[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 196
I can’t focus. I’m already overwhelmed by being summoned to all sorts of events, and now there’s this sudden news of the Kanfras reappearance.
Seriously? I thought they were all dead, but were they digging underground tunnels?
It’s incredibly unpleasant, but realistically, there’s nothing I can do.
As I’ve said before, my status is just that of a returning academy student.
Being awarded a Medal of Honor doesn’t obligate me to anything, and all my other actions have been taken in a personal capacity.
Although I was a sergeant, I was clearly discharged, so I’m definitely not an official.
So the Special Task Force didn’t officially call me. It was the team leader who called me personally.
‘…Should I kill them?’
It feels like something weird that I had forgotten for a while is clinging to my chest.
I thought it had all been diluted by now. And it actually was.
But it’s still unpleasant that these guys are showing signs of unrest again.
‘They want me to send Eloise…’
Needless to say, Eloise’s nationality is Hyzens. She’s not a citizen of the empire.
There was talk of her applying for naturalization, but it seems it hasn’t happened yet, since it’s been quiet.
[TL/N: *Naturalize – make somebody a citizen of a country where he/she was not born]
That means Hyzens could order Eloise to ‘return.’
It wasn’t an order but a request. They asked me to send Eloise.
Perhaps they want her assistance, considering she played a crucial role.
Or maybe they hope to get some insights from her to carry out a targeted elimination operation.
Their actions aren’t wrong. In fact, they’ve maintained the line they should protect.
But, as I said in front of Team Leader D, they’re asking me to clean up the mess they made.
Eloise has already done her part and retired, and now they want to drag her back into it.
‘Protecting my wife’s peaceful retirement is also my duty as a husband.’
Seeing Selena struggling in pain is enough.
At least Selena is in sight, so I can offer some kind of support.
On the other hand, if Eloise goes back, there’s no telling when she’ll be able to return.
More importantly, the fact that they’re asking me like this means they haven’t officially requested help from the empire. If they had, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have come to me.
They would have asked me to persuade Eloise to return to Hyzens, even if just for a short while.
“Master?”
I glanced over and saw Lav looking at me with a worried expression.
She probably called me several times, and since I didn’t respond, she must be feeling uneasy.
“Yes? Did you call?”
“…It seems like something is bothering you. What is it?”
I thought about whether to be honest, but decided to wait and see how the situation develops.
I wanted to say, ‘Ah, the elves are screwing up,’ but…
“It’s just… I’m feeling a bit strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“Next year, I’ll be a senior.”
Right. Next year.
Actually, it’s not even next year. In a few months, I’ll be a senior.
It feels like just yesterday I returned as a second-semester freshman, and now I’m about to be a senior.
“In military terms, it’s like being a sergeant. So, I keep having these thoughts, knowingly or not.”
“Thinking of it as being closer to discharge… I can understand what you mean, Master.”
Right, right. I’m already feeling mixed emotions about being a senior, and now these Kanfras are thoughtlessly trying to act up again, so it’s confusing.
Sigh.
Really, if I had known it would be like this, it wouldn’t have been bad to delay my discharge a little…
“Are you crazy?”
“Master?”
“Just talking to myself. Don’t mind me. More importantly, Lav. How long are you going to keep calling me Master?”
“Yes? Uh… You don’t like this title?”
“It’s not that. Lav, you’ll be a senior in two years too. And after that, you’ll have to start thinking about marriage. Surely you don’t plan to call me Master even after you’re married, do you?”
There are people watching and listening, so we should avoid misunderstandings.
This world might allow you to have multiple partners based on your abilities, but it’s still a bit awkward for a teacher to have students as husbands or wives, right?
I never taught you shooting with the intention of raising you as a disciple, Lav. But if you insist on using that title even after marriage, it would be a bit… strange!
“Oh… I-I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“Think about it now. It’s not that far off. The wedding can wait, but it’s better to get used to the title now.”
Lefia is approaching, waving her hand.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Lefia calls me casually now, too. She calls me senior at the academy, but in private, she calls me ‘Oppa,’ you know?”
Lav makes a face as if she can’t believe it.
I can almost feel her thinking, ‘That Lefia?!’
“Want to see?”
I confidently greeted Lefia.
She replied, ‘Oppa,’ but then saw Lav and…
“Ah!”
She looks like she’s thinking, ‘Did you hear that?!’ and doesn’t know what to do.
“W-wait! Lavrenti! This is, well…”
“Indeed. It seems important to start practicing now.”
“It’s not like that at all! Karl’s the one who keeps…”
“Lefia said she wanted an older brother, so I told her to call me ‘oppa’.”
[TL/N: Uhm… nvm]
[PR/M: Thanks for not saying anything weird]
“Eeeeeek!!”
Well, anyway, that’s how it is.
* * *
Selena and Eloise were having tea together for the first time in a while.
“…Eloise.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“I’m being serious, I think it’s best if you just let it go.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
A few letters and documents were on the table.
Eloise received them and agonized over them for days before coming to see Selena.
And what was written on them was the current unsettling situation in the south.
“The Hyzens military is looking for me. Probably because of my outstanding achievements in the Great Luzernes Special Forces Operation. In fact, I consider myself an expert.”
“And?”
“They’re hoping that if I go, the situation will improve.”
Eloise gave an awkward smile as she said that, and Selena let out a sigh.
“Why are you lying when we both know the truth?”
“That’s not it.”
“Huh?”
“It’s not that. It’s because you’re worried that Karl might get involved in the south again. You’re afraid that his almost healed wounds might be reopened by your people. That’s why you’re trying to handle it alone, isn’t it? That’s how it seems to me, no matter how I look at it.”
“…”
Eloise, letting out a sigh, gave a playful smile, saying, ‘As expected, a Marquis’ daughter is different’ But that too eventually turned into a surrender under Selena’s expressionless face.
“You’re right, Selena. Before things get worse, before I stir up Karl’s emotions again, I want to go and take care of it myself. If it’s now, I can still handle it alone.”
“I doubt Karl would want that.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Karl lost precious people in the war. If you, Eloise, suddenly go there saying you can handle it alone, he’ll be even more worried.”
“No way. There’s no one more experienced than me.”
“Even if you’re the best of the best, it’s impossible not to worry.”
Eloise just sipped her tea. It was a sign that she agreed with Selena’s words.
Yes, if it were Karl, he would probably be angry, asking why she’s going there.
It’s Hyzens’ problem, and she’s already done her part and retired.
If they can’t handle it, the empire will take action, so why should she go?
And what if, by any chance, contact is lost for a while, or she even gets a small injury?
That could really hurt Karl even more.
“So what do you want me to do? Just sit here and do nothing?”
“Yes, just stay put. That would be better.”
“…Really?”
“Karl is watching the situation calmly. He still thinks there’s a chance for Hyzens. Or he might believe that the empire will step in first.”
Just in case, what if those guys try something foolish again?
Selena took a sip of tea and shrugged her shoulders.
“Karl once said something, Eloise.”
If he has to settle something, to bring it to a close, he doesn’t want to rely on anyone else.
He said it would be better for his future self to go and end the nightmare himself.
Hearing that, Eloise could do nothing but sigh.
* * *
And a month passed.
No significant incidents occurred during that time.
Whether the storm had completely subsided or was just the calm before the storm, no one could be sure.
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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