It had all begun innocently enough, just a few days after Leo's arrival.

  The children, especially Dylan, were quick to warm to Leo. Free from the prejudices that clung to their elders, they accepted the former scholar with open arms.

  At first, Leo was just a substitute for Lucian when he was too busy to read stories to Dylan. But curiosity has a way of growing, especially in children.

  "Leo, what do these letters mean?" Dylan had asked one day, pointing at the pages of a book while Leo read a book to him.

  That casual question had sparked a full on lesson.

  Observing from a distance, Lucian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. He's intelligent, but I didn't expect him to be this talented at teaching," he murmured. A slow, devious smile spread across his face.

  I'll use you well, Leo.

  "Leo, a moment," Lucian said, motioning for the younger man to follow him.

  The next morning, Lucian presented a leather-bound book to the children.

  "Kids! Look at this!" Lucian announced, holding it up dramatically. "Sir Theo found this old diary in the woods."

  The children's eyes lit up with curiosity.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "And it's not just any diary. It's a memoir containing clues about a hidden treasure!"

  Gasps echoed through the room.

  "But," Lucian added, feigning regret, "I'm far too busy to search for it myself. I guess I'll just leave it here for whoever wants to take a crack at it."

  He placed the book on the table and walked off, suppressing a grin.

  The moment Lucian was out of sight, Dylan hurried over, flipping open the book. He squinted at the symbols and text, managing to decipher a few words before frowning.

  "Hey, let me see! I want to find the treasure too!" Luke said, trying to grab the book.

  Dylan smirked. "You can't. You don't even know how to read."

  Luke scowled, and soon Matthew joined in, their frustration bubbling into cries for help. "Leo! Teach us! We want to read this!"

  What began as a single child's curiosity soon spread like wildfire. With the help of Marcus, who loved stirring the pot, rumors about Dylan's treasure hunt swept through the village.

  At first, it was just a few of Dylan's friends begging to learn. Then, their neighbors' children joined in. Eventually, almost every child in the village was involved, dragging their parents to the chapel-turned-classroom.

  But the ripple effects didn't stop with the children. The treasure rumors reached the adults, their whispers growing louder with each passing day.

  "I wonder what kind of treasure it is," one man muttered.

  "Bah, it's probably nonsense," scoffed another.

  "Really? But Sir Theo found it, didn't he? A Paladin wouldn't lie," someone countered.

  "I heard Father Lucian himself is investigating it."

  "That explains why he's always out."

  "Idiot. He's blessing the fields all day. Don't disrespect him like that!"

  "My kid said Father Lucian promised the treasure to whoever finds it," one woman added excitedly.

  "Imagine if it's real… I could buy land and leave this miserable county," another mused.

  "Ha! I'd overthrow that swine of a Count and take his place," someone said with a laugh.

  "Shh! You'll get yourself killed talking like that."

  Lucian stood by the doorway, his face an impassive mask as he listened to their chatter. Inside, his mind was a whirlwind.

  Wow… I didn't expect this to spiral so quickly.

  He glanced at the children scribbling on slates and the adults murmuring conspiratorially in the pews.

  On one hand, this is perfect. They're all learning at a rate I never imagined. On the other hand…

  Lucian's stomach twisted as he thought of the inevitable fallout.

  They'll be furious when they realize the treasure doesn't exist.

  His mind flashed to angry mobs who were ready to lynch Leo just days ago.

  I'll be lucky if I make it out alive.

  He let out a sigh of relief.

  Thank God I made the contents cryptic enough.

  Still, as he turned to leave the chapel, Lucian couldn't help but smirk.

  Even if the treasure is fake, their literacy won't be. By the time they figure it out, I'll already have their loyalty—and their minds.