Chapter 54
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Desert? Me in the Desert! (1)
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A giant monster from the desert appeared at the foothills of the Southern Great Mountains?
During a subjugation operation with the combined forces of the southern territories?
Right on time for that beast to metamorphose?
"Coincidences piling up cease to be coincidences," you taught me.
"That's right. So, what's your take?"
"The Desert wouldn't meddle in imperial affairs without reason. There must be something behind it."
"Can you look into it?"
"Yes. But how about passing word to Evergreen's mayor as well?"
"To Dominic?"
"He has a knack for spotting what others miss."
"Hmm, good point. Alright, I'll do that."
"Understood. I'll contact you if I learn anything else. Stay warm and take care of your health..."
"I'm healthier than you. Just look after your grandkids. It's their first winter—catching a cold would be a disaster."
A mix of emotions clouded the Old Lord's face as he cut the communication.
'Things were finally settling down. Tsk, tsk.'
He couldn't help thinking that even reaching his current realm might be because there was still work left to do.
As the Old Lord sank into thought, his former steward—now attendant—checked the schedule again.
"So, the hot springs are canceled..."
"What nonsense! When your mind's cluttered, you need a soak to clear it out."
He wasn't about to give up the hot springs.
**
"Ugh—!"
The Old Lord immersed himself in the steaming water, a groan of delight escaping from his navel unbidden.
"Heh heh, well now. To think he'd create something like this."
This wasn't his first hot spring.
In his youth, wandering the continent, he'd visited everything from springs said to cure the lame to those blessed by red dragons.
Turtle Island's springs were fine, but many others boasted superior quality or unique properties.
'But nothing like this.'
Whoosh—.
A chilly sea breeze struck the Old Lord's white hair and face, numbing it in an instant.
"Ughhh—."
Yet below his neck, the indescribably hot spring water!
Sitting in this private open-air bath, shaped like a natural pond, warming his body while gazing at the beautiful jade-green sea—it was a relaxation beyond compare.
And that was just the start.
"Your ordered drinks, sir."
The door to the changing room-cum-lounge connected to the outdoor bath opened, and an attendant set down a small tray before leaving.
It was a simple cypress table fixed in place for the perfect sea view.
Atop it sat a tempting red drink in a craftsman-made glass with a handle, alongside a few colorful, round rice cakes.
"Ahh!"
His throat parched already, he gulped down the chilled red beverage. Its ambiguous sweet-tart flavor and aroma were quite alluring. But the sweetness felt a touch lacking, so he popped one of the round rice cakes into his mouth.
'Oh!'
Now the missing sweetness filled out perfectly.
Truth be told, Dominic had originally planned to serve alcohol and snacks. Drinking with such scenery would be ultimate healing for any drinker.
But if a guest suffered a heart or vascular issue, the springs might shut down for good that day.
[Too bad, but no need to risk it. Plenty of alternatives anyway.]
Thus, fruit syrup-based sweet drinks and robust teas made the menu.
Offering something to sip had been spot-on.
Thoroughly pleased, the Old Lord ordered refills repeatedly, leisurely easing his fatigue in this first-ever outdoor bath experience of his life.
"Stick around that kid, and it'll be wonders nonstop from here on out, eh? Heh heh."
The honest thought slipped out unawares.
"Time's up, my lord."
A voice called from outside.
"Alrighty. Time to get to work."
It was time for the postponed tasks. The meeting would run till night, so another soak under the stars with wave sounds sounded perfect.
'Romance, that's what it is.'
The Old Lord knew it well.
**
"So, you're saying we add more basic studies courses to the academy?"
"Yes, Chancellor."
The Old Lord had only meant to head the medical department but, with the academy's opening looming, found himself chancellor by default.
[No one to take chancellor.]
[You do it.]
[Me? Never even attended one. It'll tarnish our academy's rep.]
[Ferrot or Karim'd do. One from the capital's mage tower, Karim top of imperial academy.]
