Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 418 Goddess Merchant Guild
In Roland's hospital room, Roland and Ritas continued to discuss matters related to the "Goddess Merchant Guild".

During the negotiations, Roland had a very strange feeling.

Although the Elson family is currently in turmoil, the White Wing Gospel Church has only recently shown signs of recovery, and the Latras Chamber of Commerce may not necessarily agree to the proposal, Ritas's tone is one of nonchalance and acceptance, as if it were already a "fait accompli."

It was as if Ritas could see not only a barren land in front of him, but also the skyscrapers that would be built there in the future. It was as if he was already standing on the top of those skyscrapers, calmly recounting their history.

"The Western Regions are actually very rich in resources, and due to their proximity to the Monster Forest, they also have many unique products. As long as trade routes can be opened, the Western Regions will become the most prosperous land around the Kingdom of Libera in a short period of time. Moreover, even for a neighboring country like the Kingdom of Libera, the Western Regions are still mysterious. Currently, there are very few places on the entire continent where people are still fighting against monsters. Therefore, we can take advantage of this to vigorously develop the tourism industry."

"Tourism industry?"

Roland was taken aback.

It wasn't that the proposal was particularly ingenious, but rather that it completely exceeded his way of thinking.

Seeing Roland's surprise, Ritas's lips curled into a slight smile. Before he arrived in the Western Regions and was drawn into the fairy tale world, during a casual conversation with the Bathing Goddess, she had said things like, "Turning this place into a tourist attraction would definitely make a fortune."

He also experienced for the first time in a long time that the goddess of the bathing world in another world always viewed everything in this world from a different perspective than they did.

"Including the ruins of the Holy Maiden, there are many places in the Western Region that can be called ruins. As long as we tell the Gospel Society that we can spread the influence of the Holy Maiden's legend throughout the continent, they should spare no effort to help and maintain it."

"Wait a minute. While I can understand the desire for excitement after a peaceful life, there are plenty of monsters in dungeons, aren't there? If you really want to see monsters, just hire a team of adventurers as escorts and you can see as many as you want in the dungeon, right? Besides, you can't find any monsters in the western regions. Even in the monster forest, you usually have to go quite a distance to encounter one."

Roland had little authority to comment on matters concerning ruins. Therefore, he only raised objections based on his own knowledge.

"It's alright. If a tourism industry really takes off, even the most thrill-seeking approach can't actually put tourists in danger. So, we can just catch some harmless but seemingly dangerous monsters and release them occasionally to show off. And there's no need to worry about adventurers and dungeons conflicting with this business. What are dungeons? What are adventurers? Going into dungeons with adventurers is nothing but self-degradation and self-degradation. The monsters in dungeons are just toys for low-level adventurers. But traveling to the Western Regions is different; it's about broadening horizons, valuing life, and 'a trip to the Western Regions at least once in your life.' Even the monsters in the Western Regions are a threat to human borders!"

Ritas said in a very serious tone.

"."

Although Roland knew that Ritas had always been prejudiced against adventurers, Roland was still speechless for a moment because of how seriously ill Ritas was.

But he understood Ritas's meaning: all they needed to do was find a way to give the trip to the Westerlands a special significance. Because adventurers had such a bad reputation, most people who actually had the time and money to seek thrills and travel the world disdained associating with them.

After talking with Ritas for a while, Roland began to have clear images in his mind.

He seemed to see in the not-too-distant future that those ancient fortresses and arenas that the Elson family couldn't demolish due to their exorbitant costs, as well as the Gospel Desert that Roland considered a place only for the mentally unstable, would all become cash cows for the Western Regions.

"It seems we have another reason to quickly quell this internal strife in Elson."

"Roland sighed. He was still injured, so he had been pushing himself until now. But his spirits were definitely much better."

Roland couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if he had spoken with Ritas earlier about the future of their family and the West. Perhaps he and Freud wouldn't have parted ways.

But after thinking about it for a moment, he couldn't help but shake his head.

Even if we talked about it, it probably wouldn't have made a difference.
If it weren't for this internal strife in the West...

If the "Elsons" don't realize that even if this isn't a rebirth after being broken, the family will eventually fall apart if they don't try to change.

