Episode 1060
Episode 1060
"Then, Ibinta. Answer this next question. Have there been any suspiciously behaving individuals among your bandits recently? For reference, suspicious behavior refers to actions like constantly seeking blood or hiding flesh while claiming to have a use for it..."
'I clearly said there weren't any!' Ibinta gritted his teeth.
Given that bandit groups were as common as pebbles in the Empire, it was only natural for a mage from the Wardanaz Family to disregard a bandit leader.
But Ibinta took pride in his own abilities.
Maintaining an underground fortress like this near the imperial capital wasn't easy by any means.
Bandit groups weren't disciplined organizations like knight orders from the start. If their greed wasn't satisfied, bandits would either desert or stab you in the back in no time.
To keep such trash in line and maintain secrecy, thorough surveillance and suspicion were essential.
'...Hold it in.'
Instead of lashing out, Ibinta calmly explained the reasoning.
Just thinking about the other party's family name was enough to make his anger subside naturally.
"...That's why, if there had been any Evil God Worshippers inside the fortress, I would've noticed immediately. If you don't believe me, you can peel open the bellies of those corpses lying around and check."
As the other party acted overly emotional, Lee Han whispered just loud enough for Giselle to hear.
"Doesn't he seem too emotional?"
"Anyone would act like that if their subordinates and fortress got wrecked."
'He's talking about it like it's someone else's problem when he was part of it too.'
Lee Han grumbled inwardly.
Of course, it was Lee Han who had presented the objective and summoned the direct means, but...
"Understood, Ibinta. I'll verify the rest myself. You must've had a hard time managing disobedient subordinates."
"...It wasn't particularly difficult."
"No, it's not something just anyone can do. I've dealt with disobedient bastards too, so I know it's usually not easy."
"......"
Giselle gave him a dubious look.
By any chance, were those 'disobedient bastards' from the White Tiger Tower?
"The bandits were definitely foul-mouthed and disobedient. Honestly, the only reason we took in that bastard Kitarenanum was because the others were greedy for gold. I didn't even want him in the first place..."
"I get it. I get it. Greed is disgustingly rampant, after all."
As they conversed, Ibinta strangely felt himself being persuaded.
It almost felt as if the mage before him truly understood him.
'What's this?'
Ibinta was confused.
Had he unknowingly fallen under some kind of mental magic?
Otherwise, why would he feel this way toward a monster from the Wardanaz Family...?
I knew this would happen!
'If you knew, you should've stopped him.'
Professor Garcia swallowed the words she wanted to say.
The two of them had flown to the scene in a hurry after hearing the news. No matter how much they trusted and entrusted their student, taking down an established underground bandit group was beyond expectations.
"If Lee Han gets hurt, it'll all be your fault, Headmaster."
Well, honestly, there's something else you should be more worried about.
"Huh?"
Do you really not know, Professor Garcia?
The Skeleton Principal was baffled by Professor Garcia's reaction.
Even if her affection for her student clouded her judgment, he hadn't expected her perspective to be this narrow.
Of course, she should be worried about collateral damage! The Wardanaz boy had at least four or five means to indiscriminately slaughter everyone, ally or foe!
There was no such thing as absolute safety in battle, so even a Wardanaz could get hurt if he let his guard down.
And if the enemy was exceptionally well-prepared, he could even be cornered.
But in that case, the ones in danger wouldn't be the Wardanaz—it'd be the bandits.
If he started pulling out all the dangerous spells he usually kept restrained out of desperation...
"Ah, no. While Lee Han is indeed exceptionally strong for his grade, aren't you being a bit too overconfident?"
Please, Perkuntra, please, Perkuntra, please, Perkuntra... Oh! The Lucky Skeleton is on my side!
Upon arriving at the ruins, the Skeleton Principal beamed with delight.
Fortunately, his clever student had chosen the most moderate means at his disposal. This lightning-wielder wasn't the type to recklessly cause collateral damage everywhere.
Had he used something like the Bracelet of Ten Thousand Demons to summon imprisoned devils, not only the underground fortress but also the nearby forests and roads might have been half-destroyed.
"Hurry up and go inside!"
See, Professor Garcia. Anyone can tell a spirit swept through here.
The Skeleton Principal pointed at the ground's surface. With such powerful lightning traces visible even above ground, it was obvious what must have happened below.
"Just come inside already. Ah—who made this hole?"
It must've been Wardanaz.
"No. That doesn't seem like Lee Han's style. Did he have a Summon like this?"
He probably subdued it with sheer force.
"......"
Professor Garcia slightly disliked herself for being unable to strongly refute that statement.
