Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Ladia once again entered the classroom of Weiss Academy, a place she had grown fond of recently.
Several days ago, she had returned to Alden Town from Frand Port with her companions from the adventure team, following Paul and Quiller. They had discovered, by chance, that a school had been opened here.
Although named "Weiss Academy," it was simply a two-story building surrounded by a brick-walled courtyard, appearing quite humble in every aspect.
During the day, it was filled with children of all ages from Alden Town and nearby villages, taught by teachers who helped them learn to read. By five in the afternoon, the children returned to their respective homes.
However, after dinner, the place would come alive once again. Adult townspeople from the town gradually gathered here, taught by teachers on night duty.
According to the teachers, this was called the "literacy night school."
The teachers included young monks from nearby monasteries and people scraping by from the capital to the northwest, with the lord's only requirement being literacy.
She was very surprised that the local lord had built such a school for commoners and even serfs.
Even in the south, only commoners in large cities had the opportunity for education, which was also a significant financial burden on their families.
Knowledge had a price, and Ladia's ability to become a scholar was closely tied to her affluent background.
She enjoyed being with the children. These innocent little angels allowed her to momentarily forget the worries of life.
During class, she sat with the little angels in the classroom, earnestly listening to the lessons. After class, she played games happily with them in the courtyard.
After a few days, the children all recognized this beautiful lady with the tall hat and green hair.
Ladia felt that her smiles over these days exceeded those of the previous month combined.
The hat she wore easily identified her as a scholar. Several teachers in the academy, upon learning she was a scholar from the south, warmly invited her to speak to the students about the customs and culture of the south.
She gladly agreed, and after several classes, even Principal Morrison knew there was a scholar among his students, making a point to attend a few sessions.
The curiosity in the children's big eyes and their satisfaction upon learning new knowledge brought Ladia great spiritual pleasure.
One suggestion from Morrison struck a chord in her heart:
"Miss Ladia, could you stay here and teach with us? A scholar like you, Lord Grayman would surely offer you generous treatment."
What touched her heart wasn't the phrase "generous treatment," but rather, it reminded her of the conversation she had with the lord during her last visit to Alden Town.
Especially considering the increasingly erratic behavior of the Southern Church, returning might raise suspicions. It wouldn't just affect her, but could also trouble her family and friends.
Perhaps staying here was not a bad choice?
...
Several days later.
"Ladia, why? Have we treated you poorly?" Meru asked loudly.
Just a moment ago, this companion had found her, the leader of the team, and proposed an idea that shocked her: to leave the Lichman Adventure Team.
With her head bowed, the girl apologized sincerely, saying, "I feel the environment of the Northwest Gulf suits me very well. I want to live here for a while."
Of course, this was an excuse. The real reason was clear upon a moment's thought: because of the identity she had kept hidden all this time.
She knew this companion too well—too kind, too considerate of others.
Meru hugged the girl tightly and whispered in her ear, "I told you, we will always protect you."
Tears welled up in the companion's eyes, her voice choked with emotion as she said, "Thank you for taking care of me all this time, and thank you for not abandoning me after knowing my secret."
"I am happy by your side. But... but..."
Meru shook her head. "No 'buts.' We will never abandon you. We will always take care of you. We are happy to do so."
"No! Meru..." Ladia stared at the team leader. "It can't go on like this anymore. Promise me, Meru, this is better for both of us."
Knowing each other for so many years, Meru could instantly see determination in her companion's eyes.
"But leaving you here alone, won't your situation become worse? How can we be at ease?" Meru asked.
Ladia reassured her, "The lord here is enlightened. I've 'tested' him; you know I have my 'ways.'"
"Moreover, I've talked with the teachers from the monastery here. Overall, the church members here tend to be more rational compared to their southern counterparts, who are more radical."
"Anyway, staying here is relatively safe."
Meru knew she couldn't persuade her companion any further, so she nodded.
She hugged Ladia again and said, "Take care of yourself. You will always be family to us."
"Thank you so much," Ladia said gratefully.
Her tears couldn't be stopped anymore, streaming down her delicate face.
Meru gently touched her face, wiping away the tears from this partner she had spent so much time with, and said tenderly, "No need to thank us! You're such a silly girl."
...
Nervously, Ladia sat in the reception room of the lord's mansion, unsure what this so-called "interview" would entail.
After a while, two people entered: one was the familiar steward, Ford, and the other appeared refined, seeming to be someone close to the lord.
She stood up first and greeted Old Ford, "Hello, Steward Ford."
Old Ford smiled and gestured for her to sit down.
They sat opposite her, and the other person smiled and introduced himself, "Hello, Miss Ladia. I am Bernard Francis, Count Grayman's secretary. We met during the reception for the Foster Guild."
She replied, "Hello, Mr. Francis."
Steward Ford got straight to the point, "Miss Ladia, we've reviewed your introduction. You're a scholar from the independent Messiah in the south, but aren't you a member of the Lichman Adventure Team?"
Ladia nodded, "Yes, I joined the adventure team as a scholar to travel and gain knowledge."
Steward Ford nodded. The members of the adventure team traveled far and wide, and everyone inside indeed possessed exceptional skills, providing considerable security.
"Where does your knowledge mainly focus?" he asked.
"My studies mainly focus on history and archaeology."
"May we ask you a few questions related to these two areas?"
"Of course, Steward."
Bernard handled the questioning, having accumulated considerable knowledge while copying books in the library.
After half an hour, he indicated to Steward Ford that, in his view, the green-haired girl before them was a genuine scholar of history and archaeology.
After considering it, Steward Ford said, "Since you came with the Foster Guild, you must know that we are planning to establish trade relations with the Angle Bay Alliance soon. Our exchanges will increasingly involve the entire south in the future."
"Not only with the Angle Bay Alliance but with the entire southern region. Therefore, the lord's mansion and the Council urgently need an advisor familiar with the political and economic situation of the southern countries. Would you be willing to take on this role?"
Ladia hesitated for a moment and said, "But my intention was to teach at Weiss Academy, as I stated in my introduction."
Old Ford shook his head and said, "Have you visited our academy? At this stage, they are only teaching literacy there. Placing a scholar of history and archaeology there would be like inviting the lightning of the Bright Lord to strike us down. Good steel should be used on the edge of the blade."
He looked at Ladia and said, "Of course, if you really like it there, you can volunteer to teach the children in your spare time. After all, it's all within the same town."
"Okay, I accept your arrangement," Ladia agreed, deciding to settle in first.
"Welcome, Miss Ladia. You can start working at the lord's mansion tomorrow."
Old Ford was very pleased. During negotiations with the Foster Guild's overseer Christopher these days, he had been troubled by not understanding the economic situation in the south. The arrival of this scholar lady was indeed timely.
(End of the Chapter)