If there hadn't been a clear opportunity to remove the "bad fruit".

Even if he supports Ritas, the forces that force him to compromise will only allow the Western Region to continue to fester and decay like a stagnant pool.

No.
It should be said that, given his status as "Elson," he probably couldn't fully support Ritas.
"Us? Only you need to quell the internal strife. Tomorrow, I will set off back to Earls Academy."

"Huh?"

Roland was so surprised that drool dripped from the corner of his wide-open mouth.

School is about to start.

"That's not the problem!"

Roland wiped his wound, which aggravated his grimacing mouth.

"Well, actually it's because there's not much point in me staying in the Western Territory anymore. Those who would have gathered under my banner because of me have already gathered together. The rest are all somewhat dissatisfied with me as their 'successor.' After all, I entered the fray by claiming to be the victor of a public duel. That's not really in accordance with the rules. My relationship with the Evangelical Church and the protection of the Saintess are the 'orthodox' explanation, and the righteousness that only those who want to acknowledge it will accept. But you're different. You're still the head of the Elson family. So, it's actually more convenient for you to do things without me."

Ritas analyzed it this way.

In fact, it wouldn't be impossible for him and Roland to go together and subdue those unruly "Elsons." However, doing so would inevitably trigger a full-scale civil war that would sweep across the western border.

Although Ritas wanted to resolve the situation peacefully, he also felt that saving those people was more valuable than engaging in mass killing.

But more than anything, he didn't want to waste time on boring things where the outcome was already predictable.

Moreover, the "organization to destroy the world" won't wait until he's settled in the Western Region before taking action.

"But if you leave, the people you gathered will also disperse again."

"Will not."

Ritas shook his head.
“Even if I’m not in the West, it’s the same as being in the West. Of course, that is, on the condition that you acknowledge me as the one who broke the family rules, stirred up trouble in the West, and released the self-proclaimed ‘successor’ of the Gospel Church while you were unconscious.”

Do you agree?

Roland breathed a sigh of relief.

"When you said you were willing to become my successor, it was probably the happiest moment for me in the last ten years."

Roland remarked with genuine emotion.

“In that case, the successor who is only temporarily leaving the Western Territory to ‘practice’ the legend will be your strongest support. And when everything is on track, I, who will be the next head of the Elson family, will also have the entire Western Territory as my backing.”

Ritas said, his thoughts somewhat complicated.

He ultimately forged an unbreakable bond with the Elson family and the Westerlands.

Or perhaps, this was simply destined. He was merely escaping these things, burying his head in the sand.

"So, for all of this. Don't tell me you can't handle the 'minor problems' that still exist in the family and in the Western Territory. The most difficult problems that you can't deal with on your own, I've already solved for you."

The thorny issue Ritas was referring to was Freud. And Roland, of course, was aware of this.

After silently observing Ritas for a moment, Roland smiled. "When I first heard you were going to become a class mentor, I found it incredible, and in less than a year, you really have become a 'teacher.' First, you tested my abilities as a student, then taught me the knowledge I needed, then quietly paved a suitable path for me, and finally, worried that I lacked motivation, you offered words of encouragement and painted a picture of the future—"

"Have it?"

Ritas, who seemed oblivious to the situation, asked in confusion.

“What else is there to say? I will demonstrate my independence and complete the task you have given me.”

As he spoke with a hint of sarcasm, a glint of shrewdness appeared in Roland's eyes.
"Don't worry, I haven't been the head of the family for nothing all these years. I'll make those people remember clearly who has been protecting them all along."

However, perhaps because he had been decadent for too many years, Roland's aura immediately dissipated.

"So, when are you planning to come back? Um, not like you're coming to visit relatives."

"Twenty or thirty years from now? Right now, there are still some things I want to do, and some things I need to explore."

Moreover, the desires within them have not yet been fulfilled.
"So, it should be about time in a few decades. If there are still things you want but haven't been able to get by then, they will probably only be things that are destined to be unattainable forever."

"Decades? Do you know how old I am this year?"

"If I had to say, you just look a bit old. In terms of age, you could barely be considered middle-aged. It's the age when you should be working hard."

After saying this, Ritas himself couldn't hold back any longer, coughed lightly, and continued,

"Cough, and it doesn't matter how long it takes. According to our agreement, you cannot die before me."

