Chapter 61

We moved to the impressive school facility built in the central part of the town.

The wide schoolyard, the artistic gate, and the school building that incorporated the fashion of the capital city—all of them cost a fortune. You can feel Kyle's seriousness.

"As the report mentioned, you have made education compulsory for children, I hear."

Mog, the leader of the inspection team, asked Kyle while walking down the school corridor.

"Yes. I used to live in a rural area, and I felt that most children were used as labor and did not receive proper education. So, by providing subsidies, I made it possible for children to attend school in the morning."

"Doesn't that require a considerable budget?"

"Yes, but fortunately, the town's economy is stable, and the results have exceeded the budget."

Currently, Golden Dawn is experiencing an unprecedented economic boom despite not collecting tolls.

The civil servants dispatched by the border lord once seriously discussed whether not collecting tolls might actually boost the economy. I don't understand much about economics, so whether it's by chance or not, as long as it works well, that's fine.

Mog reacted sensitively to the word "results."

"Hmm, what kind of results?"

"I think you'll understand if you see the classroom."

Kyle smiled, while Mog tensed up.

"I've informed the students, so please enter the classroom quietly from the back."

"Understood. Ella and two civil servants, plus two guards, will follow me."

Mog and five others quietly entered the classroom.

The students glanced back but quietly faced forward again.

Actually, they had practiced several times for today. Otherwise, the Kendal siblings, starting with Ed, and the other students would have been in a commotion.

When Kyle nodded, the teacher resumed the lesson.

"Well, let's try to find the area of this field."

The teacher drew a rectangle on the blackboard and wrote down the lengths of the sides.

"Who knows the answer, please raise your hand."

"\"Yes!\""

All the students raised their hands enthusiastically.

Well, only Mina didn't raise her hand. I can't tell if she's bad at it or just shy.

"Then, Wamika."

"Yes~. 5 times 7, so the area is 35~."

"The calculation is correct, but don't forget the unit."

"Oh~. Got it~."

When Wamika, who was pointed out, answered leisurely with the unit included, the other students applauded.

Clapping is a rule in this school when someone gives the correct answer.

Mog, observing the students, widened his eyes and asked Kyle in a low voice.

"Those children are calculating the area?"

"Yes. They have already learned multiplication, so now we focus on how calculations can be useful in daily life."

"Even without being civil servants..."

The civil servants accompanying them were whispering.

Actually, I also didn't know much about what is taught in the morning school, so I had to learn it frantically over the past few months.

Each time I learned something, a new inspiration would arise in my crest, and thanks to maintaining my motivation, I was able to learn quickly.

"Can children of this age learn this much?"

"For nobles and merchants, it's a level they should naturally master, so they can learn if taught."

"Hmm. I thought it was normal to call in a private tutor for individual learning, but this form might not be bad."

"Teaching a large number of people is challenging, so the school is still experimenting."

"I see. This is very useful information."

It seemed that Mog was more strongly attracted to the school than to the military.

The reactions of the civil servants also looked good.

"I've been thinking about gathering educated nobles, but if we can create such a foundation, it might help solve the shortage of civil servants."

"But if we recruit commoners, won't other nobles object?"

"I'm the third son who can't inherit the family, so I'd like to use any help I can get."

"Once they have practical experience, you might think that way, but it might be difficult at first."

"However, if they can calculate areas, teaching them surveying and dispatching them as tax collectors might be possible..."

"Indeed, we lack the manpower."

The two civil servants started an active discussion in low voices.

It seemed that the students had acquired the knowledge necessary to choose their careers, as Kyle had envisioned.

I nodded in satisfaction.

After that, we inspected the wheat fields, the bridge experiment facility, the giant water wheel, and the water supply and drainage system, and Ella kept questioning us for several busy days.

I won't mention that Ella and I talked about Jabeel's pre-loli days over drinks.

We gathered near the city gate to see them off as the inspection team left Golden Dawn.

