Chapter 14: A Celebratory Pot of Hare Stew

For the third time, Mia strolled blithely down the now-familiar path leading to the Wandering Wiseman’s abode. Unlike the previous two days, however, she was not greeted by the same scene at the clearing. As soon as the small tent came into view, she noticed a difference.

“That’s...”

An old man was standing in front of the tent. His hair and beard were gray but fine, and he exuded the aura of a forest sage.

So, that must be Ludwig’s master. What a shame. If only he’d waited one more day. The leverage I’d have by then would have been truly decisive. She felt a pang of disappointment, but she quickly shook it off. Still, I’ve got more than enough to work with as is. When you missed our first meeting, you left me an opening, and I took it. That was your critical mistake. Now, it’s all over, because I’m definitely not going to leave any openings for you!

With the air of a gladiator entering a match rigged in her favor, she approached the Wandering Wiseman...

“Greetings. The Wandering Wiseman, I presume? My name is Mia Lunia—”

...And immediately fumbled her delivery. So much for not leaving any openings. In a duel of decorum fought through words, stumbling over your own name was more or less the equivalent of tripping over your own feet and face planting in the ring. She cursed her unreliable tongue.

Gah! For the love of— Why now of all times?! Before the panic could take hold, she quickly switched gears. Okay, hold on. I’ll just start over, and it’ll be fine. That was a tiny slip-up. It doesn’t count. Besides, what he did was way worse. I still have the advantage.

After a moment’s pause, she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders.

“My name is Mia Luna Tearmoon, Princess of the Tearmoon Empire, and it would be my pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness, and the honor as well. My name is Galvanus Arminios, and I am humbled by your presence.”

The old man looked upon her with a pair of eyes that emitted a deep brilliance, as though they held an ocean of knowledge. There was a quiet intensity to his gaze that told her legs they should be shuffling backward as quickly as possible, but she managed to stop them before she embarrassed herself again. With her feet firmly planted, she looked him over. He was in full ceremonial dress—the sort that would be sufficiently formal for an audience with the emperor. It occurred to her then that she’d made a terrible mistake.

Mia was currently wearing the clothes she’d borrowed from the Lulu. Made of thick, furry pelts, they were delightful to the touch and perfect for sleeping. In fact, she definitely needed a set for herself to wear while lolling around in bed. The workmanship was top-notch, and they were extremely comfortable. The problem was that they were definitely not the kind of clothes one could wear to a meeting with important people.

Ugh, I should have changed into proper clothes before coming here. Damn it, Ludwig! You didn’t tell me this old geezer would show up wearing formal dress in the middle of a forest!

She shot a furtive glare at Ludwig before molding her face into a smile.

“My, your attire is rather...striking. I’d heard from Ludwig that you are in favor of dressing pragmatically. That is, the clothes should suit the occasion. Was he wrong?”

“Not at all, Your Highness. I have indeed donned the most appropriate dress for this occasion, for the occasion is your visit. And now that you are here, I must beg your forgiveness for my previous insolence.”

At that, he dropped to his knees and prostrated himself before her, head mere inches from the ground. The gesture caught Mia off guard. She hesitated for a moment. Then she replied with a gentle smile.

“My forgiveness? Never. We are the ones who have come to ask a favor. It is only natural that we wait for you to make the time.”

Oho ho, I have you now. Forgive you just like that? Think again! Do you have any idea how insolent you were? You were so insolent! If you want my forgiveness, then you’d better be good and accept our terms!

On the outside, she just kept smiling.

“I must say though, I’m so very glad we’ve finally met. Your reputation precedes you, and we’ve come with a request.”

“Absolutely, Your Highness. Your wish is my command.”

“I realize that you might not— Wait, what?” She had to blink a few times before the meaning of his reply registered. “U-Uh, I don’t believe I’ve told you what it is we’d like you to do.”

“The particulars matter not, Your Highness, so long as you wish it. If you wish for me to acquire intelligence from foreign nations, then I shall infiltrate them myself and slip in amongst their crowds. If you wish for me to go to the frontlines with a spear in hand, then I shall sharpen its blade and charge with the vanguard.” He lifted his head and looked at her, his eyes still imbued with that quiet intensity. “You need only speak it. So tell me, Your Highness. What is your wish?”

Wh-What in the moons is happening?

