The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 114

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 114
Perfect Victory.
Could any other phrase capture it?
Lucas had achieved perfect victory against Anareо. The emperor of Anareо, desperate to save his son the Crown Prince, had surrendered a considerable portion of his territory.
Stripped of its most valuable lands, Anareо had become nothing more than a sprawling kingdom, indistinguishable from any other duchy.
The Tayson family, who had been granted rule over Anareо, suffered calamity as well. They were stripped of their titles and demoted to commoners.
Rumors circulated that Katie, unable to restrain her nature, had caused a disturbance and been seized by soldiers.
The Protective Stone Necklace that Katie had stolen from Rachel was returned. Rachel could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Moreover, Duke Sinclair received a most severe punishment.
“Lady Swan.”
The Mage Tower Master greeted Rachel, who had visited the Mage Tower for the first time in a while.
“I trust you’ve been well?”
“Indeed. Quite well, thank you.”
The Mage Tower Master smiled warmly as he spoke.
“Would you not care for some tea?”
The Mage Tower Master offered tea to Rachel. She settled carefully into a chair at the table.
How long had it been since she’d known such peaceful moments? The situation felt almost strange.
“By the way, it seems your gift has served its purpose quite well, Lady Swan.”
“My gift?”
Rachel’s eyes widened in confusion. She stared at the Mage Tower Master, who then spoke with a puzzled expression.
“Did you not give a gift to the Crown Prince?”
Rachel hastily searched her memory.
…Surely not that ledger?
After receiving a Ring from Lucas, she’d wanted to repay the gesture and contacted Colo, who sent her an Iron Ledger made of crude iron—the sort no woman or man would typically use.
“I’d actually forgotten about that ledger myself. How did you come to know I gave it to the Crown Prince?”
Rachel asked in astonishment. The Mage Tower Master slowly opened his mouth.
“His Highness showed it to me. Though it appears to be nothing more than an ordinary iron ledger at first glance, it contains great power within.”
“Great power…?”
“A magical stone imbued with the Power of the Sun God lies hidden inside. The Crown Prince already possessed considerable strength, but that iron ledger surely amplified his power even further.”
“Good heavens.”
Rachel covered her mouth with both hands, startled. She’d had no idea such power had been hidden within the ledger she’d given as a gift.
The Mage Tower Master poured tea into Rachel’s cup and spoke.
“It appears a Swan ancestor, worried the precious magical stone might be stolen, concealed it within the iron ledger. As time passed, only the knowledge that it was a treasured object survived—what it actually contained was forgotten.”
The Mage Tower Master briefly explained why even Colo, the butler, hadn’t known the ledger’s true nature. Rachel nodded slowly.
“In any case, you, Lady Swan, who aided the Crown Prince, are the true hero of this war.”
As the Mage Tower Master heaped praise upon her, Rachel’s ears flushed red. She was grateful for his words, yet deeply embarrassed.
“Lady Swan, have confidence. Be bolder. After all, you are both the Crown Prince’s Fiancée and his great ally.”
His Fiancée and his great ally.
‘Am I truly worthy of such a significant role?’
Rachel’s ears grew even redder. Yet her heart did not feel troubled.
* * *
“Teacher!”
“Did you have a good visit to the Mage Tower?!”
Theo and Noah greeted Rachel. The two children, who had already finished their lessons and were playing with a ball, rushed over and each grasped one of her hands.
“Thanks to you both, I did.”
“Teacher, there are friends waiting to see you.”
“Friends? Waiting for me?”
“Your friends from Swan Knight Academy have all gathered to meet you!”
Theo and Noah couldn’t hide their excitement. Rachel too broke into a bright smile. How long had it been? Meeting the children was always a joy.
“Teacher!”
Five children waiting in the palace garden waved their hands. Rachel waved back toward them.
“Teacher, you’re amazing!”
“You protected us from Anareо, didn’t you?”
“I want to grow up to be an adult like you!”
All five children raised their voices at once. Rachel studied each of their faces carefully. Thankfully, they all seemed to be thriving.
“We saw something truly wonderful when we came to the Imperial Palace.”
Eckard spoke up.
“What did you see?”
“The things that Theo and Noah made.”
Theo and Noah were pursuing their dreams. They had shared their progress with Rachel through letters. Rachel had always supported them, especially given how earnestly they worked.
“Theo’s game was so much fun. I really enjoyed it.”
“I read the novel Noah wrote, and it truly moved me.”
The children spoke without hesitation, one after another. Rachel smiled warmly.
“Like Theo and Noah, I’d like to find something I love and do well too.”
Mare said carefully. Under normal circumstances, she might have been sarcastic, but instead she genuinely supported Noah.
“You’ll all find what you’re good at. I’ll help you, so let’s try together.”
Rachel reassured the children. The small change that Theo and Noah had created was gradually spreading its influence.
* * *
Rachel had an enormous amount of work ahead of her. The most significant was establishing educational institutions.
She would build schools throughout Tirnes—institutions where common people could receive universal education. That was her dream: to create a nation where everyone had access to learning.
While constructing the school buildings was essential, producing textbooks for them was equally vital. She resumed her work on writing textbooks, which she had paused for a time.
“Rachel.”
Lucas’s voice reached her ears. Rachel looked up from her work.
“Lucas.”
“Take a break while you work.”
Lucas set a teacup beside Rachel and gently tidied her disheveled hair.
“Actually, the textbooks are almost finished.”
“Wonderful news. I too have good news to share with you.”
“What is it?”
“The nobles have given up. Now you’ll be able to print the books you want using metal movable type.”
“Really? Truly?”
Rachel broke into the brightest smile at hearing such joyous news.
The nobles feared Lucas, who had returned victorious from war. And so they chose to bow their heads rather than defy him. The council session was utterly straightforward, and Lucas secured his victory with ease.
But that was not all.
Among those who supported the Crown Prince, there was even talk that the Emperor should cede his throne to him. They believed the Emperor should abdicate and make Lucas, the Crown Prince, the new Emperor.
This news could hardly have escaped Lucas’s ears. Yet he said nothing about it.
The Emperor and Empress, however, grew increasingly anxious. The Empress in particular, whose father had committed a grave transgression, lay awake at night, fearing her position might be seized at any moment.
Rachel was aware of this situation too. And so her every step was cautious. The thought that her actions might harm Lucas kept returning to her mind.
As Rachel stood beside Lucas, turning these worries over in her mind, she smiled again. After all, it was true that the process of making textbooks had become easier.
“Lucas, thank you so much.”
“It was a wish I should have granted long ago. I can only apologize for the delay.”
Lucas shook his head at her thanks. Then he grasped her hand firmly. The warmth from his palm spread through her entire body.
“Rachel.”
“Yes, Lucas.”
“Starting tomorrow, things may become complicated.”
“Complicated…?”
Lucas nodded.
“Whatever happens, I ask that you trust me and follow my lead.”
“I will, Lucas.”
Through countless trials, she had never once failed to trust the man before her.
Rachel made her vow. Just as she always had, she would trust him.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————