喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 103

Chapter 103

The history of the Empire is a series of wars and peace. There is no generation that has not experienced war. Whether it was dangerous or not. Whether it was a close story or felt like a distant fairy tale.

Somewhere in the Empire. Eric, a man in his 40s, starts his day as usual. He’s no different from anyone else. He has a wife, children, a house he built himself, a small plot of land he’s been cultivating for over 20 years. And the memory of fighting in the Imperial Army.

If there’s one thing that sets him apart from others, it’s his left leg. He limps slightly.

“Eric, you cripple! Why did you come back when you were injured? You should have gone to the rear!”

“Fuck off. If I had really gone to the rear, you guys would have said something about me just getting grazed by a bullet. Wouldn’t you? Say I’m wrong, you bastards.”

“Ahem. Anyway, welcome back, you son of a bitch.”

“Yeah. Thanks a lot, you assholes!”

At the time, he was blinded by rage. He had been shot in the leg, but he thought it was nothing. Even the military doctor had said that with proper treatment, there would be no problem.

And until that moment, he was right. He ran around the battlefield, finally won, and returned home. And until a little time passed, that was true.

The problem started after that. His left leg, which he thought was fine, was actually broken. His youth and the belief that he would be fine had just masked it.

But as he got older and his body started to wear down, the condition of his leg, which had been the first to show problems, worsened.

“Ugh.”

And it continued to this day. He was no different from anyone else, but he limped.

The biggest reason for this was probably the war. No matter how much he thought about it, being shot back then must have been the cause of this.

Did he regret it? No. Not really. Eric shook his head.

It was inconvenient. Sometimes he clicked his tongue. But that was it. It was his choice, wasn’t it?

Even if he had been drafted, he had used this leg to stand strong, to fire one more bullet, to fight alongside one more comrade, and that was enough.

‘After all, didn’t the Ministry of Welfare support me as a wounded veteran?’

This way of making a living was possible because the Empire’s Ministry of Welfare provided the utmost convenience and benefits to those who had served in the military.

He wasn’t foolish enough to blame the past or anyone else in this situation. He sometimes felt regret, but he lived each day with pride in everything he had done.

‘Alright. Let’s do our best today. For my family, whom I have to feed.’

His still beautiful wife, his eldest daughter who was about to become an adult, his two sons, and his youngest daughter. Thinking of them, Eric sweated profusely all day. In the evening, when he returned home and—

“…Huh?”

He was startled to see a group of officers sitting in his house.

Although it had been 20 years, he remembered it well because it was such a vivid memory. Those uniforms were not worn by lower-ranking officers, but by higher-ranking officers.

He didn’t know their exact ranks, but they were distinguished individuals. But why were they in his house?

Have I done something wrong? Have I been disrespectful to the nobles? No, right?

If that were the case, these military officers wouldn’t have come, would they? He couldn’t understand this situation at all!

“Mr. Eric, is that right?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. I am Eric.”

Eric was just about to sit down when he noticed something.

“First of all, we would like to express our respect for your past service to the Empire. Sergeant Eric.”

They were nobles. They were in a position far above his own.

And yet, they suddenly bowed their heads. And they were thanking him.

Eric was dumbfounded, his wife was bewildered, and his children, though surprised, looked at their father with sparkling eyes.

“We heard the news. That you are experiencing discomfort due to an injury sustained during your military service.”

“We looked it up and found that you are already registered as a wounded veteran.”

“Eh? Ah, yes. That’s true. But I’ve already been compensated for it, and it wasn’t that serious of an injury.”

“Is that so.”

The officer looked around the house for a moment before speaking again.

“By the way, we haven’t introduced ourselves properly. We are staff members of the newly established Veterans Pension Foundation.”

“Pension Foundation… you say?”

“Yes. It is a place that aims to help Imperial soldiers who have received compensation from the Empire, but who should never be forgotten, like Sergeant Eric.”

