Chapter 216: Attending the Banquet
TL: Etude
As February approached, in the time following the New Year, Eileen meticulously organized her grand educational plan. After receiving official approval from Paul, she ignited the first of the three proverbial fires typical of a new officials zeal.
Previously, the Administration Councils investment in education had been sporadic. At Eileens strong recommendation, educational funding was formally established as an independent expenditure, ranking alongside military, industry, and agriculture as one of the four main financial outlays.
The initiative began in Lakeheart Town. John Morrison, the former dean of Weiss Academy, had been dispatched by Paul to assist Father Anderson at the monastery, leaving the deans position vacant. Eileen took up the role without hesitation.
She conducted a baseline assessment for the current students, covering reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. Based on their abilities, she temporarily divided them into three grades and reorganized the teachers assignments, also instituting a system of regular exams to evaluate the students progress.
After a lengthy recruitment period, the number of teachers at Weiss Academy reached twenty. Now, their salaries were managed by Eileen, who had become the head of the Department of Education.
Eileen called a meeting with the teachers, announcing a new policy linking their salaries to their students exam results. Teachers with poor-performing students would face salary deductions, while those with high-achieving students would receive raises.
This new policy revitalized the atmosphere at the academy. Teachers who had previously been lax became diligent, and the academy was filled with their fervent admonishments to the students.
Gone were the days of laissez-faire teaching; the students easy times were over.
In addition to daytime education, Weiss Academys literacy night school continued, targeting adults who were busy during the day but idle at night.
Eileen decreed that teachers would receive a bonus for each night school member who passed basic tests in reading, writing, and arithmetic, with the bonus amounting to a per-student basis.
Consequently, some teachers began actively promoting the importance of education in the town and, in cooperation with soldiers, rounded up idle adults to attend night classes.
On February 3rd, the Center City was adorned in a festive atmosphere, its streets filled with early spring flowers. Street performers and minstrels showcased their talents in the city center, while housewives flocked to the shops for big purchases due to city-wide sales, in anticipation of the birthday of the citys lord, Duke Ferdinand, the next day. Under the supervision of his brother, Viscount Henry, the celebration was to be grand.
Approaching the city gates was a convoy, led by a rider holding a flagpole topped with a flying dragon flag, signifying Paul and his entourage arriving to attend the Dukes birthday banquet.
Accompanying Paul were Count Malron Ganard, advisor Ladi, intelligence chief Cecil, and the commander of the First Infantry Battalion, Bryce, along with his adjutant (formerly his squire).
The head of the guards, Victor who had spent three months in bed last year due to a broken rib caused by a mages kick commanded fifteen elite internal security soldiers, serving as escorts for the trip.
Despite there being only fifteen, each soldier was adept at quick-loading and firing. They were equipped with the latest flintlock rifles with bayonets, four grenades each, and a flintlock pistol on their belts.
With the cumbersome matchlock cords gone, the soldiers could now fire shoulder-to-shoulder, greatly increasing their firepower.
Following the incident that had occurred previously, both the internal security forces and the army had intensified their shooting training for emergencies. Should an assassin appear again en route, they were prepared to reload swiftly and riddle the assailant with bullets in under a minute.
Ah, weve finally made it!
Pauls voice carried a hint of weariness. After a two-day frantic horse ride from Lakeheart Town, they had finally arrived at Center City.
Frankly, he hadnt been keen on coming, but it was a necessity.
The gift he had prepared was a pair of porcelain vases, about half a person tall, adorned with exquisite patterns. Alda had mainly sold small porcelain pieces, so these large vases were quite precious. It remained to be seen if they would catch the Dukes eye.
Naturally, the gift had been sent ahead since porcelain couldnt be jostled on horseback.
The reason for bringing Ladi, the female advisor, was her command over mysterious powers, which could be crucial in case of unforeseen events en route. He quickly dismissed the thought, reassuring himself that nothing untoward could happen under the Dukes governance.
Upon arriving at the city gate, the guards bowed in respect. They recognized the noble crest on the flag, though they were unsure of which family it represented. However, paying respect was always the right move.
Wow! The largest city in the northwest of the kingdom really is different! Paul exclaimed, impressed by the bustling city.
Apparently, this city has a permanent population of fifty to sixty thousand, Malron commented, equally amazed by Centers scale. Like Paul, it was his first visit to the city.
Victor, the relaxed head of the guards, and his men didnt need further explanation. In their eyes, Butuya, the capital of neighboring Baylding, was already a big city.
Among the group, only Cecil, Bryce, and Ladi remained calm. Cecil and Bryce had been to Cent several times before, and Ladi, being from the Horn Bay Alliance, was well-traveled.
As they toured, they made their way to the lords mansion. Although the streets were bustling, people conscientiously cleared a path for the entourage bearing noble flags.
At the entrance of the lords mansion, they were greeted by a well-dressed, meticulous official, as courteous as Philip the butler. Paul and Malron handed him their invitations.
Grayman family Ganard family The official, wearing a monocle, verified the invitations and counted Pauls entourage before instructing a servant.
He then slightly bowed to Paul and the others, saying, Lords, please follow the servant to the quarters prepared for you. We will notify you when the banquet is about to begin.
Are we to fend for ourselves for dinner? Paul thought, his stomach growling. He had hoped for a hearty meal upon reaching the lords mansion.
After settling in a nearby estate provided by the lords mansion, Paul couldnt wait to ask Bryce and Cecil, who were familiar with the area, to lead them to a restaurant.
Upon their return, the soldiers reported that a nobleman claiming to be Henry Ferdinand had come looking for him.
Wasnt that the Dukes brother? Paul wondered, realizing he had no acquaintance with him.
Turning to Malron, Paul asked, Do you know him?
Malron shrugged, Never met the man.
Cecil then whispered to Paul, Ever since his brother, Duke Ferdinands health deteriorated, Viscount Henry has been quite active, making connections with other nobles.
Paul couldnt help but wonder if this banquet would lead to some dramatic twist.
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