in a person can lead to death…”
“Gasp…! Is that really true…?!”
“Whether he will die or not is uncertain, but it seems he was quite unwell.”
Meanwhile, not far away, Laura was just as confused.
“I was curious because he suddenly canceled classes and came to check…”
What a sight this is. Laura’s face twisted in a peculiar manner. Antorelli’s behavior, out of the ordinary, created a significant disconnect.
“The interpretation of the Bible is here.”
Professor Antorelli’s voice resonated within the chapel as he stood at the podium. Those who were internalizing his sermon in their own different ways slowly gathered their hands.
“Then, let us conclude the worship service with a blessing.”
Professor Antorelli clasped his hands and closed his eyes. The students and theology faculty in the chapel followed suit and closed their eyes as well.
“May the grace and love of the Lord be here. May the Lord bless us and protect us, and grant peace to all who are gathered here.”
“Come, O Lord!”
In the quiet atmosphere, the last Sunday service of the evening was thus concluded.
It was a service conducted in a somewhat different atmosphere than usual.
* * * *
After the last Sunday service held early in the evening was over, I hurriedly left the main chapel. My steps towards the staff dormitory quickened.
Although I had nothing particular to prepare, I still wanted to attend the veterans’ association looking as neat as possible.
Following closely behind me was Sub-priest Sofia.
“When is the meeting time?”
“The letter said 7 PM. It doesn’t seem like it will go late.”
As I spoke, I cast a quick glance at my wristwatch.
The current time was 5:30 PM. There was still an hour and a half until the meeting, but it was somewhat far from the dining hall. I had to prepare in advance.
“Right, since it’s a very famous restaurant. It would be hard to book it for a long time.”
As I chatted with Sub-priest Sofia, we soon arrived in front of the dormitory. She smiled at me.
“Head Priest, are you feeling nervous?”
“No, not at all.”
I was nervous. Very much so.
Except for Colonel Meijhem, the faces of my old comrades were so vague that I could hardly recall them. And it was likely the same for them. Perhaps they wouldn’t even recognize me.
How do I look? Will I be able to get along with them? Won’t they look down on me?
I felt as if I had transferred to another school. I kept fiddling with my neatly arranged hair as I stepped inside the dormitory.
As I opened the entrance, Sub-priest Sofia naturally followed me inside. It seemed she wanted to tidy up my appearance one last time.
Sofia’s concern felt awkward. Normally lively and a bit silly, seeing her being so caring and meticulous made me view her in a new light.
“Will this work?”
“Um… here, could you move my hair a bit more to this side…?”
“Like this?”
“Yes. Much better!”
Sofia’s bright smile was radiant. I avoided meeting her eyes, feeling a bit shy.
Once all the preparations were done, there was suddenly less than an hour until the meeting. I hurried to leave the dormitory.
“Head Priest.”
Hearing Sofia calling me, I turned back.
“Don’t put too much meaning into the past. Do you understand?”
“……”
I swallowed my dry saliva. To keep my thoughts from getting tangled, I took a deep breath.
I looked at her standing there vacantly. This time, I didn’t avoid her emerald-like eyes.
Beautiful green eyes. That soft shade of green seemed to hold all the freshness of the world…
…was so reminiscent of Helena. Every time I saw those eyes, they reminded me of her.
As if reflecting Helena, Sub-priest Sofia smiled bright and charmingly at me. Looking into her eyes, I felt the weight of my guilt lighten a bit. Perhaps that’s why.
“Well then, take care. I’ll see you in the professor’s office tomorrow.”
“…Sub-priest Sofia.”
“Yes?”
Sofia tilted her head. The golden locks cascading down also resembled Helena.
Thus, I spoke absentmindedly, as if enchanted.
“If it’s alright with you, would you come with me?”
I want to meet them with you.
* * * *
When we hurriedly arrived at the pub, there were about five minutes left until the meeting time.
“Phew… Thankfully, we’re not late.”
Sub-priest Sofia murmured as she wiped the beads of sweat from her neck. I nodded slowly.
It was a lively and pleasantly warm spring evening.
I gazed at the warm lights streaming out from the pub. That light resonated with my heart.
The inside of the pub seemed already bustling. Through the opaque-coated glass, I could see several figures raising their glasses to greet one another.
At the same time, I faintly heard the loud sounds of people chattering inside. Images of Colonel Meijhem shouting in his rough voice came to mind, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I grasped the doorknob. And then I stopped.
“……”
To be honest, I still lacked courage. To be precise, I didn’t have the courage to confidently step into such a noisy place.
I feared that the vibrant atmosphere might cool down because of me. I momentarily released my grip on the doorknob and took a slow, deep breath.
“Phew….”
Suddenly, a warm sensation coursed down my arm. I opened my eyes slowly.
“Head Priest. Don’t worry.”
Sub-priest Sofia gently grabbed my arm and encouraged me. I nodded readily and opened my mouth.
“Thank you for indulging my wish, Sub-priest Sofia.”
Sofia looked at me. I didn’t avoid her eyes and spoke again.
“Thank you. I truly mean it.”
“Uh, you’re saying that so suddenly…”
“Thank you for agreeing to attend the veterans’ association with me. It’s thanks to you that I could come here today.”
“……”
Sub-priest Sofia, looking at me while taking a breath, slowly shook her head.
“No, Head Priest. You could come here not because of me, but because you decided to take a step forward.”
“…Sub-priest Sofia.”
“I just gave you a little push.”
Sofia smiled brightly. I stood in front of the pub, gazing at her smile for quite a while.
– Priest Lucio! What are you doing?
