NOVPUB"...Our territory is the kingdom's top producer of food and iron ore, has developed the kingdom's finest cosmetics, holds a rich source of runestones... and even during this drought, we've maintained such high production that not a single citizen has gone hungry... and our military strength is unmatched, with around 400 knights...."
Each claim was more absurd than the last. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Food, iron ore, cosmetics, runestones—any one of these resources would make a territory wealthy. But to possess them all in one place? The amount of money that could be generated was beyond imagination.
Word was, they were raking in enormous wealth even now.
Food was so abundant that no one went hungry, and there was so much money that taxes were almost non-existent.
It was truly paradise on Earth, the very ideal everyone dreamed of. If one were to secure a government position there, it would be a surefire path to success.
Marlon furrowed his brow further. He knew the speaker was a swindler, but this level of exaggeration was outrageous.
*Is he seriously expecting us to believe this? Times may be tough, but he’s treating us like fools. Even a freshman with minimal political training wouldn’t fall for this nonsense...*
The other students felt the same way, all wearing expressions of disbelief. Then, one of them raised his hand high and shouted.
"Unbelievable! Where on earth would a territory like that exist?"
Marlon looked at the student who spoke up. He was a bright kid with a decent academic record—often smug and argumentative, making him unpleasant to be around.
*Still, it’s good to have someone else taking the lead here. This guy loves to argue; let him embarrass himself so I can enjoy the show.*
Most of the other students felt similarly. If it weren’t for the dire circumstances, they wouldn’t have bothered attending this meeting in the first place.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Claude, the speaker, looked unfazed and replied in a calm tone.
"Are you saying you don't believe me? I have no reason to lie, do I? I came here as an alum of this academy, just trying to help my juniors."
Claude wasn't exactly lying. He was simply emphasizing the positives while omitting the negatives.
Despite his brazen response, the questioning student didn't back down.
"I know a bit about Luthania's northern regions! From what I’ve heard, it’s a barren land plagued by food shortages and constant barbarian invasions! I find it hard to believe that Fenris Territory in the north could be so prosperous!"
*This guy? Has he actually studied this?*
Although the student’s reasoning was based on different assumptions, he wasn’t entirely wrong—describing Fenris Territory as "prosperous" was a stretch.
The territory struggled with issues due to a lack of management personnel, with problems cropping up here and there.
*But how would they verify that? Convincing you was the whole point of coming here, so what are you going to do about it?*
Claude raised his chin arrogantly and asked.
"Have you seen it yourself?"
"What?"
"It's just a rumor, isn’t it? I’m asking if you've actually been there."
"N-no, but...."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. To think that a scholar would believe in hearsay without seeing it firsthand. How can you claim to seek truth and work towards a better world with such blind trust in rumors?"
Under Claude’s rebuke, the questioning student looked flustered. *Why should he believe in something just because it sounds good?*
Just as he was about to argue further, Claude interjected again.
"You've seen the food supplies we brought, haven't you? That’s evidence enough. Even after donating to the academy, there’s still plenty left over. It’s to share with other places, too. Can any other lord in the kingdom share that much without a second thought?"
The murmuring students began to nod at Claude’s words. Marlon, too, recalled the mountain of food supplies and felt his resolve waver.
*True, unless it was before the famine, sharing resources so freely in times like these is no easy feat. Could it really be... a wealthy territory?*
Left without further arguments, the questioning student brought up a new point.
"Fine! I can believe the wealth. But four hundred knights? That’s truly unbelievable!"
The murmuring started again among the students.
They knew how many knights typical noble houses could afford. Even in a powerful kingdom like Luthania, there was a limit to how many knights one lord could support.
Moreover, Fenris was originally just a barony before it expanded.
Four hundred knights would be difficult even for the wealthiest noble houses in the kingdom to maintain—a force beyond the means of a young lord.
But Claude just smirked at their skepticism.
"I brought fifty knights with me as escorts. Each one is a formally trained knight who can use mana."
"What? I can’t believe it!"
In the Kingdom of Seyron, even high-ranking counts typically commanded no more than twenty knights.
In Luthania, where knights were more common, counts could average around fifty knights, while large lords might maintain a force of over a hundred.
Especially in the barren northern territories, the number of knights tended to be lower.
So for a mere attendant to have fifty knights in his escort? It was nearly unthinkable.
Doubt crept back into Marlon’s mind, as well as into the minds of the other students.
Sensing the skepticism, Claude snapped his fingers and spoke to Wendy.
"Bring in all the knights."
Soon, Gillian entered with fifty knights in tow.
Marlon gulped nervously as he observed the knights.
*Are they... real knights?*
The other students shared Marlon's reaction.
*They look more like mercenaries or bandits...*
*Could they be fakes dressed as knights?*
*I’ve never seen knights carry themselves like this.*
The outfits were indeed knightly, but their demeanor was far from it.
One stood with one leg propped against the wall, another bobbed his head arrogantly, one immediately squatted down upon entering, and another cast hostile glances around.
