11
Chapter 11
"As I mentioned before, put more effort into management so that the soldiers' discipline does not slacken."
Even if the Imperial Princess of the Quasar Empire and the Prince of our Beluga were engaged, it didn't mean the Quasar Empire ceased to be our greatest enemy.
After the meeting, I returned to the Official Residence.
While processing a mountain of documents one by one, I heard a knock.
"I am Adjutant Walter, Your Grace."
"Come in."
I was just about to call him to take the processed documents, and the adjutant was holding a Communication Crystal Ball.
"It seems there is a call. From where?"
"It is Count Berman Dittrich, the Chief Instructor of Belliard Academy in the Capital."
"Count Dittrich? I've never heard that name before."
"Could it be that the Dean of Belliard requested this?"
"Is that so? Is Marquis Drant currently the Dean of Belliard?"
"Marquis Drant was appointed as the Division Commander of the Eastern Legion six months ago, and Marquis Banks, the former Vice Commander of the Royal Magic Division, is the current Dean."
Marquis Banks... I had seen him a few times at the Imperial Palace, but we weren't particularly close. I wonder what this is about.
"I see. Connect us."
As the adjutant poured magic power into it, a face appeared in the crystal ball.
"Greetings, Your Grace. I am Berman, the Chief Instructor of Belliard Academy."
"Yes. Is this at the request of Marquis Banks? I didn't know he had become the Dean of the Academy, so please convey my congratulations. Now, what is the matter? I am quite busy, so please keep it brief."
"Yes. I appreciate your time. It's just that suspicions of fake qualifications have been raised among the Academy instructors, and while investigating, we found someone who submitted a Certificate of Competence issued by Your Grace, so I am contacting you to verify the facts."
"Certificate of Competence? What is that?"
It was a document I had never heard of.
"You don't know? I had my doubts, but if Your Grace does not know of it, then the document must have been forged. I found it suspicious that the document only contained a single line guaranteeing competence, but the seal was definitely yours..."
"Hmm, is that so?"
"To dare forge the seal of Duke Carlos... I will notify the Justice Bureau immediately so they can be punished."
"That is... Wait, did you say a Certificate of Competence?"
Recalling the past, I remember writing a similar document for the Black Agent who had saved my granddaughter.
Since he was someone who refused all kinds of luxuries, I worried he would feel burdened if I gave it to him as a special favor, so I lied and said I gave them to those who had achieved merit in my direct unit.
"Yes. Is something wrong?"
"What is the name of the person who submitted the document?"
"It is Baronet Bio."
"Bio?"
"His surname is Rain, and he holds a Non-hereditary Title with no land. He claimed to have served in Your Grace's secret direct unit for ten years..."
Rain was also a noble house I had never heard of, but as soon as I heard the name Bio, it came back to me instantly.
I don't have any secret direct unit, but I understand.
He probably said that because he couldn't reveal his past as a Black Agent.
Blue Mist, the most elite Black Agent of the Imperial Intelligence Agency who had solved my granddaughter's disappearance four years ago.
Bio was the name of that fellow, which I had only managed to find out after insisting even when he said it was impossible.
His skill was beyond question, and even then, when I told him to ask for anything as a reward, he refused, saying he hadn't done anything particularly great. He was a man of truly excellent character, matching his skills.
By the way, I heard he lost an arm... he was fine back then.
They said Intelligence Agency missions were grueling; it seems he suffered a great deal.
"Um, Your Grace? If you are busy, I shall end the communication..."
"Count Berman, I actually did write that Certificate of Competence."
"Pardon? You said you didn't know about it just a moment ago..."
"It happened quite some time ago, so I didn't remember at first, but hearing his name brought it all back."
Did he apply for a mission with the Intelligence Agency?
I should be as helpful as possible... No, wait.
When I gave him the certificate, I specifically asked him not to use it for Intelligence Agency missions, but only for things that would personally benefit him.
He had agreed to do so as well.
Right, he mentioned he lost an arm.
Does that mean he's retired?
