Chapter 70: I Want to Be a Hero (2) |
*
Honestly, any man born in the Republic of Korea who's gone through military life has dreamed of this at least once.
It's called a Buster Call.
Or 'calling a falling star'.
It refers to the act of dropping a general into a company.
As someone who's also been through the army, albeit as a military doctor, I always thought it sounded fun whenever I heard such stories.
But I never thought I'd get to live that dream in this life.
“…For that reason, there’s a leave of absence for fifteen days. They need to hire new teachers.”
But that evening, on the day the Imperial Prince visited the Academy.
The falling star I had dropped was none other than the Imperial Prince.
The problem was that his title happened to be the Chief of Personnel of the central command.
What kind of position is that, you ask? It's the one that decides which institutions soldiers are assigned to.
Isn't it said that in any organization, the personnel department holds the most power?
Imperial Prince Edmund was the head of that personnel department.
And I had dropped someone like that right on top of the teachers' heads.
'Hmm... I had no idea.'
It's because I have so little interest in high society.
I only knew that the Imperial Prince was a high-ranking person in the military.
I never dreamed he'd be the one in charge of personnel.
At the time, I was only thinking of borrowing the prince's help because the Academy belongs to the military, making it difficult for even my father, a Judicial Officer, to intervene.
For the record, the way I requested the prince's help was like this.
— "Haaa... Yes? You ask if something is wrong? No, it's just a personal matter, Your Highness need not worry."
— "You're telling me to speak? But..."
— "Very well. The thing is..."
I didn't ask him directly.
I just acted all troubled during the baby's regular check-up at dawn today, so he asked me what was wrong.
The Imperial Prince immediately asked what was wrong, and I reluctantly told him about this incident.
And the result was delivered to me this evening through Freya's words.
"The principal and vice-principal were dismissed, and thirty-two head teachers were given an honorable discharge measure. More than half of the remaining teachers also received a salary cut or were passed over for promotion."
An honorable discharge is just a dismissal in fancy words.
It's a way to let them at least keep their honor, unlike the principal and vice-principal.
What's more surprising is that this was all decided on the very first day.
Additional disciplinary action is apparently still under discussion.
"For now, there will be additional disciplinary action for some of the teachers, including the principal and vice-principal."
The Imperial Prince's sword dance was fiery.
So much so that more than half of Adler Colleg's faculty was swept away.
He even had clear justification.
At a military educational institution raising the Empire's future, not only was security breached, but no measures were taken while a student was held in imprisonment for two days.
On top of that, the fact that they didn't even discuss protective measures for the victimized student after the incident was the final blow.
However, this satisfying outcome came with a minor side effect.
"But there are no teachers left to teach the students. So they're having a leave of absence for about fifteen days until they can fill the positions with new teachers. They say it could even be a month, depending on the situation."
That's right.
With the teachers having vanished from the school, it was unavoidably forced to close its doors temporarily.
However, my parents didn't seem very interested in the school's circumstances.
"Freya. Is it really necessary for you to go back to the Academy? Your mother is worried it might be too hard for you."
"If you wish, we can arrange a school transfer. Adler isn't the only Colleg (High School Division). You can take a leave of absence if it's too difficult."
My parents couldn't bring themselves to tell her to quit school.
This was because they knew well how much Freya wanted to become a Judicial Officer.
But Freya's attitude was firm.
"No. I want to graduate from there. My friends are there."
Once she said that, we couldn't add anything more.
Friend problems are a serious matter.
"Alright. If that's what you want, Freya."
"Thank you for understanding, Father."
With that conversation, the discussion about Freya's academic matters came to an end.
Since she was still struggling, no more talk about the school came up.
And so, dinner came to an end.
The family members returned to their respective rooms.
I too finished the last sip of tea on the dining table and returned to my room.
And as I sat in my chair, I was contemplating the students' treatment and the disposal of the captured lizard, not as Yulian, but as Director Schun.
Twinkle.
The communicator on my desk was glowing faintly.
Checking the crest on the crystal orb, it seemed to be a call from Imperial Prince Edmund.
When I touched the communicator, the prince's face and voice flowed out.
[My apologies for calling in the middle of the night, Lord Yulian.]
