I'm an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator Angel Dust]

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Chapter 27

[Brother, do you really have to come?]

On the other end of the comm, Selena appeared quite worried.

[Well you see. Karl didnt exactly look like he wanted to be reminded of that time.]

Is that so?

Deonik bit his lip slightly, looking troubled.

Selenas brother. The eldest of the Ifrit lineage, the minor head of the Marquis of Nafplion.

In the recent Luzerne War, he was a platoon leader in the 7th Infantry Division. And one of the hundreds of imperial soldiers saved by Karl.

After a moment of contemplation, he cautiously spoke up.

Selena.

[Yes, brother.]

Still will you say it just once?

[Alright.]

The conversation between siblings ended there for now.

Deonik disconnected the communication link and buried himself deeper into the back of his chair.

Closing his eyes, the past situation vividly replayed in his mind.

Were all going to die here or die on the way. Isnt it the same? Since were going to die anyway, wouldnt it be better to go a little closer to home to die?!

At the time of receiving the medal of honor, Karl had simply said it was just his luck.

In reality, some of those who hadnt seen combat in the war would argue that was all there was to it.

Nonsense.

What luck was, it was when God smiled upon someone.

And God doesnt help just anyone. He helps those who deserve it.

And in that respect, Karl deserved it.

When everyone else gave up, Karl didnt. He persuaded us to turn back. He volunteered to lead from the front.

As if entranced by that pull, we were able to escape a place that felt like hell.

Karl. We all thought we were as good as dead until you arrived.

Those who havent experienced it wouldnt understand even until the brink of death.

When death is right in front of you. When you cant resist at all.

When you can only watch those whove shared life and death with you die.

How terrifying and bitterly sad the helplessness and self-loathing that come at that moment are.

Thats when Karl came. He grabbed the hands of those who had given up hope.

It didnt matter why he came, whether we could really survive or not.

He came to save us. He didnt abandon us. That was more than enough.

And he truly did save us. Not a single one of us was left behind.

I want to say Thank you. I really want to say it. I have to say it.

This isnt just a thank you to the hero named Karl.

Its also a tribute to my past self, still floundering in that hell.

Thats the only way I can hope to find some peace and sleep a little easier.

[Brother.]

Time passed, and Selena contacted me again.

[They said its okay to come.]

Alright. Thanks, Selena.

After a moments hesitation, Deonik activated the communication link again.

A while later, the faces of his comrades appeared on the other side.

[Sir? Whats going on?]

Gentlemen, take a moment. Lets go meet the man who saved us.

Back then, it was so chaotic. I even doubted if we really survived.

I couldnt even say hello because Ive been hiding my identity ever since.

[Oh, got it!]

We must express our gratitude. We must say that its because of you that were alive.

Being alive, we must show that weve met our families and formed new ones.

Because then, we might feel a little less guilty towards our fallen comrades.

Even for those who died in our place. We had to express our thanks.

* * *

Deonik, my brother, its not often that he asks me to do him a favor.

On the contrary, I myself has asked my brother for more favors.

So, I couldnt bring myself to refuse his request this time.

Despite thinking that Karl might not like it, I eventually asked him.

Fortunately, Karl agreed to my brothers request.

But you never said anything like this before, brother.

Sorry, Selena.

You should be sorry to Karl, not to me! I thought you were coming alone?!

It was embarrassing. Behind Deonik, near the Academy, there were dozens more.

What made me even more bewildered was my brothers next words.

I tried to keep the numbers as small as possible.

No, really!

I told you. Karl is uncomfortable recalling those times.

Its not just a matter of embarrassment, but he simply doesnt want to remember.

Still, I thought it would be okay to ask just my brother.

But if you act like this without consulting me in between, what am I even for?!

With a silent scream inside, Selena grabbed Deoniks hand.

If its going to be like this, just go. Brother. An if Karl feels uncomfortable

Selena?

Oh no. What should I do? Hes already here.

Ka- Karl. Youre here?

Oh. The person standing behind

Steps

Deonik passed by Selena and approached Karl.

In response, Selena hurriedly followed and stood by Karls side.

