#742 An Educator’s Resentment

My name is Yartellens.

I am a human, and I daresay my life has been a rollercoaster of a ride.

Initially, I dedicated myself to divine service and became a priest. 

During that time, the Human Kingdom thrived, passionately worshipping the Great Celestial God, Zeus.

Temples honoring the Great Celestial God were widespread across the kingdom, and the church, supported by the lords and the high nobility, held substantial power that seemed insurmountable.

To be honest, we became rather complacent. 

This all came crashing down following the conclusion of the Human-Demon War. The church’s power was obliterated when the demon race, which we had been battling for years, triumphed over us.

Moreover, the church provoked the war by antagonizing the demons, labeling them monstrous beings out to annihilate us.

When the Demon King’s Army established camps and started providing protection far superior to the ex-Human Kingdom, it became apparent that the church’s propaganda was baseless, further tarnishing our reputation.

Initially, we wielded power without restraint. But under the rule of the Demon King’s Army, all our clandestine misdeeds were exposed, effectively wiping out our influence.

Now, many clergy members have been expelled or, more directly, arrested and subjected to the law’s judgment.

It’s fair to say that the Church of the Great Celestial God has collapsed.

Amid this, I, a low-ranking priest with no faction affiliations, was neither arrested nor expelled. Being inherently diligent and clean of misdeeds, I had no reason to face accusations.

However, with the collapse of the Church of the Great Celestial God, I lost my position as a priest and was compelled to leave religious life.

After that, I went from job to job, never ceasing to serve people and the community. Though I had lost the title of priest, I was still committed to dedicating my life to the gods and helping others.

As I continued this way of life for many years, I gained companions, my resources increased, and my foundations solidified.

I believe my progress was a testament to the righteousness of my activities.

During this time, I set a new goal: establishing a school.

Humans need a minimum education to live and acquire knowledge and etiquette.

I want to establish a proper school in the former Human Kingdom and provide high-level education to many children.

Of course, up until now, I have been teaching reading and writing in small classrooms scattered throughout the region.

From there, I want to gather promising children with a strong will to learn from all over the country and provide higher education.

The young people nurtured this way will become exceptional talents and significantly influence the world as future officials and scholars.

Such talents are crucial for the large-scale reconstruction of this devastated ex-Human Kingdom.

The path of serving the gods has disappeared, but I still have a way to contribute to the world…

Yes, just like Saint Thomack Moore, whom I have admired and aspired to since my days as a priest.

My life's goal is to be the great saint from a thousand years ago, an archbishop who preached for the people and the weak, despite opposition from the power-obsessed church hierarchy.

I aim to contribute to the world enough to be called a “modern-day Thomack Moore.”

To that end, I will establish a school in the former Human Kingdom!

***

Just as I was contemplating this, a problem arose.

I was denied permission to establish a school.

If you want to do something on a considerable scale in the current former Human Kingdom, you must obtain permission from the occupying Demon King’s Army.

The plan I had to establish a school was quite ambitious, so I had to get approval from the occupying force.

But it wasn’t granted.

I objected.

“Why can’t I get approval?! This is unacceptable!!!”

My adversary in this dispute is Governor-General Malvastos. 

He’s effectively the leader of the demon army stationed in the former Human Kingdom.

I won’t back down even when facing such an opponent.

“Establishing a high school is absolutely necessary for the development of the Human Kingdom...no, the world! I thought the Demon King’s forces would understand its importance!”

“I understand your argument, but it feels a bit hasty.”

Governor-General Malvastos, entrusted by the Demon King with governing the old Human Kingdom, radiates an imposing aura of authority even when taciturn.

But I won’t be defeated!

“While I encourage you to run small private schools teaching basic literacy without needing any approval, the school you want to establish... is not just any school. It could be considered a high school. It’s not feasible to manage such a facility given the current state of the Human Kingdom.”

Ouch.

He hit a sore spot...!

