I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

31 – Can’t Help But Get Mad

Eloise’s words about Rosenz’s leadership being hidden in the Empire.

The immediate thought upon hearing that was, as always, ‘What nonsense is this?’

What is Rosenz? They are ultra-hardline elves extremely opposed to the Empire.

They’re the ones who, despite losing multiple wars, refuse to acknowledge their defeat.

They even classified the Highzens, who suggested making peace with the Empire, as enemies.

They’re the ones who hate anything related to our Empire to such an extent.

So why on earth would the leadership of those who despise anything related to our Empire suddenly be in Imperial territory?

Filled with doubt, I looked at the special agent.

It was like asking for their opinion amidst the elf’s uproar.

Then, the agent sighed softly before speaking.

“We’re currently conducting a detailed investigation, but we consider the possibility quite high.”

“….”

Hold on. Hold it in. I have to. They’re not someone I should… but.

“No, damn it. Are you kidding me right now? Seriously?”

Despite my rationality, my mouth was already acting on its own.

“For the sake of those Rosenz bastards, I endured three years of that suffering. I had to bury countless comrades in that damn dense forest that felt like hell itself. Why are the leaders of those damn bastards, who would be better off eaten alive, in the Empire?”

“….”

“While the Imperial Army fights external enemies, what was the Special Forces, responsible for internal threats, doing? Oh, don’t tell me the Great Forest War was just a name, that mobilizing only two legions wasn’t a big issue?”

“….”

“For heaven’s sake, say something!”

I know this outburst is wrong. I also know this person isn’t at fault.

Sure. I know. I know everything! Nevertheless, I couldn’t endure without expressing my anger.

Otherwise, I felt like I would grab a greatsword right away and rush to confront those elves.

“…I have nothing to say. Student Karl. No, Lieutenant Karl Adelheit. As a member of the Special Forces, I sincerely apologize once again to you, who have experienced all kinds of hardships and sacrifices.”

In the midst of this, the Special Forces agent sincerely apologized to me.

I have nothing to do with it. It’s unpleasant to be accused. Even if I say this, in my position, I might have had to overlook it.

But he didn’t do that. Sorry. I’m sorry. You went through so much trouble defeating external enemies, but we failed to detect the enemies who infiltrated internally.

“…If we’re going to put it that way, then I should apologize too.”

“Eloise?”

“Regardless, it was something overlooked by our Hyzens side. And, whether I like it or not, I’m still an elf.”

Listening to the words of the two men and women, my boiling emotions seemed to calm down a bit.

Yeah. Let’s stay calm. Getting angry like this won’t solve anything.

“We need more details. What happened?”

“I’ll tell you that. Actually.”

According to Eloise’s continuation, the current situation in Lusens is not very good.

It was already bad, but it became even worse, meaning internal division.

“Some of them seem to have infiltrated the Empire secretly, organized in groups of four or five?”

“Yeah. Our unit searched the entire territory, including the Great Forest, this time. There must be dozens of hideouts discovered among them. However, more than half of them were individuals in the middle ranks receiving different orders.”

“…The headquarters couldn’t have so many leaders, right?”

If there’s only one command, that’s an order. If there are different commands, then what is an order?

Hearing that, I could see that the internal division of Lusens was worse than I thought.

“Their division is at its maximum. To the point where opinions don’t match at all.”

“Yeah. Some wanted to carry out terrorism against the Empire, others aimed attacks at our Hyzens. Some just gave up and wanted to go to a completely new place.”

“…It doesn’t make sense. It’s become such a mess.”

A place that had built up such a huge force that it could overwhelm the Hyzens side decades ago.

Although the numbers had decreased, they had recently engaged in a full-scale war with the Empire.

And now, suddenly, they were quarreling with each other?

I couldn’t understand, and without realizing it, I looked at Eloise.

She probably knows a lot more about Lusens than I do and has been on the scene for a long time, so she seemed to know the reason.

“What else could it be? Obviously, the fact that the leader of the Lusens side was assassinated is a significant blow.”

“…Wasn’t that just a baseless rumor?”

Actually, I’ve heard such words a few times before.

The Rosenz War I was involved in. The front line that remained tense for over two years.

Then, suddenly, the enemy collapsed, and the Imperial Army crushed them.

Naturally, I thought Rosenz lost in numbers and firepower.

“Look at this man. I asked if you were a sharpshooter. Was it for nothing? It’s almost certain that an Imperial Army sharpshooter killed the leader. The fact that he never appeared on the official stage adds to the credibility. Internal divisions like this are most convincing when the leader is dead.”

“…I can’t shoot a gun, you know.”

I don’t know how many times I’ve said this.

