There had been all sorts of twists and turns, but in the end, most of them were resolved well.
‘There really was a lot to learn in various ways.’
It was a bit of a shame that there hadn’t been much about the golems, but still, I’d learned that I couldn’t simply focus on development alone from now on.
And I’d also gained a few small harvests in my own way.
-“P-please, anything is fine, just make me do something else…! Let in more light, at least!”
-“What on earth do you want! Say it, please, just tell me!”
Before I left for the academy, the spies had voluntarily handed over a considerable amount of information, and for the time being, we’d decided to pass those parts on to the royal palace as they were.
I didn’t know how useful it would be, but catching spies and extracting a certain amount of information from them was apparently quite a significant gain.
As for this matter, it had been decided that under the supervision of the ducal house, the margrave’s territory would report it on our behalf.
After all, the margrave’s territory was a place that caught spies practically all the time, so there was the matter of cross-verification, and since they also had a route for immediately sending reports upward, there was talk that it was actually the most convenient and fastest method. It was also a place worthy of trust.
If I asked the wrong strict person for help, they might even steal the credit instead, but fortunately, everyone involved was friendly toward our side, so I could trust them with it.
-“I must inform Margrave Phoenix of the method you used this time as well.”
Sir Galred said something slightly ominous, but since it seemed like the ones who would suffer would be the spies, not me, I decided to ignore it.
After that, we set out for the academy, loaded the Cyclops, the technology demonstrator, and the Knight onto the trailer, and moved peacefully while driving the caterpillar golem.
“In the end, that trip to the territory sure gained us a lot.”
I’d learned what I had to do, completed the Knight, and gotten the production system running properly.
Daniel ended up taking on the role of deputy, and though he’d muttered with a dazed face that he had made a mistake, he soon received the handover and began working.
The territory and the academy weren’t that far apart, so unless something urgent came up, there shouldn’t be any problems with the management.
It was the kind of situation where I could think that, for the time being, I’d be able to stay at the academy.
“But seriously, I enrolled this year and barely managed to stay at the academy at all.”
“It’s common for landed nobles to hardly attend the academy… and your days have been turbulent, after all.”
“If anything, it’s impressive that you missed only this period and still managed to do all that.”
At Noel and Mina’s thoughts, I briefly looked back on what I’d done.
Starting from the beginning of the semester, I developed the Cyclops, fought a duel, then went to the Phoenix County to build a factory, made the Knight, and even organized the management of my territory.
“I really did somehow manage it all.”
Any one of those could have taken months to years, but I’d invested almost an entire year and resolved them all.
It felt like something I wouldn’t have been able to do even if I had several bodies, yet somehow, I’d ended up doing it all.
“Honestly, you were way too busy, but thanks to that, we’ve reached a point where the Avatus people can’t do anything even if they want to. I guess there are pros and cons.”
“Exactly as Lady Erika says. While you were organizing the affairs of the territory, the House of Count Avatus apparently worked quite hard too, but they don’t seem to have achieved much.”
I wondered how the two of them had obtained information from outside when they’d been in the territory with me… but after seeing things while receiving everyone’s help this time, I simply accepted it.
Apparently, any family with a certain amount of power and money prepared multiple organizations or methods of their own for gathering information.
They even had contacts, so it wouldn’t be strange at all if they obtained information I couldn’t see.
‘Maybe there are people who try to catch the eye of high-ranking nobles just to get such information even a little faster?’
It was a small question, but in the noble society of Vespia, where politics and backroom maneuvering were rampant, I felt that assuming nothing was strange no matter what happened would be better for my mental health.
Not that I could afford to pay no attention at all.
“They must be doing everything they can to beat us.”
“At least in the military supply field, Avatus’s chimeras are starting to be evaluated as having difficulty beating the Cyclops. They say the allied nations around the Kingdom of Vespia have also begun mentioning the Cyclops once or twice.”
“Thanks to that, I’m happy.”
Judging from that, it seemed Mina was receiving many contacts from abroad.
Well, a merchant company apparently didn’t only do business within its own country, so there must be cases where contact was established somehow.
“…Since it’s Lady Mina, I won’t worry, but do choose your buyers carefully.”
“You don’t need to worry. If I do anything strange, the royal palace will immediately try to subjugate me.”
At Noel’s slightly forceful voice, Mina answered leisurely.
In truth, it seemed like she would be walking a rather dangerous tightrope, but she herself appeared confident.
Anyway, allied nations, huh.
“I felt this when I heard they grew larger through war, but that means the Empire has that many enemies, doesn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
At my words, Noel smiled and nodded.
And Erika immediately opened her mouth.
“Let’s see… I heard it’s been almost sixty years. The Empire growing larger by repeating wars, I mean.”
“From what I heard, the Empire at the time was suffering from famine, and because of that, they used the military power they had already greatly expanded to absorb neighboring countries and secure food. That’s how I know it. And they proclaimed themselves an empire after successfully swallowing up about three countries.”
