(POV change)
“As I mentioned earlier, make sure to put more effort into maintaining discipline among the soldiers so their standards don’t slip.”
Even if the Quasar Empire’s imperial princess and our Beluga Empire’s prince are engaged, that doesn’t mean the Quasar Empire is no longer our greatest enemy.
After finishing the meeting, I returned to my residence.
While working through the mountain of paperwork one by one, I heard a knock.
“Your Grace, this is your adjutant, Walter.”
“Come in.”
I was just about to call him in to take away some of the completed documents, but in his hand was a communication crystal.
“Looks like a call came in. From where?”
“It’s Count Berman Datrich, the head instructor of Veliyard Academy in the capital.”
“Count Datrich? I don’t recognize the name.”
“Perhaps he was sent by the headmaster of Veliyard Academy?”
“Is that so? If I recall, the current headmaster of Veliyard is Marquis Drent, right?”
“Marquis Drent was appointed as a division commander of the Eastern Legion six months ago, and Marquis Banks, who was the vice commander of the Royal Mage Corps, is now the headmaster.”
Marquis Banks… I’ve seen him a few times at the imperial palace before, but we’re not particularly close. What could this be about?
“I see. Put them through.”
As the adjutant infused mana into the crystal, a face appeared.
“Your Grace, greetings. I am Berman, head instructor of Veliyard Academy.”
“Right. Are you a subordinate of Marquis Banks? I wasn’t aware he had gone to the academy. Pass along my congratulations. What is this regarding? I’m quite busy, so please be brief.”
“Yes, of course. You must be very busy. The reason for my contact is that during an investigation into allegations of fabricated credentials among the academy’s instructors, someone submitted a document bearing your seal that guarantees their abilities, so I am reaching out to verify its authenticity.”
“A guarantee of ability? What is that?”
I’ve never heard of such a document.
“You’re not aware of it? I had my suspicions, but if even you don’t know, then it must be a forged document. It only contains a single line stating it guarantees ability, which seemed suspicious, but the seal is certainly yours…”
“Hmm, I see?”
“To dare forge the seal of Duke Carlos. I will report this to the Judicial Bureau immediately so they can be punished.”
“Hold on… no, wait. A guarantee of ability?”
Thinking back, I recall writing a similar document for a black agent who once saved my granddaughter.
Since he was someone who refused all kinds of luxury, I figured he might feel burdened if I said it was something special just for him, so I even made up a story that it was something given to those who had rendered merit in my direct unit and handed it to him.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Do you happen to know the name of the person who submitted the document?”
“It is Baronet Bio.”
“Vio?”
“The family name is Rain. It’s a personal title without a fief. He claims to have served for ten years in your secret direct unit, Your Grace…”
I had never heard of the Rain family either, but the moment I heard the name Vio, I remembered immediately.
There’s no such thing as a secret direct unit, but I understand.
He couldn’t reveal his past as a black agent, so he must have said it that way.
Four years ago, the Empire’s top elite black agent from the Intelligence Bureau who resolved my granddaughter’s disappearance…Blue Mist.
The name I had only managed to learn by insisting despite his refusal… was Vio.
Not only were his skills beyond question, but even back then, when I told him to name any reward he wanted, he declined, saying it wasn’t anything worth such compensation. A man whose character was as admirable as his abilities.
That said, he lost an arm? He was perfectly fine back then.
They say Intelligence Bureau missions are grueling. He must have gone through a lot.
“Your Grace? If you’re busy, shall we end the communication here…?”
“Count Berman, I did write that guarantee of ability.”
“Huh? You said just moments ago that you didn’t recognize it…”
“It was some time ago, so I didn’t remember at first. But hearing the name brought it back.”
Did he apply to the academy as part of an Intelligence Bureau assignment?
If so, I should cooperate as much as possible… no, that’s not it.
When I gave him that document, I clearly told him not to use it for Intelligence Bureau missions if possible, but only for something that would personally benefit him.
And he agreed.
Right… they said he lost an arm, didn’t they.
Then has he retired?
If that’s the case, that’s truly unfortunate.
He should have come to me instead of going to a place like an academy.