His proclamation of fealty left Mia thoroughly befuddled. Only with great effort did she manage to rally enough of her wits to process the implications. For reasons unclear to her, her opponent in this negotiation had just offered her a direct path to victory. Her skin began tingling. She’d missed the feeling. It was the sensation of a cresting wave under her feet—the kind that would push her up and over her immediate hurdles. Being a veteran surfer of figurative waves, she wasn’t about to let this one go. In fact, she’d better hop on it before it changed its mind. She promptly explained her request.

“My wish...” she said, promptly explaining her request, “is to have you be the headmaster of the school I’m building.”

“A school, you say...”

“Yes. Princess Town is currently being built in Viscount Berman’s domain. I plan to turn it into an academy city, where gifted children from across the empire will gather...”

“Gifted children? How exactly do you—”

“Regarding that, Master,” interjected Ludwig, “Her Highness has already acquired the cooperation of the Central Orthodox Church. She intends to have gifted children from the orphanages sent to the school, where they will be enrolled for free.”

“I see. It’s certainly true that proficiency in using one’s mind depends not on wealth or status... The insight Her Highness displays is most impressive...”

Ludwig’s comment seemed to resonate with the old man, and he nodded fervently at his student before turning back toward Mia, his eyes now brimming with admiration. Upon meeting his approving gaze, Mia’s smile grew just the slightest bit smug.

Hm-hmm! That’s right! I am impressive! Tell it like it is, old man!

She was never one to pass up a chance to gloat, even if she only did so in her own head.

“And that’s not all, Master, for Her Highness’s plans go even further. She sees these children as the next generation of young talent. They will be positioned to effect significant reform, and through them, she hopes to fundamentally eradicate the toxic anti-agriculturalist beliefs that plague the empire to this day.”

The old man gasped with audible amazement. “Weeping willows, Ludwig! Are you serious? That’s...”

He looked once again at Mia, this time with double the admiration. She, rather than gloating twice as hard, merely lifted an eyebrow.

Say what now?

Her primary—and maybe only significant—goal with respect to Saint Mia Academy was making sure Cyril Rudolvon successfully developed that new strain of wheat. Toxic anti-agriculturalist beliefs were something she neither cared about nor understood. Not that it mattered, of course...

Well, I have no idea what Ludwig’s talking about, but since it’s coming from him, it can’t hurt to go along with it. Besides, his master seems to like the idea too.

...Because Mia wasn’t in the business of gauging the merits of policy and procedure. She was all about riding every wave that came her way. So, she put her hands on her hips and proudly thrust out her chin.

“That’s exactly right.”

“To that end,” added Ludwig, “Her Highness is already thinking about employing a Perujin princess as a lecturer.”

“Perujin, eh? The agricultural country... Their expertise is undoubtedly of great value to the empire,” said the wiseman, pausing to think for a moment before continuing. “You realize...that if it all works out as planned... This is going to be a landmark accomplishment. The kind that changes the very course of history.” Emotion crept into his voice and gaze as he went on. “Who would have thought...that at the end of my life, when I should have nothing left but to wait for my aging flesh to rot off my bones... I’d instead be granted the chance to assist in such a glorious undertaking.”

What in the moons are they going on about...

Meanwhile, Mia had no clue what the two men were getting so excited about. Feeling rather lost, she figured she’d at least make sure her original objective would be fulfilled.

“I’m glad you two find this topic so interesting, but if I could just confirm with the Wandering Wiseman—”

“Please, Your Highness,” interrupted the old man. “You are the Great Sage of the Empire. As your vassal, I can hardly have you referring to me as a ‘wiseman.’ Call me Galv.”

“Well, if you say so. Galv, then. Allow me to make a formal request. Would you be willing to take on the role of headmaster at my academy?”

Galv the Wandering Wiseman lowered his head in a deep bow and answered in a tone of real reverence.

“It would be my absolute honor, Your Highness.”

She looked down at his inclined head and felt a swelling sense of triumph.

Hah! Like I thought! He is a total pushover!

She beamed with intense satisfaction. So genuine was her delight that it actually masked the smugness of her grin.

“Oh, that reminds me. Could I interest you in some dinner, Galv? Now that we’ve finally met, I’d like to commemorate the occasion with a modest feast, and I’d love for you to join us.”

That night, a great feast was held in the Lulu village with the Wandering Wiseman in attendance. The main dish was the hare stew that Mia had requested.

“Gadzooks! There are few things in the world I enjoy more than hare stew. I can’t believe you went out of your way to prepare this for me...”

Moved by her ostensibly thoughtful choice of cuisine, the Wandering Wiseman redoubled his commitment toward the princess, swearing to serve her with all his heart and soul.