Epilogue (1)

‘What initiated the beginning of civilization?’

To such a question, some say it was when fire was discovered, while others say it was when they realized that polished stones were better tools than broken ones.

There are also claims that it was when the concept of language was awakened, when houses were built, or when common values were held under intense faith.

But a doctor living in this world…

One who pursues a career that has appeared relatively recently in this world, one day put forward an ancient human remain discovered in ancient ruins and claimed to scholars:

‘The beginning of civilization was when traces of a broken leg bone that had reattached were found.’

Not tools, not even concepts, but a part of the body.

Those who first heard it couldn’t understand how a naturally healed wound, not even divine power, could be evidence of civilization.

But if you think about it a little, it’s easy to understand.

The fact that the bone of an injured person who should have been eliminated in the wild healed means that there was someone who stayed by their side until they recovered.

‘Society cannot be achieved alone. No matter what method or foundation, its beginning is only possible through cooperation with someone.’

A world formed by people helping people.

The claim that ‘human righteousness’ became the foundation of civilization was, ironically, a convincing story even from a medical perspective.

“It’s an interesting story, isn’t it?”

Mariel Aries, the chairman of Maris, who had heard this from a doctor she was connected with.

When she told that story to the person in front of her, she put down the herbal tea she had brought to her lips and smiled faintly.

“Well, yes, it’s an interesting story.”

Is it a story of interest?

Whatever it was, as long as she didn’t deny it, Mariel would just continue her story.

This story too would help in asserting what she wanted to say.

“According to such a saying, language, technology, and faith are all just stepping stones for unification… Among those stepping stones, there’s one that I personally consider most important.”

“What is it?”

“Money.”

It could be seen as a materialistic story, but Mariel didn’t feel any particular hesitation about her claim.

For the chairman who runs the academy with sponsorship from the foundation, money was an inseparable existence.

Especially since Maris has expanded its scale to a city with support from all over the continent.

She has to be even more sensitive about the flow of money.

“Yes, money is a material expression of the trust we have in each other. The more we print, the more debt we’ll have to shoulder in the future, but everyone focuses on it despite its lack of substance because there’s a guarantee that it can be repaid.”

In the end, it’s a structure of paying off debt with debt.

In terms of assigning value to illusions and raising enthusiasm in the present, it’s essentially no different from religion.

The fact that its foundation is based on ‘trust’ is also the same.

“Conversely, just as we don’t invest if there’s no guarantee of getting the debt back, if the future isn’t guaranteed for things given value as collateral for the future, no one will put in their full effort.”

A society where no one expects the future.

That’s no different from losing the greatest power that creates civilization, which makes humans claim to be human, the unique identity that only humans possess.

That’s why Mariel worshipped money, which forms that centripetal force.

A society that gradually grows while paying off debt with debt.

“And children are our future.”

Similarly, the flow of adults protecting children and passing down that custom, entrusting the present to the future.

“…If I want to be faithful to that duty, as the chairman, I should do anything to protect this academy.”

That is the calling of Mariel, who inherited this school from her grandfather.

The end of that calling, like her grandfather, would be to perfectly protect this place until the next generation comes and make room for posterity.

Such ideals and resolve are surely worthy of being called noble for a leader.

“So, why are you telling me this story?”

But the person she’s facing now is someone even the Emperor can’t treat carelessly.

She was by no means an easy person to elicit cooperation from just by revealing her resolve.

“So I hope you’ll stay here, if only to protect the safety of this place…”

Knowing this, Mariel couldn’t continue her current proposal.

“…That’s more of a wish than a request, I suppose.”

Finally, she smiled bitterly while trailing off and vaguely ending her words, gazing intently at the person in front of her.

“Coincidentally, I’m not even in a position to make requests to you.”

Celia Bertayu.

If a strong person like her stayed here, many things could be saved.

Whether it’s money, time, or lives…

Everything to maintain trust and protect the future could be stabilized just by her presence.

“…Coincidentally, I’ve put down my identity as a duchess from the moment I left my domain.”

But because she’s such an amazing existence, she can’t just stay in this domain.

To begin with, the reason she moved was because the Emperor side gave her a hint, foreseeing that it couldn’t be resolved with just this academy’s forces.

Even that was only possible because it aligned with her purpose, but now that the matter is over, how can force be exercised?

“Now I’m just a wandering mercenary nobody. If you really want support from the Bertayu duchy, I’ll write a letter, so it would be better to cooperate with them later.”

“…It’s a shame. That we have to be satisfied with just that.”

The moment the duchy, which had been passive in politics, stepped into diplomacy for the first time after the war.

Even that would be considerable support, but as there’s much to be responsible for, it was still a result that couldn’t help but feel disappointing.

If only there was some affection…

For example, if she could be made to stay even a little by taking hostage something precious to her that’s staying in this city.

“But ending with a letter instead of directly conveying that message…”

“They’re not dead.”

Even such an attempt was stopped by the firm words uttered from her mouth.

Because she immediately understood the meaning.

“Even if the one who caused it has disappeared into the annals of history, not everyone is convinced that those who deny him are walking the right path. When people start to forget, they will surely show themselves in front of us again.”

Although everyone called him the worst monarch, conversely, he could be used for any reason to rebel against the system that denies him.

In this world where belief has meaning, he, who is engraved in history as a tyrant, can be said to have the possibility of revival at any time.

