[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero":3,"chapter-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-94":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Became the Academy’s War Hero",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1531701,1990,"Chapter 94 : Butterfly Effect (5)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-94",94,"\u003Cp>Chapter 94: Butterfly Effect (5)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city of the Inquisitors, Dellowell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strongest military group in Ribenia, housing numerous monsters of the Empire’s highest caliber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Ribenian Orthodox Faith, which was merely a religious group, Dellowell was the one and only sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A power so immense that even the Special Task Force could not guarantee victory against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their existence alone was the greatest obstacle to the Karbenna–Mallet Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eventually, we’ve reached the unpleasant point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That one line from Michel, which summed up this complicated situation in a single stroke, said it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward to drive the final wedge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, it’s a point we must pass through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn’t have wanted to face it. If possible, they would have turned a blind eye and ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we could no longer avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the renewal of the Empire, to overcome the Apocalypse, and to safeguard the stability of the current alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…And because we must win this battle, for the sake of saving all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps everyone was deep in thought, for the room fell silent for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, unable to bear it any longer, Meriel tilted her head and asked cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… will Dellowell really go to war?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s one thing for us in Mallet, but Karbenna is the Imperial Royal Academy. If they were to attack Karbenna, surely the citizens would strongly oppose it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There will be backlash, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However. Even so, they won’t be able to avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re not the only ones desperate to find a way out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ticking time bomb riddled with countless dilemmas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the current Ribenia Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Army’s outdated organization, tax revenues overly concentrated in the hands of the nobility, a royal court that had lost effectiveness despite its authority, and an education system hardly different from that of two centuries ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Parliament, which had always been a mere debating table, was even less capable of proposing effective alternatives under the watchful eye of the Bernhardt Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Special Task Force—the key to dealing with the beasts—was mired in factional disputes, losing sight of its purpose and role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the most serious problem of all lay in the religious side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ribenian Orthodox Faith was losing support with each passing year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their only remaining supporters were the citizens of the Empire themselves, who clung to them despite their regression against international currents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that was now changing—more and more people were beginning to question them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why Archbishop Dominico had so harshly criticized the Magic Tower during the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why he hadn’t even spared a glance at Rubia, who used Holy Magic afterwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it was to assert their stance with firm conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they surely knew better than anyone that such gestures were not enough to be persuasive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly mattered was that someone from the Magic Tower had used Holy Magic, and that the Empire’s only Royal Academy had now joined hands with that Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that suspicion had been cast, they had to deny that fact completely and label us as heretics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, at least they wouldn’t be the only ones to take the hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Orthodox Faith may have chosen extreme measures, but what choice did they have if they were to root out those cunning heretics once and for all!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…That was the narrative they wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Orthodox Faith has no intention of avoiding a fight. It’s unavoidable for them, perhaps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, then we couldn’t just stand there and take it either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we must fight, then we must win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone’s resolve hardened at my words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubia quietly spoke from beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is one way to end this without fighting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Rubia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She placed her right hand over her chest and gently closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I leave, that will solve it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I figured she’d say that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rubia Magnus I knew had always been like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when something wasn’t her fault, she always felt guilty, taking on responsibilities far beyond reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when those she cherished were harmed—her stubbornness only grew stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this case, she must have believed that her rash actions had brought danger upon Mallet and Karbenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one were to assign responsibility, yes, part of it lay with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no reason for her to shoulder it alone—nor was there any need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We all knew that well enough, so we simply shook our heads in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Michel, as our representative, tapped the table lightly and spoke to stop her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That won’t resolve this situation, Professor Magnus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I joined in, backing him up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’ll only make things worse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ll be delighted. They’d say, ‘See? They’re kicking out the related parties in a panic because they’ve got something to hide.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once we conceded like that, we’d never again hold the upper hand against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since we had declared ourselves the center of change, we had to at least show resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The moment we expose all our cards, it’s over.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed a reassuring hand on Rubia’s shoulder as she lowered her head in shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re the kind of people who’d fabricate evidence just to shove it in our faces. Now that we’ve touched their reverse scale, there’s no option but to fight and win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… that’s how it is, then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s not as if they’re invincible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a direct approach couldn’t break through, then we’d come up with a strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If our own power wasn’t enough, then we’d wear down the enemy’s forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exposing their internal corruption to spark infighting was one option; posing as the underdog to invoke sympathy was another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no such thing as an impregnable fortress in this world.