episode_0079

There are days like that.

Even though the sky is clear without a single cloud, the days become more gloomy every time I look up.

When people are tired of hardships, when they recall memories they would rather forget, or when a dull feeling of depression fills their bodies, they look up at the sky.

Hoping that the answerless sky would give them at least a little comfort.

Like a drowning person lifting his head toward the surface.

And then it sinks again. eternally.

This morning, the sun shining did not bring warmth, but felt like unpleasant heat.

All citizens of the island must have felt the same way that day.

As if revealing the scars that remained like a seaweed in my heart.

I ruminate on the gnawing sadness and endless resentment that I have been forced to look away from for dozens of days.

The funeral mass was finally held in a gloomy atmosphere overflowing with all kinds of emotions.

—-

There was no body.

Because they had already burned it all down for fear of an infectious disease.

Without even leaving a trace of ashes behind.

It was impossible to verify the identity anyway.

There were very few bodies that still had their proper shape.

Therefore, this mass was simply a ceremony to pray for the souls of all the dead to ascend safely to heaven.

A huge memorial stone was erected in the wide square in front of the Aix-la-Chapelle Cathedral.

Countless people were gathered, but none of them spoke.

There wasn’t even a sound of crying. Because it wasn’t the time to shed tears yet.

The ceremony was held in solemn silence.

“―So, may everyone ascend to heaven and find rest. Even though the gods served are different, I pray here that each of us will be held in their arms and reach our respective heavens. I believe that Carolus the Great and the twelve knights will guide them. And, I hope that a tragedy like this will never happen again.”

In charge of the mass was Lacey Elmain Stadolph, a candidate for sainthood of the Church of Elfinel.

Unlike usual, instead of pure white robes, he was wearing black monastic robes and a black veil on his head.

The way she closed her eyes and bowed her head in prayer was truly like that of a saint.

Following her, all the priests who participated in the funeral mass called on their respective gods and prayed.

As if responding to this, eleven pillars of light fell from the sky.

If you think about it calmly, it may be nothing more than a directive cast by priests.

However, to the bereaved families who were barely able to endure their wailing, it seemed as if the gods had answered their prayers.

Sobs rang out for a while. Tens of thousands of people sat down, shed tears, and cried out the names of the victims.

A mournful ensemble resounded in the square.

The priests did not stop them.

Because it was a place to vent all of your sorrow and get back on your feet.

I just watched in a daze.

There was tragedy in every tear drop.

The names contained in each sob rang in my ears.

I will probably never forget this sight for the rest of my life.

—-

The pillar of light gradually died down.

In keeping with this, the sound of people crying also gradually decreased.

Even though no one said anything, it was as if everyone had already promised to do so.

The strange sense of unity that was entangled between them may have brought about such a phenomenon.

So the funeral mass continued.

Bishops from each denomination expressed their condolences one after another, and finally, the emperor appeared in person.

The emperor of the empire, Ferdinand II, was a man who appeared to be clearly ill.

Even though he is still around fifty years old, he looks well over sixty.

Graying beard and thinning hair. From her thin cheeks to her slightly curved waist.

If it weren’t for the crown he wore on his head, it would have been hard to believe that he was an emperor.

He wore a black cloak over his mourning clothes and walked forward holding a scepter.

Four masters and twenty knights followed them. They were royal guards.

“800 years ago. Our great ancestors, Carol the Great and his twelve knights, took their first glorious steps right here, in front of the Aix-la-Chapelle Cathedral.”

The Emperor began his speech.

The voice sounded tired and weak, but everyone listened.

“Decades since then. Humanity fought endlessly to preserve its dignity, not for its own survival, but for the peace and stability of all mankind…and finally created the Karl Ross Empire, a glorious haven that will never disappear. From that day to this day, these devastations have continued. It was something that never happened and could never happen. Humanity has always been victorious no matter who its enemy is.”

And he bowed his head.

The most noble human being in the empire, to everyone.

“A glorious land that did not allow even a single knife wound. All the scars left at Aix-la-Chapelle were caused by Jim’s unscrupulousness. I can’t help but feel deplorable and ashamed. I bow my head in apology to the ancestors who protected this land and to those who lost their families.”

After finishing his speech, the emperor approached the monument and poured holy oil under it.

As if praying for the final blessing to be with the dead.

Looking at him like that, I think he must have been a pretty good emperor when he was young…

—-

After the emperor left after paying his respects, Lacey stepped forward again.

“This concludes the funeral mass, and I will tell you my final prayer.”

It looked like he was going to give a closing speech.

The bereaved family listened to her with bated breath.

“Your sorrow is keenly conveyed to me. However, Elfinel said this. ‘Blessed is he who forgives his enemies.’ That is Elfinel’s mercy and the right heart that a person should have.”

…It’s a bit strange.

Are you going to tell me to forgive the prisoners here?

I could feel the people gathered there becoming agitated as if they were thinking the same thing as me.

“I understand your confusion. Forgiving the prisoners is a difficult thing to say. But that’s not what I mean.”

Lacey shook her head. solemnly with half-closed eyes.

“He also left these words: ‘Hate the sin, but not the person.’ Do you know what this means?”

Does this mean that we should hate massacres but be merciful and forgive prisoners?

I don’t think these people will understand that.

“Do not hate people. That’s right. The only thing you should not hate is people!”

Uh, huh?

What now?

“Then what should we do? To follow His will, we must forgive our enemies. However, if the only thing we can forgive and not hate is people, then what we have to do is clear. We must turn them, the beastmen, into humans!”

People raised their heads and looked at her.

I also looked at her.

“There is only one way. Eleven gods have already said, ‘Those who die after turning to God will ascend to heaven and be held in your arms. At the judgment seat there, you will either enter heaven or fall into hell, depending on your own life. However, those who do not believe in God and animals without faith will die and come back to life for eternity, repeating reincarnation until they reach faith!’ That’s right! This is the answer!”

Lacey’s voice began to gain strength.

There was tremendous self-assurance in her speech.

That confidence was gradually spreading to the public, making them sympathize with it.

Lacey’s speech may be right.

The square became increasingly heated. It was a clear emotion, different from sadness.

I looked at the candidacy’s speech and the people who sympathized with it with a bewildered feeling.

“Beast people are the most evil species on Earth! Those who kill even if they don’t eat, eat those who can talk, and enjoy the screams and bloodshed! Horrible evil species who live solely on instinct! They are truly beasts! So, in order to forgive beastmen, we must kill them all, escape from the ways of beasts, and reincarnate until they finally become humans!”

The heat turned to anger.

A clear hostility appeared on the faces of people remembering the horrors of the past.

“This is our belief and will that the Empire of Man has maintained for eight hundred years. When those who have exhausted their strength fall on the battlefield, the young people who inherited their swords stand up again, burning their bodies like the sun and fighting, with the only determination they have endlessly maintained!”

Lacey spread her arms wide to the left and right as if declaring.

A pure white halo illuminated her back. Like angel wings.

It wasn’t specifically Elfinel’s doctor, but it was Lacey’s own holy glow.

“One race! One world! One faith! That is the right future for humanity! So, we must exterminate all beasts from this world! Every last one is left, until they are reborn as humans! Until you become human and finally deserve to be forgiven! That is the true mercy of Elfinel!”

Everyone shed tears and praised her.

I was just perplexed.

Because I was finally able to realize the truth behind her name.

Lacey Elmane Stadolph.

In other words, chosen by Elfinel… Lacey Stadolph.

Lacey…sssdolf.

okay.

Raceist Adolf…!