[Too green. Can't wrangle the profs.]
[Pick from the faculty?]
[No love for Evergreen yet. Can't trust 'em.]
[Lord, then?]
[Too busy with admin. More burden's disloyal.]
[You got loyalty?]
[Hey, how dare you question my respect for our lord?]
[Quit the oily tongue. Grates on me. Hmm. Troubling, no fitting candidate...]
[Why not the Old Lord?]
[Me?]
[Experience, skill, wisdom—no one in Sinclair lands, southern region even, tops you. Noble character, folks pledge lives. Swordmaster glow, looks too—perfect! Perfect!]
[Well, flattery aside...]
[Think: academy for commoners, your son the lord bankrolling and adminning. History books call him wise. But you teaching hands-on? No title, no main record—breaks my heart.]
[Ahem.]
[Not that you care for fame or glory—you're above it. But who else can I trust fully? Please, just one year as inaugural chancellor. Statue in the lobby...]
And so, snared by Dominic's silver tongue.
Swordmaster, yes—but no sage transcending vanity.
"Chancellor?"
"Ah, sorry. What was that?"
"We'll stick to the plan for practical, hands-on departments. But for applied studies to advance, we can't neglect foundational ones, right?"
"Hmm. Feasible? Basics take years to bloom."
Karim and crew nodded at the Old Lord's words, resolute.
"If you approve, Chancellor, we'll hash it with the mayor. Promise ten years' support—at least—and we'll deliver results no matter what..."
"No need. Results? Basics don't yield quick wins."
"Mayor!"
"Just codify it in the charter. 'No cuts to basic studies departments.' Something like that."
"...!"
Dominic's offhand solution rocked Karim's world.
'What magnanimity!'
How long had they agonized over broaching this with the mayor?
Powerholders craved visible outcomes.
Funded fields sans results still stroked egos in select ways.
Yet true progress demanded basics investment. Karim's team of five had pulled all-nighters strategizing passage.
Turned out, no need.
'Maybe I'm with history's changemaker.'
Karim clenched a fist under the table, thrilled. (Delusion, of course.)
'Uni majors with simple names are the big ones anyway.'
The academy's finances were set via work-study scholarships for full tuition. Lord's aid covered shortfalls. Just bold move.
'Need cash? Launch academy-branded ventures.'
Earn as needed, easy.
Dominic noted Karim's fiery gaze but let it burn. Motivated talent? Fan the flames. Why correct misconceptions?
'They hustle, I coast. Win-win.'
Dominic grinned, eyeing bard auditions for resort and springs next.
His eyes met the Old Lord's amid details discussion.
'Uh-oh. Bad vibes.'
"Oops. My bad. Chicken batter research pending... I'll head out..."
"Mayor."
"...Yes."
Escape failed.
Ian behind seemed gleeful.
'That guy?'
Ian had been busy too.
Personal training, prepping knight curriculum, security forces drills. Occasional tactics meetings with admin on city defense. Post-turtle incident, fishing co-op uncles dragged him boozing, hearts open.
Thus, Dominic's snacking and napping grated.
"What've you been up to, Mayor?"
"...Busy enough, here and there."
"Officially, I mean. Post-springs dev."
"Academy..."
"Karim's crew handles it."
"Admin..."
"Ferrot's grinding."
"Resort..."
"Raki—young kid, but nails it."
"Construction..."
"Stonehammer's juggling pottery and builds—swamped."
"...Tch."
Cheeky retort, but all stifled chuckles.
Sure the Old Lord wouldn't just toy with Dominic.
"Mayor."
"...Yes."
"Time for a desert trip."
"...Huh?"
Deflating sound from Dominic.
"Pfft— ahem, sorry. Cough."
Ian cracked first.
"Ah, Ian. Back the mayor well."
"...Huh?"
"Pfft—."
Dominic's turn to choke.
End of "Desert? Me in the Desert! (1)"