31. Furious But What Can I Do?
Hearing Eloise's words that the Luzens leaders seemed to be hiding in the Empire, the first thought that came to mind was, 'This is complete bullshit.'
What was Luzens? Extreme hardline elves who were extremely hostile to the Empire.
They had lost several wars but refused to accept defeat.
Even the Hyegens side, which was now trying to reconcile with the Empire, had been labeled enemies.
Anyone who had anything to do with the Empire was hated by them.
So why was this ridiculous rumor suddenly coming out that their top brass was in the Empire's territory?
I looked at the Special Intelligence Agency agent with a full load of suspicion.
It was like, "Give your opinion while the elves are chattering like this."
The agent let out a small sigh and then opened her mouth.
“We are currently conducting a more detailed investigation, but we believe the possibility is quite high.”
“...”
Hold it in. Hold it in. I have to hold it in... He's not even related to me, so I have to endure it...
“No, what the hell? Are you joking? Huh?”
His intellect was separate, but his mouth was already moving on its own.
“Damn it, those Luzens bastards made me suffer for three years because of them. I had to bury countless comrades in that lush hell-like forest. Why the hell are their top brass in the Empire?”
“...”
“While the Empire Army was fighting bloody battles against enemies outside the Empire, what the hell was the Special Agency doing in charge of internal enemies? Ah, did they judge that since the Great Forest war was just talk and only two legions were mobilized, there was no big problem?”
“...”
“Damn it, speak up!”
I knew this was wrong. I knew this person had no fault.
Yeah. I know. I know everything! But I couldn't hold back from getting angry.
Otherwise, I'd grab my sword and run to rip the throats of those elves right away.
“I have nothing to say. Karl student. No, Sergeant Karl Adelheit. As someone from the Special Intelligence Agency, I apologize to you once again for all the hardships and sacrifices you've endured.”
During this, the Special Intelligence Agency agent sincerely apologized to me.
I had nothing to do with it. What she said to me was unpleasant. Even if I said it that way, in my position, I might have had no choice but to let it go as "that's how it is."
But she didn't do that. "I'm sorry." "I'm truly sorry." "You suffered so much fighting the external enemies, but you couldn't notice the internal enemies who hid inside."
“If that's the case, I should apologize too.”
“Eloise?”
“Anyway, it was overlooked by our Hyegens side. And whether good or bad, we're all elves.”
Hearing the words of the two men and women, my boiling insides seemed to calm a little.
Yeah. Stay calm. Getting angry like this wouldn't solve anything.
“I need more details. What happened?”
“I'll tell you. Actually...”
According to Eloise's continued words, the Luzens situation was really bad right now.
It was already bad, but it got worse. What did that mean? Internal division, that's it.
“They are divided into four or five factions, and some of them seem to have secretly infiltrated the Empire?”
“Yeah. This time, our unit swept through the entire territory including the Great Forest. Among them, we found dozens of their hideouts. But more than half of them were mid-level guys receiving different orders.”
“...”
“The leaders can't be that many, right?”
One command, that's the command. If they receive different commands, is that the command?
After hearing that far, I realized the internal division of the Luzens side was even more severe than I thought.
“Their division is at the maximum. Even opinions don't match at all.”
“That's right. Some want to do terrorism against the Empire like before, some want to attack our Hyegens, and some even want to give up everything and go to a new place.”
“...”
“That's a bit unbelievable. They've become that messed up.”
Decades ago, they built a huge force that could overwhelm the Hyegens side.
Although the number has decreased, until recently they were at full-scale war with the Empire.
Those guys suddenly now fighting each other like crazy?
I couldn't understand at all, so I unconsciously looked at Eloise.
She knew more about Luzens than me, and had been on the front lines for a long time, so she probably knew the reason.
“What's the reason? Obviously, the big reason is that the Luzens leader was assassinated.”
“...”
“So that assassination rumor wasn't just bullshit?”
Actually, I had heard that kind of talk before.
The Luzens war I was involved in. The front line that had been tense for over two years.
Then suddenly, the bastards started collapsing, and the Empire Army annihilated them.
Of course, I thought Luzens lost because they were behind in numbers and firepower.
“Look at this guy. I asked you if you were a sharpshooter, didn't I? Would I have asked that if it wasn't true? It's almost certain that an Empire Army sharpshooter killed the leader. Not appearing in official records, and if the internal factions are splitting like this, the most convincing reason is that the leader is dead.”
“...”
“I can't shoot, that's what I'm saying.”
