Ezra Sergey, an expert in mathematics
Kision’s private army training was successful, but it was impossible to run the army solely with Kision’s taxation. He had barren lands and no unique resources. The budget approved by the royal advisory committee and the military senate committee was a vital lifeline, but Melchior and Cruel tightly held both committees.
‘The house of representatives won’t help because they don’t have the authority to execute additional subsidies.’
The general public couldn’t execute the budget alone and only had the power to object to the decision of the nobles, so in this situation, they could only be grateful.
Despite the lack of support, the new knights and soldiers had increased the administrative costs imposed on the Kision estate. In addition, he had to pay a fine for post-registration, so Kleio had no choice but to open his pockets.
“Lei, I still don’t know if it’s right to have you carry my baggage.”
“It’s already in order, but now what do you think about it?”
“Because my lord doesn’t think about it, I have to. Maybe he was just happy to thank you?”
Kleio laughed at Cel’s response.
“Well, that’s the good thing about Arthur. He struggled so much in prison, but he was more concerned about others.”
“Yes. Arthur’s ability to accept as much favor or hostility shown him is his strength.”
Kleio was surprised at the sharp point. Cel saw Arthur differently than the two young twins and the loyal Isiel. And her opinion was consistent with herself in many ways. Ignorance was the right of the protagonist.
“But if he’s going to be our king, I think that’s good.”
“Sometimes, Lei, I don’t know if you’re acting somehow cold to Arthur.”
“What?”
‘There is almost a reason for everything. God had a plan when making money was made easy for me.’
Recently, Kleio had been buying various materials with the excuse of experimentation and investment. Cel’s books and ledgers were of great help.
‘I’m glad I had enough money.’
The three million dinars for his land rent received last year, alongside the 7.8 million previously received for the tiplaum patent fee, were divided into deposits, gold, and government bonds to maintain their value. He had stocks that received dividends and deposits with interest, so that profit alone was significant. The book and patent profits combined with it, having reached 1.13 million dinars last year. His financial assets alone were 12 million dinars, and the market price of Orails had reached 83 million dinars. It was at the point where it had begun to feel like an intangible number rather than an actual wealth he could spend.
‘In addition, even if it reaches 100 billion won, it’s just enough to buy a single fighter jet. It’s not an amount that could maintain a modern army.’
Fortunately, this wasn’t a world where wars were fought with F-22 fighter jets. Therefore, Kleio had arranged to purchase plenty of iron for armor and weapons and provide mana stone arrows to some of the ether-sensitive archers. His pension covered the cost of magic tools for Fran and his own mana stones and books. On top of that, he had a lot of pocket money. Since he’s already nineteen, he thought that Gideon would cut off his allowance, but deposits were still being made. It was something that bothered him, and he had tried to remove it and return the amount, but Gideon had denied him with a stern face.
‘What can I do if I don’t receive it?’
Despite that, his current wealth far exceeded his in the previous world. It was great to have a lot of money, as it considerably widened his radius of action. Cel, who watched Kleio examine the papers as he indulged in such thoughts, drew his attention by clearing her throat loudly.
“I’m sorry, Cel. I got lost in my thoughts.”
“No. Anyone would be in that situation.”
“I’m really okay. I hope you’ll be finished with the box kite airplane or whatever.”
“Oh, it’s real this time. Claire’s has already flown eight minutes!”
After that, Cel lectured him on fluid mechanics and aeronautics, which were newly emerging fields, for a few minutes. Kleio squashed his pillow over his face as Cel spoke enthusiastically.
‘I’m glad that Cel recovered so quickly.’
Cel wasn’t the type to give in even when things went well. On the contrary, her moves became more drastic now that the charges against her had been lifted. The last plane she ordered before the incident would add a new light to her career, to allow Cel to fly freely in the sky.
“…But, Kleio, I think sometimes, it feels like an injustice that I had to buy my freedom.”
Kleio read the unspoken words in her silver eyes.
