The Medal of Honor Ceremony
The 10th. It was merely that I was lucky.
They did it for the Empire's prosperity and glory.
Rest here with the great ancestors.
Only the gods know their names.
The woman standing before the tomb of the nameless heroes gently stroked the stone.
These noble guardians of the nation who vanished without even leaving their names behind.
From the beginning to the end of the Empire, they will shine eternally.
“Her Highness the Princess. It is time to go.”
The 1st Princess, Mikaela, nodded and boarded the carriage.
The Medal of Honor presentation ceremony. A day when the Empire shows respect to one person.
Originally, it should have been heading to the War Ministry, but today the destination was different.
The Academy. The Empire's Ivory Tower. That was where the Medal of Honor ceremony was held today.
As they moved there, Mikaela looked at the recipient of this year's Medal of Honor.
Karl Adelheit. The eldest son of Count Friedrich.
What a strange person. The eldest son of a count enlisting as a soldier.
This was rare in imperial history, only seen when the Empire was just rising.
After that, there were no such cases.
It would be troublesome if a direct descendant of a powerful family was taken prisoner.
Yet, this Karl youth enlisted despite that.
After his identity was revealed, the War Ministry and even the count's family tacitly accepted it.
They said, If my son really did it out of devotion for the Empire, I understand his intention.
But there were many worries, especially from Ricata.
The eldest daughter of the Adelheit family, the next Count of Friedrich, Ricata Adelheit.
She couldn't hide her anxiety even in front of Mikaela, worrying about her younger brother three years younger.
When she heard about Karl, she said Hmph! I don't want to hear about that guy!
Anyway, Karl who enlisted like that fulfilled his duties as an imperial soldier.
He trained with his comrades, marched to the battlefield that erupted, and fought the enemies.
And in the process, he achieved an unbelievable miracle by saving hundreds of comrades.
It was an amazing feat. It would have been enough to receive hero treatment immediately.
But why was his achievement revealed so late? Because he hid his identity.
He disappeared like he was fleeing before his identity was known after the rescue.
At the time, since the war was still ongoing, it was hard to investigate. But after the war ended and the formal investigation of merits began, testimonies about what happened that day poured out.
Mikaela was also serving as a captain in the imperial army at the time.
So she knew that rescuing hundreds of comrades, especially alone, was an enormous feat.
It wasn't just saving hundreds. It was saving thousands of parents, wives, and children from misfortune.
It was saving countless soldiers who would live with lifelong guilt over their comrades' deaths.
The Empire owed Karl a great debt. Therefore, the Medal of Honor was only natural.
“Her Highness the Princess.”
As they arrived at the academy square designated for the ceremony, members of the imperial army approached.
Mikaela reflexively tried to salute them but lowered her hand.
During the war, she had received their orders as an imperial army Captain.
But normally, she received their respect as the Empire’s Princess.
She was still wearing the captain's insignia, but that was natural.
The personnel who had taken a respectful bow continued.
“The preparation for the Medal of Honor ceremony is complete. However, truly, Her Highness the Princess…”
“Didn’t I say? A young man who saved hundreds alone ended up saving thousands or tens of thousands. What problem is there in expressing respect to this person who wanted to sacrifice for the Empire?”
Mikaela's intention was firm, and the army personnel didn't stop her.
In fact, it was sufficient. Because the Medal of Honor was such a glorious thing.
Even if the Emperor personally expressed respect, the subjects would bow their heads.
“Who is today's protagonist?”
“Waiting.”
“The time until the Medal of Honor ceremony is…”
“Approximately 10 minutes.”
10 minutes. 10 minutes, huh. That should be enough.
“Then, I'll talk to the hero for a bit and come back.”
It was curious. What kind of person was he? How could he perform such brave actions?
Against the enemies. And the comrades who were surrounded by the elves, the ghost of annihilation by siege.
A soldier who willingly threw himself in for those who could be considered hopeless.
It was an action that Mikaela herself, filled with a sense of duty to the Empire, wasn't entirely sure about.
“Karl Adelheit Sergeant?”
The Medal of Honor recipient she met like that, Karl Adelheit.
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit! It is an honor to meet you, Her Highness the Princess!”
“Uh, uh. Yeah. Yeah. Don't shout too loud.”
Just, really. A very ordinary young man that anyone could see.
*
In my previous life, I had the misfortune of shaking hands with a battalion commander.
Yeah. Battalion commander. Three stars. Lieutenant General. Isn't that lucky? Fuck, are you kidding?
It wasn't lucky, it was almost a disaster. My hand is still shaking.
Even though it was a moment, I don't know how many eyes were looking at me.
And on top of that, in those gazes, there were meanings like:
If you make a mistake, I'll kill you. If anything comes out of the battalion commander's mouth, you'll die and I'll die.
But today, a Buster Call even greater than three stars came flying at me.
“Get ready. Her Highness the 1st Princess is coming.”
