The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 136

While the social gathering was progressing in a good atmosphere, one of the middle-aged men who had heard the conversation between the Emperor and Kaim thought while sipping wine.

‘Hmm, House Drake.’

It was an unfamiliar family name.

As Minister of Finance, he prided himself on knowing the names of most noble houses.

The fact that he had never heard of it before meant that they were either nobility from a distant border region or an insignificant noble house.

‘The further from the capital, the less frequent the tax payments become. Of course, they pay in bulk instead. Anyway, since they pay in bulk, the taxes would be considerable…For a house that pays such taxes, how could I not know about them?’

No matter how remote their territory is, they would naturally put desperate effort into their livelihoods since they need to make a living.

Agriculture, engineering, commerce – there must be some main activity they focus on at the territory level.

‘The fact that their tax payments are so low that I don’t know about them means one of two things. Either they’re neglecting their territory, or they’re embezzling funds.’

Of course, there was a third possibility – that it was worthless land that couldn’t be improved no matter how hard they tried – but the Minister of Finance deliberately erased that fact from his mind.

True to his role as Minister of Finance, he thought in terms of what taxes could be collected.

‘I should investigate House Drake when I return.’

Meanwhile, Kai, who had been watching the Minister of Finance observing Kaim from afar, wore a faint smile.

‘Hehe, it’s going exactly as expected.’

He figured the Minister of Finance would naturally be interested in an unfamiliar house.

As mentioned, each noble house was a target for taxation from the imperial family’s perspective.

‘Soon the Minister of Finance will send investigators. Then they’ll realize how rapidly the Drake territory is developing.’

An amazing 8-fold growth in a short period!

Fortunately, there was no possibility of embezzlement or corruption in the process.

According to the Crown Prince’s informant who had infiltrated Eden, the city under the territory’s control, Amon’s brother ‘Aim’ who manages Eden was strictly cracking down on such corruption.

‘From the start, he’s been earnestly asking his subordinate officials to focus on future possibilities rather than immediate gains. With someone like that, while the future is uncertain, there shouldn’t be any issues for now.’

When the investigators submit positive reports, things will progress smoothly.

A border territory, high growth rate, the Emperor’s positive remarks.

‘They’ll naturally be considered for promotion in rank. And with an 8-fold growth rate, plus future growth potential, it won’t end with just a one-rank promotion. Considering that senior Amon’s father is a baron, there could even be talks of a two-rank promotion to count, which is the maximum possible promotion at once.’

When that happens, the conclusion is already set.

‘The Arma Mountains where Drake territory is located are too far from the capital. That means oversight and supervision will inevitably be lacking. And considering the rank of count, the special circumstances of residing in rugged terrain, and future growth potential…’

Unlike other territorial lords, a noble who receives delegation of the highest authority in judicial, administrative, and military matters from the imperial family.

While they are given the duty to defend against foreign invasion as a border count in exchange for such powerful authority, the Arma Mountains were already clearly imperial territory, so just preventing monsters from occupying the area was more than enough justification.

Therefore,

‘Border Count.’

According to Crown Prince Kai’s insight, this would soon be House Drake’s title.

‘Of course, since they’re handing over powerful authority, the imperial family will keep a close watch, but this is also what the imperial family wants. His Majesty has already publicly declared he will be watching.’

Kai smiled with satisfaction and turned his head toward the direction of the academy.

‘Senior Amon, with this I believe I’ve given all the help I can offer. I hope this helps heal your emotional wounds, even if just a little.’

At that time, Amon was growling with rage in his eyes.

It was because Kai had left for the capital after dumping all his work on Amon, saying he needed to manage this social gathering.

“That bastard Kai, dumping work on me and running away? Just because you’re from an imperial advisory family? Just wait until you get back.”

And so Amon’s internal affinity for Kai dropped once again.

* * *

‘Hm? What’s this?’

A middle-aged woman tilted her head as she unfolded a letter.

‘Amonis Academy is holding a grand festival? Didn’t I hear they went bankrupt?’

She had definitely heard that various incidents had piled up and they had entered a state that could only be described as bankrupt, but suddenly they’re holding a grand festival?

“Ah, it seems they’re desperately trying to hold a grand festival to somehow raise the awareness of their fallen academy.”

However, it’s impossible to recover a completely shattered reputation with just this kind of festival.

A proper grand festival might be different, but in cases like this where they’re scraping together every debt possible and forcefully carrying out the festival, it will only serve to more firmly imprint Amonis Academy’s downfall in others’ minds.

“What would you like to do, Principal?”

In response to her assistant’s question, Anna Omnidas, the principal of Phoenix Academy, tossed the letter into a corner and said:

“There’s no need to get involved with the death throes of a failing academy. Decline it appropriately.”

“Yes, Principal.”

In this way, invitation letters were sent in Amonis Academy’s name not only to various academies within the empire but also to academies in friendly foreign nations.

However, most reactions were no different from Phoenix Academy’s.

“They’re already bankrupt, aren’t they? Why go there?”