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was through schemes, sophistry, or contradiction—if we could just manage to break through… the victory would be ours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We skipped lunch that day and devoted all our time to discussing countermeasures against Dellowell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until around two in the afternoon that the discussion finally wrapped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did we step out of the meeting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two representatives, Michel and Gustav, exchanged a simple handshake and a few polite words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for sparing your time, Master Gustav.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The pleasure’s mine. Next time, let’s make it formal—with the contract documents in hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, let’s do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll escort you to the gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll leave it to you, Instructor Carter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubia and I accompanied them to the front gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the waiting coachman brought the carriage around, Gustav spoke to me quietly, in private.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought we’d said all there was to say earlier. Something else on your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our part’s done… but there’s still one matter left for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ll be making contact soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I got straight to the point, Gustav’s gaze darted quickly from side to side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his voice and asked in a near whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who? The Orthodox Faith? Or Dellowell? Or… Bernhardt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They won’t start with an all-out offensive. A full-scale war carries too much risk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, you’re saying they’ll try to incite internal conflict first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. That would make for a much cleaner outcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustav, who had been quietly listening, suddenly twisted his expression and glared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, so you came to warn me? To tell me not to fall for their persuasion, that you’ll expose everything if anything leaks later?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got quite the imagination. But no—quite the opposite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned in slightly and whispered into his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You understand, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re sure that’s fine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What we need right now are information and time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing my proposal, Gustav seemed to think for a moment before shrugging and nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I’ve got no reason to refuse. Let’s give it a try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m counting on you, Master. Your role is important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop, you’re making it sound heavier than it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same night, at midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric Halenber stood in front of the small meeting room on the fourth floor of Building C, the same place he had visited before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’m not sure this is a good idea.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already lost Halenber, the home he once called a sanctuary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he stepped any deeper into the Empire’s corruption, he couldn’t guarantee his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he truly hadn’t wanted to get involved, he should have burned the note without reading it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he could’ve left the center and lived quietly, working the fields somewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Eric knew better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he had already learned too much to ever live such a peaceful life again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, above all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His curiosity about Dale Wedmeyer had completely smothered his lingering hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just what kind of man are you?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Code Black of the Platinum Dawn, while also the Director of Planning and General Affairs at Karbenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An insider of the pro-Bernhardt faction who cooperated in the production of Hockma, yet also a member of the revolutionary Ribenia Resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for more than five minutes in front of the door, Eric finally took out the purple pendant, just as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed quietly behind the boy as soon as he stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning around from the table he was facing, Dale spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew you’d come, Cadet Eric.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Well, it’s not like I had much of a choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric walked to the central sofa and dropped into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I still don’t quite understand the situation… could you explain what’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Dale slowly rose to his feet and took a seat across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must have a lot of questions. And a fair bit of confusion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, it’s difficult for me to reveal everything here. There are things even I must be careful about. It may be disorienting, but I’d like you to make a decision first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Dale evaded the question once more, Eric rubbed his forehead and asked with a determined expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re aware of where I stand, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that by making me this offer, Instructor Carter will inevitably learn about you as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Not exactly the most pleasant thought, but if that’s how it must be, so be it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Dale’s evasive answer, Eric could only stroke his lips, unable to decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t read what he’s thinking at all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t the Wedmeyer Family one of the Empire’s most distinguished noble houses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Platinum Dawn’s insiders might have changed stances over time, so merely holding their code wasn’t necessarily a problem—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—but being part of the Resistance would be unwelcome news to any noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…He could be a spy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe it was something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he knew of my close connection with Instructor Carter, and deliberately tried to lure me into the Resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the rumor spread that Eugene Carter, the hero of the Imperial Summit, was plotting rebellion with Halenber’s whistleblower—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…that alone would deal a significant blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, in that case, a countermeasure was possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dale had been the one to make the offer first, and the proof of that was right here in his possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could that be why he told me to burn the note, too…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no clear information, Eric’s thoughts only kept spiraling deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the boy hesitate endlessly, this time Dale added a few words of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… I thought you’d have realized it by now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Realized what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether I’m a spy for the Resistance, a spy for the Bernhardt faction, or a double agent for both—your choice remains the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re damn right, he knows exactly what he’s doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment of thought, Eric scratched his head roughly and nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. No turning back now. Let’s do this. What do you need me to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the boy who had promised his cooperation, Dale Wedmeyer raised his left index finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Recruit Francia Brida. Then I’ll introduce you to everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1986,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.334Z",1,"novelbin.me","9031b32e2768e4768bbc49020e893187197d8897726c6894dae81929405adecd","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-95","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-93",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]