The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 116

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 116

After the joint exam with the general department.

Having gotten an idea from this incident, I returned home and issued a summons to my vassals.

So the next morning, my vassals gathered at my mansion.

Recently, for some reason, Estelle has been regularly attending whenever I issue a summons. Because of that, Lysithea also comes to the meeting place with a disgruntled expression.

“My lord, has something happened?”  Anton asks with a serious face. Behind him, master is gently rocking a child in her arms.

“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to do a simple test.”

“A test… You say?”

“You can think of it as a kind of competition.”

It’s to grasp people’s abilities and use them in the right places.

Many kingdoms used to hold these kinds of competitions. This isn’t just in this world. It’s the same in the modern world too.

“If it’s martial arts, I’m confident!” Eo steps forward as if she’s been waiting for this.

“Unfortunately, there’s no martial arts test this time. Here, everyone takes one of these.”

I handed out a stack of test papers I brought from the academy. Using my position as a general, I had obtained extra test papers.

“This is a test I recently took at the academy. I want to indirectly assess your skills through this.”

Olaf, who received the test paper, bursts into laughter. “I thought it was something when you said test, but it really is a test. Anyway, don’t involve us in your boredom killer.”

“While it’s not entirely without meaning as a boredom killer as you say, you should still take it seriously. I’m thinking of using this to determine salaries.”

“…That’s something I can’t just let slide. Are you finally creating a salary system?”

Until now, we’ve been vaguely operating a salary system where I would give money if someone said they needed it, but with more people, that wasn’t possible anymore.

“Since it’s a sudden test, I won’t reflect 100% of it, but for example, if there are people who are set to receive equal salaries, I plan to create a gap based on these test results. Understand?”

“Oh, that sounds interesting.”

“By the way, Olaf. Since you’re in too much of an advantageous position, we’ll just use your test results for reference this time.”

“Tch, can’t be helped I guess.”

Olaf was a top student attending the academy just a few years ago. He’s bound to be more familiar with the test content compared to others.

“In a similar vein, the same goes for you, Estelle. No, you’re not even a vassal to begin with, so you don’t need to take the test.”

At my words, Estelle, who was sweating for some reason, brightened up. “Th-that’s right! I’d better skip this.”

As Estelle stands up abruptly, Rutger stops her. “Estelle, you should do it too. I want to check how much you’ve studied at the academy.”

“But I…”

“If it’s a test he took recently, it’s probably related to Fensillon Academy admission. Isn’t that relevant to you too?”

“That may be true, but…”

“Then sit down without any more words.”

“Ugh…” Estelle sits down reluctantly.

I continued to explain the rules. “I’ll group you into teams, and the team with the highest total score will receive rewards like bonuses or vacation days. There’s no time limit, so please be thorough.”

At the mention of vacation, Gaspar and Olaf’s eyes lit up.

Eonia and Anton also seemed motivated, filled with enthusiasm at the mention of rewards.

As I was about to divide them into equal groups.

Unexpected guests visited my mansion.

Brother Ferge and Sister Julia came to see me about matters related to the southern territory. And Bisketa Kren visited to discuss the academy construction issue.

Thinking it was a good opportunity, I made the proposal to them as well, and they agreed, saying it would be fun.

I divided them into groups of three and sent each group to separate rooms.

—

Group 1: Rutger, Estelle, Lysithea

Group 2: Gaspar, Yumir, Olaf

Group 3: Ilya, Anton, Ferge

Group 4: Julia, Eonia, Bisketa 

—

The vassals entered the rooms and started solving the problems. There were no invigilators and no time limit, but I decided to leave that part to their conscience.

To stimulate that conscience, I told them to all come out together after all three members finished.

I thought that would make them refrain from cheating, if only out of consideration for others.

“Oh my, I don’t have time to be doing this.”

Since I had dragged the busy Bisketa into my situation, I had to process the documents she brought.

I was also busy taking care of Gawain.

Four hours passed like this.

Just as I was changing Gawain’s diaper, Group 3 finished the test first and came out.

Master smiles warmly seeing me.

“Haha, so you were changing diapers. Was it okay?”

“He didn’t cry, so it wasn’t difficult. As expected of your son, he’s quite brave.”

“He’s so brave it’s worrying. He doesn’t cry at all, my goodness.”

“Anyway, good job. I’ll announce the results tomorrow, so please come back tomorrow evening.”

Master, seemingly unconcerned about the score, comfortably took Gawain in her arms.

On the other hand, Anton looked anxious.

“You don’t need to be so serious about it.”

“No, it’s a competition no matter what. Besides… I can’t lose to Lady Mirabel.”

“Haha… Anyway, good job. I’ll give you a day off today, so go on a date or something.”

“Ah…! Thank you very much. Then we’ll be going now.”

The couple leaves with their child.

Brother Ferge also laughed, saying it was an interesting experience, consulted about the southern territory matters, and left.

At that point, Group 2 finished.

I asked Olaf, “It took longer than expected?”

“Yumir and I finished quickly, but it seems Mr. Gaspar had a bit of trouble.”

Gaspar looked haggard, as if he had used too much brainpower.

“Making an old man do something like this… This is torture…”

“Then why didn’t you just do it roughly?”

“I, I couldn’t do that.”

Is it because his daughter was there that he couldn’t show a poor performance? It seems he squeezed his brain to solve the test paper, trying to show a good image somehow.

“Good job. I’ll give all three of you a day off, so take it easy today.”

“Oh my. That’s very kind. It seems Yumir will stay here… Mr. Gaspar. How about having lunch together? Since we’ve been given a day off, let’s have a drink or two.”

With that, Olaf left, taking Gaspar with him, and half of the group had finished the test.

