A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

122 – Sweet and Bloody Academy (2)

Anyone who has run any organization knows this.

-The person who controls the funds is the powerful.

Since humans are social creatures and use money, those who have capital and operate it have strong power.

‘After military force, the thing that brings the most power is money.’

Several months ago.

‘Everyone smelled the money amazingly.’

In the Kingdom of Nostrum, there was an incident that made all 12 ministers blush.

-Who will be responsible for the budget of Orosol Academy?

The president had already been decided long ago.

‘The land was already being prepared seven years ago, and Queen Carmen gathered all of Morgania’s capabilities and formed an organization.’

While I was isolated from the world and wandering the elf forest, the kingdom was making every effort to open Orosol Academy.

Talented faculty members have been recruited over the years, and all that remains is the representative in charge of the academy’s ‘accounting’.

-Whether it is the Planning or Finance Ministry, the terminology for the department will be decided later, and who will be the head of this department?

The most important place has become the last place to be decided.

Why?

‘Because we were both anxious to do it.’

Someone argued that since he was the Minister of Finance, he was appropriate for that role.

Someone argued that since he handled the earldom’s budget while serving as minister, a concurrent position was sufficient.

Someone claimed that he would hand over the position of 12 to someone else and do his best to train the next generation at Orosol Academy after retirement.

Except for Viscount Hex, who had already left the 12 ministers, virtually all ministers raised their hands to control the budget of Orosol Academy.

‘Is the academy just a normal academy? It’s a place where the empire pumps money.’

A position to handle a business involving trillions of gold.

‘In fact, the education budgets of the two countries are concentrated in one place, so who wouldn’t want to handle this?’

Of course, all budgets over a certain size, which may sound like a lot of money, must be approved by the president for the project to proceed, but at a small level, the position has the authority to handle it at one’s own level or as a general decision.

‘Even if we secretly take 0.1% of the total budget, the three generations will spend a lot of money and have nothing left over.’

Simply put, someone who can handle the money of the entire academy.

‘Lobbying towards the Duke of Winchester was basic, and there was even an assassination attempt against the nominee.’

In order to take this position, many people in the kingdom resorted to slander.

If Gray Gibraltar had tried to stand there, I would have been at the center of a court (without legal basis) that the kingdom had crudely and haphazardly set up since I was 16.

The flesh is given away.

But I take the bones.

So, I created a position at Orosol Academy, not as the director of the ‘Budget and Planning Office’ within the Orosol Academy organization, but as the chairman of the board of an external foundation, which is a completely separate organization.

“There is no need to inform international students about the official goals or significance of the scholarship foundation. So, let’s quickly go over the key points, starting with the unofficial part.”

All 10 international students pay attention to what I say.

“500,000 per month from the Imperial Ministry of Education as a study abroad grant. 2 million per month from the Duke of Morgania. 3 million per month from the Imperial Iferia Industries as a private school scholarship. And 5 million per month from the Count of Gibraltar. How much is it all together?”

“10.5 million.”

Astasia answered right away.

“Yes. 10.5 million.”

I took the chalk and wrote the number on the blackboard, then immediately added another unit in Kingdom language.

“Everyone may have sensed the unit ‘10,000’, but it is gold, not thaler.”

To put it simply.

“10 million per month. This means that all the support funds for our international students’ activities in the kingdom are here.”

Some of the international students exchange glances with each other.

Although he had suspicions, he seemed hesitant to ask me questions-

“Yes. All budgets. There will be no unofficial support from the Empire. Nothing coming from behind the shadows.”

“!!”

When I read their suspicions and answered them, the shadows’ expressions immediately hardened.

“Relax your expression. It’s not like I’m preying on you or accusing you. I should have told you, right? I met with His Highness the Crown Prince yesterday.”

Don’t talk behind your back.

‘They have a greater sense of being untouchable and powerful than their father, so we should just let them misunderstand.’

Of these, it is certain that five of the women have bloodline to the crown prince, and I do not know about the other five men, but only one person is ‘officially’ of royal bloodline, Astasia.

“His Majesty the Crown Prince said he was asking me to take care of you all. What is it? That look on his face of disbelief.”

No one can confirm the truth to the crown prince.

“Whether you believe it or not, I control your budget. And some may have noticed, but this is a special measure given only to you.”

I divided the number 1050 into individual pieces again.

“The minimum amount guaranteed as an international student is 500,000. The rest is a privilege determined by the foundation and donors. Of course, to maintain the benefits, you have to do well as an international student and scholarship recipient. Anything. In other words …”

After filling the blackboard with numbers and organization with chalk.

“When, as a director of a scholarship foundation, your conduct is so fair that it is a shame to give you a scholarship and your behavior causes discomfort to others.”

I pick up the eraser.

