Chapter 306
Chapter 306
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.64 – The Reason for Helping That Knight
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Plop...
"......"
The black puppy, which resembled a newborn husky in appearance, finally dropped the hourglass it had been holding in its mouth.
Even a glance revealed it was a high-grade treasure, filled not with sand but with gem dust. Yet there it lay, unceremoniously rolling on the ground—a sight that would make anyone gasp in horror.
However, the baby husky... no, the advanced magic beast Orthos, with its two heads and serpentine tail, couldn't even close its gaping maw.
True to its reputation as an intelligent magic beast, Orthos expressed its emotions vividly.
"Wah, wahl."
Shiver!
It trembled from head to tail, as if urinating in fear, utterly terrified.
And who could blame it?
Thud... thud...
Over 30,000 magic beasts had been dismantled into meat chunks, piled up into mountains!
The terrifying part wasn't just the number 30,000. Every single one of those beasts was at least as strong as Orthos—no weaker specimens in sight.
The weakest-looking ones were adult Orthos equivalents, numbering around 10,000. The remaining 20,000 were all stronger than Orthos, with many boasting superior intelligence as well.
Seeing such elite magic beasts reduced to decorative sculptures made Orthos dizzy—quite literally.
But the dizziness paled in comparison to the overwhelming fear...
Pat, pat.
"-You're a smart one, aren't you? You did a great job guiding the way."
"......"
"Hm? What are you staring at?"
"...Kek..."
"Oh, that? Wasn't intentional. They just piled up while I was cleaning. Man, 30,000 of them... what a hassle, a total hassle. Tsk."
It was the fact that this male human had single-handedly created this 'masterpiece.'
"......"
Orthos realized anew that this human—or monster?—was genuinely acknowledging it. Dazed, it meekly accepted the hourglass handed over like a bone.
"Take good care of it. You borrowed that, remember."
"......"
"Answer me."
"Waaang!!"
"That's right—answers should be enthusiastic."
Treated like a dog, Orthos suffered the humiliating pat on the head but showed no sign of resistance.
Any rebellion...
"...Wahl."
...and it might end up as part of that mountain...
He might act all casual in front of the puppy, but inwardly, Lee Han was flustered.
So flustered it was hard to remember the last time he'd felt this way—
What the hell?
"Why'd so many show up...?"
The numbers were off.
He'd thought a dozen or so would be a crowd, but this was easily over 400.
He'd sensed familiar presences and reinforcements arriving, but hadn't gauged the exact count. Blinking repeatedly at the sight of 400-plus allies, Lee Han wondered what was going on.
'...I definitely said to come if they had time.'
The day before entering the annex, Lee Han had written five letters and sent them out.
To the five people he could call acquaintances—ones he trusted, as far as he knew.
The contents were nothing special.
No explanation of Mordred's situation, no stated purpose for coming.
Just...
[Come help if you're free.] ...a single short sentence.
Some might scold him for calling that a letter, but the recipients all owed him debts or shared bonds. Even a sloppy note like that wouldn't be ignored, he'd calculated.
'It'd be too much for me alone anyway.'
He knew it.
No matter how strong an individual, some things couldn't be handled solo.
Charging ahead alone was just reckless arrogance or childish stubbornness.
Lee Han wasn't the type to confuse bravery with foolhardiness, like some naive knights. In that sense, calling for backup in case of emergency was just common sense for him.
So his fluster stemmed from the sheer volume of responders—just two days after sending those letters.
And also...
"Why'd that lady come in person?"
Crown Princess Isis.
The next heir to the Pendragon throne was there in a fancy uniform, directing operations. Lee Han wondered if she'd lost her mind.
Who in their right mind would show up here personally?
Surely,
"She hasn't gone senile already, has she?"
-[...Impudent fool. You never hold your tongue.]
"It's not impudence—it's a natural reaction. What is this place?"
-[...You're not even surprised?]
"I've got full confidence I wouldn't bat an eye if you transformed right now."
-[......]
Even seeing a talking mole pop out of the ground, Lee Han just shrugged it off.
No malice, and a familiar aura—it had to be her, as suspected.
"A familiar?"
-[A golem. Shaped like an animal.]
"Weird stuff everywhere."
-[Put people through... no, it's the result of various efforts.]
"......"
Her slip-up left him speechless for a moment, but he soon sighed.
Whatever—human-ground golem or not—the important thing now was:
"So why are you really here? I just needed one classmate and one junior."
Why come personally? And why bring the white cats?
Those guys wouldn't survive here.
-[Even I have a royal escort as Crown Princess. Bringing an army is natural. And even rotten knights make good supply troops.]
"......"
-[As for why I came myself... don't you know?]
"?"
-[You asked for 'help.']
"So?"
People ask for help sometimes—what's the big deal?
Lee Han tilted his head, genuinely puzzled, which left Isis baffled instead.
-[They say knowing oneself is the hardest thing. You're the perfect example.]
"??"
- .........
Coincidence or shared mindset—who knew? But Isis and the other five letter recipients were all thrown by Lee Han's plea for help.
- This scoundrel's asking for help?
- Omen of doom...
Galahad's unflappable champion rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Lionel's ever-joking great warrior rarely wore a grim face.
Lee Han's SOS was that serious.
Why?
...He'd never once asked anyone for a favor.
No matter the crisis.
Who was he?
A man who'd bestowed countless favors on great nobles without demanding a single coin in return. Whatever the trouble, he'd handle it himself—never once begged for aid.
Those who'd fought beside him or shared blows knew how alien this was. It screamed a 'disaster' beyond his solo capacity.
Thus.
- Your Highness, I'll step out briefly.
- Brother, be right back.
No need for excuses or reasons.
They simply followed their instincts toward Mordred, no hesitation.
The lords' responses?
- Hold on.
- Your Highness?
- Take the knights.
- Your Highness?!
Like a chain reaction, Galahad's sentinels mobilized.
- Take your knights too.
- ?
- Chance to repay that debt you owe him.
- What'd I even do?
- ...Never mind.
- ??
Lionel's lions rose en masse.
- Heh, conveniently close.
- Madam, ready the swordmasters.
Tristan and Aufen hurried preparations too.
Forces that could topple an empire assembled.
A miraculous event, rare even in Pendragon history.
Heavy, disunited great nobles uniting their might.
...No one could've foreseen it.
All sparked by one knight's letter.
Not verbose or desperate—just [Come if you're free], a throwaway line.
...Absurdly,
-[Get it now? What you've done?]
"......"
-[Congratulations. You've etched yourself into Pendragon history forever. Heh.]
"...Sheesh."
Her explanation drew a hollow laugh from Lee Han.
What...
'Is interpreting a simple "help me out" like this right?'
Grateful, sure—but embarrassing somehow.
"Ahem."
Lee Han cleared his throat awkwardly.
-[...Nothing to be embarrassed about. You should be proud—more than enough.]
Isis murmured to herself, out of his earshot, with a faint smile.
He didn't grasp the magnitude yet, but she did.
'From this moment, you're a knight representing Pendragon. Willed or not, your deeds and resolve moved them.'
And such a feat...
'Even the War God couldn't achieve.'
Isis felt jealous of her adopted brother's accomplishment.
...Proud, too.