Ella stored the box filled with the potions I made and the materials from monsters in her spatial storage. As expected of Jabeel's disciple, it has quite a capacity.

While the team was preparing to leave, Mog bowed to Kyle.

"This inspection has been very fruitful. I would like to thank you again."

"Thank you for coming. Please convey my regards to the king."

"Understood. Then, I will take my leave."

They mounted different horses than the ones they arrived on.

We had presented them with new warhorses that had been trained over the past few months.

"Then, let's go!"

The inspection team started to ride.

"Whoa!"

Ella's scream faded into the distance.

I turned back to Kyle.

"Seems like those horses still scare them without practice, huh?"

"Hehe..."

It seems that horses raised with stamina potions turn into fine steeds.

"Well, let's continue with the development, shall we?"

"Yes!"

And so, we returned to our daily routine, unaware that they were bringing trouble with them.

◆

Mog, the leader of the inspection team, tightened his expression as Golden Dawn disappeared from view.

"Ella, what do you think of that town?"

"No! Wait a moment! This horse is big! Fast! Scary!"

"Ah, got it. Let's hear from the civil servants first."

Mog turned his gaze to the civil servants.

"The alchemically enhanced rock, if used to its full potential, can create such massive structures. I didn't expect the strength to increase so much by adding iron bars to the foundation."

"That's more in the realm of construction than alchemy. Ella, have you calmed down yet?"

"Ah! Yes! In the paper! It wasn't marked that way!"

Ella answered while clinging to the horse.

Mog nodded at her response.

"Despite the limitations, the widespread use of alchemically enhanced rock is urgent. What about the school?"

"I think it's an interesting attempt. It seems to fit well with the 'Academy' established by the mages."

"The Academy... A group that publishes research results openly to the public, I was surprised when I first heard about it. But it has indeed improved national power."

"Another valuable insight is the possibility that not collecting tolls could increase tax revenue."

"Regarding this, we should conduct an experiment in some local city. If the results are good, we can sign a contract to have the kingdom cover any losses."

"I'll select candidate locations later."

"Understood."

Ella finally seemed to get used to the horse and started to sit up straight.

"More importantly, shouldn't we try to recruit that Craft?"

"No, that would be a bad idea. It would be like declaring war on the border lord."

"Ugh... Not only Jabeel, but Craft as well, there are too many skilled alchemists gathered there."

"That's not something we should consider now. Besides, their achievements are reported to the country."

"They were very open during the inspection. I appreciate it, but I was surprised."

"Kyle is still young. He lacks experience in the subtleties of nobility. But knowing that he has no hostility is the greatest gain."

Mog's words were nodded at not only by the civil servants but also by the knights.

"If that city gets serious, it could gather considerable forces. Not just the residents, but even those difficult adventurers seemed to want to support Kyle."

"Indeed. I intend to advise the king to court the border lord and bring Kyle into the fold."

"Then, please include Craft as well!"

"Understood, I'll pass it on."

"Absolutely!"

The inspection team discussed the direction of their report while on their way back, but problems arose during their journey.

It happened when they arrived at the Zayed development village, where they had only stayed overnight on the way there.

The soldiers were lined up at the entrance to the village, holding flags.

Mog muttered.

"Was our incognito inspection exposed?"

"They probably saw us in Golden Dawn. It's reasonable to assume they have some kind of surveillance."

"This is the land governed by the border lord's second son. Everyone, be polite."

"Understood."

They slowed down their horses and the inspection team moved through the line of soldiers.

Merchants who had been driven away by the soldiers looked annoyed from a distance.

It seemed that the ruler here had a very different mindset from the ruler of Golden Dawn.

Behind the line of soldiers, a noble-looking man was waiting with a smirk.

The man, who bowed respectfully to the inspection team, was undoubtedly of high noble blood.

"Greetings, members of the inspection team from the capital. I am Zayed Gandal Baerlroad. I have been waiting to welcome you."

Mog dismounted and approached Zayed with a smile,