Chapter 59

Chapter 59

After that day, for a week, Ivan could return as a peaceful gardener. Except for Ecdysis, who occasionally approached with a determined gaze and a dagger, she was becoming an offensive-type monster. It was quite an unwelcome change for a non-offensive civilization.

Anyway, the turmoil in Frechenkaya was resolved within a week. Given the scale of the incident or its aftermath, it seemed impossible to wrap everything up within a week. Fortunately, Frechenkaya had a competent intelligence agency (prioritizing domestic intelligence).

Dmitri wanted to boast about the beautiful outcome he and his subordinates had created. Ideally, he would have wanted to brag to neighboring countries, but he was currently in a situation where he couldn’t.

– Huff!

“Hmm!?”

“Your posture is sloppy. Again.” (Ivan)

“Ugh... Aagh....”

“Again.” (Ivan)

He was now standing rigid with his head slammed into the floor.

Looking around, he corrected his posture amidst the peculiar subordinates who willingly imitated him while glancing at Ivan.

Those spineless and prideless individuals... Dmitri sighed at the mental strength of the current generation of intelligence agents. Turning his gaze, he adjusted his posture with disdain.

The man in front of him, except for the hero party, was the only human with a record of directly slaughtering seven dragons.

So, not fear but respect?

Respect.

Yes. During the most intense period of war, he was an elder who had once been a commander in the Cleansup Unit that later became the Counterintelligence Command.

Yes, respect. It’s certainly not fear. Right? There was no reason to be afraid. After all, both that senior and I are in the same rank (lieutenant colonel). Besides, I’m still young, so it’s worth keeping an eye on if one day I get promoted.

“Yo, Lieutenant Petrovic. You’re here!” (Dmitri)

“Huh? Oh, my bad. Seems like my hearing’s taken a vacation. You know how it is, the lower the rank, the worse the ears. Mind cranking up the volume a bit? Or should I start calling you ‘Colonel’ for now? Hahaha, I might be retired, but a soldier’s still a soldier, right?” (Ivan)

“Hold on a sec. Let’s keep it formal, shall we? ‘Sir’ will do.” (Dmitri)

“Oops, my bad again. Didn’t realize I was being too casual. Apologies for the lack of formality... Sir.” (Ivan)

“No need for apologies. Just, you know, put that potion down, please.” (Dmitri)

“...Gulp.”

Dmitri, who was being slapped in his imagination, quietly closed his eyes.

Yes, it’s respect.

***

After consolidating the military power of the counterintelligence headquarters, Ivan could only understand the elaborate explanations.

Well, it’s about burying explosives.Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

Preparing for a rebellion in the Guards Division? That must have been challenging. Good job on detecting it in advance.

Dwarves in the underground...? What’s this all about...

Destruction of the aristocratic prince’s communication network, imprisonment of the current king, looting the national treasury and the treasure vault. Oh, impressive.

After roughly understanding the events that Frechenkaya had to face on the same day, he nodded vigorously after hearing the desperate explanation (‘Dmitri didn’t want to lift a finger in his senior’s area of responsibility, so, well, the cooperation with frontline agents and, um, rapport formation might have been a bit lacking. Hahaha.’).

Ivan understand that the counterintelligence headquarters was busy.

However, isn’t the counterintelligence headquarters supposed to be a place that is always busy?

Sometimes, in this uncivilized pre-modern era, people had a tendency not to take the obvious for granted.

To put it bluntly, it felt like witnessing someone praising a sharp knife or complimenting a pen for having ink.

Should I understand that the counterintelligence headquarters, being busy with intelligence activities, neglected the main security targets?

“Ah, that one with the ebony handle.” (Elizaveta)

“Yes, excuse me! Your Highness!!”

“Don’t be so formal. I’m here as the rector now.” (Elizaveta)

“Yes, Rector!”

Surprisingly, the transformation of the rector’s office into the East Palace Office was completed within the morning. In Frechenkaya, they replace people instead of time. Note that unlike time, humans are a resource that can be reproduced at any time.

Sitting in the rector’s office, which had become somewhat livable (meaning they only indulged about 50% of the East Palace’s extravagance), Elizaveta finally nodded towards the protest-free zone.

“Now, summon ‘him.'” (Elizaveta)

“As you command, Your Highness.”

“Hmm.” (Elizaveta)

“Yes, Rector!”

Without daring to entertain the idea of placing the Royal Guard near the royal palace or mentioning any long-term discussions if she wants to be treated as a rector, the guard officer bowed subtly and left the rector’s office.

Stretching, Elizaveta looked out the window.

The correctional facility on this sunny summer day was filled with lively students, seemingly unaffected by the past turmoil.

Envious.

Elizaveta never attended school. In a world without the concept of a regular education system, most higher education was resolved through homeschooling.

Half of her childhood was spent in the palace, and the remaining half on the battlefield. Her education focused on noble etiquette, court etiquette, military science, politics, and monarch theory.

It meant she had never experienced mingling with peers, laughing heartily, or gathering with classmates. Even the age gap between her and those students wasn’t significant. (She considers anyone within a 10-year age difference as her peer, so Ivan is also her peer.)

“Hmm....”

The official announcement of assuming the position of Rector at St. Jan’s University would have reached the nobility by now. Those old folks must be fuming with jealousy.

St. Jan’s University is an internationally renowned institution. Therefore, the nobles not only strive for educational excellence but also endeavor to get their children admitted as part of international social activities.

Thinking about it the other way around, if she fully takes over the university, most of Frechenkaya’s nobility will be under her influence.

Elizaveta chuckled coldly. It was a smile befitting a ruler who controlled the darkness of the kingdom, the dominator of the shogunate.

An excellent ruler seizes dozens of benefits with a single policy. The position of the university rector is merely a threat to the nobility, if not just an auxiliary goal. There could be various ways to sideline the nobility.

So, her true tactical objective...

“Rector. He’s here.”

“Tell him to enter.” (Elizaveta)

With a subtle expression that didn’t bother questioning why she would use such a tone if she doesn’t care about being called rector, the guard officer opened the door to the rector’s office.

Behind him, a man in neatly laundered work clothes and a fluffy towel draped around his neck entered.

“You came.” (Elizaveta)

“...Yes.”

“Sit. There’s much to discuss.” (Elizaveta)

Glancing briefly at Elizaveta, who occupied the rector’s office, the man surveyed the room, completely transformed from the way he remembered, and mumbled while looking at the ceiling.

Looks like I’m in for it.

However, due to the need to maintain decorum not suitable for royalty, the sensible and polite man soon took a seat on the sofa.

—

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