“Today marks the one-year anniversary.”
Baron Lihaton, with his bushy beard, was the epitome of a general.
Standing with his hands behind his back, he gazed out the window and spoke wistfully.
“It has been a year since my son left, vowing to vanquish the demons threatening our land.”
Baron Lihaton turned around.
Seated on the office sofa were Sena, Astria, and Sylvia.
“Thank you. I am deeply grateful, more than words can express. Today, I can finally pray for my son’s repose.”
Sena, sweating nervously, forced an awkward smile.
“Ah, no, I just did what I had to.”
“The demon revived no matter how many times we killed it. Without you, we might never have been able to put an end to it. Truly, thank you.”
Baron Lihaton bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude multiple times.
‘This is awkward.’
Sena, usually quick with a comforting remark, was too overwhelmed to offer any at the moment.
His grip on his thigh tightened, and the sweat had soaked his bangs.
‘I did something immense in front of the Church of Justitia members.’
In truth, there had been similar incidents in the past.
Sena’s body was somewhat peculiar.
He was immune to all sorts of vile things.
That included devil worshippers.
In the past, a devil worshipper who attacked Sena had been suffocated by the immense holy light emanating from him.
The grandeur of that event had made the church continue to pursue Sena to this day.
The problem was…
‘The wings were too much!’
Even then, it hadn’t been as dramatic as this time.
“Name your wish.”
Sena scratched his cheek with a faint smile.
Logically, he should leave immediately.
The Church would surely come after him upon learning of this.
“For now…”
However, something was bothering him.
“Let’s hold funerals for those who died fighting this time.”
**
It was said that the Lihaton family had spent a year capturing the demon that suddenly appeared in the forest.
Astria, with a furious expression, remarked, “I was not informed of this.”
She claimed that if she had been informed earlier, she would have dispatched the knights.
However, Sena thought he understood why Baron Lihaton hadn’t informed the empire.
Perhaps it was out of a parent’s desire for revenge for his deceased son.
Yet, as Astria raged, such a belief might not have been right for a lord.
Countless casualties resulted from trying to handle uncontrollable devil worshippers.
The problem was not only the devil worshippers but all the “monsters of the Lihaton forest.”
Sena had always wondered why devil worshippers were called demons, and it turned out they had the power to control monsters.
Coincidentally, today they had exterminated all the nearby monsters, leaving only one “demon.”
But, it was stronger than expected, putting them at a disadvantage. Even the clergy who came to support were of little help.
“…Senior was right. We should have come earlier. If only we had known.”
Sylvia, who had no interest other than Sena’s safety, was even shocked by the number of casualties gathered in the clearing.
The knights and guards of Lihaton, with heavy hearts, buried each one.
When the wails of the bereaved families reached them, the knights would occasionally bite their lips hard.
“Let’s help.”
Unable to stand still, Sena picked up a shovel and helped with the work.
It was surprising that even Empress Astria, who Sena thought would say, “How dare you make the Empress do such a thing?” helped with a serious face.
It was late at night when the work was roughly finished.
Just before Sena’s count turned to 24.
However, Sena did not regret spending this time.
“They were brave.”
Baron Lihaton delivered a speech, looking solemnly at each grave.
“They fought with their beliefs to protect the land and their families.”
The baron, touching his son’s tombstone, smiled.
“Their noble sacrifices will be recorded forever in this land.”
After the short speech, the bereaved families offered flowers.
People wept.
Some were in despair, unable to find their family member’s name.
Among the various people, what stood out was a young child smiling innocently beside a crying mother.
Sena closed his mouth tightly, walked to a nearby grave, knelt, and prayed.
Seeing this, the clergy snapped to attention and followed Sena’s example, offering prayers to each person.
Sena, slowly but without missing anyone, prayed in turn.
“Priest.”
Sena opened his eyes. Looking up, he saw a young woman with teary eyes speaking.
“He never believed in God.”
“Is that so?”
“He always said that believing in God was foolish and often acted in ways that would easily label him a heretic.”
Finally, tears fell from her eyes.
“Can he be saved?”
“Do not worry.”
Sena smiled brightly.
“Justitia grants salvation equally, whether one believes or not.”
Neither Astria nor Sylvia spoke a word until Sena finished his prayers.
After praying at the last grave, Astria finally spoke.
“That’s not the doctrine of Justitia, is it? Am I wrong?”
The Church of Justitia is quite exclusive.
They do not acknowledge other gods, and without belief, there was only the option of hell.
