The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 47

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 47
Rachel had frequented the Night Market often before. She believed that the chicken skewers sold there were the only truly authentic ones.
‘I wonder if they have something like that here?’
She suspected they might. The cooking method wasn’t particularly complicated.
Rachel smiled to herself, imagining the chicken skewer tasting session that awaited her.
“Wow!”
“This is amazing!”
“I wish the Night Market opened every day!”
The moment they stepped out of the Villa, children’s voices rang out. The youngsters scampered about in all directions, clutching small toys.
Rachel found them utterly endearing. Watching their animated excitement lifted her spirits without reason.
Lucas seemed to feel much the same way, his expression softening into a genuinely tender smile.
‘So he doesn’t just love his siblings—he loves children in general.’
It appeared clear that he was fond of children. Or rather, to be precise, he seemed fond of all the people of the Empire.
“Ah…!”
One of the children dashing about suddenly stumbled, nearly falling headlong. Lucas moved swiftly to catch the child’s arm, steadying them without incident.
“Be careful now.”
“Wow, you’re so cool!”
Lucas cut quite an impressive figure in the children’s eyes. They gazed up at him with wide, gleaming eyes.
For reasons she couldn’t quite name, Rachel felt a curious warmth bloom in her own chest.
“Try not to fall, alright?”
“Yes, we will.”
Lucas straightened after patting the children’s heads. The darkness of evening limited their visibility, but it was plain enough that he was smiling with genuine pleasure.
‘If someone like him became Emperor, he’d truly cherish the people of the Empire.’
Rachel’s imagination wandered into the future, picturing Lucas on the throne. And then she wondered who would stand beside him there.
Faceless nobles materialized at his side, debating policy and shaping the Empire’s destiny.
But in that vision, there was no Rachel. No herself.
‘Not that it bothers me particularly.’
What right did she have, after all? It was only natural she couldn’t claim such a place. And yet something in the depths of her heart rose up in protest—a disappointment so presumptuous it almost embarrassed her.
‘What’s gotten into me?’
She’d never entertained such thoughts before. The novelty of it caught her off guard.
“Wow, cool mister—can you read?”
“Of course. Handsome men like him can all read, I bet.”
“Lucky. I wish I could read storybooks too.”
The children spoke their innocent wishes. As expected, not a single one among them could read.
‘It would be simple enough to build a school in the village.’
The Empire could train teachers and station them in villages across the realm—problem solved. And raising the average education level of the Empire’s children would naturally raise the Empire’s own standards. Surely that was good for everyone.
‘Though the nobles would never allow it. Not for anything.’
The conservative aristocrats who viewed literacy as their exclusive possession would never stand idle while such a thing came to pass.
‘I wonder what the Crown Prince thinks about this.’
Rachel glanced sideways at Lucas. Unlike other nobles, he possessed a remarkably open mind. Perhaps he held views that differed from theirs.
“Lucas.”
Something drew her to speak his name aloud—almost as if she were entranced.
“What is it?”
Lucas answered gently, his gaze still fixed upon the children with such tenderness.
“When we went out to buy gifts for the children’s holiday last time, and even now, I’ve noticed how many youngsters cannot read.”
“You’re right. Most of the Empire’s common people lack literacy.”
“I’m genuinely troubled by it. If people can’t read, they’re vulnerable to deception and harm in countless ways.”
“I agree. I believe the issue of literacy requires a fundamental solution.”
“Your Highness, this is merely my humble thought, but…”
Encouraged by his receptiveness, Rachel proceeded with her proposal.
“If the Empire were to build institutions like Swan Knights Academy throughout the realm to educate children, we could work toward solving this problem.”
“Build schools?”
“Yes. The Empire would train teachers and assign them to these schools. That way, far more children would have access to education.”
Rachel spoke her thoughts without hesitation.
“And further, I believe parents who refuse to send their children to school should face penalties. With such measures in place, most parents would comply, and the number of children working the streets or toiling away would drop sharply.”
Rachel ventured further into the concept of compulsory education. In her homeland, when children didn’t attend school, their parents faced punishment. This way, children could be freed from labor.
“Parents who currently profit from their children’s labor wouldn’t welcome such a policy at all.”
Lucas narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
“No, they wouldn’t. Those families are so poor they rely on their children’s work. Losing that labor would hurt them. So we’d need to provide enough benefit to make sending children to school feel worthwhile even for them.”
“For instance?”
“What if children’s breakfast and lunch were provided by the school? For families struggling just to get by, that would feel like a tremendous advantage.”
Having said this much, I felt my chest lighten. At last, I’d finally spoken what I’d been holding back all this time.
“There is nothing in what you propose that I would find reason to oppose. And yet.”
Lucas paused mid-stride. He met Rachel’s gaze directly.
“The most crucial question in any undertaking is where the funds will come from. What you’ve described would require substantial resources.”
“Well, I don’t think the means are entirely absent.”
“Not entirely absent?”
“Wouldn’t it be solved rather easily if we levied taxes on the nobility?”
What Rachel found most absurd about this world was that the nobility, who controlled the vast majority of the wealth, paid no taxes at all.
‘That makes no sense.’
She herself, being a noble, benefited from the exemption. But this was clearly something that needed to change.
Of course, there would be tremendous resistance.
“It would certainly help secure the funds. But you’d face enormous opposition, wouldn’t you?”
“…Yes, I suppose you’re right about that.”
Rachel smiled awkwardly. What noble would willingly pay taxes? They would surely cry out that they were being made equal to commoners. Some might even become his enemies.
“Rachel.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t you wish to actually bring these things to fruition?”
“To actually bring them to fruition?”
“Yes. To levy taxes on the nobility, to build schools. I’m curious whether you’d be willing to take the lead and make all of this happen.”
“If it means the children of the Empire could live better lives, I would certainly step forward. But…whether I could do it well is another matter entirely.”
Taking on such a thing meant stepping into politics. Politics. She had never participated in anything so grand before.
The largest thing she had done was merely becoming principal of Swan Knights Academy. Throwing herself into the Empire’s political arena would far surpass even that.
“Rachel.”
Lucas’s voice carried a gravity unlike anything before.
Rachel drew a deep breath and looked at him. A gentle breeze stirred between them. Her long hair caught the wind, brushing softly against the back of his hand.
“If you lend me your strength, I will see to the establishment of the school you envision.”
“You would establish the school for me?”
“I intend to levy taxes on the nobility to build schools. So, will you not come to the Imperial Palace? The Imperial Magic Tower has need of you.”
Lucas had made his request. For her to come to the Imperial Magic Tower.

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