I Became a Retired War Hero the Heroines Are Obsessed With – Chapter 31

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Minerva Academy.

Several days had passed since the combined efforts of the faculty and Imperial officials had quelled the parents’ outrage.

Though its reputation had been tarnished, Minerva remained the Empire’s premier academy, and its students, driven to uphold that prestige, diligently pursued their studies.

Perhaps as a consequence of the recent incident, Allen found himself in his office, scratching his head over a stack of papers.

“Well, this is unexpected…”

The papers piled high on his desk were applications from students requesting to join his class.

“I didn’t realize they could join mid-semester.”

Why the sudden surge in popularity?

Had word of his actions on the Isle of Wisdom spread?

Or had the students he was currently teaching improved so dramatically?

Whatever the reason, the recognition was gratifying.

He contacted Heinz to inquire about the proper procedure.

“Ah, that’s at the professor’s discretion. Handle it as you see fit.”

“Does this happen often?”

“It’s quite rare, actually. Courses not selected during the registration period don’t count towards their final grades. Haha, it just goes to show how special your classes are, Professor Allen.”

“I see…”

“With the increased number of students, you’ll likely need an assistant professor and a teaching assistant. Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Of course not. I never imagined I’d have even more students.”

He sighed, and Heinz’s laughter echoed through the crystal ball.

“Well, I suggest you give it some thought. Finding reliable assistants in this academy isn’t as easy as it seems. If you’re having trouble, let me know. I’ll try to find someone suitable. Or… perhaps requesting assistance from the Imperial Family would be a good option.”

“The Imperial Family… I’ll consider it.”

“I’m sure the Imperial Family wouldn’t ignore a request from you, Professor Allen. I’ll leave you to it then.”

“Goodbye.”

As the light in the crystal ball faded, Allen let out a deep sigh.

“I never thought I’d be worrying about this.”

He needed someone competent to assist him with his classes, preferably with battlefield experience. Since he wasn’t yet accustomed to paperwork, someone intelligent would be ideal. And of course, someone he could trust…

“This won’t be easy.”

Should he really contact the Imperial Family? He didn’t know how to contact them directly, but he had Amy and Aerius. Surely, a Zodiac Knight would know the proper channels.

He nodded, and his gaze fell upon the Helios ring on his finger.

Right, the Helios family.

A sense of reassurance washed over him.

“It’ll work out somehow.”

With that mindset, he decided to accept all the applications.

Still, there were an awful lot of them…

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“It’s been a while, youngster.”

The Capital Defense Force, guardians of the Imperial capital. At their helm stood Paulo Robert, the Corps Commander. Also known as Taurus, one of the Zodiac Knights, he was currently receiving a visitor in his office.

“Youngster? I’m all grown up now. I’m not the same crybaby you used to know.”

The visitor was Leo Helios, the Lion, another member of the Zodiac Knights. Paulo smirked, leaning forward.

“Oh really? Then how about we spar? Just to catch up.”

“Think you can handle me?”

“Hahaha! Now I’ve heard everything. Youngster… I was a Zodiac Knight before your father even became the head of your family.”

“That’s a polite way of saying you’re old.”

“…Haha.”

Leo’s provocation shifted the atmosphere. A chill permeated the office.

“Don’t regret this, youngster.”

With a smirk, Paulo launched himself at Leo. His thick fist, imbued with a massive amount of aura, aimed for Leo’s head. It was a terrifying sight, but Leo simply smiled and drew his sword.

“My, my, still full of energy, I see…!”

Paulo’s fist and Leo’s sword clashed.

Clang!

A shockwave rippled through the office, shaking the entire building. Papers flew everywhere, and cracks spread across the floor and walls. The impact was so powerful that the building’s alarm blared.

It was hard to believe a mere clash of fist and sword could cause such devastation.

As the dust settled, the two Zodiac Knights stood revealed, still locked in their confrontation.

“Haha, you held back, I see. A little more force, and the building would have collapsed.”

Leo laughed, and Paulo clicked his tongue.

“I couldn’t destroy a perfectly good building because of you.”

“Glad to see you’re still in good shape.”

“I suppose I can’t call you youngster anymore.”

“I’m honored.”

They withdrew their aura as if nothing had happened. Paulo sat back down at his cracked desk, folding his arms.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Nothing much… Just wanted to introduce my younger brother.”

“Huh?”

As Paulo echoed the unexpected words, the office door opened, and a young man entered. It was Aile Helios, Leo’s younger brother and Allen’s former adjutant.

“Sir!”

Aile saluted, and Paulo smiled.

“Major Aile, isn’t it? It’s been a while. Good to see you from the Helios family.”

“It’s good to see you too, sir.”

“So? Why are you introducing your brother to me now?”

Leo pulled out a document from his pocket.

“My brother’s being transferred. Just need your signature.”

After the war, Aile had been assigned to the Capital Defense Force. Paulo realized Leo was here for the transfer paperwork. He accepted the document, asking,

“Not that it’s my place to say, but the Capital Defense Force is the best place to be… You’re not resigning, are you? Where are you going?”

“To a unit led by someone you know well.”

“Who? It can’t be the front lines. The South? The 7th Corps?”

A Corps Commander knew countless people. Paulo searched his memory, frowning at Leo’s knowing smile. Come to think of it, there weren’t many soldiers they both knew. And among them, someone connected to the Helios family…

“Don’t tell me… the Special Task Force?”

“Bingo. The unit with only one member, Colonel Allen.”

“That’s a tough assignment. It’s a newly formed unit, so support is limited. And opportunities for advancement are scarce.”

“What’s there to worry about? He has the Helios family’s backing.”

“Still…”

Did Aile really apply to the Special Task Force just to help Allen? Even if he was Allen’s former adjutant… it was a difficult decision to understand, even for Paulo, who held Allen in high regard.

