I'm an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[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 come 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 sentiments 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 agreement, as that was true.

He had been worried about how he would handle it if the elves found their language too offensive immediately.

But they maintained the same 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, confirmed that the article he wanted had indeed been well received.

Excellent. Very good. With this, the trust in the army, which could have been shaken, has been preserved.

Karl had retired long ago, but fortunately, it had only been a few months.

Since the ink on his discharge papers hadn’t even dried yet, he could proudly shout, ‘The Imperial Army is magnificent!’ Even if he was already retired.

And the prestige of the Imperial Army, while not necessarily rising, certainly didn’t decline.

‘I’d like to give him more medals if I could.’

In fact, this matter had long been under serious discussion with the Ministry of Justice.

The merits of preventing terrorism and rescuing the people of the Empire are as great as ever.

However, the Imperial Code was silent on whether or not it would be possible to ‘duplicate the Medal of Honor’.

The possibility of duplicate awards hadn’t occurred to anyone.

Should it be replaced with the Cross or the Silver Star for Military Merit?

It was a time when Boss Ahsim was pondering repeatedly.

“Oh. Have you heard the news? Someone 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 time I’m hearing about it.”

“That’s how it turned out. They said they’re sending someone by today.”

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke, Boss Ahsim nodded in agreement. Then, suddenly, the conversation he had with Karl a while ago came to mind.

“You shouldn’t expect more from me here. I’m just a regular academy returnee now.”

Honestly, it seems appropriate to remove ‘ordinary’ conscientiously. Sergeant Karl.

What academy returnee earns a medal of honor and suppresses terrorists single-handedly?

In my heart, I wanted to subtly suggest re-enlistment. After all, wasn’t he discharged as a sergeant? Re-enlistment as a private is impossible, but re-enlistment as a non-commissioned officer is possible. Isn’t it a pity to leave such a talent as a mere academy student?

‘Well, it’s just wishful thinking, really.’

I myself am also a former Imperial Army soldier. Therefore, I understand well that recommending re-enlistment 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 me here. I’m just an ordinary Academy student now.”

Yeah, that’s me 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 me?

“Ranshtak! Came 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 government officials from the Special Operations Command. Quite the spectacle indeed.

But the one thing that I find somewhat 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 me as an academy student, doesn’t that mean 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 came from behind.

Huh? I quickly turned around to see the expected figure standing there.

“…Sister?”

Rika Adelheit. Three years older than me, my older sister. She’s the next Countess Friedrich. Someday she’ll be my guardian.

But, I heard she’s quite busy lately. Why is she here?

Rika stood silently in front of me with a cold expression on her face.

It’s unusual for her to act like this. I wondered if something happened at home—

“Kaaaarl!”

“Eek.”

Suddenly, her expression softened, and she hugged me 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 temperament, if I did, she’d be upset for a week.

“Sis, why are you here?”

“Meanie! Meanie, Meanie, Meanie! How could you never contact me?! Huh? You didn’t even tell me about receiving the medal 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 me worry every day!!”

“No, listen to me 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 me!”

“This? I got carried away on my discharge day and scratched myself on the bed.”

“No way? Tell me the truth. Did those Kanfra guys do this?! Tell me! 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 become…”

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 seemed 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 statement. When my sister pushed something into his hands, he stepped back.

“Is that all?”

“Ranshtak! Yes! It seems you can come 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 me as a little kid.

‘Sis, please… I’m a recipient of the Medal 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 me like a kid.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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