Chapter 388
"I apologize."
"Do you still have no leads?"
"No." Aina Helishana, delivering the report on behalf of her information guild, lowered her head slowly in response.
Davey had tasked her with uncovering information about Verdandi, one of the Six Beauties of the Continent, but she had only managed to find very limited details. The other beauties among the Six Beauties of the Continent were widely known, making their information easily accessible. However, from the start, information about the commoner named Verdandi had been shrouded in ambiguity and vagueness.
Aina Helishana presented all the information she had gathered over the past three months. Typically, three months would be enough time for her to acquire knowledge about even the color of underwear belonging to a member of the royal family. However, this did not hold true for Verdandi.
Verdandi was a woman enveloped in countless rumors, making it incredibly challenging to uncover accurate information about her. Although she was the lone commoner among the Six Beauties of the Continent, it was said that her beauty surpassed all others, captivating anyone who laid eyes on her. This was why she had ascended to that esteemed position so swiftly.
Davey found it ironic to judge others solely based on their appearances. However, this tendency was consistent across all worlds. People would always harbor jealousy and envy toward those who possessed beauty and charm. Nevertheless, he wouldn't condemn them solely for such superficial reasons.
"Most of the information I've gathered consists of rumors and hearsay. I've organized them to the best of my abilities," Aina explained.
Davey scanned the document in his hand as Aina concluded her report.
"The name is Verdandi. We haven't been able to confirm her age, but based on accounts from individuals who claim to have met her, it's estimated to be between 40 and 70 years."
"Are you kidding me?" Davey abruptly halted and turned to face Aina, causing her to flinch.
“Hiccup…”
"Speak properly. I asked you to gather information, and all you bring me is this useless trash that can't even confirm whether she's 40 or 70 years old?"
"Well... Every person I encountered provided different testimonies. Furthermore, she disappeared a long time ago, and most of the recent information about her consists of mere sightings. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to gather information about someone who moves around like a ghost?"
Verdandi was once a renowned beauty of the continent, but a considerable time had passed since then. It wouldn't be surprising if she were an old woman now. However, sporadic rumors about sightings of her, still retaining her ethereal beauty, had managed to keep her on the list until now.
Davey glanced at the report, feeling dissatisfied, and let out a sigh. "Do you want to be fired?"
"Ugh..." Aina flinched in embarrassment, her hood almost slipping off her head. "Information regarding Verdandi is classified as top-tier special information within the information guild. It's not that I didn't want to tell you; it's that I can't disclose it."
Davey needed them to hand over that information. How could he navigate the continent if he didn't even know her whereabouts?
"The only thing I know is that she is one of the Six Beauties of the Continent. It's said that she used to dance and sing with the gypsies long ago until a member of the royal family spotted her and brought her to a royal banquet. The nobles who witnessed her radiant appearance spread countless rumors about her, cementing her position. However, she vanished once again. That happened thirty years ago. It's quite amusing to still refer to her as one of the Six Beauties of the Continent even today..."
The crucial point was that people continued to encounter her occasionally after that. All those individuals testified that she remained as dazzling and beautiful as she was thirty years ago. It wasn't implausible since those who experienced a transformation at a young age would retain their youthful appearance throughout their lives.
"So, you're telling me she's playing hide and seek?"
Ultimately, Davey had no choice but to let the matter go. It wouldn't be efficient to pursue her at the moment, especially when he had no leads on the woman named [Urd], who had caused significant turmoil three months ago.
Fortunately, he had discovered a way to counteract the Abyss's corrupting influence on Megalodria, currently slumbering within the card. At the very least, he would be able to extract some clues from Megalodria regarding the woman named [Urd].
"Welcome."
Davey turned to face the old man who greeted him, while Aina, who had been trailing behind, disappeared into smoke.
"You've worked hard, Attendant Bernile."
"Not at all. This job... I asked you to entrust it to me, didn't I?"
