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It was unexpected for the Patriarch to come to a memorial since he hadn’t been active since the end of the war. However, he probably came here as a representative of the Parliament.

No matter how glamorous the name of a member of the Parliament might sound, they are essentially a Civil Servant. If I’m an Administrative Civil Servant, then he was a Legislative Civil Servant… and we must follow orders. Also, it wasn’t like the territory of Tailglehen was far from here.

“Ah, you’re already here?”

“Hi.”

As I sat in my office, waiting for the memorial to start, people started to come one by one. The first person to arrive was the 1st Manager, who came eating a piece of bread. It seems like she eats breakfast properly. No wonder she looked healthy.

“Executive Manager, aren’t you on a dispatch mission? How come I’ve seen you three times during the dispatch period?”

“I didn’t expect to see you three times, either.”

When I was first sent to the Academy, I thought I’d be able to return occasionally during vacation. But during the club fair, the 1st Manager came to the Academy, and then I was forced to come here because of the Magic Duchess’s incident. I had already gone through two unexpected events…

“Do you want some?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

“Okay~.”

She tore the bread in half and offered it to me, but I declined. It feels a bit like stealing my subordinates’ food.

“Oh, I was just getting hungry.”

“Huh?”

As soon as the 2nd Manager came to work, he stole the bread in the 1st Manager’s hands. What a way to greet someone during the morning. After stuffing the bread into his mouth, he nodded at me. It would be better for him to run away instead of greeting me.

“Spit it out right now!”

The 1st Manager hit the neck of the 2nd Manager.

The 5th Manager had just opened the door, but after seeing that, he silently closed the door and walked away. It was a wise choice.

Unlike last year’s memorial, several high-profile figures came this time.

The Minister of the Imperial Household was here. The Invincible Duke came as the representative of the army, while the Earl of Tailglehen came as the representative of the parliament. There were also those who had participated in the war, including me and the Minister of Finance.

I also barely managed to make some time last year, so there weren’t many officials who could attend. But because the Emperor started talking about the Six Swords this year, there was a reasonable excuse to come.

“If it weren’t for the sacrifices of the loyal servants of the Empire, how could the Empire have fulfilled its divine mandate?”

The voice of the Minister of the Imperial Household echoed through the National Cemetery as he read the Emperor’s eulogy for those who had died during the Great War. The Empire’s divine mandate was one of the highest compliments the Emperor could offer. After all, that was what allowed the Empire to rule over the continent.

“The dedication of the heroes who embraced the hardships will be the stepping stones of the Empire as it moves into the future. Their names will be forever immortal.”

‘Immortal.’

This year, he’d put much more emphasis on each word, as if making up for the subdued commemoration last year. Or maybe the Emperor had some level of affection for those who had died for the Empire? Well, the ones who represent a threat to the Imperial authority were the living servants, not the dead heroes.

As soon as the Imperial Household’s Minister’s reading ended, everyone bowed their heads in silent prayer. Then, as we raised our heads, we exchanged greetings and began to disperse. The atmosphere was a bit more relaxed than last year, but these people were all busy.

“Carl.”

After exchanging eye contact with the Invincible Duke, who seemed to be in a hurry to leave because of work, I heard a familiar voice coming from behind.

As I turned around, I saw a man with black hair.

“Patriach, long time no see.”

It was the Earl of Tailglehen, who had come in the representation of the Parliament. I thought we were each going our separate ways after making eye contact, but I didn’t expect him to talk to me first.

“It’s been a while.”

“I’m sorry. I should have visited sooner.”

“Don’t worry about it. It isn’t your fault.”

Truthfully, I didn’t really care. I’ve spent years observing him, so I knew his disposition. If anything, going out of my way to visit him would probably have resulted in a lecture about neglecting my duties.

Indeed. He didn’t seem to have any particular complaints. Rather than that, there was a slightly satisfied expression on his face. Seeing him like that with a face that resembled mine looked weird. I’ll probably look like him once I get older.

“Earl Blotchen, how have you been?”

“I’m just as always. I’m glad to see that you’re doing well, Earl of Tailglehen.”

Then, his gaze shifted to the Minister, who was standing next to me. Since they had some interaction in the past, they exchanged pleasantries at a level that sufficed. It wasn’t a close enough relationship for a long conversation, so it quickly fizzled out.

“How’s Erich doing?”

After a moment of silence, the Patriarch spoke to me again. Woah, was this person someone who asked about his son?

“He’s doing well.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Tell him this: For a warrior, it’s more important to go far than fast.”

“Understood.”

He nodded at my response and turned away without any lingering sentiments. That was a bit surprising.

“I thought he was someone unfriendly. That was unexpected.”

“Right?”

The Minister murmured as the Patriarch walked away. ‘It’s more important to go far than fast.’ What he really wanted to say was, ‘You might get hurt if you hurry, so take your time.’ He was someone who tended to neglect his family, so it sounded strange to hear him say something like that.

“Well, people tend to change as they age.”

