"Is that the Division Headquarters?"

In the distance, a massive wall could be seen.

It appeared to be the 5th Division Headquarters.

We'll arrive soon, but I wonder if Iscaliote has arrived safely.

I discreetly tucked in the shotgun and pulled out a few grenades from my coat. I placed several into the driver's pocket.

"What, what are you doing?"

"It's nothing much... just a payoff for your silence. Keep it."

"Don't mess with me... these are bombs."

"It's good you're aware."

Leon drove the car as if he hadn't slept for three days straight.

What could be on his mind? I think I have a rough idea.

‘Once we get to the division, let's hand this bastard over to the military police.’

He must be thinking that.

Mumbling to myself, I passed the time.

Leon flinched whenever he heard me muttering, but he didn't pay much attention.

The guard post came closer.

I looked at Leon's trembling hands and spoke.

"It was hard work joining the Special Task Force, but returning like this is unfortunate, isn't it? Couldn't even protect the Division Commander from the attack..."

"…"

"But don't worry too much. I'll speak to the incoming Division Commander and ask for leniency."

"What... what are you talking about?"

"Just focus on driving straight. Anyway... it's just how it is. I'm just a low-level employee, and there were many who didn't quite like the Division Commander, right? So... watch your words, don't accidentally offend someone important."

The grip on the steering wheel slackened.

A hand slowly lowered.

As the tension left his face, his mouth hung open, and the focus began to fade from his eyes.

"Oh, Senior."

I held onto his arm and reinvigorated him.

Though Leon was still a bit shaky, we managed to reach the guard post safely thanks to that.

We passed through the guard post and moved toward the Division Commander's Office, where the new Division Commander awaited.

"Well, seeing you in person, you do look quite impressive."

"Senior..."

I looked at Iscaliote, whom I met in the Division Commander's Office.

A blond green-eyed woman, seated in a soft dress under the warm sunlight.

She resembled a scene from a masterpiece painting or perhaps an elegant noblewoman lounging during an afternoon break in an old-fashioned mansion.

What could I call this in one sentence?

"You look better in person."

"Hmm? Really? I thought I looked rather old when I saw myself in the mirror..."

She does appear to have aged.

How many years apart are Trinia and her...

Trinia was quite young when she fell into a critical state, so it couldn’t be...

"Anyway."

Iscaliote said as if to cut off my thoughts.

She continued, looking at the special task force member beside me rather than me.

"What was your name again?"

"...Leon, of the 5th Division Special Task Force."

"Right, Leon... It's a pity that the Division Commander could not return."

Leon rolled his eyes, meeting Iscaliote's gaze, and then lowered his head once again.

He’s probably thinking she must also know who killed the Division Commander.

"Still, it's a relief that at least you brought back an Academy Cadet. It's fortunate, although losing comrades must be hard..."

"No, it's alright..."

"Really? You don't look well, should I arrange for a psychologist?"

"No... I'm fine."

"There's a good hospital in the Capital. If, in the future... you start babbling about who killed the Division Commander or who committed treason due to mental strain, I'll send you there. I've already informed them nearby, so if you show any signs of mental instability, they'll admit you immediately. You can relax and behave as usual, you understand?"

"Y-yes, I understand."

At those words, Iscaliote paused briefly.

As silence set in and Leon shivered as if cold, Iscaliote spoke again.

"...Alright, then you may leave."

As she said that, Leon attempted to walk out, but his legs were trembling, and he stumbled a bit.

However, despite stumbling, Leon slowly walked out of the Division Commander's Office.

All the while, Iscaliote was watching his back.

I was standing with my back to that scene.

Iscaliote spoke.

"Why did you bring him back alive?"

"Does it make any sense for him to have survived alone?"

"True..."

"More importantly, do you think you can secure the Division Commander position?"

"What's there to say? The moment I was given the call of duty after discharge I was thrilled to return to the battlefield, and they said they'd need a new deputy too."

"Is that so?"

"And I also brought these back..."

Iscaliote took something from under the desk.

One was a medal, and the other was a piece of paper.

"This is the Military Merit Medal you were supposed to receive, and this is... a Commander Recommendation."

"...What?"

"You're still a cadet, so you can't be a commander yet, but… Initially, we've agreed to give you the position of Student Council President as a temporary measure. After graduation, you'll be given a unit to command."

Suddenly, a topic I had never considered came up, and I was taken aback.

I had never thought about life after the Academy.

