[{"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-96":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},1531703,1990,"Chapter 96 : Centre Agreement (1)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-96",96,"\u003Cp>Chapter 96: Centre Agreement (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuesday, 2 p.m., in the special reception room of the Grand Cathedral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must apologize for calling you out so early, Archbishop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What early hour? The mass is already over—let us speak at ease, hoho.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Archbishop Dominico sipped at the tea before him and smiled thinly at the man sitting across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, not the head of the main line, but the branch head has come….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bernhardt must still be uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they sent a subordinate to probe the situation first, did they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dominico let out a quiet chuckle before his expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though… I must admit, it’s rather disappointing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Disappointing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To think that the trust between us was only this shallow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a light exchange of nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’d put us in a difficult spot if you misunderstood our stance like that, Archbishop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man speaking was the second-in-command of the Bernhardt Family—the one whom Edgar Bernhardt trusted most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikhail Bernhardt, father of Michel Bernhardt, stroked his chin and gave a placid smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re well aware, aren’t you? The Imperial Summit was nothing short of a catastrophe for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm, I do know that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, our Lord should’ve come to see you himself regarding this matter, but circumstances made that impossible—so I came in his stead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even now, the Lord is holding an emergency council with the subordinate heads. I could have it verified for you if you wish…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, no need to go that far. I was merely jesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Dominico waved his hand dismissively, Mikhail rubbed his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…My apologies. There have been far too many things to worry about lately—I may have been a bit oversensitive. Please forget what I said earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the two exchanged words laced with barbs, reaffirming each side’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were indeed some points of discomfort between them, but not enough to shake the solid bond the two powers shared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikhail gently pushed his teacup aside and got straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The alliance between Mallet and Carvena—it should be checked as soon as possible, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already discussed this with His Highness the Crown Prince. What remains now is your decision, Archbishop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…From the church’s standpoint, it is indeed a troublesome affair, to be honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he agreed with Mikhail’s view, Dominico couldn’t give a definitive answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you know this well. Even when backed by a righteous cause, military suppression always breeds discord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though expecting that answer, Mikhail immediately presented another idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us reserve force as our last resort and try persuasion first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By persuasion, you mean… bribery?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The best method is to plant cracks within, so they collapse on their own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had suffered such a blow themselves, and now intended to return it in kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dominico nodded in understanding and lifted his teacup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then who do you have in mind? Eugene Carter? Frederick Lake? Or… Michel Bernhardt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those men would be useless. They follow neither money nor honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We shouldn’t target Carvena. We should target Mallet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conveniently, Mallet’s current leader was one who desperately chased both wealth and fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikhail handed a prepared note to Dominico.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a written proposal addressed to the Master of the Magic Tower, Gustav of Mallet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After skimming through its contents, the Archbishop’s eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You mean to have the Church send this document officially.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Even the arrogant Magic Tower won’t be able to ignore it then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When and where do you plan to convene?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As soon as possible—how about in Centre?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So another great agreement shall take place in the central city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Dominico gave his approval, Mikhail specified the date.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about proceeding with the agreement tomorrow evening? No need to drag it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a reasonable suggestion, so Dominico nodded without objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no reason to oppose it. Let’s do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the discussion settled, there was no longer any reason to linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikhail drained his tea in one gulp and rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, I’ll take my leave, considering it decided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Leaving already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I have duties to attend to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>See you tomorrow, Archbishop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikhail bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, then left the room without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching that, Dominico let out a snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, arrogant—whether main line or branch, they’re all the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those insolent Bernhardt faces… he’d have to show them humiliation someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Well, that time will come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dominico too left the reception room, issuing instructions to his waiting aides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, slipping the note into his robe, he headed for his private office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Master’s chambers of the Magic Tower, Gustav and Meriel examined the official letter and attached message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They came from the Basilica of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith—Saint Dominico Grand Cathedral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—This is Dominico Nimbus, Archbishop of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith. It is my first time contacting you directly. I always pray for God’s grace to be with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Regarding the recent technology exchange between Mallet and Carvena, I wished to make a proposal. Please refer to the document for details… then, I shall see you tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, the document stated the following:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Withdraw from the Duel Union and join under the Ribenian Orthodox Faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If accepted, Dellowell’s Inquisitors would not invade Mallet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, Mallet would operate as an independent diocese, with Master Gustav serving as its Bishop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So basically, it means ‘crawl to us before the Inquisitors crush you,’ doesn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meriel’s sharp remark was spot-on—Gustav couldn’t deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply stroked his chin, letting out a low murmur of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly what that Carter fellow predicted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You spoke with Eugene Carter about this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was a bit of talk, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, you’re going to refuse, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course! What kind of man did she take Gustav for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But contrary to Meriel’s immediate expectation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustav’s response was rather cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll have to go, at least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a chance I might be able to persuade them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know better than anyone that they’re not the kind to listen to reason!