Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 37: The Knight Comes to Hate Balls (5)
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The Pendragon Kingdom was currently dealing with a slew of headaches from all directions.
The most prominent were the massive "monster terror" attack during the Royal Academy's midterm evaluations, followed shortly by the "tunnel collapse incident" at the southern continent's largest fertilizer production site...
Each event alone could have shaken the kingdom to its core, yet two such disasters had struck in quick succession.
For the kingdom, this was no exaggeration to call an ominous harbinger of crisis.
Yet despite that, the lack of any real unrest in the kingdom was likely because both incidents had fizzled out without much fanfare.
[Let's learn about the 'heroes' who stopped the kingdom's terror.]
[The princess performs a miracle!]
[Prince Aren's bravery resolves the tunnel crisis.]
And so on.
Given the major incidents, the fact that there were virtually no casualties meant the kingdom avoided widespread chaos.
Of course, internally, organizations held endless meetings with heated arguments flying daily, but that was a matter for the high and mighty.
The common folk were enjoying their daily lives, so it wasn't an overstatement to call it peaceful.
And perhaps because of this maintained peace...
"As expected of Pendragon. The title of southern hegemon is no empty boast."
"Indeed. And yet, they've had so many major incidents lately."
"Hah, do you believe those silly rumors? About a thousand-year-old monster appearing, and a giant giant mother worm collapsing the tunnels."
"...Certainly hard to believe. I don't know about the ancient monster, but even one mother worm is a massive headache."
"Exactly. In the west, worms must be killed on sight. If they mature into adults, it's a nightmare."
Two men were riding together in a lavish carriage.
The carriage was gold-plated and encrusted with all manner of dazzling jewels, its value incalculable. Pulling it were five enormous black stallions, each worth as much as building a fortress. Who would believe that?
It was extravagance on a staggering scale.
However, the carriage's owner was a tycoon of the western continent who could spend such sums like water, and one of the seventeen sultans who dominated it.
"Sultan, is there anything else you require?"
"Chill the grape wine I bought from that street vendor earlier and bring it."
"I-I'm deeply concerned it might taint Your Excellency's palate..."
"Ahem."
"...As you command."
Salah al-Adil Muhammad.
Or simply Sultan Salah.
He was the sultan who controlled the western continent's largest oasis, vast gold veins, gem mines, and even massive merchant guilds under his banner.
His youthful, handsome features complemented his bronze skin perfectly, and at just 27 years old this year, he wielded the authority of a sultan in his twenties with arrogance born of youth matched by formidable charisma.
One look at him screamed, "This man is someone important!"
"Whew, southern grape wine is reliably good no matter where you buy it. Even from some random street stall."
"The fact that even commoners sell wine of this quality so easily speaks to how smoothly logistics flow here."
"The War God's achievement. Truly impressive. I can't fathom how he built such a logistics network. If we fought Pendragon, we'd lose just from supply issues."
"Hmm, is it wise to say that in front of me?"
"Because you're interested in targeting Pendragon too, aren't you, mage?"
"Spare me, Sultan. I won't bite, no matter what you say."
"You could be honest in a place like this..."
The sultan spoke warmly, as if inviting the man to bare his soul freely, but the man wasn't fooled.
On the contrary, he heightened his vigilance.
"I'm grateful for the accommodations so far, but if you keep making such remarks, I'll have to end our travels here."
"Oh dear, we mustn't upset the mage! Kahaha!"
He took a hard line.
"......"
Normally, the man would have exploded at such frivolous, infuriating behavior, but his opponent was a sultan.
Showing emotion to one called a "17th Prince" or "king" of the west required utmost caution, so he swallowed his anger.
'Upsetting him would only hurt us.'
The rare western materials supplied exclusively to the Mage Tower came from the sultan's guilds, making tact essential.
'...I hope this uncomfortable journey ends soon.'
The man's name was Huey de Baylor.
He was the designated successor to the Mage Tower, known as the ivory tower of mages.
"Now you're completely turning your gaze outward. What a boring fellow."
Huey barely suppressed a sigh and looked outside.
At the crowds welcoming them enthusiastically.
But even amid their fervent cheers...
"......"
His gaze remained utterly cold.
"-You can tell at a glance he's your typical spellcaster."
"Huh?"
"Look at his eyes. Not human eyes. More like a masked goblin or something."
"...Master, isn't that discriminatory?"
"Could be."
"Y-You're admitting it more readily than I thought?"
"I know I lose my cool whenever spellcasters are involved. That's why your role is crucial, Bearcub."
"Me?"
"Yes. If I snap and try to tear him apart, you have to stop me. Your mission is grave."
"Umm... Th-that seems impossible...?"
Her blue eyes, reminiscent of violets, brimmed with distress.
She wanted to fulfill most of her beloved master's requests, but...
'...Master's combat prowess oddly spikes whenever mages are involved.'
As expected of a prodigy with the potential to become the Mercenary Queen, Levi understood his power well and scratched her cheek to express her feelings.
Worried about a real disaster brewing.
The western sultan and the empire's Mage Tower.
It had probably been about 50 years since both powers visited the south simultaneously.