‘She feels bad about that feeling of liberation.’
She was a noble knight in a different way from Isiel.
‘I don’t know why there are so many kids around Arthur. Even if he’s the protagonist, not all people correctly follow God’s will.’
Kleio responded thoughtfully with a light answer to dismiss the atmosphere,
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“Aren’t you watching too many plays these days? Rather than worrying about me, you’ll have to worry about your Violet club colleagues.”
“You don’t know that when the Violet club was first established, it was an illegal underground organization! Do you think our determination is so weak? I’m careful enough.”
Cel’s thoughts went in the opposite direction. Kleio, born to the Asel family, had never come out of Kolpos before the age of seventeen. The surprise she felt in seeing him hide his traces skillfully like an underground activity was still vivid.
‘As Arthur said, this kid is God’s choice.’
“… That’s good, but please tell me if any members experience anything suspicious.”
In Kleio’s opinion, even if Melchior conducted an investigation, there was a high possibility that the Violet club people wouldn’t be trapped right away. There was a pattern to Melchior’s actions to whatever happened for the first time in this world. Just like letting Kleio out, he planned to observe enough in the current narrative to make it work in the next life.
‘It’s the attitude of someone used to waiting for a long time. As long as Melchior doesn’t find out that this is the end, we’ll be safe for the time being.’
Cel regained a bit of energy, her usual attitude returning.
“Would you give them foreign asylum if Vesna catches us?”
“Yes, as much as I can. Any country they want.”
“This, this, you know how to spend some money. Indeed, you’re the second son of the Asel family.”
If anyone fell under the gaze of Vesna, asylum would be much needed.
‘If it’s a grace that can be paid back with money, it’s cheap.’
“Yes, I’m the second son of the Asel family. Are you worried about my money? I am too. Even if I take a lifetime, I’ll gather all the interest from Arthur properly.”
“Hey, later on, what kind of funding does Arthur have to pay you back? Even now, the prince wanders from pub to pub with little money at night.”
Arthur didn’t stop from going out at night, even after this most recent event. He was still too young to behave like an adult, but he hadn’t said anything because he thought he should have a place to relax. Arthur was keen on the lives of ordinary people, and he also increased his talents to get along with people since he was always on the streets. That had become his great advantage.
‘He’s a prince at the top of the status system anyway, even if he goes around the common neighborhoods.’
Kleio also had plans of his own.
“But the royal family has tiplaum.”
After ether vanished from the world, the value of tiplaum would increase beyond calculation. Also, even if ether remained, tiplaum wouldn’t lose its value.
‘It’s said that once a person is comfortable, they will never want to go back to uncomfortable times.’
If he took advantage of the taxes paid by the people of Albion and the rent paid, he would become a villain…
‘The tiplaum mine is entirely owned by the royal family. After the war, I’d be excited to raise a huge surplus to repay it all at once.’
Cel watched Kleio’s face with a somewhat awkward expression.
“Lei, you really believe in Arthur! You think he will surely become the owner of the tiplaum mine. How?”
In the past, his answer would’ve been ‘Because the end is fixed and God will ensure it,’ but now that attitude had changed a little.
Kleio smiled as he brushed Behemoth’s fur off his clothes, before saying,
“I shouldn’t have to say it.”
***
“Now, everyone! Did you understand my explanation~?”
On a bright June day, a damp silence fell over the lecture hall where all the third and fourth years had gathered. Ezra Sergey, the vice-captain of the magic corps and the special guest lecturer, watched over them.
“As I explained, the beast is a completely different species from other fantasy animals~! Okay?”
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The special lecture had been organized after the final exam and only checked attendance. Even so, the reason why even the senior students were not rebelling but patiently listening was…
“What is the composition of Tosuni? Who can answer~?”
Ezra’s circle unfolded, destroying a school table inside of it. Ezra kept a bright smile as he crushed the furniture, making the sight even more terrifying.