Academy’s Barbarian

“―So, return immediately.”

After being left alone in the office, I organized my thoughts about what needed to be done next and called Leonor, Ja-han, and Nigel to deliver the news from the Imperial Capital.

“Exra-shapel was destroyed? By a dragon made of insect monsters? That woman Isabella is still causing trouble even after death…”

Leonor sighed faintly and shook her head upon hearing about the insect monsters, realizing who was behind the dragon’s resurrection. She looked disgusted even mentioning the name.

Ah, come to think of it…the Insect-Dragon Nidhogg could be considered Leonor’s half-sibling, in a way.

Even though its master’s soul had already vanished, the fact that the insect was capable of forming the dragon’s body meant it was likely a direct creation of Isabella, not some mass-produced creature.

Of course, if I said that out loud, Leonor would probably freak out.

“After the east, now the Imperial Capital… The loss to the nation’s strength is severe.”

Nigel muttered with a heavy expression, clearly worried about the Empire’s future. Yeah, it’s understandable to feel gloomy. The only good thing that’s happened recently is that I defeated Or-han.

“At least Damien and Milia managed to cross the wall…”

“That’s a relief. Damien is one thing, but I didn’t expect Milia to reach the Realm of Heroes so soon.”

Who would’ve thought that advice about her being better suited for a bow than a sword would lead to the birth of the youngest hero? Was her Kobold-level swordsmanship talent the price for growing into a hero-level archer?

Of course, in the original story, Milia also becomes a hero-level enemy if she turns to the dark side… But I thought that was due to the influence of dark magic, which amplified her abilities beyond their natural limits.

I figured she’d eventually reach hero-level if she kept growing, but I didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly.

Still, it’s a good thing.

“So, are we just going to turn back like this?”

Ja-han couldn’t hide his disappointment, clearly unhappy with the retreat order.

Well, he’s the type who followed Hersela all the way to the Empire, so he probably doesn’t care at all about the Empire’s losses.

The only thing on his mind is that Hersela’s act of filial piety, which seemed just one step away from completion, has now been pushed far into the future again.

“Yeah, we have to go back. The matter of the Great Plains… It’s not time to deal with that yet.”

I nodded in response to his question, crushing out a cigarette in the ashtray.

For me, the Empire’s safety is more important than Hersela’s revenge. Besides, with my left arm gone and my energy severely depleted, facing the Third Apostle lurking in the Great Plains would be too much of a burden right now.

Hersela might throw a fit when she wakes up, but I’ve already thought of how to convince her, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.

…Right?

—

[Die.]

On the way back after assigning suitable officials to manage the city, Hersela finally woke up five days later and, upon hearing the full story, responded by stabbing me in the stomach with a Life Force Technique tentacle.

‘Hey, wait a second!’

I grabbed the tentacle with my right hand and crushed it, silently shouting.

Even if I had just taken the hit, the divine protection would’ve prevented any real injury, but I reflexively reacted out of surprise.

[Wait? Not only did you steal my revenge, but you lost an arm, let Targien escape, and now you’re heading back to the Empire? You’re taking me for a fool if you think I’ll let this slide!]

As soon as the tentacle aimed at my stomach was blocked, Hersela pulled out a new one from behind and started whacking the back of my head and shoulders while yelling.

It’s a good thing no one else is around to see this. If they did, they’d probably think it was some kind of psychotic self-harm. I mean, she’s beating me with energy drawn from my own body.

‘Hey, seriously, wait! Let me talk…!’

It didn’t hurt, but it was oddly humiliating.

Plus, with her whacking the back of my head, it was hard to focus and get out the words I’d prepared to convince her.

[Damn it. You’ve become ridiculously tough…!]

Hersela gritted her teeth in frustration, realizing her attacks weren’t doing any damage.

She was clearly beyond angry, but all she could do was curse and keep hitting and stabbing me.

Not like she could actually launch a proper attack anyway.

Without my consent, she can’t take over my body, and without taking over my body, she can’t properly use the Life Force Technique.

‘Wait, please calm down and listen to me. It couldn’t be helped, okay?’

I somehow managed to focus and forcibly took control of the Life Force Technique from her, trying to calm down the panting Hersela.