"Tsk, this agreement... although it's a bit...unclear to bring it up now, don't you think it's putting people in a difficult position?"

He clicked his tongue and scratched his head as he spoke.

"Aren't parents just a group of people who will try their best to satisfy their children no matter how unreasonable their demands are?"

"These are things children shouldn't say! You're really having a tough time being a father."

After grumbling and shaking his head for a while, Roland and Ritas finally exchanged a smile.

As Roland lay back down in his hospital bed, Ritas, having finished discussing important matters, began to talk to him about some less important things.

Of all these things, the most unavoidable are John and his companions, and that time in the fairy tale world.

"'An organization that will destroy the world'? Your friend, you've got quite the nerve. Freud really does hang out with some serious characters."

Roland recalled the letters that Ritas would occasionally send home in the past.

John is one of the few people Ritas mentions in his letters.

With just a few simple descriptions, Roland could sense that the world was undergoing a dramatic change. As for John's organization, or rather, including Ritas, it had clearly reached a level that was gradually becoming incomprehensible to him.

If Roland were younger, he might have been filled with fighting spirit. But now...
Let's forget about it.
"If Freud were to return..."

"No, he won't come back. Even if he does, he's alone and won't be a problem for me anymore. But since he's in that organization, he might become a problem for you."

"My troubles?"

Ritas didn't seem to take it lightly.

However, having no attitude is, to some extent, an attitude in itself.

"Well, how should I put it? You might never understand the things about us swordsmen in your entire life."

As Roland spoke, he raised his hand, pointed it at the ceiling, and turned it left and right.
"In that arena, I unleashed a sword strike that could be considered 'the pinnacle'. It was probably the strongest strike I ever made, and also the one I would never be able to wield again. Freud personally experienced that strike. He was a genius, so even with a missing arm, once he truly realized what he lacked, he might be able to glean his own unique understanding of the ultimate technique from that strike."

"."

Ritas really couldn't understand it.

If the person in front of him weren't Roland, a swordsman who had been a master swordsman for decades, Ritas might have thought the other was spouting nonsense with great conviction.

"If only Kurt could have seen that sword strike."

Roland said regretfully, only realizing afterward that he shouldn't have brought up Cortrienne's matter.

Although Cortriene never appeared in front of Ritas and the others, Ritas could roughly guess from the assistance of Remer Elson's group and the fact that John's two companions were seriously injured when they reunited that Cortriene had actually participated in the entire rescue.

But just as Ritas failed to stop Cortrienne from leaving, he couldn't presumptuously comfort Cortrienne with the facade of an "understanding person," claiming that what she had done was just an illusion, and that everything was beyond her control.
Even if we temporarily ignore the victim "Little Ritas", Cortrienne's inner conflict can only be resolved by herself in the process of hunting down "Darkborn" and "Wanderer".

"Speaking of which, we met Sophia in that fictional world. Although your description is somewhat exaggerated or even cheesy, Sophia is indeed, as you said, an outstanding woman."

As if changing the subject, Ritas casually mentioned another character he couldn't ignore in his experience in the fairy tale world.

"Oh? What a coincidence, I just saw you too."

Roland, who could still vaguely recall the scene from that dream, also smiled and said.

"?"

Although he didn't quite understand what Roland was saying, Ritas still took out the fairy tale book from his waist.
“Since you’ve met Sophia recently, it will be much easier to introduce her.”

As Ritas spoke, amidst Roland's bewildered expression, the paper doll Wayne emerged from the fairy tale book, respectfully lifting the hem of her skirt in a ladylike curtsy towards Roland.
"Nice to meet you. I am Sofia's mother's daughter and Ritas's brother's sister—Wayne. Or rather, Wayne Elson?"

???

For a moment, he couldn't figure out what was going on. He just felt that Sophia had such a strange daughter behind his back, so he felt like Roland was being cuckolded. All the wounds on his body burst open and bled profusely from the excitement.

"W-What!? Pfft—"

"Roland—!"

Not long after, Mint Elson, Roland's attending physician, gave the innocent Ritas a severe dressing-down for lamenting his misfortune.

(End of this chapter)