34 – It’s not a funeral, it’s a festival.
“This mission must succeed. It’s not difficult. It’s exceedingly easy. However, the results will be more glorious than anything else.”
“Foreign students from Lascer and Abilusty. And the traitors from our kin. No need to harm them. Just inflicting wounds is enough. That way, put a dent in the Empire’s diplomatic relations.”
“If we succeed, even the neighboring guys will know. That our citizens may be protected, but we don’t take foreigners lightly! It will be an excellent excuse for the hardliners inside!”
I recall the words of the old man and play with the dagger hidden in my bosom.
Our Lusence was a great force with justification and righteousness.
Evil imperial guys trying to fill the continent only with their order.
In response to such an empire, some of our foolish kin lowered their heads. We had the strength to fiercely fight and withstand against both forces. However, we, as if collapsing like a lie, fell apart in an instant. Rumors spread that the leader guiding us in the fight against the empire had suddenly lost their life.
At first, we thought it was a tale fabricated by our enemies. It seemed impossible. But when the leadership split, and the forces suddenly tore apart, we realized it was true.
“This is undoubtedly the work of those imperial bastards!”
“The purpose of trying to divide us is clear!”
As soon as the leader fell, the leadership seemed to split as if they had been waiting for it.
It was absurd. The scene was worse than the empire we so despised.
Why, in the face of formidable enemies, argue about who is right and who is wrong?
Witnessing the pitiful sight, comrades disagreed and tore apart with their own opinions.
Some defected, some decided to hide, and others vowed to eliminate the traitors.
In the midst of this, I, along with those who shared my convictions, quietly crossed the border in the darkness.
“Righteousness is only with us. Wrongness is only with the empire.”
To prove that righteousness, we willingly ventured into the wrong.
The empire is strong. Unwillingly, we had to admit it.
In the past, they trembled before the magic and near-magical archery of our elves.
But now, they have caught up with magic and, above all, gunpowder has become widespread.
Guns easily turned civilians into soldiers.
Through this, the empire was able to build a much larger army than before.
In contrast, our elves, plagued by chronic manpower shortages from the beginning, suffered.
The brutality of numbers was overwhelming. Our elven sanctuaries were constantly pushed back.
But it was through that ordeal that we learned one lesson.
“We cannot do it alone.”
“If the numbers are lacking, we can fill them from elsewhere.”
Yes. It was foolish for us to fight the empire alone.
If they overwhelmed us with numerical superiority, we could do the same.
To be precise, it was about not letting them use the advantage of numbers against us.
If everything around us were to point guns, would it still be called an empire? Even if it’s called an empire, it’s two-sided. No, a three-sided front is impractical. That’s why this matter was easy, a truly effortless task. It could be considered a great success even if it was just a moderate threat without resorting to assassination. We were confident of success in this matter as well.
“Kampfs.”
Until a sudden intervention by a strange transfer student.
“Choose one. Bungeoppang or hotteok. How should we kill you?”
*
The first target the bastards captured was, of course, a student from the Rasker faction.
Rasker, a military power that could rival the empire in terms of strength.
A place known for its sword and knights. That remains unchanged even now.
However, reality has slightly faded for them since the discovery and distribution of gunpowder.
Rasker acknowledged and accepted it. Unlike the Kampfs who shouted ‘Bows are the best!’
He still respected the code of the knight and cherished the sword, but actively embraced guns and gunpowder.
While maintaining an awkward relationship with the empire, they managed to restore it to a reasonable level.
‘I knew why they were considered a strong nation compared to the empire in many ways.’
Unlike the Kampfs who were full of pride and fell behind in the times, Rasker was different.
Even Haisenz took a considerable time to accept gunpowder and guns.
Putting aside their pride as sword and knights, they improved relations with the empire.
It was a natural result as the majority of gunpowder was being produced by the empire.
Of course, even in Rasker, there were hardliners.
Fortunately, Rasker still had a pigeon faction firmly in power…
‘Once a reasonable pretext is found, the downfall of that regime will be instantaneous.’
So, the Kampfs were deliberately targeting transfer students.
To restrain the empire from all sides. To reduce the pressure exerted on themselves.
In the distance, a female student is seen chatting with some students a little away.
According to the information provided by the Special Forces, that student is said to be related to the Rasker royal family.
She doesn’t hold significant power or influence. She came here as part of the formality to improve relations with the empire.
However, even in the maze-like corridors, the royal family undoubtedly carries a weighty reputation.
If such a figure were to be attacked in the heart of the Imperial Academy… just the thought is dizzying.
There might be an urgent call to the Foreign Affairs Ministry as early as tomorrow.
Honestly, I don’t care much about that. Whether it really happens or not, what does it matter to a returning student?
What bothers me is why they have to engage in such actions within the academy.
They could have pulled off that stunt on the battlefield; why bring it to a peaceful place?
What wrong have these students done here, targeting civilians even? Are they out of their minds?
And fundamentally, this is the first festival I’ve come to enjoy. You rascals.