I couldn’t help but glance at the Minister when he said that. He had aged so much and yet remained the same.

“Let’s go before it gets any later.”

“Ah, yes.”

At that moment, the officers who were standing behind joined our group.

To reach their tombstones, we needed to walk across the section dedicated to the ones who’d died during the ‘Great Subjugation War,’ and walk until we reached the section that belonged to the Prosecutor’s Office.

“I’ll pour first.”

“Alright.”

As we arrived at where the six tombstones were lined up, the Minister stepped forward with a bottle of Boyar wine. Yes, it’s proper for the eldest to pour the drink first.

The Minister poured a bottle into each tombstone. Drink up. This is something rare, so we can give it to you only once a year.

“Executive Manager.”

“Okay.”

After sprinkling the alcohol, the Minister patted each tombstone and turned around. Then, I received the box from the Senior Manager. I could have carried it, but it might catch other people’s attention if someone in the front row held onto something this big. It was a thoughtful act from the Senior Manager, so I just left it to him.

As I headed toward the tombstones with the box in hand, the Minister patted my shoulder while passing by. He’s a bit sentimental today, too.

‘Should I give this to you?’

I chuckled after looking at the soaked tombstones. Boyar wine was already famous for being strong, so pouring two bottles in a row could really get them drunk. I hesitated for a moment but decided to pour it anyway. Does it matter if they get drunk during an annual event?

First, let’s start with the drunkard, the main reason behind this tradition.

Gerard, Born in 1348 ~ Died in 1375

“You would have died young anyway, with how much you drink.”

I poured it over the tombstone as soon as I opened the first bottle. He drank more than the other six combined, but this drunkard was incredibly skilled with a spear.

He really had no talent for teaching. Seeing how I had grown this much from learning from him made me the exceptional one.

Oliver, Born in 1346 ~ Died in 1375

In contrast, this guy rarely touched alcohol. He probably drank once or twice a month at most.

But sadly, the Saint of your church is the King of the Roulette. Maybe it’s a good thing that you went to Enen without seeing that.

Drake, Born in 1351 ~ Died in 1375

He liked alcohol but wasn’t good at drinking. Still, it was fun watching him trying to increase his tolerance.

The downside was that his intelligence seemed to get a little weirder as time passed. It was surprising how, despite that, he managed to master dual swordsmanship.

Walter, Born in 1350 ~ Died in 1375

However, Drake was fine compared to this guy. He was extraordinary in many ways.

In the end, he really managed to walk on water. Of course, it was thanks to him putting mana on his feet. But if he’d lived a little longer, he would have probably found a way to fly. He would have been like the Wright Brothers from another world.

Idrid, Born in 1349 ~ Died in 1375

I opened the fifth bottle and poured it on Idrid’s tombstone. I felt strangely at peace. Among the Managers of the 4th Team, who were all oddballs, he was the only normal person. Compared to the current members, he was like the Senior Manager or the 5th Manager.

He was also the prophet who first dreamt of deserting this dysfunctional Prosecutor’s Office, which became a joke. I was trying to fulfill his bucket list of deserting from the Prosecutor’s Office on his behalf.

‘I’m sorry.’

I still haven’t managed to do it. My only chance, which was to go to the military, failed because of the Crown Prince. After that, the Minister wasn’t willing to accept my resignation letter. I’ve somewhat fulfilled the other guy’s wishes, but it looks like you’ll continue to have a hard time.

My body stiffened for a moment as I reached the last tombstone.

Hecate, Born in 1352 ~ Died in 1375

But like the other guys, I quietly poured the last bottle on the tombstone.

A feeling of emotion welled up deep inside, but I forced it down. Truthfully, it’s really too much. When I think about the hardships I went through after you left me, I want to give you a piece of my mind at least once.

‘Why did you do that?’

I sighed while gently stroking Hecate’s tombstone, which was soaked with alcohol. The National Cemetery’s burial divisions were strict. Those who had died were buried together, but Hecate hadn’t died in battle. She had committed suicide, so she originally shouldn’t have been buried here with the others.

But somehow, I managed to change her cause of death to ensure she could be here by the side of these guys.

I was the one who wrote how you died. How do you think I felt while I wrote a fake, manipulated death? I went to meet the person who knew the truth and bowed my head multiple times, begging him to look the other way. It was the Invincible Duke, but still.

‘Seriously, why did you do that?’

In truth, I had a lot of resentment. It was sad that five had left before us, but we still managed to survive. I wanted to do with you what the others wanted to do, and I wanted to live with you while remembering what kind of people those guys were.

But how could you leave me like that? I was the one who found your body, and I was the one who covered it up.

Why did you do something that would make you apologize? Your choice was already painful, but it hurt even more to think that you left because I couldn’t be your support.

I touched the tombstone several times before stepping back. Now that I think about it, this is ridiculous.

‘How come I’m still the youngest?’

Although I was the only one who got older among the seven, I was still the youngest one. How unbelievable.