The next day, all the 30 selected people came to Adrian’s residence as they had been told.
Adrian turned to Ronald and said that he should teach them how to read and write first.
After that, Adrian would take over and teach them more advanced knowledge.
Ronald, however, objected.
“Your Highness, you cannot educate these people. They are not chosen by the gods like us, and hence were born poor and uncivilized.”
For a moment, Adrian couldn’t believe what he had heard.
How is Ronald opposing me?
And that too so firmly?
Adrian briefly thought that he should get rid of Ronald, but he immediately held back that thought.
He realized that this was not merely a problem with Ronald.
It could be a problem with the entire Kingdom of Asterra.
He wanted to rule Asterra one day.
He just couldn’t simply kill everyone who disagreed with him.
So, he decided to reason with Ronald first.
“How do you determine whether someone was chosen by God or not, Ronald?”
Ronald answered without hesitation.
“It’s simple, Your Highness. Anyone chosen by the gods is born into an affluent household and lives a leisurely life.”
Adrian immediately held his head.
Caste discrimination in this world, based on birth?
Thank God this world doesn’t have a power system.
I wonder what would have happened if it did exist.
It doesn’t, right?
Adrian wanted to ask Ronald more about the world, but there was another problem at hand.
“Ronald, just trust me. These people are chosen by God.”
Ronald looked confused.
“Who do you think created these people, Ronald?”
Ronald fell into thought for a moment, but he still wanted to object.
“Your Highness—”
“Don’t say another word. Just trust me this once.”
Adrian looked at him with a baby face that was almost about to cry.
Ronald held himself back for the moment, but he was clearly displeased with the matter of teaching them himself.
Whenever he looked at the people Adrian had chosen, there was a clear look of disdain in his eyes.
He decided to trust his prince and went ahead with teaching them.
Adrian noticed the look in Ronald’s eyes, but he also noticed that Ronald continued to perform his duties wonderfully.
It’s a good thing I decided not to kill him.
Adrian then began thinking.
If Ronald has beliefs this strong, what about my guards?
What if they have the same beliefs and resent me for teaching the “unchosen”?
They might choose not to protect me when I need them the most.
He called all his guards together and asked them what they thought about the matter.
Some replied that they didn’t care about religion at all.
Others said that they were guards.
They only guarded their master.
Whatever their master did was up to him, as long as they were paid regularly.
Hearing the second answer left Adrian confused.
Are they loyal, or are they just greedy for money?
He decided to leave the question alone for now.
After all, he knew he would be rolling in cash soon enough once the bank starts running .
A letter from the capital arrived for Adrian.
As he read it, he let out a deep sigh.
Ronald immediately noticed.
“What happened, Your Highness?”
Adrian sighed again.
“The pig tree has borne fruit, and now I must—”
“Your Highness!”
Ronald immediately interrupted him.
“You cannot slander the King. It is all right for now because only I heard it, but what do you think would happen if those words reached the King’s ears?”
Adrian felt exhausted.
Arguing about the laws and customs of this medieval society was pointless.
He needed to change them.
But he also knew that he would face fierce resistance from the people if he tried.
Thinking about all this, Adrian retired to his bed.
As they were about to leave, Adrian noticed that Ronald was also preparing to come with him.
Adrian looked at him in surprise.
“Why are you coming with me?”
Ronald gave him a confused expression, as though the answer were obvious.
“Isn’t it natural, Your Highness?”
Adrian frowned.
“You are supposed to continue their education and oversee the territory for me. Time is of the essence here.”
Upon hearing this, Ronald sulked.
He reluctantly returned to his work and, perhaps in frustration, began taking it out on his subordinates by overworking them.
Adrian departed for the capital once again to see his mother and the little sibling who was the reason for his return.
On the way, he encountered many knights.
When he asked them why there were so many of them on the road, the knights told him about the bandit attack on the slave merchants a few days earlier.
Since this was an important trade route, bandits could not be tolerated.
Adrian thought about it for a moment.
I probably should have buried the slave merchants instead of making it look like the work of bandits but nothing can be done now anyways.
He continued on his journey.
Soon enough, Adrian reached his mother’s residence in the Royal Palace.
The place was still heavily guarded, even though months had passed since the little stunt he had pulled.
He was greeted by Talia, who had been waiting for the Prince after receiving news of his arrival.
After being greeted by her, Adrian went straight to see his mother and his new sibling.
Talia informed him that his mother was resting.
Adrian decided not to disturb her for the time being.
Instead, he turned toward Talia.
“So, is it a brother or a sister?”
“A sister, Your Highness.”
Adrian nodded.
Talia continued.
“The King has already visited her.”
Adrian was slightly surprised.
The King had also named the child himself.
Unlike Adrian, who had been named by his mother because the King had been too busy at the time, this child had already received the King’s attention.
Her name was:
Serena Valcrest.