Volume 4 Chapter 26 Training Instructor And Orphan
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”W-What’s wrong?! Did you really dislike the idea of becoming my concubine that much? If you don’t want to, I won’t force you…”
It hurt a bit to think that Lydiane, whose friendship level had maxed out, was so upset about becoming my concubine.
However, Lydiane’s tears had a different reason.
”N-No, that’s not it! I was ordered by my superior in the central army to keep an eye on Your Excellency Kent. For the funding of the orphanage administration, I was tasked with getting close to Your Excellency Kent and leaking information.”
Lydiane revealed that she was a spy sent by Gwain.
I learned that the orphanage was struggling for funds when Gwain’s intelligence organization approached them, offering a large sum of money in exchange for information about me.
Lydiane, who had developed feelings for me as her friendship level rose, found herself caught between her spy duties and her romantic feelings, leading her to tears.
”Lydiane, you’re an honest person. There’s no need to cry. I’ll tell you all my secrets. However, there are many things I want you to keep confidential.”
”Your Excellency! That’s not right! I’m a spy!”
Lydiane covered her ears and shook her head vigorously.
But I knew the power of Handsome Guy, so it didn’t matter to me that Lydiane was a spy.
On the contrary, I found myself liking Lydiane even more for revealing her status as a spy.
And so, I shared various secrets with Lydiane, including the fact that I possess [red] cards, that I am from Another World, and that I can freely manipulate women with the Handsome Guy combo.
Upon hearing my secrets, Lydiane looked at me with a gaze of reverence.
”I-I had no idea you were such an incredible person… Is it really alright for someone like me to become your concubine? I think I would be more than enough as a slave.”
Lydiane seemed to have a complex about her background, excessively belittling herself.
”I’m sorry, Lydiane, but you’ll become my concubine. Besides, if you’re a spy, it’s better for you to continue your military work. I hope you’ll transfer to our Southern Army.”
”But won’t that prevent me from doing the work you want me to do?”
”If you transfer to the Southern Army, we can manage it by assigning you from the military. I want you to be the Training Instructor for my Private Hunting Group, ‘Red Valkyrie’.”
Lydiane was surprised to hear about her new job.
It seemed she never expected to become an instructor for a Private Hunting Group.
She had military training experience but had never trained hunters before.
”I’m good at training soldiers, but I’ve never raised a hunter.”
”Both soldiers and hunters share the commonality of building physical strength. Also, ‘Red Valkyrie’ serves as a training institution for female soldiers. I think it’s fine for you to focus on new recruit education. Giuliana also mentioned wanting to recruit you with that in mind.”
Lydiane nodded as she listened to my explanation, seeming to understand.
”So, will you come to us? I’ll double your salary. Talented instructors are in high demand. Plus, since you’ll be living here, how about bringing the children from the orphanage that Lydiane is concerned about? I have a vacant mansion where I used to live, and I can offer it as an orphanage.”
I proposed to Lydiane that we take the children from the orphanage to the South.
Knowing she was a spy, I felt it was dangerous to leave someone who could become a hostage in the royal capital.
”Huh! You’re going to bring them to the South? Including the staff, there are nearly 50 people… I can’t cover the costs…”
Lydiane seemed worried about the money, but I thought that if the members of ‘Red Valkyrie’ took on a quest, the costs wouldn’t be that high.
Even if we dispatched 2 parties for protection, it would only cost about ten silver coins, with change left over.
Including all expenses, I believed 2 large silver coins would be sufficient.
If it’s that much, I can manage it from my pocket, even without the Blackdagger family.
”I’ll cover the costs, so it’s fine. If Lydiane is settling here, it would be best to call the orphanage folks, like family, right? The mansion has plenty of rooms and a large living room, so it’s perfect for a large number of people to stay.”
”Would you really go that far for us…? I’ll talk to the facility and arrange for them to move here. There are risks, but in the south, I don’t think orphans will struggle to find work, and it seems there are many environments where they can live even after leaving the orphanage.”
It seems orphans must leave once they turn 15, when they are recognized as adults.
However, due to the severe economic recession in the royal capital, orphans have few job opportunities, and it seems they only have the options of turning to crime or begging.
Yet, the number of orphans continues to rise.
It often happens that parents in financial distress abandon their children and disappear.
Despite children being the future of the nation, it seems the people of the royal capital are ignoring this situation.
Moreover, it seems there are corrupt officials who take advantage of orphans and sell them into slavery.
Hearing Lydiane’s account of the dire situation of the orphans in the royal capital, I made a certain resolution.
