Ch.265265. I should send a letter to Father, shouldn’t I?

“The number of tourists is increasing rapidly with each passing day.”

I tilted my head as I received Federicks’ report in the study.

“More tourists? It was already crowded on the first day?”

“Yes. Now there’s truly no room to even set foot.”

“What if there’s a human casualty? We need countermeasures…”

Image is crucial for tourist destinations.

Isn’t it obvious from how rumors snowball and tourist numbers increase day by day?

But what if tourists get injured due to overcrowding?

Tourist numbers would decrease significantly.

Like the Delphinium flower fields in Cataria territory next to Lake territory.

Many tourists flocked there to see the beautiful flowers that only grow in that territory.

However.

The ‘Black Hound Intrusion Incident’ at the Delphinium flower fields.

Fortunately, there were no casualties thanks to Jawill Wilson and Lucien, but tourist numbers decreased significantly just because black hounds had intruded.

As I was lost in thought while stroking my chin, Federicks stepped forward and spoke.

“What about developing the northern region a bit more?”

“Northern region development?”

“Wasn’t the northern region originally prepared for establishing the academy and housing territory residents who would migrate to Lake territory?”

“That’s right.”

“I’d like to build additional taverns and inns there for tourists.”

“Hmm, to distribute the tourists from the Miracle Forest?”

“Yes. We were planning to build inns for academy students’ parents anyway, but I’m thinking of modifying the plan to increase the numbers.”

I tapped the desk with my fingernails and raised my head.

“Even though it’s all Lake territory, there’s quite a distance between the Miracle Forest and the northern region. Would people really want to use inns there?”

“We’d have to set the accommodation fees lower.”

Satisfied with Federicks’ suggestion, I neatly placed my hands on the desk.

“Hmm, good. And if we add a few more attractions for tourists there, it should work well.”

“Yes. The academy buildings are almost complete, so we’ll proceed with construction as quickly as possible.”

I stared at Federicks as he continued his report without hesitation.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“…Pardon?”

“You’ve been handling so much work lately. Don’t you lack time to sleep?”

“Not at all. Despite appearances, I have an iron constitution.”

“Even so, you should take some rest…”

At that, Federicks straightened his back and smiled.

“I’m really enjoying this time.”

“What now?”

“In Alphonse territory, I was always cleaning up after young master’s incidents. But since coming to Lake territory, I feel like I’m properly doing something meaningful.”

“…Is that so?”

“That’s why, although I’m physically tired these days, I’m spending very meaningful days. And it’s also enjoyable to watch Lake territory gradually develop.”

I laughed helplessly at Federicks’ sincere expression.

“So having no expectations turned out to be beneficial?”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Still, I’d like you to take some rest. No matter how enjoyable it is, it pains me to see you like this.”

Federicks flinched in surprise, then made a touched expression.

“For young master to worry about me like this, I’m truly grateful.”

“Never mind that. When the northern development construction is completely finished, I’ll give you a long vacation, so go somewhere and enjoy yourself.”

“…You are my only family, where would I go?”

Even a scoundrel like Selden Alphonse has family, but for Federicks, I’m all he has…

How unfair is this world?

Federicks is only in his mid-thirties.

Despite his young age, he became head butler probably because Selden Alphonse was a scoundrel before I possessed him.

Which experienced butler would want to take charge of a scoundrel who couldn’t even compete for succession rights as the youngest?

He probably ended up in charge of me after being passed over repeatedly.

If I hadn’t possessed Selden Alphonse?

He would have lived an unfortunate life from beginning to end.

Therefore.

I wanted to give Federicks a happy life too.

Although most servants don’t marry out of loyalty and devotion to their house, conversely, if the house permits, there’s no problem with a butler getting married.

“Hehehe…”

Seeing my lewd smile, Federicks became anxious.

I slammed my palm on the desk and spoke.

“I should send a letter to father, shouldn’t I?”

*

“You’re here?”

“Yes, Rupert is here to see young master.”

Rupert came to Lake territory after a month and a half.

Though his appearance showed signs of a difficult journey, his expression was bright.

Sitting on the reception room sofa, I pointed to the opposite sofa with my finger.

“Let’s sit and talk.”

“Then excuse me.”

Holding a steaming teacup with a fragrant aroma, I slowly began to speak.

“Why did you come alone?”

“Don’t worry. I recruited all the professors.”

“Oh, really?”

“The professors also had their own circumstances, so I gave them time to settle their affairs. They should all arrive at Lake territory within a week.”

I showed a satisfied smile toward Rupert, who had perfectly completed his task.

“Wow, I thought at least one or two would be missing, but you got them all?”

“Yes, that’s right. And…”

Rupert, trailing off, looked straight into my eyes and continued.

“After meeting all the professors on the list, I found they were all professors who were dismissed due to Principal Giselle’s wrongdoings or who resigned voluntarily.”

“As expected.”

“Fearing information might leak, I kept everything about Selden Alphonse confidential.”

“Well done. There’s no harm in being cautious. By the way, how many people from the list did you bring?”

“…All of them.”

“Yes, all… Wait, you brought everyone?”

Rupert continued without changing his expression.

“They were all cooperative since they couldn’t enter other academies due to pressure from the Academy Association.”

“So all nine professors on the list accepted teaching positions?”

“That’s right. Now, excluding myself as principal, the academy has a total of nine professors.”

If they were professors who stepped down due to Principal Giselle’s wrongdoings, their character should be somewhat assured.

Even if we double-check their character just in case, having nine professors was an unexpected achievement.

I applauded Rupert while exclaiming in admiration.

“As expected of our Lake Academy’s principal. I’m very satisfied.”

“…You flatter me. Fortunately, the professors have diverse fields, so assigning classes should be smooth.”

“You can handle class assignments as you see fit. Now what remains is recruiting academy students?”

“That’s right, but recruiting students might also present many problems.”

I tilted my head toward Rupert, who wore a worried expression.

“Why?”

“Most noble parents want their children to study and graduate from prestigious academies. Lake Academy is, well, brand new, isn’t it?”

“So, since we haven’t shown anything yet, even if we recruit students, it won’t be crowded?”

“Of course. We can’t expect to be full from the start.”

“But I don’t intend to only accept nobles’ children.”

At that, Rupert flinched in surprise and spoke.

“Ah… are you referring to special admissions?”

Special admission is a system where children of commoners with exceptional talent receive scholarships to study at academies.

However, what I had in mind was slightly different.

“No, I’m going to implement a tiered tuition system based on social class.”

“You mean setting different tuition fees for nobles and commoners?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…That will cause a lot of talk. Noble families won’t see the need to pay higher tuition than commoners for their children to study at Lake Academy.”

“If they don’t want to receive education at our academy, they don’t have to.”

In response to my indifferent reaction, Rupert wiped sweat from the back of his hand and calmly continued.

“I understand your consideration for commoners’ children. However, a tiered tuition system based on social class is essentially discriminating against nobles’ children.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, that’s true.”

“Y-yes, it is.”

“Then we need to make nobles’ children desperate to attend Lake Academy despite the tiered tuition system, right?”

“…Do you have a method?”

Knock-knock!

Just then, Federicks entered with a knock.

He bowed respectfully toward me.

“Elina Parseche has arrived.”

I rose from my chair.

And as I put on my coat, I winked at Rupert.

“I’ll be off to the nobles’ gathering for now.”