Banquet

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

In the blink of an eye, it was almost February. Since the New Year, Eileen had carefully organized her "grand educational plan". After formal approval from Paul, she began the first phase of her ambitious agenda.

Previously, the government's investment in education had been scattered. At Eileen's strong recommendation, education funding was formally separated as an independent expenditure, alongside military, industrial, and agricultural sectors as one of the four major financial allocations.

Starting from Alden Town, the former headmaster of Weis Academy, John Morrison, was dispatched by Paul to "assist" Father Anderson at the monastery. With the position of headmaster vacant, Eileen naturally took up the role.

She conducted a baseline examination for the current students, including reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. Based on their levels, she temporarily divided them into three grades, rearranged the teachers' assignments, and implemented a system of regular examinations to assess students' learning outcomes.

After a long period of recruitment, the number of teachers at Weis Academy had reached twenty. Their salaries were now under the control of Eileen, who had become the head of the Ministry of Education.

Eileen convened a meeting with the teachers and announced that from now on, their salaries would be linked to the exam results of the students they taught. Those with poor results would have their pay deducted, while those with good results would receive raises.

The new policy revitalized the atmosphere at the academy. Previously lazy teachers became diligent, and the academy was now filled with their earnest scrutiny of the students.

In short, the previous laissez-faire teaching model had disappeared, and the good days of the students were over.

TL Note: laissez-faire: the policy of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering.

In addition to daytime education, the literacy night school at Weis Academy was still in operation, targeting adults who worked during the day and had idle evenings.

Eileen stipulated that as long as a member of the night school could pass basic reading, writing, and arithmetic tests, the teacher responsible for teaching them would receive a bonus on top of their regular salary, based on the number of students taught.

Thus, some teachers began spontaneously spreading the importance of education in town during the day and accompanied soldiers in "searching" for idle people at home after dinner.

...

On February 3rd, the city of Sente was adorned like a festive occasion. The streets were filled with flowers blooming early in spring. Acrobats and troubadours performed enthusiastically in the central square of the city. Housewives made extensive purchases at the shops because all the merchants in the city were having sales and discounts that day.

The entire city was spotless and renewed, even the beggars on the streets had been driven outside the city.

Because tomorrow was the birthday of the city's lord, Duke Fraule, this year's celebration was grandly hosted by his younger brother, Viscount Henry.

Outside the gates of Sente, a procession appeared on the main road, led by a rider holding a flagpole with a flying dragon flag at its peak.

It was Paul and others coming to attend the Duke's birthday banquet.

In addition to Earl Malon Ganard, who came to attend the banquet, there were also Lady Ladia, Intelligence Director Cecil, First Army Battalion Commander Bryce, and his deputy (formerly a squire when he was a knight).

Commander Victor, who had broken his ribs by a magician last year and had been lying in bed for three months, commanded fifteen elite internal guardsmen as guards for this trip.

Although there were only fifteen soldiers, each of them was a quick-loading marksman.

Each of them was equipped with the latest manufactured flintlock rifles, bayonets, four hand grenades, and a flintlock pistol on their waist.

Now when soldiers encounter emergencies, they can shoot by loading ammunition directly without having to ignite the match cord like before.

Because there was no match cord to hinder, they could shoot shoulder to shoulder, greatly increasing the density of firepower.

Since the last incident, both the internal guard and the army had intensified shooting training for emergencies. If another 'assassin' appeared halfway, they could load and shoot the opponent into a sieve within a minute.

"Ah, we finally caught up!"

Paul's voice carried a hint of weariness as he rode from Alden Town, galloping all the way for two days until he finally arrived at Sente City.

To be honest, he really didn't want to come, but he had no choice.

The gift he prepared was a pair of ceramic vases, approximately half a person tall, adorned with exquisite patterns.

Previously, Alden's ceramic offerings had mainly consisted of smaller pieces. A vase this large could be considered quite precious, though Paul wondered if it would catch the duke's eye.

Of course, the gift had been sent ahead in advance; after all, ceramics couldn't endure the jostling of horseback travel.

The reason he brought Lady Ladia, the female advisor, this time was because she wielded mysterious powers. If anything unforeseen happened on the road, she might be of great help. But, he quickly dismissed such ominous thoughts—under the rule of a Duke, what could possibly go wrong?

The group soon arrived at the city gate, where the guards bowed and saluted.

They noticed the flag flying atop the flagpole, displaying a noble coat of arms. While they didn't know which family it belonged to, they knew to show respect.

"Wow! No wonder it's the largest city in the northwest of the kingdom—it's truly remarkable!"

Paul exclaimed in admiration at the bustling sight of Sente City.

"I heard the permanent population here is about fifty to sixty thousand."

Malon was equally amazed, visiting Sente City for the first time just like Paul, both were struck by its scale.

Captain Victor, the casual commander of the guards, and his men needed no extra words. In their understanding, neighboring Byerldine's capital of Buteya was already a large city.

Among the group, only Cecil, Bryce, and the advisor Lady Ladia remained calm. Cecil and Bryce had visited Sente several times before, while Lady Ladia, hailing from the southern region, needed no further explanation.

As they toured and headed towards the Lord's Manor, they noticed the busy streets parting instinctively to make way for the noble flag-bearing procession.

At the Lord's Manor, an usher, meticulously dressed and as etiquette-conscious as Butler Philip, received them. Paul and Malon handed over their invitations.

"Grayman family... Ganard family..."

The usher, with a monocle, confirmed the invitations and counted Paul's entourage, instructing a nearby servant with a few words.

Then, he slightly bowed to Paul and the others. "My lords, please follow the servant to the mansion prepared for your rest. We will notify you before the banquet begins."

"Will dinner be arranged by ourselves?" Paul's stomach growled in hunger. He had hoped to feast upon arrival at the Lord's Manor.

Following the servant to a nearby mansion near the Lord's Manor to temporarily rest, Paul eagerly asked Bryce and Cecil, who were familiar with the area, to lead him out for a meal.

Upon their return, the soldiers left behind reported to Paul: a noble claiming to be Viscount Henry Fraule had come looking for him.

Isn't that the Duke's younger brother? They didn't seem to have any acquaintance!

Paul turned to Malon. "Do you know him?"

Malon shrugged. "Never met him."

Cecil leaned in close to Paul's ear and whispered softly, "Viscount Henry has been quite active ever since his brother Duke Fraule's health deteriorated, making connections with other nobles."

Hmm... could this banquet turn into some melodramatic plot?

(End of the Chapter)