Silence. And more silence. Deonik, with Karl before him, remained wordless.

He just stared right through him. He didnt even bother to greet him.

Oh, brother. What on earth are you doing! Its rude to stare like that!

To not even exchange greetings at a formal first meeting?

Its like theyre inviting a fight from the other side. Its beyond acceptable.

As Selena started to feel anxious and was about to intervene,

Thats right.

With a trembling voice, Deonik spoke up.

He was right. Back then, that person, who came running towards us when everyone else had given up. He said, Lets go together, even if we die, lets die a little closer to home. He was really right.FiNd pdtes on n()/vln(.)cm

Selena saw it. The tears welling in her brothers eyes.

The soldier who held them back and extended his right hand.

Im Deonik Ifrit. At that time, I was a platoon leader in the imperial army.

Its an honor to meet you Marquis of Nafplion. Im Sergeant Karl Adelheit.

Brief greetings. Hands shaken and withdrawn.

Silence fell once again. Deonik purses his lips, unable to say anything more.

Selena doesnt know the reason. She cant understand.

But Karl, standing before Deonik, another survivor of that war, he understands the reason.

Perhaps hes still contemplating the hell of that moment.

Sergeant Karl Adelheit.

Deonik finally managed to speak again.

Thank you. For rescuing us from that hell back then.

With these words, Deonik gestured, and his comrades who were behind approached.

There were junior officers of noble descent and common soldiers among them.

Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for them to mix like this.

But they were all in a special situationcomrades.

These are the members of my platoon that you saved. We selected only those who said theyd all come.

Im sure you feel burdened. Just as much as we do, Im sure its difficult for you every time you remember that day, Sergeant. Im sorry. Truly sorry. But I felt like we had to express our gratitude somehow.

At those words, Karl looked slowly at the survivors.

They were all people who had lived on someone elses life as a guarantee.

Those who had returned home instead of those who hadnt come back.

Certainly not sinners, but souls who considered themselves sinners.

Thank you. For saving us.

Deonik bowed his head, and his platoon members followed suit.

Observing them for a moment, I said,

I, too, thank you all.

Facing them, I bowed slightly and expressed my gratitude.

Sergeant?

Confused, Deonik tried to reject the thanks, asking why he was being thanked.

But I nodded gently, then smiled softly.

Im grateful to see those I rescued again. Seeing you all, I remember my fallen comrades who saved me.

Ah I, Im sorry. Truly sorry

No, no. Thats why Im grateful. Thanks to all of you, I can feel a bit more dignified in front of those fellows. Because of me, those who died. Because of you, I can say that their deaths werent in vain.

This is a gratitude and apology to each other and to our departed comrades.

Your sacrifices were not in vain. Ive repaid them like this, and Ill live diligently to match it.

So, when we meet again someday, wont you be a little less angry?

[PR/N: The feels]

Sometimes I have nightmares. Other fellows I couldnt save come to me. They cry out in pain, and I wake up drenched in cold sweat.

At my words, Deonik and his platoon members all nodded subtly.

They were all the same. They were all shuddering with guilt.

But at least today, I dont think Ill have those nightmares. Because youre all here. Because theres evidence that I didnt fail to save anyone.

Having heard this, Deonik took a deep breath and stepped back.

Then, assuming a formal posture, he saluted gracefully.

His comrades also followed suit, showing respect to their benefactor. their comrade-in-arm.

To the man who saved their lives. And for the other heroes standing behind him.

.

Returning their salute, I smile and said, Lets go.

I didnt expect so many of you to come. Dinner might be a bit early, so lets have a cup of coffee or tea before you go. Ill pay. I have a good pension because of the medal of honor, you know.

If its a medal of honor recipients treat, Im sure even plain water would taste good.

You are so different from our leader. Our platoon leader, what a **ing bastard he was! Ugh!

Even though it was only today that they had truly met for the first time.

They were casual with each other, as if they had known each other for a very long time.

Selena, watching the scene from a distance, fidgeted with her hands.

I want to help him with that bitterness, I want to understand.

When he tells me hes struggling, I want to comfort him, even if I dont know him well.

I want to care for him with all my might.

[Translator Angel Dust]

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