Free Web NovelChapter 271 -180: Flowing Shield Wall (Part 3)
Ever since returning to the university with Jasmine yesterday, Fisher discovered that an extremely large number of outside personnel had been added within the university.
"Clean the roads right outside the main building. A podium must be placed there when the time comes, otherwise how will the newspapers get their shots!"
"Also, mark the text inside the university's signboards with Schwari script beneath the Nazarene text! If it's entirely in Nazarene, how are those foreign scholars supposed to read it?"
"Have the police station personnel been transferred over yet? Good. The entire academic conference must be under closed management from start to finish. We can't have just anyone wandering in."
Next Monday, the Anti-Magic Academic Visiting Group led by the Prince of Schwari was set to hold academic activities at Saint-Nazareth University. The Schwari delegation would be arriving by airship within the next few days.
Since this was officially framed as an academic conference rather than a formal state visit, they would come directly to Saint-Nazareth University and hold sessions here for up to five days. Only at the conclusion of the conference would the Golden Palace, in the name of the King of Naris, formally invite the Prince and his delegation of scholars to the Golden Palace as guests.
Therefore, before the Schwari delegation arrived, the New Party—which bore full responsibility for this visit—was predictably proactive. As early as Thursday they had entered Saint-Nazareth University, surveying the displays and furnishings, and directing their subordinates to make substitutions and adjustments, all to ensure the visit proceeded without a single mistake.
This was hardly surprising. The mid-term elections were just around the corner. This visit had to go perfectly. Any misstep seized upon by the Gryphon Party and brought before Parliament would severely damage the New Party's approval ratings.
Fisher had no interest whatsoever in the New Party's affairs. But next week the Schwari delegation was coming regardless, and once they arrived the entire university would be placed under martial law. He planned to arrange for Caro to get inside today, before that happened. Last night, after seeing Jasmine off, the fellow had sent him several letters in a row urging him to hurry.
"Next week that imposing flock of Schwari scholars is about to descend on us. Feeling the pressure?"
Friday afternoon, Fisher stood at the entrance of the office building, watching the New Party officials directing construction work outside Saint-Nazareth University. Beside him, Roger walked over with a cup of coffee, sizing up the same scene.
Roger was someone who kept well clear of political affairs. He had previously held a post at the Nazarene Development Company, then resigned to work independently, before being invited by Kaine to come to the university and teach.
He had come over simply to ask Fisher how he was holding up.
"Not particularly," Fisher replied, still watching the officials bustle about below. "I've got other things on my mind."
