喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 122

Guaaah!―

Karl entered the break room and threw himself onto the sofa.

Hmm. Now that I think about it, that was a very uncle-like thing to do.

Back in my military days, whenever I had a spare moment, I would throw myself onto my sleeping bag like this.

Whenever I did, my seniors and juniors alike would laugh and say, ‘Oh my. You’ve become a total old man.’

It was incredibly tough and challenging, but looking back now, it was a time I could endure.

Of course, if asked if I would go back, I wouldn’t want to, but still. That’s how it was.

“I’m exhausted…”

Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. So much has happened in just a month or two.

It all started with the friendly match against the Lasker delegation. I thought I’d just warm up a bit and be done with it. I even expressed my disappointment that it ended too quickly.

Then, all of a sudden, I joined the delegation and headed to Lasker with them.

And then in Lasker, the Kingdom of Knights, I had another go at it. This time, I really got my fill.

I thought that was the end of it, but it turns out the sword I received as a gift is one of Lasker’s treasures.

I wondered why they would give me something like that, but they said that if I wasn’t qualified, I wouldn’t even be able to see Lasker or the knights.

So, originally, it was supposed to go to Count Friedrich—my father, but he adamantly refused it, so they couldn’t give it to him.

And that sword, in the end, found its way back to Count Friedrich’s territory.

What’s even crazier is that only Karl himself has seen the sword’s true form. Not Eloise, nor his mother, not even his father, Count Friedrich.

All three of them could only feel an unfamiliar sensation, nothing more. They couldn’t see beyond that, and ultimately, Karl was the only one who could see the jet-black sword.

‘What the hell is going on?’

It was like that when I found the sacred relic. And now, I’m the only one who can see the so-called ‘Answerer.’

At this point, it’s starting to get scary. I’m starting to wonder if this is really okay.

‘…It was definitely an incredible sword.’

It was the first time I’d seen a sword that wasn’t the usual steel color, but instead, jet black.

Seeing the blade with its subtle glow, I had a momentary urge to swing it.

But I resisted. I even hypnotized myself into believing that this sword was just for show.

The reason I’m not holding the sword, even after going through all that nonsense, is because of this.

“…”

I discreetly pull out the greatsword I had in my arms.

As always, this is the best. It might look a bit clunky, but the way it fits snugly in my hand when I grip it is so reassuring.

With this by my side, I feel like I can break through anything. I feel like I can survive anywhere. That damn platoon leader got me a really good one.

But to suddenly switch to a different sword?

From my perspective, that felt like what they call NTR. Well, from the greatsword’s perspective, that is.

I’ve grown attached to it, and besides, it feels like I’d be struck by lightning if I just tossed it aside for something fancier and better-looking after using it so well all this time.

So, I have absolutely no intention of changing my weapon.

As a result, the Twelve Knights’ sword ended up in a display case in Count Friedrich’s territory.

For a moment, the sword vibrated slightly, as if screaming, ‘No! How can I lose to a military-grade greatsword?!’ But Karl didn’t pay much attention to it.

In fact, he thought it was only natural, and here’s why—

“If I ever become worthy of wielding it again, I’ll come back for it. If they could give it away, it means they weren’t using it anyway.”

Even if that’s a story for a future him, he wanted to avoid any lingering regrets.

Thinking this, Karl glanced out the window for a moment, then sighed.

‘This girl, really…’

He tried to pretend he didn’t notice, but he couldn’t anymore.

Karl got up from his seat and abruptly threw open the window.

* * *

“…”

“…”

“…Hehe.”

“…”

“Hi?”

“Hi? What hi? Seriously, why are you doing this? I even made a promise.”

“You do realize this is the third floor, right? And you’re hanging outside the window?”

“Three floors is enough. I’m an elf, you know, an elf.”

“Even elves can die if they fall headfirst from a high place.”

An academy student dangling from a third-floor window is a sight to avoid. And if it’s a foreign exchange student from the elves, not even an Imperial student, it’s even more of a situation to avoid.

I pulled Eloise inside the break room and forced her to sit on the sofa.

“Did you come because you thought I wouldn’t keep my promise? I told you, I acknowledge your skills, so just wait patiently.”

Eloise was the first one to notice the strangeness of the sword, even before my parents.

Thanks to her, I was able to learn the sword’s true identity a bit faster, so I can’t say she didn’t help.

So, I thanked her and said I’d make time to have coffee with her personally.

But she couldn’t even wait that long and came here to rush me. It’s quite…

“I didn’t come because of that.”

“You didn’t?”

“Nope.”

“Then why?”

“I just came because I wanted to see you.”

“…”

Wow.

Really. This elf who only knows how to go straight ahead. Does she not know the concept of playing hard to get?

But I won’t say it’s completely ineffective.

In fact, the moment I heard those words, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of something.

