I'm an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 18

The perverted elf wearing something between clothes and rags.

Fortunately, she’s from Hyzenes, otherwise I would have swung the great sword.

Daring to wear such attire in front of someone who remembers their past life as a Confucian? If I were the type to exclaim ‘Wow!’ at such a sight, well… no, it’s a misunderstanding.

Anyway, I was just about to answer the elf’s question.

Next to the elf, the guy named Ganf, who I thought was a corpse, suddenly pulled out a gun.

The barrel is visible. It’s aimed at us. What do you do in such a situation? You shoot to kill. So, I drew my pistol from my waist, aimed at him, and fired.

Originally, that perverted elf should have been hit by my bullet, and that Ganf guy should have received my shot.

But…

“Hey. Are you a sharpshooter?”

“Huh?”

“It’s obvious. Let’s be honest. I saw everything.”

“No…”

“Blocking bullets with bullets? Wow! This is insane! How awesome is that?! I think I’m going a bit crazy!”

As the perverted elf said, my bullet had crushed the bullet aimed at this woman. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to speak so calmly.

What on earth is going on? I began to doubt whether the shot I fired was real.

Ah. By the way, the Kanfra, who I thought was a corpse, was beaten to a pulp by the perverted elf’s club.

“That’s really cool. I’ve never seen anything like this. A human man! What’s your name?”

“Karl.”

“Oh! Karl! Nice to meet you! I’m Eloise!”

Eloise. Eloise. Hmm, the name’s difficult. It’s probably easier just to call her the perverted elf.

“So, are you a sharpshooter?”

“What?”

“It’s obvious, right? Come on, tell me. We’re allies, right? Since I’m from Hyzenes, we’re on the same side as you guys. It’s okay for soldiers from allied nations to reveal their identities when they meet, isn’t it?”

It sounds reasonable. I sighed while glancing at the perverted elf. Where should I look? If you’re going to wear clothes, wear them properly; if you’re going to undress, then undress.

“Anyway.”

“Oh! Karl! Nice to meet you! I’m Eloise!”

Eloise. Eloise. Um, the name’s difficult. It’s probably easier just to call her the perverted elf.

“So, what’s your answer?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re a sharpshooter, aren’t you, just in case. Did you fight in the War of the Luzerne?”

“I served, but I’m not a sharpshooter. I was a regular soldier.”

“Awww, come on! Tell me. Tell me!”

Damn it. What’s with this perverted elf. She’s so out of character.

For a moment, I almost swung the greatsword in my hand.

Let’s calm down. This is not Canapes. Although she is a pervert without clothes.

“Whoa.”

I flopped my ass roughly onto the only chair in the messed-up cabin that was still intact.

Once I’m sure the situation is under control, my body relaxes.

The blood rushing through my veins, the adrenaline pumping through my body, calms down.

If we continue like this a little further and get investigated at the next station, it will be over, right?

I’m tired. What kind of fuss is this on the weekend? Damn Kanfra bastards.

I want to split their heads open and see what the hell they were thinking.

“Are you sure you’re not a sharpshooter or what?”

Meanwhile, this perverted elf. Eloise keeps calling me a sharpshooter.

What kind of sharpshooter fires ten shots and misses one or two? Huh?

I almost got stomped to death by a control officer in target practice.

Bastards scattering the bloody taxes of the people of the empire in the air?

“No. How many times do I have to tell you?”

“Aye. I think you’re right. I think you’re right, but-?”

“…Can you dig your ears out so I can hear you? You have big ears, why can’t you understand me?”

I deliberately targeted the ‘ears’ that elves hate.

Any elf would be instantly offended by this.

“Oh, this? Elves do have better hearing than humans, that’s for sure. But it’s not because our ears are big, it’s just that we naturally have good hearing.”

But for some reason, this perverted elf didn’t react at all.

She’s even immune to taunts, which is a bit of a scam.

“Anyway! Honestly!”

“Honestly?”

“I’ll give you a chance to make a half-elf with me!”

“Are you crazy?”

I’d rather she said something stupid like that. Jesus.

First, Kanfra terrorists, now a perverted elf. This is why I dislike elves. Let the Confucian spirit within me scream… No, forget it. Let’s just speak.

“I’m not interested.”

“What? Why? Why? When a human man is with an elf woman, it’s a match made in heaven! Look at me! My chest is this big! And my figure is so good! Aren’t I the ultimate beauty by human standards?!”

She’s indeed a beauty. Big chest, good figure, perfect proportions, and a pretty face.

But here’s the problem. A woman parading around like that is actually unattractive. And the second problem. In fact, this is the most crucial…

“Eloise. How old are you?”

“Huh? Me? I’m Fifty Nine! Why?”

“Quite old. Very old.”

Disqualified! The age range I can cover is plus or minus three years!

