I’m Just an Ordinary Academy Student

18 – Shouldn’t Ask for More?

An elf in attire that could be either clothes or rags.

Fortunately, being a member of Hyzen’s faction saved him from facing a greatsword.

Wearing such attire in front of a reincarnated memory holder of the Yu-Kyo, he dared to do that.

If I were the type to be impressed by such a sight, I might have said something like “Oh!”… No, it’s a misunderstanding.

Anyway, in the moment just before I could answer the elf’s question, the gnome I thought was a corpse next to the elf suddenly pulled out a gun.

I see the barrel. It’s aimed at us. So, what should I do? Definitely shoot to kill.

Drawing my pistol from my hip, I aimed at him, and fired.

Originally, that perverted elf should have been hit by the bullet, and the gnome would have received my shot.

But…

“Hey, are you a sharpshooter?”

“Huh?”

“Come on. Be honest. I saw everything.”

“No…”

“Blocking bullets with bullets? Wow! This is insane! It’s impressive, but I think I’m a bit crazy now!”

True to the perverted elf’s words, my bullet crushed the bullet aimed at the woman in mid-air.

If not for that, the woman couldn’t have spoken so calmly with her appearance intact.

What on earth happened? I was seriously beginning to doubt if I was the one who shot.

Oh, by the way, the gnome that I thought was a corpse was smashed to pieces by the perverted elf with a club.

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

“…Do I really need to give my full name?”

“Of course! The Empire and elves. So, we, Hagens, are allies, right? We, allies’ soldiers, met, so it’s okay to reveal our identities!”

It seems like a reasonable point. I sighed while looking at the perverted elf for a moment.

I don’t know where to look. If you’re going to wear clothes, wear them; if you’re going to undress, undress.

“A knife.”

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

Eloise. Eloise. Well, the name is difficult. As expected, it would be easier to just call her the perverted elf.

“So, the answer is?”

“What.”

“You’re a sharpshooter, right? Right? By any chance, were you involved in the Rosen’s War?”

“I was involved in the war, but I’m not a sharpshooter. Just a regular soldier.”

“Ah! Come on! Don’t be like that! Tell me. Tell meeee!”

Damn it. Why is this perverted elf like this again? What a misplaced aegyo.

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

Let’s calm down. This isn’t a camp. Even though he’s a pervert without clothes.

“Hoo.”

He roughly plopped onto the somewhat intact chair in the messed-up room.

As the assurance that everything was sorted out sank in, he finally felt the strength drain from his body.

The rushing blood, the adrenaline that had been coursing through him like madness, now receded.

If he just continued a little further and got some information at the next station, it would be over, right?

Tired. What a mess on the weekend. Damn campers.

I really want to know what possessed them to unleash this madness. Split their heads open and take a look, perhaps?

“Really not a sharpshooter? Not at all?”

In the midst of all this, the perverted elf. Eloise keeps going on about sharpshooting.

What sharpshooter shoots ten times and barely hits once or twice? Huh?

I almost got trampled to death during shooting training by an instructor, you know?

You’re scattering the taxes of imperial citizens like blood in the air?

“No, I’m not. How many times do I have to say it?”

“Ugh. It seems right, though. It seems right―?”

“…Can you at least open your ears so you can hear me well? Your ears are big, but why can’t you understand?”

He deliberately targeted the ‘ears’ that elves find disgusting.

Any elf would immediately explode in anger upon hearing such words.

“Oh, this? Elves do seem to hear better than humans. But it’s not because our ears are big; it’s just that our hearing is naturally good.”

But for some reason, this perverted elf remained unfazed.

He even seemed immune to provocation. Isn’t this a bit unfair?

“Anyway! Honestly speaking!”

“Speaking?”

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

“…Are you insane?”

Rather than being shocked by those words, he seemed to have given up on the world.

First, terrorist campers, and now a perverted elf. This is why I dislike pointy-eared folks.

Let the Confucian spirit within me scream once again… No, forget it. Let’s just speak.

“I’m not interested.”

“Eeh? Why? Why? Human men die instantly when they’re with elf women! Look at me! This chest! And the figure! Am I not the most beautiful according to human male standards?!”

The ultimate beauty, that’s for sure. Big chest, great body, fantastic proportions, and a pretty face.

But there’s one problem. A woman parading around at that level of undress is rather unattractive.

And problem number two. In fact, this is the most decisive…

“Eloise. How old are you?”

“Huh? Me? I just turned twenty-nine! Why?”

“Quite old. Very old.”

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

“Huh? Oh. Oh, is it because of that? But considering that elves have an average lifespan of 200 years, I’m still in my early twenties by human standards! I’m a prime beauty in my early twenties, according to human standards!”

