I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 144

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“The enemy column is entering the Great Forest.”

We didn’t even need the observation spell. We could see it clearly from the walls of the Fourth Castle.

Thousands of Great Forest troops were withdrawing, a majestic procession that had drawn a large crowd of knights and soldiers to the ramparts.

“Devious bastards.”

A withdrawal of this scale couldn’t be organized overnight. They must have been prepared for this.

They had spoken of shared destiny, of fighting alongside the Southern Republic for the liberation of beastmen slaves.

But actions spoke louder than words.

The Great Forest was known for its diplomatic prowess, maintaining its independence with a fraction of the Empire’s resources, thanks to its shrewd political maneuvering.

“The rebels are retreating as well.”

The enemy, who had previously occupied every elevated position, were withdrawing their forces.

Having lost half their army, they could no longer maintain their scattered formations.

Their remaining forces numbered less than ten thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry.

Considering the difference in quality, we were now evenly matched. And with the Great Forest joining the blockade, cutting off the rebels’ supply lines, we had a significant advantage.

We didn’t even need to siege them. We could simply wait for them to wither and die.

As long as we didn’t make any foolish mistakes and lose our knights in unnecessary battles, victory was assured.

The tide had turned.

“We’re in for a long war now.”

“Yes. It’s important to maintain morale and vigilance during periods of inactivity.”

“Hmm… you’re right.”

“I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly while you’re gone. We won’t engage in any reckless battles.”

“Uh… yes, that would be good. But why are you saying this now?”

“Aren’t you leaving soon? You and your companions have turned the tide of the war. Now it’s our turn—”

“I still have three days.”

“….”

Pelaine’s mouth snapped shut.

A blush crept up her cheeks.

“My apologies. I jumped to conclusions…”

“I think we’ll receive their surrender within three days.”

“Sir? That’s unlikely. They have enough supplies to last much longer than three days…”

Yes, they could hold out for months, even years, if they were determined enough. But I knew Lorraine.

He had launched this rebellion partly out of ambition, but also out of genuine outrage at the inhumane treatment of beastmen slaves.

He wouldn’t condemn his people to starvation.

“I just… have a feeling.”

“…?”

I left Pelaine standing there, her expression puzzled, and descended from the wall.

There wouldn’t be any major battles for a while. The rebels were too weakened. A single defeat would be a crippling blow.

It had been a difficult journey. A good general avoids losing battles, choosing only those he can win.

I had done the opposite, stumbling from one defeat to another, barely scraping by. Some of my decisions had been reckless gambles, born of desperation.

Looking back, it was terrifying.

I wouldn’t repeat those mistakes.

But if there was one thing that had helped me through those difficult battles, it was—

Creak…

“Ah, Master!”

—these three.

I opened the door to the infirmary, and they were all gathered around Trie, who was lying in bed.

They had decided the infirmary, guarded by soldiers, was safer than the exposed hotel.

“How are you feeling, Trie?”

“I’m fine! I feel like going for a run…”

“Absolutely not! You need to rest!”

“She’s not letting me get up. Hee hee.”

Iris was unusually flustered.

Was she worried about Trie? It was the first time one of her friends had been seriously injured.

But I had been stabbed before, and she had been perfectly calm then…

I shrugged it off.

“Schlus, you have to listen to me! There was someone else in the hotel!”

“Oh, here we go again…”

“…?”

Ainz and Erica rolled their eyes, while Trie looked at me pleadingly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Last night… I passed out before I could finish them off. But someone else killed the remaining assassins. It wasn’t Erica or Ainz, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t. We didn’t leave the room.”

“Then there had to be someone else!”

“Hmm…”

Someone else.

Someone strong enough to take on five assassins, someone willing to fight for the mages without asking for anything in return, someone who would disappear without a trace…

Hertlocker came to mind, but it couldn’t be him.

He would have made a big deal about it, reminding me of the debt I owed him.

There was only one other possibility.

“Trie, I think you’ve entered the realm of the superhuman.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your subconscious must have taken over and continued fighting after you lost consciousness.”

“Ooh! That sounds plausible!”

“No! That’s impossible!”

Everyone except Trie seemed to agree.

Even I found it convincing. Fighting while unconscious, driven by sheer willpower…

Trie had reached a new level.

If she also developed her magical abilities… she might become even more powerful than she was in the original story.

“Schlus Hainkel! A letter from His Majesty!”

“…!”

The door burst open, and a messenger rushed in.

Judging by his attire, he was from the Imperial Palace.