It seemed they had been in a desperate situation and tried to resolve it through war.
The emperor of the Empire at the time might have been quite the gambler.
“The problem is that the Empire is located in the center of the continent. Even afterward, they kept repeating wars of invasion and greatly expanded their size, but because of that, the country is practically surrounded by enemy nations.”
“Even now, they’re still engaged in intelligence warfare or small-scale local conflicts, but they say it has decreased tremendously compared to the old days.”
…I had thought the incidents I experienced in the margrave’s territory and this time in my own territory were quite significant, but if that level was considered much weaker now, I felt a little afraid of just how bad it must have been at its peak.
But the core point was that even the Empire wasn’t exactly in a relaxed situation, and the countries opposing the Empire were confronting it by forming alliances with each other.
“The demand for Cyclops must be enormous.”
“Conversely, if you think that even an allied nation may one day become an enemy, you can’t easily sell them off either.”
“Correct. I suppose I can feel relieved.”
At Mina’s words, Noel let out a relieved sigh.
Then Noel soon raised a finger and said,
“So, Lord Aizen. This time, it really was an offer from the Empire, an enemy nation, but even if someone comes from an allied nation, you mustn’t say anything like you’ll readily sell it to them. Understood?”
“Of course I know.”
Someday, the Cyclops would make its way abroad and be analyzed, but at least until our side formally deployed the Cyclops, that day had to be delayed as much as possible.
Then Erika spoke as if she had just remembered belatedly.
“Speaking of allied nations, I just remembered. What happened to the trip to an allied nation that they said used to happen almost every year at the academy but was suspended?”
“Ah, you mean the holy site of the Saras Order in the Kingdom of Gandharva, right? Since the Empire is still relatively in a lull, the visit schedule will probably….”
Noel and Erika began talking to each other about the academic schedule.
It was a topic I, for my part, didn’t really know much about.
“…I really was too ignorant about the academy schedule.”
“I’d forgotten too.”
Mina had a somewhat uncomfortable look on her face.
Maybe I should change the mood a little.
“…When we get back, I should try making a ranged harassing weapon for the Knight….”
“Whichever it is, it’ll increase political ties, influence, or the capacity of my purse, so that’s good.”
At the mention of money, Mina reacted immediately.
It was a materialistic topic, but honestly, after learning that having a lot of money was also considerable power, I couldn’t dismiss it.
And in a way, it was also a very fitting topic for this place.
“Ah, do you mean a larger version of that whip magic tool?”
“Or are you thinking of making a shield and attaching something to it? The one you left to consult Professor Rodelini about?”
“Hadn’t you completely given up on replacing one arm with a firearm?”
Noel and Erika, who had been discussing the academic schedule until just now, immediately joined the conversation.
Once we started talking, we realized there were truly many options, and soon we all began lively chatting about our small thoughts, debates, and unit costs.
Before long, familiar buildings and the magical walls perfect for testing destructive power began to appear.
“We’re finally back.”
The gates of the Vespia Royal Academy came into view.
****
Meanwhile, at the academy.
In a place where all the faculty members had gathered, a man in splendid clothing sat smiling.
“So, is it impossible this time as well? Headmaster Calliope.”
“…This is not a matter I can decide lightly. I must ask the kingdom’s will.”
Even at the troubled reaction of the female mage, whose face showed slight fine wrinkles but who was still young, the man was bold.
“Our kingdom is in somewhat difficult circumstances this time, you see. It would be nice if the number of tourists gradually increased.”
“…The academy’s students are not tourists.”
“That is why I would like to ask for your cooperation. After all, it has already been five years since you stopped visiting the holy site you originally came to every year, hasn’t it? Safety has been secured, so I believe there will be no problem.”
It was the words of a blond man with bronze skin, wearing exotic clothing.
Adorned with splendid accessories, he quietly spoke as his black eyes gleamed.
“Ah, the donation we sent this time… is simply an advance payment. Please accept it without concern.”
“To simply throw in three years’ worth of academy operating expenses as an advance payment. Impressive.”
“Is it not enough?”
Reina thought that he had some nerve saying their circumstances were difficult.
But if all he was asking was to send academy students, then even half the current amount would have made it a matter worth considering positively.
If he was sending that enormous sum as an advance payment…
“It seems you have another request. Prince Rial.”
Even as she asked, Reina had roughly noticed his true objective.
Prince Rial grinned and said,
“Well, I would like you to build a few bridges for me.”
“With whom?”
“There are quite a few. I’ve exchanged letters often with Cardio Avatus of the House of Count Avatus, so I’d like to see his face on this occasion….”
After pausing slightly, Rial’s face turned fierce.
“…Erika Phoenix of Margrave Phoenix’s family, who is said to be a student this semester; Noel Nexia of the House of Duke Nexia; Mina Christa, the Fifth Saintess of the Saras Order. And Baron Aizen Arclight.”
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped Reina.
His objective was far too transparent.