“The scholarship disappears the same day.”

All numbers except ’50’ were erased at once.

“This is the minimum living expenses for international students. Even the Imperial Ministry of Education has decided that it is impossible to be deprived of even this.”

500,000 gold may be a lot of money for a student, but for those who have to act as a ‘shadow’, it is a very small amount of money.

Especially for members of society who have to act as if they are receiving a ‘salary’.

“If this disappears, there is no reason to be an international student.”

But this 50.

Is 50 really the minimum cost of living?

“You will be repatriated to the empire right away.”

No.

I won’t mention it, but to the shadows, repatriation means death – ‘disposal’.

Among the crown prince’s many children, only 9 were chosen, but he was officially kicked out of that position due to his own mistake

Morgania’s warning.

Ipheria’s warning.

Gibraltar’s warning.

In addition, the dismissal of the Imperial Ministry of Education.

‘If you get warned three times and your seat is taken away, it’s just death.’

For international students, leaving means death.

“I hope I never have to take back each scholarship given to you.”

A life called scholarship.

‘If it ends here, you are a vicious scum who wields power as he pleases.’

Many people just swing the whip and try to get it over with.

‘If you waved a whip to warn people, you should also wave a carrot.’

However, in order to properly seize power and manipulate people, you must give them a warning and a reward that they are willing to listen to.

“Although the scholarship foundation provides scholarships to you, this is a privilege given only to you. The Gorge Foundation selects scholarship students from general students.”

Some of the shadows looked at us like, ‘Why are you telling us that?’

“Yes. In general, I would like to announce that international students may be included among the scholarship students selected by the academy.”

Soon, the expression changed.

“Scholarship for excellent academic performance, scholarship for excellent cultural activities, scholarship for excellent international exchange activities, volunteer scholarship, work scholarship, etc. If you receive all of these, overall, you can receive up to 2,000 per month in scholarship among general scholarship students.”

Sreuk.

One of the international students raised his hand

“Room 305. Her name was … Skullit?”

“This is Scarlett, Chairman.”

“Yes. If it’s the bathroom, she can go there.”

“I have a question.”

Even in the face of slight insults, I keep raising my hand.

Some of the shadows gave quick glances, but Scarlett, the owner of room 305, did not lower her outstretched hand.

“Okay. What’s the question? I’ll only allow one.”

“Apart from the existing privileges we receive, if we are selected as a scholarship student, will we be able to receive the general scholarship in duplicate?”

“Okay.”

One thing.

“You guys might think it’s a little surprising.”

Just as the people of the kingdom are prejudiced against the people of the empire.

“Wouldn’t this be controversial?”

The people of the empire also have a universal prejudice against the people of the kingdom.

“Shouldn’t we put this in the rules in advance so that it doesn’t come up later?”

“…Yes.”

The kingdom’s perception of the empire’s systematic laws, rules, and regulations is so backward.

“That’s it.”

“Yes?”

“It means literally.”

I am different.

“I know. I. It’s not in the scholarship regulations.”

The international students’ eyes immediately began to shine.

“Just compensation is given to those who work hard. That’s just it.”

The difference of perspective is in what direction the hard work was done.

“You just have to be faithful to the roles given to you. I guess that’s what His Highness the Crown Prince wants.”

In fact, all of this is just a justification.

“Here, the first month’s salary… No, it’s a scholarship.”

Agent of the Empire.

Basic salary, 10.5 million.

‘It’s too much for a student, but it’s a small amount for the entire activity expenses of a diplomat and spy who infiltrated an enemy country.’

So bonus, +a (up to about 30 million).

“10 1 million gold coins, 5 100,000 gold coins. If you lose it, it’s your fault.”

I personally gave the international students bags of gold coins in front of their desks.

“And Granddaughter Hwang…”

Prepared gold coins, 9 pieces.

“Let me look at it separately.”

I moved my finger towards her granddaughter and pointed her outside her door.

* * *

The classroom where Gray Gibraltar disappeared.

Astasia Hwang’s granddaughter silently followed behind her and left her place her her her-

“Puh-ha…”

Someone sighs.

“Is this a real gold coin? It’s not a counterfeit, is it?”

Someone opens the gold coin bag and checks its contents.

“Hey. Room 305. Are you crazy? Did you forget the warning that your hands and arms would fly off while you were asking questions, while crossing the canyon? Do you want to go back to the training center in the Empire?”＜ Br＞

Someone gnashed their teeth at the other person and started an argument.

“I didn’t just ask the question out of the blue; I asked it with permission. This is within the acceptable range that was also written down in the ‘Nines’ report.”

“All of those tolerances are from three years ago! Are you taking a gamble with information that hasn’t been updated in two years?”

“It wasn’t a gamble. Fortunately, the chairman was generous and gave us the right answer and direction.”

