Do Your Own Revolution

#049.

Thud-!

Vark’s headless body collapsed lifelessly.

Having completely destroyed his brain, there’s no way he could survive.

“Impressive. Even though he was dying, you took down such a monster in one strike?”

While I was looking at Vark’s corpse, a voice addressed me.

Margrave Gloucester.

Looking at the elderly man wearing a relaxed smile, I immediately bowed my head.

“I am honored to meet the Pioneer of the East.”

“You weren’t overwhelmed by the monster’s pressure, and instead suddenly countered and cut off its breath. You’ve done us a great service.”

“I merely did what was expected of an Imperial cadet.”

The manner of speech of this man, the eldest among the 12 magic nobles, was more similar to that of a monarch than a noble.

‘Well, that makes sense.’

The Gloucester region located in the northeastern part of the Empire.

Count Gloucester was the one who had personally pioneered that land covered in contamination and developed it into human territory.

The title of magic noble was merely a type of contract made to avoid friction with the Empire.

In reality, he was a figure who could be called not a magic noble, but the monarch of an independent nation called Gloucester.

“Getting caught up in pointless arguments and letting such an important monster slip away. How shameful as Imperial magic nobles.”

Margrave Gloucester, who had been smiling kindly at me, twisted his lips as he looked at the other magic nobles following him.

“Don’t you all think so?”

“…!”

“A-ahem…”

Upon hearing Margrave Gloucester’s words, the other magic nobles avoided eye contact awkwardly.

Particularly Duke Buckenheim’s expression wasn’t good – it seemed he had heard my name from Carlos who stood behind.

“You’ve done us magic nobles a great service by catching the monster that almost escaped. What is your name?”

“Eugene, Lorentz.”

“Lorentz? I haven’t heard of that family…”

As he was lost in thought, a knight from the Gloucester family approached and whispered in his ear.

“Ah, is that so? You mean this is the child who saved His Majesty at the funeral?”

“Oh…”

“So this child was that one?”

Hearing Margrave Gloucester’s loud exclamation, the other magic nobles looked at me with gleaming eyes.

‘This old geezer…’

Acting like such a dotard.

It’s not good to stand out this early.

While I was thinking that, my savior Keiren approached and put his hand on my shoulder.

“Are you hurt anywhere, Eugene? That could have been dangerous.”

“No, Father. I only did what needed to be done.”

As this clearly intentional exchange occurred between Keiren and me, the magic nobles’ gazes changed, except for Gloucester.

From curiosity and slight goodwill to disappointment and wariness.

It meant they had completed their friend-or-foe identification in that brief moment.

“It’s been since the Eastern Defense Battle two years ago, Lieutenant General Keiren.”

“I’m glad to see you’re still in good health, Margrave.”

“Good health? What nonsense. I can’t even retire because watching my son’s behavior is so unpleasant.”

Unlike the other nobles who hesitated to speak up, Gloucester addressed Keiren casually.

Keiren also received his words with a smile, creating quite a different atmosphere from how he usually dealt with magic nobles.

“By the way, what to do with this corpse is the problem.”

While the two were conversing, a woman among the nobles spoke up.

The conductor of the symphony orchestra, Countess Dvorak.

At her words, dressed in an elaborate gown, the magic nobles’ arguments were about to start again.

Their main objective was the core embedded in Vark’s corpse.

It was to claim the power source that formed the center of the monster.

But then.

“I would prefer if the handling of the corpse were left to the Imperial Family.”

At the voice coming from outside the venue, the nobles’ gazes turned to one spot.

“Your Majesty!”

The Emperor, accompanied by Imperial Guard Andrei.

The magic nobles and knights gathered at the scene knelt on one knee.

Duke Buckenheim, Duke Nachtval, and Margrave Gloucester merely bowed slightly, and the Emperor raised his hand as if to say it was fine, making them rise.

“Your Majesty, why are you here?”