“Hey.”
“What… ugh!”
I threw a punch straight into the man who was about to approach the exchange student from the Lascarian Kingdom.
Superficially, he looked like an ordinary person, but I’ve seen enough disguises on the battlefield.
Rip―
As I pulled his face to the side, a sharp ear was revealed with a tearing sound.
He had attached a small scroll like this to distort magic.
“…One in the front. Two in the back. Three on each side, perhaps. Quite a few of them.”
My identity is already known throughout the academy, no, scattered across the entire empire.
It’s impossible to conceal who I am. I am a participant in the Lusence War that the rascals were boasting about.
And in my hands, members of my kind lie unconscious with froth at their mouths, held captive.
They seem ready to give up their target for terrorism and stick to me.
If I make a rational decision, I should either divide their numbers in half or carry out the mission.
But the peculiar thing about rascals is that they are surprisingly helpful at times like this.
That is, my kind never gives up, even if they die. Well, only those who rebel against the empire don’t.
Anyway, you rascal kids. You need to understand one thing.
Take them and keep as much distance from people as possible.
From Noble mtl dot com
Go to places with few people. Better yet, go where there’s no one at all.
“I’d like to surround you front and back, but there’s no time for that. Your comrades might die.”
I subtly grabbed the rascal’s wrist and twisted it with force.
“Screaaam!”
“Don’t die, you brat. People like you, who are so easily dismissed, don’t die so easily.
You guys, tougher than us, will recover if you apply some medicine. So, I’ll lend a hand to the other side too.
“Hey hey, stay still. You’ll get hurt.”
Thunk! –
“Ahh!”
Still not coming out? Like this? Should I twist both knees too?
Just as I was contemplating that, six rough-looking guys revealed themselves from front and back.
“…You’re the one.”
“Yeah, I’m the one.”
But who is that guy?
“It’s better this way. Instead of hurting a few foreign students, it’s more effective to eliminate a decorated hero. Especially since you’ve earned your fame by killing our people, it’s even more fitting!”
What are you talking about? I earned my decorations by saving a lot, not killing many.
And fitting? There’s probably no fitting here. This world’s perspective is really strange.
I gently lowered the bag I was holding over my head.
Shush! –
Simultaneously, they each drew their swords and knives, preparing for battle.
Fortunately, I didn’t see anyone carrying a gun. Well, if they did, they would have been caught by the guards at the main gate right away.
“Everyone came knowing today is a festival. It’s not nice to see blood on a day like this.”
“Don’t worry. Human. The blood we’ll see today is solely yours.”
“Wow. I’m really looking forward to that.”
I took out another warm fish-shaped pastry from the bag and placed it next to me.
“…What’s that?”
“Someone’s ticket to the afterlife. From now on, I’ll be using this alone to decide which one of you I’ll kill.”
At my words, the expressions of the rough guys all deteriorated.
It seems they’ve somewhat caught on that it’s food.
Perhaps they think I’m mocking them.
But, there’s no way. Why would I do such a thing with this precious pastry?
“You! This is revenge for our kin who died at the hands of the imperial bastards!”
The most impatient-looking rough guy rushed towards me.
Swiftly, with one hand holding the pastry, I dodged his sword skillfully.
The others haven’t joined the fray yet. This guy really stepped in too boldly.
Thanks, Kampf. It seems like things will go a bit easier thanks to you.
He forcefully strikes the guy’s spine with his fist.
Once hit, it becomes a vulnerable area where even breathing becomes difficult.
“Ugh?!”
When breathing becomes difficult, instinctively, like all creatures, the mouth opens.
It’s like the body’s rebellion, trying to take in a little more oxygen.
He grabs the guy’s jaw and shoves a fish-shaped pastry he’s holding into it.
“Creak! Cough!”
Through the windpipe, not the esophagus. Immediately blocks the airway, restricting all movement.
Kicking away the struggling Kampf’s legs, tightening his airway, he scans the movements of the other guys in front of him.
If they rush towards me, I was ready to send them straight to the afterlife.
But they didn’t move. No, is it that they can’t move?
“Cough. Wheeze―”
He looks down at the terrorist slowly dying below. Observes the desperate gasps of the suffocating Kampf.
The more he struggles to live, the faster the blood circulates, and with that, the need for oxygen increases.
However, none goes in. The thought of dying dominates the body. As a result, the heart beats faster.
Yet, he can’t breathe. It’s like going into deeper water, determined not to drown.
It’s quite pleasing to see him gradually calm down. Indeed, a good Kampf is only a dead Kampf.
The guy who was writhing around soon goes limp. Not a drop of blood was seen. It was satisfactory in its own way.
Using my precious pastry for this Kampf made it a bit unpleasant, though.
“….”
“….”
The remaining guys were already giving a look of disgust.
Doing something forbidden in front of the enemy is an absolute no-no. Why show fear and disgust?
I put my hand back into the bag while biting my tongue.
And this time, I take out a hotteok and place it where the pastry was.