When I gave him the document, I even suggested that if he retired someday, he could come serve under me.
I said it half-jokingly to keep it light, since I thought he might feel burdened, but I meant it.
Even if he lost an arm, his knowledge and experience wouldn’t have disappeared.
Setting that aside, he’s my irreplaceable benefactor. I would have taken very good care of him.
“So if Your Grace went so far as to write such a document, he must be a capable man.”
“What kind of question is that. Not only his skills, but his loyalty to the Empire, his experience, practical knowledge, and even his character are all outstanding. I also personally owe him a debt. Of course, I’m not saying this just because of that.”
“I… I see. For you to praise him so highly, Your Grace, he must truly be an exceptional individual. Thank you for confirming.”
“Haha, it wasn’t anything difficult. Please take good care of him.”
“Understood. You must be busy, so I’ll end the communication here…”
“Wait… no, never mind. Good work.”
With that reply, I signaled my adjutant, and the communication was cut.
For a moment, I considered asking to be connected to Marquis Banks.
As the academy’s headmaster, Marquis Banks would surely know Blue Mist.
He is also deeply loyal to the Emperor, so even if he knew the identity of a black agent, it wouldn’t be a major issue.
I briefly thought it might be helpful if at least one person knew his true identity, but in the end, it’s better not to reveal it.
Since he didn’t say anything himself, he’s probably trying to live quietly after retirement, perhaps contributing his talents in his own way.
No need to interfere unnecessarily.
Even without revealing his identity, I’ve already spoken well of him to the head instructor, so I trust he’ll be taken care of.
“If you’re finished organizing, you may go as well.”
“Yes, sir. Take care.”
As soon as my adjutant responded, the door suddenly opened.
“Why is the door—”
“Don’t worry about it. You may go now.”
“Ah, yes.”
To the eye, it looked like no one was there, but my senses can’t be fooled.
“Ria, I know you’re there, so you might as well come out.”
The moment I finished speaking, a blonde girl appeared, looking startled.
There’s only one person who could open the office door without even knocking.
“Huh? Sylph was hiding me. How did you know?”
“Even if I can’t see you, this old man knows everything. Want some candy, Ria?”
I opened a drawer and took out a small container, and Ria’s face lit up.
“Can I have two?”
“You can have three. I bought all of these just for you.”
“Grandpa, you’re the best!”
“By the way, Ria, do you remember going to the spirit realm a few years ago?”
“Yeah. At first they just wanted to play, but then they all kept asking me to make contracts with them. It got annoying, and they wouldn’t even let me go home.”
“Then do you remember the man who brought you back home from the spirit realm? I just heard news about him for the first time in a while.”
“Huh? The person who brought me back wasn’t a man. It was big brother Vio.”
Big brother Vio?
“You shouldn’t call him ‘big brother’. He must be at least ten years older than you.”
“No. My second aunt said that if someone’s handsome, they’re all ‘big brother’. So he’s big brother.”
Your aunt? Haah… looks like my youngest daughter taught her something strange again.
“That aunt of yours is mistaken. Well then… no matter how handsome this grandfather may be, you shouldn’t call me ‘big brother’. right?”
“Huh? Grandpa isn’t handsome, that’s why you’re grandpa.”
She used to say I was the coolest just a few years ago…
“I seem to have forgotten that my daughter-in-law told me not to give you too much candy because it’ll ruin your teeth. That’s enough candy for now.”
“Grandpa, that’s so mean!”
***
There’s no clock in the room, so I’m not sure, but it feels like about 15 minutes have passed. I’m starting to feel a bit tense.
I trust Duke Carlos, but given his age, there’s always a chance he might not remember.
“You do know that forging the seal of a high-ranking noble is a far more serious crime than fabricated credentials, right?”
I didn’t think I was showing my nerves, so is she just picking a fight?
“Think whatever you like. Everything will be made clear once the head instructor returns anyway.”
Almost as soon as I finished speaking, the door opened and the head instructor returned.
“My sincere apologies.”
Seeing him bow his head, it seems Duke Carlos spoke even more favorably than I expected.
“So what he said is true?”