If that's the case, it's such a shame.
I wish he had come to me instead of going somewhere like the Academy.
When I gave him the certificate, I had suggested that he become one of my retainers once he retired.
I spoke lightly, almost as a joke, because I didn't want him to feel pressured, but I was completely serious.
Even if he lost an arm, his knowledge and experience wouldn't have vanished.
Setting all that aside, he's an irreplaceable benefactor to me, so I would have taken great care of him.
"If Your Grace would go so far as to write such a document, he must be quite a capable individual."
"Capable is an understatement. Not only his skill, but his loyalty to the empire, experience, practical knowledge, and character are all exemplary. I personally received help from him—though, of course, I'm not praising him just because of that."
"Is... is that so? To be praised so highly by Your Grace, he must have been truly remarkable. Thank you for the confirmation."
"Haha, it was no trouble at all. Please take good care of him."
"I understand. Since you must be busy, I will end the communication..."
"Wait... no, forget it. Good work."
As he answered, I signaled the adjutant to end the call.
For a moment, I thought about asking to be connected to Marquis Banks.
Since he is the Dean, there's no way Marquis Banks wouldn't know Blue Mist.
He is also a man full of loyalty to the Emperor, so it wouldn't be a problem even if he knew the Black Agent's true identity.
I hesitated, thinking it might be helpful for at least one person to know his real identity, but decided it was better not to reveal it.
Seeing as he didn't mention it himself, he likely wants to live quietly and donate his talents after retirement.
I can't go interfering with that.
Even without revealing his identity, I've spoken well of him to the Chief Instructor, so I trust he'll be well looked after.
"Now that we're finished here, you may leave as well."
"Yes. Have a good day, sir."
As the adjutant replied, the door suddenly swung open.
"Why is the door..."
"Don't mind it, just go on."
"Oh, yes, sir."
To an outsider, it might look like no one is there, but my senses cannot be fooled.
"Ria, I know you're there, so you can come out now."
As soon as I spoke, a blonde girl with a surprised look on her face appeared.
There is only one person in the world who can open my office door without knocking.
"Huh? Sylph hid me, so how did you know?"
"This old man knows everything, even if he can't see you. Ria, do you want some candy?"
When I opened the drawer and pulled out a small container, Ria's expression brightened.
"Can I have two?"
"You can have three. I bought all of these just for my Ria."
"Grandpa is the best!"
"By the way, Ria, do you remember going to the Spirit Realm a few years ago?"
"Yep. At first, they wanted to play, but then they all kept bothering me, saying they wanted to make a contract with me. They wouldn't even let me go home."
"Then do you remember the mister who brought you back home from the Spirit Realm? I just heard some news about him for the first time in a while."
"Huh? The person who brought me back wasn't a mister. It was Bio-oppa."
Bio-oppa?
"You shouldn't call him 'oppa.' That fellow is at least ten years older than you."
"No way. My second aunt said anyone handsome is an 'oppa.' So he is one."
Aunt? Sigh, it seems my youngest daughter has been teaching her strange things again.
"Your aunt taught you wrong. Well, fine. Even if this grandpa is very handsome, you shouldn't call him 'oppa,' right?"
"Huh? Grandpa isn't handsome, so you're just Grandpa."
Until a few years ago, she used to say her grandfather was the coolest.
"I forgot that my daughter-in-law told me not to give you too many candies because your teeth will rot. No more candy for now."
"Grandpa is mean!"
****
I'm not sure since there's no clock in the room, but it feels like about fifteen minutes have passed, and I'm getting a bit nervous.
I trust Duke Carlos, but since he's old, there's a chance he might not remember.
"You're aware that forging a high noble's seal is a serious crime, far worse than fake qualifications, right?"
I don't think I'm showing my nervousness on the outside, so is she just trying to pick a fight?
"Think whatever you like. Everything will be revealed once the Chief Instructor returns."
No sooner had she finished speaking than the door opened and the Chief Instructor returned.
"I am truly sorry."
