Do Your Own Revolution

Chapter 43



#043.

“Leon…!”

Huh, wait. Who? Leon?

As I pondered the unfamiliar name for a moment, I finally remembered.

Leon was the alias I used during the Claude kidnapping mission, wasn’t it?

While I was thinking that, Claude pulled out a pistol from his chest and immediately pulled the trigger aimed at my face.

Bang-!

“Ugh, aaargh?!”

“Gunfire! Gunfire!”

“What were the security forces doing?! Contact the Magic Corps! Contact the Magic Corps!”

“Students, evacuate this way! Hurry!”

The unexpected gunshot was enough to startle the nearby students.

The school descended into chaos, with screams and shouts mixing together.

Not only were the students startled, but the other Revolutionary Army members standing next to Claude also jumped in surprise.

“Claude?!”

“What are you doing so suddenly?! The operation hasn’t even started yet…!”

“We’ve been discovered! That guy knows my face!”

Looking at Claude who was pointing and shouting at me, I withdrew the barrier I had deployed.

Shooting right after meeting for the first time in a while – the Revolutionary Army really made him lose his mind.

This is why I don’t do revolutions.

“Eugene!”

“Irene, get my gun out. You stay hidden behind me.”

“Okay!”

I hid Irene, who was startled by the sudden attack, behind my back.

But wait, I can’t help but notice she’s already drooling.

Don’t touch them. They’re enemies. Our Irene, you’ll get sick if you eat things like that.

“That…!”

“Heresy?! Why does that bastard have that weapon…!”

When they saw Maximilien’s weapon in my hand, sparks flew in the eyes of Claude and the other members.

‘Seeing their dead leader’s weapon, such a reaction is natural.’

About 5 minutes remained until the instructors would arrive.

It was enough of a spectacle to keep them occupied until then.

Whatever their original plan was, I can ask after subduing them.

Whoosh-!

The ‘Wings of Crimson’ modified by my factor shone, creating dozens of magic circles in the air.

Dozens of extremely condensed Fireballs.

Upon confirming this, the Revolutionary Army members immediately synchronized their magical power to create barriers, while Claude at the center prepared a counter-magic formula.

‘Quick response. This shows they’re not just one or two days into actual combat.’

Experienced enemies with abundant combat experience.

About 5 minutes remained until the instructors would arrive.

Then what I needed to do now was…

‘No need to conserve magical power. Overwhelm them with firepower.’

Thinking that, I pulled the trigger of the loaded Heresy.

Whoosh?!

The condensed Fireballs grew larger and larger until they were the size of human heads.

Detonating the condensed magical power cartridge to instantaneously boost magical power.

Seeing this all too familiar combat method, the Revolutionary Army members’ faces were filled with shock.

“Wait. That’s…?”

“No way, magic bullets?”

Dismay filled the faces of the Revolutionary Army members maintaining their barriers.

They probably didn’t expect me to use magic bullets, their trademark technique.

“No, with that amount of magical power we can’t block…!”

Claude tried to intervene belatedly, but it was already too late.

“Fire all rounds.”

Boom boom boom—!

When dozens of Fireballs exploded simultaneously, the shockwave shook the school grounds.

Due to using twice the amount of magical power compared to normal spell activation, the recoil transmitted through my hand with a tingling sensation.

Smoke was slowly rising from the magic imprint that had turned red-hot.

“Whew!”

I exhaled the remaining heat in my body with a deep breath.

The magic bullets I used were prototypes delivered by Walter, items that would be used by the ‘Special Magical Power Unit’ to be established in the future.

‘The output is lower than what the Revolutionary Army uses. However…’

If you consider mass deployment as standard military equipment, this is much better.

While thinking that, someone burst through the thick smoke.

“Tch.”

Claude Elcidore.

Looking at the four-stroke magic imprint shining on his arm, I clicked my tongue.

[Red Wings]

The general-purpose magic imprint used by the Revolutionary Army had been transformed into a unique form.

Just like my [Wings of Crimson], his imprint had also started to change.

Clang-!

Claude’s swung sword penetrated my barrier.

Judging by this output, he must have already fired magic bullets.

An attack that came right after using magic.

Unable to completely deflect the impact, cracks were gradually forming in my barrier.

