Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.38 – The Knight Does Not Forgive the Golden Sun (3)
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It felt like the protagonist on stage had changed in an instant.
The presence of the magician chick was beyond imagination, striking him with that impression out of nowhere.
'Wow, she's devouring the stage with her looks.'
Lee Han wasn't particularly interested in the chick's appearance, to be honest.
He acknowledged she was pretty, but he tended to look at people starting from their bones and skeletal structure rather than their faces, so superficial skin-deep features weren't much of a thrill for him.
Only recently had he started feeling a flutter for a certain maid with honey-colored eyes, but aside from that, he couldn't recall ever being smitten by a woman.
However, things were different now.
It wasn't exactly fluttering.
But...
'So this is what they mean by a walking work of art.'
He couldn't help but be in awe.
It felt like gazing at a beautiful statue or painting.
Even in his previous life, people said they'd involuntarily gasp and zone out in front of famously beautiful sculptures, and the chick's looks and aura gave off a similar vibe to such masterpieces.
"Bearcub, I'm kinda feeling unfamiliar around her."
"M-Me too..."
A demonic charm that even captivated fellow women.
If he hadn't seen a real succubus, he might have suspected the magic chick was one.
'Half-elf, they said. Her mother's blood runs thick, chick.'
He was the only one who knew Irene was Duke Blake's own daughter and that the girl Irene had strongly inherited fairy blood.
From ancient tales, fairies' beauty was compared to goddesses or angels, often appearing as goddesses of beauty in myths...
'I get why now.'
Even though he'd grown accustomed to her usual look, seeing her dolled up like this made it crystal clear why fairies were once worshipped.
This must be why they say a woman's transformation is a crime.
'The scary part is she's still in her growth phase.'
Surprisingly, the chick hadn't finished growing yet; she was just starting.
She might make him understand why terms like "nation-toppling beauty" exist once she's fully grown.
...Meaning the future would be even more terrifying than now.
Lee Han had no idea who would end up with her someday, but he hoped it wouldn't be him.
'I don't want to be that duke's son-in-law, and above all...'
Swipe.
Tingle tingle!
'I don't want to get tangled with jealous males.'
He'd felt prickly stares when Bearcub was by his side, but with the magic chick hovering nearby, the jealousy-laden gazes gathering were on another level.
Intense enough that if looks could kill, he'd be dead hundreds of times over.
Hmm...
'Now I know why the brave win the beauty.'
You needed guts to handle jealousy like that.
However.
"...Annoying."
Tsk!
Lee Han clicked his tongue, feeling displeased.
Jealousy itself wasn't bad, but the barrage of stares was undeniably disruptive.
As Lee Han muttered softly, feeling irritated.
[………….]
"...Huh?"
...Why had the surroundings suddenly gone so quiet?
The area fell abruptly silent in an instant, and Lee Han blinked, looking around.
The males who'd been shooting him deadly glares just moments ago had all gone dead quiet like mice, turning their heads away.
What was up with them all of a sudden...?
As he blinked in confusion.
"...Instructor, are you drifting further from humanity as time goes on?"
"What're you saying?"
Kunta stared at him in disbelief, and Lee Han tilted his head.
He couldn't figure out why.
...The males who'd glared at him probably felt chills—no, their hair standing on end in that moment.
'Lion's Roar, huh?'
Drip...
Lion's Roar.
A technique infusing one's voice with intimidation, the day Arno and Garand had been overwhelmed by it.
During the sparring match at their first encounter with the instructor...
- It's called Lion's Roar.
The image of him exuding the ferocity of a roaring lion or tiger right before their eyes was still vivid.
An unforgettable shock for them for life.
But this Lion's Roar was different from back then.
He wasn't consciously projecting intimidation; it was naturally infused.
The instructor had unconsciously unleashed [Intimidation] toward those eyeing him with hostility while feeling displeased, and those shooting jealous glares at him must have even seen hallucinations.
─Like the illusion of a tiger the size of an elephant growling right in front of them.
And though they harbored no hostility, the trio—whose skill made them exceptionally perceptive to auras—shivered like bystanders splashed by sparks near a campfire.
"I'm losing it; my body's been numb for about 5 seconds."
"Ku, Kunta's was 10 seconds..."
"...That's not human anymore."
The three, briefly paralyzed, looked thoroughly unnerved.
This was beyond mere technique.
Just getting angry naturally triggered Lion's Roar, meaning...
"Instructor, you've become a beast."
"...The phrasing..."
"It's not wrong, but still..."
"Wild beast fits better."
"That sounds okay. ...Huh? Young Master Roan? When did you arrive?"
"Just now. Thought a monster appeared the moment I got here. What happened?"
"...Haha."
Even with Lionel Grand Duke's heir present, his presence was so overwhelmingly forgotten...
Arno let out a hollow laugh, Garand looked unnerved, and Kunta...
"Oh, right! That's why they say 'Beauty and the Beast'!"
The barbarian unwittingly named a fairy tale that didn't exist in this world, and it would be much later before Kunta realized this was the inspiration for fairy tales.
