Chapter 131
Chapter 131
He flinched at the sharp criticism that came without even giving him a moment to catch his breath. "...
It feels like you have a pretty low opinion of me." "Your face doesn't exactly scream 'polite to elders.'" "I don't know what 'face' means exactly, but from your tone, I can guess." "What do you think it means?" "Judging people by their looks... something like that?" "You got it spot on. That's why talking to smart guys like you is so easy." "...
Is this what they call giving with one hand and taking with the other?" Roan Dimitri de Lionel. The young lord of the north maintained his signature expressionless face, making it hard to read any changes. A face where emotions barely showed, perhaps? But right now, his awkward discomfort was plain as day. Lee Han picked up on it too, clicking his tongue with a shameless grin. "So, was I wrong?" "...
Ironically, it's frustrating because you weren't." "Noble kids are rude to adults by nature anyway." "......
I don't get why the instructor always badmouths nobles as casually as breathing."
"You're lucky it's just discrimination. If a spellcaster like you had glared at me like that, I'd have gouged your eyes out first."
"Hm..."
Normally, Roan stayed cool-headed no matter what, with emotional shifts so subtle they were barely there. It wasn't just his innate temperament; his noble status meant he'd spent his life being treated with respect—receiving honorifics or sly barbs wrapped in courtesy from equals or foes alike. Facing someone who spoke so bluntly was bound to be tough. But if asked whether it felt bad... 'Strangely, it doesn't bother me.There's no vile malice in it. If anything, it feels like he's treating me like a little brother.It's unfamiliar, but still...'Not bad at all... really.' It was odd how unperturbed he felt.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I heard you crossed swords with my uncle." As expected, just like Lee Han predicted, the dark-haired guy cut straight to it without blinking, no pleasantries about well-being. "...
Let's eat first, yeah?" Still, the 'sincerity' of bringing piles of fancy fruit sets and cakes from renowned dessert artisans was appreciated. Gulp! He grumbled even as he shoved a slice of cake into his mouth—loaded with luxurious custard cream that had a nutty almond aroma, smooth yet rich texture. But the taste was... "No complaints here. And I don't even like sweets that much." "It's worth the conversation fee. Desserts like these aren't available even for money." "...
Fair enough." It was taste worthy of such confidence, so Lee Han said, "...
If the uncle you're talking about is that monster of a man, then yeah." "Then it must be." "Bastard was ridiculously strong... Not a bad guy, but if you ask if he's good? Nah..." "...
Uncle does have his flaws. I can guess what happened. Let me apologize on his behalf." "Nah, skip the apology. Next time you see him, tell him this: 'No matter how you slice it, the math doesn't add up. If you're stealing my techniques, pay the proper remainder.'" "...
I'll relay it word for word."
Mentioning the duel with Maximus made the dark-haired guy smile bitterly. As if he could piece together what went down. Lee Han glanced sideways to check his reaction, confirming the guy came to ask about the tunnel incident—and marveled inwardly at the same time. 'He's asking me about this?' When his own father would know best. 'Last time I saw, things weren't exactly positive between him and the Grand Duke.' An awkward—no, openly hostile—attitude toward his father. Family matters, so he wouldn't pry, but still. 'Noble houses are dysfunctional everywhere you go.' Lee Han was relieved this kingdom had no home visit culture. No need to witness other families' fights.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lee Han wasn't stingy.
"A fanatic group holed up in the tunnels breeding half-beasts, and that giant worm they were raising as some divine entity... Ha! All kingdom-shaking horrors, one after another."
It was hard-earned intel, and one could argue it wasn't worth trading for a few cake slices like an idiot, but the dark-haired guy Lee Han knew...
"-By coincidence, I think I've spotted similar folks too. Recently wiped out a slave caravan, and they seemed tied to the fanatics. Especially those massive numbers of prisoners used to summon that monster, the Ear King—they might've been shipped by that caravan."
"...
What an enormous coincidence." "Yes, quite fortunate." See? The epitome of give and take. Decent intel and insights poured in, rewarding his generosity. "Hm, this tells us something. The collaborator has controlled the southern continent's shadows for decades at least. Otherwise, no way the tunnels and slave caravans would cooperate." "Who could build a force like that?" "Excluding great nobles like Galahad, Lionel, and Tristan, maybe three candidates left. Merchant guilds or the Mercenary Union could pull it off too. Other big shots that come to mind... hm, at least five more." "...