“I heard there were no survivors in House Elcidore. Then why are you still alive! And that weapon, Maximilien’s… Master’s…!”

“Should someone destined to be an Imperial officer bother answering questions from rebel trash?”

“You bastard-!”

Though I thoroughly provoked him, unfortunately, the situation wasn’t good.

‘While I have the advantage in magical power quantity, the magic circuit output and number of imprint strokes are equal.’

In one-on-one I could definitely win, but unlike the other members, I couldn’t take him out in one go.

Moreover, due to firing magic bullets, my magic circuit output was temporarily lowered.

Just maintaining the barrier was starting to become strenuous.

‘Irene is a card I can’t use here. Then…’

Though there’s a risk of overload, should I fire one more?

Just as I was thinking that and about to pull the trigger.

Boom-!

“Ugh?!”

A stone carved in the shape of an eagle flew in and struck Claude’s body.

Attack magic? What? Has the Magic Corps arrived?

Thinking that, I looked to the side.

“…Kyle?”

Kyle, who had been following me until just now, was extending his hand with his magic imprint glowing.

“My name is Kyle Raikard! As heir to Count Raikard, I join this battle…!”

“You filthy magic noble!”

Boom boom boom–!

“Waaagh?!”

Before Kyle could finish speaking, Claude’s red sword energy flew toward him.

The barrier shattered but well, he didn’t seem to die.

And that small gap created in that moment decided the outcome of this battle.

Whoosh-!

“Kugh?!”

Magical power chains that sprang from the ground bound both of Claude’s arms.

‘Helios’s Reins’

It was a binding spell inscribed in the fourth stroke of the magic imprint.

“Not yet! Not yet…!”

“No, it’s over.”

Saying that, I put away my gun.

The Magic Corps that had entered the school were aiming their guns at Claude and his companions.

“…!”

Seeing that, Claude glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

But that was only for a moment.

As if realizing there was no escape route, Claude slowly lowered his head.

His hands were already bound in chains, so it was a signal of surrender.

***

“Cadet Eugene Lorentz! You have done a great service for the Empire!”

The academy’s principal Mildren arrived several minutes later.

‘How transparent. The situation was already over, yet he’s in full combat gear with bulletproof vest.’

Looking at his military uniform and equipment that seemed ready to burst, that’s what I thought.

It must be hard to have such a belly as a soldier, but I suppose that too is a kind of ability.

While having such idle thoughts as I shook his thick hand, Mildren patted my shoulder with a politician’s characteristic smile and said:

“Now! I will personally escort these rebel groups and report to the higher-ups! Besides the Imperial rewards, there will be commendations at the school level, so look forward to it! Hohohoho!”

“Thank you.”

Though the principal smiled kindly as he said that, I detected something suspicious in his words.

‘The principal will personally escort them?’

I wasn’t the only one who thought that, as Kyle standing next to me also spoke with suspicious eyes.

“Principal, isn’t the arrest of rebels under Imperial Army jurisdiction?”

“Ah, ah, Cadet Kyle Raikard? That, that is…”

“Moreover, those accompanying aren’t Imperial Military Police but Magic Corps mages…”

“Ahem, ahem!”

At Kyle’s words beside me, the principal’s coughing grew more intense.

“This, this is such a special case that I must handle it personally! We also need to discuss Cadet Eugene’s rewards, so…”

“Then have Cadet Eugene accompany the prisoner transport. As the one who directly arrested the criminals, his testimony would be needed, wouldn’t it…”

“That, that cannot be done!”

Hmm. Seeing such a strong rejection, it’s pretty much confirmed he’s planning something shady.

Thinking that, I watched Claude and the Revolutionary Army members being led away by the Magic Corps.

‘Something’s strange.’

The Revolutionary Army is an organization where talent is scarce.

When they send valuable resources like Magic Awakening users to the battlefield, it means they always have senior members accompanying them.

With major executives like Maximilien and Vark all dead, there was only one senior figure remaining.

‘Randall Dean Clark.’

Maximilien’s staff officer and the Revolutionary Army’s brain.

After making Claude a puppet leader, he would be effectively controlling the Revolutionary Army… The vanguard of Westraine.