“Huh? Oh. Ohh! Is it because of that? But considering that elves have an average lifespan of 200 years, I’m still in my twenties now, aren’t I?! By human standards, I’m a peak twenties beauty!”

Let’s add a few more things to the perverted elf. Starting with narcissism.

* * *

When we arrived at the next station, it was already swarming with Imperial soldiers.

Those Kanfra bastards. What were they thinking, trying to break through this checkpoint? The train had speed restrictions, so they couldn’t just push through.

As the Imperial soldiers entered, I calmly lowered my sword and raised both hands.

Although it was clear that we were allies, my appearance might cause unnecessary suspicion. Demonstrating that I’m not an enemy shows that I have no intention of fighting.

Getting shot mistakenly after doing everything else would be more unjust than anything else.

“Rah… Ranshtak! Sergeant Karl Adelheit! Thank you for your hard work! We really appreciate it!”

“No, it’s nothing. More importantly, please take care of the passengers, especially the deceased crew members. They resisted and that’s all they could do.”

Fortunately, there were no misunderstandings like in novels where handcuffs were put on behind my back. There were already testimonies from Sergeant Megi and the passengers that I dealt with the Kanfra. And being decorated with an honorary medal also helped.

“Oh. I spared two suspects in the middle of the car. Please go and take care of them quickly. They’re just barely conscious, so there’s no need to subdue them.”

“Yes, understood!”

“Be careful when you move them. They could really die.”

After kindly guiding them to where those bastards were unconscious, I glanced back briefly.

I had done everything I needed to do. I dealt with the Kanfras, secured the train, and left some detainees for interrogation. I had already provided identification without being asked and gave sincere testimony about the situation.

Oh, by the way, I didn’t bother explaining about Eloise. She had already disappeared before the train arrived at the station. Did she jump off the train?

As expected, she’s a secret agent from Hyzenes. Revealing herself so openly wouldn’t be wise. If exposed, it could lead to diplomatic problems. So she left on her own, and I didn’t mention that part either.

‘Anyway, it’ll probably be relayed to the higher-ups through some route or another.’

I’m sure the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hyzenes will coordinate their opinions well.

That’s not something I need to worry about.

What matters now is how to deal with the train’s current state. We still have another 20 minutes to go by train, so walking is out of the question.

Should I wait for the train, or should I find a carriage? While pondering over such matters, suddenly, several officers rushed over.

‘Ah, why now?’

The rank insignia at the forefront, a single star, followed by the insignias of junior officers behind.

Escaping from the military, yet lately, all I see are military folks. It’s driving me crazy.

“Ranshtak! Sergeant Karl Adelheit, is it?”

“Yes, that’s correct. If you’re here to ask me something, I’ve already said everything. So…”

“We’re not here to conduct an investigation. Please come with us for a moment.”

They’re not here to investigate, yet a man with a star insignia approached.

This means… Oh, I see. They’re looking for someone higher up. That’s the feeling I’m getting.

As I expected, following them into one side of the station—

[Nice to see you. Sergeant Karl Adelheit. Minister of War, Boss Ahsim.]

“…”

A middle-aged man seen through the magical communication device.

But why does his introduction sound like that? And why is his name and title like that?

Boss Ahsim. Is he really a boss?! That’s the feeling his introduction gives, or am I mistaken?

“Pleased to meet you, Minister.”

[I commend your brave actions. The Empire is indebted once again.]

“I only did what I could.”

At that, the Minister let out a short chuckle. Why? Why is he laughing?

[ I’m going to cut to the chase, and since you’re already out of the military, I’m going to keep this short and sweet…. ]

“I know. Just don’t tell anyone else, and if you do, don’t exaggerate or speculate. You’ve been in the military for three years, you should know better than that.”

[ …I’m glad to hear you know better. ]

“Well, the way you put it, it wasn’t just a simple train hijacking. There must have been something bigger.”

I already know everything, so tell me the truth. The minister clears his throat.

[Since you’ve already been directly involved in the incident and seem to know about it, it should be fine. Earlier, we received information from the Special Forces on the Hyzenes side. The ultimate goal of the ones who hijacked the train was to reach a station near the academy and cause an explosion.]

“Huh.”

[The final goal was to provoke discord between the Empire and the elves.]

“…Damn Kanfra bastards.”

Oops. That slipped out unintentionally.

But the Minister murmured, ‘Those damn Kanfra bastards,’ just like I did.

As expected of a Minister of War. It’s natural for an Army man to dislike the Kanfra. Amen.

“Well, by the way, Mr. Minister.”

[I’m listening. ]

“You can’t expect anything more from me here. I’m out of the military, I don’t have anything to do with it anymore, I’m just a regular Academy student now.”

[I understand. You’ve already provided all the details you were asked for. You have nothing to worry about.]

Yes, I understand. That’s right. But whenever I solve one case, it seems to lead to more incidents…

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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