Chapter 5

2. When I opened my eyes, it was the end of the world.

I used the opportunity provided by my friend's father, a general, to fill my pockets, and on top of my allowance, I even managed to extort a self-defense weapon, grinning from ear to ear.

This is why connections are so important.

“What do you plan to do from now on?”

“I’m not sure.”

In fact, what I needed to do was simple.

First, I had to prevent the collapse of this broken world.

I died suddenly after being hit by a reincarnation truck in my late twenties, a bright future ahead of me. By a stroke of luck, I was reincarnated into this world, but I absolutely couldn't die again.

There was no way I could return to the world I lived in before.

That's just how reincarnation works.

Moreover, my body on Earth had likely already decomposed and turned to dust.

If that was the case, this was my second and final chance.

I had to live as Russell Ashgreen, not Jin Sejin.

‘The unfilial son goes first… May my parents live long and prosper…’

Even though I was a nobody, I had taken out a life insurance policy, so they would probably have enough for their retirement.

If the hit-and-run truck driver was caught, they would receive a substantial compensation.

I don’t remember clearly, but I’m sure my parents and the lawyers signed something. They must have received a settlement after catching the driver.

Having lived a life of unfilial conduct, this could be considered a not-so-bad ending, if I looked at it positively.

If I looked at it positively.

‘Even I think this is a ridiculous excuse.’

In the end, a faint smile escaped me.

No matter how I tried to justify it, dying before my parents was a grave act of filial impiety.

All I could do was hope they would cope well.

“I’m thinking of entering the military academy.”

I snapped out of my thoughts and brought up the main topic to Biltred.

“The military academy?”

“Yes. I don’t remember clearly, but I think my mother wished for me to enter the military academy before she passed away.”

“It’s not a bad choice. Even in a world steeped in peace, the skills to prepare for war are necessary. As Carlson’s son, you should strive even more.”

“Do you happen to know how many cadets have recently enrolled?”

“I believe it’s the 20th batch. The 21st batch will enroll after the current training camp ends.”

The 21st batch.

This was the generation of the protagonist, known as the best and worst in the history of the military academy.

Originally, Russell Ashgreen was supposed to enter the 22nd batch, a year later, under Biltred’s guardianship, making him a junior to the protagonist. In fanfiction terms, the prologue had just begun.

At this moment, Russell Ashgreen’s actions existed only in the setting book.

In other words, there was a year left before the original Russell would officially join the story.

‘Not bad.’

Originally, Russell was supposed to enter the training camp next year, graduate as an outstanding trainee, and then enroll in the military academy.

The 21st batch was already undergoing the training process for enrollment.

If I could somehow enter this time, I could join the story a year earlier.

As part of the protagonist’s generation.

I would be entering the eye of the storm.

“…How long has the training camp enrollment been going on?”

“About two weeks, I think.”

Biltred counted on his fingers and gave a vague answer.

It was probably around the time the basic physical training was ending.

It was a close call.

The training camp opened only once a year.

If I missed this enrollment period, I would waste a whole year.

There were many hidden settings outside the military academy, so I could still grow stronger, but there were clear limits without formal education.

The world’s end was only about four and a half years away.

Following the main story, no matter how much I strategized, it was an impossible timeline to clear.

“I have a favor to ask, Uncle.”

“Stop using that creepy term.”

“Please help me enter the training camp mid-term. A recommendation letter for the military academy would also be great. As you know, I’ve become an orphan.”

Biltred’s forehead creased slightly at my natural lie. Despite his reaction, I pleaded again.

“I beg of you.”

“Young men who have passed their growth period are given the opportunity to enlist at any time. Given your current state, it doesn’t seem like you would have trouble adapting even if you joined mid-term, but is there really a need to rush?”

“I can’t afford to waste a year. My talent is too precious.”

In this world, the late teens to early twenties are the fastest learning and growing years.

That’s why they gather people of that age for military training and send them to the military academy to become heroes.

Falling behind among rapidly growing heroes.

Not being able to enter the military academy on time meant that.

“Even though I told you not to act suspiciously.”