Berman nodded, still looking apologetic toward me.
“But from what I investigated, it was clearly—”
“Are you saying I’m lying right now? Get a hold of yourself, Instructor Amelia! Of all people, it was Duke Carlos himself who confirmed it!”
At Berman’s rebuke, Instructor Amelia shut her mouth.
“I’m honored that His Grace still remembers me even after all this time.”
“Indeed. When he heard your name, the Duke who is known for his strictness didn’t hold back his praise, calling you an exceptional talent.”
“Is that so? I’m truly grateful. When the break comes, I should pay him a visit to express my thanks.”
“Good idea. Instructor Amelia, you should apologize as well.”
“Why should I apologize?”
…Seriously?
“Because due to the incorrect information you brought, Instructor Vio went through unnecessary trouble.”
“Isn’t it Instructor Vio’s fault for not properly submitting his personal records?”
…She’s really going to stay difficult until the very end.
I was planning to accept a reasonable apology and move on, but if this is how it’s going to be, I have no choice.
“Instructor Amelia. As far as I know, an instructor’s personal information isn’t something that can be accessed freely, so how did you find out about mine?”
“Th… that’s…”
“It doesn’t seem like it was through a legitimate route. Don’t tell me you’re still holding a grudge from that duel?”
As I pressed her, her face flushed bright red.
“Come to think of it, Instructor Vio is right. You don’t have the authority to access an instructor’s personnel records, do you?”
When even Berman joined in the questioning, her eyes welled up, looking like she might burst into tears at any moment.
She didn’t cry, though, and after a brief silence, Instructor Amelia finally admitted that she had held a grudge and conducted a background check.
“Tsk tsk, how pitiful. It was clearly your own lack of skill, and yet you harbored such feelings. And didn’t Instructor Vio even concede the victory to you?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You should be apologizing to Instructor Vio, not me.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Berman looked at me as if asking what I intended to do.
“I was a bit shocked to learn that you looked into my background, but I’d like to believe it wasn’t done with entirely bad intentions.”
“Instructor Vio?”
“Instructor Amelia is someone who teaches her students with great passion, which is why they follow her well and think highly of her. I’ll assume you had doubts about my teaching methods and wanted to confirm them. While there may have been unavoidable circumstances, it’s also my fault for not submitting my information properly.”
“Haha, you truly have admirable character. Between Duke Carlos and even the headmaster, I think I’m starting to understand why they trust you so much.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
She finally bowed her head in apology, and only now did it feel like a proper one.
Of course, with Berman pressuring her from the side, it might just be an act of remorse.
“Yes. Now that your doubts have been resolved, let’s get along well from here on.”
What’s with the sudden act? That woman’s not interested in you, you know?
Ark, that bastard, is bringing up my embarrassing past again.
I know! What, do you want me to say I’m angry and demand she be fired right now?
At present, the only ranger instructors at Veliyard Academy are Amelia and me.
If Amelia gets fired here?
Even if they quickly find a replacement, there’ll definitely be a gap, and during that time I’d have to cover the practical classes as well.
The theory classes can be coasted through with self-study, but practical lessons don’t work that way.
On top of that, if Amelia ends up quitting, it’s obvious that achieving my goal of getting fired will become even more difficult.
I’m not exactly thrilled about it either, but given the current situation, this is the best option.
On the way back to the dorm, I explained my reasoning to Ark.
He stayed silent for quite a while, seemingly dissatisfied with how I handled things.
I get what you’re thinking, but if you handle it that softly, that woman might cause trouble again later.
He has a point.
I know that just because you extend goodwill doesn’t mean you’ll get the same in return.
Of course, it’s not like my intentions were completely pure to begin with.
Still, it should be fine, right?
After getting completely called out and torn apart like that, she’ll probably keep her head down for a while.
As long as it’s not something serious like falsifying credentials again, it might even work in my favor when it comes to getting fired.
That’s naive. Do you really think everything in the world will go your way?
Tsk, here we go again.
I’ll just ignore him.
Are you ignoring me right now? Don’t come crying to me later when it backfires.
Man, Ark’s really being prickly for no reason.
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