“So, I’m thinking of tracking down those remnants while traveling for a while.”

“Travel, you say?”

“I guess I’ve been a bit ignorant of the ways of the world until now. The war is over, and now that I feel free from my family, can’t I roam around comfortably?”

So until their existence is rooted out, I’ll use this sword in the struggle against them.

That’s something that can’t be achieved just by being in this academy.

Because where she points her sword is not at individuals, not at groups… but at an even bigger concept than the society they form together – the ‘era’.

“And doing so will also help alleviate the worries my family might feel about living.”

Purely love.

Just because of love for her family.

She is determined to confront even beings that could be called gods with a human body.

“Well, the world isn’t just this academy after all.”

I respect her for that.

Because I know that even though she was born with strong power, it came from human sentiments.

Moreover, whatever the reason, isn’t the path she wants to take the same as those pursuing the greater good? Just because this isn’t the place for her to use that power, from the standpoint of someone pursuing the greater good, I couldn’t stop her.

“Then if we’re done talking, I’ll…”

“Lastly.”

So let’s give up any lingering attachment to her.

And see her off with a pure heart.

“Lastly, before you leave, as the representative of Maris, I would like to pay my respects to the hero who saved Maris.”

Having steeled her resolve like that, Mariel soon bowed her head respectfully in front of her who was about to leave.

“Thank you sincerely for saving our academy. For whatever reason, all the people leading this Maris, including myself, will remember you.”

Heavier than any other time, but with sincerity.

That presence right before her eyes was approaching her like salvation.

Furthermore, the resolve not to be captivated by that intense light and to prepare ways to protect without depending on her.

“…Yes, then I’ll be going.”

Leaving behind the woman who was thoroughly steeling her resolve, Celia quietly left the chairman’s office and moved her steps towards the academy’s exit.

“A hero…”

A faint murmur flowing out during that process.

A bitter smile soon formed on her lips as she uttered that word.

“It’s still not for me, such grandiose things.”

What she desired was always just one thing, from past to present.

To become the companion of one man, and to be recognized as the mother of one girl.

So even though she wanted to accept her offer and settle in this academy, she chose to give up even that desire in the end.

“But I have to leave. Our child has grown up now.”

Children grow up and become adults.

Parents shouldn’t stand in the way of that.

‘And, that child should gradually graduate from me too.’

The moment she thought of the last thing to do in this city.

Her footsteps that should have headed for the exit soon began to move towards a certain place in the city.

And…

---

“Mom, what’s this stone?”

Around lunchtime.

While returning to work after buying things to eat for lunch, I stopped my steps upon hearing a little girl’s murmur.

A girl I saw while walking through the square.

The child who was walking hand in hand with her mother was feeling curious about a stone monument erected in the square.

“Is our daughter curious about this?”

“Yes, it’s so big but there’s nothing on it!”

Just one long, flat stone monument.

While it’s not uncommon for artworks to be displayed on the street, anyone would turn their gaze at least once if a single unremarkable stone monument was standing alone.

But except for the girl, people passing by weren’t paying much attention to it.

It was something they would often see if they stayed in this city for a long time.

“I saw something similar to this while passing by earlier, why do they erect these?”

“Hmm, mom doesn’t know either…”

Of course she wouldn’t know.

After all, it’s a monument erected for that very reason.

“Nothing happened.”

But for someone who knows the meaning, it’s hard to keep quiet.

As I approached slightly out of concern and opened my mouth, the girl looked up at me and began to widen her eyes.

“Nothing happened…?”

“Yes, little one. What this monument means is… it’s erected to commemorate that nothing happened today.”

Whenever a big incident occurs and it’s resolved, one of these is erected in this city.

Nothing is engraved because people in the light shouldn’t know anything.

But they can’t let it be completely forgotten either, so it’s erected for people who know the circumstances to remember this meaning as they pass by.

For people who shouldn’t be remembered to leave traces that they existed, in this way at least.

“Can it be a memorial day even when nothing happened?”

Of course, it wouldn’t resonate with ordinary people.

But isn’t that enough, I thought as I smiled to affirm and quietly looked up at the monument.

For a while even after the mother thanking for the explanation and the girl waving her hand left.

As I stared blankly at such a plain monument, information I had acquired in my previous life suddenly began to come to mind.

“I wonder if the gravestones of National Intelligence Service agents feel like this.”

“National Intelligence Service? What are you talking about?”

…Damn, I wondered when you’d show up.

“You don’t need to know, you bitch.”

There’s no need to bring up memories from my previous life in the first place, and moreover, I don’t want to talk more given who the other party is.

“Hehe~ Our daughter is still shy about being with mom?”

“Ugh. What kind of shitty thing are you saying?”

“But, mom remembers, you know? That moment when our daughter threw herself to save mom~”

“Shut up.”

I don’t want to see you blabbering more.

Out of annoyance, I took out something from the bag and shoved it into her mouth.

The bread that was left over after buying snacks for the children.

“…Seine?”

“I gave it to you because it would just be garbage if left over anyway. Eat it or throw it away, do as you like.”

Yes, I gave this jerk food waste.

I wish she would shut her mouth with just that, but she started eating the bread bite by bite while grinning as if she liked it.

“I wouldn’t throw it away. It’s from our daughter.”

Ha ha, she says it’s good.

Eating garbage she received.