Attendance… plz…)
….
Throughout this exchange, Lorelei Barthomeloi remained silent.
As the Director's Aide, she held the ultimate authority to summarize and judge the proceedings. She watched with cold detachment, refusing to interfere in the other Lords' bargaining.
Part of this was the inherent arrogance of the Barthomeloi, they disdained descending into the mud to wrestle with lesser nobles.
But part of it was necessity. To serve as the Director's Aide required absolute neutrality. This immense power came at a cost: isolation. The Barthomeloi family was respected, feared, and completely alone at the top.
Fortunately, Lorelei didn't seem to care about the undercurrents. She tapped the tip of her quill against the desk.
The magical pen recording the minutes froze instantly.
She scanned the room with a cold, dispassionate gaze, then rubbed her temples. "If memory serves, we are still on the seventh agenda item."
"Let us suspend the discussion regarding Lord Rimuru's qualifications for the moment."
"So, how do we resolve the seventh item?" May's eyes lit up. "Does this mean my proposal is accepted?"
"..."
Lorelei looked at May coldly. "After deliberation, it is decided that the Academic City of Slra will maintain the status quo. The current investor, Nogiri, will continue to serve as the Acting Department Head."
"Ehh?!"
"Lord Archelot."
The voice was soft, gentle, and utterly commanding.
The old woman who had been silent until now, Inorai, the teacher of Aozaki Touko and the monster Rimuru feared most, finally spoke.
"Even if the Department of Modern Magecraft has fallen into decline," Inorai said, her tone as soothing as a grandmother reading a bedtime story, "it still possesses its basic dignity. Consequently, the one who takes charge of it must bear the corresponding obligations and responsibilities."
"Lord Rimuru's lineage and resume are certainly worthy of recognition. However, he ultimately lacks experience in managing an Academic City, nor has he demonstrated the administrative capability required."
She turned her kindly gaze to Lorelei.
"As the Director's Aide, Lord Barthomeloi must consider not only the desires of the Lords but also the welfare of the students within that department. Similarly, if Lord Rimuru is to become a Professor, it implies he must first shoulder the duties of a Professor and his responsibility to his disciples."
"Therefore, I suggest we seal the issue of the Modern Magecraft Department for now. Let us revisit this decision one year after Lord Rimuru has officially served as a Professor."
As Inorai's words settled over the room, the dynamic shifted instantly.
May pouted slightly, unhappy that her plan was blocked, but she stayed silent.
The Neutral and Democratic Lords exchanged helpless glances.
The old woman's words were a masterclass in politics. On the surface, she had rejected May's proposal. But in doing so, she had explicitly stated the premise: "One year after Lord Rimuru has officially served as a Professor."
She had just publicly endorsed Rimuru's promotion.
With two of the Three Great Families, representing the Aristocratic (via May/Rimuru's alignment) and Democratic (via Inorai) factions, effectively signaling support, the outcome was all but decided.
Unless Eulyphis, the leader of the staunch Aristocratic conservatives, vehemently opposed it, Rimuru's professorship was a done deal.
The lower-ranked Lords hesitated for a moment, realizing resistance was futile.
"Seconded," one muttered, raising a hand.
"Seconded," another sighed.
They had no choice. Inorai was the godmother of the Democratic Faction. If the boss says "jump," even the most reluctant underling has to ask "how high?"
The situation was now crystal clear.
Lorelei glanced at Inorai with a hint of annoyance. Was the old woman helping her?
Obviously not. Inorai had simply used the topic as a wedge to force a conclusion and assert her influence. And the worst part was, Lorelei had no logical grounds to refute her.
Silence reigned for a moment.
Lorelei tapped her quill again. The magical script for the seventh item finalized itself, and the text for the twelfth item, Rimuru's Professorship, floated into the air.
She looked at Rimuru one last time.
"Regarding the handling of Slra and the proposal to shelve it, do you have any objections?"
"None at all," Rimuru shook his head vigorously.
Objections? Are you kidding? I dodged a bullet!
He had zero desire to manage a city. Even if he got it, his only plan would have been to eventually sell it to Waver Velvet or use it as a bargaining chip later.
Asking him to manage a company was one thing. Asking him to govern a magical city?
Forget it! That's not even in my skill tree! It's a completely different operating system!
"Very well. Then... regarding the twelfth item."
Lorelei scanned the table again.
"Does anyone else have an opinion?"
Although she addressed the room, her eyes were fixed on only one person.
The gloomy, white-haired old man sitting in a shroud of deathly silence.
Rufleus Nuada-Re Eulyphis.
Technically, the Aristocratic Faction should be led by the Barthomeloi. But since Lorelei was bound by the neutrality of the Director's Aide position, the faction had been effectively decapitated.
This left Eulyphis, the only man capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Three Great Families, as the de facto leader and voice of the Aristocratic opposition.
Although Lords Gaius and Archelot had already defected to Rimuru's side, if Eulyphis remained adamantly opposed, Lorelei would have to tread carefully. The Aristocratic Faction's internal cohesion was fragile enough as it was.
Eulyphis stared at Rimuru for a long moment.
The room held its breath.
Finally, the old man slowly shook his head.
"I believe... I have no reason to object."
He had philosophical differences with the Archelots, yes. He disliked their methods. But there was no deep-seated blood feud. And ultimately, expanding the Aristocratic Faction's influence within the Clock Tower was beneficial to him.
Lorelei let out a tiny, imperceptible sigh. She looked down at the self-writing ledger as it finalized the results.
She felt a rare flicker of emotion, bemusement.
Even May Riddell and the Director probably hadn't expected this outcome.
A unanimous vote.
Well, not technically unanimous. Meluastea had voiced objections earlier, but in the end, even he had folded and seconded the motion.
Tch. Fence-sitter.
Typical behavior for the Neutral Faction.
"Excellent."
Rimuru watched May Riddell, whose face was glowing with excitement and triumph. He couldn't help but smile himself.
So, when the new term started, he would officially be a Professor.
Not bad for a transmigrator. At least I'm not embarrassing the isekai community.
"Now, moving on to the eighth agenda item."
Lorelei tapped the ledger again. The page flipped.
Suddenly, her brow furrowed.
Again? Rimuru Tempest?
"Oh?"
Lord Trambelio, sharp as ever despite his sleepy demeanor, noticed the text floating in the center of the table. He let out a low chuckle.
"So this is the real reason Lord Rimuru is here today."
"Tch." Kayneth clicked his tongue, tilting his head in irritation.
May Riddell's reaction was far more visceral. A wave of killing intent, thick enough to be physical, radiated from her body.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the room plummeted from 'political negotiation' to 'imminent violence'.
"Regarding the assassination of a Clock Tower Lecturer within the domain of a Lord's protection."
Lorelei closed the ledger quietly.
"'Within the domain of a Lord's protection'..."
May narrowed her eyes. Her gaze swept across the table like a scythe, finally resting on Eulyphis. Her tone was dangerously soft.
"That phrasing is rather... subtle, isn't it?"
"..."
The wrinkles on Eulyphis's face, resembling tangled dead vines, seemed to deepen. He looked at May with cold indifference.
"I do not stoop to such low, underhanded methods to deal with a mere Lecturer, Lady Archelot."
His voice was deep, raspy, and devoid of guilt.
"Furthermore, if I truly cared enough to have him killed, I would not have consented to his promotion just now."
"Or perhaps you consented out of a guilty conscience, to cover your tracks?" May countered, her smile not reaching her eyes.
"Archelot!"
Lord Gaius knocked his knuckles against the table. The sharp sound broke May's momentum.
"That is enough."
….
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