Ch.99Chapter 99

Wendigo had fished for suitable individuals and called them to the conference room.

Geron looked around the conference room with a sour expression while chewing on a berry.

He could understand the presence of Osa and the Summoners, and even some warriors from outside.

They were followers of their lord, so when summoned, they had to come regardless of the reason.

But why on earth were merchants meeting them in the conference room rather than the audience chamber?

“Djin, perhaps you should explain why you’ve gathered everyone. Judging by their expressions, they seem curious about the reason.”

“Hmm. I forgot to explain the reason.”

Normally, one would explain the reason before bringing people in, but Geron let it slide.

If it had been something important, the Djin would have mentioned it earlier, so forgetting must mean it wasn’t that significant.

‘At least it probably won’t mean more work.’

Although he now had servants to act as his arms and legs and talented individuals to share his workload, no one likes having more tasks added to their plate.

At least relieved it wasn’t something major, Geron casually waited for Wendigo to reveal the reason.

Wendigo pointed at people with his nail, counting the attendees.

Except for those who needed to be called from outside, almost everyone necessary was present.

When Wendigo raised his hand, people set aside their conversations and looked up at him with serious expressions.

Once he had everyone’s attention, Wendigo nodded with satisfaction and began to speak.

“First, I thank you all for sharing your time. I called you suddenly, but I didn’t expect everyone to attend without exception.”

“If the Djin calls, we should come even with ailing bodies.”

“You’ve accepted us with a generous heart, so we must repay that grace.”

As the Summoners who had joined early and Osa offered their greetings as representatives, others nodded in agreement.

If the one who had gifted them peace and prosperity beyond their wildest dreams called, shouldn’t they come even if the path was treacherous?

Seeing their eyes full of loyalty, Wendigo smirked and waved his hand.

“The flattery is excessive. My thanks also extend to the merchants and mercenaries. Since I didn’t tell them the reason, I assume you weren’t told either?”

When Wendigo mentioned them, the merchants and mercenaries bowed their heads awkwardly.

Had they not been seated, they would have prostrated themselves and offered praise to Wendigo.

Noticing their sentiment, Rodomel spoke on their behalf.

“Haha, how many fools among northern merchants would refuse the Djin’s request?”

At these words, those who served Wendigo nodded with satisfied smiles.

Merchants were typically known for their lack of loyalty and tendency to calculate profit and loss, so Rodomel’s statement showed how highly they regarded Wendigo’s authority.

‘Hmm, it seems they won’t refuse my proposal.’

Wendigo was relieved when the merchants showed more deference than expected.

While his authority in the forest was indeed sky-high, imposing it on outsiders was more burdensome than anticipated.

Of course, if forced, they would comply out of fear for their lives, but…

‘If merchants start spreading rumors, it would be disastrous.’

What if forcing them led to rumors like “The Forest King has shown his true nature. The Djin is oppressing and extorting people after all!”?

Merchants would stop coming to the forest, and maintaining the current prosperity would become difficult.

Without the goods merchants brought, the forest would be merely a land free from hunger.

Parting with sugar-filled pastries and spiced foods just to obtain a divine treasure was out of the question.

“Geron, this might be a long discussion. I’d like wine and some light snacks brought in.”

At Wendigo’s instruction, Geron took out a bell from his pocket and rang it.

As the clear bell sound echoed, servants wearing simple white dresses entered the conference room.

Geron ordered them to prepare wine, snacks, and tea.

Wendigo nodded and muttered, “Hmm, certainly there might be those who can’t drink alcohol…”

“…I hadn’t thought of that. I requested tea for myself.”

Realizing his oversight, Geron called the servant back and instructed them to prepare two types of tea.

The tea he usually enjoyed had effects that could make people lethargic, which might negatively affect others…

‘I’ve worked him too hard.’

Remembering the tea’s effects, Wendigo felt guilty.

Honestly, Geron had far too many responsibilities.

Managing the palace, coordinating among tribal leaders, sharing information, handling administration…

Even with increasing staff and employing noble or merchant fugitives, the final approval always fell to Geron.

The fact that he hadn’t complained so far was testament to his loyalty.

…So please endure just this one more time.

Shortly after, servants brought appropriate snacks like cheese and bacon along with drinks and tea.

Wendigo raised his massive ice cup, and when he gave permission, others brought their drinks to their lips.

Good food and drink tend to soften people’s moods.