What is this? Could it be some kind of scam? I had already been compensated by the state, and now they were offering more compensation?

Should I believe this or not? Eric was starting to feel bewildered.

“Well, this is all very sudden…”

“Everyone we’ve seen has reacted that way. To put it simply, it’s not what you’re worried about. In fact, it’s because this foundation is named after a very great person.”

“Named after, you say?”

“It’s the Karl Adelheit Veterans Pension Foundation.”

Karl Adelheit? Wait a minute. I’ve heard that name somewhere. I definitely have.

“…Ah! Could it be!?”

At that moment, his eldest daughter, who had been standing behind him, let out a gasp.

“Is it that person? The Medal of Honor recipient! Twice!”

“You know him. That’s right. This foundation was established at his direct request. No one in the Empire would dare to do anything foolish in the name of a Medal of Honor recipient.”

Smiling, they placed several documents in front of Eric.

“First of all, the foundation will immediately pay you a pension proportional to the compensation you have received from the Ministry of Welfare.”

“T-this much?”

“And once you turn 55, Sergeant Eric, you will receive an even larger basic pension. Oh, and you seem to have quite a few children here. Let’s see. With four children, there’s another support category for families with three or more children.”

What is this? Are they really giving him this much money for free? Really? And they still have money left over?

There must be countless people in the Empire who are in a similar situation to me, or even worse. If the money for them was this much, the cost would be enormous, wouldn’t it?

“E-excuse me, but may I ask you a question?”

“Anything.”

“It’s all good. It’s all good, but… I’m worried that if you give me this much, there won’t be enough money for my comrades in need when they need it.”

From Eric’s point of view, it was a reasonable concern. But it seemed they didn’t think so.

“Huh? Oh. Ahhh. Hahaha.”

The officers, who had been blinking their eyes, burst into laughter. Then, waving their hands, they boasted that there was nothing to worry about.

“We understand what you’re saying. But there’s nothing to worry about.”

“We haven’t told anyone this far… Hmm. Actually, this foundation is supported by many high-ranking individuals. From duchies to marquisates, imperial counties… And along with the Radiant Church.”

As one of the officers winked, Eric gasped. It would be strange if he didn’t realize what the next word after ‘Radiant’ would be.

“I-I haven’t committed any disloyalty…”

“Of course not. You sacrificed for the Empire. Anyway, there’s nothing to worry about. We can assure you of that.”

After hearing their words, Eric nodded. However, his face still showed more hesitation than joy.

One of the officers, who was quick to notice this, tilted his head and spoke.

“Is there something wrong?”

“W-well.”

Eric glanced at his wife and children. His troubled expression was evident. But soon, he closed his eyes tightly and said what he had to say.

“I understand your kindness. But I can’t accept this.”

“Sergeant Eric?”

“Although my leg is a little uncomfortable, I still have all my limbs. I’m not very wealthy, but I have no problem making a living. I have my house, my land, and my family. I have everything. I am truly fortunate.”

To be honest, a part of him was still screaming, asking why he was doing this. But Eric followed his heart.

“There are many comrades who are worse off than me. Those who have lost arms, legs, or both. There may even be friends who are worried about making it through the day. Even if they didn’t fight alongside me, they fought the same enemy, aren’t they all comrades? I can’t accept this help before they’ve all received it.”

At first, his wife had been hesitant, and his children were surprised. But now they were calm.

As he said, they were doing well enough. There were others who weren’t, so it didn’t seem right to receive help first.

“…Actually.”

The officers said with a cryptic smile.

“We’ve seen many people say the same thing as you, Sergeant Eric. They all said that they didn’t do anything special or make a big sacrifice.”

“They also said to give it to someone more deserving, someone who had sacrificed more.”

“Then you should hurry and—”

“And. We were told to tell those people that Sergeant Karl Adelheit left a message.”

That there is no such thing as an insignificant contribution. That there is no such thing as a necessary sacrifice.

That even though they say such things, that is why they are heroes.