[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 22
“…Is this really okay?”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, clutching a copy of a newspaper that was spreading rapidly throughout the Empire.
He pressed his temples together as if he was going to have a headache.
< Kanfra. Kanfra. Kanfra! Losers! >
< Defeated losers of the miserable forest, losing in regular battles and irregular ones alike. >
< Can peace truly exist? Wouldn't true peace co from an even bigger club? >
Damn it. The atmosphere is already tense, and the last article is like this again. While stimulating headlines are necessary, isn’t this crossing the line too much?
Struggling to suppress his throbbing headache, he looked at Boss Ahsim, the Minister of War.
“War isn’t easy either. If we continue like this, with each other’s sentints worsening, it’ll lead to another war despite the recent one ending. We can’t take the train hijacking and attempted terrorism lightly, but if another full-scale war breaks out in this state, our Empire could be in serious trouble.”
At his words, Boss Ahsim shrugged.
Surely, he, being not just an ordinary soldier, wouldn’t be unaware of that. If he lacked that much political sense as a soldier standing at the pinnacle, he would still be in charge of field command.
“You don’t need to worry too much. The newspapers stirring things up like this will not only create a gloomy atmosphere but will also solidify the Empire’s overwhelming superiority, thereby firmly holding onto the Empire’s citizens.”
“Are you really sure it will be like that? Even if it is, what about the elves on the other side…?”
“In fact, we should be grateful to them. We’ve seized a great opportunity to thoroughly suppress those hardliners and have gained a perfect pretext for it. After all, there hasn’t been an official expression of regret from the elven side flying into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs right away.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs had to nod in agreent, as that was true.
He had been worried about how he would handle it if the elves found their language too offensive imdiately.
But they maintained the sa attitude, constantly apologizing for the atrocities of those Luzerne’s bastards. And that attitude was naturally turning into anger towards the hardliners.
‘Taking advantage of this incident to further solidify internal morale, is this it?’
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs pondered while stroking his chin.
Flip–
Boss Ahsim, flipping through the newspaper, confird that the article he wanted had indeed been well received.
It was a ti when Boss Ahsim was pondering repeatedly.
“Oh. Have you heard the news? Soone from the Hyzens faction has entered the Special Operations Command.”
“Yes, I heard. Is it ‘that woman,’ is that true?”
“That’s correct. That woman.”
The commander of the extermination unit. A terrifying elf who even exposed her own kind without hesitation. A considerably dangerous individual had stepped forward to investigate this incident.
“But do you know why Sergeant Karl Adelheit was called as a witness?”
“…This is the first ti I’m hearing about it.”
“That’s how it turned out. They said they’re sending soone by today.”
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke, Boss Ahsim nodded in agreent. Then, suddenly, the conversation he had with Karl a while ago ca to mind.
“You shouldn’t expect more from here. I’m just a regular academy returnee now.”
Honestly, it seems appropriate to remove ‘ordinary’ conscientiously. Sergeant Karl.
What academy returnee earns a dal of honor and suppresses terrorists single-handedly?
In my heart, I wanted to subtly suggest re-enlistnt. After all, wasn’t he discharged as a sergeant? Re-enlistnt as a private is impossible, but re-enlistnt as a non-commissioned officer is possible. Isn’t it a pity to leave such a talent as a re academy student?
‘Well, it’s just wishful thinking, really.’
I myself am also a forr Imperial Army soldier. Therefore, I understand well that recomnding re-enlistnt would be a foolish move.
If it really happened, Karl might end up infiltrating the Ministry of War with a greatsword in hand.
* * *
“You can’t expect anything more from here. I’m just an ordinary Academy student now.”
Yeah, that’s shooting myself in the foot. Why did I have to go and set that flag? They say the tongue is the door to calamity and worry, and the body is the axe that ruins itself. Has my Confucianism faded within ?
“Ranshtak! Ca from Special Operations Command, student Karl. Due to the recent train hijacking and attempted terrorism case, we would like you to accompany us for a while.”
Yesterday it was journalists, today it’s governnt officials from the Special Operations Command. Quite the spectacle indeed.
