Chapter 115

The dean, who had listened to my words, contemplated for a moment before letting out a hollow laugh and speaking.

“Above me are the chancellor, the vice chancellor, and many seniors. How could I ever become the chancellor?”

Although he feigned modesty with a jesting gesture…

His expression was filled with joy, revealing a hidden desire for the position of chancellor of the academy.

However, if he is capable of tolerating this much, I’m sure there is a way to make use of him.

So, I posed another question to gather information to solidify my plans.

“It was I who said I would move you all and build a new academy, and given the current chaotic situation, all I need to do is convince the Scholara Count family, which has long inherited the oversight position of the academy.”

Also, since the Scholara Count’s support for the Second Prince is struggling due to a lack of funds, they are reducing their mercenaries…

I can propose to pay a bribe of 20,000 gold coins and frame it as justification for moving the academy, which should be persuasive.

[It is regrettable that the academy, with a tradition spanning hundreds of years, is now in chaos due to the civil war of the empire. As a noble serving Elaline’s imperial family, I wish to protect them until the emperor is appointed.]

If I say this, the Scholara Count, who can manipulate the academy, will surely accept the bribe.

Other nobles, who are competing with each other, would prefer me to take charge rather than someone who must immediately contend with them.

Then I stretched out my right hand, placed my index finger against the center of the dean’s chest, and said.

“Just think about it, your figure being recognized as chancellor for the merit of successfully negotiating to relocate the academy from the chaotic capital. Yes, suppressing the vice chancellor and senior deans above you and gaining recognition as chancellor in your forties.”

“However…”

“Isn’t it enthralling? Ah, and after the civil war is settled, the emperor will personally request you to return. At that time, you could raise your value even higher.”

Upon hearing this, the dean swallowed hard and gazed at me.

“By the time you return, you should be recognized for your merit in protecting the academy and receive a substantial reward, potentially inheriting the title of court baron. After all, the academy, as a repository of all knowledge, holds that much value.”

Though he did not say it aloud, as a court baron and the hero who defended the academy, my return would certainly grant him authority and power equivalent to that of a count.

“For the dean, who only has the honor of being a professor at the academy and is inadequately compensated, these are indeed attractive conditions. Of course, I intend to receive a substantial payout in return, but I believe you understand that you are in no position to be choosy about hot soup or cold soup. Will you seize the opportunity?”

At my words, he finally revealed his true colors, smiling greedily as he spoke.

“Why would I miss such a good opportunity… No, how could I as the dean miss the chance to save the academy? Sustaining the academy aligns with the wishes of the late first emperor, so this Isaac Bolton shall humbly serve your excellency’s orders and become the chancellor.”

Unlike other nobles, it seems time took longer with the academy folks, who can’t be lured with the cheat key of a territory.

But his eyes were now filled solely with aspirations for rise and fortune, allowing me to make numerous unreasonable demands from the new chancellor of the academy I am about to establish.

“Very well, then I shall command you as your employer.”

At that, the dean naturally knelt on one knee and showed his respect, much like our vassals.

“I will establish departments of mechanical engineering, military studies, and technology at the academy. Looking back at the academy, or rather the academy of all Europia, there is no one who can teach such skills… I will recruit the best-skilled technicians, knights, mercenaries, and swordsmanship guild members. And they too will become professors.”

The dean in front of me made a face of disgust, but soon, as if he found a decent excuse, he replied with a somewhat brighter expression.

“Even a humble peasant, or rather a slave, when teaching swordsmanship to those of noble status, is recognized as nobility for that time period. So, if your excellency pretends to learn from the technicians and mercenaries… with a bit of stretch, we can place them on the same level as our professors.”

Even in this era, swordmasters who teach swordsmanship to nobles are treated as nobles regardless of their rank.

Well, I understand this as a noble myself, but these gentlemen generally refuse to learn anything from the commoners…

That being said, there are no true masters of the sword among the nobles, so it seems they give temporary noble status to sword masters to preserve their pride.

They’ll likely learn swordsmanship from swordmasters, right?

“Oh, even if my teacher is from a lowly mercenary background, they are a noble now! So, I haven’t learned anything from a lowly person!”

“Thank you, dean… no, future chancellor.”

At that, the person before me exclaimed joyfully as if he could jump.