Seeing him apologize while bowing his head, it seems Duke Carlos spoke more favorably of me than I had expected.
"Are you saying this man's words are true?"
Berman nodded, still wearing an apologetic expression toward me.
"From what I've looked into, he clearly..."
"Are you suggesting I'm lying right now? Get a grip, Instructor Amelia! Duke Carlos himself said it!"
At Berman's shout, Instructor Amelia immediately shut her mouth.
"It's truly an honor that Your Grace still remembers me after all this time."
"The Duke, who is well-known for being strict, didn't spare any praise, calling you a remarkable talent upon hearing your name."
"Did he? I'm truly touched. I should pay my respects to him once the break starts."
"Indeed. Instructor Amelia, you should also apologize quickly."
"Why should I have to apologize?"
What is wrong with this woman?
"Didn't Instructor Bio suffer because you brought the wrong information?"
"Isn't it Instructor Bio's fault for not submitting his personnel information properly?"
...Wow, she's being stubborn and contrarian until the very end.
I was planning to just accept a modest apology and move on, but if she's going to be like this, I have no choice.
"Instructor Amelia, as far as I know, an instructor's personal information cannot be accessed without permission. How did you find out about my details?"
"That... that is..."
"I doubt that was a legal route. Could it be that you're still holding a grudge from our last duel?"
Her face turned bright red as I pressed her.
"Now that you mention it, Instructor Bio is right. You shouldn't have the authority to access an instructor's personnel files."
With Berman joining in the interrogation, her eyes welled up as if she were about to burst into tears.
She didn't actually cry and remained silent for a moment, but eventually, Instructor Amelia admitted to conducting a background check out of spite.
"Tsk, how pathetic. Your own skills were clearly lacking, yet you harbored such feelings. Besides, didn't Instructor Bio even let you have the victory?"
"I'm sorry."
"You should be apologizing to Instructor Bio, not me."
"...I'm sorry."
Berman looked at me, wondering how I wanted to handle this.
"I was a bit shocked to find out you did a background check, but I believe it wasn't done with entirely malicious intent."
"Instructor Bio?"
"Instructor Amelia is very passionate about teaching, which is why the trainees follow her and speak so highly of her. I'll assume she just wanted to verify some things because she had doubts about my teaching methods. I also take blame for not submitting my information accurately, regardless of the unavoidable circumstances."
"Haha, you truly have a wonderful character. Seeing how even Duke Carlos thinks of you, I think I now understand why the Dean trusts you so much."
"I am truly sorry."
She finally bowed her head in apology, and it finally felt like a sincere one.
Though she might have just been acting since Berman was pressing her from the side.
"It's fine. Now that your doubts are cleared, let's try to get along from now on."
'Why are you suddenly acting so nice? That woman isn't interested in you.'
Ark is digging up my embarrassing past again.
'I know that! So what, you want me to get her fired right now just because I'm annoyed?'
Currently, the only instructors for the Belliard Academy Ranger Class are Amelia and myself.
What happens if Amelia gets fired?
Even if they found a replacement quickly, there would be a gap, and I'd have to cover her practical lessons during that time.
I'm getting away with letting the students self-study for theory, but I can't do that for practicals.
Moreover, if Amelia left, it would become far more difficult to achieve my goal of getting fired.
I'm not exactly thrilled about it, but in this situation, this is the best option.
I explained this line of thinking to Ark as I headed back to the dormitory.
He remained silent for a long while, clearly displeased with my approach.
'I get your point, but if you're this lenient, she might just cause more trouble later.'
He has a point.
I know that kindness isn't always returned in kind.
Though, it's not like my kindness was 100% pure.
Well, does it really matter?
'She completely misread the situation and got crushed, so she'll probably stay quiet for a while.'
As long as it's not something as serious as fake qualifications, this might actually help me get fired.
'How naive. Do you really think everything in life will go exactly as you planned?'
Tsk, here he goes again.
I'll just ignore him.
He snapped at me for ignoring him and warned me not to regret it later.
Ark is just being moody for no reason.