King
Chapter 784 - 784 53 The Longest Road_2

784: Chapter 53, The Longest Road_2 784: Chapter 53, The Longest Road_2 The spread of rumors is like a wildfire in the forest, once ignited, it can’t be stopped.

Not to mention that this rumor was interspersed with some truths, even Hudson, busy transporting bonds here and there, received the news.

The first to leak the news was not the Church, but the Alpha Kingdom.

Helpless, the major nobles did not have infinite war bonds.

After being incinerated continuously, in order to continue profiting from the Church, the Kingdom had to “borrow bonds” from the domestic small and medium-sized nobles.

The number of those who knew the inside story rapidly expanded from dozens to tens of thousands, and the news could no longer be kept secret.

Fortunately, the Kingdom hid its intentions, and the ones who came forth to borrow bonds were all major nobles from various regions, without directly displaying the banner of the Kingdom.

However, such low-level method of concealment only hid the truth for a few more days; soon the truth and rumors were mixed together and spread.

“It seems we should head back!”

Hudson said with a slight smile to the crowd.

In recent days, they had been traveling around the continent day and night incessantly.

If not for the significant achievements, which provided some mental solace, perhaps they would have all gone on strike already.

Money was not of importance, the key was that the situation in the kingdom had stabilized.

Hudson didn’t care about the promises Caesar IV made to these people, as long as his own share wasn’t overlooked.

“Indeed, we should head back.

After such a huge setback, the Church won’t let it rest.

Ultimately, it is the long-established hegemony; the number of experts in the Church still surpasses any other place in the continent.

This place isn’t our territory, if they block us, it will indeed be troublesome!”

Master Magician Robert cheerfully replied.

However, seeing his eager look, it seemed as though he was really looking forward to such a situation.

Hudson’s intuition told him that Robert and the Church likely had unresolved disputes.

“Alright, let’s take our gains and retreat while we can!

If we are targeted by the Church, whether we can escape unharmed is still unknown.

If you want to give them a thorn in their side, then go ahead and establish the Arcane Academy to train disciples who can stand against them.

I’ll handle the King’s side, he’s guaranteed to give you maximum support.”

Morrison bluntly retorted.

“Morrison is right, Robert, if you want to do it, just go ahead, we all support you.

We’re all getting on in years anyway, not many good years left for us.

If we don’t do it now, there won’t be any opportunities in the future.”

…

Hearing the conversation among the ‘old predecessors’, Hudson was overwhelmed by the flood of information.

Originally full of doubt, why Alpha Kingdom, thousands of miles away, was always targeted by the Church?

Apparently, it was due to being a gathering place for heretics.

All the old guys present held significant identities.

Robert: Master Magician, Former dean of the Kingdom Magic Academy.

A good third of the sorcerers in the Kingdom were his direct students.

Morrison: Sky Knight, Royal Family Member.

Specific identity unclear, but held a high status in The Royal Family, and could even influence the King’s decisions.

Frost: Sky Knight, regiment commander of the Guardian Knights, a Royal Family Member.

The Guardian Knights were clearly a subordinate institution of the Church, but the Church institutions in the Alpha Kingdom were all controlled by The Royal Family and major nobles.

Lambert: Sky Knight, an old ancestor of the Alram Family.

…

“A dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix”.

With old ancestors all being heretics against the Church, it was inevitable that the younger generation would be influenced.

With this sort of crowdsourced support, it was no surprise that Caesar III would dare to confront the Church head on.

Even Caesar IV, who was clamoring to be crowned by Church members just some time ago, turned around and stabbed the Church in the back, possibly influenced by these old guys.

Soon, Hudson figured it all out.

The Church had declined over three hundred years ago.

Nobody knew what exactly had happened as there was no record in the history books, but a great war must surely have happened.

Three hundred years may be a long time for ordinary people, but for experts, it might only span two or three generations.

Chances are that the masters and elders of these old codgers participated in rebellions against the Clergy in the past and indoctrinated their descendants with hatred.

While hatred may fade with time, it never disappears entirely within a mere couple of generations.

The roots of distaste certain nations on the continent hold for the Clergy most likely stem from the influence of the previous generation.

“Enough!

For a bunch of guys whose half of bodies are nearly in the grave, you certainly know how to cause a ruckus.

I will spearhead the establishment of the Arcane Academy, but only if you all agree to serve as tutors.

Otherwise, I cannot shoulder the fury of the Clergy.”

As Robert’s words fell, Hudson immediately sensed something was off.

The “you bunch” mentioned earlier seemed to include him, the onlooker.

Definitely a “setup”!

Such a huge matter, agreed in a few words?

It was clear that there were prior arrangements.

It could be possible that the scene before him was specially prepared for him.

Hudson, whose brain was not made of water, determined to evade arguing with the assembly of old men who averaged above 160 in age.

Unfortunately, just as he took a step, someone called out to him.

“Earl Hudson, as one of the founders of the Kingdom’s Arcane Academy, don’t you have any suggestions?”

From an onlooker, who was then made into a “tutor”, and then quickly promoted to one of the founding members of the academy, Hudson felt that the world had gone mad.

Look at the Arcane Academy of the Frank Kingdom.

Since its establishment, it has frequently encountered problems.

Many members, the academy’s founders, tutors, and even ordinary students, were all placed on the Clergy’s kill list.

Dozens of them had fallen, including two Sorcerers.

If the Frank Kingdom hadn’t taken a huge effort in protection, everyone could have all died.

Though Hudson had clashes with the Clergy, those conflicts were clandestine, and in public, he was still a “devout” follower.

Temporarily, it hadn’t escalated to the level of “heresy”, eliminating the need to be put on the kill list.

“Knight Lambert, as far as the founding of the Arcane Academy is concerned, having you seniors run the show is good enough.

I don’t know anything about it, so I’ll naturally stay out.”

Hudson declined resolutely.

He could support the process covertly, and even chip in with cash and resources could be negotiated, but personally leading the charge was out of the question.

“Even if you don’t want to get involved, it doesn’t matter, we weren’t counting on you to do much anyway.

However, your image will be placed on the enrollment brochure.

The Frank people’s Arcane Academy also has a Dragon Knight overseeing it, so we can’t lose on that front!”

Morrison’s perfect explanation left Hudson speechless.

According to this trend, four major Arcane Academies would soon appear on the Aslante Continent, which would conveniently be assigned to the four Dragon Knights.

Volunteering was not important at all, as long as they could use it for publicity.

Even then, they were not really expecting the Dragon Knights to personally teach.

“Can I say no?”

Hudson asked tentatively.

“Of course, you can.

However, when it comes to external publicity, your name will still be at the forefront.

Rest assured, we are only using it for promotion and won’t damage your reputation.

Moreover, this is a win-win situation.

You increase your social prevalence along with our influence!

When a new era begins, future generations studying history will inevitably learn about you.

In the future, you, Earl Hudson, may become a legend in the epic heroes of the human race!”

Faced with Robert’s dainty vision, it was impossible not to be moved.

However, Hudson was more of a troubled avoidant

If you looked at the epic heroes of the human race, not many lived natural lives.

Most of them led lives that could only be described as wretched.

Just as he was about to reject the idea, the group of old men forcefully was deciding for him.

If it weren’t for their age, making him worried that if any mishap occurred, he would be blamed, Hudson really wanted to pummel them.

Of course, the fight would have to occur when these old men were separate, otherwise, the one getting bullied would very likely be him.

Why did he have to be so weak, having his dragon hold him back?

…