Visit my patreon to see photos of the characters for free.
patreon.com/zennin12
"There it is."
"The sheer scale of it… that entire building and land is the academy? It's astounding."
"That shows how dedicated they are to education."
"Are you really going to audit an academy of that size alone? It seems impossible, no matter how I think about it."
"I'll do what I can."
Right next to the enormous basin,
Auditor Marcus and the escort knight, having reached the spot where Grandis Academy was clearly visible, exclaimed in admiration.
No matter how much they turned their heads or looked down from a high vantage point, they couldn't see the end of the academy. It was true what they said about broadening one's horizons just by coming to take the entrance exam.
How many students were there in that vast academy? And they would become the pillars supporting the kingdom.
"I thought it was just an academy, even though those Grandis graduates were so arrogant, but it seems they had a right to be."
"Is there a Grandis cartel even in the Royal Knights?"
"Of course there i-is there one in the auditor's office as well?"
"Naturally. There's talk about being wary of them because they're so close-knit, but most Grandis Academy graduates are excellent, so we can't just ban them. The noble children return to their own territories, but the commoners often go over to the Empire."
"I heard it's called a life turnaround."
"I work as a royal auditor, but the Empire is definitely a land of opportunity. I hear that even in the Empire, Grandis Academy graduates are treated similarly to Imperial Academy graduates. It's a cunning tactic."
"Excuse me? Cunning? Isn't it because their status is actually similar?"
"Of course, but the reason they don't value their own academy more is—"
"──Because of me, isn't it?"
"…!!"
A voice interjected so naturally. But what shocked the escort knight was that there was no presence at all until the voice was heard.
Not only was the escort knight high-ranking, but he also wore various artifacts for protection. Most of them were artifacts that alerted him to anyone approaching.
They were provided by the royal family, so their performance was guaranteed, and the escort knight knew their capabilities well from his many escort missions.
Yet, none of the artifacts reacted.
"No way…!!"
"Auditor Marcus, is it?"
"Indeed. I didn't expect you to come and greet me personally, Headmistress."
"It's only natural for a royal auditor. And the knight next to you… are you perhaps from Julius's unit?"
"Ah, no! I'm just a lowly, insignificant knight under the command of Knight Captain Julius! It's an honor to meet you, Headmistress!"
"Thank you."
A young woman casually addressing Sir Julius, the trusted captain of the royal knights who was in charge of escorting royalty and considered the Rank 7 closest to Rank 8.
She wore an old-fashioned hat that a mage might wear, but her gait was that of someone trained in martial arts. Although it was his first time seeing her, the escort knight immediately stiffened.
The Headmistress of Grandis Academy, a Rank 8 who would undoubtedly be among the top three strongest individuals on the continent.
The greatest martial artist in the history of the continent was standing before the escort knight.
"First, I offer my deepest condolences and regret for the heinous terrorist attack that occurred recently. You may have already heard at the charity ball, but His Majesty and the royal family were truly concerned."
"I confirmed their sincerity from the first prince, so don't worry. In the end, there wasn't much damage from the terrorist attack."
"Speaking of which, is it true that you created this basin next to us, Headmistress? I heard it's the aftermath of you capturing and killing the leader of the terrorists."
"It's true. I misjudged my strength a little."
…A human created this?
The escort knight, who hadn't dared to join the conversation or raise his head, momentarily had a dumbfounded look on his face as he listened to the conversation between Auditor Marcus and the Headmistress.
If he turned his head slightly to the side, there was a basin that looked like a mountain had been excavated. He had thought it was a natural formation, but to think that a single human had created this…
Before awe or fear, there was doubt. He was a high-ranking and competent escort knight, even joining the Royal Knights, but he couldn't believe it.
That small, delicate-looking fist caused this much destruction?
"It's large enough to form a lake when it rains. As expected of the Headmistress."
"Those are kind words. It means I'm still capable even though I'm old."
"I'm once again grateful and honored that you, the Headmistress, came to greet us personally. Then, since we can't waste your time, may we head to the academy now?"
"…Hmm."
The Headmistress, who had a hesitant look at Auditor Marcus's words,
Soon turned to the trembling escort knight.
"It would be better for Auditor Marcus to talk amongst professionals, wouldn't it? Young knight, would you care to walk with me for a bit?"
"M-me!?"
"I'll tell you stories about Julius, and if you want, I can even give you some pointers on your skills. Surely, you're not going to discuss security and safety right in front of the academy, are you?"
"W-well…"
The Headmistress was right. This was Grandis Academy, of all places. Even the students walked around without any problems, so there was no way Auditor Marcus would be in danger.
With the Headmistress offering to give him pointers, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, worth more than gold. Still, the escort knight, not forgetting his duty, looked at Auditor Marcus with an eager expression.
Auditor Marcus, with a slight smile, gestured.
"There's no need for an escort anymore. You attend to the Headmistress."
"Y-yes! Thank you, Headmistress!"
"You're welcome. Then, Auditor Marcus…"
"I'll meet with the contact you mentioned, Headmistress. Will that cabin be alright?"
"…Yes, that's right."
There was a small cabin where Auditor Marcus gestured.
A small cabin that looked obviously makeshift.
He could meet with the contact within the academy without any problems, so why did he want to meet outside, in a place like this?
That question disappeared at the thought of receiving guidance from the Headmistress. It wasn't like they were going to assassinate the auditor in the academy. He just assumed there was a reason.
"...…"
Step. Step.
As the Headmistress and the escort knight walked away, Auditor Marcus, left alone, approached the cabin.
Without hesitation, he opened the door and entered.
"This is our first time meeting, Finance Director Adam Keynes."
