“It’s quite late, isn’t it?”
The eastern, western, and southern regions all already had academies.
In particular, the southern academy was famous for producing great scholars and was a prestigious institution that many nobles attended.
“However, this is the first time a duke has established an academy specifically for commoners.”
Ian shrugged.
“How many nobles do we even have in the duchy?”
Most of the noble children from the duchy attended the eastern or western academies.
Even if he opened an academy for them, it would likely be empty.
“Have you found any teachers?”
“Yes. I’ve already written to my master.”
“You’re not asking them to teach, are you?”
“Of course not. I only asked them to recommend someone suitable to teach commoners.”
“Good job. I’ll handle the rest myself. Take the day off now.”
Fred hesitated before asking cautiously,
“May I visit Lady Rose?”
“Ah.”
It seemed Fred was concerned because his last memory of Rose was of her crying in fear.
“Go ahead. She’s fine now.”
“Also, has Lachik’s room been moved?”
“Yes, I’ve moved it to one of the guest rooms on the second floor.”
“Good.”
Ian waved his hand dismissively.
After giving a short bow, Fred left the study.
Ian, who had been signing documents for some time, suddenly stopped writing.
“Enner, Tappa, Beth, Grem, and Newby Territories.”
These were the territories Ian and Rose had visited during their travels and where Ian had purchased mines.
“Yekhaterina? Or the Crown Prince?”
Which one of them was aware of the ‘Flow’?
Knock, knock.*
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Edelmar entered.
To Ian’s surprise, Edelmar had knocked for once. Following closely behind him were Rose and Bernaba.
“Uncle, let’s have snacks!”
“Alright.”
Ian pulled the bell cord to summon snacks, then turned to Bernaba.
“Lord Bernaba, the Crown Prince is coming to the duchy. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can ensure you avoid the third floor.”
“No need. Whether it’s you or the Crown Prince, you’re all just humans to me.”
“Understood. Grand Duke and Lord Bernaba…”
“Hmm?”
Edelmar tilted his head.
“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you both privately. Could you spare some time?”
“Of course.”
“Is it about what we discussed before?”
Ian nodded, and Edelmar’s eyes narrowed.
Edelmar seemed suspicious about Ian suddenly revealing a secret.
Ian didn’t respond further and instead turned his attention to the snacks the servant brought in.
***
That evening, after Rose had fallen asleep, the light in Ian’s study remained on.
Ian sat on the sofa, waiting for Edelmar.
Before speaking with Bernaba, Ian planned to explain the ‘Flow’ to Edelmar.
As expected, Edelmar entered the study without knocking.
He was dressed in a shirt, trousers, and a robe, exuding his usual nonchalant air.
“Let’s hear what you have to say.”
“You’ll find it hard to believe.”
Edelmar chuckled softly.
“Every story you’ve told so far has been unbelievable.”
Ian leaned back against the sofa.
“Do you know what the ‘Flow’ is?”
“‘Flow’?”
Ian decided to use this opportunity to bring Edelmar fully to his side.
Now that someone aware of the ‘Flow’ had appeared, Ian needed to ensure they were well-prepared.
“Yes, the ‘Flow.'”
“What is it?”
Ian began explaining, framing his possession of another body as a dream to make it more comprehensible.
He described how he had died, how Rose inherited the title of Duke, and how, in her desperation to save the territory, she became a dark mage.
He also detailed how she developed an unrequited love for the Crown Prince, only to be discovered as a dark mage and executed.
By the time Ian finished his story, the once-steaming tea in their cups had gone cold.
Edelmar, who had remained silent for a long time after Ian finished speaking, covered his face with one hand.
“…It’s certainly a hard story to believe.”
“I thought you’d say that,”
Ian replied, nodding as if he understood.
“I haven’t told you all my secrets. Since you enjoy figuring things out, I’ve left some parts for you to piece together.”
“Fair enough.”
Ian rang the bell cord to summon a servant.
By the time fresh tea was poured into their cups, Edelmar finally broke the silence.
“What’s the reason for telling me this now?”
“I’ll explain once Lord Bernaba arrives,”
While sipping the warm tea, Ian noticed Edelmar falling silent again.
‘He must be processing the story,’
Since it was hard enough for a layperson to believe in a prophecy called the ‘Flow,’ Edelmar would need some time to come to terms with it.
As the tea cooled again and the servant brought in another fresh pot, Bernaba finally entered the study.
“What’s going on?”
Ian poured tea for Bernaba and began speaking.
“Lord Bernaba, there is someone other than myself who knows about the ‘Flow.’ Moreover, that person wishes for things to follow the ‘Flow.'”
Bernaba frowned deeply.
“They want things to follow the ‘Flow’? How do you know that?”
“In fact, Rose has been under attack by dark mages for some time now.”
“Dark mages? Could it be that the incident in the Imperial Palace was also related?”
