Chapter 9: Emerald Eyes

The mission was accomplished with such precision it seemed almost deserved. After parting ways with Dr. Aetil, Major Gilbert, armed with the so-called weapons given to him by his older brother, managed to infiltrate enemy lines. He severed the communication channels between the front artillery positions and the main enemy force. Seizing the moment, the army launched an attack, capturing the enemy artillery positions with minimal losses.

Yet, everyone knew the war was far from over. The victory they had won was just the tip of the iceberg. Their forces would soon be exhausted, and even stability seemed a distant dream. But everyone continued to fight, striving for future victories and the well-being of their people, even if it meant shedding the last drop of blood.

This time, casualties were minimal, and Aetil finally got a rare leave. He sat alone on the mountaintop, praying fervently to the sky, like a devout believer, hoping the souls of the deceased could rest in peace.

"Loving Heavenly Father, our Savior, we thank and praise You for Your goodness and offer You our most sincere prayers. May the surviving soldiers return home in peace and embrace their loved ones. May the souls of the departed rest soundly in Your arms and obtain eternal salvation. We continue Your mercy, praise Your Gospel, and pray in God's Holy Name, Amen."

A white feather curled and fluttered around Aetil, resembling the flutter of a willow tree in spring under the sunlight. The snow-white hair was dyed a warm golden color by the sunlight, emitting a soft light that was very calming.

"Hopefully this war ends sooner."

Time passed swiftly, and the war dragged on. Three years later, the enemy's strength was being slowly eroded. The balance of the war finally tipped in their favor. Aetil remained on the front lines, but with more medical personnel joining the cause, he was no longer bearing the burden alone.

In the middle of the liberated Leidenschaftlich, people held a thanksgiving festival to honor the soldiers. Major Gilbert and Violet walked slowly through the streets.

"For three years, this place has been under Gadaric Army control. Now, the city is finally liberated."

"The tradition of this thanksgiving festival is to give one's heart to those they want to thank," Major Gilbert paused and said. "Violet, is there something you want? Or, do you have someone you want to thank?"

Violet responded without hesitation, "The person I want to thank the most is the Major."

Gilbert scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. "Violet, is there something you want? I wanted to buy it for you to show my gratitude."

"Good, because that's the Major's orders."

"This is not an order."

Gilbert looked at Violet's uncomprehending eyes and couldn't help but feel a little down. "I just wanted to thank you, Violet, or is there anyone else you want to thank besides me?"

Violet looked down, a flash of snow white in her mind. After that last hug, Violet was never alone with Aetil again but always received canned meat from her.

"Some… of them I would like to thank Dr. Aetil."

"Oh…She indeed deserves respect."

As they walked through the busy street, Violet struggled to decide what she wanted. Without orders, Violet found it difficult to think for herself.

"Major, what should I want?"

"At your age, fourteen, you probably want dresses and jewelry."

Violet looked down, and suddenly a flash of green caught her eye. She bent down, looking intently at a shop filled with jewelry.

"Those are the Major's eyes."

Violet gazed at an emerald gemstone brooch sparkling with dark green light.

"I saw the Major's eyes."

The shopkeeper smiled at the young girl in uniform. "Is it true? This brooch is very beautiful, isn't it?"

Violet raised her head, full of doubt. "What, is that beautiful?"

"Beautiful? Beauty is something you love, something you want to see all the time."

The Major bought the emerald jewel, an expensive item that cost almost his entire military allowance for a year. But seeing how much Violet liked it, Gilbert felt it was worth it.

"Is it okay if his eyes are a different color than yours?"

Violet clutched the brooch tightly. "This is okay…"

She added softly, "Because when I first saw the Major's eyes, I thought they were beautiful…"

As they walked side by side, Violet held onto the emerald brooch as if it were her life. Suddenly, an argument caught their attention.

"What do you mean there's no need to fix it? I just want to fix it!"

"This Lord Army Doctor, the money to repair it could buy a new one, and you don't have enough to pay for the repairs."

A distant figure, snow-white and resolute, stood out. Aetil pointed at the bullet-riddled hole in the small, worn medical equipment, bargaining with the blacksmith with his meager coins.

"All you have to do is patch this hole for me!"

"Your Excellency the medic, I have so many orders, and you don't have the money. Aren't you making things difficult for me?"

Aetil lowered his head, realizing he was being unreasonable. With a deep sigh, she left, looking defeated. Gilbert couldn't understand why a military doctor, who should have high status and good pay, was so poor. Unable to ponder more, he quickly approached the white figure.

On one of the hills in the camp, Gilbert saw the little white figure sitting in the moonlight. Standing a few steps away, he watched as Aetil carefully wiped the small box and spoke slowly.

"This medical box must have extraordinary meaning to you."

Stroking the medical box, the bright moonlight shone on Aetil's white hair, spreading a silver sparkling light, a clear and cool feeling that made Kilbert shiver unconsciously in the summer night.

"This medical equipment belonged to my benefactor, Elborg."

Aetil closed his eyes, recalling a battle filled with artillery fire and bloodshed.

"Army Doctor Elborg! The enemy is killing us! Retreat now!"

"Impossible! There are still our comrades ahead! I promised them! To bring them home!"

Ignoring the soldiers, Elborg crept towards the battlefield, braving bullets almost close to his face.

"Everyone be careful! Retreat quickly! Enemy fire is coming!"

Aetil watched his teacher, saving wounded soldiers under terrible enemy fire.

"Let me save another one!"

Flares of fire and smoke, bullets rained down. Soldiers hit by the barrage could no longer find their bodies, their corpses and bones lost.

Aetil looked towards the enemy's position. The enemy's artillery coverage almost reached where Elborg was! With this round of shooting, no life on the battlefield would survive!

"I can't watch him die…"

Aetil felt a surge of determination. "I can't let him die, he must not die!"

Aetil suddenly stood up! The next moment, bullets whizzed past his head, bouncing off as if hitting a hard wall!

"Teacher!"

Aetil dashed forward, screaming while protecting Elborg under his body! Flames raged around them, soldiers froze, watching as a pair of white feathers spread out, covering Elborg.

Boom!

The shooting round ended, the smoke cleared, white feathered wings wrapped Elborg tightly. Aetil stood up, shocked to find himself covered in blood.

"Teacher…"

Elborg had been hit by shrapnel, blood flowing uncontrollably. His strong will had driven him to save lives despite his injuries.

"Aetil, you are different…"

Looking at the angelic wings, Elborg handed Aetil the medical kit with trembling hands.

"Spread… spread the meaning of this life… my faith…"

Aetil frowned, looking at his teacher sadly, then turned to the soldiers.

"Bring me a submachine gun."

Elborg roughly grabbed Aetil's hand with all his might!

"Don't… never… a medic's hands… never hold a weapon…"

Elborg's life drained away, lost forever.

"Bring the soldiers home…"

The war was brutal, the enemy artillery positions terrifying. After the battle, only Aetil survived from his unit. From then on, Aetil's eyes changed, taking on Elborg's mission. Destroying enemy cannons to save soldiers' lives became his cherished goal.

The memories ended, and Aetil spoke to the Major.

"Thank you, really… thank you. Even though I have nothing to give you as a thank you gift…"

Aetil stood up and bowed deeply to the Major. Nothing could make up for the damage they suffered in this endless war.