A heavy sigh escaped his lips. It seemed he agreed that wasting a year of talent would be a loss.

In the main story, Russell was lazy for a year before being dragged to the military academy by Biltred’s insistence.

Finally, Biltred, frowning, reluctantly nodded.

“I’ll arrange the mid-term enrollment. I’ll also write the recommendation letter, so do as you please. But if you disgrace my reputation or fail to achieve, I’ll seal you next to the divine weapon.”

Biltred added with a chilling smile.

It was a bone-chilling, greenish smile.

* * *

Biltred told Russell Ashgreen to rest for a moment and went up to his office.

As he wrote the recommendation letter in elegant handwriting, his adjutant cautiously asked:

“General.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You have never written a recommendation letter since taking office. Moreover, mid-term enrollment… It will certainly cause considerable confusion in the training camp. Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?”

The adjutant’s concern was valid.

Biltred was known for his fairness and integrity.

His influence extended throughout the military, the training camp, and the military academy.

But he had never used his power for personal gain.

“Is the boy’s talent that outstanding?”

“Perhaps. As Carlson’s son, he’s certainly qualified to enter the military academy.”

“Is it because of your affection for the boy’s father?”

Biltred merely shrugged. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes slightly, looking tired.

In his closed vision, images from the past flickered.

The intense, tragic, and poignant battle scars.

The monsters and miners that filled the land, and the heroes who fought fierce battles with divine weapons. They are now old men, sitting in the back rooms, pretending to be important.

Heroes, who are said to have an ageless constitution, but that’s just a story.

Most of them, once sharp, have become toothless beasts, drunk on peace.

But Carlson was different.

He was a hero who fought with 200% of his capabilities. If he were still alive, he would have urged the heroes to train and hone their bodies.

This is it.

A whetstone to sharpen my dulled self, and an insurance against the persistent unease in my mind.

“I heard Ettrange is in the capital. Can you bring him here for a moment?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you. I’ll report the situation to the Senate first, so please tell him to wait here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Biltred didn’t answer any of his questions, but the adjutant nodded as if he understood.

“By the way, I forgot to mention the other family members.”

Biltred glanced at the last line of Russell’s family status and turned his head.

Even if he seemed distracted, he couldn’t have forgotten his only remaining family.

Biltred’s golden eyes turned to the album on his desk.

Hunter Carlson, blacksmith Carter, guardian Vask, dragon slayer Conred, and countless other comrades.

Familiar faces.

* * *

“The general has finished interrogating the suspected miner. Shall I bring him in?”

“Yes, please let him in.”

In the audience hall, influential figures who controlled the Holy Kingdom gathered with serious expressions.

Queen Dione.

The two knight commanders, Charles and Kroze.

The head of the Inquisition, Katinka.

And the leader of the nuns, Angelica.

The pillars of the kingdom, known as the Senate.

“Your Majesty.”

Biltred bowed to the queen and walked through the heavy silence.

“I will report on the recent investigations of the two miner-related incidents.”

After confirming the queen’s nod, Biltred continued his report.

“No evidence was found on the intruder suspected in the Sinea Ashgreen case. The investigation revealed that he was the victim’s biological child and acted impulsively out of a desire for revenge against the miners. Considering the circumstances, we decided to release him.”

“Is that certain?”

“I will continue to monitor the situation.”

The queen nodded at his reassuring answer.

“And… the murder in Pedria village… was committed by the spouse. It is believed that the perpetrator silenced the wife who discovered the miner activities and took the child to raise as a miner.”

Ah.

Oh, my God.

Oh, Goddess…

Sighs of sorrow echoed throughout the room.

It was a cruel and brutal incident, too horrific to describe.

“The miners’ activities are becoming increasingly serious. I request additional search troops for a large-scale crackdown.”

“…Approved.”

Queen Dione answered as if swallowing her pain.

The times are ominous.

Unholy and unsettling thoughts keep creeping into my mind.

The miners’ activities.

The unawakened covenant.

The unresponsive Goddess.

Perhaps the end of the world is near…