My only goal was to lead the story to a happy ending.

But now, being a commander...

"Senior? What does that mean?"

"Are you flustered? I'm flustered too, but we can't just let someone else take you, can we? So we're staking our claim early."

"Still, to be Student Council President..."

"Think of it as a rehearsal, because when you graduate, you'll have to lead a unit on the frontline properly."

...Still, the Student Council President's role is more about handling administrative work than leading a unit.

When I raised this doubt, Iscaliote explained seamlessly.

"We'll be delivering a few improvements soon. During your term, the Student Council President will have control over military, judicial, and administrative systems... So, do well, alright?"

"..."

I couldn't help but think things would get a bit complicated.

Or perhaps it was a good thing since it meant more power...

The Academy I returned to after a long time was in complete disarray.

Aside from the strange protests making a ruckus, I read the contents of a newspaper posted on the wall.

The content was outrageous.

"They're accusing me of scandals and misconduct..."

I was curious about the Newspaper Club that distributed this, or rather, the Student Council that incited them.

What on earth happened for such articles to flood the Academy?

It’s obvious to anyone that these are false articles.

“Well... it seems like you've been doing well, which is a relief.”

Leaving behind the newspaper posted on the wall, I headed towards the Student Council.

First, I need to report my return with the recommendation letter from the Central Government.

While on my way to the Student Council, several students approached me.

“I don't believe those newspapers, so...”

“You’re encouraging me, right? Thanks.”

“I don't know what the Disciplinary Committee is thinking by leaving that alone…”

“Well, I’m sure they have their reasons...”

“The Student Council is at fault, supporting the Newspaper Club and allowing strange groups to make a fuss…”

“I'll take care of that.”

“I trust you!”

After seeing off the passing student, I slowly made my way to the Student Council.

And there, I encountered some familiar faces.

Laurent and the Head of the Disciplinary Committee.

I waved and greeted them enthusiastically.

“Oh, Gardner?! Hey!!! When did you get here?”

“Gardner... you’re back?”

Laurent greeted me like a golden retriever, while the Head of the Disciplinary Committee seemed a bit drained.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked.

Their appearance, standing with the Disciplinary Committee members as if guarding the Student Council, seemed odd.

Were they perhaps blocking mobs from storming the Student Council?

It turned out the reality was quite the opposite.

“No, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I was thinking of breaking in…”

“...Is that alright to do?”

It seemed like a violation of rules.

Laurent and the Head of the Disciplinary Committee both had the expression that there was no other choice.

In response, I pulled out a piece of paper to show them.

It was the Commander Recommendation from Iscaliote.

The document stated that I was being entrusted with the authority of the Student Council President.

Laurent and the Head of the Disciplinary Committee read through the paper and nodded.

"With this..."

"I was planning to handle this in a more peaceful manner, but..."

I looked around proudly and spoke.

"It doesn't seem necessary to be peaceful."

With those words, the aura of the Disciplinary Committee members gathered at the door changed.

They emitted an intense presence and took their places.

Leading the front line were me, the Head of the Disciplinary Committee, and Laurent.

Before the Head of the Disciplinary Committee took action.

I shattered the Student Council door with a shotgun.

-Bang!!

With the sound of the gunshot, the doors blew open.

Beyond them, stood the startled Student Council President and Vice President.

The Newspaper Club President and Apophis from the Newspaper Club.

They all looked disheveled.

"What, what is this?! Is this a coup?!”

The Student Council President stood up in shock.

As I looked at the President, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

“Come to think of it, what I tried to stop was also a coup by the Student Council.”

At this point, I had become the one leading the coup.

Nevertheless, I did not think it was a bad thing.

In fact, the situation was advantageous.

When the coup occurred in the game, the scenario had been quite dreadful.

The Academy was pushed to the frontlines, and after losing operational control, under the Division Commander's orders, the students, referred to as troops, were thrown into battle.

And the Student Council President allowed such a situation.

Angry mobs stormed the Student Council, imprisoning the President, and began protesting against the Division Commander.

However, those actions only made the situation worse.

The ringleaders of the mob, the most powerful third-year students, were summoned to a military tribunal.

Didn't the remaining second and third-year students continue the war?

Compared to that story, things are better now.

Putting aside the grievance of being given a burdensome position, I made a declaration to the Student Council.

“Clear the room.”

“Huh?”

I shouted at them with the brightest smile.

“I am the new Student Council President.”

-The End-

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