Chapter 597

Debut Party (6)
When we came down to the second floor, we were immediately caught by Marquis Vardmoi.
Yeah… looks like I went a bit overboard.

“You really are something…”

“Well, I only wanted to request it on a smaller scale, honestly. Setting up schools everywhere won’t be easy, after all.”

“With your wealth, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, by having it approved across all territories, you’ve likely slowed down your own plans.”

“Slowed down my plans?”

What does he mean by that?

“If it were limited to certain regions, you could’ve started quickly with a small number of teachers, staff, and buildings. But with the entire country included, that’s not possible.
If you build in one place too soon, others will grow dissatisfied. You’ll need to move forward at a uniform pace.
During that time, the nation will probably start working on countermeasures.”

Ah, so that’s why Princess Rodenlight paused before answering me.
He really does think several steps ahead—unlike me, who acts on impulse.

“So, what do you intend to do?”

“Let’s see… I’ll start with schools in regional cities first. If the countryside grows prosperous, the whole nation will become healthier.”

“Hmm. In that case, the kingdom will probably begin by building schools in the main towns of each domain.”

“Well, that’s fine too. For me, education is charity, not a business.”

“If you don’t mind, I have nothing more to say. Still, I’ve heard that graduates of your schools are highly sought after—by the Trade Guild and many other workplaces.
I wonder if the kingdom can produce results strong enough to compete.”

Hmm… but really, it’s just charity for me.
Wait a second.

“Marquis Vardmoi, you sound awfully detached about all this.”

“That’s because I am detached. I’ll be ordered to create my own school, no doubt, but I won’t compete with yours.
If your schools are for academics, mine will be for training.”

“I see—you’re planning an institution for guards and soldiers, then?”

“Exactly. Ordinary studies I’ll leave to you; it’s cheaper that way.
I’ll focus on training those who graduate from your schools and wish to protect my domain.
And that meal system of yours—school lunches, was it?—is perfect for teaching soldiers about proper nutrition. The ingredients will come from your increased food production anyway.”

The marquis is totally making use of me.
But, well, he’s been protecting me all this time, so maybe it’s time for our relationship to become a bit more mutual.
It’s not a bad deal, after all. I’ll go along with it.

“By the way, I do wonder… how far were His Majesty and Princess Rodenlight planning to concede originally?”

“What do you mean?”

“You might not see it as such, but imagine if this had been a noble’s elevation ceremony. It would’ve been a massive scandal.
Not just the individual—the whole house would’ve been disgraced.
If a crown prince had caused such a scene during an investiture, his head could’ve rolled right then and there.”

Wow… it really was that bad, huh?
Maybe I should’ve thought things through a bit more.

“In any case, it’s done. Princess Rodenlight made that declaration in front of foreign royalty—there’s no taking it back now. Do as you please.”

“Yes, I will.”

“Good. Now then—your new dessert is excellent. Even Bern, who’s been acting like a proper lady lately, went at it with the enthusiasm she had as a child.”

“I’m glad it pleased your palate.”

“About that—couldn’t you mass-produce it and make it a Vardmoi specialty?”

“Hmm… the amount of Parfe Milk we have right now is tricky. It doesn’t keep long either, so it might be difficult.”

“Ah, so it was made with Parfe Milk. I see. Still, perhaps we could substitute another kind of milk…”

Seems the marquis was quite taken with the dessert.
Well, I’m glad all the effort we put into making it paid off.

What do you think about this chapter?