"Not at all, Your Highness."
[Have you eaten?]
"Yes. I just finished a meal with my family and was resting."
[I'm envious. I'm just about to eat now.]
"At this hour?"
[The baby just fell asleep. He refuses to sleep these days, it's a real problem. He cries whenever I try to pick up a spoon, so by the time I get him to sleep, it's already this late... I'm so exhausted I have no energy to eat, but I still have to.]
Normally, he would entrust this sort of thing to a nanny.
I suppose it's because this precious baby was born after so much pain.
Despite his social status, the Imperial Prince's devotion to the baby was profound.
"Speaking of which, how is Prince Aster's colic?"
[Ah, I've been applying the peppermint oil as you suggested. The effect is good.]
"I say this out of excessive concern, but you must never use any medicine other than what I've prescribed."
[I know. Not many years have passed since the Star Anise Incident, so of course we must be careful. The maids have been cautious ever since that commotion at the Annex Palace.]
"I couldn't sleep a wink that day."
[Ahem. My apologies.]
Was it a few weeks ago?
There was an incident where I had to have a whole crackdown because they tried to feed the baby beet porridge.
A newborn's ability to process nutrients from things like spinach or beets is underdeveloped.
That's why I told them not to feed him anything like salads.
A maid thoughtlessly added beets to the baby food, throwing the Annex Palace into chaos.
The maid begged to be killed, and the Imperial Prince made a huge fuss, asking if eating this would cause a disaster...
At dawn that day.
I was summoned to the Annex Palace again and had to calm everyone down, telling them that eating it just once wouldn't cause a problem.
Anyway.
[I'm in the middle of a meal right now, would it be alright if I talked while I eat?]
"That's fine, Your Highness."
[Thank you for your understanding.]
Working during the day, then taking care of the baby when he returns.
In any case, he's a busy prince.
From beyond the communicator, I could hear the sound of the prince chewing something.
That sound continued for a moment before the prince spoke.
[By any chance, have you heard about the results of their disposal?]
The story came without any context, but I had a feeling I knew what the prince was talking about.
"Yes. I heard from my younger sister. Thank you, Your Highness."
[Set aside your gratitude. I only did what was natural.]
The prince chewed and swallowed his food for a moment before continuing.
[Ah, this isn't certain yet as the court-martial results aren't out, but the responsible parties in this incident will likely be sentenced to garrison duty.]
Garrison duty. Also known as a fortress sentence.
It is a punishment where a nobleman who has committed a crime is stripped of their title and sent to a frontline fortress as a single soldier.
It's to give them a chance to restore their honor by toiling away at the very front.
Of course, not many nobles who receive this punishment succeed in restoring their honor.
While others start from zero, that noble starts from a minus.
To restore their former honor, they must achieve military merit far more overwhelming than usual.
[Of course, we won't revoke their families' Sanctum Hill residency rights.]
At first glance, it might sound like an act of mercy.
But one shouldn't be mistaken.
That is a hostage.
A hostage, meaning 'we'll let your family live in Sanctum Hill, so don't try any funny business at the fortress'.
If they were to betray the Empire, their families would pay the price.
"Has it been decided which fortress they will serve at?"
[It hasn't been decided, but I have a guess. As you know, Lord, the south has stabilized since I recaptured a strategic point on the Southern Front. But the other defense sectors are not in such a good state. I hear the situation in the western fortresses is particularly bad.]
The prince said nonchalantly.
[I suppose they'll serve in the West. Although he is a second son, he still carries the bloodline of a Count's family, and these are people who were on the military register. They'll probably survive on their own.]
After finishing his words, the prince picked up his spoon again.
I remained silent for a moment while the prince ate.
And only after his bowl was empty did I speak again.
"...Your Highness. I'm a little worried I might have made an excessive request."
[Excessive? What do you mean by that?]
I carefully confessed my inner thoughts.
"I'm worried that I may have dared to borrow Your Highness's authority for some private venting of anger."
What I wanted in this incident was for justice to be served, not to vent anger.
The moment it becomes about venting anger and the punishment takes on a retaliatory nature, it will only call for another retaliation.
That retaliation will call for another...
Anyway, it's bound to make a person tired in many ways.