A princess. A princess. The Emperor's daughter. An invincible being that makes stars irrelevant.
A person like that personally pinning a medal on me and coming to give a speech.
Moreover, she's coming to the waiting room to meet me for a bit!
Don't come. Please, don't come. Damn it, why do high-ups keep doing this to soldiers!
For us, having high-ups come and pat us on the shoulder is torture!
“Karl Adelheit Sergeant?”
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit! It is an honor to meet you, Her Highness the Princess!”
However, this body started as a private and safely retired as a sergeant.
This much I can handle. I didn't eat rice in the toilet!
“Uh, uh. Yeah. Yeah. Don't shout too loud.”
“Understood. Her Highness the Princess.”
1st Princess, Mikaela. I haven't met her in person but I've heard of her.
During the Luzens War, this woman was also in the imperial army with me.
To be precise, I was a soldier and Mikaela was an officer.
“Her figure is a bit slimmer than expected.”
“I'm sorry!”
“No need to apologize. It was just a comment. Rather, she resembles Ricata.”
Ricata? No, are you talking about Ricata noona?
“Excuse me, but I would like to ask about your relationship with my sister.”
“Friends. For now, just say that.”
Strange. I haven't heard that my sister is friends with the princess.
Maybe she didn't say it because she was embarrassed? Or is it a bit of a bad concept?
“Even after a while, I'll say the same thing. I came to convey my gratitude.”
“I've only done what I had to do.”
“That’s right. I’ve only done what I had to do. But those who have fulfilled their duties deserve to be respected. If not, how can a soldier protect the country, and who would become a hero?”
...Hmm. I almost got choked up without realizing.
Not because she understood my hardships, but because it seemed like my comrades were being treated with respect.
That all the things I went through had some meaning in some way.
“So, you can be proud of yourself. No. You should be proud. That is what you, who remember those who left first, can do as the best condolence.”
“...”
“Well, now it's time to get up. It's time for the Medal of Honor ceremony. Sergeant.”
Be proud of yourself. That is the best condolence we can offer.
That words would probably stay in his heart for a long time.
*
“Dear honored guests. First, let us pray to the gods, our protectors and guides. O Light, bless this event with your light today. Karl Adelheit was a brave soldier and a warm person. He was a member of the imperial army—”
Prayer to the gods. And the bishop's blessing from the Bright Light Church.
Karl was nervously preparing for the ceremony.
I thought he would look tough since he saved hundreds. But no.
A smile comes to my face. I can understand why Ricata worried so much about her brother.
It wasn't enough to call him a war hero. It was a bit lacking to say he did such a great thing alone.
Of course, it's not wise to judge people by appearance, but...
“Next, there will be the presentation of the Medal of Honor by Her Highness the 1st Princess.”
It's my turn. The most important order. Representing the Empire and the imperial family, expressing gratitude to the hero.
After adjusting my clothes and standing up from my seat, I clear my throat and stand in front.
“Everyone. Thank you very much for attending today.”
Gave an appropriate greeting and mentioned how strong the Empire currently is.
Also, informing that all of this is thanks to everyone, including you.
“...Sergeant Karl Adelheit is the same. I am truly happy that his brave actions are honored with a glorious Medal of Honor at this venue. I also feel a sense of respect through his noble behavior.”
It wasn't just reading something prepared in advance. They might not, but at least I have to.
For those who willingly offered their bodies for the Empire and the imperial family. Regardless of status, they should bow their heads and express infinite respect and admiration for their sacrifices.
“Sergeant Karl Adelheit. Once again, I express my gratitude for the merits of dedicating yourself to the Empire.”
What follows are detailed stories of his heroic actions.
Honestly, this was hard to memorize. I went through a lot of hardship.
But I did it. With the Medal of Honor recipient in front of me, I can't just read paper and say sweet things.
“...So he performed a miracle of saving a total of 267 people. Thanks to him, thousands or more will be saved. The true heroes of the Empire. Now, I would like to award him with a glorious Medal of Honor.”
A major stands next to me holding the medal and offers the sparkling symbol of sacrifice.
“By the will of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, the only and legitimate ruler of the Empire, who accepted the opinions of the Imperial Diet and the War Ministry, we honor the great spirit that did not yield in any situation and saved many with bravery and sacrifice.”
I pinned the Medal of Honor around Karl's neck.
He probably didn't do this because he wanted it.
Nevertheless, we have to do it this way. So that we can remember.
“If you have any words you want to say, please.”
As usual, I ask for the recipient's one line.
Karl, whose face showed embarrassment, looked at the signal and opened his mouth.
“Just… it was merely that I was lucky.”
After hesitating for a moment, Karl slowly uttered the next words.
“The real heroes are the comrades who couldn't return.”
A thunderous applause rang out towards him. Karl looked gloomy.
I fervently prayed that this voice would reach his comrades as well.