episode_0017
by fnovelpiaTuesday. A day with only two theology classes a week.
“Your Excellency!”
As I left the professor’s office with my theology books tucked under my arm, Deacon Sophia, who had been walking from afar, came running towards me with a bright smile. As I watched her short hair swaying back and forth as she ran, I felt like I was looking at a golden retriever.
“Substitute Sophia.”
“Good morning!”
Deacon Sophia, who had come back from a day of rest, was in good spirits again. Deacon Sophia looked at me with her green eyes shining with passion.
Deacon Sophia smiled brightly. It seemed like my day would be full of energy as well. I nodded slightly as I handed her the flyers I was holding.
“Did you get a good rest yesterday?”
“Yes. Thanks to the head priest, I’m feeling great now.”
Deacon Sophia bowed her head slightly and began to hesitate for a moment. As I stared blankly at her, Deacon Sophia looked up at me with a slightly worried expression.
“Are you feeling okay…?”
“Ah. It’s okay.”
“… I’m sorry. Back then, I asked something useless… .”
I felt a little guilty. Well, it was true that I looked ugly because Deacon Sophia pulled the trigger.
But it was never the fault of the Deacon Sophia. As my assistant and Deacon, it was important for me to understand my condition. It was just my own shortcomings.
“No. Isn’t it natural for Deacon Sophia to want to know my condition? Rather, I feel more sorry. For showing such a state.”
“But, but… .”
“I’m okay now. Look at my face. Does it still look painful?”
Deacon Sophia stared intently at my face. I met her eyes as well.
Not even five seconds later, Deacon Sophia turned her head sharply. The tips of her ears were bright red, showing a hint of her presence.
“What, what is it… . I’m glad you’re okay.”
We headed to the lecture room with the bashful Deacon Sophia. As I walked leisurely, my steps felt lighter than usual.
“Hmm… You look a little more energetic today!”
Deacon Sophia, who was walking beside me, returned to her positive expression. I tilted my head and asked back.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Your complexion seems brighter than usual. Did something good happen to you?”
“It’s a good feeling… .”
After meeting with President Damien yesterday, I felt like a little bit of a burden had been lifted from my mind.
Although there was an incident where the priests from the Holy Land were to be welcomed, it was great that I was able to dispose of the finger that was in a difficult state. I wanted to dispose of it as soon as possible because it seemed like it would be a great threat to the students.
I tried to research it on my own, but I couldn’t feel any traces or energy. Now, it was just a twisted finger like a mummy.
Of course, I didn’t intend to let my guard down because of that. I intended to keep a close eye on it and keep it safe until the priest from the Holy Land retrieved it.
At that time, I encountered a demonic force in the main church. I still remember that creepy and bizarre distortion. I hope that the Holy Land will conduct a proper investigation this time.
More than that, dealing with priests from the Holy Land… .
I stopped walking and looked down at Deacon Sophia. As I stopped walking, Deacon Sophia also stopped walking and started looking up at me.
“… Why do you look like that?”
As for entertaining a priest from the Holy Land, there seemed to be no need to worry since there was also Deacon Sophia.
“Deacon Sophia. Two priests will probably be coming from the Holy Land sometime next week.”
“Seo, in the Holy Land… ?”
“Yes, we will probably have to meet them.”
Deacon Sophia is from the Holy Land. Having graduated from the Academy in the Holy Land, she seemed a little excited that her fellow countryman was coming.
Since the distance from the island to the Holy Land was quite long, it was not unreasonable for Deacon Sophia to be a little excited.
“What is your name? Are you from the Clergy Academy? Can you tell me who is coming?!”
“Calm down, Deacon Sophia.”
“Ugh… . I wish they were people I know… .”
Deacon Sophia closed her mouth. We stopped in the middle of the hallway and started walking again to continue our conversation.
“The people coming this time are not from the Clergy Academy. However, one of them worked there for a short time. Of course, it seems he has moved to another place now… .”
“Ohhh… .”
“The one who worked at the priest academy is Father Peter, and the other is Father Camilla. I heard that both of them are intermediate priests.”
“… … .”
Deacon Sophia’s complexion became slightly pale. Suddenly, I had an ominous feeling.
“Deacon Sophia?”
“Father Peter… . you say?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Have you ever worked at an academy?”
“… Do you know anyone?”
Deacon Sophia nodded repeatedly. She nodded so vigorously that her blonde hair blew in all directions and became a mess.
“This is my first time hearing about Priest Camilla. But if Priest Peter is the one I know… . He was the dormitory supervisor at the priest academy… . He was a really strict and scary person. ”
“Um… .”
“In the dormitory, you had to walk around unconditionally, and if your priest’s clothes were even slightly disheveled, you would be penalized. Ugh… . Why did it have to be that person… .”
Deacon Sophia looked very worried. Judging from the cold sweat dripping down her face, she seemed to be a stricter person than I had imagined.
“That’s strange.”
“… What is it?”
Deacon Sophia tilted her head. I patted her shoulder and said,
“You seem to be of a lower rank than me, a high-ranking priest. What are you afraid of?”
“Ah… .”