I wonder how many times I've said this.
Zero shots in shooting training! Flipped the stigma of being a tax thief! How much more until I almost got expelled from the recruit training center for shooting! That's me, Karl!
But what sharpshooter! If it was sword master, at least that would make sense!
“Yeah. Yeah. I get it. I'll let it go. I don't know if I can make even my eyes that saw bullets being blocked by bullets understand this.”
“That's... no. It's fine.”
Even if it's luck, I wouldn't believe it. Honestly, even I thought it was a bit far-fetched.
Who would believe that if the flying bullet was blocked by a bullet and 'I can't shoot, hoeeee' like that.
“Hah. Hah. Our Special Intelligence Agency has also concluded from recent investigations that the Luzens leader was assassinated. Otherwise, it's impossible to explain how suddenly the Luzens collapsed so unbelievably. We just don't know who, where, and how exactly.”
“Ah, wait. This guy is definitely it?! It's me! It has to be me!”
“Please refrain from making such remarks based on speculation. Eloise Lohengrin. Look, Karl student is troubled, isn't he?”
“You talk well. Our agent. I'm really dumbfounded.”
Just by luck blocking one bullet, why is she acting like this?
“More importantly, why did the story go this far...”
“Many of the remaining leaders after the leader's death seem to have hidden in the Empire.”
“Ah, yes. Thanks, Eloise.”
According to the continued explanation of the Special Intelligence Agency agent, basically that's it.
If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest. If you want to hide a person, hide it among people.
And the ones ordering terror tried to hide near the terror target.
It wasn't completely unconvincing. It was quite plausible.
From the Empire's perspective, since they did this, they would naturally tear apart the Great Forest and the elf territories.
Hyegens would cooperate too, so it would be the most dangerous place.
On the contrary, the Empire territory would be less of a concern.
Who would imagine the leadership of a terror group being inside the Empire?
“...There might be an attempt to target the Academy.”
“The most noticeable movement. Up until now, they were passive due to the war aftermath, but with the Empire's victory, the festival is being held big again.”
“Throwing cold water on that would give the best effect, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Huuu... those fucking Gganfs.”
How did this happen? In my life, how could there be zero help?
Those bastards. This is the first festival I've experienced since entering the Academy.
“What the hell are you guys doing?”
“In our estimation, it seems like a successor fight after the sudden death of the leader.”
“What's the connection between successor fight and terror?”
“We see it that way too. There might be hostility to the Empire, but we can't ignore it. The one who caused bigger damage to the Empire. I am the next hardliner leader. I want to emphasize this part.”
“They're really crazy.”
For a moment, I looked back at the Academy. A place completely different from the hellish battlefield.
Beyond that, faintly, the sound of students laughing and chatting flew in.
I fought for this peace with my life.
But I will never allow this peace to become hell like the battlefield.
I didn't fight like a madman to see such a sight. Absolutely not.
“I'm really sorry, Karl student. I know it's a huge rudeness to do this to someone who has already left the military and received the Medal of Honor. But...”
“Enough. What do I have to do? You brought Eloise because you wanted something, right? And the expected target is the Academy autumn festival, of all things.”
“...Thank you for understanding. Then, let's get to the main point. Actually--”
“Wait, before that. I need to point out the most important thing.”
I forgot this. This is the most important thing.
“Keep this a secret from our sister no matter what.”
Because the moment she learns, she'll drop everything and come running.
*
A red-haired female sergeant in a dress uniform steps forward.
On her chest, a silver medal gleams.
“Sergeant Lavrenti is relieved effective September 17, 222 Imperial Year. I report this.”
“Thanks for your hard work.”
A superior officer secretly handed her a word.
“Your seat is always open. If you change your mind, come back. We need capable people like you in the military.”
“Thanks. But my decision won't change!”
“Alright. Anyway, Sergeant Lavrenti. You've worked really hard. Your efforts will be remembered by the Empire.”
The Empire Army sergeant, now a civilian, Lavrenti.
White Feather. The sniper who sniped 93 elves (only official records) during the Luzens war.
Silver Star Medal recipient. Was asked to stay as instructor but chose retirement.
Everyone regretted it. It would have been great if she became a sharpshooter training instructor.
But what could be done. Since she didn't want it, they couldn't force her.
'Finally...!'
Finally, I was going to meet her. I could see her suddenly retired.
I had heard all about her. Since she was so famous, it was hard not to know.
'Soon, I'll pay my respects.'
With a firm step, the red-haired beauty smiled.
'Master.'