Suspects galore." "All tough to handle at once." "Hmmm..." Lee Han scratched his cheek. Listening made his head hurt more. Tsk! 'Whatever. Why should I worry? Big shots will handle it.' He'd handed it off to his ex-coworker; she'd squeeze out the answers. He'd done his part; from here, it was up to the higher-ups. Time to bow out. "If the instructor racks up a few more feats like this, you could be one of those higher-ups yourself." "Pass. What's a swordsman want with power?" "Still, doesn't it piss you off? Aren't Pendragon stealing all the credit in this situation." "...
You seem more pissed than me?" "Just thinking about that incompetent fool gaining honor and rampaging makes me sick already." "Well, well." A scathing jab at the royal family. Palpable hostility. Lee Han shot him a fresh look. 'Dark-hair's got bad blood with the golden boy too, huh?' Makes sense. The golden boy wasn't the type dark-hair would like. If dark-hair was a wolf surviving brutal wild plains, golden boy was a Chihuahua raised in a greenhouse. Different upbringings, backgrounds—and if they crossed paths, instant enmity. At least that's how Lee Han saw it. If they'd clashed...! 'Golden boy would've gotten crushed one-sidedly.' Bet they'd fought two or three times before the guy's regression. Anyway, ask Tae-chang later. For now, "To reiterate, I don't need power or fame—empty illusions. I'm all about practical gains." "...
Did you get a satisfactory reward?" Sensing something in Lee Han's tone, perhaps. He pressed, and Lee Han... "......
To some extent." He murmured like soothing the dark-hair guy, eyes flicking away. "This cake is no joke. What is this...? Medieval level's way too high." "Lady Irene, have some tea too. Your throat must be dry." The two girls chattered away, his gaze lingering on the one with wavy, sea-blue hair. "What can I say? Fair trade, in my book." "I see." ...
Roan saw it. The satisfaction flickering in his eyes for a moment. And recalled. His subordinates watching the 'Polt family' suddenly convulsing like epileptics, foaming at the mouth, and collapsing. And also, 'Tattoos like burns on face, neck, back.' Those tattoos undoubtedly... 'Were meant for Jahn originally.' His friend, now unseen. But unseen made it fortunate, somehow. 'Looks like you truly found freedom...' Roan bowed his head, relieved. ─Seeing his worry-free friend's face almost brought tears, unbidden. 'Congratulations, Jahn—no... Levi.' Sending heartfelt congratulations he'd never voiced to anyone in his life, he fell silent. Savoring the afterglow.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ '...[Curse Transfer], huh. Sis sure knows her obscure stuff.' Lee Han knew his disciple was now free of ominous curses. Well, not completely gone, but 90% purged, she'd said? - '[Curse Transfer]' literally shifts curses to another. But it requires tricky conditions and a hefty price. Be grateful—I bore the sacrifice and cost for you. In gold alone, it was 100,000 coins. - ......
Why not do it for me? - Ungrateful brat! Be thankful before questioning! - No, do it for me too!! - Impossible. You think yours is like your disciple's? Hers was a fixed tattoo form, not fused with her body. Yours merged with your blood itself. Draining all blood might work, but survival odds? 2%. Wanna try? - ...
Would you rather I die? - Just facts. ...
Enough banter. Still, stay cautious. Takes 5 years for the curse to fully settle in the new host. If they die in that window, it bounces back to you. - ...
So if the hosts just don't die for 5 years, freeze 'em or something? - ...
Sometimes your ideas are brutally simple, little brother. Thaw frozen meat—does it come out fine? - ...
Frozen human doesn't work? - ...
They say knights shine brighter the dumber they are. You're definitely top-tier, little brother. Ho ho. "......
Ugh." Recalling being schooled on common sense by a medieval princess, he let out a groan. Truly humiliating. But. "Five years, huh... What if we freeze them? Easier to manage." "......" "...
Why the warm look?" "No, just... thinking you're a fine knight too." "?" "It happens." Lee Han was glad for his 'fine' colleague.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With talks wrapping up. Sunset fading, dusk creeping into the yard. Roan rose quietly. "Talk ran longer than expected. Time to go." "Got what you came for and bouncing? Cold-blooded." "...
Dinner, perhaps? There's a new spot." "Restaurant?" "Opened on Central Noble Street." "...
Land there's pricey, no?" "Investment's high, but confident on returns." "......
Why are all my buddies loaded?" Lee Han grumbled. Seemed he was the only broke one. But. "Skip dinner. How about pre-meal exercise?" Lee Han had something more intriguing than his wealth— a proposal. "...
Pre-meal exercise?" "Light workout before eating, yeah." "......
Won't feel light at all." "Music to my ears." Lee Han approved of his reaction. For good reason. "Since you didn't refuse." "...
I get the itch to loosen up sometimes too." The dark-haired guy had drawn his sword at some point, and Lee Han rose contentedly.