Chapter 378: The Foundation of an Empire [Part -2]

The Foundation of an Empire [Part -2]

He quietly watched them.

"Tell me..."

"What happens if every capable warrior dies?"

Eon answered first.

"The kingdom becomes weak."

Victor nodded.

"And what if every scholar dies?"

Brinda thought for a moment.

"...The next generation loses knowledge."

Victor turned back toward them.

"Exactly."

"A sword protects a nation today."

"But knowledge protects it for generations."

His calm voice echoed throughout the room.

"The nobles monopolized education."

"They taught only their own children."

"The common people remained unable to read."

"They couldn’t write."

"They couldn’t calculate."

"They couldn’t even understand the laws governing their own lives."

He gently tapped the city map.

"That ends today."

Eon slowly nodded.

"I never learned to read until recently."

"If someone had taught me as a child..."

"My life would’ve been completely different."

Victor smiled.

"And thousands of children deserve that same opportunity."

He pointed toward one of the abandoned noble estates marked on the map.

"This mansion belonged to a family that no longer exists."

"It has dozens of rooms..."

"A large courtyard..."

"And enough space to become an academy."

Ramona carefully studied the location.

"It’s close enough for citizens from every district."

Victor nodded approvingly.

"Exactly."

"It can be reached from almost anywhere inside Fantom City."

He continued outlining his vision.

"The academy will be divided into several levels."

"The first level teaches every student to read and write."

"No exceptions."

"The second level focuses on arithmetic."

"Managing money."

"Keeping records."

"Measuring land."

"Simple accounting."

He paused before continuing.

"The third level introduces history..."

"Geography..."

"Basic medicine..."

"And practical skills that improve everyday life."

Brinda blinked.

"...Basic medicine?"

Victor nodded.

"People should know how to clean wounds."

"Treat fevers."

"Recognize poisonous plants."

"A kingdom with educated citizens places less burden upon its healers."

The three looked at one another.

The more Victor explained...

The more enormous his vision became.

Victor continued walking around the table.

"The academy won’t judge people by birth."

"If someone sincerely wants to learn..."

"They’ll have a place."

"I don’t care whether they’re nobles..."

"Merchants..."

"Farmers..."

"Blacksmiths..."

"Former bandits..."

"Or adventurers."

"As long as they possess the desire to improve themselves..."

"They’re welcome."

Eon smiled.

"I like that."

Victor returned the smile.

"So do I."

Ramona folded her arms thoughtfully.

"My Lord..."

"Who will teach them?"

Victor answered without hesitation.

"The former nobles."

Brinda looked surprised.

"The nobles who surrendered?"

Victor nodded.

"They spent their entire lives studying."

"It would be foolish to waste their knowledge."

"They’ve already pledged loyalty."

"Now they’ll repay the people by teaching them."

Ramona slowly smiled.

"I doubt they expected their lives to end this way."

Victor chuckled.

"Neither did I."

The room relaxed as quiet laughter spread among them.

After a few moments...

Victor became serious once more.

"The academy will remain completely free."

"No tuition."

"No entrance fees."

"No hidden costs."

"The city will provide books."

"Writing materials."

"And meals for children who need them."

Eon looked genuinely shocked.

"...All of that?"

Victor nodded.

"Yes."

"But..."

"That must cost an incredible amount."

"It will."

Victor answered calmly.

"But it’s an investment."

"Not an expense."

He folded his arms.

"The wealth I obtained from clearing the dungeon..."

"Combined with the money earned from selling information..."

"Is more than enough to begin."

"I didn’t gather wealth merely to let it sit inside storage rings."

"Wealth should circulate."

"It should improve people’s lives."

"The richer the city becomes..."

"The stronger everyone becomes."

"The stronger everyone becomes..."

"The stronger Fantom City becomes."

Brinda quietly looked at Victor.

The admiration in her purple eyes deepened.

No wonder people willingly follow him...

He doesn’t think only about winning battles...

He thinks decades ahead...

Victor noticed her thoughtful expression.

"What is it?"

Brinda smiled softly.

"I was simply wondering..."

"...how far ahead you’ve already planned."

Victor answered honestly.

"Much further than this."

Everyone became curious.

He pointed toward another section of the map.

"Once the academy stabilizes..."

"We’ll establish specialized departments."

Ramona tilted her head.

"What kind?"

"Engineering."

"Agriculture."

"Medicine."

"Commerce."

"Military command."

"Architecture."

"Even magical research."

The room became completely silent again.

Victor continued.

"If we train one hundred capable builders..."

"The city expands."

"If we train one hundred skilled healers..."

"Fewer people die."

"If we train one hundred competent commanders..."

"Our army becomes stronger without increasing its numbers."

"And if we train one hundred honest officials..."

"The people will finally trust their government."

He smiled faintly.

"I don’t need millions of geniuses."

"I only need enough capable people to inspire everyone else."

Eon slowly inhaled.

"My Lord..."

"...I’ve never heard anyone speak like this before."

Victor laughed quietly.

"That’s because most rulers think only about today."

"I intend to build something that survives long after I’m gone."

Those words settled deeply inside everyone’s hearts.

After allowing them a few moments to absorb everything...

Victor shifted the discussion.

"Now..."

"Let’s speak about the military."

The atmosphere immediately became more serious.

Victor pointed toward Fantom City’s existing barracks.

"Our current soldiers possess courage."

"But courage alone isn’t enough."

"They require discipline."

"Coordination."

"Leadership."

"And purpose."

Ramona nodded firmly.

"I agree."

Victor looked directly at her.

"The Redcliffe Family has produced exceptional warriors for generations."

"That’s why I want your family to oversee the city’s military training."

Ramona placed a hand over her chest.

"It would be an honor."

Victor continued.

"I don’t simply want stronger soldiers."

"I want an organized army."

"One unit."

"One command."

"One purpose."

He pointed toward several nearby villages.

"I also want you to recruit young men and women who failed to become adventurers."

Ramona looked surprised.

"The failed applicants?"

Victor nodded.

"Many possess talent."

"They simply lacked opportunity."

"Instead of allowing that talent to disappear..."

"We’ll refine it."

"They’ll receive proper equipment."

"Regular salaries."

"Food."

"Training."

"And a chance to protect the people."

Eon smiled.

"Many would gladly accept."

Victor nodded.

"They’ll earn honor through service..."

"Not birth."

Ramona’s eyes shone with determination.

"My Lord..."

"I’ll personally oversee every stage of their training."

Victor smiled approvingly.

"I know you will."

He slowly rolled up the city map.

"Good."

"Now..."

"Let’s begin building the future."