For me, whose complicated relationships of gratitude and resentment have become too complex lately, it was a vicious cycle I wanted to avoid.
And having lived as a doctor, I know all too well how that vicious cycle eats away at a person.
"If I may ask, how is this sort of case usually punished?"
After my words, there was a moment of silence from the other side of the communicator.
Then, a low, heavy laugh rang out.
[Khahaha... Hahaha!]
"..."
[Ah, my apologies. It's just that you're so... yes. You're worrying in a way that's so like you.]
The prince said, suppressing his cheerful laughter.
[Lord, you are truly too full of integrity for your own good. Rest assured. Not a single drop of my personal feelings was mixed into this punishment. The garrison duty is punishment for a false report. It is a major violation of military law.]
"I apologize for doubting you, Your Highness."
[No. Rather, you're too kind for your own good. If it were me, I would have pleaded for a harsher punishment, you know?]
Huh?
There can be a harsher punishment than this?
"If I may ask... what would that harsher punishment be?"
[Hmm. What comes to mind immediately is burning all of their mana circuits and sending them into exile in Limbus Pit's H-Sector.]
Huh?
That's even possible?
[You said your younger sister was involved, didn't you? Then this was a matter where she could have been used to kidnap you, and if you were used as a sacrifice for black magic, the Imperial Grandchild could have been endangered. With that justification, it would be possible to burn the family's mana circuits and exile them.]
"..."
[Or would you like me to do that? It's still possible since the disciplinary action hasn't been finalized.]
I shook my head from side to side.
If I did that, my reputation would be shattered, first of all.
The young master of a baronial family who borrowed the prince's authority to burn an entire family's mana circuits.
Just hearing the sentence, I can't shake the impression that he sounds like some corrupt official.
On top of that, there's the matter of the prince's political standing.
If rumors spread that the young Chief of Personnel acted on emotion, the prince would also find himself in a difficult position.
I didn't want to go that far just to see them get retribution.
"I am simply grateful that Your Highness has helped me this much."
[If you say so... Very well. Then we'll finalize it with garrison duty.]
"Thank you, Your Highness."
[Now, let's stop talking about that.]
The prince's tone became light again.
[The reason I contacted you, Lord, is because there is something I would like to propose to you.]
"A proposal?"
It's not another request to become his personal physician or to be the godfather, is it?
[Where should I begin... Right. First, let's talk about the cause of this incident. Are you aware that a court-martial was held for this incident?]
"Yes. I heard."
[In that process, the full story of the incident was revealed to some extent. First, the good news is the principal was not in collusion with black sorcerers.]
"Is that so?"
[It was pure negligence of duty. No bribes, no collusion. He was just lazy. Which is, in itself, a surprisingly shocking result.]
I was surprised too.
I thought he had secretly taken a bribe behind the scenes.
To think it was pure incompetence.
In a way, it's a more pathetic reason than collusion.
[According to the investigation results, there was no flaw in the Academy's security system itself.]
"Then why was it breached?"
[It's a matter of security priority.]
The prince continued, sipping his after-meal tea.
[As you know, Lord, the Academy's number one security priority is Demonkin. Number two is Shapeshifting Demonic Beasts. Black sorcerers are the third priority.]
I know that.
Although the Academy is constantly being breached by black sorcerers, you surprisingly don't hear much news about Demonkin or Demonic Beasts infiltrating it.
This is because the majority of the Empire's military institutions prioritize preventing infiltration by Demonkin and Demonic Beasts.
The Academy is no different.
The black sorcerers know this, which is why they target the easy-to-handle Academy.
For the record, unless they're crazy, black sorcerers don't mess with important military institutions.
Because from that point on, the knights who hunt Demonic Beasts come to get those bastards.
Looking at it this way, it seems like one giant WWE.
[As you know, there isn't enough budget or manpower to stop black sorcerers as well. Besides, it's not cost-effective at all.]
That's also true.
Security is basically like rock-paper-scissors.
If you know the opponent is bringing scissors, you prepare rock.
But in this world, black magic is like pulling out a gun by yourself in a game of rock-paper-scissors.
There are attacks, but there's no proper way to block them.
And the root cause of all these problems is...
"It's what happened after the Great Sage Louis destroyed the Magic Tower of the 13th Month."