“The monster’s contamination hasn’t fully dissipated yet, Your Majesty. Approaching carelessly would endanger your…”

“Don’t worry. After the recent attack, I’ve become rather numb to such things.”

‘People who didn’t care when I was attacked are now worried about my health?’

At the Emperor’s sarcastic remark, most of the nobles kept their mouths shut.

“Technology that transforms humans into monsters… I’ve never heard of such a thing. Do any of you have any insights about this incident?”

None of the magic nobles answered the Emperor’s question.

Since it’s technology from Westraine, how would they know?

After observing the nobles’ reactions, the Emperor nodded and said.

“If there are no insights, then identifying the source of this technology should be our immediate priority. Don’t you think so?”

“Ah, well…”

Before discussing ownership of the corpse, we should first uncover the source of this strange technology.

At the Emperor’s words, the nobles couldn’t find any particular objection.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Among them, it was Margrave Gloucester who supported the Emperor’s hand.

“What about the others?”

When the Emperor looked around the gathering, the other magic nobles slowly bowed their heads as well.

The Emperor was already on edge after the failed assassination attempt.

They must have judged that there was nothing to gain from creating opposition over this matter.

“Andrei.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Order the Imperial Knight Order to move the monster’s corpse. Have talented mages selected from each family to research this.”

“I will follow your command.”

The Imperial Family will handle the corpse retrieval.

You all can participate in the research together.

After saying that, the magic nobles’ furrowed expressions seemed to smooth out somewhat.

Though the core would stay in the Imperial Palace, they could still research the monster’s corpse, so it was a partial victory.

“You’ve worked hard, Eugene. I shall personally reward you for your achievement in catching the monster.”

“I am overwhelmed by your grace.”

After quickly settling the situation, the Emperor gave me his final commendation before heading to the Imperial Palace.

As the scene full of corpses and screams was somewhat cleaned up, the magic nobles began making their way back to their residences one by one.

“Eugene, was it? I’ll remember your name.”

Margrave Gloucester, who was the last to leave, called out to me.

“Thank you.”

Don’t remember it. It’ll make things harder when I have to stab you in the back later.

“Eugene. Eugene.”

While I was thinking that, Irene approached from behind and lightly tugged at my clothes.

“Did you eat a lot?”

“Yes!”

Her bright smile in response made it seem like the time I bought was worth it.

I wonder how strong she’ll become when I let her loose.

“And this!”

As I was thinking that, Irene handed me something she had been holding.

What Irene gave me was the monster core, completely purified of impurities.

Looking at the ethereally glowing magical power light, I smiled with satisfaction.

The monster’s corpse? The core?

I’ve already eaten all of that.

***

“Enemy at the front! They’re pushing in endlessly!”

“Machine gun overheated! Four minutes until barrel replacement!”

“Damn it, hold them back! If this line breaks, we’re all dead!”

Imperial East, monster contamination zone.

While monster invasions were a daily occurrence here, today was particularly severe.

“Keeek! Keeeek-!”

“Kwraaaaargh–!”

More than triple the usual invasion scale.

The machine gun ammunition defending the fortification had long since run out, and the Magic Corps soldiers deployed in the trenches were gradually reaching their limits.

“M-monster! The monster!”

“Aaaaargh–!”

The defense line had already collapsed long ago, and the blood and flesh of regular soldiers without magical power were scattered everywhere.

A scene straight from hell.

In the middle of it all, Sergeant Liber was gritting his teeth while squeezing out magical power from his magic imprint.

“Damn it… damn it…”

The officer who had acted so high and mighty as company commander was already in the monsters’ bellies.

As the most senior survivor, he had taken command of the remaining unit and was somehow trying to maintain this defense line, but…

“Defense line breached! The monsters are pushing through!”

“Sergeant! Retreat, we need to retreat…”

Maintaining this front line, which already showed signs of defeat, was no longer possible.

In the midst of such despair, his two-stroke magic imprint emitted light.

“Reinforcements…”

A magical power communication from headquarters.

