Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

Of course, empathy was only in her heart.

In a secret cabin outside Grandis Academy, Milia met with the cult's terrorist attack force.

It was no exaggeration to say that they had scraped together all the elite forces the Wish Cult could muster.

Milia quietly looked at Malton among them.

Her former ally.

And current enemy.

"I've heard your esteemed opinion, Paladin Captain."

"…It sounds like you're implying something."

"No, I truly think it's a good idea. I've considered it myself."

Despite his impure intentions, Malton's words weren't wrong. It was no exaggeration to say that Milia was currently on a leash held by the Finance Director.

This was an important plan that would determine the rise and fall of the Wish Cult. Being unilaterally led in such a plan wasn't a good thing. If things went wrong, the cult's elite forces could be wiped out on the whim of the Finance Director.

At first glance, it seemed like a reasonable point that anyone could raise. If she gave a wrong answer here, Milia wouldn't look good.

And naturally…

Pope Milia had prepared an excellent response.

"If we kidnap the Finance Director and hold him hostage, we could negotiate with the academy. If we fail to retrieve the sacred treasure this time, we could demand an exchange for the Finance Director."

"Then why—"

"But you're saying this knowing that Finance Director Adam Keynes is the Headmistress's closest confidant, right?"

"…The Headmistress."

"That monster will become truly hostile towards the Wish Cult."

And the moment they became hostile towards the Headmistress, the plan and the rise and fall of the cult wouldn't matter. They would be doomed anyway.

Practically all the high-ranking members and elite forces of the cult, except for the Cult Leader and a few bishops, were gathered here. If the Headmistress wiped them all out, including Malton, the Wish Cult would be finished that day.

The Cult Leader was the pinnacle of the Wish Cult, but he couldn't leave the cult's sanctuary.

"…Isn't the Headmistress already hostile towards our cult?"

"The Finance Director told me. The Headmistress doesn't think much of the cult. She simply considers us one of the many forces that attacked the academy in its early days."

"...…"

Milia's words caused a stir among the group. It was understandable. The academy, which they considered their enemy, didn't even consider them as such.

Just as a lion wouldn't consider a mantis an enemy, the cult still hadn't recovered from the losses they suffered during the academy's sacred treasure retrieval operation decades ago.

The Headmistress didn't really consider them much of a threat. Someone even let out a sigh of frustration.

"That's why this terrorist attack was even possible. And Paladin Captain, your suggestion is to cross a line with the Headmistress from which there is no return."

"The terrorist attack itself is crossing a line from which there is no return… Damn it."

Even after infiltrating and attacking once, this was how they were treated. Would the second time be any different?

Of course, the situation was different from the early days of Grandis Academy, but seeing how that Finance Director fellow approved of the terrorist attack, it seemed like the Headmistress wouldn't truly become hostile towards the cult.

After Milia's persuasion, or rather, explanation, the others murmured amongst themselves.

"She won't become hostile towards our cult even with the terrorist attack? Isn't that too arrogant?"

"It's understandable for a Rank 8 to be arrogant. Haven't you seen that devil… that saint from the Holy Kingdom? Moreover, the Holy Kingdom's saint is the newest among the Rank 8s, so her power must be weak. She can't compare to the Human Slaughterer."

"That woman was once called the Mad Dragon, and there was talk of subjugating her. If it weren't for her contributions in the Kingdom's civil war, the Kingdom would have already used all its power to kill her. And that monster is the Headmistress of the academy? Huh."

As expected, with the Headmistress being who she was, no compliments were uttered. Rather, their words were filled with fear towards her.

It had been decades, but she was the woman who single-handedly annihilated the archbishop, bishops, and elite followers of the Wish Cult during its prime. Considering that the archbishop was Rank 7 at the time, and some of the other bishops were also Rank 7, with even a few Rank 6 followers among them, it was a truly formidable force.

The forces they had painstakingly gathered for the sacred treasure retrieval operation were all killed. And the Headmistress didn't even seem to care much about such a force.