Ian nodded.
“Yes. And after that incident, His Grace the Grand Duke mentioned that while it seemed they were targeting Rose, it might actually be me they’re after.”
“Indeed, I did,”
Edelmar confirmed with a nod.
“There is no noble in the Empire who would gain anything from my death. Moreover, I have no grudges against dark mages, nor does Rose. What reason would a child who has lived her life struggling in the territory have to come into contact with dark mages?”
Bernaba nodded seriously, his face grim.
“Despite that, incidents keep occurring. At first, I suspected it might be some kind of law in this world, striving to return to the ‘Flow.'”
“And? There must have been something that convinced you otherwise.”
Ian spread out a map on the desk.
Several locations were circled on the map.
“These are the territories where I purchased mines that I saw in the ‘Flow.’ The Crown Prince, on his way to the duchy, plans to visit several territories. Enner, Tappa, Beth, Grem, and Newby—these five territories.”
Edelmar’s eyes widened as he looked at the map.
The names of the territories where Ian had acquired mines matched exactly with the territories the Crown Prince planned to visit.
“In the ‘Flow,’ the Crown Prince and Lady Yekhaterina discover a diamond mine in the mountain range of the duchy. Now, the Crown Prince’s final destination after visiting the territories with mines is the duchy itself.”
A sly smirk tugged at the corner of Ian’s mouth.
“It’s as if he’s coming to find the diamond mine.”
The Crown Prince, who rarely left the palace, not only planned to visit scattered territories but also intended to visit a duchy that had no ties to the imperial family beyond its historical title of a founding state?
To anyone, it was clear that this was the work of someone who knew about the ‘Flow.’
After examining the map for a long time, Edelmar looked up.
“Do you think the Crown Prince has seen the ‘Flow’?”
“I’m not certain yet. I’m suspicious of both the Crown Prince and Yekhaterina.”
Bernaba crossed his short arms and nodded.
“Indeed, both of them are suspicious. So, what do you plan to do?”
“If the person who knows the ‘Flow’ insists on following it, I intend to fight them. Even if that person is the Crown Prince.”
Bernaba stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Ian turned to Edelmar.
“If this makes you uncomfortable, you are free to leave.”
Edelmar frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
“If the one who knows the ‘Flow’ is the Crown Prince, Your Grace, he is still your nephew. Facing off against him might be unpleasant for you, so I’m giving you the option to step away.”
“It doesn’t matter. The only family I recognize is my brother. I have no affection for my nephews.”
Ian nodded outwardly as though unfazed but laughed inwardly in relief.
He had been slightly worried that Edelmar might decide to leave.
After some thought, Bernaba spoke.
“How do you plan to find out who knows about the ‘Flow’?”
“That’s simple. I’ll block the diamond mine.”
“Block the mine?”
Ian nodded again.
“If the reason they’re coming to the duchy is to find the diamond mine, as I suspect, then I’ll simply hide it.”
“Hiding it? Do you even understand how valuable diamonds are to humans?”
Bernaba exclaimed.
“I’m not saying I’ll destroy it completely.”
“Then?”
“I’ll conceal it. When they visit the other territories, they’ll likely be confused. After all, the mines they intended to acquire will have been purchased by someone else, deviating from the ‘Flow.’ Then, if they arrive in the duchy and find the diamond mine gone, what do you think will happen?”
Edelmar let out a hearty laugh.
“They won’t just be confused; they’ll panic.”
“Exactly. They’ll start doubting whether the ‘Flow’ they believe in is even correct. All we need to do is identify who that person is.”
Bernaba nodded in approval.
“That’s a clever plan.”
“Thank you. I have a favor to ask of you both. First, Your Grace.”
“Speak.”
“Even when the Crown Prince arrives, we will house him in the annex instead of the main residence.”
Edelmar tilted his head in confusion.
“Why the annex?”
“Because we don’t know who knows about the ‘Flow.’ I can’t risk allowing someone who might pose a threat to Rose into the main residence.”
“Hmm. Alright. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you.”
After thanking Edelmar, Ian turned to Bernaba.
“Lord Bernaba, you’ve mentioned that you don’t want to interfere in human affairs.”
“That’s correct.”
“For this one time, please protect Rose. If the person who knows about the ‘Flow’ wants things to follow it, keeping Rose near me could put her in danger. She might get caught up in the conflict.”
“That’s true.”
“I plan to keep my distance from Rose while the Crown Prince stays at the duchy.”
“Hmm.”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Bernaba nodded.
“Alright. I’ll help you this time.”
“Thank you.”
With both of their agreements, Ian smiled brightly.
The preparations were now complete.
All that was left was to wait for the person who knew about the ‘Flow.’
Ian was determined to uncover their identity this time.
And once he did, he planned to ensure they could never pull such stunts again.