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they truly were beyond persuasion, they wouldn’t have sent such a generous proposal, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Meriel hesitated, Gustav’s face twisted in mild irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A first disciple who can’t even support her Master’s decision, tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no, that’s not what I meant! I’m just worried you might end up enduring humiliation you don’t need to suffer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry too much, Meriel. I, Gustav, won’t be flustered by a mere Archbishop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her mind was filled with protests and worries,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meriel firmly closed her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her Master had already decided. Arguing further would be meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, all she could do was trust in his decision and wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I do wonder what kind of conversation he had with Eugene Carter, though….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the curiosity that kept rising, Meriel bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be ready to announce the victory news, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Stand by for now. I’ll summon you once more before departure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same day, late in the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eber, a small city in the northern region of the Ribenia Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area where over a thousand troops had gathered was filled with roars of beasts and violent explosions, showing no sign of quieting down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Explosion spell burst right before his eyes, and a ringing echoed sharply in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a large trench, Eric Belfor gave a hand signal to his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked if the target had been eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the observer’s response was the opposite of what he hoped for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krrr….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy growl of a beast scraped against his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! Reform the line, quickly! Another wave’s coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the order was given, Belfor leapt out of the trench and sprinted toward the soldiers fighting several dozen meters ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages at the rear were relentlessly firing Spears at a high-ranking beast a hundred meters in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast, enduring that bombardment of magical lances, suddenly emerged from the dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an A+-rank beast—Apos Rhino.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quick, raise the barrier…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers hastily unfolded their shields of protection, but a few layers of barriers were nowhere near enough to stop its ferocious charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Graaagh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With its five horns, it mercilessly flung aside several soldiers, then turned its bloodshot eyes toward Belfor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apos Rhino—among high-ranking beasts, it was one of the least intelligent, but exceptionally adept at exploiting an enemy’s weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must’ve realized that disabling the front-line commander would mean total control of the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already overextended their lines chasing the whereabouts of Rogis and Mitosis, the key objectives of this suppression mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the formation collapsed here, regrouping would be inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when that happened, the beast’s trail would vanish again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suppression operation would only drag on longer and longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it, do or die then…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belfor steeled himself, channeling every ounce of mana into the tip of his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every beast had its weak point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rhino-type beasts had notoriously poor vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to compensate for that, they relied heavily on hearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t mask their mana sense, but if he could completely paralyze their hearing…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Belfor leapt into the air, evading the charge and aiming for its left ear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a bit late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman’s unfamiliar voice flowed into his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Planting a halberd the size of a grown man into the ground, a red-haired woman radiated killing intent toward the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two forces collided, a massive shockwave erupted in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuuuung…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kh…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Belfor, standing behind her, staggered from the sheer force, yet the woman didn’t flinch in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krrng?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one startled was, instead, the beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Less than two years of field experience… I’d say. You knew the gap between us, yet your hostility clouded your judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyaaaak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast howled and twisted its massive frame, but the woman didn’t move an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gripping its horn tightly with her left arm, she raised her halberd high with one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount of mana condensed near the axe blade was enough to make Belfor swallow unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch, crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The halberd came crashing down, shattering all five horns and burying itself halfway through the beast’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by sudden, unbearable pain, the beast writhed violently and rolled across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman glanced briefly at the dazed soldiers and Belfor, then pointed behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can handle the cleanup, can’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally realizing what had just happened, Belfor stammered as he addressed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-wait, the reinforcement from Dellowell the captain mentioned… was that you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My squad members will be joining soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the Empire’s strongest armed force—the Inquisition of Dellowell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among their ranks were three Executioners hailed as the mightiest of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, the Executioner of Blood, Karen Rosefield, gleamed her violet eyes and gave a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no time to waste. We’ll advance immediately. Form a separate strike team within thirty minutes, Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1826,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.334Z",1,"novelbin.me","7797c8ecb3673bf4ffac8d8eb141fa5169077caa0b01602db9f833ef1626daeb","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-97","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-95",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]