The monster who had instilled trauma in the Wish Cult.

Although no one suggested turning back, fear lingered in the eyes of the followers.

"…Still, that was decades ago."

"Paladin Captain Malton?"

"Of course, the Headmistress is Rank 8, an incredibly powerful being… but she has been the Headmistress of the academy for decades, she must have become rusty."

"...…"

Even if someone was superhuman, a monster, decades weren't a short time. The Headmistress had been staying at the academy for that long, without engaging in proper battles.

It was only natural that her skills would have dulled compared to her prime decades ago. Normally, she would have declined in rank or even died of old age. She was only holding on because she was Rank 8.

That's what Malton was implying.

It was a vain hope, but…

It was practically the only hope for the Wish Cult.

But Milia's gaze remained unchanged.

"So, are you suggesting we kidnap him?"

"…What?"

"Saying the Headmistress has become rusty means you think she's still manageable, doesn't it? You're saying that you can kidnap the Finance Director and Paladin Captain Malton can hold off the enraged Headmistress, right?"

"If that sounds provocative, is it just my imagination?"

"I'm just trying to understand. Kidnapping the Finance Director is the worst possible move. Not only would we have to face the enraged Headmistress, but it would also escalate things unnecessarily."

"Unnecessarily? Ha! What if we trust the Finance Director and expect things to go smoothly, only to be ambushed by the Headmistress? After all, it was that Finance Director who said the cult isn't considered an enemy! We're just striking first!"

"That's nothing but a hasty move."

"Even so, at least we won't be caught off guard!"

As the argument between Milia and Malton grew longer and their voices grew louder,

The masked man, who had been silent, quietly approached.

"Paladin Captain Malton."

"…Archbishop."

"There's no point in discussing that further. According to the Cult Leader's order, we must follow Follower Milia's instructions after joining her."

"But!"

"I understand the risks you're talking about, but Follower Milia's words aren't entirely unfounded. More importantly, I heard that this cabin was prepared by that Finance Director."

"That's correct."

"If all of this is a trap and the Headmistress ambushes us, this would be the perfect place. But there's no one approaching."

"…!!"

Had he been silent all this time because he was monitoring the surroundings?

The Archbishop, like Malton, only reached Rank 7 with the help of Dark Sword's power, but even before that, he was a talent who was expected to reach Rank 7 on his own. He only joined the cult after suffering an unfortunate accident and wearing a mask.

The Archbishop assessed the situation and looked at Milia.

"Follower Milia."

"Yes, Archbishop."

"According to the Cult Leader's order, from this moment on, all judgment and command authority lies with Follower Milia. Make sure to succeed with the plan."

"…I'll keep that in mind."

Malton closed his mouth, and Milia, having received the authority from the Archbishop, stood before everyone.

All eyes were on her. Some were infused with mana or aura, which would normally overwhelm an ordinary follower or cause them to stutter, but…

Milia seemed comfortable with those gazes, and spoke with a familiarity that was almost natural.

"Currently, Grandis Academy is in the midst of final exams. Almost all of the academy's students have left for their outdoor practical exams, and the 1st and 2nd Security Units have accompanied them for protection."

Technically, Milia was also a student who had to take the final exams, but the Finance Director had already taken care of that.

Confirming the reactions of those around her, Milia continued without hesitation,

"There are a few students remaining, but most of them are from the Administration Department, and since the direction we'll be entering is towards the Magic Department, it won't be a problem. Considering the size of the academy, we won't run into any students."

"It's not the students that are the problem, but the security guards."

"Of course. The ones we need to be most wary of are the 3rd Security Unit who remain at the academy to patrol, but with the Finance Director's help, we've obtained their patrol route and roster. If we're careful, we won't run into them either."

"But won't the security guards come running if the terrorist attack starts?"

"That's why all personnel will commence their actions simultaneously once they reach their designated locations. We'll destroy the designated buildings to divert attention, then split up and take different routes, ultimately converging at the secret vault."