*There’s even one spitting on the ground! In the sacred academy, no less!*
*Disgusting! Vulgar! These aren’t knights!*
*They’re complete frauds! They have to be!*
As the students observed these supposed "knights" who lacked any knightly dignity, their doubts resurfaced.
Claude scowled as he looked at the knights.
*These idiots are useless. Can’t they behave just once, even here?*
Gillian shared his frustration, glaring at the knights.
After getting accustomed to discipline by force, they only acted properly for a short while, and their behavior hardly ever improved.
Since he couldn’t beat them here, Gillian resorted to glaring as a warning.
Fortunately, the knights straightened up, albeit reluctantly.
Claude clicked his tongue and instructed Gillian.
"Gillian, show the students the knights’ mana. What are you waiting for?"
Gillian curled his lips but gestured to the knights. Blue mana soon radiated from their swords.
The students gasped in astonishment.
"They... they’re real knights. But why are they acting like that...?"
"This is incredible... To think an attendant would have fifty knights as an escort...."
"If there are this many here, there must be even more back in the territory! Their military strength is remarkable!"
Seeing the students’ reactions, Claude quickly called out to the knights.
"Alright, alright, that’s enough. You can stop now. We don’t want to shock our juniors. Just put it away."
If any of them collapsed from overexertion, they’d be in real trouble.
"So, is this enough proof?"
Only a fool would doubt after seeing such power. Even the questioning student fell silent.
The ultimate dream for these scholars?
It was to secure a high-ranking government position in the royal family or a powerful lord's domain, where they could pursue their ambitions and ideals.
Right now, an unbelievable opportunity lay before them.
Marlon, who had personally seen the knights, couldn’t contain his excitement.
To support such a large number of knights would require immense resources and preferential treatment.
Any lingering doubts vanished. With evidence like this, only a fool would doubt it.
*It’s real! It’s no lie! Even if some of it is exaggerated, the food and knights alone are impressive enough! I want to go! I want to work in that paradise-like territory! To realize my abilities and dreams!*
But the stronger his belief, the greater his anxiety grew. They were unlikely to accept many applicants at such a time, so competition would be fierce.
*Oh no, what should I do? Nearly everyone here will apply. In times like these, no one will hesitate to leave for another kingdom.*
Looking around, he saw that everyone shared the same hopeful gaze at Claude, each eager to go to Fenris Territory.
Uncertain he could stand out among the other students, Marlon nervously raised his hand.
"How... how many positions are available?"
The other students also looked at Claude with anticipation.
From this point, everyone was a competitor. To secure a position, they’d have to impress Claude by any means necessary.
Sensing the competitive atmosphere, Claude lifted his chin arrogantly.
"Anyone who wants to."
"What?!"
Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief. Marlon, thinking he had misheard, asked again.
"Is... is that true? Anyone who wants to go can?"
"Yes. As I mentioned, our territory of Fenris is extensive, with a large population. The more administrators we have, the better."
"But why would you want us specifically? We’re lacking in experience
, and our abilities are untested. Surely there are more qualified candidates within Luthania...."
With a benevolent smile, Claude replied.
"Didn’t I say? I’m an alum of Seyron Academy myself. I want my juniors to succeed over outsiders. Supporting each other will only strengthen our academy’s reputation. Surely you understand what I mean?"
"Ohh...."
The students were moved. So this was the power of school connections. No wonder people valued their networks so highly.
Still, Marlon, who had never been in the top ranks, responded with hesitation.
"But I’m still lacking in ability...."
"Ahem! Ability isn’t what matters! If you’re inexperienced, just get in there and take the hits... no, I mean, work hard and learn. Real learning happens in the field. Grades aren’t what’s important!"
"Then... what is important?"
"What matters is unwavering determination and passion! That’s all I look for! Without those, you might as well be dead!"
In Fenris Territory, breaking would lead to death, and a lack of passion meant death as well. For once, Claude spoke the plain truth.
The students, unaware, once again admired his words.
"The administrator speaks the truth! Skills can only be proven through hands-on experience!"
"Giving everyone a chance without bias! Such a great policy!"
"As expected of an administrator in a powerful territory, he’s truly a cut above!"
The hall instantly filled with fervor. Claude seized the moment and quickly handed out contracts to the students.
"Here, go ahead and read these over. I’m sure you’ll find the terms agreeable."
As they skimmed through the contracts, the students were shocked again.
"The pay... it’s enormous!"
"And it includes support for our families’ living and welfare, too?"
"A powerful territory really is different...."
They could hardly believe it. Marlon, eyes wide, murmured as he looked at Claude.
"Why... why would you do so much for new recruits...? I’ve never heard of a place with such generous conditions...."
The other students quietly nodded in agreement.
Getting a position in a powerful territory during such times was nothing short of a miracle.
And the benefits were incredible. The pay alone was better than that of mid-level administrators in the Seyron royal family.
Watching the awestruck Marlon, Claude responded softly.
"Our territory’s motto is ‘A Territory Like Family.’"
The students' faces filled with admiration.
