Benjamin's doubts did not last long.
After the order was issued, the information network of the academy's ANBU was more reliable than he imagined. Within a few days, they found the group of mages from the Kingdom of Hori.
"They are in Freden?" Benjamin put down the report in his hand, still a little confused.
The mercenary below nodded and said, "Yes. Intelligence showed that they entered Frieden about a month ago, and they also established a mercenary mage group. The registered name of the group leader is Elizabeth. "
"… All right."
Although it is not clear why the other party did this, it is obvious that those mages no longer want to accept Benjamin's kindness - they do not want to defect to the academy, but want to survive in the complex world of mages.
Benjamin shrugged helplessly.
Since others don't appreciate it, he doesn't need to worry anymore. Therefore, he wrote a letter containing his observations of the Wood family's situation and sent it to Elizabeth, which was regarded as fulfilling his promise at the time.
Afterwards, he continued to devote himself to the reconstruction of Akademi and preparations for the start of the new semester.
"...Master Benjamin, you are truly an amazing person."
As time goes by, the fleeing townspeople return here one after another. They couldn't help but sigh as they looked at the streets that were gradually returning to their original state, and as Benjamin used magic to smooth out the wounds of the town little by little.
"Actually, it's very easy. I don't have to do anything at all. They were built by themselves." Benjamin smiled and pointed at the wood and stones floating in the air.
This town is all his territory, and he will certainly do his best to maintain it.
"After Akademi is rebuilt, can you write to more people who fled for refuge and ask them to come back and continue to live there?" He asked the crowd watching him while using magic to move bricks. .
"Of course!" a young man replied excitedly, "The tax standards you set are the most lenient in the world. We... we all like it here and hope to live here forever."
Benjamin nodded when he heard this.
"Then you have to run this town well."
In fact, it is just a small town that has existed for less than a year, but it has a sense of cohesion and "home" in people's hearts - this is by no means an easy thing. Although Benjamin built this place just to support the college, by now, the town has developed a meaning of its own.
It has also become an important existence worth protecting.
Three days later, the town announced that it had been rebuilt, and there were gradually more people on the streets. Many students also rushed back to the college at the end of the vacation, and the place finally became lively again.
Floating above the college, Benjamin looked down at the town below and could no longer tell that it had suffered a terrible attack just two months ago.
Although it cost a lot of money to rebuild, he still felt at ease looking at the scene in front of him.
Everything is going on the right track now. The results of the first semester of the college are very good, and the next semester will definitely make these students even better. As for Ikol, things are almost settled.
The first four years were handed over to Caretes, and thereafter the cycle continued according to the system. The Judgment Council has also been established. In two days, Benjamin and dozens of other academy mages will attend the first meeting as representatives.
Of course, it was only a brief meeting and would not take up too much time of the member mages.
In addition to the one hundred and fifty mages with decision-making power, the Judgment Council also has a sophisticated supervisory organization. They come from the political world of Freeden, and everyone has their eyes widened, staring at Caretes's every move when he governs Ikol. Once they find anything wrong, they will report it to the member mages.
And when Freden comes to power, the officials of these supervisory agencies will be replaced by Carrites' people.
In such a situation of mutual constraints, no matter how smart a guy is, it will be difficult to find loopholes. Those in power can only manage this shared land safely and steadily, and cannot make any small moves.
But... In fact, there is no need for Icol and Carrites to trap each other now.
The alliance brokered for the purpose of governing Ikol has actually brought the relationship between the two countries closer. Benjamin had met many wealthy businessmen in Carrites before, and taking advantage of this opportunity, he promoted the simplification of trade barriers and the reduction of taxes between the two countries. Now that businessmen from both countries are doing business, they are getting closer and closer economically, and their interests are tied together. It is naturally difficult to confront each other politically.
Otherwise, based on a mere treaty, the so-called alliance will be just a flimsy diplomatic rhetoric.
Benjamin was naturally very satisfied with this situation. There is really no need for internal fighting. The whole world unites to fight against the church. This is the right way at this moment!
Speaking of the church, Benjamin had already smuggled those members of the academy’s dark department into the Kingdom of Hori. The intelligence organization located in the enemy's hinterland is also being established bit by bit.
However, because of the strict internal management of the Horli Kingdom, they did not even enter the big cities and could only wander around in some marginal towns. Therefore, they have not found out what is going on inside the church.
This kind of thing can't be rushed, so Benjamin can only relax his mind.
There was no need for him to be so nervous. Maybe at this moment, the church itself was already in a state of internal strife and had no time to deal with them. Any organization must go through a process of transition from prosperity to decline. Isn’t it normal for the church to decline after it has existed for so long
Therefore, he took the twenty or so college mages to attend the Judgment Council with peace of mind, and spoke as a representative in the council with peace of mind. Although it was the first meeting and everyone looked a little confused, the president presided over it very well and explained the focus of the work for the next four years quite clearly.
"In normal times, we can be scattered in various countries, do whatever we want, and do your own things. Several subordinate supervision groups will record in detail what the rulers have done in each quarter. As long as there is no emergency, we will start a quarter. Just go through all the policies for the season in one meeting. So, our task is actually not onerous."
When the mages in the council heard this, they couldn't help but show expressions of relief.
"Your Majesty thought that the task of the Judgment Council would be very arduous, so he paid us a lot more." A mage smiled and said in a joking tone, "Don't let this matter spread, otherwise we won't be able to do that." Get more gold coins.”
Others also smiled.
At least on the surface, the atmosphere of the meeting was quite harmonious. Besides discussions, they even exchanged their magic experiences with each other, and countless mages came to want to get to know Benjamin.
"It's amazing how young you are, Dean Benjamin. Your talent exceeds that of anyone I've ever met."
"Dean Benjamin, do you have enough manpower in your college? When you plan to recruit a new group of teachers, don't forget to write to me."
"I have attended your open classes before. Although they are all entry-level content, the ideas are very fresh and interesting. When will you open the academy again?"
Being surrounded by various mages who were more than twice his age and asking questions, Benjamin couldn't resist. However, in this kind of business bragging scene, everyone didn't ask so sincerely, so he just laughed and passed.
Soon, he got away from the crowd and walked to the balcony to take a breath alone.
"What? Didn't you create this council? How come you can't even handle it yourself?" Suddenly, a mocking voice came from behind, completely disrupting his plan to have some peace and quiet.
Benjamin was a little surprised and turned around.
I saw a figure hanging upside down above the balcony, smiling and waving to him.
"...Miles?"