“Huh? Are they still operating?”

“Hey, we’re holding a competition too, we should send them an invitation instead.”

Anar’el would have cried tears of blood if she knew about these cold reactions!

However, surprisingly, the academies that showed cold reactions were mostly small and medium-sized ones.

Among the academies both within the empire and abroad, those that were large and prestigious had completely different stances.

“Hooh, Amonis Academy. The academy where the Azure Sky Sword King serves as gate guard? While the rumors aren’t good, they might have something hidden up their sleeve. Screen suitable participants and report back.”

Johns Hopkins Academy, evaluated as being among the top five prestigious academies in the empire, confirmed their participation in this grand festival!

“An academy run by an elf princess…It’s common knowledge among those who know that she was a long-time companion of His Majesty the Emperor. The imperial family might be involved in this grand festival. Send a reply expressing gratitude for the invitation.”

Royal Academy, a prestigious academy receiving direct support and investment from the imperial family, also decided to participate!

And then.

“Ke, kekeke…”

Benjamin, principal of Vestric Academy, which boasted being the strongest and best on the continent, let out an ominously sinister laugh and shouted.

“This time I’ll completely destroy Amonis Academy! Send our intention to participate!”

“Yes! Principal Benjamin!”

“Kahaha! Look forward to it, Principal Anar’el! And…”

Benjamin stopped laughing and said with a cold face.

“Amon Drake, I’ll thoroughly crush you this time.”

* * *

~The Holy Kingdom of Gregorian~

The High Priest and the King were sitting face to face with serious expressions.

Between the two of them was a letter.

“An invitation to the grand festival being held by Amonis Academy…”

Recently, a teacher belonging to Amonis Academy committed a great disrespect against the Holy Kingdom.

Of course, worried about confusion among the faithful, it wasn’t announced publicly, and only a few leaders including the High Priest and King knew about it.

“Your Majesty, what will you do?”

At the High Priest’s question, the King chuckled and said:

“To send an invitation after committing such disrespect…How brazen.”

“…”

“When they’re so clearly provoking us, we can’t not accept.”

No.

They just sent invitations to all famous countries, nobles, and academies indiscriminately.

But from the Holy Kingdom’s perspective, this was provocation if there ever was one.

They beat up a goddess incarnated on earth and committed the blasphemous grave sin of defending the Demon King, and now they’re inviting them to their event as if nothing happened?

“It would be good to clearly show them the difference in class. Select skilled individuals among the holy knights to participate, as a warning about the difference in power.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

Perhaps because they had a good feeling about this grand festival, Amon and Anar’el were grinning from ear to ear.

“Teacher Amon!”

“Yes! Principal!”

Anar’el rummaged through the pile of letters while giggling.

“So many nobles, academies, and kingdoms have decided to participate in this grand festival!”

“That’s right!”

“And most of the places that decided to participate are really prestigious!”

Amon smiled with satisfaction while organizing banners and flyers for ‘Eden’, the sponsoring city and city under his family’s control.

It was an opportunity to firmly imprint the city of Eden in the minds of such distinguished people.

“This is truly wonderful, isn’t it!”

“It really is! Things always work out well when I leave them to Teacher Amon!”

“Haha! That’s…wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

Amon’s face turned serious as he fell into thought.

‘Come to think of it, has anything ever worked out well when we were this excited and expectant?’

There must have been at least once.

No, this is still a place where people live, could it really be that nothing has ever worked out well even once?

While deep in thought, Amon exclaimed.

“Ah! Principal!”

“Yes? W-why, what’s wrong?”

“I think we’re screwed.”

“What!? W-what do you mean…?”

“Think about it carefully. Has anything ever worked out well when we got this excited?”

Anar’el also fell into thought and soon there was only one answer that came to mind.

“…Never.”

“That’s right! So now is not the time for us to be making a fuss about how good this is!”

Amon lowered his head with a serious face.

“So we need to stay as calm and composed as possible.”

“Hmm. Composed.”

“Yes, even if something happens, we just say ‘Ah, what was bound to happen has happened’ and move on.”

“Ah. What was bound to happen has finally happened.”

“That’s right. That’s when you use those words.”

Anar’el perked up her ears as if she had gained deep enlightenment.

Amon smiled warmly at the quick-learning principal and nodded.

“Now then, even if something horrible happens?”

“Ah, what was bound to happen has happened.”

“That’s right! That’s exactly it. Then that’s how it is, that’s how we are. That’s the mindset we should have for this event.”

There’s a saying that people should look down rather than up.

That way, even if things fail, it hurts less!

“Listen well! You get betrayed because you trust in the first place!”

“Ah! So we just shouldn’t trust!”

“That’s exactly it!”

While Amon was conducting mental conditioning on Anar’el, Brestle burst through the door and shouted.

“Principal! Good news! Oh, Teacher Amon is here too!”

Seeing Brestle making a fuss, Amon and Anar’el instinctively thought.

‘What was bound to happen has happened.’

‘That’s how we are.’