“…I’m worried about what you might do if you miss me even more here.”

“If you’re worried, then pay attention to me! I think about you every day!”

“Is that something you should be saying to someone who’s in the middle of planning their engagement…?”

Of course, my marriage to Selena will be after graduating from the academy. But we can get engaged beforehand, right? So, I was planning to get engaged when I had some free time.

“Engagement? Go ahead. I never said not to!”

“No…”

“Of course you should. You definitely need someone to keep you grounded. Then I can meet and talk to you more freely without feeling burdened!”

This is hopeless. I give up.

Even if I try to say, ‘I have Selena,’ it won’t get through to her.

Shouldn’t being taken make someone less attractive? And I heard that elves are almost entirely monogamous?

“…Let’s go for a walk.”

It doesn’t seem like a conversation to have sitting on a sofa. So, I dragged Eloise outside.

“Karl, do you hate me?”

It’s quite flustering when you throw a straight ball like that…

“I don’t hate you.”

“Then you should just like me.”

“What about Selena?”

“When did I say to get rid of Selena? I didn’t, did I?”

“I believe in monogamy.”

The memories of my past life are a hindrance at times like this. I unconsciously believe that monogamy is the right way. Even though this world doesn’t care if it’s monogamy, polygamy, or even polyandry.

“Since when were Imperial nobles monogamous?”

In fact, Eloise’s reaction to my words was, ‘What are you talking about?’

“Oh. Is it because of your father and mother? Hmm. That could be it. But you know, Karl? That’s because your father and mother have such a great relationship. Other nobles aren’t like that.”

Apparently, there was even a noble who had twelve wives. If you’re capable enough to provide for all your wives and children, anything goes, right?

Looks like we have an elf who’s an expert on the Empire.

From this perspective, it seems like I’m the elf and Eloise is the Imperial citizen.

“So, I want to be your woman too. Make me your wife.”

“Seriously. You’re so straightforward it’s scary.”

“If it’s because of Selena, I’ll even get her permission. I’ll lick Selena’s feet if I have to, to get her approval. So, all you have to do is come to me!”

It seems like something is seriously off, or am I mistaken? No, and also. Why will you lick Selena’s feet?

Selena is my woman, you know. If anyone’s going to lick, it should be me licking. What are you saying… Ahem. Um.

[TL/N: ]

“Can I ask why you’re so clingy?”

“Because I like you?”

“What else?”

“Because I want to bear your child?”

“…Anything else?”

“Because I want to be the woman of the most handsome man in the world?”

Damn it. I can’t ask any more questions. My resistance is too low.

I took a moment to catch my breath when I noticed a group of students arguing in the distance.

“Is something going on?”

“Seems like it.”

Both Eloise and I walk towards the commotion, as if in a trance.

* * *

At the scene, a group of students were engaged in a heated debate.

Upon closer inspection, some of them were exchange students from the elf kingdom.

“Why are we, the Hyzens exchange students, constantly being overlooked?”

“That’s right. Whether it’s club applications or borrowing books from the library, it’s too much.”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know the reason?”

“Is it because we’re elves? We’re already friends with the empire!”

“There were elves who weren’t like that. Aren’t they your kin?”

What the hell is going on? What’s happening all of a sudden?

Karl tilted his head in confusion.

Then, upon hearing the next words, his face hardened.

“That doesn’t mean we should be discriminated against. We will now actively—”

“Now that your homeland is in chaos? That’s ridiculous.”

“Why don’t you just go back to how it was before? Acting arrogant and dismissive, huh?”

Well, I guess what was bound to happen has happened.

Eloise wore a troubled expression.

Suddenly, Karl cleared his throat and stepped into the midst of the students.

“Everyone, stop. That’s enough.”

“Ah, Senior Karl. Look at these elves. They only think about themselves and keep pushing their own agenda—”

“Juniors.”

Karl’s lips curled into a smile, but it was far from a pleasant one.

“I didn’t join hands with the elves and cut down the necks of the Kanfras just to see this kind of nonsense.”

“Eh? Ah, Senior? You fought against the elves for the empire…”

“I fought against those who were hostile to the empire. So, have the exchange students over there committed any acts of hostility against the empire? From what I can see, it doesn’t seem like it.”

I fought against the elves. I won’t deny it.

I killed elves. I won’t deny it.

I lost someone to the elves. I won’t deny that either.

But we only fought against the ‘enemy’. For the sake of the empire, we fought against the empire’s enemies.

So, are they the enemy? Are they still hostile towards the empire? If not, then discriminating against them is an insult to those of us who fought bravely.

They, and we, didn’t fight to see something like this.

“This isn’t right. You, as juniors, need to show a better side of yourselves than those you dislike.”

Only then will hate not breed hate, and create more of us.

Only then will the sacrifices we made in the past not be in vain.