Helena’s bright smile and playful demeanor sprang to mind. Projecting Helena onto Sofia might be a terribly rude thought for her.
But what can I do?
When I see the yellow sunlight at dawn, I think of your shining blonde hair.
When I see the leaves of trees bursting with life on a hot summer day, I think of your transparent eyes.
When I see Sub-priest Sofia’s radiant smile, I think of you.
What can I possibly do about it?
Helena. It seems forgetting you is utterly impossible.
“Head Priest?”
As Sub-priest Sofia called out to me, I snapped back to reality. Her questioning gaze was directed at me, holding a hint of concern.
Does she think I’ve conjured up another unfriendly thought? I felt a bit sorry for making her worry needlessly.
“Are you feeling unwell? You suddenly went silent…”
“…No. Let’s go in now.”
“Yes!”
I grasped the door to the pub. My hands trembled slightly, damp with the sweat of tension. Just as I was about to grasp the doorknob again…
“Excuse me, are you not going in? I need to head in right now…”
A slightly hoarse voice came from behind me. I turned my head.
It was a man with a small scar on his face. His clothes were a bit dusty, as if he had just come from a hard day’s work.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Please, go ahead.”
“Yes, thank you… oh?”
As the man bowed his head and was about to enter the pub, his body suddenly stiffened. His eyes widened as they slowly focused on me.
“Are you…?”
“Yes?”
“Ah, aren’t you Priest Antorelli?”
My heart raced. I had thought no one would recognize me, but I was wrong. I slowly nodded at the man.
“Yes. That is indeed Priest Antorelli.”
“Ha! I knew it…! There was something familiar about you!”
Contrary to my worries, he approached me with a bright smile. I stood there, staring at him blankly.
“Don’t you remember me? It’s me! Corporal Dennis!”
“…Ah.”
I had thought he looked familiar, but only then did his face seem recognizable.
“You treated my arm, Priest! That time, um… when was it…?”
“When we rescued the 3rd Company, right?”
“Ah! That’s right! Wow…! It’s been so long?!”
Dennis tried to hug me with a big smile, but then hesitated and pulled back to keep his distance.
“Oh, wait… I just came from the construction site… Sorry, I’m a bit dirty.”
His sheepish expression tugged at my heartstrings. I readily pulled him into a firm embrace.
Surely some dirt would get onto my neatly arranged priest robes. But who cares?
“P-Priest.”
“Is it a big deal if your clothes get dirty? The important thing is that we met.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he returned my hug. I bit my trembling lips.
The once timid young man, Corporal Dennis, had grown into a sturdy man with a scruffy beard.
I was filled with overwhelming joy. The camaraderie that had long since died swelled up again within me. Meeting someone who had shared life and death with me brought forth indescribable emotions.
After a while of hugging, we both pulled back and laughed. It was a very brief moment, but thanks to Dennis, I could momentarily recall the good memories from the battlefield.
“Anyway, it’s really nice to see you.”
“I’m really… really glad to see you, Dennis.”
“You came to attend the veterans’ association, right? You really made it! There are a lot of guys waiting for you to show up.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. But, what about her?”
Dennis pointed to Sub-priest Sofia. I turned to her and opened my mouth.
“Oh, this is my sub-priest…”
“Hello! I’m Sub-priest Sofia, serving under Head Priest Antorelli!”
Sub-priest Sofia greeted energetically. Dennis, initially surprised, soon smiled warmly and nodded.
“Wow… Priest, you’ve really made a name for yourself! Now you have a sub-priest?”
“It has come to that. By the way, can Sofia come in with us?”
“Oh, of course! No need to stay outside; let’s head in!”
Dennis laughed heartily and opened the door to the pub. I steadied my breathing, trembling with tension. Sub-priest Sofia smiled brightly and moved close to my side.
“It seems the concerns you had, Head Priest, won’t come true, huh?”
“…I hope so.”
“Hehe… then shall we go in, Head Priest?”
I closely shut my eyes and took steps forward, following Sub-priest Sofia. The feel of the ground beneath me felt weird. At first, my feet felt like they were glued to the floor and wouldn’t budge, but after the first step, it began to feel easier to move.
One step, two steps. Eventually, after taking the third step…
“Everyone, attention! Priest Antorelli has finally arrived at this veterans’ association!!”
Dennis, who had entered first, shouted in a booming voice, causing everyone inside the pub to turn towards us.
“What, what?!”
“Where are you?! Where!”
I opened my trembling eyes. Amidst the noisy commotion, familiar faces crowded around me.
“Priest Antorelli! It’s really you!”
“It’s been a while! Hahaha!”
“How long has it been? How have you been?!”
“Wow, you haven’t changed at all!”
“I told you I’d come! Hahaha!”
With a wide smile, Colonel Meijhem, his lined face beaming with joy, greeted me.
Everyone welcoming me… this situation, so opposite to the unfortunate future I had anticipated.
“Ha, haha…”
Brought me immense relief.
“It’s great to see you all after so long…”
I couldn’t help but share warm embraces with them.
I caught a glimpse of Sub-priest Sofia shedding a tear. Seeing her, I found myself murmuring absentmindedly.
“…Helena.”
I resolved to take a step forward.
In this narrow, suffocating world, I took the first step to break free and break out.
Suddenly, a passage from a book I had read on Earth before the possession came to mind. It must not be a coincidence.
– The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.
A saying left by the old apologist, Tertullian.
Yes. I have firmly believed in your existence, in the traces you left behind in the past.
And now, having met the connections sprouted from memories of you.
This must surely…
be the seed of you sprouting finally into the world.