Whether this historic moment might birth the Brothers Grimm turned Brothers Barbarian or not, Lee Han was simply pleased with the now-quiet surroundings.
'Finally, it's less annoying around here.'
People now averted their eyes whenever they crossed paths with him.
Why were they acting like that?
"Why are those guys like that?"
"Beats me?"
Those not exposed to his intimidation just tilted their heads curiously when, suddenly.
[[~♪.]]
The faint sound of instruments drifted in.
Violins and cellos, pianos and euphoniums, countless brass instruments began playing splendid music.
It was the performance of the wind instrument division cadets.
"One reason the academy holds balls and parties is for that. It's a showcase for music and art cadets' talents. If they impress here, nobles scout them."
"Really? News to me."
"Hmm, you must really dump everything on TA Damian. The faculty got cooperation notices too."
"...Why didn't that guy tell me something that important? Ungrateful punk."
"......"
His ignorance of such basics was the irresponsible TA's fault.
Lee Han brazenly badmouthed the TA with shameless confidence.
...If the man were here, he'd protest he reported it and why pretend ignorance.
Unfortunately, the TA had pulled three nights of shifts and was sleeping at home, unable to imagine the unfair scolding coming his way.
But dealing with the TA could wait; right now, the important thing was.
Swipe.
"Take care."
"Y-Yes..."
He needed to show etiquette befitting the occasion.
As music filled the air, men and women naturally paired up to dance.
It resembled a rehearsed stage play, but surprisingly...
'This is totally staged.'
If that's what you felt, you'd be spot on.
This party might seem like pure fun, but that's a big misconception.
Ultimately, it was an extension of exams for culture division cadets and a practice run for future high society for others.
To a third party's eyes, it felt somewhat unnatural, unfolding like a scripted scene.
However.
"I-Is this how you dance?"
"You're doing great. Yes, just like that, Bear 8."
"...Chick 12. Can you drop the 'Bear' already?"
"Then Baldy 8?"
"...Just call me Bear."
"Ufufu."
For lowborn or lesser noble cadets new to such events, it was all fresh and fun.
Even just mingling with a partner was a huge joy and experience.
'Well, what's not fun about school days?'
They'd crack up at the sight of a leaf—that's youth, right?
'Assets called memories and experiences...'
A story from university friends in his past life came to mind.
No matter how much time passed, they couldn't forget, laughing, chatting, even raging over school tales at drinks or coffee.
Reliving those days fondly.
Thus, this wasn't just a party or exam stage.
For these young boys and girls, this experience would be an eternal, unforgettable memory even after 10 or 20 years.
The romance only youth can grasp.
No matter how awkwardly staged it seemed, that romance truly existed here now.
His own disciple dancing with him was no different.
Her face flushed with excitement, she danced and laughed joyfully.
As if this moment was perfect happiness.
"Having fun?"
"...No."
"?"
"I'm happy."
"...I see."
Lee Han simply danced silently to his disciple's words.
He didn't push too hard.
Just doing his best to let her enjoy it.
There were many clumsy bits, but he wanted to pat himself on the back for dancing this well after just four days.
All thanks to the maid with honey-colored eyes that suited her so well.
......That was why.
'...Kids are playing, so why are there so many scumbags around, damn it.'
Lee Han couldn't stand by as a page of their youth got ruined—he felt it as an adult.
He, Blackie, and the trio had probably noticed already?
'Some shady bastards around.'
Guys with vibes he didn't want to deal with.
To him then.
- 'Assassins,' Instructor.
"......"
- Think of them as western continent assassins who've undergone brutal training—ruthless types. Didn't expect the sultan to bring them, though...
"...Hmm."
You're the surprising one here?
Sound transmission (傳音入密).
A feat where lips move but the voice reaches only the intended target without leaking outward.
Blackie had pulled it off, leaving Lee Han dumbfounded.
How the hell did you even do that?
But Lee Han shelved his curiosity about the technique for now.
Instead.
"Bearcub, gotta handle something quick."
"Huh?"
"Too many rats."
"......"
"Sorry. Got a lousy partner."
"...Hehe, no. It's very master-like."
"Good, thanks for understanding."
He decided to discipline the scumbags trying to ruin the kids' fun.
Of course.
'Just don't let the kids catch on.'
Lee Han gently released the hand he'd been holding.
Levi looked reluctant but still.
"Be careful."
"Thanks."
Let him go easily, and Lee Han mouthed words to Blackie.
He couldn't do sound transmission, but.
- Be back soon, so watch her well,
...or so.
Conveying intent was easy, and Lee Han raised a fist.
A sign he wouldn't let him off if he failed, and Blackie.
- If any suspicious guy approaches, I'll cut him down right away.
Gave a satisfying reply.
Whoosh!
Lee Han's figure vanished into the crowd in an instant.
As if he'd never been there.
"......How the hell do you even do that?"
Roan muttered, searching for the already-gone figure.
If Lee Han found his sound transmission amazing, Roan was even more awed by his movement.
Truly...
"No matter how I look, you're the weirder one."
The returner's sincere words.