“No, and how will you treat the graduates?”

“The students entering the military department will be almost similar to those coming to the academy anyway. They’ll mostly be the children of noble families or current officers in service. And the graduates from the technology and mechanical engineering departments will be academy graduates, but since they won’t be serving me, I cannot bestow noble status upon them.”

“That makes sense. So, graduates from the military department will at least be treated as lower nobles, while the others will be guaranteed expertise as academy graduates.”

“However, if those from the technology department have completed a master’s degree or higher, they will be treated as lower nobles in our territory.”

Then, I would need to bring those with master’s degrees under my research team and guide their research direction, making them work like machines.

Only in this way can I gain an overwhelming technological advantage over the nobles of other territories.

While mulling over this, another thought suddenly popped into my head, and I spoke.

“Thinking about it, a theology department will also be established.”

“Yes, indeed. The Imperial Academy teaches theology and cultivates excellent clerics.”

“Please continue their education according to the current curriculum. Also, I would like to increase the faculty recommended by the archbishop. Simultaneously, from now on, all theology students, regardless of their background, will have to work alongside a priest in a rural parish during their fourth-year break.”

At that, the dean asked, looking flustered.

“But won’t that provoke the noble students?”

I scoffed at this.

“If the second or third sons were to rebel against me, I will take responsibility and expel them.”

“I will comply with your orders.”

In truth, I want to implement the practical experience to observe how the clerics behave and to find those with a strong sense of duty.

And those clerics, with a strong sense of responsibility, would be sent to be thoroughly trained under Wilke before turning them into my subordinates.

If these educated youngsters were to serve as priests in the papacy or each great cathedral…?

Surely, there will be those who clash with the old-timers out there profiting from indulgences, and other lords will suffer greatly trying to clean up the mess.

What an efficient and rational maneuver this is.

After making him accept all the conditions I proposed, I revealed a document to him.

“And this is the academy I’m establishing. I have built a small castle and a village solely for the academy around the Castle of Nante.”

“A castle and village just 15 kilometers from Nante for the academy… This is treatment I could not have received even while in the empire.”

“Well, since I am not His Excellency the Emperor, I need to treat you even better to ensure your loyalty and dedication. Also, the village under the castle will be ruled by my subordinates, but the taxes collected there will all go to you. Eventually, the population will grow to about 10,000, so you’ll be able to collect a significant amount in taxes.”

Moved by the incredible benefits I was offering, the dean knelt on both knees and bowed his head as if to a deity.

Only the Emperor receives such actions from a dean enjoying noble treatment, meaning he would serve me as one would serve an emperor during his stay.

“Rise, chancellor.”

“Yes, your excellency.”

“No, you are still the dean… Yes, dean… I will give you your first honorable command.”

At that, the dean bowed his head solemnly.

“The buildings are all completed, and now all that’s left is for you to take the role of chancellor and run the academy directly. However, according to the traditions of the academy, the chancellor’s position is inherited from the former chancellor… I do not wish to break that tradition. What do you think?”

“Is there any choice? No matter how much the academy changes under your hand, this tradition must be upheld. So, I shall follow the tradition as well.”

After that, I showed the dean before me a letter sealed with my signet ring.

“However, no matter how urgent the situation may be, the current chancellor will not want to lose power. So, please first show him a plan detailing the academy’s blueprints and financial scale. Then, my adjutant, Captain Frost, will deliver this letter.”

Upon hearing this, the dean looked at me with anxious eyes and asked.

“What does the letter contain…”

“It contains the obvious message. It states that you will be treated with the utmost courtesy at this academy. And when preparing for his inauguration here, I will persuade him to pass the chancellor’s position over to you with kind words.”

As I confirmed for the last time, the dean lowered his head and retreated, saying.

“I will comply with your orders, your excellency.”

**

And as I returned from the office to my room, I conversed with Short Lieutenant.

“So, Short Lieutenant. Did Captain Frost and the dean leave well?”

To this, Short Lieutenant smiled and replied.

“Isn’t he the chancellor now?”

“Indeed, what a friend blinded by desire… I can’t believe he accepted my offer so easily…”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll make him the chancellor; however, if he attempts to use the students to grow his power and threaten me… I will have to kill him.”