T/L : Orenji
Chapter 2 : The Charming His Excellency the Grim Reaper
In a room inside the Shian Imperial Army Staff Headquarters, a girl stood upright, with several badges pinned to her collar and chest of her navy-blue uniform.
I’m having a bad feeling ε=(･д･｀*)ﾊｧ…
Razé’s direct superior, Welrian Lag Zars, who is also the Prime Minister of the country, stood in front of her with his chin resting on his hands and his elbows on the desk. “Lieutenant Colonel Razé Orphan. I want to give you a special mission. You will have to act alone and the place might be trickier than a normal mission depends on how you look at it.”
Huh, just as I thought. Superior’s orders were absolute. She would refuse if she could, but looking at Welrian’s expression, it seems very unlikely. I’d just got back to Ordiana… Razé got called up by her terrifying superior right after she got back, leaving her in a terrible mood.
Just because I’m young and capable, doesn’t mean you should work me to the bone. She had worked so hard right from when she was at the orphanage until she became a lieutenant colonel. But this kind of work load was too much. If only she could tell herself in the past to not be a soldier, not even if you had the memories from your past life.
“If it is your command, Your Excellency, then I shall do my best.” Contrary to her will, Razé replied with a perfect answer. Welrian, on the other hand, laughed happily causing her bad feeling to intensify. However, she had survived this mysterious world over the past 15 years. Unless it was something ridiculous like ‘sneak into the enemy’s HQ’ or ‘hunt 10,000 monsters and collect magic stones’, she won’t be surprise anymore.
Things will work out as long as I work hard. Razé waited for her superior’s order. She had survived this far. Most things could be managed with wisdom and effort.
“It’s good then. Orphan-kun, you’re turning 16 this year, right?”
“Yes. It’s been confirmed using data before, there is no mistake about it.”
“Good. At this age, you had managed to collect enemies’ confidential information numerous times, and had contributed meritorious services in hunting monster, earning you the title of Wolf Fang. You had achieved excellent grades at the military college and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. And you are also active as Shadow Eyes.”
“…Yes.” Razé was puzzled when her list of achievements was suddenly mentioned. Unfortunately, she didn’t think His Excellency Welrian simply wanted to praise her.
——Did he find out about me having memories of my previous life? She had never told anyone that everything was due to the memory. Even if they suspected that she lied about her age, she had no plan on telling them. But what on earth was he trying to say? Razé put herself on guard.
His Excellency raised the edge of his lips. “I knew you are the right person for this, Lieutenant Colonel Razé Orphan. I want you to attend the Centrior Imperial Magic Academy starting from this spring.”
(*^-^) His Excellency’s beautiful countenance, which could gather admiration from any woman, smiles only to herself. But Razé was not enchanted by it.
“……….What?!” Razé knew well that she had a pitiful expression on her face. It might seemed rude towards her superior but she couldn’t help it. Because the order was really too far away from her expectations. “Is it the Centrior Imperial Magic Academy, where only the nobles that have passed the exam could enter?” Just to be sure, she mobilized all the knowledge that she had to verify if the academy mentioned is the one that she knew.
“That’s the one. However, ‘only the nobles’ was a misstatement. As long as you pass the exam, even a commoner can enter the school. And if you have excellent result, the tuition fees will be exempted. However, passing the exam requires a certain level of academic ability and education. Common household normally couldn’t afford to educate their children so it would be difficult for a commoner to pass.”
Isn’t that the same as saying that commoners can’t enter the school? Razé swallowed the words that almost got out of her lips.
Welrian: “Entering this school is a kind of status that will affect the future. 16 years old children will gather from all over the empire. His Majesty’s son will enter the school too.”
His Majesty’s son, Prince Ruben. The son of Gaius Regend Ank Roseberry, who reign at the top of Shian Empire. He was very famous and rumors that he was good-looking and a master of martial arts were spread all over the country.
“Is my mission to guard the prince?” Razé carefully verify the content of her mission.
Welrian: “There is that, but what I want you to do is a little different. There was a prophecy made by the Great Grandmother that a baby born in the ‘Year of Seira’ 16 years ago would be blessed with divine oracle. This caused a baby boom, even the other aristocrats also had babies. Those children are now grown up and about to enter the academy. They are the so-called ‘promising young talents’. It is no exaggeration to say that the construction of their harmonious relationships will determine the future of the empire. So, I want you to watch over them as a fellow student.”
