The meeting had begun.
Viscount Rudious sat at the head of the long oak table. He looked at the faces around him — ministers, commanders, knights. All present. All waiting.
"First," he began, his voice steady and carrying across the quiet room. "I want to congratulate everyone here. Thirteen years ago, we built this town together. Today, Velrend stands as proof of what that work was worth."
A unified applause filled the hall.
Rudious raised a hand. It stopped instantly.
"Now. Let us discuss where we stand."
---
Butler Hans stepped forward. He unrolled a thick parchment and read without pause.
"Progress and Achievements of Velrend. Velrend is now officially recognized as a Viscounty — witnessed by King Solaris and Duke Celius themselves. Our military unit placed in the top ten at the Capital competition. We export grain, winter clothing, herbs, and iron. We have established our name in the Capital and expanded our trade into luxury silks and fabrics."
Hans rolled the parchment, bowed slightly, and stepped back.
Rudious leaned forward, hands resting on the table.
"Good. Now — to the real matters. Present your reports."
Four hands went up at once.
Rudious scanned them. "Capital first. Sir Squire."
---
Sir Velrond Squire stood. Posture rigid. Military.
"My Lord. Your suspicions were correct. Greedy eyes are watching our iron mines." He slid a folded paper down the table. "The list of names is there. Aside from that, the Capital remains stable. However — the Corrupted have awakened again. The Royal Knights received intelligence that Cultists have been sighted on the continent. And certain foreign kingdoms are quietly supporting them."
He paused.
"That is all, My Lord."
He sat.
Rudious tapped a finger against the table. "Dig deeper. If anything else surfaces — report immediately."
"Next."
---
Sir Cont rose, half-armor clinking slightly.
"My Lord — following Sir Squire's report — the border regions are showing anomalies. Several regular monsters have vanished over the past few days. And last night... my men killed a Corrupted beast near the border." A pause. "We also need to begin the new recruitment phase for the Border Force."
"Start the recruitment," Rudious said. "And every single Corrupted sighting — I want to know."
Sir Cont bowed and sat.
---
Byonis Mouny stood next, ledger already in hand.
"My Lord. The supplies for the North have been arranged. Materials have been delivered to the Alchemist Guild. Raw iron from the mines has been distributed to our blacksmiths. Here is the full report on our branch operations across the other counties and the Dukedom."
He handed the ledger forward and sat.
---
Jolly Velrend, the Minister of Finance, stood last among the civilians. He looked quite pleased with himself.
"My Lord — financial growth this quarter has been exceptional. We are on the verge of clearing our entire debt. Road construction within the town is complete. Even after allocating funds for the border wall, security, and servant wages — our reserves are heavily stocked."
He placed his ledger on the table and sat.
---
The room went quiet.
Rudious listened to the remaining reports in silence. When the last minister had spoken, he looked around the table.
"Good. Now — the primary issue for which this meeting was called."
He let the silence hold for a moment.
"We have worked hard for years to reach this position. But power is not only swords and magic. There are children in Velrend who are not suited for the military. Children who want to become scholars, researchers, financiers. Until now, we had no answer for them." He paused. "We need to establish a basic education system here in Velrend. Not everyone can afford the Capital Academy. Until a child can stand on their own feet — they will be educated here."
Murmurs broke across the table.
A hand went up at the far end.
"Speak, Max Ryuturn."
---
Max stood. His expression was respectful — but firm.
"My Lord... forgive my boldness. But will Young Master Drake and the others continue training privately with Sir Jorald? Or will they go to the Capital? And if they go — will others go with them?"
A few ministers frowned. Someone muttered — *"What kind of question is that?"*
Rudious raised a hand. The murmurs stopped.
He looked directly at Max. "Explain your question."
"What I mean to say, My Lord —" Max held his gaze. "If we commoners cannot afford the Capital fees... will your children be studying here alongside ours?"
The room went very still.
"I see." Rudious's expression didn't shift. He looked at Max for a long moment, then spoke clearly — so that everyone heard.
"Drake is currently receiving basic education and training from Sir Jorald. If it were not for the Royal Rule, I would not send him to the Capital at all. But the Academy builds political connections and affects our standing. That is why he will go." He paused. "However — I am not saying only my son will go. Any child in Velrend — regardless of birth — who is capable and passes the entrance exam will be sent to the Capital. Velrend will support them."
Max let out a slow breath. "Thank you, My Lord."
"And Max." Rudious's voice softened slightly. "Your son — Deus Ryuturn, isn't it?"
Max blinked. "Yes, My Lord."
"He has talent. Have him try for the Magic Academy when the time comes."
A proud smile broke across Max's face — the kind a father can't help. "Absolutely, My Lord."
---
Rudious shifted the tone back.
"Thanks to the Falcon Knights, our relations with the North are stable. But the threat is growing — and winter is here." He looked down the table. "Minister Jolly."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Prepare the supply lists. Grain, vegetables, food — everything we need imported before the snow blocks the roads."
"Border Security."
"Yes, My Lord," Sir Cont answered.
"Tighten everything. Monsters grow desperate in extreme cold. Expect attacks."
"Understood, My Lord."
"Minister Byonis — research winter-resistant crops. Seeds we can cultivate ourselves."
"At once, My Lord."
---
Rudious looked around the room one final time.
"Any questions?"
Silence.
"Good." He sat back. "We are at the end of the year. Congratulations once again — thirteen years of Velrend. Happy New Year to you all."
He gestured toward the doors.
"The civilian ministers are dismissed."
The ministers stood, bowed deeply, and began filing out.
Then —
"However."
Rudious's voice cut through the air.
The footsteps slowed.
"Sir Squire. Sir Cont. Sir Jorald. And the rest of the knights — you stay."
The heavy oak doors closed.
The warmth of the congratulations was gone. What remained in the room was different — heavier. The kind of silence that settles before something serious is said.
Rudious looked at his commanders.
"I kept you back because a massive problem is heading our way."
---
**[Chapter 23 — End]**