Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 917: Choice For Cradle II

“Where is Lady Kroft now?” Alex inquired.

“She is at Cradle as the Headmaster of the institution,” Alpha replied.

“You had someone intended for the Empire’s Chancellor acting as the Headmaster? Are you looking to get us into conflict with the Chancellor and a Grand Duchy?” Udara asked with a stern expression.

“Don’t worry, my lady. We had a team of cosmetic alchemists and healers change the faces of Lady Kroft and her brother. We also helped them forge new identities in a backwater barony—at least, enough to pass any identity checks,” Alpha revealed.

Udara heaved a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Alex had a queer expression on his face.

‘It never ceases to amaze me how many parallels this world has with my previous one. Plastic Surgery Alchemists and healers…’ He chuckled to himself.

“With her brother also enjoying the benefits of being an Echelon member within the educational institute, Lady Kroft has completely thrown herself into turning the institution into the premier Cradle of learning on the Plane,” Alpha said.

‘Pun intended, huh…’ Alex gave her an amused look.

Alpha looked at Alex and smiled. “I had her prepare a proposed policy framework for the institution. Her policies actually aligned quite broadly with your intentions.”

“Really?” Alex was intrigued.

“Her target goal for the institution was one of meritocracy, with a blend of flexible support for students who need it. This way, students who have the merit are supported, while students who are struggling are not left behind completely,” Alpha said.

“Makes sense. An educational institution doesn’t only exist to aid intellectually gifted students. It is also there to build the intellect and literacy of intellectually struggling students, as long as the student is willing to put in the effort,” Alex said.

“She said something similar,” Alpha said. “In addition to this, she also came up with a similar recruitment initiative targeting orphanages. There are many orphanages across the Empire, and many of them are barely running. It would be very easy to recruit talented children from these orphanages—even less talented children can be trained into doggedly loyal recruits for our organisations.”

“Essentially, she came up with a similar recruitment initiative as yours, only that you are also targeting minor nobility, fallen nobles and family members of our organisation’s members.”

“Oh… the more I hear, the more I am liking this new Headmaster you’ve found.” Alex smiled. “I can’t believe the Salvatorres gave up such a talent.”

“That’s the problem with old, rigid aristocrats. They believe too much in their bloodline and the superiority of their progeny—and would rather invest in their own scions rather than ‘waste’ a fraction of that on mere orphans,” Alpha said.

Alex shook his head.

“While it is true that valuable resources are often found in known locations, it doesn’t mean that rarer and even more valuable treasures cannot rise from cesspools. It is just a matter of having the will and patience to search for them,” he said.

Alex smiled. “It is like the age-old argument of which is better: a massive treasure that can make up for years of searching, or a constant, steady stream of sufficiently useful resources.

“The old aristocratic families tend to favour the latter. It is predictable and steady, after all. I, on the other hand, am greedy, and I wish for both.”

He admitted this with a grin.

“I plan on visiting Cradle before heading back to Verdantis. I will meet and see for myself the brilliance of this Headmaster we have taken the risk of offending a Grand Duchy and the Chancellor to acquire,” Alex said.

“I am certain you won’t be disappointed,” Alpha replied.

Alex simply nodded.

Alpha got on the magic table and brought up a different matter.

The map on the screen zoomed in to the eastern border of the Virellian Empire—specifically, the area of the Wastelander Fiefdom, DragonMourn Highland and the western border of the Nearmarch Confederacy.

“We have found multiple pieces of intelligence that confirm House Wastelander, House Machholt and a secret organisation are making moves from within the border of the Empire towards Confederate lands,” Alpha said.

“The three are working together? What about the Reicharts?” Alex asked.

“All intelligence points to the alliance of Alric Wastelander, Otto Reichart and Erman Machholt being a temporary one, with the goal of eliminating you, Master. Once their move took place, the three haven’t made any contact.”

“The Wastelanders’ initiative, led by Alric Wastelander, and that of the Machholts, led by Erman, seemed to be operating independently, as there is evidence that the two men are backing different Council states within the Confederacy.

“The only evidence of support or collusion we have found is between Alric Wastelander and an unknown force. Otto Machholt seems to be acting alone—with the support of his Clan.”

‘I posed a threat to the three Houses’ grand scheme, so their scions worked together to eliminate me and earn brownie points with their elders. Once they succeeded, they probably went back to doing their own things.’

Alex’s eyes flashed.

‘The Machholts are known for their political and strategic acumen. I wouldn’t be surprised if Otto Machholt noticed that Alric was up to something, eventually figuring out that he was planning to move against the Confederacy with the help of an unknown power.

‘Otto must have concluded that he could piggyback on the move to earn some benefits for House Machholt.’

His fingers began tapping on the armrest.

‘Knowing how the old foxes of centuries-long aristocratic Houses like the Machholts scheme, they must have decided to give Otto some support for his plan. If he fails, it would serve as a training course for him, while if he succeeds, or at least creates a possibility of success, it wouldn’t be too late for the old foxes to step in and secure the victory.’

His thoughts expanded further.

Alex came to an understanding of the intentions of the parties involved based on his own deductions, but also thanks to the insights subtly fed to him by Orion.

There was only one piece of the puzzle that remained.

Even though he could use Orion to access the information in the C.I.N., Alex didn’t, choosing instead to listen to Alpha’s more experienced insight.

“What do you think about the secret organisation Alric is working with?” he asked.

“Lady Joselin Holt’s treason, the attempted Legendary assassination on your life, as well as the corruption of the Space Mages during your Interplanar Expedition… I believe this unknown partner of Alric’s is connected to them,” Alpha replied immediately.

‘As expected…’ Alex sighed.