I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 194

The brighter the light, the darker the shadow.

Lately, some people in the Empire were experiencing this saying firsthand.

“…Damn it.”

The Minister of War muttered under his breath during a cabinet meeting, then, as if realizing his mistake, scratched the back of his head with an ‘Ah.’

“My apologies.”

“It’s alright, Minister. I understand completely.”

The Minister of Special Affairs, who oversaw all information within and outside the Empire, nodded in agreement.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, seated beside him, also didn’t blame the Minister of War.

Currently, the three ministers were faced with a rather troublesome report.

[ Civil unrest reported in the Southern Great Forest, formerly under Luzernes control, now administered by Hyzens ]

[ Hyzens regular army deployed to suppress the unrest. Potential for further escalation exists ]

[ Luzernes loyalists suspected to be regrouping and gaining strength ]

They had heard just last year that Hyzens was handling the situation well.

In fact, several officials sent to investigate had reported that ‘things should be wrapping up soon.’

But the atmosphere had changed drastically this year.

It wasn’t as if Hyzens had mismanaged the situation, nor had the Empire exerted any pressure.

As far as the ministers could recall, they had maintained a rather amicable approach.

The fact that even the hardline Luzernes remnants had softened considerably was proof of that.

“So, the resurgence of the Luzernes remnants is because of the Empire.”

“More specifically, it’s because of Young Lord Karl Adelheit because he is becoming too prominent.”

“But why is Karl even being brought up?”

This was the most perplexing part. What did Karl’s success have to do with Luzernes?

There was a connection, but it wasn’t a critical one.

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…Or perhaps it was a critical one?

“It started with Karl recovering a sacred relic of the Church that the Luzernes had lost during their control of the Southern Great Forest. Then there’s the matter of the Legion of Honor medal. In short, the elves can’t stand the rise of someone who tramples on their pride and exposes their past actions.”

“So, the more Karl rises, the more their own shortcomings are highlighted, and they can’t bear it anymore, so they’re revolting?”

“Precisely.”

The ministers cursed inwardly once again.

‘Damn elves.’

Hyzens had managed to suppress the unrest, but the situation wasn’t looking good.

After all, they were fellow elves, and just a few years ago, the Luzernes faction had been much larger, making it difficult to use excessive force.

Crucially, the Empire’s influence was growing to an almost excessive degree.

“The official stance of the Hyzens leadership, as conveyed through diplomatic channels, is that they will do their best to restrain the hardliners who are trying to rise up again. However, they are hesitant to use force.”

“Then what are we supposed to do? We can’t exactly send our Imperial Army to break through the Southern Great Forest and take military action that the elves would find offensive.”

“What about having the Ministry of Special Affairs take action?”

Diplomacy had its limits, and military action was still premature.

So the two ministers seemed to hope that the Ministry of Special Affairs, the most reliable option, would step in.

“It will be difficult. Many of our agents are currently deployed in Lasker and Avileshti. It’s hard to infiltrate the Southern Great Forest, and there are many obstacles for humans to operate in elven territory.”

“Ugh.”

The Minister of Special Affairs’ words were undeniably true.

In fact, when the Empire had sent agents a few years ago, they were accompanied by Hyzens elves. Without them, the Imperial agents would have faced far greater hardships and sacrifices.

“It’s times like these that I wish we weren’t different species.”

“It’s hard to understand. What’s with their damn pride?”

“They’re a small and closed-off group, so it’s understandable. Even Lasker and Avileshti, who have their own share of pride, defer to the elves.”

Just like chewing gum loses its flavor over time, most people would lose their stubbornness eventually. But with elves, it seems endless.

No, it’s actually the opposite. The more you try to reason with them, the more stubborn they get, and the more frustrating they become.

“What about asking the pro-Empire elves within the Empire for help?”

“We’ve considered that, but it’s too early. The unrest hasn’t reached a point where Hyzens is officially requesting our assistance. If we act prematurely, we risk escalating tensions and giving the opposition more reason to rally against us.”