She answered several questions without hesitation, informing them only of the important parts. Some members tilted their heads at her seemingly proficient demeanor.

Since she was a bishop candidate, quite a few people here knew Milia. And the Milia they knew was a timid and introverted female follower, not someone who displayed such competence.

However, no one pointed this out, as it wasn't the time to be nitpicking, especially at such a crucial moment.

Milia paused, checked outside the window, and then opened the cabin door.

"It's time. Let's move."

"All personnel, follow Follower Milia's instructions and move. Maintain vigilance and caution!"

""Yes!!""

A sense of determination, and a readiness to give their lives if necessary.

The selected individuals were the core members of the cult, those who knew about the disappearance of Dark Sword and the cult's current situation. That's why they understood the importance of this plan more than anyone else.

This was a terrorist attack on Grandis Academy. They had to succeed, for the future of the Wish Cult.

Under Milia's guidance, the Archbishop led the way, followed by Malton, the bishops, and the elite followers, cautiously moving forward while maintaining vigilance.

And the place they finally reached, while concealing themselves as much as possible, was…

"Oh my, you've all arrived? I'll do a quick headcount!"

"…Are you the Finance Director?"

"You must be the Archbishop that Student Milia mentioned. Nice to meet you. But first, I need to count everyone."

"…Alright."

It was an old side gate in the wall surrounding the academy.

Even the Archbishop couldn't help but be taken aback by the white-haired man humming a tune as he waited in front of it.

The Finance Director, casually dismissing the question that couldn't be hidden even by the mask, began counting the awkwardly standing followers one by one.

"18, 19, 20 people. That's correct. Alright! Now everyone, please stand as instructed!"

"Instructed?"

"Oh? Didn't you read the plan? It divides you into groups."

Plan? A question mark appeared in everyone's minds, then they realized. Did he mean that stack of paper over 200 pages long? At that moment, everyone had the same thought.

──Who in their right mind would read and memorize all of that?

The problem was, that person was standing right in front of them.

"It's on page 162 of the plan, but it can't be helped."

"…My apologies. Tell us, and we'll stand accordingly."

"Alright. Then Hans? Delian? Kaylee? I don't know who's who, so please raise your hands."

"Uh…"

The solemn determination they had just moments ago disappeared, and in the awkward atmosphere, the called-upon followers hesitantly raised their hands. The Finance Director pulled them aside and looked them over.

Then, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to the follower standing at the front.

"Follower Hans, is it?"

"Y-yes, that's right."

"Including you, three people are in Group 1. Repeat after me, Group 1."

"…Group 1?"

"Well done. Then next, I'll call Group 2!"

What was this…?

Everyone couldn't hide their bewilderment at the sight of the Finance Director treating the cult members like tourists at a sightseeing spot in front of the side gate.

Was he crazy, or did he really not consider them enemies?

Finally, with the cult members divided into groups, the Finance Director clapped his hands to gather their attention.

Clap clap!

"I'm a bit disappointed that you didn't know your groups, but you do know the location of the secret vault and the route, right?"

"That's—"

"Just in case, I've written down the route each group should take and the buildings they need to destroy on the paper I handed out earlier. Please note that you must not destroy any buildings other than the ones listed! And of course, you must not harm the security guards!"

"Wait, are you saying we should just stand there and take it if the security guards attack us?"

"Of course not. But the security guards won't attack you. They won't be able to catch you."

"What?"

"You'll see. Now then."

The Finance Director checked the time for a moment, then…

Smiled brightly at the cult members who came to carry out the terrorist attack on the academy.

"If things go well, you'll gather here again in exactly one hour! Everyone, let's go! I won't be responsible if you're late, so be careful!"

"...…"

Immediately after, as the Finance Director opened the side gate and gestured for them to enter, the cult members…

"This is a terrorist attack, right…?"

…could only mutter so.