I Became the Academy’s War Hero Chapter 96 : Centre Agreement (1)

Chapter 96: Centre Agreent (1)

Tuesday, 2 p.m., in the special reception room of the Grand Cathedral.

“I must apologize for calling you out so early, Archbishop.”

“What early hour? The mass is already over—let us speak at ease, hoho.”

Archbishop Dominico sipped at the tea before him and smiled thinly at the man sitting across from him.

‘So, not the head of the main line, but the branch head has co….’

Bernhardt must still be uncertain.

So they sent a subordinate to probe the situation first, did they?

Dominico let out a quiet chuckle before his expression hardened.

“Though… I must admit, it’s rather disappointing.”

“…Disappointing?”

“To think that the trust between us was only this shallow.”

“……”

It was a light exchange of nerves.

“You’d put us in a difficult spot if you misunderstood our stance like that, Archbishop.”

The man speaking was the second-in-command of the Bernhardt Family—the one whom Edgar Bernhardt trusted most.

Mikhail Bernhardt, father of Michel Bernhardt, stroked his chin and gave a placid smile.

“You’re well aware, aren’t you? The Imperial Summit was nothing short of a catastrophe for us.”

“…Hmm, I do know that.”

“Of course, our Lord should’ve co to see you himself regarding this matter, but circumstances made that impossible—so I ca in his stead.”

“Mm…”

“Even now, the Lord is holding an ergency council with the subordinate heads. I could have it verified for you if you wish…”

“Oh, no need to go that far. I was rely jesting.”

When Dominico waved his hand dismissively, Mikhail rubbed his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.

“…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.”

Thus, the two exchanged words laced with barbs, reaffirming each side’s position.

There were indeed so points of discomfort between them, but not enough to shake the solid bond the two powers shared.

Mikhail gently pushed his teacup aside and got straight to the point.

“The alliance between Mallet and Carvena—it should be checked as soon as possible, don’t you think?”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve already discussed this with His Highness the Crown Prince. What remains now is your decision, Archbishop.”

“…From the church’s standpoint, it is indeed a troubleso affair, to be honest.”

Though he agreed with Mikhail’s view, Dominico couldn’t give a definitive answer.

“But you know this well. Even when backed by a righteous cause, military suppression always breeds discord.”

“That’s true.”

As though expecting that answer, Mikhail imdiately presented another idea.

“Let us reserve force as our last resort and try persuasion first.”

“By persuasion, you an… bribery?”

“The best thod is to plant cracks within, so they collapse on their own.”

They had suffered such a blow themselves, and now intended to return it in kind.

Dominico nodded in understanding and lifted his teacup.

“Then who do you have in mind? Eugene Carter? Frederick Lake? Or… Michel Bernhardt?”

“Those n would be useless. They follow neither money nor honor.”

“Then how…?”

“We shouldn’t target Carvena. We should target Mallet.”

Conveniently, Mallet’s current leader was one who desperately chased both wealth and fa.

Mikhail handed a prepared note to Dominico.

It was a written proposal addressed to the Master of the Magic Tower, Gustav of Mallet.

After skimming through its contents, the Archbishop’s eyes glead.

“…You an to have the Church send this docunt officially.”

“Yes. Even the arrogant Magic Tower won’t be able to ignore it then.”

“When and where do you plan to convene?”

“As soon as possible—how about in Centre?”

“…So another great agreent shall take place in the central city.”

As soon as Dominico gave his approval, Mikhail specified the date.

“How about proceeding with the agreent tomorrow evening? No need to drag it out.”

It was a reasonable suggestion, so Dominico nodded without objection.

“There’s no reason to oppose it. Let’s do that.”

“Yes.”

With the discussion settled, there was no longer any reason to linger.

Mikhail drained his tea in one gulp and rose to his feet.

“Then, I’ll take my leave, considering it decided.”

“Hm? Leaving already?”

“…I have duties to attend to.”

See you tomorrow, Archbishop.

Mikhail bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, then left the room without looking back.

Watching that, Dominico let out a snort.

“Hmph, arrogant—whether main line or branch, they’re all the sa.”

Those insolent Bernhardt faces… he’d have to show them humiliation soday.

“…Well, that ti will co.”

Dominico too left the reception room, issuing instructions to his waiting aides.

Then, slipping the note into his robe, he headed for his private office.

That night.

Inside the Master’s chambers of the Magic Tower, Gustav and riel examined the official letter and attached ssage.

They ca from the Basilica of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith—Saint Dominico Grand Cathedral.

—This is Dominico Nimbus, Archbishop of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith. It is my first ti contacting you directly. I always pray for God’s grace to be with you.

—Regarding the recent technology exchange between Mallet and Carvena, I wished to make a proposal. Please refer to the docunt for details… then, I shall see you tomorrow.

In summary, the docunt stated the following:

Withdraw from the Duel Union and join under the Ribenian Orthodox Faith.

If accepted, Dellowell’s Inquisitors would not invade Mallet.

Afterwards, Mallet would operate as an independent diocese, with Master Gustav serving as its Bishop.

“So basically, it ans ‘crawl to us before the Inquisitors crush you,’ doesn’t it?”

riel’s sharp remark was spot-on—Gustav couldn’t deny it.

He simply stroked his chin, letting out a low murmur of admiration.