Miracle of zero shots in marksmanship training! The guy who almost got punished from basic training to salary because of the false accusation of being a tax thief! That’s me, Carl!

But what kind of sharpshooter! I’d rather be called a sword master!

“Yeah, yeah. I get it. I’ll let it go. Whether my eyes can understand blocking bullets with bullets, I don’t know, but, you know.”

“That’s… no. Forget it.”

Even if it’s luck, I would never buy it. Honestly, even I thought it was a bit ridiculous.

Blocking bullets with bullets and saying, ‘I can’t shoot, hoeee.’ Who would believe that?

“Ahem. Um. According to our special forces’ recent investigation, there is weight to the side that the leader of Rosenz has been assassinated. Otherwise, it’s impossible to explain Rosenz’s rapid collapse. However, exactly who, where, and how did it happen, we don’t know.”

“Oh, well. Is this man certain?! It’s Carl! Definitely Carl!”

“Please refrain from making such claims based on speculation. Eloise Roengrang. Look, isn’t Carl student looking embarrassed?”

He speaks well, our agent. I really don’t get it.

I don’t know why he’s making a big deal out of blocking a bullet with luck.

“More importantly, why has the story come this far….”

“After the leader’s death, it seems that a majority of the remaining leadership has hidden in the Empire.”

“Oh, right. Thank you, Eloise.”

According to the subsequent explanation from the special forces agent, it seems to be that simple.

If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest, and if you want to hide a person, hide them among people.

And those who order terror tend to hide near the target of the terror.

It’s not entirely lacking in persuasiveness. In fact, it’s quite plausible.

From the Empire’s perspective, having experienced such a thing, it’s only natural to thoroughly investigate and crush the Dark Forest and Elf Territory.

Moreover, if Hyzens also cooperate, it can be considered the most dangerous place.

On the other hand, the Empire’s territory becomes less of a concern.

Who would imagine that the leaders of a terrorist organization would be within the target country of the terror?

“…There’s also talk of targeting the Academy.”

“It’s the most noticeable movement, you see. It seems that the passive stance we’ve maintained due to the aftermath of the war has come to an end with the Empire’s victory. Won’t the festivities resume on a grand scale once again?”

“Is that so? Spraying cold water at such times can create the best effect, right?”

“Exactly.”

Phew… those damn annoying campus rookies.

How could anything in my life turn out to be of no help whatsoever?

You bastards. This is my first festival since entering the academy.

“Why on earth are you all acting like this?”

“We assume, you know. It seems like a fight to determine the successor to the leader who suddenly died.”

What does succession disputes have to do with terrorism?

“The Special Forces also see it that way. There may be hostility towards the Empire, but that part cannot be ignored either. The individual caused more damage to the Empire. I am the leader of the next hardline faction. That’s what I want to emphasize.”

“They’re really talking nonsense.”

I glance briefly at the academy. A place so different from the hellish battlefield.

Beyond that, faint sounds of students laughing and chatting mix together and waft through the air.

I went through that hellish suffering to regain that peace in my hands.

But I absolutely cannot allow that peace to turn into the same hell as the battlefield.

I didn’t fight like a madman just to see such a sight. Absolutely not.

“I’m truly sorry, Student Karl. I understand it’s extremely impolite to speak like this to someone who has already left the military and even received a medal of honor. But…”

“Enough. What do you want me to do? You brought Eloise along for a reason, didn’t you? And on top of that, the target you’re conveniently mentioning is the academy autumn festival.”

“…Thank you for understanding. Let me get straight to the point. The truth is—”

“Wait, before that. We need to address the most important thing.”

I almost forgot about this. Actually, this is the most crucial thing.

“Keep this a secret from my sister no matter what.”

The moment she finds out, she’ll rush over disregarding everything.

*

A sergeant with a red-haired corporal hat steps forward.

A silver medal sparkles on her chest.

“Sergeant

“Thank you. However, my decision will not change!”

“I suppose so. Anyway, Sergeant LaVrenti, you’ve really been through a lot. Your efforts will be remembered by the Empire.”

A salute from the Imperial Army sergeant. No, now LaVrenti has become a civilian.

White feathers. The sniper who took down 93 (official records only) elves during the Rosenz War.

Awarded the Silver Medal of Honor. He was asked to stay on as an instructor but chose to retire.

Everyone was disappointed. It would have been great if he became a sniper instructor.

But what could be done? If he didn’t want it, they couldn’t force him to stay.

‘Finally…!’

Finally, they were going to meet. They could see him, the one who suddenly retired.

They had already heard all about him. He was so famous that not knowing him was harder.

‘Soon, I’ll pay a visit.’

A beautiful redhead smiles as she takes confident steps forward.

‘Master.’