Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 349: The Wolf Beyond the Fence (2)

Passius entered the audience chamber and knelt before Aileen.

Sitting quietly, Aileen rested her chin on one hand and asked:

“News?”

“The Bretus delegation has made no significant moves so far. It seems they have no intention of provoking us at the moment.”

“Don’t let your guard down. We never know when they might suddenly make a rash move.”

“Yes, understood.”

Currently, the delegation, led by Priestess Remria, was wandering the underground waterways, trying to trace demonic activity.

Not that they could actually find anything—but if it was the Theocracy of Bretus, no one could predict what they might attempt.

Aileen was doing everything she could to keep them from entering the underground caverns, but she knew it was only buying time.

She never liked them in the first place, and she intended to obstruct them as much as possible.

‘They might use the appearance of demons as an excuse to make outrageous demands of the Empire.’

If they started throwing around threats of excommunication, things could get complicated.

What Aileen was wary of wasn’t their political influence over international powers.

It was the opposite.

The Theocracy of Bretus possessed the authority to excommunicate royalty, regardless of the will of continental nations.

No one knew exactly how it worked, but history claimed that before the Empire was founded, entire kingdoms had been changed that way.

‘For now, it’s fortunate they’re staying quiet—it saves me trouble. But I can’t relax.’

Determined to keep a close watch on Remria and the delegation, Aileen shifted her gaze to Passius.

“So, judging by the fact you came to report in person, there’s something else, isn’t there?”

“As expected of Your Highness. Your insight is truly uncanny.”

“Spare me the flattery and speak.”

“I received a message from my superior.”

“That man?”

A spark of interest flashed in Aileen’s eyes at the mention of Ludger contacting her.

It hadn’t been long since he returned to Seorn, and yet he was already reaching out to her.

“What does he want?”

“He’s asking for financial support.”

“What?”

For a moment, Aileen thought she had misheard.

“What did you just say?”

“He’s asking for money.”

“...Don’t joke with me. Repeat it exactly as he said it, word for word.”

At Aileen’s sharp rebuke, Passius straightened his posture and answered more seriously.

“Are you aware of the recent developments in Seorn?”

“No.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Why would I concern myself with that? I already have mountains of urgent matters to handle.”

“Still, since Seorn is an institution supported by imperial funds, I thought it worth your attention.”

“Isn’t it your job to learn about these things and report them to me?”

That was true enough.

Passius shrugged helplessly before continuing.

“Lately, there’s been suspicious movement among Seorn’s major investors.”

“Investors?”

“Yes. Corporations that receive various patents and privileges from Seorn have formed a coalition to pressure the academy.”

Aileen smiled faintly, intrigued.

“How amusing. Seorn has been shaken by recent events, and these money-hungry hyenas are trying to sink their teeth into the cracks.”

“Well, corporations are creatures that exist solely to pursue profit.”

“Their greed is excessive. Like a snake trying to swallow something far larger than it can.”

“Either way, if this continues, Seorn’s finances will suffer a significant blow.”

Aileen removed her hand from her chin.

“They aren’t just threatening—they’re making a serious move, then.”

“Yes. Three major investors, who collectively provide thirty percent of Seorn’s entire budget, have formed an alliance. They must think this is their only chance.”

“I see. So that’s why that man asked for my help?”

“What will you do?”

Passius asked, curious about her decision.

Aileen herself didn’t particularly feel the need to help Seorn.

Though it was within Imperial territory, Seorn remained an entity independent of the Empire’s direct influence.

Aileen had long intended to bring even Seorn under her control someday.

But no matter how hard one pushed, the academy was a fortress that simply wouldn’t budge.

If that fortress was now facing a crisis because of outside forces, it was better to remain neutral and observe than to rush to help.

Yet Ludger had reached out to her.

“He must have a reason for asking me, mustn’t he?”

“In truth, it wasn’t so much a request as a proposal.”

