episode_0074

Does hate chain?

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Maximilian could answer that question quite simply.

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Hatred does not build chains. And breaking the chain is something that depends solely on the capacity of the community.

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Therefore, responsibility does not fall solely on the individual. It is the community’s job to take responsibility. That was Maximilian’s idea.

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That’s why he didn’t like the situation right now.

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“Brigadier General of the Imperial Defense Forces, Maximilian von Adelheid.”

“Yes.”

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A harsh voice echoed through the courtroom. Maximilian looked at the judge with a stern expression.

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“Imperial Calendar From July 11 to August 14, 1917, the 858th Engineer Infantry Battalion, under your command, the 101st Ground Defense Brigade, was not properly supplied for about a month. As a result, it suffered heavy losses in the summer offensive that followed. Is this what I, the judge, am saying correct?”

“None.”

“According to the report referred to this court-martial, you have denied the request of Lieutenant Colonel Anton Mayhem for expedited supplies. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“This court martial questions your judgment. The Calcas Basin, which the 858th Engineering Infantry Battalion occupied, was a key point through which other supply lines passed. Why did you not provide them with supplies as a priority?”

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Maximilian quietly closed his eyes. He could faintly hear the voice of Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem, sobbing and urgently requesting supplies.

– Brigadier General! Please…! Please send us some ammunition! We’ll all die if this continues!

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His troops were isolated and without supplies. With no troops to send support from the brigade, Maximilian desperately called for reinforcements from other fronts to come to their rescue.

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But, who do you think those idiots who just yawn and hang around in the back row dare to judge?

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‘They are all idiots who don’t know what war is.’

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Maximilian opened his eyes. His gaze became sharper.

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“Please allow me to speak.”

“Allowed.”

“According to the original plan, thirteen supply ships were to be delivered to the 101st Ground Defense Brigade, which was under the command of the main command.”

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The judge became very quiet. Maximilian took a moment to catch his breath and then continued.

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“However, only three cargo ships arrived at the supply depot of the 101st Ground Defense Brigade that I was commanding. Among them, infantry equipment and ammunition were extremely insufficient, and even if the very small amount of supplies that arrived were distributed to the units along the front line, it would be difficult to resolve the supply shortage. Therefore, I gave priority to supplying the 771st Artillery Battalion and temporarily organized a support force to support the 858th Magic Engineer Infantry Battalion.”

“Was that your judgment?”

“Yes. Under the judgment of the head office, the operation was carried out in that manner.”

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The judges paused for a moment, then began to discuss among themselves. Maximilian’s gaze showed a faint, pitiful look.

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The judge, who had been thinking for a moment, soon opened his mouth.

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“I have a question for you. Do you think it was right to stop the enemy’s offensive with the sacrifice of the 858th Magic Engineering Infantry Battalion?”

“… On the contrary, I would like to ask everyone sitting in this courtroom: ”

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The judge fell silent. Maximilian’s deep voice cut through the heavy silence in the courtroom.

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“There is only one piece of meat, but there are many children who are like starving rabbits. What is wrong with giving meat to the oldest child who can find a job right away?”

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No one answered readily. Not only the audience, but also the judges sitting in front of the judge. Maximilian was disappointed by the sight.

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The countless sons and daughters of the Empire who fell in the Great War. And the soldiers of the 858th Magic Engineer Infantry Battalion under Maximilian’s command. Was their sacrifice justified?

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It is not justified. However, it is inevitable. Their sacrifice was an essential process for the future of the empire that was fluttering like a light in the wind.

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“I am sure that the number of soldiers who fell due to the judgment of the main office would have doubled if it had not been for that judgment. The main office only accepted the minimum amount of bleeding.”

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In the end, didn’t the empire they had fought so desperately to protect stand tall?

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Maximilian respected and would not forget the deaths of the young men who had fallen, but he did not regret what he had already given. He thought that was the ability of a commander.

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“Therefore, I am confident that I made the best decision. That is all.”

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The judge fell silent. Some people were quietly wiping away tears, some were sitting silently, and others were nodding their heads in agreement with Maximilian’s opinion.

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The judge was caught in silence for a moment, but the silence was soon broken by someone’s shout.

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“Stop talking nonsense!!”

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Maximilian turned his head. A man in priestly attire was looking at him with angry eyes.

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“Don’t talk nonsense…! What did you do! The reinforcements you promised arrived only after the front line was almost completely breached! You won’t give us supplies?! For a month, you’ve been slicing venison and judging the soldiers by their numbers! Have you ever been on the front lines?!”

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The priest’s shout echoed through the courtroom. At the same time, another young man standing next to him stood up.

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“Yeah, that’s right! Forget excuses! While you were splurgein’, we were only eating hard, dirty black bread!”

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Maximilian frowned as he looked at the faces of the two young men. They were faces he did not recognize.