Whether this was truly Justitia’s will or something decided by the clergy was unknown.
Sena scratched his head.
“Even so, it’s comforting to hear that, isn’t it?”
“Even if it’s a lie?”
“You always have something to say.”
Sena glared at Astria.
“Even Your Majesty received a baptism. That could be a lie too, so why do you receive it?”
Baptism has only one meaning: the forgiveness of sins.
That’s why many of the world’s powerful receive baptism.
Sena doesn’t believe in it.
How could a little sprinkling of water forgive sins?
“Because there is no harm in believing.”
Sena blinked.
It was frustrating but somehow made sense.
Rubbing his eyes, Sena yawned.
Maybe it was the all-day prayers, but he felt strangely drowsy.
‘I wonder how much of my lifespan was shortened.’
Sena looked down at his trembling hands.
He had hidden it well, but he could feel his body wasn’t in good condition, likely due to the dramatic display with the wings earlier.
‘It’s scary.’
He deliberately hadn’t checked his lifespan yet.
But it must have shortened.
“It’s late. Let’s head back.”
As Astria spoke, Sena instinctively nodded, but then he noticed a grave that hadn’t been prayed over yet.
“Just let me finish there.”
The grave was a bit off to the side, which is why he noticed it now.
Standing there, Sena tilted his head. Why was this grave separated from the others?
Baron Lihaton approached and answered his question.
“These are the ones without status, who couldn’t return to their families.”
‘I see.’
Their tombstones had no names.
It had been a year-long battle. That was somewhat expected, but it was still bitter.
“So now we’re at a loss. We need to inscribe something on the tombstones, but what should we write for those without names?”
“It’s a difficult issue.”
Baron Lihaton looked somewhere. Naturally, Sena’s gaze followed.
The young woman who had spoken to Sena earlier was sobbing her heart out.
Unlike the others, the ones buried here had no family to cry for them, and that thought was heartbreaking.
“What should we inscribe on the tombstones?”
“…May I decide that?”
“If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have returned.”
Baron Lihaton looked earnestly at Sena.
“So please.”
“…”
With such earnestness, it would be rude to refuse further.
Despite his hesitation, Sena pondered what name would suit these individuals.
After a brief contemplation, he spoke up.
“The Graves of the Nameless Heroes.”
Sena smiled faintly.
“That would be best.”
**
“Are you really leaving at this hour?”
Baron Lihaton asked worriedly.
His tone had shifted from semi-formal to highly respectful.
This change came after witnessing Sena’s sincere prayers for each individual.
That heartfelt behavior marked Sena as a saintly figure.
“Senior, even I don’t think leaving at this hour is a good idea. There might still be monsters left.”
“I’m sleepy.”
Ignoring everyone’s pleas, Sena grabbed his suitcase. Sylvia sighed and helped him lift it into the carriage.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Sena cleared his throat a couple of times before speaking softly.
“If we wait until morning, it will be too late. The Church will undoubtedly come with their forces.”
“Please don’t worry about that. The Lihaton family will do everything in their power to stop anyone from opposing your intentions.”
Though reassuring, Sena knew the Church’s resolve.
Once they decided on something, they would achieve it, even if it meant splitting the world in two.
‘Still, if I hurry back home, I can hold out for about a month.’
“No, I don’t want to cause any trouble. But if the Church people come looking for me, could you please offer them warm tea and delicious food?”
Baron Lihaton looked puzzled.
“Forgive me, but I thought you were antagonistic toward the Church. Did I misinterpret?”
Sena waved his hands.
“Oh no, not at all. I don’t hate them… Well, maybe a little.”
He couldn’t help but reveal his true feelings at the end.
Then he smiled brightly.
“While they’re eating, it’ll buy us some time.”
Baron Lihaton chuckled.
It might be the most sensible approach.
“I’ll prepare a lavish feast.”
“Thank you. I’ll be off then.”
Satisfied, Sena climbed into the carriage.
As it slowly started to move, Baron Lihaton called out loudly.
“Attention!”
At his command, the few knights present straightened their postures.
“Salute the Saint.”
Inside the carriage, Sena blushed up to his neck and shrank into himself.
Astria, looking incredulous, asked.
“What are you doing?”
“I-I’m embarrassed.”
Astria grabbed Sena by the collar and dragged him to the carriage window.
“Respond to their heartfelt salute.”
Sena had no choice but to lean out the window and wave.
Even in the dark night, Sena’s silver hair gleamed brightly in the moonlight.