"You know about me?"
"Of course. You're someone involved in this audit in many ways."
Inside the cabin, a white-haired young man was sitting. An excessively young man, who looked like he had just graduated from the academy a year ago.
He was the Finance Director of this vast academy. Auditor Marcus was more wary of Finance Director Adam than the Headmistress, as he was someone who could either cooperate or become an adversary in this audit.
If he cooperated, things would be very easy, but if he became an adversary, it would be very difficult.
"And you know something else, don't you?"
"Something else?"
"That you're trying to send me back without conducting the audit."
"...…"
"Don't misunderstand. I just found out. There's no way the Headmistress would know someone like me."
Auditor Marcus's words weren't self-deprecating, but sincere. If the Headmistress hadn't been concerned about the audit, there would have been no need to investigate who was coming.
But the Headmistress knew about Marcus. An insignificant person from her perspective, despite his high position as an auditor.
"You mean you investigated me. And then you're entrusting the task to your 'contact'…"
"To persuade me to go back with some excuse."
"It would become a big deal if the Headmistress herself refused. It's probably her way of saying, 'You guys work it out among yourselves.' Just like the royal family sent me here."
The auditor, sitting across from the Finance Director, had a glint in his eyes. The sunlight wasn't reaching inside the cabin, so his head wasn't shining.
As an experienced auditor, he seemed relaxed despite being Rank 1. Perhaps it was because his opponent was also Rank 1.
"Both the escort knight and I were told it was okay to return if something came up… but it seems different, considering they specifically chose me."
"I heard you're a principled man."
"Stubborn, you mean. That's why I'm still an auditor at this age. If they had sent any other auditor, it would be one thing, but sending me has a clear meaning, doesn't it?"
If the royal family truly wanted a 'proper' audit, they could have sent any other auditor. There was no way they didn't know about Marcus's personality.
The fact that they added that it was okay to return was a kind of lingering hope. It was a sign that they would prefer him to conduct the audit if possible, even though he could return if absolutely necessary.
Marcus, who perfectly understood that ambiguous order, was revealing that fact here.
That way, he could reach an amicable agreement with the Finance Director.
"I want to conduct the audit. That's my job, my duty."
"And you'll be able to avoid being reprimanded for not conducting the audit even if things go wrong."
"Haha! You're quick-witted, perhaps because you're also a Rank 1. To survive as someone who is inferior not only in status but also in power, I need methods like this. But you and the Headmistress don't want that. It's only me, caught in the middle, who suffers."
"So you're saying you'll just push through with the audit?"
"That would cause the least trouble. In the end, I was just doing my job. Isn't that right? It must be the same for you."
"...…"
The fact that he was in charge of the finances of this vast academy despite being a Rank 1 like Marcus…
Marcus understood its meaning very well. Of course he did; they had a mutual understanding as Rank 1s. And he was so young, too.
Behind that immature-looking face and gestures, there must be corresponding ability and tenacity.
And because of that, an amicable agreement was impossible. Marcus ultimately wanted to conduct the audit, and Adam wanted to prevent it.
'And there's something strange.'
It wasn't simply that he was ordered by the Headmistress; there was an undeniable emotion hidden in Finance Director Adam's voice. He was desperate.
Was he worried about being reprimanded if he failed? It was a bit different. The intuition he had gained while maintaining his position as an auditor despite being Rank 1 was screaming that something was different.
While Marcus was pondering, Adam opened his mouth first.
"I heard there's a promotion review next month."
"There always is."
"I'll pull some strings there. What do you think?"
"Oh?"
He didn't bother asking how. The important thing was that a promotion was offered.
It was a tempting offer for Marcus, who had remained an auditor for over a decade while his peers were promoted, but…
"I don't need it. There was a Rank 1 senior who was promoted before me, but even after the promotion, he wasn't treated accordingly and eventually resigned."
"...…"
"You wouldn't know, but there's an unspoken limit to how high a Rank 1 can climb in the royal family, and that's the position of an auditor. So a promotion would be poison for me."
"There's something else as well."
"It can't be anything greater than a promotion. That's why you mentioned the promotion first, right? This negotiation ends here."
Marcus's mind was already made up. He had listened to what the Finance Director had to offer, but he wouldn't change his mind.
If he hadn't intended to conduct the audit in the first place, he would have turned back at the first landslide. Of course, Marcus didn't think for a moment that the landslide was caused by the Headmistress.
But why was the Finance Director so desperate, even though the Headmistress was wary of the royal family's interference?
The reason would soon be revealed in the audit—
"…Mr. Marcus?"
"Hmm? That voice?"
Marcus, who had risen from his seat, suddenly turned around.
Ruth, who had opened the cabin door, still disguised as a male, called Marcus's name, and…
Marcus smiled brightly.
"Isn't that Ruth! I didn't know you were attending the academy!"
"Ah, I was taking a walk outside the academy and heard a familiar voice, so I came over. But…"
"What is it? And thank you for what you did back then!"
"…Mr. Marcus."
"Hmm?"
"The audit… could you please not do it? I'm begging you."
"Alright."
"Excuse me?"
"Huh?"
"Hmm? It's a request from my lifesaver, of course, I should grant it. Why didn't you say so earlier? Haha!"
While Ruth, who made the request, was flustered, and Marcus, who readily accepted, laughed loudly,
Adam, who had taken out something sharp from under the table…
"Auditor Marcus, thank you so much!"
"Finance Director, you're lucky. If it weren't for Ruth, I would have pushed through with it."
"Yes!"
…naturally hid the sharp object and bowed his head.
The fact that there was a dagger behind the brightly smiling Adam…
…didn't matter anymore.