* * *

30 minutes after Group 2 left.

“This is taking too long… Yumir, could you prepare lunch? For all the remaining people.”

“Yes, young master.”

In fact, this test was supposed to be completed in 4 hours.

That was the time limit at the Academy.

But it’s already been over 5 hours. Curious about what’s taking so long, I decided to take a peek.

First, Group 1’s room.

“Ahem!”

“Oh my…”

Rutger clearing his throat solemnly and Lysithea shaking her head with a sigh.

Between them, Estelle was making a sad face.

Scratch! It was the moment Estelle wrote an answer to a problem.

“Ah-hem!”

Rutger raised his voice while clearing his throat, showing discomfort. Noticing this, Estelle’s expression became even sadder.

“Wait a moment. That’s essentially cheating. Rutger, and you too, Lysithea. If you’ve finished the problems, just stay still.”

“Huh…!”

Rutger sighed deeply and closed his eyes tightly.

Lysithea looked out the window with her arms crossed, as if saying ‘This is hopeless’.

Estelle looked up at me with a face that seemed about to burst into tears and asked. “You took this difficult test too, didn’t you, Sir Ars?”

“Yes, I did. It’s not… That difficult though?”

A current Academy student should be able to get at least half correct. With moderate studying, one could reach the early to mid-400 point range, like Beryl did.

“Just out of curiosity… What scores did you and Erina get, Sir Ars?”

“I got 599 points, and Erina, I believe, was in the 580 range.”

“Gasp.” Estelle froze.

“Ah-hem-hem!” Rutger cleared his throat uncomfortably once again.

“Oh, and lunch will be ready soon, so come down in about 20 minutes. You can continue the rest after the meal.”

After relaying that, I visited the room where Group 4 was taking the test.

Here, they were openly cheating.

“Eo! Is that how I taught you? How can you be struggling with such an easy problem!”

“Ugh…”

“And Miss Julia? That answer is wrong.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Bisketa, who finished first, was tutoring the other two.

“Miss Bisketa. If you’ve finished the problems, please remain quiet.”

Bisketa burst out in frustration.

“Oh my! If I stay here, I’ll get too worked up to keep still. May I go out for some fresh air?”

“Yes, we’re preparing lunch anyway, so please come to the dining room after you’ve gotten some air.”

“Sigh… This is why I said we should have taught them rigorously. Because His Majesty spoiled her, that brilliant child has become like this…!”

As Bisketa left the room grumbling, the remaining two slumped down, as if the tension had suddenly left them.

Glancing at Eonia’s test paper, I saw that she hadn’t even solved 60% of it yet.

“Hey Eo. Is it hard? If it’s too difficult, you can stop.”

My offer must have been tempting, as Eo’s eyes lit up. But soon she hardened her expression and asked, “Sir Ars. Has that Quinter fellow finished the test?”

“If you mean Anton, he finished long ago and left.”

“No way! What about his score!?”

“We haven’t graded it yet.”

Eo turned her attention back to the test paper, saying this was no time to be idle.

Big sister Julia seemed to be in a daze, staring at the distant mountains outside the window.

“Little one… Do you know why I became a cadet?”

“No, I don’t.”

“You see. Father said, Julia, you’ll never get into Fensillon Academy if you go to the regular course, so it’s better to become a cadet.”

“…”

“Of course. Even Max and Miller, who were smarter than me, failed the entrance exam and couldn’t get into Fensillon Academy. How could I possibly get in?”

“That’s, well…” I had no words of comfort to offer.

Still, her situation seemed better than Eo’s, as she had completed about 80% of the test.

Just then, a bell rang from the dining room.

“Sister, let’s have lunch first and then continue. Eo, you too.”

In the dining room, a very uncomfortable atmosphere prevailed.

Rutger was sighing deeply with a stern face, while Bisketa was glaring at Eo as if she had made some decision.

Sensing the educational fervor of these two, Estelle and Eo were just looking gloomy.

Up to this point, there wouldn’t have been a problem, but…

“Anyway, you haven’t finished either? I can see the level of Kuravel now.” Lysithea’s sarcastic comment was the trigger.

Bisketa didn’t let it slide. “Who are you to say such things?”

To this, Eo whispered as if tattling, and Bisketa narrowed her eyes. “Oh my, I didn’t know Florand’s fanatics would be here.”

“Fanatics!? You’re the cultists!”

“Hmph, you seem to know nothing. Florand is in no position to say anything to our Kuravel. So don’t dare insult Kuravel with that mouth of yours!”

“Ha, hah! Your kingdom has already fallen, yet your attitude remains!”

“Even if we’ve fallen, our pride still remains. A pride that Florand could never possess even after eons. Wait a moment. Speaking of the Florand tribe, there’s someone who looks familiar…”

Bisketa stared intently at Lysithea’s face.

Lysithea flinched, as if getting goosebumps. 

“You, do you know someone named Cransia?”

“H-How do you know my mother…!”

“So you are indeed Cransia’s daughter. No wonder, you even resemble her in trying to act unnecessarily refined.”

At this, Lysithea became more passive. Not knowing what kind of relationship this person had with her mother made her cautious.

Seeing this, Eo giggled, thinking it served her right.

Irritated by this, Lysithea urged the innocent Estelle. “Estelle, when we go back, try to focus more. No matter what, you should be able to beat that woman.”

Bisketa immediately retorted, asking what nonsense that was. “No matter how rusty our Eo might be, she won’t lose to a child.”

With Rutger joining in as well, an Estelle vs. Eonia structure was formed.

As the atmosphere seemed like it might lead to cheating just to win, I decided to personally supervise Eo and Estelle’s tests after lunch.

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TL NOTE:

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