Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

17 – 17. Fingers (11)

Tuesday. The day with the only theology class of the week.

“Reverend!”

Carrying my theology textbook on my side, as I left the professor’s office, Sophia Boujee, who was walking from a distance, ran towards me with a flushed face. Watching her short hair sway here and there as she ran made me feel like I was watching a Golden Retriever.

“Sophia Boujee.”

“Good morning!”

After a day of rest, Sophia Boujee was back to her lively self. Smiling brightly, she looked at me with her passion-filled green eyes.

Smiling, Sophia Boujee. It seemed like it would be a lively day for both of us. I nodded lightly as I shared the treat she had in her arms.

“Did you rest well yesterday?”

“Yes, thanks to you, Reverend, I’m all energized now.”

Tilting her head slightly, Sophia Boujee started hesitating for a moment. When I looked at her with curiosity, she looked up at me with a slightly worried expression.

“Um, are you okay…?”

“Oh, I’m fine.”

“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked about that time…”

She seemed a bit guilty. Well, thanks to Sophia Boujee triggering it, I did show an unpleasant sight.

But it was never Sophia Boujee’s fault. As my assistant and subordinate, it was her duty to assess my condition. It was just my shortcomings.

“No, it’s not your fault. It’s only natural for Sophia Boujee to want to know about my condition. If anything, I should apologize for showing such a sight.”

“But, still…”

“I’m fine now. Look at my face. Does it still look painful?”

Looking intently at my face, Sophia Boujee and I locked eyes.

Not even 5 seconds passed before Sophia Boujee quickly turned her head. The tips of her ears were reddish.

“W-well… I’m glad you’re okay.”

Awkwardly, with Sophia Boujee who seemed unsure, we headed to the classroom. Walking with a relaxed mind, I felt my steps were lighter than usual.

“Um… you seem a bit more lively today!”

Walking beside me, Sophia Boujee returned to her positive self. I chuckled and asked,

“Do I?”

“Yes. Your complexion seems brighter than usual. Did something good happen?”

“Something good…”

Since the meeting with Dean Damien yesterday, I felt a little relieved.

Although there was an incident involving the priests coming from the Holy Empire, it was a great relief to be able to dispose of the problematic finger. I had a strong desire to get rid of it as soon as possible, as it could be a significant threat to the students.

Personally, I tried to research it, but I couldn’t find any significant traces or energy. Now, it was nothing more than a withered finger, like a corpse.

Of course, I didn’t let my guard down. Until the priests from the Holy Empire were retrieved, I planned to monitor and keep it properly stored.

The demonic power that I encountered at the monastery still sends shivers down my spine. I hoped that this opportunity would allow me to investigate properly when they come from the Holy Empire.

More importantly, dealing with the priests coming from the Holy Empire…

I stopped walking and looked down at Sophia Bujae. As I stopped, Sophia Bujae also stopped and looked up at me.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

Since Sophia Bujae was also there to greet the priests coming from the Holy Empire, there seemed to be no need to worry.

“Sophia Bujae. Perhaps next week, two priests from the Holy Empire will be coming.”

“F-from the Holy Empire…?”

“Yes. We must be the ones to greet them.”

Sophia Bujae is from the Holy Empire. As she had graduated from the Academy there and came here, she seemed a little excited about someone from her homeland coming.

Since the distance from here, Jido, to the Holy Empire is quite far, it wasn’t unreasonable for Sophia Bujae to be a little excited.

“What’s your name? Are you from the Clergy Academy? Can you tell me who is coming?!”

“Calm down, Sophia Bujae.”

“E-erm… I hope I know them….”

Sophia Bujae closed her mouth. We, who had stopped in the middle of the corridor, resumed our steps and continued the conversation.

“The people coming this time are not from the Clergy Academy. However, one of them briefly served there. Of course, it seems that they have been transferred to another place now….”

“Oh…!”

“The priest who worked at the Clergy Academy is Father Peter, and the other one is Father Camilla. I heard that they are both intermediate-level priests.”

“….”

Sophia Bujae’s complexion turned slightly pale. Suddenly, I had a bad feeling.

“Sophia Bujae?”

“Father Peter…you said?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“He served at the Academy?”

“…Do you know him?”

Sophia nodded continuously at the mention of Camilla. Her vigorous nods caused her golden hair to sway wildly in disarray.

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“Camilla priestess, I’ve just heard about her for the first time. However, if she’s the person I know… she used to be the dormitory supervisor at the Seminary Academy… a really strict and intimidating person.”

“Hmm…”

“At the dormitory, we had to walk without exception, and if the priest’s robe was even slightly disheveled, she would immediately impose penalties. Oh… of all people, it had to be her…”

Sophia’s expression became deeply concerned. Judging by the beads of cold sweat forming, it seemed that the person in question was even more stringent than she imagined.

“This is strange.”

“…What do you mean?”

Sophia tilted her head, and I reassured her, patting her shoulder.

“Despite seeming to be of lower rank than me, a senior priest, what is there to fear?”