[My anger is also something that can’t be helped, you lying witch!]

‘Look, I’m sorry, but it really couldn’t be helped. I was running on empty with the Life Force Technique, so how could I let you take over? Plus, Ludwig was on the verge of death, so it was urgent.’

If it had been a situation where you could’ve won, I would’ve left Or-han to you. But at the time, it really wasn’t a situation where I could entrust revenge to Hersela.

The Life Force Technique was so depleted that using the Destruction Star even once knocked me out. If I’d handed my body over to you, you would’ve been back in control within ten seconds.

[Ha, and that Ludwig ended up dead anyway.]

‘That’s just hindsight talking.’

Ouch, hitting where it hurts.

I knew Or-han was tough, but who could’ve guessed he’d be such a monster that he could keep fighting even after losing his heart?

‘Losing an arm is inconvenient now, but it can be fixed with healing magic, so it’s not a big deal―’

[Your sister is going to have a fit.]

‘…As long as Rana doesn’t find out, it’ll be fine. And listen, about your revenge, I’ve already thought of a way. A way to definitely uncover the identity of your enemy. That’s why we’re going back.’

After dozens of seconds of struggle, Hersela, who had dramatically evolved from a rabid dog to a somewhat conversational human, finally seemed ready to listen. I quickly started explaining the excuse I’d been thinking up.

[…Are you going to spout more lies? I won’t be fooled this time. Eight out of ten things that come out of your mouth are lies!]

‘No, this time it’s for real. Just trust me once.’

Hersela, showing no trace of the bond between companions sharing one body, radiated endless distrust.

But since she was at least somewhat receptive now, I quickly began explaining my plan.

‘Think about it. Or-han is dead, and Targien and the Black Armies have returned alive. What do you think will happen in Ai-shan? Or-han has more than just Targien as his child.’

Amin was an idiot, so we don’t need to worry about him, but the second son, Sahallyeon, is competent enough to challenge Targien for succession. There’s bound to be a civil war over the empty position of Kagan.

‘If the Empire marches on the Great Plains, they might unite against us, but if we leave them alone, Targien and Sahallyeon will start fighting each other for Or-han’s position. Naturally, their maternal families, including their mothers, will join the fight. Right?’

[Hmm… Yeah, that makes sense. So?]

You should’ve understood by now.

‘So? Don’t you get it? You said it yourself. The culprit behind your mother’s death is likely from Targien’s or Sahallyeon’s maternal family.’

There’s a chance it’s neither, but let’s set that aside for now.

If the real culprit isn’t from either side, then we’ll have to go with Hersela’s plan to exterminate the middle-aged Ka`har.

‘And remember what Or-han said? The culprit behind your mother’s death was some Grand Sorcerer from some valley or something.’

[Yeah, he did say that.]

‘In other words, the civil war between Targien and Sahallyeon is actually a fight between a warrior family and a sorcerer family. It’s obvious who’ll win, right?’

I smirked and adjusted my disheveled clothes from Hersela’s tentacle assault.

This was the excuse I’d come up with.

Right now, there’s no way to know which side is tied to the sorcerer.

But if we let them fight and watch the outcome, the answer will naturally reveal itself, right?

‘There’s no way the greatest sorcerer on the grasslands would lose to some warrior family. Right?’

We don’t know which one is the culprit, but whoever wins will be the real killer of Ai-mel-ra. And there’s a high chance their mother is the Third Apostle.

‘So, all we have to do is wait. Wait for Targien and Sahallyeon to fight it out and see who wins. How about it? Sounds like a good plan, right?’

[Hmmmmm… Hmmmm….]

Hersela groaned, clearly hesitating. But it was obvious she was halfway convinced.

[Can I really trust this liar…? Am I just being fooled again…… But it does make sense……. No, but… Has any plan this woman confidently proposed ever actually worked…? What should I do….]

Hersela muttered quietly, too softly for me to hear, as she pondered for a long time.

And then,

[Fine. Just once. I’ll fall for your smooth talk one more time. But there won’t be a second time. Understood?]

Finally, Hersela seemed to accept my explanation, calming her anger and agreeing.

‘Noted.’

I nodded, letting out a sigh of relief.

Good.

Everything went according to plan.

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