“Be strong and courageous. The Lord is with you wherever you go. Do not be afraid.”
“… It’s 1 Benedict 8:24.”
Deacon Sophia’s expression brightened again. I shrugged my shoulders and answered nonchalantly.
“This is my favorite phrase.”
“Hehehe… . Well, that’s right. The head priest is a senior priest.”
As I walked, I saw some students who had been left in the hallway hurrying into the classroom. I glanced at my watch.
9:28 a.m. I guess I need to hurry.
“Deacon Sophia. I have to hurry a little.”
“Yes. And, that… . Chief Priest.”
Deacon Sophia called me over and smiled as she spoke.
“Thank you. Really.”
“… Let’s go into the classroom quickly.”
We entered the classroom. As always, it was exactly 9:30.
* * * * *
Clunk. Clunk.
Father Peter sat down in his seat and looked out the window.
The scenery of the empire where spring had truly begun came into view. It was a sight that made me realize that I had just left the Holy Land.
The arrival of spring is beautiful, with green leaves sprouting on bare branches and wild flowers shyly revealing their faces that had been hidden in the snow.
At that heart-pounding sight, Father Peter unconsciously clutched his rosary tightly.
Look at the vast grasslands. Look at the new life that has bloomed. Look at the birds flying freely. What are all these if not the grace of the Lord?
“Oh… . Holy Lord… .”
The train window was slightly opened. The fresh scent of wild flowers drifted in on the wind. Father Peter closed his eyes and concentrated on the sounds and smells of nature.
“It’s spring now. The scenery outside is quite nice.”
Suddenly, a voice interrupted this sentiment. Father Peter frowned slightly without realizing it.
“… Priest Camilla.”
“Oh, I’m sorry if I disturbed you. Were you enjoying the grace of the Lord? I didn’t realize it.”
Father Peter clicked his tongue at her for her impure attitude toward him.
Camilla, a junior priest. She was appointed junior priest at a young age for her meritorious service in the Great War, but Peter was not impressed.
After the Great War, the Holy Nation was divided into two factions and was fighting over power. Those who were very displeased with those from the Order of the Relief Priests who had participated in the Great War.
And those who pray for and surround those who went to war, either in the name of their country or with the noble intention of saving lives.
Priest Peter was, of course, the former. And that was why he was not so fond of Priest Camilla.
It was not simply a question of rank. Since Father Peter was older than Father Camilla, he was not treated as equal to her.
She simply could not see it favorably, having set foot on a battlefield where people killed people and there was no mercy or compassion. She could not understand why she had been promoted to the rank of mid-level priest after having participated in such a terrible war.
Even if His Holiness had not made an official statement that the priests who participated in the war should be treated with kindness, she would have been expelled from the Holy Land long ago. That was the kind of foolish woman Father Peter thought Father Camilla was.
But this was not a private place. Father Peter glanced around.
I noticed the train attendants walking around checking the train tickets. Raising your voice in a place like this would be an act that would truly break the peace that the Lord has emphasized.
“Camilla Priest. Please refrain from using offensive language.”
“I was just saying that the view outside was nice?”
“That’s not what I’m saying—!”
Father Peter barely managed to suppress the voice that was about to raise without him knowing it. Fortunately, the passengers in the same compartment were not paying attention. Father Peter let out a deep sigh.
“Haa… . Priest Camilla. We are not here to fight. We are going to do the work that His Holiness the Pope has entrusted to us. ”
“That’s right. It seems His Holiness the Pope also felt that he did not have the capacity to send only Father Peter.”
“… Priest Camilla. Let me get straight to the point. I know Priest Camilla doesn’t like me very much. So why did you volunteer for this job, knowing that I was being sent?”
“I never said I hated Father Peter.”
“Are you telling lies in the name of the Lord now?”
“… I made a slip of the tongue.”
In effect, it was as if Father Peter had admitted that he did not like it. Father Peter shook his head.
“By the way, doesn’t Priest Camilla also have a connection to the Chaldean Imperial Academy? I heard that she once attended the theology department there, but dropped out to join the Order of the Relief Priests.”
“… … .”
“Is it because you miss me? That’s why you volunteered for this job.”
This time, Priest Camilla turned her head and looked out the window. The still blue scenery was changing its appearance in real time, passing by quickly.
“… It was a long time ago, Father Peter. He was a bad student who dropped out a long time ago, so how could I have the shame to miss him? ”
Priest Camilla closed her eyes. She didn’t miss the Academy. It was a place she wanted to forget.
But, why did you insist on doing it anyway?
“Rather than saying I miss you, what should I say…. I guess I should say I feel guilty.”
“Are you feeling guilty?”
“… It’s my stubbornness. Because of my really stupid stubbornness, I regret it for the rest of my life.”
She just kept her mouth shut. Father Peter didn’t ask any more questions either.
It would take a long time. The lands of the Empire were vast, and the Chaldean Imperial Academy was still a long way away.
Father Peter wore a monocle and held a Bible in his hand. The flight attendant who was checking the tickets moved to the next compartment, and the chatter among the passengers died down.
In that silence, the train moved forward silently.
0 Comments