‘Even with Claude captured, that guy didn’t show himself. Why would he, who should stick close to the Revolutionary Army’s leader…’

An ominous premonition invaded my mind.

Several hypotheses emerged, but one thing I could be certain of:

Claude, now bound in those shackles, was a poisoned chalice.

“Please explain clearly, Principal! Why the Revolutionary Army…!”

“I will follow the Principal’s decision.”

At my words cutting off Kyle, color returned to the principal’s face.

“Re-really?”

“Aren’t you the head of the military academy? You must have insights that we cannot think of.”

“H-hahaha! Yes! That’s right!”

The visibly delighted principal hurriedly ran off leading the Magic Corps and disappeared.

As I quietly watched that scene, Kyle, who had been arguing with the principal, said to me:

“Why are you just letting them go? You heard the principal’s nonsense! Something’s suspicious…”

“It’s none of my business, the report went up to the higher-ups, so whether it’s reward money or a commendation, something will come out.”

I looked at Kyle who was angry on my behalf.

From my perspective, this guy’s actions were the most unexpected.

Even if I chalk up him ignoring evacuation orders and joining the battle to youthful competitiveness, I really don’t understand him defending me.

“By the way, why are you suddenly acting friendly? Didn’t you hate me?”

“Huh? Hate you? What are you talking about?”

However, when I asked that, Kyle rather spoke as if puzzled.

“Aren’t we the closest of friends, fiercely competing for the top spot!”

“…What?”

Hearing those words, I decided to add this guy to my list of known psychopaths.

What’s wrong with this bastard?

Picking fights with me every day, and now suddenly friends?

What nonsense is this?

***

“Kuh, kugh…”

On the night of the Revolutionary Army’s attack.

The mages escorting Claude, the leader of the intruders, collapsed one by one.

Black smoke lingering on the wounds in their slashed throats.

The mages’ corpses covered in that smoke soon disappeared, turning into black ashes.

“What… what’s going on…”

Principal Mildren, who was trying to escape the capital with Claude, backed away in fear.

A black shadow slowly walking toward him.

Seeing the black imprint engraved on the briefly exposed arm, the principal’s face was dyed with despair.

“This, seven strokes…”

A seven-stroke magic imprint extending to the elbow.

The shadow attacking them was a mage of the same caliber as the head of a magic noble house.

Slash-!

When the man swung his arm, Mildren’s head flew into the air.

What a vulgar fellow.

Muttering that, the shadow slowly approached the transport vehicle and crushed the thick iron door.

Crunch-!

When the door opened, Claude, bound in chains, spoke in a weak voice.

“Randall… Brother…”

Traces of torture all over his body.

Meeting his comrade, Claude gritted his teeth.

“It was the Elcidore knights. Those bastards, they tried to take me… Said they’d use me as a stud to continue the family line…”

“Yes. You’ve been through a lot.”

Saying that, Randall broke the chains and helped Claude up.

“Brother. The other comrades…”

“It’s already too late. Saving you was the best we could do.”

“…!”

Claude’s eyes shook greatly.

To lose so miserably those who had been with him since joining the Revolutionary Army.

Randall comforted such a Claude and said:

“By causing a disturbance at the military academy, their demands were satisfied. The Revolutionary Army will receive support again.”

“…Yes.”

“We’ll definitely save our comrades later. The hero of the revolution cannot stop for something like this.”

Hero of the revolution.

The title his master Maximilien left to him.

Hearing those words, Claude clenched his fists and nodded.

Seeing that appearance, Randall smiled slightly.

‘How convenient to handle. Unlike with Maximilien.’

With this, there were no Revolutionary Army members left to oppose his actions.

All that remained were members who agreed with him and ‘new’ members supported by Westraine.

Having secured Maximilien’s successor and gained legitimacy, future matters would become much easier.

‘By the way, I didn’t know the Empire had such talent.’

Randall, who had watched the battle at the military academy, became interested in the cadet who defeated Claude.

‘Eugene Lorentz.’

The red magic imprint similar to the Revolutionary Army’s, and that overwhelming power.

Recalling that battle, Randall decided to investigate more about the boy called Eugene.

Just as with Claude, if persuaded well, he could become an excellent chess piece.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.