Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

15 – The End of Amy’s Judgment★

The letter arrived when serious repairs were underway.

“It came anonymously.”

Before opening it, Georg identified the sender. It was the same type of envelope that the former superior often used. With a leisurely mind, he opened the letter after finishing work.

“To Colonel, Chief of Operations, Senior Lieutenant Georg Hanshpiel.”

“You wrote a lot.”

The preamble was always the same. Don’t drink during operations, and don’t make important decisions the day after drinking. It was a joke. Seeing the advice not to smoke more than ten a day after smoking freely at the beginning of the year made him suddenly miss it.

“As the Colonel has left the headquarters, there may be rebellion among several nobles. Therefore, pay attention to the supplies for the time being. Especially, if there are problems or deterioration in food, it’s best to open all supply boxes. If any are empty or show poor quality, it means they have the intention to leave, so switch to a defensive posture. Assist Colonel Barus wisely, without daring to confront him. “

Below were the names of nobles to be managed separately, their weaknesses, and information about hostile forces. If there were substantial movements, the best, second best, third best, and worst-case scenarios were outlined.

“Lieutenant.”

Georg placed the letter on the desk and saluted.

“I’ll take care of things here, so please come back before Lt. Dalghi.”

He missed Kenis Rada. He wanted to see the commanding officer who always agonized over practical alternatives and had a commanding presence. This place needed someone addicted to the work of taking care of young soldiers’ well-being.

─The princess must have received the letter too.

Georg wondered what the lieutanant had said to the woman who only knew strategies in her head.

“To the girl who suits a ball more than a military tent.”

From the beginning, Pantierre was shameless. He trembled his fingers and read Kenis’ letter.

“I couldn’t refuse the request to communicate because it wasn’t your crime, but your brother’s sin. Lt. Dalgi has been assigned, so listen attentively at every briefing with Lieutenant Barus, who has a lot of experience. You always think ahead, but a commanding officer cannot be like that. Don’t play with the soldiers recklessly, even though I pointed it out every time. You always try to win with words.”

“Kenis still underestimates me!”

Pantierre dropped the letter on the ground, picked it up quickly, regretting her impulsive action.

“You must not plan and execute operations based on your inspiration. Those who believe in their own tricks ultimately fall into their own tricks. Buildings often take on completely different forms from the design once completed. Operations are no exception. Remember that the correct conclusion is reached through compromise with others, not flowing according to your plan. So, if you suddenly come up with a brilliant idea, discuss it with your subordinates and review it. Skipping that process is nothing more than being in an unrealistic state of mind. Be careful because applying that to reality leads to a great disaster.”

“All you do is lecture!”

Pantierre kicked the letter with her foot and bit her lip.

─Pathetic.

Feeling self-loathing for picking up the letter again, she had no choice. She was always the one who felt regretful. She finished reading the last page, knowing she should be grateful for receiving his letter.

“The following statement is about the subordinates you can trust and rely on. The rest will be oppressed by your authority, so it’s better to think they don’t exist and not seek their opinions. Don’t get hurt, don’t hurry to achieve results, and respect those older than you. Don’t think you’re better than others just because you win with words or think you’re smarter. I am doing well. I can’t say where I am, but if you ever face a crisis, I will gladly become your advisor. Honestly, I hope you quit and fulfill your obligation as a noble. You are more beautiful than anyone, so you deserve happiness as a woman. When you need help, send a letter to Warren and I will contact you immediately.”

Pantierre took out a pen and erased most of the sentences.

“You are more beautiful than anyone, so send a letter to Warren and I will contact you immediately.”

She smiled faintly and attached a self-portrait to the short message with Warren, the Western administrator, as the recipient.

“I’m not a little girl anymore.”

[#15 – Investigation]

Amy’s funeral was simple. With only one day given, there weren’t many mourners. Ochia read the eulogy and Zenoa greeted the guests. The congregation prayed and left, and those without religion lit incense.

“Zenoa, right?”

Warren, standing in front of the funeral home, said. The investigation was now over, so it was time for him to return to his post.

“It looks much better than expected.”

Kenis replied. She did not cry in the end, but she did not sleep for 24 hours and stayed at the funeral home. There was no need for her to host the ceremony, but she stayed because she was Amy’s friend. She only briefly left for meals and personal hygiene, and at that time, St. Senit Kaelin, a saint of the central clergy, was gripping the railing.

“Senior, can I ask you something?”

“Yes.”

“There were witnesses, right?”

“It happened.”

“I heard that there was a male student who saw someone wearing a wig and going up to the dormitory in the early morning. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“What if you were Velasquez? If there was such a witness, you would have immediately tried to find them. If their position was higher than yours, you would use money to bribe them, and if it was lower, you would accuse them of perjury and torment them. If you killed one commoner, wouldn’t you kill two? Murder is an easy thing. It’s even easier for a teacher who hasn’t stained their hands. If I had revealed the witness and used her as a testimony, there could have been another victim.”

“I understand that.”

“I’m sure you want to know if there is another reason.”

“Yes.”

“Warren, do you think repentance and resignation are the same thing?”

“No.”

“What if someone who had lived hating someone their whole life repented and forgave them right before their death?”