"It seems like you enjoy it, huh?"
The old man, who used to maintain an expressionless face while answering Davey's questions, now displayed a sense of satisfaction in his eyes behind the monocle.
"There are many people in this world who desire to learn. However, due to various circumstances, their opportunities for education are limited. Many talented individuals among the lower-ranking nobles and commoners are deprived of the chance to learn simply because they lack the means."
"Is that so?"
"I thought you created this academy for those people, Your Highness?"
Davey shook his head in response. "That's not it, though."
"Eh?"
"No, did you think I was some kind of philanthropist?"
Bernile looked at Davey with disbelief upon hearing the disdain in his voice. He coughed to hide his embarrassment. "Goodness, my mind must have grown rigid with age. I failed to grasp Your Highness's thoughts and intentions properly. But what is the reason..."
Davey gazed at the enormous fence surrounding them. The academy grounds were larger than any other academy in existence. This was all thanks to the efforts of Elder Golgouda and Elder Goulda of the Yellowstone Tribe, who had shared their architectural techniques with the renowned architects of the Redstone Tribe, recruiting them for this project.
The academy was a culmination of the Spirit King's powers, magic, alchemy, the skills of the continent's best engineers and architects, and a substantial amount of money. It was surrounded by four tall spires in each cardinal direction, with numerous elegant buildings in the center. Despite being constructed in a matter of months, it exuded beauty and sophistication.
"The reason..."
The academy remained nothing more than an empty building. The necessary materials and supplies had yet to be procured, and there were no professors or instructors to teach the students. Without them, no students would come to this place. Thus, it was merely an empty building undergoing renovations, awaiting its owner.
"Attendant Bernile, you are aware that when people gather, they form groups. And as these groups develop, they eventually become nations, correct?"
Bernile nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's right."
"Humans live within such a system. If there is a better system available to them, it is only natural to adapt to it. However, the instincts with which humans are born are not easily discarded."
"Hmmm... Can you please explain it in a simpler manner?"
Davey grinned. "Consider this as mere speculation. Let me ask you a question. What do you think is the most challenging aspect to achieve within a group?"
Bernile closed his eyes, silently contemplating Davey's question. It seemed he finally grasped Davey's intentions as he replied softly, "Equal opportunities. Even if the world emphasizes equality, as long as individuals exist, true equal and fair opportunities will never exist."
"That's correct. It's equal opportunities. Now, let me ask you another question. Why do you think I created this academy, emphasizing equal opportunities, even though I'm no philanthropist?"
Bernile fell silent immediately, his gaze filled with doubt as he tried to discern Davey's intentions.
"No way... Are you suggesting that you're aiming for support funds?"
"You're quick-witted. That's very good."
Davey had established the academy with good intentions. Just like other academies, they did not adopt a system where they would receive support funds and subsidies under the condition of monopolizing the students' career paths after graduation. In other words, it would be up to the students and the nation that hosted them to decide where the talented graduates of the academy would go.
They had no concrete evidence to prove how successful the students studying at their academy would become in the future. But they could consider who the chairman of the academy was. If the professors and instructors were responsible for the students, then the chairman was responsible for them. If the professors' skills did not meet Davey's standards, he could easily mold them to his liking.
"But, Your Highness..."
At that moment, Attendant Bernile spoke quietly. "Your intentions are good. However... there may be only a few commoners who would be willing to come and learn in the academy."
Davey looked at Bernile silently upon hearing his words. The attendant was a wise figure, and he had presented Davey with the fundamental challenge of this plan.
"Your Highness, I'm sure you have observed how the commoners live their lives."
"That's correct."
"The people of Heins Territory now have more leeway than before, thanks to Your Highness' grace. With the abundance of welfare programs, the desire of young citizens in our territory to study and learn has also grown. Finally, they have the means to do so."
A child was precious to every parent, and every parent wanted their child to excel and become an outstanding student and individual in the academy. However...