Problems here, problems there. It was truly maddening. The ministers rubbed their foreheads.

They had gathered to discuss solutions, but they had no immediate answers.

This meant they would have to face the Emperor’s reaction when they reported to him.

“If the elves show any signs of causing trouble…”

“Depending on the severity of the incident, our Empire’s stance towards the South might change.”

Until now, they had acknowledged Hyzens’ contributions and treated them as ‘allies.’ But if they couldn’t handle their internal problems and kept causing trouble for the Empire…

Then, unfortunately, they might have to downgrade their status from allies.

Of course, this was only a worst-case scenario.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Special Affairs all hoped to avoid such an outcome.

After all, trying to bring the elves under the Empire’s influence would face immense resistance.

‘Those proud creatures won’t easily submit to the Empire.’

‘It would only give the Luzernes remnants more leverage.’

‘Please, Hyzens, get your act together. If the Empire gets involved, things will get really complicated.’

Some nations would welcome the Empire’s intervention with open arms, but the Empire itself was hesitant to get involved in such complex affairs.

It would only lead to more headaches for them.

* * *

The Magical Union, also known as the Magocracy of Avileshti, historically had a good relationship with the Empire.

Or rather, it had no choice but to have a good relationship with the Empire.

The reason is simple. Lasker was fighting the Empire, so they naturally sided with the Empire.

“It’s not exactly pleasant to see the Empire becoming the center of the continent.”

“They’re investing more in guns and gunpowder than magic. Magic could become secondary.”

But even so…

“Still, the Empire is better than those stingy Laskerans.”

“Let’s help the Empire a little and give those Laskerans a taste of their own medicine!”

The result, of course, was Lasker’s defeat and the Empire’s victory.

As a reward, Avileshti secured a reliable supply of magical materials. They also successfully exported various magic to the Empire. This naturally led to increased trade between the two nations.

So far, so good. Everyone was happy until then.

But as time passed, just as shadows appear when light shines, opposition forces emerged.

“I hate the Laskerans, but I hate the Empire now too.”

“The Empire is growing too big. At this rate, they’ll even become the center of magic.”

“They’ve subjugated the southern elves and Lasker. Look at them now. Those who wouldn’t even make eye contact with us are approaching us first, wanting to be friends!”

The general sentiment in Avileshti was still pro-Empire. This wouldn’t change unless the Empire suddenly attacked them.

Therefore, the small anti-Empire faction felt increasingly anxious.

They needed to do something, but their power was too weak to act directly.

They should have sought out the Great Warrior, but those Laskerans had already been defeated by the Empire.

The same was true for the proud elves in the south.

What could they do? Should they just watch the Empire’s overwhelming growth? They wouldn’t feel safe unless they could at least put a stop to it, but was that even possible?

As a few mages trembled with such fear—

“Are you the mages who want to protect Avileshti’s pride?”

A group of people secretly approached them in the middle of the night.

“Who are you?”

“Why don’t we go inside and talk?”

They were all wearing hoods, concealing their faces and even their hair.

Despite the suspicious atmosphere, the mages led them inside.

“Oh.”

“Ah.”

As the figures entered and lowered their hoods, all the mages let out a sigh.

“We won’t introduce ourselves. We don’t have time for that. I assume the same goes for you. So, let’s get straight to the point and make a request. Help us.”

“Help you with what?”

“You want to hinder the Empire’s growth, and we want to damage the Empire. So lend us your power.”

Power.

Power, huh?

As the mages stared at them, one of the hooded figures continued.

“Powerful magic. Preferably something capable of mass destruction. If you have any research data on it, hand it over. Or even better, teach us the magic formula.”

Those who wanted to instigate war by any means necessary, dragging all their fellow elves into it.

The true ‘Kanfras,’ they were starting to rear their heads once again.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]