I decided to repurpose the old garrison, where soldiers and members of the ‘Red Valkyrie’ currently reside, into an orphanage and educational facility once the military barracks and dormitories are completed.
I plan to consult with my mother-in-law about this, but I intend to offer it as a place for Talent Development to nurture the next generation of Estfort.
If my mother-in-law shakes her head, I will proceed with it as a project of the Blackdagger family.
”I had a good idea after hearing Lydiane’s story. I plan to take all the orphans from the royal capital to the south. Soon, the barracks will be vacant, and I intend to offer it as a residence and educational facility.”
”Huh!? Your Excellency, what are you saying? There are hundreds of orphans in the royal capital that I know of. To support them would require an enormous amount of money. And to provide education as well…”
”No one plans to provide for free. Everyone will do what they can. We follow the saying that those who do not work shall not eat. If they do simple tasks, I’ll provide food, shelter, and a small amount of money.”
”You mean to do that for everyone… are you saying it also includes vocational training for the orphans once they grow up… what profound foresight…”
”The South lacks manpower. There are many jobs even a child can do. Of course, I do not intend to overwork them. In a few years, they will become respectable citizens who pay me taxes. This is merely an investment in the future.”
Children will not remain children forever.
In a few years, they will become adults.
If they grow to be diligent citizens when the time comes, the taxes returned will exceed the investments made.
”Your Excellency… you are considering it to that extent… but how will we gather the orphans?”
”We should proclaim openly that we are taking in orphans. The people in the royal capital won’t oppose it; they will only support it, right? If we package it with a bit of money, they’ll gladly issue permission.”
In fact, looking at the current dispatched team, they are sending in these unstable elements who are essentially unemployed. I can only conclude that the minds of those in the royal capital are consumed with self-preservation and hoarding wealth.
”But, since I’m being watched by Gwain, it’s not safe to collect them under my name. Let the head of the orphanage or someone become the main figure responsible for gathering orphans and transporting them to the South. The money will be provided through the merchant guild I have a good relationship with, so it will be fine.”
”Y-Yes! If I talk to Ms. Martha, I believe we can gather the orphans from the royal capital. Also, would it be possible to hire those orphans who have graduated from the facility and have no job opportunities as staff members? If you could do that, I would dedicate my life to Your Excellency.”
Lydiane couldn’t abandon her companions who were struggling to find employment, and she came to me for help.
”We will hire anyone who hasn’t committed a crime. The arrangements will be up to Lydiane. Call them as you please.”
”Your Excellency… thank you so much! I shall serve you for a lifetime.”
Lydiane was kneeling in front of him.
For young men, there’s always work in the south.
If they don’t have the [Criminal]: [Thief] job, I can find them work without issue.
Estfort is developing as a city with a population of 50 thousand.
There’s no limit to the number of people.
If someone like Lydiane is willing to serve me for such trivial matters, I won’t hesitate.
Moreover, children graduating from the orphanage and educational facility will be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, preparing them to enter society, thus contributing valuable talent to Estfort as it aims to become a trading city in a few years.
Sending Nannie as the head of education may also be a good idea.
I believe it would yield much greater benefits than educating me, Lord.
With the bureaucrat system becoming robust, moving Nannie to the head of education should pose no issues.
While it may sound noble to give dreams to orphans, the truth is I am merely teaching them how to be independent and earn their living.
I am not their parent, so I have no intention of saving every orphan.
I simply want to show the way to those who are motivated and passionate.
To earn a living through labor.
By instilling this basic idea from a young age, I can prevent the emergence of future adults who are as inept as I am.
”I want Lydiane to do her best as a Training Instructor. But first, there’s something we need to handle.”
”Huh!?”
I picked Lydiane up in a princess carry and began walking toward the private room for napping.
Although Lydiane has confessed to being a spy and has become a Carrier, there’s no need for that; it’s just a formality for now.
Yes, captured spies often face torture, right?
”You do understand what happens if a spy is revealed, don’t you? Especially if a female spy is caught?”
Lydiane’s face turned red at my words.
It seemed my intentions were understood.
Lydiane answered in a voice that barely made it out.
”…y-yes. …female spies get tortured by men… huff, huff.”
Is she imagining what will happen next? Lydiane was aroused.
I don’t intend to torture Lydiane, but I am considering gathering information from Gwain’s intelligence organization, as long as it’s safe for her as a counter-spy.
To that end, I decided to perform a ritual to teach her who her master is.
It’s not that I want to engage in such play… I think… I want to think that…
With those thoughts, I closed the door to the private room.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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