“A proposal? In this situation? How interesting.”

“Mr. Ludger said he would expand the Imperial Palace’s influence within Seorn.”

“Influence?”

“He asked, ‘Isn’t that what Your Highness wanted?’”

“Ha-ha-ha!”

Aileen burst into laughter at those words.

“So, to deal with these wolves, he’s inviting the tiger of the Empire! What an arrogant man. Does he truly think he can handle the Imperial family?”

“Not necessarily.”

“But asking for imperial support to cover thirty percent of Seorn’s budget—that’s excessive. Even I have a rough idea of how much Seorn’s yearly budget is.”

Of course, if she opened the imperial treasury, she could support them once.

But Aileen was a meticulous and calculating person.

“If I help him, what will he give me in return?”

“Mr. Ludger Cherish said this isn’t just a plea for help.”

“Oh? Asking for imperial funds but claiming it’s not a request for help?”

“He said the Empire doesn’t need to cover all thirty percent.”

“What?”

Aileen’s eyebrows rose slightly.

Passius relayed exactly what he’d been told.

“Of the thirty percent budget deficit, he only asked the Imperial family to cover five percent.”

Just five percent.

While Seorn’s annual budget made even that a substantial sum, to Aileen, it was only one-sixth of what she had originally assumed.

“Then he has a way to secure the remaining twenty-five percent elsewhere?”

“Yes. He said he contacted you because this is an opportunity to get rid of those greedy leeches.”

Aileen didn’t laugh this time.

Instead, she tapped her finger against the armrest thoughtfully.

Passius waited patiently, knowing she was seriously weighing the proposal.

After a long silence, Aileen’s crimson lips finally moved.

“There’s nothing bad for us in this deal.”

“Yes, I agree.”

Passius nodded.

If the Imperial family stepped in to support Seorn during its crisis, the benefits ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ would flow directly back to the Empire.

Though it required significant funding, it would allow the Imperial family to become Seorn’s largest investor and gain greater influence there.

In fact, this was an extremely tempting opportunity for Aileen.

Her father, the current Emperor, merely provided financial support to Seorn without seeking loyalty or obedience in return.

Aileen hated that.

A ruler should be revered by all.

She had long been waiting for the chance to expand her influence.

‘But Seorn is a place where countless others have tried and failed to get even a foothold.’

Even the Imperial family couldn’t force its way in.

But now, the opportunity had come.

A large piece of meat had been served on a silver platter.

‘Still, I dislike this.’

Aileen was the type who wanted to win such things through her own power.

Accepting an opportunity someone else had laid out so neatly bruised her pride.

Yet the offer was far too enticing to let pride get in the way.

‘What a meticulous and cunning man. Rather than begging me for help, he’s offering me an opportunity instead.’

It hurt her pride, but even so, it was irresistible.

“Very well. Five percent—I can easily provide that personally.”

“Will that be all right?”

“Of course even Father would have made the same decision. You can’t just pass up such a rare opportunity, even if I don’t particularly like it.”

“Then I’ll take that as confirmation and send a reply.”

“But I’m curious. If he hadn’t asked for my help, where was he planning to get the remaining twenty-five percent of Seorn’s budget? Did he find himself a patron somewhere?”

“Oh, that?”

Passius spoke casually, as if it were nothing important.

“He said he’ll cover it himself.”

“...What?”

* * *

The next day.

“How did you do it?”

That was the first thing Headmaster Elisa asked as she barged into the Planning Director’s office, where Ludger was reviewing paperwork.

“What do you mean?”

Ludger looked up from his documents and removed the rimless glasses from his nose.

“Oh, you can leave those on.”

“Why?”

“Because they look good on you. This intellectual look suits you.”

“Is that supposed to be a joke?”

“It wasn’t. Anyway, how did you pull it off?”

“If you’re going to ask vaguely like that, I can’t exactly give you an answer.”

“I mean the investors! The investors!”