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“Your Honor! That kind of thing…! That kind of thing cannot have been the best decision! I request a reinvestigation!”

“Quiet! Quiet! Guards! Get those two out!”

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The courtroom quickly became chaotic. Those who agreed with the priest’s words began pointing their fingers at Maximilian and hurling insults. The judges were deep in thought and kept striking their gavels.

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Maximilian stared blankly at the priest who had first shouted out. He was still shouting with blood running down his neck as he was dragged out of the courtroom.

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“A person…! How can a person give such a shameless answer! How dare you say such a thing! The Lord will not forgive you!!”

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The priest was finally dragged out of the courtroom, screaming loudly. The young man who was screaming next to him was also dragged out.

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“The Lord does not forgive… .”

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Well, Maximilian snorted.

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“Before that, why didn’t the Lord stop the war?”

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That’s what you need to think about first.

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Maximilian shrugged and turned back to the judge. His eyes were extremely calm as he looked at the judge.

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“Your Honor. Please continue.”

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As expected, there were too many stupid people in the world.

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* * * * *

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I stubbed out my cigarette butt in the ashtray. I had already smoked five cigarettes, and it seemed as if I could smell the smoke every time I inhaled.

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However, it wasn’t that I didn’t like it. Right now, I felt like filling my lungs with that refreshing minty scent.

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With a new cigarette in my mouth, I concentrated all my attention on smoking it. For now, this was the best I could do.

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At that moment, I saw someone coming out of the passage of the training ground I had passed by. I glanced in that direction.

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“… Damn it.”

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It was Duke Adelheid. He kept looking back as he walked, as if he was still regretting parting with Laura. It was chilling to see him.

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Because he was so far away from me, he didn’t even look in my direction. Thank goodness.

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Suddenly, the taste of cigarettes tasted bitter. I frowned and nervously crushed my sixth cigarette, which I was halfway through, into the ashtray. The embers scattered.

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And then, I looked at the back of Duke Adelheid as he walked away from the training ground. It didn’t look like he was walking with a cane.

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The Empire may have forgiven him, but at least I didn’t.

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Why do those who lost their warm breath due to the horrors of war remain losers even after death? Even if the empire considers them victorious, they were losers in life.

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There was not a single inch of space left in my heart for me to accept the Duke of Adelheid.

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Because my inner self is already filled with Helena, and it will remain that way until the day I die. No one is an exception.

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Immediately after the war, I went around everywhere, looking for an individual to take responsibility for. It was painful, like having needles stuck in the soles of my feet.

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And then I found it. In the military court located at the center of the system.

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I saw the Duke of Adelheid leaving the court martial with a leisurely gait and a victorious smile.

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I held the empty cigarette pack tightly. The cigarette pack, which was tightly squeezed in my hand, was distorted as badly as my heart, which was tightening.

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As soon as Duke Adelheid’s back became blurred, I turned around to go back to the training ground.

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“Chief Priest… .”

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Perhaps because of the smell of cigarette smoke, Deacon Sophia, who had been waiting for me at the entrance to the training hall, called my name. I unconsciously tried to meet her eyes, but then turned my gaze and looked straight ahead.

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“Let’s go in.”

“Are you okay, right…?”

“It’s okay.”

“… Then, let’s go in.”

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Deacon Sophia took the lead first. I looked at her back and slowed down my pace. It was to match Deacon Sophia’s stride.

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– The third-year students are only left with the finals! However, the highlight should be shown last! We’ll postpone the finals until last, and now it’s time for the second-year students to compete!

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Professor Andres’ voice resonated. Perhaps because it was so loud, it could be heard very clearly even from the entrance of the training hall.

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Is the third-year competition already over? Judging from the words that only the finals remain, it seems likely. The last remaining finals will be held in order of each grade.

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We continued walking. Because the training ground was quite large, it took a long time to get back to where we were.

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– Bam.

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“I’m sorry.”

“… … .”

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At that moment, a man wearing a mechanic’s hat pulled down low tapped my shoulder as he passed by. I turned around and apologized as usual, but he passed by without showing any sign of it.

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I looked at his back as he walked away. His face, which had flashed by in an instant, seemed to have been seen somewhere before.

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However, he started talking normally to an academy official walking by on the other side. I stared at him for a while, then turned around again.

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What an idiot. He’s from the Academy, so of course he’s seen it somewhere.

Deacon Sophia approached me.

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“Chief Priest, are you okay?”

“Yes, it was just a slight bump.”

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We walked on. We passed the stairs leading to the stands and walked down the passage leading to the training ground. In the distance, we could see the infirmary where Professor Esther was standing alone.

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Yeah, the infirmary. I have to take care of the injured students. The second-year students’ duel is about to begin, so I have to watch Daniel and Vivian’s match too… .

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… … .

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“… ha.”

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Suddenly, a hollow laugh came out.

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After all, no one wants to carry on with their sins.

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It was just funny.

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