“It would be an inevitable resignation.”

“What if there was a woman who saw someone wearing a wig and hanging clothes on a large clothing rack at Velasquez?”

“She might have repented.”

“That’s not repentance, that’s surrender.”

Warren finally reached a conclusion on how to conclude the investigation report.

“Senior, I will write in this investigation report that it was a suicide.”

“That’s actually what it was. Lieutenant Hana went crazy and went around causing trouble. Based on the observation results, it appears to be a suicide. Although there is suspicion of murder, there is no clear evidence or indication to confirm it, so we cannot consider it as an murder. In other words, it is a strange situation where it cannot be considered as either suicide or murder.”

“What about an autopsy?”

“No matter how common they are, it is shameful to open one’s own daughter’s body. We should have considered that. It’s better to conclude it as a suicide. If Amy could come back to life, she would do anything, but since she’s already dead, we should at least protect her honor. For the sake of the living Xenia, Othia, and the students here, she should not have been murdered.”

“I will report that it is a confirmed suicide.”

“Okay.”

“Will you meet Velasquez again?”

“I am considering it.”

With the circumstances and the witness, Velasquez Del Torre is the murderer. Should I offer him another lifeline to a soul that doesn’t even repent? Will it just bring unnecessary resentment? The deliberation was deep, but Kennis decided to give one last chance.

“Call him.”

“I will lead him to the meeting room.”

“Long live the Emperor.”

“If I am reinstated, you will treat me as a major, right?”

“If Rothelon comes back alive, I can even make him a general.”

Warren turned around with a sad expression. He had a taste for talents that were too precious to be wasted as a disciplinary officer. Kennis headed towards the place where he had previously interviewed Ochia. Bellasquez arrived shortly after.

“People are saying that the false accusation didn’t go well?”

The atmosphere was tense.

“I wonder if you attended Amy’s funeral.”

“Why should I go there?”

“Because we were once in love, so at least come and pay respects.”

“Now that the false accusation failed, are you trying to lecture me with morality?”

─There is no lifeline for you.

“Bellasquez.”

“Why, Temic Steinde?”

“I heard you dropped out.”

“Because I no longer want to be here because of someone.”

“I did my best, now show me the map.”

“What map?”

Kennis took out a scroll from his pocket. Since this kind of map was classified information, an ordinary officer couldn’t carry it around. If Bellasquez had experienced military service, he might have interpreted the situation more politically, but he was too young for that.

“I will tell you which way to pass through to return to your territory, Del Torro.”

“I already know that, don’t tell me.”

Kennis pointed to five places with his hand. They were all lords to whom he owed a debt or lords who could be moved through the operational headquarters. Among them, two were places where specialized technicians executed corporal and genital cutting. If luck was bad, he could be subjected to both.

“You have to pass through these places.”

“I know.”

“In the future, if you get tired of loving someone and want to discard them, you will repeat this action.”

“Well, I don’t know either, Great Prophet.”

“It’s something that can’t happen for the sake of this world, for the sake of noble honor, and for the woman who loves you sincerely.”

“Hey, you should also take care of yourself. Why am I being chased away because of you? If the lieutenant makes a bothersome fuss and gets expelled with a false accusation, it’s the same thing! Be careful, because if I think you’re acting annoying, I’ll make sure you lose your job. Do you think you can stay here in Railand just because it’s you!?”

Kennis lowered his head towards the soulless figure.

“Do you really think I would tolerate this?”

─I will make sure you live without a woman forever.

And just then, Na-jik warned.

“If you contact Ochia again, be prepared.”

“What the f*ck did you say about Ochia, b*tch?”

“After killing Amy, isn’t it shameful to approach her again?”

“What the hell is this guy blabbering about, whether I do it or not?”

─You know, I could kill someone if I set my mind to it.

However, he never dealt with it that way. Knowing that life could be more painful than death, this time he left the interview room first. Warren gripped the door handle tightly and was about to enter without saying a word.

“Stop.”

“I couldn’t stand it.”

As soon as he entered, the sound of chaos echoed as both the desk and the shelves were in disarray. Warren didn’t curse. He just forcefully exhaled and pounded Bellasquez’s abdomen with his fist. When he delivered the final blow, the guy was sprawled on the floor, vomiting.

“It’s emotionally rough, huh.”

When Warren closed the door and was scolded, he said with a refreshing expression.

“If I don’t do it, eventually the senior will be suspected.”

“Remelts is nothing more than a mere viscount.”

“Del Tor has a lot of dirt, one tax audit, and he’s done for.”

“Well, true.”

“Honestly, isn’t it satisfying?”

“Yeah.”

“Where should I send the letter?”

Kennis spoke with a smile as bright as Warren’s.

“Set all five nobles as recipients.”

“What should I write?”

“Catch the son of Del Tor passing through your domain and execute him cleanly.”

“Can I kill him?”

“He’s part of the corruption committed before, erase one completely.”

“Yes, senior. But… what if he dies of shock or excessive bleeding during the cutting process?”

“Consider it judged by Amy.”

The two shook hands and parted ways. Now, Bellasquez’s life and death depended on Amy’s will. Whether it was a sudden death or a disgraceful survival, it was fitting for the one who murdered their lover.