I Became a Retired War Hero the Heroines Are Obsessed With – Chapter 34

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

 
Bursting into the Headmaster’s office, I clicked my tongue at the sight of the empty room.

“Tsk, already gone.”

I had expected him to wait, at least out of a sense of responsibility.

But it seemed our Headmaster valued his own well-being more than his conscience.

I didn’t know how he planned to deal with the aftermath later, but… I held grudges for a long time, so he’d better be prepared.

“It seems the Headmaster had a very urgent matter to attend to. Shall we chat here instead?”

I said, settling comfortably onto the sofa in the seat of honor.

“Please, sit. I have a feeling this will be a long conversation.”

Why was Black Wolf here? And Leo, I could understand, but what was Aile’s reason for being at Minerva?

I had a rough idea, but… it was better to hear it from them directly.

As I waited for them to compose themselves and begin, Leo grinned.

“You seem to have gotten quite close to Headmaster Heinz.”

“…Huh? Well, we’re not exactly strangers.”

I wasn’t sure why he’d suddenly say that, but I nodded.

We had become fairly close during the short time we’d known each other.

Leo clapped Aile on the shoulder.

“See? I told you a little courtesy goes a long way.”

“Please, just be quiet. That’s not what I meant…!”

Whatever their conversation had been about, Aile’s expression suggested it hadn’t been pleasant.

He wouldn’t look so disgruntled at his respected older brother otherwise.

What had happened?

Aile’s respect for Leo seemed to have plummeted.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave. You two can chat amongst yourselves.”

I tilted my head at Leo, who was already getting up despite having just sat down.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, it’s best for an outsider to excuse himself. You can hear the story from my brother.”

Why had he even come if he was leaving so soon? I was curious, but it couldn’t be anything important.

Besides, Leo’s departure meant I could speak more freely.

“Have a safe trip back.”

“Yes, I’ll postpone observing your class for another time.”

So that was his reason for coming.

As expected, it was trivial.

“I hear interesting things are about to happen… Please ensure our Amy achieves good results.”

“I don’t accept bribes.”

“Oh, come on, what are you saying? Anyway, I’ll be going. Take care of my brothers.”

With that, Leo left the room, smiling.

He felt less like a revered Zodiac Knight and more like a friendly older brother.

Was this the Helios family’s form of manipulation?

Well, I didn’t mind.

He had said “brothers” hadn’t he? It seemed my guess was correct.

Now that I could speak freely, I asked Aile directly,

“You’ve been assigned to the Special Task Force?”

“As expected, you’re quick on the uptake. That’s right.”

Grinning, Aile stood and saluted.

“Major Aile, officially reporting for duty with the Special Task Force. It’s a pleasure to serve under you, Captain. Or should I call you Commander?”

“Whatever you prefer.”

“Aren’t you going to return my salute?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Just sit down.”

“Yes, sir!”

Watching Aile sit down, still grinning, I suppressed my own smile and shook my head.

This was perfect.

He had undeniable skill, battlefield experience, and as a mage, he was probably smarter than me.

It was like gaining a thousand soldiers at once.

“I trust your skills haven’t gotten rusty?”

“Come on, you know better than that. You’re secretly thrilled to have me here.”

“Shut up, you brat.”

He knew me as well as I knew him.

It wasn’t awkward; it was comforting.

On the battlefield, we could communicate with just a glance.

So that explained Aile’s presence. But what about… you?

“…?”

I looked at Black Wolf, who blinked back as if asking what I was staring at.

She had the best poker face I had ever seen.

“You’ve joined the Special Task Force too?”

It wasn’t a question so much as a confirmation. Black Wolf nodded.

“You did get official permission, right? You didn’t just desert, did you?”

“No problems. They wouldn’t dare stop me if they valued their lives.”

“……”

A wave of unease washed over me.

Had she threatened to kill them if they didn’t let her leave?

It was entirely within the realm of possibility.

I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead.

“You… never mind.”

Regardless, gaining two competent subordinates was a good thing.

I decided not to pry any further.

“I look forward to working with you both.”

“Likewise.”

“The pleasure is all mine!”

I gave them a brief overview of their duties.

“Teaching? I’m a little nervous, it’s my first time.”

“Just treat them like new recruits. As I said, you’ll handle magic, and Black Wolf, you’ll cover close combat and counter-assassination techniques.”

“Like we did in the Blackwater?”

“No killing. No injuring. No traumatizing.”

“Then… what am I supposed to teach?”

Black Wolf tilted her head, genuinely confused.

