9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 218 - Salvation (5)

I dreamed another long dream.

A dream of my original world, Earth, now grown dim in memory.

My ordinary school days, the day I wailed after losing my parents, the corporate interview where I nervously blurted out whatever came to mind.

The senior colleague I met on my first day at work, the lonely nights with many contacts but no one I wanted to call, the unpleasant high school reunion, the day I heard news of my senior’s death.

And the East Coast beach.

While eating ice cream, my heart stopped and I collapsed, only to wake up and see the shabby ceiling of a boarding house.

Which one is the real me?

Is the real me the one who ran around as a salesman, determined to secure a decent apartment?

Or is the real me the one who plunged strange continents into the flames of war and murdered countless people in hatred?

“Both are your choices.”

Lucas Redan sneers with a crooked expression. Along with the thought of wanting to punch that smile, I woke up.

“……”

The first thing I saw was the window with evening light streaming in, and Erika sitting by my feet with her head bowed.

I slowly sat up.

“Why are you crying?”

Erika lifted her head. Her face was glistening, soaked with tears.

“I thought… sob, you’d never wake up.”

“There’s no way that would happen.”

“You said you didn’t care if you died as long as you could get revenge, hic! You were in a coma for a whole week, so I really thought you’d left us!”

“Where would I go, leaving you behind?”

I struggled to extend my arm, which had no strength at all, and hugged Erika.

“You’ve been through so much. You’ve really been through so much, Erika. Thank you for believing in me.”

“I wasn’t the one who believed in you. You were the one who believed in us.”

Erika replied through sniffles. Then she pulled me into a tighter embrace and burst into even louder tears.

Ah, how lovely.

I leaned into her embrace and gently patted her shoulder for quite a while. It was the most peaceful feeling I’d ever experienced.

***

Many things had happened during the week I didn’t wake up.

All of Schufaben fell into chaos, with unsavory incidents erupting endlessly. Hearing of Kruger’s death, fanatical supporters tried to attack my house, while conversely, citizen militias raided churches trying to hold memorial services for Kruger and beat up the priests.

Meanwhile, Christian and the students frantically dug through the rubble, trying to confirm the Supreme Leader’s death with their own eyes. But no body was found, and rumors spread that Kruger was still alive.

‘It really could be called a hellish week. At least when I woke up, things had settled down somewhat.

For a week, Richard had been coming and going from the house, taking care of me.

“You’ll need to rest for a while, so you mustn’t go outside.”

“I don’t want to go out anyway. Besides, isn’t it complete chaos out there? More importantly, you should get some rest.”

His haggard face looked terribly exhausted. He’d apparently set up a makeshift infirmary at the broadcasting station and was taking care of the injured, so no wonder.

Richard smiled gently and shook his head.

“I can’t rest for even a moment. Helping people is a doctor’s job, and I’m moving happily.”

“That sounds pretty awkward coming from someone who collapsed for a week. But are you really happy?”

“Of course I’m happy. It breaks my heart to see injured people, but helping them is enjoyable.”

Then Richard paused for a moment before speaking with the same kind smile as before.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve felt truly alive.”

“You really seem cut out to be a doctor.”

“Perhaps so.”

When word spread that I’d regained consciousness, my friends flocked over.

“Woof! Woof woof!”

The front door opened and urgent footsteps climbed the stairs, then a tiger-sized black dog rushed at me.

“Argh! Colin, gently!”

Colin jumped on the bed and frantically licked my face, making me laugh from the tickling sensation.

“Calm down, calm down!”

“Lucas!”

Oscar lifted Colin away from me. Behind him, I could see my friends’ faces.

“Daniel? When did you get back? You returned while I was unconscious.”

“That’s how it worked out. How’s your body? Are you dizzy at all?”

“Well, I’m pretty weak, but I feel quite good.”

“Brother, we really…”

Georg looked at me with tears welling up, unable to continue speaking.

“Wow, you’ve really grown a lot since I last saw you. Are you still growing?”

“Broother!”

“Why are you yelling at a patient, kid?”

Nina scolded him from the side.

“Mr. Lucas.”

Emma, her nose bright red, gently took my hand. Beside her, her daughter Angela was quietly distracting Colin.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Her eyes still held that fanatical worship. It overlapped with Eve’s eyes when she looked at Kruger, but since she seemed to have found peace after fulfilling her revenge, it wasn’t as uncomfortable as before.

I spent a month holed up at home, taking a leisurely recovery.

Erika stayed by my side whenever she had nothing else to do, while the other friends bustled around but made sure to visit every few days to check on my condition before leaving.

No matter how much I told them I was fine and not to worry too much, it didn’t work at all.

I gradually heard from Erika about what had happened.

How Ian and Nina had joined, what had occurred in the Great Desert, how Cortana was liberated, and how the eastern and southern fronts had collapsed.

She didn’t leave out stories about Christian Wamel and students like Tom Mitzfeld, or the activities of the fake White Raven Order. The work they’d done occupying the broadcasting station, and those heated, intense stories from the protest sites.

But she didn’t tell me how the outside world was spinning while I was holed up at home. I didn’t want to know anyway.

From the noise-like sounds drifting over, it seemed all sorts of people had gathered outside in droves, but my friends completely blocked them out while showing me nothing.

I didn’t listen to radio or read newspapers, just listened to Erika’s stories, played with Colin, and rested to my heart’s content.

‘Is it okay for me to be this leisurely?’

That thought conflicted with,

‘Aren’t there no responsibilities left for me to handle anyway?’

