A Teacher’s Counsel

At this critical juncture, shielded by the Papal Knight, Tikka managed to withdraw from the surging tide of corpses to the highlands they had initially fortified, following their swift elimination of the colossal mutated creature. There, the village soldiers had already secured the final breach, while Mula diligently maintained her vigil from the bell tower. Ultimately, with Tikka and Ilivy’s successful breakthrough, the defensive line was tenuously held.

“That’s a… Papal Knight?” Mula discerned the stranger’s attire more clearly as they drew nearer. The villagers, too, now plainly saw the female knight before them, and their gazes, surprisingly, held a complex mix of emotions when confronted by her presence.

“I had assumed there were no Papel Knights still active in this region,” Tikka remarked. The female knight, meanwhile, moved to a separate area, commencing the meticulous maintenance of her weapons.

“It’s generally the roving clerics and common knights who are more active in the southernmost territories. Given Drains’ complete abandonment of the Papacy’s standing within the kingdom, the presence of a Papal Knight at this moment is far from normal. Unless…” Mula analyzed, her voice carrying from the bell tower.

“Her objective might align with ours, Tikka. Should we… eliminate her?” Mula questioned through their communication link, even as she drew her bowstring taut once more. Yet, Tikka simply shook his head in response, visible within her line of sight.

“…She just saved my life,” he explained, slowly approaching the knight and offering a respectful bow. “It would be an egregious breach of etiquette to repay my savior in such a manner, and moreover, we are desperately short-handed at this very moment.”

“Regardless, I am grateful for your presence here,” he stated. “Whatever your reasons for coming, we must now stand united and fight shoulder-to-shoulder against the horrors beyond these walls.”

“Yes, indeed. Are there any casualties requiring attention here? Or bodies?” Ilivy inquired. The Village Chief then approached, responding, “The critically wounded have been moved to that side. All the deceased were cremated, lest they reanimate like the soldiers at the outpost. Knight, are you capable of wielding Holy Light?”

“I can,” Ilivy affirmed, adding, “and I’ve brought a supply of holy water as well.” With that, she moved to begin her work. Tikka watched her departing figure for a moment before turning, seizing this rare lull in the chaos to seek out Eric, who remained steadfast in the village’s heart, tirelessly maintaining the fragile barrier.

“Do you not require some rest?” Tikka asked, approaching him. Without turning his head, Eric replied, “What’s wrong? The instant I drop this barrier, the onslaught of these undead will begin, and we’ll all be served up as a grand feast. Given that you managed to fight your way back, have our reinforcements finally arrived?”

“A Papal Knight has arrived,” Tikka informed him, pausing mid-stride to resume the maintenance of his blade. “She saved my life.”

“Indeed,” Eric responded, “even in these times, some still uphold those ancient vows. Do not underestimate them; their faith is an immensely potent force.”

“You lived through that era; you understand the true nature of the Papacy’s darkness,” Tikka reminded him pointedly. Eric merely offered a wry smile in return.

“Then, during your time with me, did you never hear me frequently utter a particular phrase? Dialectical materialism (TL Note: A philosophical approach that examines the world in terms of constantly changing and interacting phenomena, often used to analyze socio-political systems.). Any political system or ideology, upon reaching a certain stage of development, will invariably manifest its inherent flaws. The pride born from a period of ascent inevitably breeds arrogance and conceit. Collectivism will suppress individuals holding differing ideologies to preserve its own standing, while nationalism and racism will begin to proliferate, fueled by national pride, ultimately transforming into something akin to the Papacy. The Council now occupies the Papacy’s former position, yet, in all honesty, how significant is its divergence from the Papacy? Previously, the Papacy, to secure its dominion, segmented its clergy and restricted ordinary people’s access to knowledge, thereby enforcing an intellectual rule. Now, the Council divides Transmigrators and indigenous peoples, obstructing the common folk’s access to information, fearing their potential rebellion. The fundamental nature remains unchanged, Tikka.”

“The Council is a far superior entity to the Papacy,” Tikka countered. “Our founding principle was to safeguard us, the homeless from other worlds, ensuring our secure survival in this realm, free from persecution. That is what you once taught me.”

“Hmm, but it’s become unclear whether the Council truly remains the organization he founded all those years ago, especially since no one knows his whereabouts now,” Eric mused. “However, having endured persecution ourselves does not grant us license to oppress others in return. One who preemptively strikes out of fear that another might kill them cannot, by any measure, claim self-defense.”

“You are far too idealistic,” Tikka argued. “If everyone were to think in such a manner, it wouldn’t be long before another great purge would inevitably be established.”

“That’s precisely why I withdrew,” Eric retorted, a hint of weariness in his tone. “I’ve retreated to such a remote, peripheral place, yet you still won’t leave an old man like me in peace. That, I must say, is quite excessive.”

“That wasn’t my intention at all,” Tikka clarified, reaching into his pocket for a rolled cigarette, which he then lit. “My expectation upon coming here was certainly not to discover some Holy Child.”

“I simply wished to visit you, to see how this ‘rotten old man’ of mine was faring… What kind of person is he, truly?”

“…I will tell you after this ordeal concludes. We made an agreement.”

“Don’t be like that,” Tikka stated directly, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “I’m the one you’ve taken under your wing for twelve years. I know precisely what you’re thinking.”

“…”

“I’m merely a little curious,” Tikka murmured slowly. “Can you truly assure me that he won’t transform into the kind of theocratic tyrant we once confronted?”

“If it were up to me, I would wish for him to never become entangled in such affairs throughout his entire life,” Eric stated softly. “He possesses his own dreams, his own aspirations. While he may not be overflowing with a sense of justice, and at times harbors a touch of mischief, he is, fundamentally, a good child.”

“I want all his choices to be dictated by his own free will,” Eric continued, his voice imbued with a quiet conviction. “Whether he chooses to become an alchemist, a traveling merchant, or to delve into magic, or even to serve as a priest—any path is acceptable. What I would never do is tell him, ‘Because you possess this power, you are destined to undertake such deeds,’ or ‘By virtue of this power, you are entitled to the adoration of all,’ or ‘This power compels you to…’ I have never instilled such notions in him. This extraordinary power is uniquely his; he has the absolute right to decide how to wield it, or indeed, not to wield it at all. Do not burden a thirteen-year-old boy, especially one who has tragically lost both parents, with the monumental responsibility of an entire continent.”

“…You truly haven’t changed,” Tikka mused, setting down his cigarette and regarding Eric with an amused smile. “You are a remarkable teacher.”

“Are you flattering a dying old man such as myself?” Eric countered, a hint of his old wit returning. Tikka shook his head. “No, at the very least, I’ve realized that anyone tutored by a man like you would never turn out to be a scoundrel. He should, by rights, be considered my junior martial brother, shouldn’t he?”

“Nonsense,” Eric scoffed. “You never even mastered a single one of my techniques.”

“Has he learned your magic?”

“No, he’s even more utterly clueless about magic than you ever were.”

“Well, there you have it then,” Tikka concluded, his smile unwavering.

“That’s precisely why you are such an excellent teacher.”