ushernet Chapter 54
Chapter 54
"I know, okay? I just wasn’t expecting Sir Rance to accept so quickly—it caught me off guard," Penelope retorted.
"You say you know knights, but it’s obvious you don’t," Ahwin replied with a scoff, shaking his head as he began walking. Penelope hurried after him to keep pace.
"What do you think of Sir Rance’s skills?" she asked.
"How would I know? I’ve never crossed swords with him," Ahwin replied casually.
"Come on, isn’t there something like a spark when swordsmen see each other? Like you can just tell?"
"I’m not a swordsman, so I don’t feel any of that spark nonsense. But, well, he did seem stronger than Sir Cain."
"Wait, really?" Penelope’s eyes widened, and she grabbed Ahwin’s robe sleeve in surprise. He glanced at her hand before nodding once.
Her mouth fell open. "That strong?"
"Did you think just anyone becomes a professor at the Imperial Academy? The place is full of prodigies. To teach them, you’d have to be outstanding in swordsmanship."
"But still, Sir Cain is an active knight!" Penelope protested.
"Rance may lack practical combat experience, but he’ll catch up quickly once he gets used to it," Ahwin said with confidence.
Penelope stood there in shock, still clutching Ahwin’s sleeve, her thoughts racing. Ahwin didn’t seem bothered by her reaction, merely watching her calmly.
Oh my goodness, I’ve caught a real treasure! What on earth were you thinking, original heroine? Why are all these capable people being driven out? Well, I can’t complain too much—it’s working out for me.
The only plausible explanation she could think of was that opportunists had exploited the chaotic political turnover to purge the Academy of individuals without powerful backers. As a result, people like Sir Rance, who had no connections or clout, had become victims.
Lucas had also been a casualty of political strife, dismissed from the imperial court despite having done nothing wrong other than receiving support from Count Lanteon. It wasn’t hard to imagine there were many others like them—good people caught in the crossfire of power struggles.
Well, not that I’m complaining.
Penelope couldn’t deny she was reaping the benefits of the original plot’s turmoil.
Another concern suddenly popped into her mind. "What about the other professor? Is it really okay to hire an Imperial Academy graduate as a teacher for an elementary school? He must be quite capable as well."
"That’s up to him to decide. You can at least make the offer," Ahwin advised nonchalantly.
"You’re right. I’ll do that," Penelope replied, her excitement returning.
***
Bake declined Penelope’s offer to work as a retainer at the lord’s castle. He took great pride in teaching and preferred to work at Halo’s elementary school.
Though Penelope was disappointed, she respected Bake’s decision. After all, the elementary school desperately needed teachers.
“How about becoming the principal of the elementary school instead? I also plan to establish intermediate and high schools in the future. I’d like you to take on the role of principal there as well.”
“That’s an intriguing proposal.”
Bake gladly accepted Penelope’s offer, which delighted her greatly.
She had been worried about the task of building schools in the territory, but with Bake, an experienced professor, taking charge, things seemed like they would proceed smoothly.
‘Thank you, heroine. Once again, you’re helping me out!’
“It’s an honor to work under such a dedicated lord. Please take care of me moving forward.”
“I should be the one saying that. Education for children is the most important thing anywhere.”
“...It seems I can communicate well with you, my lord.”
Bake smiled warmly, as though he were looking at a model student. Penelope felt as though she had passed some kind of test with him.
“Would it be alright if I visited you from time to time?”
“Visit me?”
“You’re a professor, after all. If I have questions, I’d like to learn from you.”
“Of course.”
Bake responded without hesitation. Penelope smiled brightly and saw him off.
‘So it’s finally happening.’
Penelope stood up hurriedly, still holding her coffee cup.
“Please escort them to the drawing room.”
Despite having mentally prepared herself, Penelope nearly spit out her coffee. The person who entered the drawing room was none other than the Grand Duke.
Following him was a man who appeared to be his aide.
Penelope tried to maintain her composure, forcing a smile onto her face.
Lianel greeted her politely.
“It’s been a while, my lord.”
“Lianel, it’s been a while. Please, have a seat.”
Sensing the extraordinary aura emanating from Lianel, Lucas stiffened.
Penelope wanted to sigh.
‘The Grand Duke actually came.’
She had expected this to happen eventually, but she hadn’t thought he’d return before winter ended. Managing the affairs of the Grand Duchy must have been exhausting, yet here he was. How he managed it was beyond her.
Penelope decided to get straight to the point.
“So, you came all the way from Pellar?”
“Yes. In fact, I hold the position of Chief Administrative Officer in Pellar. I’m here to discuss several contracts with you, my lord.”
“...Chief Administrative Officer, you say.”
Penelope nodded with a surprised expression. Chief Administrative Officer? That was just playing pretend.
‘He might as well reveal his identity.’
If the Grand Duke had declared his intention to visit Halo, his retainers would have been horrified and tried to stop him.
Hiding his identity as the Chief Administrative Officer was probably a necessary move to avoid complications.
Even so, Penelope couldn’t be the one to expose Lianel’s true identity. Doing so would surely lead to irreparable consequences.
‘I really don’t want to get on the Grand Duke’s bad side.’
Penelope opened her mouth.
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“I’d like the Grand Duchy to be prioritized in your Ondol Boiler project, ahead of other regions.”
Lianel responded promptly, as if he’d been waiting for her question. Penelope furrowed her brow in thought before replying.
“I see.”
“I’d also like to discuss other ventures you are currently pursuing or plan to pursue, and I hope we can collaborate on them.”
“For the Chief Administrative Officer of the Grand Duchy to make such an offer first, I’m truly grateful.”
Penelope smiled, though she felt her face twitch slightly from the effort.
‘This man is as sly as a fox.’
Though it appeared he was offering help, there was no way the Grand Duke would assist her without a reason.
Every idea for these projects originated from Penelope, and if he wished, the Grand Duke could easily steal her concepts.
Furthermore, though she had yet to review the contract details, it seemed likely that the terms would favor the Grand Duchy.
‘This is when I need to stay sharp.’
Penelope steeled herself and began to speak.