BXBX NOVEL Chapter 56
Chapter 56
Chapter 56
The history of the empire has always been intertwined with war. No, perhaps all nations have been the same. And those wars always demanded much blood. Countless individuals sacrificed themselves. From those who had some reputation to those whose names were unknown, all gave their lives for the empire.
Karl lifted his head and looked at the serene and quiet place he had just arrived at.
The Imperial Ellington National Cemetery. A place where those who had spent long, yet short, times together rested.
Exhaling deeply, I stepped inside. First, I encountered the Old Guard. The guardians of this sacred place. They were like the final elegy for the heroes.
A slight tremble was noticeable as they glanced at the medals hanging on my chest. But they did not salute like they would to a princess or a prince. They merely went about their duty.
Here, even being a recipient of medals of honor held no significance. Because the true heroes, greater and more genuine, rested here.
“….”
The first thing you see is, of course, the graves of the unknown soldiers.
With no genetic testing technology, it was very difficult to ascertain their identities accurately. Military ID tags had their limitations.
Hence, the graves of the unknown soldiers occupied the largest area in the Ellington National Cemetery and were meticulously maintained accordingly.
They had served for the prosperity and glory of the empire.
Rest here with the great ancestors.
Only God shall know their names.
[PR/N: Amen.]
My comrades, perhaps they were fortunate to be remembered. Because there were those who recorded their personal information.
But the ones resting in these graves were not so lucky. They were all those who had faced their final moments together. Not even a single record survived the fire to reveal who they were.
That’s why they were honored and revered more than anyone else.
Because they fulfilled their duty even without leaving their names. Because they protected the empire.
Step by step, quietly, Karl’s embrace carried a myriad of emotions and burdens. It wasn’t just one or two burdens. They seemed quite heavy. Yet, he carried them alone.
“I’m here.”
Finally, I arrived at a place that felt newly constructed. Some saddles were just laid, while others were still being prepared.
“I came upon hearing the news that it was recently set up. It might seem a bit late, but don’t say anything. I’ve been really busy too.”
With a rattling sound from his embrace, he pulled something out.
“I’m back. The nobleman, as you lot used to say, has finally returned to where he belongs. But what happened after my return, you couldn’t even imagine. Anyway, damn those bastards.”
I filled a large cup with ice and then poured cold water into it.
“I survived. Sometimes it feels like I’m going crazy remembering those times, but still, I’m alive. There are many who are enduring even more nightmare-like times, so I shouldn’t complain.”
I was one of the lucky ones. I didn’t have any limbs blown off, nor was I captured as a prisoner of war.
Losing comrades was the same for everyone. Who could return unscathed from the chaos of war? Not even the all-powerful gods could ensure that.
Some wanted alcohol. Some wanted coffee. And then there were those cheap candies that no one would eat even if given.
Amidst fading breath and dwindling life, what they uttered wasn’t resentment or curses towards the world, nor jealousy or envy towards those who remained. It was simply, ‘When I die, just give me that one thing. Then I can forget everything and live.’
“Do you see this? Do you know what this is? This is the Medal of Honor. Honor. And not just one, but two. Two medals! Yes?!”
With a playful smile, I shook the medals held in my hands. The reflected sunlight scattered in all directions, sparkling.
“Am I showing off? Yes. I am showing off. That’s right, showing off. Wouldn’t you be disappointed if you received something so remarkable and didn’t show it off?”
Karl chuckled. He was laughing, but his laughter was extremely dry.
“The Crown Prince himself personally bestowed them upon me. Do you know what he said? He said there would be honor even for those who couldn’t stand with us. Be grateful. Thanks to me, y’all received gratitude from His Highness the Crown Prince.”
I stared blankly at my resting comrades before me. There was no response. For eternity, there would be no response from them.
“Did I really do my best?”
I knew there would be no answer. Yet, I continued to ask.
“Did I truly do nothing wrong? Is there no need to apologize?”
The departed remained silent. Only the questions from those who remained echoed emptily.
The wind blew. And the questions are carried far away on the breeze.
“…I will live. You asked me to live, so I will. I won’t forget. However, I won’t be buried.”
To those who sleep before me. I salute all who have closed their eyes in glory.
The ice in the raised glass melted a little and sank into the water with a tinkling sound.
It was as if it had taken the place of a salute to those who stood before me.
* * *
After briefly going somewhere following the medal ceremony, Karl returned to the academy.
The Medal of Honor. It’s difficult even for nobles, let alone dream about receiving it.
Yet, he had received it twice. He was a hero of the empire. A person worthy of such a name.
As Karl returned, students and faculty alike congratulated him incessantly. They continued, endlessly, praising him, congratulating him, cheering with applause.
To them, Karl smiled as the hero they wanted, raising his hand in response to their cheers.
“….”
Observing from a distance, Selena watched as the celebration unfolded.
At first, I wondered if I should join in with those cheering. Applauding together, congratulating together, shouting how amazing it was. After all, even receiving the medal once was difficult for those great heroes.
But soon, I decided to stop. More precisely, the thought disappeared.
‘His expression… it’s different.’
Others might not have noticed, caught up in the current atmosphere, but I saw it. It was clear. The person who smiled but didn’t smile.
[PR/N: Me ong.]
Suddenly, a fragment of a conversation I had with Karl flashed through my mind.
Someone may say that this medal is proof of honor, something to be proud of. But for me, it felt more like representing those who had departed first.
Though I wasn’t on the battlefield like Karl, through my brother, I had glimpsed it vaguely. I knew a little about the suffering the survivors endured.
“Karl.”
Responding to my call, Karl entered the break room whereI was waiting, amidst the continuous cheers.
“It looks like you’ve been somewhere.”
“Oh, yeah. I went around showing off my medal to everyone.”
At his smiling words, I immediately sensed where Karl had been.
Karl, who didn’t think much of his medals, was showing them off?
Who else would he be showing them off to, anyway?
‘To his comrades.’
It wouldn’t have been to boast. It was just the lingering words of those who had departed.
Though not as much as Karl, I had glimpsed it through my brother. What the survivors endured. I knew a little about it.
“What did they say?”
“Huh?”
“Those guys. After hearing your boasting. What did they say?”
Pausing for a moment at my question, Karl soon smiled faintly.
“They didn’t say anything. No response at all.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So, it’s a relief. It would have been scary if they had responded. They’re already gone, after all.”
As Karl said this, he glanced at me for a moment, as if he had something to say to me.
“But still, Selena. I told them. I asked them, did I do my best? Is there no need to apologize? Living while you guys went. Isn’t it unfair?”
Gulp—
I swallowed dryly, unconsciously tensing up from the tension.
I hope he will overcome it. Even if it’s difficult to act like it’s nothing. Even if it’s painful sometimes, I hope he will eventually overcome it and spend new time in a new place.
“That’s how I feel. That’s what I said. In the end, there was only one answer. Like before, I have to live. That’s the right thing to do.”
Honey, you don’t have to worry anymore. Karl tapped Selena’s shoulder gently.
“…Uh, sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“No, it’s okay. What’s there to worry about?”
With a slight smile on my lips, I exclaimed.
“Right. Did you hear about Shulifen and Wilhelm? Or Alexander and Joachim?”
“What news? Oh, maybe the pension fund…”
“You know those breads you told me about last time? They said they were developing new flavors, and suddenly they mixed mint and chocolate this time, it’s surprisingly good—”
Aaaargh! Where the fuck are they! Karl snapped, instantly furious.