Ah.

Ludger finally realized why she had come.

“I told you I could find investors, didn’t I?”

He sounded genuinely puzzled, as if the matter were already settled.

Elisa looked at him, almost exasperated. Was he deliberately acting like this?

“Yes, you did say that.”

“And I did. So the issue’s resolved, isn’t it?”

“I just didn’t expect you to handle it in a single day. And to secure twenty-five percent of Seorn’s yearly budget all at once...”

Elisa, uncharacteristically, let her emotions show openly as she asked:

“Who exactly is this ‘Oliver’?”

“He’s the owner of Royal Street, the man who’s become the fastest-growing wealthy figure in Rederbelk.”

“Royal Street? You’re telling me the masked owner of Royal Street is this Oliver?”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“I keep up with news from nearby cities. So this man wants to sponsor Seorn?”

“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

“No... not exactly...”

There really wasn’t.

It wasn’t dirty money, and since the funds came from legitimate business, there would be no scandal later.

With the Imperial family confirming they would cover the remaining shortfall, they no longer had to dance to the tune of those arrogant hyenas.

Still, Elisa couldn’t shake a strange, creeping discomfort—like damp mist soaking through her clothes at dawn.

Logically, this was a good thing. She should’ve been happy.

But her instincts, sharpened after years as Headmaster, wouldn’t allow her to relax.

“And what does he want in return?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I said it was pure goodwill, would you?”

“There’s no such thing in this world.”

“He asked for authorization to acquire some of the monopolies and patents on magical goods previously held by the existing investors, as well as closer cooperation with Seorn.”

“That’s... actually not bad. Honestly, I expected something outrageous, but he’s asking for far less than those hyenas who were trying to bleed us dry.”

“The rest, he said, is entirely at your discretion. He asked what more you might be willing to offer.”

“So he’s leaving the final say to me. Clearly trying not to offend me.”

“So, do you dislike him for it?”

Elisa’s expression softened into a small smile.

“Dislike him? Hardly. Isn’t this much better than some supposedly ‘selfless goodwill’? It’s much healthier to exchange benefits openly like this.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Elisa laughed lightly, her earlier wariness easing.

“Funny, isn’t it? I can’t just accept someone’s goodwill at face value. Are you disappointed in me?”

“What is there to be disappointed about? You’re the Headmaster of Seorn, the highest authority here. Your responsibility is immense, so this reaction is only natural.”

“Thank you for understanding. Though I wonder—are you just understanding by nature, or is it because you also have many people depending on you, as I do?”

At her playful remark, Ludger allowed himself a faint smile.

“Everyone lives carrying some form of responsibility. Rank has nothing to do with it.”

“But not everyone does, right?”

“That’s why they need to be taught.”

The sharp glint in Ludger’s eyes behind his glasses made Elisa pause.

“Taught what happens when someone neglects their responsibilities and forgets their place.”

* * *

The financier sat in his luxurious mansion, sipping wine as he stared out the window.

‘No matter how much Headmaster Elisa tries to pull back, she won’t be able to reject this. She’ll have to bow her head and send a letter.’

He chuckled to himself.

‘Just imagining her coming to me, humbly asking, already excites me.’

He downed the rest of his glass in one gulp.

He rarely drank, but tonight, he felt he could indulge.

“Sir.”

“What is it?”

Had his secretary not entered, he might have continued savoring the moment.

“Is it urgent news from Seorn? Did they accept our terms?”

“Ah, well... no, sir. Quite the opposite. They rejected our terms and have declared the contract void.”

“...Has the Headmaster lost her mind? If this many major investors withdraw at once, she’ll be the one to suffer.”

“They... they said they’ve already secured another investor.”

“What?”

“An investor, sir. Someone has taken our place. They said they no longer need us.”

“...What?”

Crash!

The wine glass in his hand slipped and shattered against the floor, shards scattering across the polished surface.