I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

21 – In Need of a Grand and Mighty Machine Gun!

“A new mission?”

[Indeed. The details—]

“No, no. Hold on. This is a bit much. One mission just finished, you have to allow for some rest, right?!”

Upon seeing this, the squirrel contorted its expression as if mocking the situation.

As if questioning why things had to be this way.

Certainly, Eloise had no intention of yielding, but that went without saying.

“I’m tired. Give me the order to return.”

[…I will inform you of the mission details, Eloise Roengrang. Regarding the current situation…]

“Ah, I don’t know. I don’t know― can’t do it. Won’t do it! Let me go home, let me go!”

[…In accordance with the agreement with the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we need you to oversee the interrogation of the prisoners…]

“I’ve worked overtime and through the night to get here! Let me go home! Grant me leave!”

[…You are granted the authority to call witnesses from your side if necessary.]

“Witnesses?”

As Eloise shouted for leave, she suddenly inquired.

If there seemed to be a dangerous glint in her eyes, it was probably not a misconception.

[Yes. Obtain as much information as possible for our side and return.]

“Is that really all I have to do? If you make me do more, I’ll go on a real strike!”

[You talk well, even though you won’t be able to refuse even if we ask you to do more.]

With a sound like tsch, the focus returned to the squirrel’s eyes.

Then, with a swish, it disappeared into the forest again.

“Hmm.”

Seated on a tree stump, Eloise pursed her lips as if contemplating.

In a corner of the forest, with sunlight filtering through, there sat a seductive beauty.

A woman who seemed to stir the hearts of many men suddenly clapped her hands.

“Alright! Let’s do that.”

Decided. Since it had come to this, let’s request that man named Karl as a witness.

There was something electrifying the moment she laid eyes on him. I want to feel that again!

Even if not, I just want to see that face again. It totally suits my taste!

Anyway, it’s actually related, and there doesn’t seem to be any problematic aspect.

Might as well fulfill personal desires while carrying out the mission, right?

Thinking so, Eloise moved gracefully, one step at a time.

“Hey there! Over here! It’s definitely Captain Karl Adelheit!”

“Catch him! We must get the interview this time!”

“I’m going first! If I can’t get it, the team leader said he’d kill me!”

“Same here, you little punk!”

… This is not chaos, destruction, and ruin! Anyway, perhaps it’s not the extreme chaos scene.

From reconciling with Selena to the completion of the four’s return to the academy that evening.

I thought it was a joyful and lively Monday morning after a long time, but joyful my foot.

Inside the academy, journalists were still holding their ground, some setting up tents and others seemingly opting for a night on the pavement.

No, look at them. They’re going to catch a cold at night because it’s not even summer yet?!

Impressive individuals. Perhaps they’ve endured extreme cold more than twice in the military?

“Damn it. If you’re going to sleep rough in the cold, it’s polite to experience it.”

I could have escaped, but I gave up because my heart weakened for no reason.

Watching that scene reminded me of the past when I and my comrades rolled around with our heads spinning.

If you think about it, those people are just trying to work hard too, with a merciful heart―

“Sergeant! Sergeant! Look here!”

“Tell us in detail about the train kidnapping and attempted terrorism two days ago!”

“Do you think reconciliation with the elves is possible? We’re curious about your opinion!”

“Sergeant!”

“Captain Karl Adelheit!!”

Ah! Cancel. Cancel! To hell with the merciful heart! Just go away!

“Some argue that even though they may be enemies, they shouldn’t be treated so brutally!”

What nonsense is this? Heo Jun, who has passed away, would probably rise to spit on the journalist’s face.

Since it was an unavoidable matter, I approached the journalist who made such remarks.

“I will say it clearly here. The elves who want to reconcile with the Empire are undoubtedly those who will move forward together. However, those damn camp bastards on the opposite side can be treated that way.”

Shooosh!—

Truly, he must be a god. Look at that, it’s twisting so much that it’s barely visible.

Maybe making more flamethrowers isn’t such a bad idea, but it’s already done.

Anyway, my body isn’t bound by the military, so I’ll just have to make more noise. Hehehehe!

“What kind of idiotic thing is talking in front of those who try to solve things with violence? Respect comes from fear. I merely taught them how to respect the Empire.”

That’s enough. I’ve said plenty. I won’t respond any further.

“Captain! Just a little more! Just a little!”

“According to the testimonies of the witnesses, it is said that you did not use a gun. Is there a reason for that?”

Ah, that’s right. It’s because my marksmanship is a joke. Bullets and gunpowder are too precious to waste.

