The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar

"It was a good deal."

Professor Grad had delivered full value for the money.

He had played a smooth bridging role to enable the contract to be formed as Gerhard wanted.

"We were glad to experience the dignity of the Golden Turtle Company."

Gerhard and the Vice Chancellor exchanged contracts and shook hands. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

With this, the water dragon’s carcass became entirely the property of the Golden Turtle Company.

[1). Party A has priority rights for the sale of vessels (including all ships, warships, cruise ships, etc.) within the Academy for the next 20 years.

2). Party A shall sell some water dragon byproducts to Party B at reasonable prices.

3). Party B shall...]

The contract contained numerous clauses, but the key points were three:

The Academy would sell the water dragon’s carcass to the Golden Turtle Company.

The Academy would grant the Golden Turtle Company priority rights for vessel sales within the Academy for the next 20 years.

The Golden Turtle Company would provide the byproducts of the water dragon that the Academy needed at reasonable prices.

’Good. Everything I wanted is included.’

The first was obvious, and the second was Gerhard’s requirement.

The third was the condition put forward by the Academy in exchange for Gerhard’s requirement.

’A spirit creature’s carcass is most expensive when sold intact without being dismantled.’

Buying the carcass at a high price and then providing byproducts at a low price — normally, there could be nothing more foolish.

But now was the time to take a step back to pursue greater profits.

For the Academy, it was beneficial to obtain byproducts cheaply with the relatively unimportant priority rights for vessels.

’They must be wondering why I want priority rights for such a small-scale vessel business.’

For Gerhard, who knew how much the Academy’s warship business would grow, it was a much more profitable deal.

It was a rational transaction where no one lost.

"Thank you for your work."

"It’s nothing. It’s not like making contracts is something new."

After completing the satisfactory contract, Gerhard stepped outside and stretched his stiff body.

"Now that I’ve laid the groundwork, I just need to get father’s permission."

The reason it was specifically stated as "priority rights for sales" rather than "exclusive sales rights" was because he hadn’t yet received permission from his father.

Until the incident occurred, there was no rational basis to persuade his father.

But Gerhard’s temperament wouldn’t allow him to give up on a business that was clearly a gold mine.

The result was "priority rights for sales."

’The best I can do without causing problems even if things go wrong.’

It was literally just priority rights, so there was no need to do anything immediately.

The next steps could be postponed until after the prophesied events occurred.

"How’s the setup going?"

"The installation is complete."

This meant that the work to install recording devices on the cruise ship, which would be the stage for the Yacht Club, was finished.

With this, they could monitor every move of the evil beings.

"What about the staff list?"

"I’ve placed it in your office, but..."

"Is there a problem?"

"I couldn’t find anything particularly unusual."

"I would expect that."

If they were easily exposed, would they be demons? They’d be fools.

After all, these were monsters that nearly destroyed the continent a thousand years ago. One must never let down their guard.

"Well, we have a secret weapon on our side."

Aint Armian, the hero certified by the prophecy book.

’I believe in you, Aint Armian.’

In you, in the prophecy book, and in the first emperor who foresaw this situation and made arrangements.

Gerhard’s role was simple.

To prevent Aint from seeing him as an enemy, to support him well, and to ensure a happy ending.

’That’s how to protect the money.’

Using money to protect money.

"Let’s go check the ship first."

That was the Goldenheim way.

***

Kreek kreek-

Seagulls flew around the seaside. The refreshing sound of waves came along with a strong salty smell.

Gerhard stood on the deck.

80 meters in length, 18 meters in width, a massive size.

It was a luxury cruise ship with perfect preparations for comfort and banquets, more deserving of the term "cruise" than "yacht."

This was the cause that transformed a simple social club into a yacht club, stimulating the vanity and sense of authority of the nobles while earning their goodwill.

’No matter how I think about it, it’s a waste. I bought this at quite a high price, and it’s going to sink.’

The ship that leisurely goes out to sea will encounter a sudden monster wave.

Aint Armian, who escapes from the ship just before it sinks, will be washed up on a remote island where he will engage in a life-or-death struggle with evil beings trying to kill him.

That was the future revealed by this prophecy.

Since he had already observed it, he could prevent it if he wanted to, but Gerhard decided not to.

’For me to become Aint’s complete supporter, Aint needs to know that I recognize the existence of demons within reasonable boundaries.’

That way, questions like "how did you know" or suspicious thoughts about it being strange wouldn’t arise.

The best approach would be to be washed up on the same island as Aint and help him when he’s attacked.

Nothing builds trust more certainly than overcoming a crisis together.

"Not bad. Let’s go now."

"Yes. By the way, may I ask one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Where exactly did you get such information, Young Master?"

"I have a separate source."

"Wasn’t I your informant?"

"Just because you’re the hands and feet doesn’t mean you know everything the head knows."

Hyde nodded as if he roughly understood.

"It seems there is someone among the Academy students who knows about evil beings. And with high probability, they are from the Dragon Faith Order. Coincidentally, Young Master, you have a friendship with the saint, Janice."

It was a completely wrong guess, but it was the most plausible inference made without any information.

Instead of answering, Gerhard just nodded vaguely and moved on.

"What’s important is catching the evil beings."

"What do you plan to do after capturing them?"

"Find out. How they concealed their identity, how they infiltrated, and what their purpose is."

Honestly, the purpose was too clear to need that, but still.

Anyway, what’s important is to follow that thread to capture the leader of the evil beings.

"Together with Aint Armian."

"Why Aint Armian there?"

"What, did I give him the Saint Bird’s heart just not to use it?"

"True, we must make sure we get our money’s worth."