"Hey, Linus."
I pointed at Linus with my finger.
"So you drag this guy out of his comfortable life in Brunswell, throw him into the Academy, and now you want him to be some event helper?"
"Not a helper—I'm asking him to be the main character," Linus replied with his usual solemn expression.
"Why do you think the word 'comrade' appears in all my medal citations? And why do you think I keep my medals in pairs? It's because 'we' accomplished all of this together."
Linus straightened his posture and continued.
"I'm not the Hero of the Continent. I'm just someone who stood alongside heroes. If it weren't for you, Dian, I would have died in the trenches of the Avoca Kingdom before I could do anything."
Celine silently nodded in agreement.
"Dian. For various complex reasons, both voluntary and involuntary, you've been forgotten by the world. But that doesn't erase the achievements you've built up until now. Though you may have been erased from the records, you remain in the hearts of those you saved."
Linus placed his fist against his chest.
"So Dian, show them. Show them who saved them. Show them who made their current lives possible. Because the courage and hope you gave them made them who they are today."
This guy. Just like the original protagonist hero, he really has a talent for these romantic speeches.
Back then, when we went to save Tatanoko Village, I fell for this same speech.
"Fine, fine. I got it. I'll go."
"Thank you, Dian."
"Oh, please."
I playfully threw a fork at him, which Linus caught with just a flick of his finger.
Even after ten years, he hasn't rusted at all.
"Oh, right. Linus. But I absolutely won't go there."
"Where do you mean?"
"Victory Memorial Day. You're not thinking of taking me there too, are you? I'd have to meet the Emperor and see all those awkward people."
"Victory Memorial Day isn't an event I can control, so I can't give you a definite answer."
Victory Memorial Day is exactly what it sounds like—a national holiday celebrating the victory of the human alliance, composed of non-demon races, in the Four-Year War against the Demon Race.
When that day comes, the Emperor and all sorts of high officials gather at the Victory Memorial to exchange sacred words, watch performances depicting major battles, and hold memorial services for the fallen.
It's very similar to Memorial Day in my previous life, but since it's a national holiday under the Emperor's jurisdiction, Linus can't easily tell me to come or go.
"But... you'll likely be invited starting this year."
Linus took a sip of wine and said.
"Every Special Task Force member except you has been invited to the Imperial Castle for the event every year. We didn't know your whereabouts until now, but you're clearly a publicly recognized Academy professor now."
"I see. I'm not sure. Would the Emperor really invite me? That guy is incredibly petty—he got upset because I left without accepting his gifts. That's why he erased all my records, right?"
"You have a point," Linus nodded, stroking his chin.
"Since I can't ask His Majesty directly, let's wait and see."
"He probably won't invite me. He might have a fit seeing my face. He's getting old now, and too much excitement might give him a heart attack."
I have a vague idea of what's happening at the Imperial Castle.
Our dear Emperor is extremely timid and narrow-minded, so when I fled to Brunswell, he probably felt disrespected and was very displeased.
And because of that temperament, he must have a terrible relationship with the 2nd Princess.
Unlike the other princes and princesses, the 2nd Princess achieved tremendous merits during the war, but she's the child of a concubine, not recognized as legitimate.
However, only the Emperor and the imperial family refuse to acknowledge the 2nd Princess, while all the officers in the field support her.
These "field officers" are war heroes from the 3rd Legion who followed the 2nd Princess across the frontlines.
How jealous must the Emperor be of the 2nd Princess, who has the support of these post-war power players?
And now the last missing Special Task Force member has been appointed as a professor at the Special Mission Academy under the 2nd Princess's direct control.
The post-war power players, Linus, and now me—we've all become cards for the 2nd Princess, so the Emperor must be beside himself.
That's why I probably won't receive an invitation.
# # # # #
After finishing breakfast, the time Hindrasta had been waiting for finally arrived.
The time to leave Linus's house.
"Since we live close by, let's see each other often, Dian," Linus said, shaking my hand and patting my shoulder.
"We still have a lot to talk about."
"Sure. I'll come by when I'm not busy."
"When you return to the Academy, always be careful of your surroundings," said Celine with a slightly worried tone as she held Lumien in her arms.
"Don't do anything that might get you in trouble with that Oracle Priest Maya. She's definitely reporting everything to Rormane."
"I understand. I haven't done anything problematic so far, but I'll be careful."
"And the same goes for Principal Kirrin."
"Kirrin? Why her? If anything, I should be helping her."