“In the urgent situation, I opted for a more certain close combat. If, by any chance, my imperial citizens were hit by my gun in that narrow space, the tragedy would be even greater, wouldn’t it?”

As soon as I finish my answer, the journalists quickly jot something down at the speed of light.

Curious about what they are writing, I peek at the notebook of the journalist next to me.

– Rosen’s Elf, not worth shooting. A greatsword is enough. –

…? Wait, what is this gentleman doing now—

“Alright! Everyone, journalists. While interviews are fine, we mustn’t detain someone who has a morning lecture.”

“As journalists from the Imperial Newspaper, please maintain your dignity.”

“Let’s go, Karl.”

“You can leave it to these two.”

No! Damn it! Let go a bit! Let go! That scoundrel wrote something weird!

These guys, who claim to be my bodyguards out of the blue, are, of course, the four enemies.

Behind them are Shurifen and Wilhelm. And next to me, there’s Alexander and Joachim.

“Hey! It’s Shurifen! And next to him is Wilhelm!”

“Really?! Those two are definitely Alexander and Joachim!”

“Heard he enlisted as a soldier!? How is he here?”

“Did he desert?!”

Damn, that’s not it either. You scoundrels! It’s the manifestation of my tearful sincerity and true persuasion!

“Come on. Let’s go, Karl. We’ll be late for the lecture at this rate.”

“Let go a bit! No, and! You guys are fourth-year students. You haven’t attended the same lectures as me, so why are you suddenly doing this! We don’t need bodyguards, so at least let go of this—”

“Aren’t you going to a general education class now?”

General education? Oh, right. But why… Oh, wait. Could it be? No, guys?

“We’re taking that too.”

“You’re just now filling up your general education credits and sitting down? What have you been doing until now?!”

“Oh, that. Actually, I confused mandatory and general education credits. I ended up taking more mandatory classes and fewer general education ones. Haha!”

“…Joachim. Are you the same as Alexander?”

Upon my question, Joachim avoids eye contact and nods, blushing.

Well, at least they know it’s embarrassing. Right? Very fortunate!

“Then what about Shulipen and Wilhelm?”

“Yeah, they’re all the same. The four of us always attended lectures together, you know.”

“Damn, seriously, screw you.”

They still couldn’t shake off the fact that they had been the protagonists.

*

Reporters who had spent the entire day at the academy finally withdrew.

If they had returned empty-handed, they would have been disappointed, but not this time.

“Hurry up and write an article!”

“This is a scoop! Just writing it will sell out the newspapers!”

“This month’s bonus is mine! It’s mine!”

Within a day, various articles began pouring out.

The main focus was, of course, the train kidnapping incident and stories about Karl.

In particular, the interviews Karl had given became a big sensation.

< Corporal Karl Adelheit. Showing the appearance of a decorated hero. >

< Calling elves 'elves' is a luxury that harms the unity of the empire! >

< The reason why army soldiers gave them the nickname 'Kampf'! Investigating in detail! >

< "Bullets were too precious for them." Concerns of the empire's citizens, even about taxes. >

As articles about Karl flooded in, naturally, interviews with his former comrades also began to surface.

“Karl, that guy? Ah, our son, he’s made it big. Oh, not really our son, just a junior who got the son’s military number after exactly one year. Don’t misunderstand. Eh, don’t write weird articles!”

“That guy. When he came in as my replacement, he complained about why he got a noble young man of all things.”

“Corporal Karl. Oh, should I call you Sergeant? Anyway! He’s a good person, but sometimes he had weird moments. Suddenly dancing instead of standing guard at the outpost. When asked why, he said it was too cold and he needed to warm up.”

The interviewees were different, and the content varied.

However, there was one thing they all commonly said.

“Our son. I remember he couldn’t shoot a damn thing.”

“Is it that he thought bullets were too precious, or was he afraid he wouldn’t hit anything?”

“Him? Oh, he was amazing in close combat, but shooting, well…”

In summary, shooting was a failure. If he fired ten shots, hitting just two was considered lucky.

Upon hearing the news, Karl could only mutter, “Damn it,” under his breath.

What could he do? It was true. In reality, there were countless times he had only hit with one shot.

“I absolutely demand to have a machine gun made for me! Just wait and see!”

“Fire ten shots, and if they don’t hit, let’s shoot a thousand more! That way, we’ll surely hit them!

This is the power of Abada Kedavra! You primitive sorcerers!

Amidst the echoes of war, finances, and magic, a terrifying sound reverberated.