"It's different for the other territories. Your Highness, commoners typically live day to day. Most of them are illiterate. How do you plan to bring them in? Even if their children are talented, what will their parents think?"
"It's foolish to send their children to a foreign land just to study. It would be better for them to put their children to work."
"That's true."
Commoners often remained indifferent to their lack of learning opportunities and literacy. In fact, many people in this world believe they could live just fine without recognizing letters and words.
"No matter how much knowledge they cram into their heads, it won't matter if they go hungry tomorrow. They need to think about other means of survival. In the end, education is only accessible to the middle class and above, those who can afford it."
Davey silently nodded at these sharp and accurate words.
They may have excellent lessons, swordsmanship, and magic, but without enough students, it would all be in vain. Gathering students posed the greatest challenge they faced.
"That's a valid point. However, it's not something we need to address immediately. So, Attendant Bernile, what do you think is a good solution to this problem?"
"Well..."
"You have no suggestions?"
Bernile bowed silently in response. "Forgive me, Your Highness. This old man lacks ideas."
"It's alright. The issue you've raised is a fundamental problem."
While children from noble and royal families would readily enroll in the academy if the professors and instructors were outstanding, the challenge lay in attracting commoners. Convincing them to become students was an entirely different matter.
Davey had no choice but to find a way to entice them to join the academy. Changing society's mindset in a short period of time was simply impossible.
“Then, what will you do?”
“A war broke out just recently, Attendant Bernile.”
Bernile’s eyes grew wide at the implication of Davey’s words.
"First, I plan to set a precedent and shift the societal atmosphere and mindset. Our primary focus will be on war orphans. These children face immense difficulties in their day-to-day lives, and they have limited options for their future. They will become the first graduates of my academy. I will take them in and transform them into exceptional individuals."
Bernile stared at Davey in silence before bursting into laughter.
***
[Tch, tch. Humans are always like this. They are useless.]
Those were the first words that reached the man with bloodshot eyes as he walked slowly.
Times had changed. It had been thirty years, and the world had nearly forgotten about her. Once hailed as the most beautiful woman on the continent, she possessed a beauty that left the entire world in awe.
With countless rumors, some abruptly ending and others blown out of proportion, only a select few knew the truth about her identity. However, one thing was certain among the people: the woman who had wandered with the gypsies thirty years ago had vanished. She was only remembered because she would occasionally reappear before someone's eyes.
"Oh..."
The man, his face adorned with a thick beard, moved silently upon seeing a young woman, seemingly in her early twenties, sleeping peacefully in a rocking chair.
She slumbered deeply, her black hair cascading over the backrest of the rocking chair, swaying gently as if lulling her into an even deeper sleep. A book on magic rested on her chest.
The man watched her in silence, memories of the past flooding his mind.
[Child, you have been abandoned. At this rate, you will die. Who would say anything about an abandoned child dying? You are nothing but an insect in the eyes of others.]
[…Let go. I’m a busy person. If you grab my clothes one more time, I will make sure to burn you to death.]
At first, she looked so cold and terrifying as she stood alone amidst the horrifying scene of devastation. There were countless people dying and tearing each other apart around her.
[…Fine. Let go. Well, I’ll just think of this as research on human beings. You can just clean my house. However, keep in mind that I will throw you in a pot and eat you if you become lazy.]
Countless memories flashed in the man’s head.
[Why aren't you eating? Don't think about it. You'll taste better if you gain a bit more weight. Stop talking nonsense. Come, eat this too. And that one too.]
[I hate foolishness the most. Whether it's singing, dancing, or swordsmanship, it matters not to me. Well, you miscreant, you seem full of hatred, so a sword suits you better. Right. I've been using this as a toothpick. Give it a swing.]
[You foolish brat! Who will do my laundry if you get hurt, huh?! Eat this and go to sleep! Hurry!]
“Mother…” the man murmured as he slowly went down on his knees.
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