No. 305, Scarlett took out one million gold pieces from her pocket and bit them lightly.

Crack.

Slight tooth marks.

“It’s a real gold coin.”

“It’s crazy, it’s crazy. How much does this ride cost…?”

“Hey, don’t break it. If you weigh it, it’s not that much. Once melted, it’s just like five gold rings.”

Since there is information engraved on the front and back saying ‘Nostrum Kingdom Gold Coin’, the number 1 million is worth 1 million gold.

“Damn. I’m going crazy. “This is the only activity fee?”

“What? 202. As expected, thanks to being adopted by a marquis, I guess you had some fun fiddling around with money for a few years? I used to be a pickpocket in the back alleys.”

“Shut up, poor man. I was chosen to become a marquis, and you still come from lowly backgrounds.”

“Yes, you and I are both the same… Hehe.”

While the shadows are giggling and reprimanding each other.

“Scarlett.”

From noble mtl dot come

“What is it, room 201? Are you imitating the chairman by calling out his name like that?”

“It’s blonde, not number 201.”

Room 201-Everyone paused for a moment at the blonde’s voice

“Isn’t it your duty to take care of the granddaughter? I think the minister told me to always assist her wherever and whenever she is.”

“Yes, that’s right. But what about this? It seems to me that, at least here, the chairman is the golden line that shines more than the minister.”

Scarlett rolled the gold coin around in her finger with an expression that did not change at all.

“This is correct for now.”

“That’s right?”

“If I had said I would follow, not the chairman would have glared at me first, but the granddaughter would have glared at me? Have you forgotten? “What she said in the morning.”

“…”

“If you don’t remember, can I recite it again? I didn’t say it in words-“

* * *

“I’m going to kill you.”

“Yes?”

“I often hear things being said towards international students.”

“Oh, me again. Haha.”

When I bring Astasia separately to her foundation’s director’s office and talk to her, Astasia blinks her eyes and becomes embarrassed.

“Why are you so embarrassed, princess?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Hmm.”

“I don’t think the princess would say such harsh words.”

“…”

“And if you do something like that, the person who made you hear it is at fault. Absolutely.”

“Well, I won’t say such harsh things!”

With your mouth.

“I see.”

Although the words she swallowed sounded like hallucinations, I sat down in front of Astasia, lighting the scented candle on the nightstand.

“By the way, Astasia. What I said a moment ago is true.”

“This is a story about verbal abuse directed at international students in the Empire, right?”

“Yes. Among the 290 new students, there are some who do not like even the 10 international students.”

Ridiculously, there are people who really think that way.

“Yes. I know. The empire provided all the money, but there are people who show hatred towards international students from the empire, even though they learn and study at educational institutions built with the empire’s money. There are more people like that than you think.”

“As expected, 500 years of history…”

“Ah. We have filtered out all such cases.”

“Yes?”

“We screened students during the admissions process. We rejected all students whose family backgrounds included ancestors who died in the war with the imperial army or those who harbored hatred toward the empire and tried to infiltrate as new students.”

The entrance exam was not done in vain.

“Thanks to this, there are some people who attack the walls outside the academy every night, but there is a moat around the academy, so they just go around writing curse words at other academies.”

“Ah, ahaha…”

“It’s more serious, princess.”

International students have to deal with it.

“The average perception of the kingdom. Reasonless hatred, jealousy, and anger toward the empire.”

Just because I don’t like it.

There are many ways to solve it.

“So, in order to wash away the hatred of the kingdom’s nobles toward the international students, the princess must make a sacrifice.”

“If it’s a sacrifice, what kind?”

“It’s nothing special.”

I decided to choose.

“If you become a tool, I will divert that hatred elsewhere.”

“Not anywhere else, not here?”

Astasia carefully placed her hand on my solar plexus.

“You’re going to get a lot of criticism. You’re bewitched by the imperial granddaughter of the empire and handing out scholarships as you please.”

“Do you think they will only give out scholarships?”

I extended my hand towards Astasia’s hand.

“Something else-“

“…”

“…Because others have to see it, I am only clasping my hands together.”

I lightly hit Astasia’s hand as she tried to gently lower her hand, and I lightly grabbed her wrist.

“It’s a little early, but let’s go for lunch. I’ve made a reservation at a really nice restaurant. I’ve even booked a separate room.”

“I have class in the afternoon?”

“Princess. There is no problem with missing that class. I will tell the professor in question separately.”

Before leaving the room, I pulled Astasia’s wrist and lightly hugged her waist.

“Yes. I decided to take on the power of the chairman of the foundation to use it in times like this.”

“…”

“And.”

So that no one can hear, just a little in my ear.

“Afternoon class, there are still three hours left?”

“…”

Astasia just laughed and calmly relaxed her wrist.