Wendigo gradually revealed why he had called them.

“The reason I called you is to establish a kind of… educational institution.”

“What? What do you mean…”

“Are you referring to the Old Empire’s university?”

While warriors and mercenaries unfamiliar with education looked puzzled, knowledgeable individuals like merchants widened their eyes in surprise.

In the past, when the Old Empire was called the only empire, it established universities and produced talented individuals every year through massive support.

That was no longer the case. With frequent civil wars and the imperial authority hitting rock bottom, universities naturally took a back seat.

Education had become the exclusive domain of nobles and the wealthy…

“I don’t want anything that grand. I’ve only been ruling this forest for a few years.”

Wendigo inwardly grimaced and shook his head.

There’s a limit to dreaming big. How could anyone aspire to establish a university like those of the great empire that once ruled the continent?

“I’m thinking of establishing an educational institution at a level I can manage. And I’d like you all to teach people there.”

“Gulp, so approximately what level…?”

Osa, who had been stuffing food into his mouth, swallowed what he had and cautiously asked.

Wendigo tapped his ice cup with his nail, roughly estimating.

‘It started with teaching Jermy to obtain the treasure, but… thinking about it, that seems wasteful.’

Using resources to teach just one person seemed inefficient.

If he was gathering people to teach, wouldn’t it be best to educate many and increase the lacking workforce?

They needed warriors to protect the forest, witches and summoners to handle mystical matters…

Above all, they needed administrators to assist Geron so he could simply skim documents and stamp them.

As Wendigo’s thoughts flowed through his mouth, people looked at each other with awkward expressions.

“Um…”

“Is it too modest?”

Wendigo asked them, noticing their strange reactions.

After all, he wasn’t teaching anything grand like philosophy, astronomy, medicine, or rhetoric…

“Djin, that level of education is unimaginable in the North.”

“Huh?”

When Geron spoke frankly, seeing their dumbfounded expressions, everyone in the conference room nodded as if by agreement.

The merchants and mercenaries whispered among themselves around Rodomel, then cautiously spoke.

“O Djin. As far as we know, there are educational institutions in the Empire too. Of course, they’re not comparable to universities…”

“At best, they’re self-proclaimed swordsmanship or alchemy guilds that teach in a closed manner.”

“…Then how does the Empire’s emperor cultivate talent?”

“They just… pick from nobles with whom they have good relationships?”

When Wendigo asked incredulously, the merchants answered cautiously as if they had committed a crime.

While the Old Empire had abandoned education due to losing its original power, the Empire’s case was slightly different.

The Empire’s emperor was determined through the votes of prince-electors, and naturally, power wasn’t transferred to children when an emperor died.

Because of this, past emperors hadn’t established educational institutions.

After all, why do something beneficial for others when no one knows who the next emperor will be after death?

Guilds had emerged simply as supply meeting demand, far from proper educational institutions.

The conference room was filled with a solemn atmosphere that made it hard to imagine they had been drinking and chatting just moments ago.

Rodomel, suppressing his overwhelming emotions, asked Wendigo:

“Are you really… really thinking of establishing a university in the North?”

“Not quite a university… no, let’s call it a university. I want to establish a university.”

As Wendigo tried to deny it was a university until the end, Geron carefully stabbed Wendigo’s leg with his sword.

It was a necessary rudeness since poking with a finger wouldn’t get through to him.

…His mouth corners seemed to curl up strangely, but anyway.

When Wendigo finally conceded, the conference room filled with surging emotions.

Considering they had been called barbarians by southerners until now, it brought tears to their eyes!

Rodomel wiped away his tears. Then, raising his clenched fist as if it held his heart, he pledged:

“Since the Djin has made this difficult choice for the North, I, Rodomel, will join you! I’ll ensure my merchant guild provides all possible support!”

“We too will seek merchants and scholars who share this vision!”

“No…”

“Let’s show those skinny southerners the spirit of northern men!!!”

Rodomel’s resolve quickly spread to the merchants and mercenaries.

Naturally, Wendigo, who hadn’t intended to make such a grand affair of it, was utterly bewildered.

The problem was that everyone except him viewed this moment as a touching historical scene.

Even Geron, who had wanted to avoid increasing work!

‘…I’ll need to think of a new justification to persuade Jermy.’

What was meant to be an efficient use of valuable resources had turned into something where the tail was wagging the dog.

However, realizing there was no turning back, Wendigo could only sigh and down his wine.