The truly terrifying thing was that she was being serious.

She probably didn’t even understand the concept of “traumatizing.”

I began to question my decision to entrust her with teaching.

Still, I couldn’t leave her with nothing to do.

I took a deep breath and explained patiently.

“Think of it as teaching toddlers to walk. If you don’t want to go back to the Blackwater, just do as I say.”

“But…”

“No arguing.”

“…Understood.”

I could see her ears drooping beneath her robe.

That should be enough of a warning.

“We’ll discuss the details during the next class. Speaking of which, I need to inform the Headmaster about you two. Where did that man disappear to?”

He still hadn’t returned, even after Leo left.

Was he genuinely busy?

Or was this some elaborate scheme to avoid suspicion?

“Did you get assigned dormitories?”

“Not yet. I haven’t received any notification… I’ll probably have to stay in the commercial district tonight.”

“What kind of incompetent administration is this?”

Even if they were busy with the recent incidents, this was unacceptable.

I suppressed my irritation and stood.

“Class is over for today, so let’s get something to eat. It’s on me.”

“Haha, it’s been a while since we’ve eaten with the Captain.”

“It has been a while.”

“Alright, alright, order whatever you want.”

I led them towards the commercial district.

This was the Special Task Force’s first official dinner.

Come to think of it, did we even have an operating budget? I’d have to visit the bank.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

After a satisfying meal at the commercial district’s most reputable restaurant, we headed towards Aile’s lodgings.

Naturally, I had booked him the best accommodations available.

“I’ll be heading in then.”

“Make sure you get a receipt and submit an expense report.”

“Come on, it’s just a meal, no need for an expense report.”

“Just do it.”

I hadn’t received any proper support until now, so I deserved to exercise my rights.

Wasn’t the joy of using company funds part of the job? I had checked before dinner, and our operating budget was substantial.

It was more than enough to cover the best accommodations Minerva had to offer.

Aile chuckled and nodded.

“Alright, alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, go on.”

After seeing him off, I turned to Black Wolf.

“Where are you staying?”

“…?”

Black Wolf tilted her head, then pointed at me.

“Sleeping with Allen.”

“…Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Not ridiculous.”

Right, she wouldn’t understand the concept of “ridiculous.”

“I’ll get you a room. Just stay here tonight.”

“Why?”

“Why do you want to sleep with me?”

“We always did before.”

“That was… because we had no other choice!”

The snowy mountains and Minerva were hardly comparable.

How could she bring up such a specific circumstance?

“What’s the difference?”

Looking into Black Wolf’s eyes, I realized she was completely serious.

Did she see everyday life as a battlefield?

Was that what the Blackwater was like?

Unlike me, who was finally living a somewhat normal life after the war, had she continued to live as if she were still on the battlefield?

The thought softened my resolve.

One night wouldn’t hurt.

“Tonight only. I’ll arrange a separate room for you tomorrow.”

“Why? We should stay together in case of an emergency…”

“I’ll ask for a room right next door. That’s my final offer. End of discussion!”

“…Understood.”

Her expression didn’t suggest understanding, but she had nodded, so it should be fine… right?

I shook my head and headed towards the dormitory.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Oh? Professor Allen?”

Sena, heading towards the library after dinner to catch up on her studies, spotted Allen in the distance and brightened.

Wouldn’t it be great to get some help with her studies?

Allen was always soft on his students outside of class.

Surely, he’d be willing to help.

Just as she was about to call out to him, she noticed someone else beside him.

“…?”

The figure was cloaked in black robes, but Sena had a strong feeling it was a woman.

Call it feminine intuition.

“Who is that? They’re not wearing our robes.”

The figure lacked the owl emblem all Minerva students and faculty wore.

Allen, out this late with an unknown woman? Sena’s curiosity was piqued.

“They’re heading towards the commercial district… could she be his girlfriend?!”

But hadn’t he said he didn’t have a girlfriend?

Had he lied to his precious student?

She felt a sense of duty to inform her friends.

Sena cautiously followed them, confident in her improved stealth skills.

Allen, preoccupied with Black Wolf, remained oblivious to Sena’s presence.

She watched as they entered the faculty dormitory together.

“…!!!”

Just like the student dormitories, the faculty housing was strictly segregated by gender.

An unknown woman entering the male dormitory with Allen…?

Sena’s imagination ran wild.

“This… is a scoop!”

She immediately set off to share the news with her friends, her studies completely forgotten.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

[Bro got caught in 4K and is about to be put onto international tv, I fucking hate reporters]