It's because of my teacher.
After my teacher destroyed the Magic Tower of Black Magic hundreds of years ago.
Research on defending against black magic has not developed much.
Bulletproof vests are only made after guns are invented.
But with the Magic Tower gone, a proper 'bulletproof vest' for black magic has yet to be created.
This is also why the vaccine received such a huge response.
It was the only countermeasure against the Plague Curse, which previously had no defense.
The prince gave a bitter smile.
[You've pinpointed it exactly. As you said, ever since the Great Sage wiped out the Magic Tower of Black Magic, research on black magic itself has become taboo. The atmosphere is such that if you were to officially research it, you'd be treated as heresy.]
"The black sorcerers secretly pass down their transmission underground, while we can't research defensive techniques. As a result, the spear keeps getting sharper, while the shield is stuck decades in the past."
[Yes.]
Perhaps the reason medical techniques haven't developed is also related to this.
The knowledge is already treated as taboo, and on top of that, there's divine magic that can fix most things at the click of a button.
In a world like this, it makes sense that medicine would have a hard time developing.
[The Academy being breached this time was also due to a simple budget shortage. Reading your written report, it says they used a Fairy Ring. It seems countermeasures for that were lacking.]
"..."
[Still, the security breach itself can be given consideration. The court-martial actually gave it consideration as well. But they shouldn't have reacted that way after the breach. As soldiers, at the very least, they should have taken the situation seriously.]
The prince clicked his tongue as he looked at the written report.
[Reading the report, it seems the principal intended to deal with the students' disappearance complacently.]
Since those students weren't precious knights or nobles, just a few commoners.
That's why he acted so half-heartedly.
Of course, he probably didn't expect it to turn out like this.
As he said that, a look of contempt crossed the prince's face.
[Those who learn tactics from a desk and not from actual combat are always like that. War isn't just a numbers game, after all. Tsk tsk.]
Anyway.
[As someone who represents the military, I will apologize for this and move on. I hope you are not too disappointed.]
"I am not disappointed, Your Highness. Because I know that at least there is someone like you."
[...Thank you.]
I heard the sound of the prince quietly exhaling.
And a moment later, his voice continued.
[So, about that, the real reason I contacted you today was to talk about this. Regarding the defense system against black magic... I'd like you to help develop it.]
"Me?"
[You and your fiancée have become quite famous these days. They say you're skilled at deductions related to unsolved cases and incidents involving black magic?]
"Compared to my fiancée, I am still sorely lacking."
No matter what, how can I compare to Charlotte?
But the prince didn't seem to think so.
[In this incident too, I heard you merely heard about it secondhand, yet you deduced the Fairy Ring and pinpointed their hideout in a single day. The self-proclaimed experts at the Academy took a full day just to find a single trace of magical power.]
"It's an insignificant knack."
I won't deny that.
It was a rumor intentionally spread during the process of separating Yulian and Director Schun.
The prince seemed to have taken notice of that rumor.
[That's why I'm planning to establish a Black Magic Defense Course in the Academy's Undergraduate Division.]
The Undergraduate Division.
The final educational course that produces heroes and knights.
If the Academy's High School Division is what you'd call a high school, then the Undergraduate Division can be seen as the cliché academy.
The Academy's Undergraduate Division course holds a very important position in the Empire.
This is because professions that can be called the backbone of the Empire, such as heroes, healers, knights, and bureaucrats, are produced from this undergraduate course.
Because of this, even the military, which half-abandons the High School Division, shows great interest in the Undergraduate Division.
[It's a course that will teach future heroes how to track and defend against black sorcerers when they encounter them. A field that no one has taught until now.]
"That is an excellent idea. If my advice can be of help, I will gladly assist."
I can certainly help with establishing a black magic course.
In fact, it's what I'd hope for.
I'll be able to slyly add my name to the list of people who helped establish the black magic course.
"Then is there someone to teach it?"
[There is.]
The prince gave a short laugh.
[You're on a call with him right now.]
"..."
Right after hearing those words.
I gently closed my eyes.
Right. It has finally come.
The event where a leash is put on the Misunderstanding Genre protagonist who keeps longing for freedom and trying to desert.