Sometimes I had nightmares at night, but Kruger never appeared even once. I had intentionally driven that bastard out of my head.

The frequency of nightmares gradually decreased, and by the time my recovery was nearly over, I was sleeping deeply without taking sleeping pills.

I welcomed the new year during my recovery.

Passing through the eventful year of 1904, 1905 opened.

We didn’t watch fireworks or participate in festivals, but thanks to Erika bringing cake, we celebrated quietly together. January 1st is my—no, this Lucas Redan’s—birthday too.

“Happy birthday, Lucas.”

Erika handed me a prettily wrapped present. Trying not to look excited, I opened it to find a ring inside.

A thin gold band with a brilliant diamond—truly a top-quality engagement ring.

“Th-thank you.”

For a moment I was speechless and could only manage that much. Seeing my rare dumbfounded expression, Erika burst out laughing.

After a leisurely month passed like that, and all the wounds from Richard’s surgery had healed.

I finally felt like going outside.

“Ah, now I can breathe some fresh air. I was starting to feel stuffy since I couldn’t even open the windows.”

I put on my best clothes—the formal wear I’d worn years ago to the medal ceremony Kruger had held (falsely) to honor my rescue of Erika. My body shape hadn’t changed much from then to now, so the tailored suit fit perfectly. I’d built some muscle but then lost it all, so it was pretty much the same.

“Um, Lucas.”

Erika, who had been helping me with my tie, hesitated.

“Things have gotten pretty complicated out there, so there might be a lot you don’t understand. Don’t be too shocked.”

“Don’t worry so much. Could there really be anything more shocking than what we’ve already been through?”

“Anyway, stay calm, okay?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Then I opened the door. Good heavens.

Hundreds of people filled the entire alley.

“Waaaahhhhh!”

“He’s finally come out!”

Ear-piercing camera shutter sounds, people waving Schufaben flags and throwing bouquets to welcome me.

Thanks to my friends calling in magicians to cast spells on the house, I was completely cut off until now and faced this scene all at once.

This much was within expectations. But what was truly surprising was what they chanted in chorus.

“Please become our king!!”

“Lucas Redan, please lead this nation!”

“Wh-what? King?”

Joyful cheers pierced the sky. A middle-aged man with a red band around his head like a patriotic martyr approached and earnestly pleaded.

“His Excellency the Supreme Leader—ah no, after the Supreme Leader died, Schufaben is in serious crisis. Order has collapsed and chaos continues endlessly. Continental nations are plotting revenge, and the people have long been suffering. We need a strong leader. Please, become king and lead our people!”

I felt like my mind was flying off to Andromeda—a feeling I hadn’t experienced in quite a while.

“……”

I was so dumbfounded I could only gape, when the man launched an even more desperate emotional attack.

Belatedly, anger, despair, remorse, and sympathy all boiled up.

“It cannot be.”

“Excuse me?”

“I am neither suited to be king nor do I wish to enjoy power.”

“B-but…”

“Rather, I should have gone to prison as a murderer, not become king—this is absurd. I killed the Supreme Leader because I yearned for freedom and peace. Didn’t the people of Schufaben come out to protest to end that insufferable oppression? Why would you shackle yourselves again with your own hands?”

I coldly shook off the man’s hand.

“And I am a republican. Please never make such unreasonable requests of me again.”

My voice sounded more menacing than I’d intended, and the people looked around at each other before gradually backing away. While talking about needing a ‘strong leader.’

I pushed through the crowd with Colin. When I glared at the reporters trying to grab me, they quickly backed off.

I have no interest in whether this country returns to monarchy or splits in two. I have more important things to do right now.

***

I found the cemetery built in a quiet area of District 13. It was a park-like place with good sunlight and antique statues. Perhaps because it was a weekday, or because everyone was too distracted, the cemetery was empty.

Holding Erika’s hand, I walked along the snow-covered path and arrived at a grave. Nothing particularly distinctive—a gray stone coffin with a small headstone.

A mother who changed our fate through her great sacrifice

I read the inscription on the headstone. A chuckle escaped along with tears I didn’t realize were falling.

“Mrs. Schmidt.”

Her name, whispered softly, sounded sorrowful. I knelt and offered the bouquet I’d brought. Lilacs that she used to love growing in her garden. I’d always thought they suited her well.

“Ma’am, I got my revenge.”

The flower petals swayed in the cold wind.

“I strangled that bastard with my own hands. But whoever made up that saying about revenge being empty was definitely lying. I didn’t think much of it then, but my current mood is far from empty.”

Something welled up inside, making me pause briefly.

“You probably wouldn’t have wanted me to change like this, I know. I just used you as an excuse to vent my anger. But please forgive me. Without that goal, I don’t think I could have survived in this world. And… now rest in peace, free from resentment. Stop appearing in my dreams too. I’m going to try my best to live well as myself. Well then, I’ll be going.”

As I stood up, tears were dripping steadily. Erika, who had been standing aside, came over and hugged me.

“What will you do now?”

“Well, since I refused to become king, maybe I’ll just live ordinarily. How about running a tavern?”

“Again? Lucas, you like alcohol too much.”

“Hahaha! I’m addicted to a lot of things. Speaking of which, if I open a tavern, I’ll have to run it as a cafe during the day. I’m really craving sweets right now.”

“Geez, fine, let’s go. I’ll buy you chocolate milk.”

Laughing and chatting with Erika as we left the cemetery, I silently said goodbye.

I’ll visit again, ma’am.