“Oh…”

“Be firm. Be strong and courageous. Wherever you go, the Lord will be with you; do not be afraid.”

“That’s from the Book of Benedict, Chapter 8, Verse 24.”

Sophia’s expression brightened again. I shrugged my shoulders, responding casually.

“It’s a verse I like.”

“Hehe… well, it makes sense. Since the head priest is a senior priest.”

As we walked, we noticed a few students hurrying into the classroom. I glanced at my wristwatch.

9:28 AM. We needed to hurry.

“Sophia, we should pick up the pace.”

“Yes. And, um… Head Priest.”

Calling me, Sophia smiled and said,

“Thank you. Truly.”

“…Let’s get to the classroom quickly.”

We entered the classroom. As always, it was precisely 9:30 AM.

* * * * *

Thunk. Thunk.

Father Peter sat down without a word. He gazed out the window.

The landscape of the Empire, where spring had truly begun, came into view. It was a sight that made one realize they had just stepped out of the capital.

On the slender branches, fresh leaves unfolded, and wildflowers, hiding in the snow, shyly revealed themselves as the beautiful signs of spring.

Captivated by this breathtaking sight, Father Peter unconsciously clenched his rosary.

Look at the vast field. Look at the newly blossomed lives. Look at the birds freely flying. If all of this is not the grace of the Lord, what else could it be?

“Oh…. Holy Lord….”

The priest, Bedro, opened the train window slightly. The scent of untouched flowers drifted in on the breeze. He closed his eyes and focused on the sounds and smells of nature.

“It’s spring now. The view outside is quite beautiful.”

Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. Bedro frowned without realizing it.

“Father Camila.”

“Oh, I apologize if I disturbed you. Have you been enjoying the grace of the Lord? I didn’t know.”

Bedro clenched his teeth at her impure attitude towards him.

Camila, an intermediate-level priest. She had achieved great feats in the Great War and earned her promotion to an intermediate-level priesthood at a young age. Bedro was not particularly fond of her.

After the Great War, the kingdom was divided into two factions, continuing their internal strife. Those who looked down upon the priests of the relief corps who had participated in the war were not pleased.

And there were those who prayed for those who had fought in the war out of duty to the country or with a noble intention of saving people, surrounding them with compassion. Bedro was obviously the former. And that was why he did not regard Camila as favorably.

It wasn’t just a matter of rank. Because Bedro had more seniority than Camila, she naturally didn’t receive equal treatment.

Simply put, she had taken a step into the terrible battlefield where people killed each other, where there was no generosity or mercy. Bedro couldn’t possibly view someone who had participated in such a horrifying war and had been promoted to an intermediate-level priest.

Even if Pope had not made a formal statement in the official ceremony that he warmly cared for the priests who participated in the war, they should have been exiled from the kingdom long ago. That was the Camila that Bedro thought of.

But this place was not private. Bedro glanced around.

He noticed the train attendants walking around to check the tickets. If he raised his voice in a place like this, it would undoubtedly be considered an act that shattered the peace emphasized by the Lord.

“Father Camila, please refrain from aggressive behavior.”

“I just said that the view outside is nice, didn’t I?”

“I am not talking about that—!”

Bedro managed to suppress the urge to raise his voice without realizing it. Fortunately, the other passengers in the same car were not paying attention to them. Bedro let out a deep sigh.

“Haah…. Father Camila, we are not here to fight each other. We are going to fulfill the tasks entrusted to us by the Pope.”

“That’s right. It seems that even the Pope thinks that sending only Father Bedro is not enough.”

“…Father Camila, let’s be straightforward. I know very well that you don’t like me. Then why did you volunteer for this mission, knowing that I will be dispatched?”

“I have never said that I dislike Father Bedro.”

“Are you lying in front of the Lord’s name right now?”

“…I made a false statement.”

In essence, it was admitting that she disliked Father Bedro. Bedro shook his head nervously.

“By the way, isn’t Father Camila also connected to the Chaldea Imperial Academy? I heard that you attended the theology department there and dropped out to join the relief corps.”

“……”

“Is it because you miss it? That’s why you volunteered for this task.”

This time, Sister Camilla turned her head to gaze outside the window. The landscape, still vividly green, was swiftly changing in real-time.

“…It’s an old story, Father Pedro. A delinquent student who resigned a long time ago, what shame would make me miss him.”

Sister Camilla closed her eyes. She didn’t miss the academy. It was a place she wanted to forget.

However, even so, there was a reason to step forward.

“Rather than missing, how should I put it… It’s more like a sense of guilt.”

“Guilt, you say.”

“…It’s my stubbornness. Because of a truly foolish stubbornness, I’ve regretted it for a lifetime.”

She kept her mouth shut. Father Pedro didn’t press any further.

It would take a long time from now. The imperial lands were vast, and the Caldean Royal Academy was still a considerable distance away.

Father Pedro put on his monocular and held the Bible in his hands. The steward checking the tickets moved to the next compartment, and the chatter of the passengers diminished.

In such silence, the train silently moved forward.