I took a deep breath and stepped outside to receive the letter. I could open it here.

So the Emperor’s response to the Emancipation Proclamation had finally arrived.

I didn’t need to read any further. It was too late.

“Tell His Majesty it’s too late.”

“Sir? Is that all?”

“That’s all.”

I wondered how he would react when he heard about Darius’s knighthood, the state funeral, and my unauthorized negotiations with the Great Forest.

Would he have a stroke?

If it resulted in Aria ascending the throne, I wouldn’t complain.

I patted the messenger on the shoulder and returned to my friends.

Even though the enemy’s strength had been halved, it didn’t mean we had less work to do.

In fact, we were busier than ever. Before, the enemy had been concentrated around the Fourth Castle, making it easy to track their movements.

Now, they were scattered, hiding their forces, making it more difficult to locate them.

My observation spell proved invaluable.

I hadn’t realized how much the range would increase when using mana wavelengths instead of visible light.

Perhaps I should patent it when I returned to the capital. Or maybe I should write a paper explaining the principles behind it…

I shuddered at the thought.

“Ooh! Your movements are smoother! Have you had a breakthrough?”

“Ugh!”

I was sparring with Trie.

She had ignored my instructions to rest, pestering me relentlessly the moment Iris left.

Had she really become that much stronger?

Before, I could at least win a match or two. Now, I couldn’t even see a path to victory.

“You’re more aggressive than usual.”

Trie’s words gave me an idea. I couldn’t win. Not against her.

So I had to choose a different approach.

“Got you.”

“Huh?”

Our blades clashed, stopping inches from each other’s throats. It was impossible to tell who was faster. In a real battle, we would both be dead.

A draw.

“Are you serious? You chose a suicide move?”

“So did you.”

“I assumed you would dodge.”

“So did I.”

“….”

We thought alike. If we fought like this in a real battle, we would be dead.

The absurdity of it made me laugh.

“I’m going to take a bath. I’m covered in sweat.”

“Oh, you said there were baths here?”

“Yes. I was just about to go. Want to join me?”

“W-what?! Are you crazy?!”

Trie, who had been so bold and confident just a moment ago, suddenly recoiled, putting distance between us.

It was moments like these that reminded me she was, in fact, a woman.

“I was joking.”

“O-oh… Don’t joke about things like that. You scared me.”

There were baths for the knights to use during their off-hours.

I was technically a knight, so I could use them as well. But the knights were all men.

There were no separate baths for women.

What was Trie supposed to do?

“You should probably wait a bit. I’ll have them clear out the baths for an hour.”

“Ah, right… All men… Thank you.”

I left Trie standing there, her face flushed, and headed towards the baths.

It was a large building, even from the outside.

The Fourth Castle was a large city, capable of supporting such a facility.

I entered the building and saw Taylor dozing at the entrance.

“Good evening, Vice-Commander.”

“Ah, Schlus! Welcome.”

“Are you running the baths now?”

“Hahaha. No, but right now…”

“Right now?”

“N-nothing. Feel free to use the baths.”

Taylor’s expression flickered with discomfort, then he forced a smile.

What was that about?

I shrugged it off and continued inside.

Is anyone here?

The changing room was silent.

There were no other knights around. Perhaps they had all finished and left.

It was an awkward time, between dinner and the evening watch.

I undressed, placing my clothes in a basket, and wrapped a towel around my waist.

“Oh…”

I stepped into the bathing area, and my jaw dropped.

It wasn’t just a bathhouse. It was a hot spring.

The air was thick with steam, obscuring my vision.

It was the perfect setting for one of those anime or manga scenes where the protagonist is mistaken for a pervert.

Of course, that wouldn’t happen to me.

Unless Hertlocker was involved…

“Haaa…”

I dipped my toes into the largest bath, then slowly lowered myself into the hot water. It was bliss.

I had almost forgotten what a hot bath felt like. A banana milk after this would be perfect. But that was just a pipe dream.

“Phew…”

Splash…

I leaned back against the rocks, relaxing, when I heard faint footsteps behind me.

So I wasn’t alone after all. Other knights were arriving.

I turned around, hoping to see a familiar face.

The steam made it difficult to see…

Wait a minute.

Why was that figure so… curvy? Like a woman’s…

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Twitch.

I saw the familiar cat ears perk up, and I realized.

It was Pelaine, standing before me, a towel wrapped around her body.

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[Our boi schlus dont give no fucks bout no emperor, HAIL SCHLUS!]