Let’s add a few more to the list of this perverted elf’s issues. Starting with narcissism.

*

Upon arriving at the next station, the Imperial soldiers were already bustling about.

Damn gnomes. What were they thinking trying to break through this defensive line?

The train had a speed limit, so they couldn’t just ram through.

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

While it was clear that they were allies, my current appearance could easily be misunderstood as a hostile move.

Confirming that you are not the enemy shows a lack of will to fight.

After completing all the necessary tasks, receiving friendly fire because of unnecessary movements is more unjust than anything.

“La, Ranshtak! Captain Karl Adelheit! Thank you for your hard work! Truly, thank you!”

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

Fortunately, there was no scene of misunderstanding, where I would be handcuffed behind my back, as portrayed in novels.

There was already testimony from Megi Lieutenant and the passengers that I dealt with the gnomes.

And being a recipient of the Medal of Honor played a significant role.

“Oh, I left two suspects alive in the middle of the cabin. Go and take care of them quickly. There’s really no need to subdue them; they’re just barely clinging to life.”

“Yes, understood!”

“Be careful when moving them. They could really die.”

After kindly guiding them to where those brats were unconscious, I turned around for a brief moment.

I’ve done everything I needed to do. Dealt with the gnomes, saved the train, and left some survivors for questioning.

I’ve proven my identity without being asked, and I’ve faithfully testified about the situation.

Oh, by the way, I didn’t bother explaining about Eloise.

She disappeared before the train arrived at the station. Did she jump off the train?

As expected, a covert agent of the Heizens. It’s not advisable to blatantly reveal oneself like this.

If exposed, there’s a high likelihood of diplomatic issues arising in any form.

That’s why I kept silent about it, and I’m sure they will handle it diplomatically within the Empire’s Foreign Ministry and Heizens’ side.

I don’t need to concern myself with that.

What matters now is how the train got into this state and how to proceed.

With still 20 minutes to go by train, walking is not an option.

Should I wait for the train, or should I find a carriage? While contemplating these options, suddenly several officers come rushing in.

“Oh, not again.”

The insignia at the forefront. A single star. Followed by insignias of junior officers.

Escaped from the military, and all I see lately are military personnel. It’s truly maddening.

“Ranshtak! Are you Corporal Karl Adelheit?”

“Yes. That’s correct. If you have any questions for me, I’ve already answered them. So…”

“We’re not here to interrogate. Wait, over here.”

Someone with a rank badge approached, not here for an investigation.

If that’s the case… that’s it. It must be. They’re looking for someone higher. That’s the feeling I get.

And as I expected, following them into a historical section –

[Seeing you here is an honor, Corporal Karl Adelheit. I am War Minister, Boss Asim.]

“….”

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

More importantly, did he just introduce himself? But why are the name and surname like that?

Boss Asim. Does he have to be a boss?! Is what it feels like he’s saying, or am I mistaken?

“Pleased to meet you, Minister.”

[First, let me commend you for your courageous actions. The Empire is indebted once again.]

“I did what I could.”

Upon hearing that, the Minister chuckled briefly. Why. Why is he laughing?

[To get to the point, since you’ve already left the military, I’ll keep it brief. First….]

“No need to elaborate. Just a word of advice – don’t speak of this to others, and even if you do, avoid exaggeration or speculative language. I’ve only been in the military for three years. I wouldn’t have much insight.”

[…Good to know you’re aware of that.]

“However, judging by the way you’re talking, it seems this wasn’t just a simple train kidnapping. It appears there was something bigger at play.”

“I already know everything. So just be honest and tell me,” the minister says with a suppressed sigh, implying, “You were directly involved in the incident, and it seems like I already know. We received information from the Special Forces a while ago. The individuals who kidnapped the train had a final goal of reaching a station near the academy and causing an explosion.”

“Hmm.”

“The ultimate goal was to sow discord between the Empire and the Elves.”

“…Damn elves.”

Oops. I let slip words that were hidden within me.

But the minister also mutters, “Yeah, damn elves,” as if in agreement.

Indeed, he’s a warlike minister. It’s only natural for an army man to dislike elves. Secretly.

“Um, but, Your Excellency.”

“I’m listening.”

“You shouldn’t expect anything more from me here. I’ve been discharged, so I have no connection with the military anymore. I’m just an ordinary academy student now.”

“…You’ve already told me everything I asked for. You can rest assured that there’s nothing to worry about.”

Yes, yes. I understand. That’s the right thing to say. But whenever I solve one case, it seems like other things keep happening because of it…