It meant that mage forces were heading this way. However…

‘Mage forces? They said it would take over a month for new personnel to arrive from the Magic Corps…’

While thinking that, Sergeant Liber checked the communication that had come to him.

[3 minutes until reinforcements arrive. All forces, prepare for impact.]

“Prepare for impact?”

While checking the puzzling communication content, at that moment.

Three streams of magical power light pierced through the sky.

Not ordinary magical power light, but magic with a red glow.

The three long streams of light drew parabolas as they fell toward the monsters and-

With a thunderous sound, the monsters at the front were instantly torn apart.

“Ortega, Matt! We’re going in immediately!”

Before there was time to be surprised by the sudden explosion, three horses rushed out from the fortification.

Riding them were three men wearing cadet uniforms.

“C-cadets?”

Seeing this, Sergeant Liber doubted his eyes.

This is a contamination zone, why are cadets here?

No, more than that, what was that magical power just now?

‘Even though cadets are at the level of junior knights, they shouldn’t be that strong…’

While he was thinking that, the three cadets who had taken the vanguard were burning away the monsters that had been taking over the trenches.

Explosion, explosion, explosion.

After pushing back the monsters in the trenches with overwhelming firepower, they immediately turned their horses around and gave hand signals toward the rear.

And at that moment-

Dozens of stone blocks landed in front of the trenches, crushing the rushing monsters.

When the dust cloud cleared, what appeared were large statues lined up in a row.

When this unexpected cover blocked their way, the monsters were ramming their bodies against the statues.

“This should give us a moment to catch our breath.”

A calm voice woke the sergeant from his succession of shocks.

Looking to the side, a young man with black hair was looking at him.

“Cadet Eugene Lorentz, participating as reinforcement. Who’s in command?”

“The, the lieutenant is dead. I’m the temporary commander, but…”

Trailing off, Liber looked at the young man before him.

The uniform covered in dirt and dust as if he had been rolling around on the battlefield for a long time.

The cadet with a face full of fatigue gave him instructions in a businesslike tone.

“Understood, Sergeant Liber Han. Imperial forces will arrive soon as reinforcements. Strengthen the defense line with them, and have the Magic Corps withdraw.”

“P-pardon?”

Withdraw the Magic Corps? Then how are we supposed to catch these monsters?

While he was thinking that, the pretty-faced young man at the front raised his voice.

“Eugene! My friend! I’ve gathered them all!”

Hearing those words, the young man Eugene aimed the pistol at his waist while activating his magic imprint.

A uniquely shaped magic imprint emitting red magical power light.

Seeing that, Sergeant Liber’s eyes grew even wider.

“F-five strokes?”

No matter how you look at it, he seems like a greenhorn not even 20 years old, but a five-stroke magic imprint?

Isn’t that on par with Knight Order commanders?

While he was shocked, dozens of magic circles were woven in the sky.

“Duck.”

After saying that briefly, Eugene pulled the trigger and-

Dozens of light streams pouring from the magic circles exploded, grinding up the monsters trapped by the statues.

What came after the thunderous sounds died down was silence.

What gathered in his sight were only the fragments of monsters that had been shattered to ashes.

“Operation complete. Please handle the cleanup.”

“Y-yes…”

Seemingly unconcerned with the overwhelming scene, the one responsible for grinding up hundreds of monsters gestured to the cadets who had advanced forward.

“Eugene! Is it over now? Right?”

“Please say it’s over. I’m sick and tired of this damned saddle…”

“I’m hungry… I feel like I’m dying… I hate hanging around with these lowborn…”

“This bastard is still like that even in this situation.”

Looking closely, these cadets were in terrible shape too.

Young men covered in dirt and soot, looking half-dead.

“Yes. It’s all over.”

Eugene, who comforted them, sighed and broke open the revolver he was holding.

Six spent cartridges flew out with smoke.

“Today, we graduate from the military academy.”

In the monster contamination zone of the Eastern Front.

Eugene, now in his fourth year, was fighting monsters on the front lines.