“To operate and establish a place where you gather exceptional talents from across the country and cultivate civil servants and scholars in a high-level educational institution, you need to have the entire country unified. And that means you also need abundant funds.”

“That is true, but...”

“Years have passed since the Human Kingdom was annexed, and although the reconstruction of the lands devastated by the church and the royal family has advanced considerably, it’s also true that we still lack the capacity to do anything on a national scale. You must understand that it’s still too soon.”

“Despite your argument...”

I momentarily clear my throat before continuing. 

Don’t think of me as clueless.

“If that’s the case, why is the Demon King’s Army gathering talented young people from the Human Kingdom?”

“You’ve done your research.”

Indeed, my intelligence network helps me track some of the Demon King’s Army’s movements.

A few years ago, the Demon King’s Army issued a decree to all territories in the Human Kingdom, demanding they hand over promising young individuals.

Even if each territory surrenders just one person, the number quickly adds up.

What could they possibly be planning by amassing such a vast number of brilliant young minds?

This year, too, they continue to gather exceptional youth from all corners.

We are unsure of what’s happening to these young people now.

Despite our exhaustive efforts to investigate, the truth remains elusive.

“Are you guys planning to do the same as us? Or are you already doing it?”

Recruiting gifted youth can only mean one thing.

Are they offering high-level education to shape them into the pillars that support their nation?

“Is the reason you deny my request because you want to monopolize these promising youths in the Human Kingdom for yourselves? Are you planning to indoctrinate them into serving the Demon King and his army?”

I can’t help but blurt out such an outrageous accusation.

There’s no other reason for them to act so covertly.

I cannot afford to back down here if I want to see our ideals realized.

If it comes to this, I’ll push back with everything I have!

“If you’re that determined, then I have no choice.”

Huh?

No choice about what?

A shiver runs down my spine as Governor-General Malvastos mutters these words, a sigh interspersed within.

“Go and see for yourself. What you’ll find there aligns with your ideals and will provide a good learning experience. You will need the Demon King’s permission, but leave that to me.”

Huh? The Demon King’s permission?! 

This is turning out to be much bigger than I initially thought. What’s going to happen to me?! 

Are they planning to silence me?!

***

When I was transported via teleportation magic, I was sure I would end up in an unknown place, possibly to be silenced.

But what awaited me was a sight I could never have anticipated.

“Good morning, everyone. Let’s make today’s study session productive.”

“WE’RE READY TO LEARN, SENSEIIII!!!”

Is this... a classroom?

Furthermore, there’s no segregation between the human and demon students studying at these desks.

“We also have merfolk.”

“What?! Really?” 

“It’s hard to tell because they’re transformed using potions.”

Incredible!

Humans, demons, and merfolk!

They’ve brought together young individuals from the world’s three major races in one place!

What’s happening here?!

I’d heard that interactions were starting among the three nations of humans, demons, and merfolk, but an institution teaching all three races together? 

Isn’t this remarkably progressive?

This is certainly...!

Precisely the high-level school I’ve been envisioning!

My dream has come true in such a place, hidden from the world...!

Why would they keep something this incredible a secret?!

“We can’t exactly advertise it due to its location.”

I see. By the way, the person who has been explaining this to me while conducting the class is...?!

...A Lifeless King?!

“Sorry for multitasking during the lesson. I’ve heard about you through the Demon King, a person passionate about education. Feel free to observe the class today.”

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Thank you for your kindness!!!!

A Lifeless King...!

The world’s most dangerous and wicked existence is playing the role of a teacher?!

“Well, I know it’s rather odd for someone of my age, but I find the youthful energy invigorating. I’m just trying to put my long years and knowledge to good use.”

This undead king is surprisingly approachable!

This is nothing like what I expected!

“The kids are initially nervous around my scary appearance, but they usually warm up to me when I introduce myself using my name from when I was alive. It’s Thomack Moore. Have you heard of it?”

Hmm, Thomack Moore?

...Wait a minute.