But the one thing that I find sowhat appealing is not the title ‘Sergeant Karl Adelheit’ but rather ‘Student Karl.’
If you treat them like soldiers, you start to worry about how much these bastards are willing to exploit.
But if you see as an academy student, doesn’t that an I’ll do it in moderation and get it done!
“It won’t take long, will it?”
“Yes. We estimate about one to two hours. Rest assured, there is nothing to worry about since you are just accompanying us as a witness.”
If they’re coming out with that attitude from the Special Operations Command, then it’s acceptable.
I still have one lecture left, but I trust they’ll speak well on behalf of the Special Operations Command.
But if they don’t… well, I’ll just skip the lecture. After all, it’s fine up to three absences.
“Karl.”
As I was about to board the carriage, a familiar voice ca from behind.
Huh? I quickly turned around to see the expected figure standing there.
“…Sister?”
Rika Adelheit. Three years older than , my older sister. She’s the next Countess Friedrich. Soday she’ll be my guardian.
But, I heard she’s quite busy lately. Why is she here?
Rika stood silently in front of with a cold expression on her face.
It’s unusual for her to act like this. I wondered if sothing happened at ho—
“Kaaaarl!”
“Eek.”
Suddenly, her expression softened, and she hugged tightly, crying out in relief!
I felt a bit embarrassed since there were Special Operations Command people around, but I couldn’t push her away.
Knowing my sister’s temperant, if I did, she’d be upset for a week.
“Sis, why are you here?”
“anie! anie, anie, anie! How could you never contact ?! Huh? You didn’t even tell about receiving the dal of honor! You caught terrorists and kept quiet about it! Do you know how worried I was when I heard the news?!”
“Well, I… I was just too busy…”
“I hate you! Karl, I hate you! Even when you went to the military, you kept it a secret. You made worry every day!!”
“No, listen to first, sis!”
Sister, air. Air! Don’t hang onto my neck like that! Your little brother’s dying!
“Are you hurt anywhere? Huh? Did those Kanfra bastards hurt you?”
“I’m not hurt at all. No injuries, sis.”
“Then what’s this? This wound here! What is it? Tell !”
“This? I got carried away on my discharge day and scratched myself on the bed.”
“No way? Tell the truth. Did those Kanfra guys do this?! Tell ! I’ll go right now and—”
Whoa, calm down, sis. If you spill the beans, it’ll be a big problem.
“Sniff, sniff—”
No, why is she crying again?!
“Why are you crying?”
“My Karl is suffering like this, and I didn’t know anything…”
“It’s natural not to know! I didn’t say anything! It’s my fault!”
“Even after being discharged, you’re still suffering… Look how skinny you’ve beco…”
If this is skinny, then truly skinny people are chopsticks, sis…
Anyway, can you please stop now? People from the Special Operations Command are starting to look at us strangely!
“Sniff… By the way, where are you going? Aren’t there still lectures today?”
“I’m going to the Special Operations Command as a witness… No, wait. How do you know about the remaining lectures?”
“Have you forgotten who I am? Anyway, going to the Special Operations Command?”
As I nodded my head, my sister grabbed my hand firmly.
“I want to go too!”
“…What?”
What are you saying, sis? I’m not going out for fun right now. I’m going as a witness! I’m supposed to go tell them how we dealt with those Kanfra bastards.
The Special Operations personnel seed equally surprised. One of them, who appeared to be of higher rank, stepped forward.
“Well, sorry, but since Karl is requested as a witness by the elves, it’s not possible to bring additional personnel…”
Unfortunately, that was the end of his statent. When my sister pushed sothing into his hands, he stepped back.
“Is that all?”
“Ranshtak! Yes! It seems you can co with us!”
“That’s right. Then let’s go! Karl!”
My sister quickly climbed into the carriage with a smile.
Then she patted the seat next to her with her hand, making it clear that she still sees as a little kid.
‘Sis, please… I’m a recipient of the dal of Honor… I’ve even chopped off Kanfra heads…’
I wanted to say that, but I held back. Actually, maybe it’s true that I couldn’t say anything. It’s natural for my sister to treat like a kid.
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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