“Exactly what that Carter fellow predicted.”

“…You spoke with Eugene Carter about this?”

“There was a bit of talk, yes.”

“Anyway, you’re going to refuse, right?”

Of course! What kind of man did she take Gustav for?

But contrary to riel’s imdiate expectation—

“Hmm…”

Gustav’s response was rather cautious.

“…Master?”

“We’ll have to go, at least.”

“…Pardon?”

“There’s a chance I might be able to persuade them.”

“You know better than anyone that they’re not the kind to listen to reason!”

“If they truly were beyond persuasion, they wouldn’t have sent such a generous proposal, don’t you think?”

“But that’s…”

As riel hesitated, Gustav’s face twisted in mild irritation.

“A first disciple who can’t even support her Master’s decision, tch.”

“N-no, that’s not what I ant! I’m just worried you might end up enduring humiliation you don’t need to suffer…”

“Don’t worry too much, riel. I, Gustav, won’t be flustered by a re Archbishop.”

“……”

Though her mind was filled with protests and worries,

riel firmly closed her mouth.

Her Master had already decided. Arguing further would be aningless.

At this point, all she could do was trust in his decision and wait.

‘I do wonder what kind of conversation he had with Eugene Carter, though….’

Suppressing the curiosity that kept rising, riel bowed deeply.

“I’ll be ready to announce the victory news, Master.”

“Good. Stand by for now. I’ll summon you once more before departure.”

“Yes.”

That sa day, late in the evening.

Eber, a small city in the northern region of the Ribenia Empire.

The area where over a thousand troops had gathered was filled with roars of beasts and violent explosions, showing no sign of quieting down.

Kwaaaang!

An Explosion spell burst right before his eyes, and a ringing echoed sharply in his ears.

Inside a large trench, Eric Belfor gave a hand signal to his subordinates.

He asked if the target had been eliminated.

But the observer’s response was the opposite of what he hoped for.

Krrr….

The heavy growl of a beast scraped against his ears.

“Hey! Reform the line, quickly! Another wave’s coming!”

“Yes, sir!”

The mont the order was given, Belfor leapt out of the trench and sprinted toward the soldiers fighting several dozen ters ahead.

The mages at the rear were relentlessly firing Spears at a high-ranking beast a hundred ters in front.

The beast, enduring that bombardnt of magical lances, suddenly erged from the dust.

It was an A -rank beast—Apos Rhino.

“Quick, raise the barrier…!”

The soldiers hastily unfolded their shields of protection, but a few layers of barriers were nowhere near enough to stop its ferocious charge.

“Graaagh!”

With its five horns, it rcilessly flung aside several soldiers, then turned its bloodshot eyes toward Belfor.

“Tch…!”

The Apos Rhino—among high-ranking beasts, it was one of the least intelligent, but exceptionally adept at exploiting an enemy’s weaknesses.

It must’ve realized that disabling the front-line commander would an total control of the field.

They had already overextended their lines chasing the whereabouts of Rogis and Mitosis, the key objectives of this suppression mission.

If the formation collapsed here, regrouping would be inevitable.

And when that happened, the beast’s trail would vanish again.

The suppression operation would only drag on longer and longer.

‘Damn it, do or die then…!’

Belfor steeled himself, channeling every ounce of mana into the tip of his spear.

Every beast had its weak point.

Rhino-type beasts had notoriously poor vision.

And to compensate for that, they relied heavily on hearing.

They couldn’t mask their mana sense, but if he could completely paralyze their hearing…!

Just then—

As Belfor leapt into the air, evading the charge and aiming for its left ear—

“You’re a bit late.”

A woman’s unfamiliar voice flowed into his ears.

Planting a halberd the size of a grown man into the ground, a red-haired woman radiated killing intent toward the enemy.

When the two forces collided, a massive shockwave erupted in every direction.

Kuuuung…!

“Kh…?!”

Even Belfor, standing behind her, staggered from the sheer force, yet the woman didn’t flinch in the slightest.

Krrng?!

The one startled was, instead, the beast.

“Less than two years of field experience… I’d say. You knew the gap between us, yet your hostility clouded your judgnt.”

Kyaaaak!

The beast howled and twisted its massive fra, but the woman didn’t move an inch.

Gripping its horn tightly with her left arm, she raised her halberd high with one hand.

The amount of mana condensed near the axe blade was enough to make Belfor swallow unconsciously.

Crunch, crack!

The halberd ca crashing down, shattering all five horns and burying itself halfway through the beast’s skull.

Overwheld by sudden, unbearable pain, the beast writhed violently and rolled across the ground.

The woman glanced briefly at the dazed soldiers and Belfor, then pointed behind her.

“You can handle the cleanup, can’t you?”

Finally realizing what had just happened, Belfor stamred as he addressed her.

“W-wait, the reinforcent from Dellowell the captain ntioned… was that you?”

“My squad mbers will be joining soon.”

From the Empire’s strongest ard force—the Inquisition of Dellowell.

Among their ranks were three Executioners hailed as the mightiest of all.

One of them, the Executioner of Blood, Karen Rosefield, glead her violet eyes and gave a faint smile.

“There’s no ti to waste. We’ll advance imdiately. Form a separate strike team within thirty minutes, Commander.”