Aile spoke up.

“I’m not applying because of me. The Colonel… I mean, Colonel Allen received the Helios Crest.”

“Huh? That tightwad gave away the Crest…?”

Paulo knew the significance of the Helios Crest. Leo added,

“And he received a reward from Procyon’s Vault.”

“…My, my, what surprising news. I heard he visited the palace, but Procyon’s Vault…”

He hadn’t even told Paulo about such important events. Hiding his slight disappointment, Paulo nodded.

“Well, that makes it a reasonable decision. Allen’s not a bad commander. Though, I suppose you’d know that better than anyone, considering you’re willingly serving under him again.”

“Yes, sir.”

Aile simply nodded. Deciding that no further explanation was necessary, Paulo signed the document.

“Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir.”

And so, Aile officially joined the Special Task Force.

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Aile wasn’t the only one seeking to join the Special Task Force.

“Are you sure you want to leave the Blackwater?”

The man frowned at his subordinate. The Blackwater, one of the Empire’s special forces, specialized in reconnaissance and assassination. Known for their unwavering loyalty, symbolized by the unit’s emblem tattooed somewhere on their bodies, no one ever left voluntarily. The only time a member left the Blackwater was when they were no longer capable of performing their duties.

Yet, here stood someone who wished to leave of their own accord.

“Yes. So just sign the papers, human.”

The subordinate’s face was completely concealed by a mask and robe, leaving only their eyes visible. Their emotionless gaze made the man grimace.

“Number Seven!!!”

“You’re hurting my ears. Just sign the papers.”

Bang!

Unable to contain his anger, the man slammed his fist on the desk. He was Brigadier General William, the head of the Blackwater, identifiable by the single star on his beret. Despite his outburst, his subordinate remained unfazed.

“Are you going to sign or not?”

A chilling killing intent flickered in their emotionless eyes. William gritted his teeth.

“You’ll regret this. You only know how to kill. Do you think you can survive anywhere else?”

“I’ll manage. Now, sign the papers. I’m only asking one more time…”

William met their gaze, a shiver running down his spine. The killing intent felt like a blade against his throat.

He ground his teeth, realizing his subordinate was capable of killing him. After all, they were the most powerful weapon the Blackwater had ever produced.

Feeling his life threatened, William grabbed a pen and scribbled his signature on the document. He threw the papers at his subordinate, shouting,

“Get out!”

“I was planning to, human.”

The subordinate walked towards the door, their footsteps silent. They paused at the threshold, turning slightly.

“And since I’m leaving… let me tell you something…”

“Didn’t I tell you to get out?!”

The subordinate ignored William’s reddening face, uttering their name. The name given to them by a precious friend.

“My name is not Number Seven. It’s Black Wolf.”

“Ha! You think you’re a person? You’re nothing but a killing machine, Number Seven! You’ll never escape the battlefield!”

Black Wolf ignored their former commander’s insults.

“If you call me Number Seven again, I’ll kill you.”

“What are you… Gah!”

William choked, Black Wolf’s killing intent constricting his throat. Caught off guard, he lost consciousness.

Black Wolf watched him collapse, then quietly left the room.

“I’m going to repay my debt, Allen.”

To meet his former comrade, the one who had fought alongside him on the snowy mountain, Black Wolf set off.

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Allen wasn’t the only one attracting attention.

“Are you really leaving the Blackwater?”

A man frowned at his subordinate. The Blackwater, one of the Empire’s special forces, specialized in reconnaissance and assassination. Known for their unwavering loyalty, symbolized by the unit’s emblem tattooed somewhere on their bodies, no one ever left voluntarily. The only time a member left the Blackwater was when they were no longer capable of performing their duties.

Yet, here stood someone who wished to leave of their own accord.

“Yes. So just sign the papers, human.”

The subordinate’s face was completely concealed by a mask and robe, leaving only their eyes visible. Their emotionless gaze made the man grimace.

“Number Seven!!!”

“You’re hurting my ears. Just sign the papers.”

Bang!

Unable to contain his anger, the man slammed his fist on the desk. He was Brigadier General William, the head of the Blackwater, identifiable by the single star on his beret. Despite his outburst, his subordinate remained unfazed.

“Are you going to sign or not?”

A chilling killing intent flickered in their emotionless eyes. William gritted his teeth.

“You’ll regret this. You only know how to kill. Do you think you can survive anywhere else?”

“I’ll manage. Now, sign the papers. I’m only asking one more time…”

William met their gaze, a shiver running down his spine. The killing intent felt like a blade against his throat.

He ground his teeth, realizing his subordinate was capable of killing him. After all, they were the most powerful weapon the Blackwater had ever produced.

Feeling his life threatened, William grabbed a pen and scribbled his signature on the document. He threw the papers at his subordinate, shouting,

“Get out!”

“I was planning to, human.”

The subordinate walked towards the door, their footsteps silent. They paused at the threshold, turning slightly.

“And since I’m leaving… let me tell you something…”

“Didn’t I tell you to get out?!”

The subordinate ignored William’s reddening face, uttering their name. The name given to them by a precious friend.

“My name is not Number Seven. It’s Black Wolf.”

“Ha! You think you’re a person? You’re nothing but a killing machine, Number Seven! You’ll never escape the battlefield!”

Black Wolf ignored their former commander’s insults.

“If you call me Number Seven again, I’ll kill you.”

“What are you… Gah!”

William choked, Black Wolf’s killing intent constricting his throat. Caught off guard, he lost consciousness.

Black Wolf watched him collapse, then quietly left the room.

“I’m going to repay my debt, Allen.”

To meet his former comrade, the one who had fought alongside him on the snowy mountain, Black Wolf set off.

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