"Kirrin is different from Rormane," Celine shook her head.
"That Dark Elf is probably looking for ways to avoid returning to the forest even while stepping down from her burdensome position as principal."
"What kind of ways?"
"I don't know exactly, but be careful anyway. She seems to have other intentions. From what I've heard, she's not the most thorough person, so she might cause a big accident by pushing herself too hard."
Celine's words are spot on. Kirrin does have some careless aspects.
"I should go now. Thanks for the hospitality."
I shook hands with Linus again, gave Celine a light hug, and made baby noises while extending my finger to Lumien in her arms.
Lumien reached out with his tiny hand and squeezed my finger tightly—
"Ugh!"
How can a baby have such a strong grip?!
"Goodbye, Dian. And Hindrasta."
Dian and Celine waved as we boarded the carriage.
Hindrasta just rested her chin on her hand and stared out the opposite window, as if she hadn't heard anything.
But I could see the cold sweat on Hindrasta's forehead.
"Sigh..."
Only when we had left Linus's house, passed through the sprawling farmlands, and could see the buildings of the capital in the distance did Hindrasta let out a long sigh.
"Damn it, what kind of situation was that... I followed you because you said you'd take me to the city..."
Hindrasta muttered, looking at the distant horizon.
"It's bad enough being trapped in an Academy I never asked for... Shit, shit..."
Then she finally trembled and burst into tears.
"That's what you get for causing trouble. After everything that happened during the war, you still haven't learned your lesson."
"I couldn't help it...! My body moved on its own! I won't do it again... Just don't take me to that blond guy again...!"
"Oh, brother."
I sighed as I watched Hindrasta start sobbing.
# # # # #
Meanwhile, in the faculty district of the Academy, at Dian's house.
"Professor Dian? He's out right now."
"Oh, is that so...?"
Kirrin asked, slightly taken aback by Olicia's answer.
"Do you know where he went?"
"He went to a friend's house. He'll probably be back after lunch today."
"I see..."
"But..."
Olicia looked over Kirrin's black skin, red eyes, and long ears.
"You're the Principal, right? Would you like to come in for some tea?"
"Eh? No, no, that's fine..."
"Don't be like that, please come in!"
Thinking that treating Dian's superior well would help Dian remain safely employed as a professor, Olicia grabbed Kirrin's wrist and pulled her in.
"Please sit here. I'll bring some tea right away."
"Umm..."
Olicia put down the basket she was holding and scurried off to the kitchen.
So this is Dian's house... He's decorated it quite cozily.
As Kirrin looked around the house, her eyes fell on the basket Olicia had just put down.
It was a basket filled with neatly folded clothes that had just been dried.
On the very top was a shirt that Dian often wore.
Kirrin glanced at the kitchen. Olicia had gone inside and was out of sight.
# # # # #
"Please have some tea, Principal. Huh?"
Olicia, who had just come out with a tray, opened her eyes wide and looked around.
The principal, who should have been sitting on the sofa, was nowhere to be seen.
As Olicia looked around, she spotted Kirrin crouching in the corner by the entrance.
It was where she had just put down the basket of clothes.
"What are you doing?"
When Kirrin, who had her back turned, didn't answer, Olicia slowly approached.
"Inhale, exhale..."
Kirrin had her eyes closed and was pressing Dian's shirt against her face, taking a deep breath.
"P-Principal?"
"Eek?!"
Only then did Kirrin notice Olicia's presence. Startled, she threw the shirt away and bolted out the door.
"Where are you going!"
"I'm sorryyyy!!"
What the...?
Olicia carefully observed Kirrin's rapidly retreating figure.
A sleeveless turtleneck, short skirt, and high heels. Plus earrings.
Not her usual attire with the black cloak.
It doesn't seem like she just came to ask about Dian's whereabouts...
Hmm...
A plausible hypothesis began to form in Olicia's mind.
# # # # #
Having dashed across the married housing district in one breath, Kirrin, despite wearing high heels, leaped directly into the third-floor window of her dormitory room.
Rolling in with a full-body breakfall, Kirrin looked out the window with fearful eyes.
Fortunately, there was no sign of Olicia chasing after her shouting, "Catch the pervert Dark Elf!"
"Phew..."
Sighing as she slumped to the floor, Kirrin finally realized the gravity of what she had done.
What... what have I done... As the principal of the Academy...
I'm unqualified... I was already unqualified, but this is truly the worst...
"Ughhhh..."
Kirrin clutched her head, tormented by the creeping sense of self-loathing.