Razé: “How is it different from a bodyguard?”
Welrian: “Those kids are excellent too; they can protect themselves. It wouldn’t be good for them if the adults pestered too much. I want you to discretely and casually support those young kids breaking through their shells. Don’t worry. Simply put, you just had to go to school normally.”
Razé was a bit surprised by the last sentence. In other words, she could experience a school life together with other youth her age. Her face shown a trace of anxiety as she wondered whether there could be such a good opportunity.
Welrian continued, “Well, it’s also a stepping stone in case something goes wrong. But you don’t have to worry about it. Unless something goes wrong, you don’t have to reveal your identity or make a move. Previously, didn’t you take an aptitude test? Actually, that was this year’s entrance exam question for Centrior. The principal of the academy is the Emperor’s younger brother. He contacted me after seeing your result and said that he would be pleased if you could join the academy.”
The Emperor’s younger brother, Harlens Roy Blayne.
She was surprised that such an important figure wanted her, but she was also surprised that the test she took before the expedition was an entrance examination papers.
——So, can I really go to school normally? No, the question is, is it okay to go?
The answer was no. Razé dropped her gaze and spoke, “With all due respect, I was born an orphan. I even hurt people before even though it was out of duty as a soldier. I don’t have the status of being in the same space as the prince and other nobles.”
Based on the memories of her previous life, she knew very well that there were things she had thrown away to stay alive. Different worlds have different ethics, but regardless what world it was, killing others was not a good thing.
Hearing those words, Welrian’s sexy lips drew an arc. “It’s okay because your identity as a soldier won’t be disclosed. Even His Majesty himself recommends you. There is no other person who is more suitable to mix among the students other than you, Lieutenant Colonel.”
Razé replied humbly, “Thank you for your very generous compliments.” But she argued in her heart that what she wanted to say wasn’t that. She understood it well because she had memories of her previous life. She was aware that she wasn’t normal.
But with His Majesty’s words, she had no choice but to accept this mission. As His Excellency said, if she didn’t tell anyone that she was a soldier, the students wouldn’t know anything. Razé stopped thinking for reasons on how to refuse this mission anymore. Because to her, this should be a happy mission.
Calm down and think about it.
She did not have to fight the enemy’s army, nor hunt the monsters at the front line.
She could eat warm and delicious meals every day.
She could sleep in bed without worrying about enemy attacks.
She also could take a bath every day.
How was it? Weren’t it all good things?
Once she thought about it, she cheered up. Then this chance shouldn’t be missed.
Welrian: “This is not a flattery. Your capability could put adults to shame. Your dissertation at the military university was not something that a normal 10 years old could write. Not only studying, you are also good with fighting. The battalion you lead has the highest achievement at monster hunting and has the least damage. In addition, it is no exaggeration to say that you were the top contributor in preventing the previous invasion of the enemy empire.”
Actually, she had attended a military school and graduated from college. But that didn’t count. The military school were full of adult men, there was absolutely no element of youth there. How could she acknowledge that as a school life?
She wanted to wear cute uniforms and enjoy her youth. Not wearing military uniforms like this. Plus, the members of her battalion were hot blooded and always said something like, “Leader, do you want to kill it?” Those people were good soldiers and comrades, but honestly, they couldn’t be called ‘friends’.
Centrior. I feel like I do want to go…
Unintentionally, she raised her head and looked straight ahead. Welrian noticed it and passed her some documents with the details, saying “As a spy, you’ve been to many places around the continent and know the world well. Harlens also said that it would be a good stimulus for those young talents. Although it’s called a long-term solo mission, you can forget about the military and be as you like. So, will you do it?”
Razé: “For the future of my beloved homeland, I, Razé Orphan will complete this mission.”
Welrian: “Good. Make sure to enjoy the school life.”
Razé: “Yes, sir.”
And so, it was decided that Razé would enroll into Centrior Imperial Magic Academy. At this time, Razé didn’t realize that Welrian was looking at her with a gentle look instead of his usual fake smile.