They had bowed under the War God's might, hesitant even to visit casually, but now with him gone, they were finally showing their true colors.
Some nobles felt displeasure, but others said:
-Their visit isn't a grave discourtesy; it's just coincidence.
Above all, they had a clear reason for coming.
None other than...
"Lady Irene. Will you choose to meet them, or wait for them to come to you? I'll accept whichever you pick."
"I-I just don't want to meet any of them..."
The girl who could become a once-in-a-generation genius mage—a golden egg of the era.
Irene Windler was why they had come to the kingdom.
Diplomatically, welcoming them was the proper course, but...
"Hmm, if the lady refuses, there's little we can do."
"??"
...Wasn't he supposed to persuade her?
The chancellor gave up so easily that Irene blinked in confusion, wondering what was going on.
"Um, Chancellor? It's awkward after saying I don't want to, but... is it really okay to give up so readily? They're still honored guests from abroad."
[Exactly. Our Arin would have met them if pushed, but her soft nature...]
'Be quiet!'
Though she'd said she didn't want to, if the chancellor had insisted, she probably would have greeted them as the ghost girl said, given her personality.
"True, the Mage Tower and sultan are indeed honored guests."
The chancellor nodded.
As the girl said, they were important visitors.
The Mage Tower boasting immense power in the empire, and a sultan of the western continent.
Both formidable forces; even Pendragon committing a slight would be a major diplomatic loss and spark ill winds.
However,
"But you're not just any noble lady—you're Duke Galahad's granddaughter. Who in their right mind would force the lady when she says no?"
"......"
"Not to speak ill, but I don't want to make an enemy of His Grace either. He holds serious grudges."
The chancellor shuddered dramatically as if spooked, half-joking and half-serious, leaving Irene dumbfounded.
"...Chancellor—no, former Prime Minister—afraid of something?"
A man who still wielded great power even in retirement?
"Ex-Prime Minister. And even as current one, I wouldn't dare provoke him. I've witnessed his youth firsthand, and I know crossing him is a hundred times worse than antagonizing the sultan or Mage Tower."
"......"
Duke Galahad's influence seemed far more immense than she knew, as if refuting her doubts.
Irene felt a glimpse of the power behind that greasy uncle's family.
The chancellor continued.
"Anyway, Lady Irene. Do as you wish. If you decide to meet them, let me know the date and place—the Academy will do its utmost to accommodate."
"...This is subtly pressuring me, right?"
"Haha, of course not."
"......"
...Sly old fox.
Pressuring her with his eyes all the while.
'Ugh, maybe I should call for backup!'
Irene itched for a Buster Call.
"...So that's the situation. What should I do?"
"You come to me with this?"
"You're the only adult I trust completely, Instructor."
"Flattery."
"I'm serious! Totally serious!"
Irene consulted Lee Han, overwhelmed by the events piling up around her.
For Lee Han hearing this...
'Perfect timing?'
It was absurd yet somewhat welcome news.
He had business with the Mage Tower anyway, so an easier approach was ideal.
However...
"...Do as you want."
"Huh?"
"You're dying to refuse because it's overwhelming, but your personality makes you worry about causing trouble for others, leaving you conflicted."
"Uh..."
Irene gasped softly.
As if he'd seen right through her heart in an instant.
"There'll be almost no fallout. They came to our kingdom—they should be the ones minding manners, not you. Ignore them. You'd rather nap and eat dessert than meet those types anyway, right?"
"Gasp!"
Spot-on insight into her psyche.
He had pinpointed her feelings so precisely that she might fall for any insurance pitch he made right now.
"Exaggeration."
It was rare warm advice from Lee Han.
Advice forgoing his own gain, but that was natural.
Though a fledgling spellcaster, she was one of his disciples he was teaching.
'Spellcaster or not, she's my disciple! Spellcaster or not...!'
Brainwashed resolve.
Despite his aversion, he wouldn't deny teaching her, so he cast aside bias to give her sincere counsel.
Anyone knowing his mage phobia would appreciate the mental effort.
...But rendering such consideration moot...
"It's unfortunate for Lady Irene, but it seems they've outpaced her by a step. 'Sinister' might be more accurate?"
"Levi?"
Levi interjected into their talk, giving Irene a sympathetic look.
"Fresh newspaper. They seem dead set on meeting Lady Irene. Legally, but sneakily."
"...Should I really call that greasy uncle?"
Irene wore a stalker-victim grimace.
Understandably so.
[Lord Huey and the Sultan have expressed a desire to briefly visit the Royal Academy, brimming with Pendragon's talents, and will attend the Academy party in a fortnight. The royals have graciously-.]
A sly move, plain and simple.
"See? No conscience."
"......Yeah."
Lee Han's remark upon seeing it, and the only one grasping its meaning, Levi, nodded vigorously in agreement...
'Wait... this means...?'
Glancing sideways.
"A party, huh... Can instructors attend?"
"...Looks like it."
Levi paled, realizing she might truly need to calculate scenarios where her master tore apart a Mage Tower disciple.
Reminding herself she had to be the brake holding him back.