Translator: Cinder Translations
...
As the sun set behind the western mountains, the remaining rays painted Alden Town in golden hues. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of many homes, signaling dinner time.
In an office on the west side of the lord's manor, Ladia Setia wrapped up her day. She neatly organized various documents and scrolls into a cabinet, securely locking the doors and windows before heading outside. Paul had gone to inspect the port at Frand, so she didn't bother to say goodbye.
Initially, she was just Paul's political and economic advisor for the coastal region, which was a rather leisurely position. However, after Paul initiated the "New Life Movement," which aimed to spread knowledge of hygiene, and following the departure of the education bureau head, Betty, the educational responsibilities also fell to her. A series of changes had made her increasingly busy, as she was now the most knowledgeable person next to Paul.
Before leaving, Betty had devised an extensive and detailed educational development plan. The first phase involved establishing enough schools in the large towns of Alden, Byerldine, and Emden so that children from ordinary families could receive an education at a low cost. The second phase aimed to expand educational resources into the surrounding rural areas.
However, the initial phase would require a significant investment of hundreds of thousands of silver coins, causing dissatisfaction among many officials in the council. To these officials, while they recognized the need for public education, such extravagant spending seemed wasteful.
Even under Paul's influence, these old officials from the Grayman family were considered among the most enlightened in Northwestern Bay, but they had grown accustomed to hardship. If this were four or five years ago, during Paul's father's reign, proposing to spend such a sum just to teach the children of commoners to read would likely have led to protests at the manor. At that time, the lord's income (including various taxes and agricultural output) barely yielded a few thousand silver coins after deducting all expenses at year's end, and in times of disaster, it was common to see those reserves completely wiped out.
With Paul's ascension, the long-standing pirate threat was eradicated, trade routes to the south were opened, various profitable new industries were established, and the tax revenues from Earl of Byerldine's territory were merged into the council. Ultimately, Emden, which could be considered prosperous compared to other territories in Northwestern Bay, came under the control of Alden Town, leading to a significant increase in Alden's financial revenues, growing exponentially year after year.
However, the lord's spending also increased exponentially. In addition to building schools, he needed to expand the administrative system, maintain a standing army, repair roads, enhance water conservancy, construct public restrooms and bathhouses, provide shelter for the homeless, and attract high-paying professionals from the Crystal Glare who looked down on others.
Everyone knew that this spending was beneficial in the long run, yet the extravagance was hard to accept. It left them feeling uneasy; traditionally, vassals were expected to help their lord accumulate more wealth for the next generation. If money was to be spent, they argued it should first go towards renovating their own castles, which was crucial for maintaining the dignity of a local lord.
As a scholar, Ladia strongly supported the educational plan left by Eileen but was also well aware of the traditional bureaucrats' resistance to it. Fortunately, their objections were negligible under the support of Lord Grayman.
She stepped out of the manor and walked along the central street of the Alden District, heading south to the bridge that connected the island to the southern shore. After crossing the bridge, a short walk would bring her to the Flying Dragon Pavilion, the restaurant her family operated.
In recent years, residents of Alden Town with some spare cash had started to enhance their material living standards, so the restaurant specializing in coastal cuisine, managed by her mother Xela, had been thriving since its opening. Considering that more and more coastal people were relocating to Frand for long-term residence, they were even planning to open a branch there soon.
It was dinner time, likely the busiest hour for her mother and Lisa, so she decided not to disturb them. Instead, Ladia turned into a nearby alley to head towards the restaurant's back courtyard.
"Have I really become so accustomed to a comfortable life that I'm only realizing this now?"
Upon reaching the corner of the alley, she said to herself with self-mockery before suddenly turning around.
A cloaked figure behind her also halted. Now, the alley contained only the two of them.
"Looks like your vigilance from years of adventuring hasn't completely faded away."
The figure spoke, revealing herself to be a woman.
"Who are you?"
Ladia asked coldly, showing no signs of hesitation. The fact that the person referred to her as an "adventurer" indicated she knew her identity, and it didn't seem like a straightforward visit—likely, there was something hidden.
She prepared herself to call for the police.
Yes, calling the police. On one hand, the officers under Public Safety Chief Ross Hayden were quite trustworthy, and the law and order in Alden Town was well maintained under their watch. She had seen them patrolling the streets earlier. On the other hand, she didn't want to expose her concealed identity by confronting this individual herself.
"I'm not your enemy. Do you remember what I look like?"
The newcomer pulled down her hood, revealing her face.
Is this someone I know? Ladia scrutinized the woman's features, searching her memories.
The woman smiled slightly, revealing a hint of charm. "Let me remind you, the gathering in the year 1988… Do you remember? The Green Witch."
Ladia was taken aback. The person knew her alias in the circle of spellcasters.
"You are… Asitini?"
She recalled the name from her mind.
...
In the courtyard of the Setia residence, Ladia sat across a stone table from Sevya as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky.
"You did something significant in Niceport."
Ladia had already learned about the incident involving a witch named Asitini breaking prisoners out during a routine briefing by Cecil. She was impressed by the other's audacity but had not connected the event to her old acquaintance at that time due to a foggy memory.
"Ha, actually, I wanted to hide away and enjoy a leisurely life too." Sevya squinted her eyes.
The accusation in her words struck Ladia painfully. "Hmph! I don't feel any obligation toward other spellcasters."
"True, you've been accustomed to being solitary, so it's normal not to grasp the bonds of kinship. Although you are one of the most powerful spellcasters from the coast…"
Ladia frowned, her tone sharp. "That's enough! Did you come to Northwestern Bay just to mock me?"
"Of course not!"
Sevya stood up with a smile. Though they weren't very familiar, she felt confident being so bold in front of Ladia because she understood her temperament well. Back in the coastal region, she had sought allies to resist the church and attempted to find the mysterious and powerful Green Witch, gathering all sorts of information about her. While she hadn't located the witch herself, she did come across one of her former adventurer companions. From her companion, she deepened her understanding of the witch, yet her companion had kept tight-lipped about the witch's whereabouts, refusing to reveal any information.
Yes, this was the plan—to stir up her feelings of guilt.
With this in mind, Sevya walked slowly to Ladia's side, leaning in closer and whispering in her ear: "I heard from the locals that the lord here trusts you very much?"
Her voice was soft and pleasant, yet carried an unspoken undertone.
"The church's influence here isn't strong. Are you interested in…"
Sevya's eyes sparkled with intrigue.
"Making this lord submit to the might of magic?"
(End of the Chapter)
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