"Why isn't Professor Bagrak here?"
This feels ominous.
"I told you it felt ominous! Just hurry and find Lee Han's location already!"
It's not that Wardanaz is ominous... Wardanaz is perfectly fine. Calm down. If anything, Professor Voladi's location is the ominous one.
The Skeleton Principal had good reason for saying it was ominous.
Originally, the Skeleton Principal had expected Lee Han to sweep through the fortress (while minimizing collateral damage), with Professor Voladi scolding his student afterward.
But upon arrival, magical scans showed Lee Han wandering around the western part of the underground fortress with some bandit, while Professor Voladi was rapidly searching through the sealed eastern sector with Gainando in tow.
'This punk. Did he get caught?'
The Skeleton Principal grew slightly uneasy.
Though Wardanaz had exceptional talent for deception, he still had some immature aspects.
If he'd made a mistake because he felt guilty about hiding secrets from his teacher...
Professor Voladi!
The Skeleton Principal flew to Professor Voladi first, intending to identify the source of this unease.
"Gasp, pant... Headmaster! Why are you so late?!"
Gainando, who had been staggering after Professor Voladi, protested between labored breaths.
Had the bandits attacked them? Not that Professor Voladi was the type to let that happen.
"No! It's exhausting! The professor hasn't stopped moving since earlier!"
The Skeleton Principal was impressed by Gainando's audacity.
To boldly complain about such an irrelevant matter—that was courage rarely seen even among fifth-year Einrogard students.
What's going on, Professor Voladi? Why are you wandering around separately?
"The professor is searching for traces of Evil God Worshippers." ......
"......"
At Gainando's thoughtless reply, the Skeleton Principal and Professor Garcia's expressions changed drastically.
What?
Evil God Worshippers? If it's the Ksaxarigol cult, just forget about it. Professor Voladi. Last time was a mistake.
"What do you mean 'last time'?"
Professor Garcia asked suspiciously.
First 'participating' in the Ksaxarigol cult, and now this—something was definitely off.
Lee Han and the Skeleton Principal had brushed it off before with comments like 'It was totally Ksaxarigol,' but no matter how she thought about it, the student had never been involved with the Ksaxarigol cult.
Could it be...?
"It's not the Ksaxarigol cult."
Gainando shook his head and answered again.
Then he laid out his sharp deduction.
Lately, Lee Han kept searching for Evil God Worshippers, but it wasn't Prahgal or Ksaxarigol...
"......" ......
Professor Garcia and the Skeleton Principal were truly horrified.
WHAT????
"H-Headmaster. What do we do? Gainando had no idea about any of this."
Surprising, but neither did I.
Neither had expected the prince to find out, making their shock all the greater.
It seemed their true identities hadn't been uncovered yet, but judging by this, it was only a matter of time.
"You seem to have some idea, Professor Garcia."
"Ah, yes? Well, uh, um..."
When Professor Voladi bluntly addressed her, Professor Garcia began stammering incoherently. The Skeleton Principal quickly signaled for her to step back.
Given Professor Garcia's personality—being weak against authority—if left alone, she wouldn't withstand the senior professor's interrogation.
"If you share what you know, I'll also provide information in return."
"Uh... what kind of information?"
"Information regarding the doubts Professor Garcia currently holds about the Ksaxarigol Cult."
"......"
Professor Garcia nearly faltered for a moment.
Lately, she had suspected that Lee Han and the Skeleton Principal were up to something...
Was he saying he'd give her the answer to that?
Professor Garcia! Are you really going to yield to the enemy?
"Someone might misunderstand if they heard this."
Despite saying so, Professor Garcia's eyes gleamed cunningly. The Skeleton Principal sighed and surrendered.
Fine. Fine. I'll just tell you first. The truth is, during this vacation, an expedition was organized to hunt monsters from the void beyond dimensions.
"You're not saying Lee Han participated in that, are you? Please tell me he didn't."
It was truly an unfortunate tragedy.
"I asked you to say he didn't!!"
The primary responsibility for this tragedy lies with that bastard Pengerin...
"......"
So he did participate!
Professor Garcia had a gut feeling. Gainando, too, protested as if he couldn't believe it.
"No wonder Lee Han kept refusing to hang out, saying he was busy—was that why?!"
No. The reason Wardanaz doesn't want to go out with you is because you stubbornly insist on using that losing Wizard Card deck of yours, you obstinate fool.
"......"
The Skeleton Principal, thoroughly irritated, crushed Gainando's worldview before continuing his explanation.
During the process, they came into contact with various individuals, and among them were members of the Ksaxarigol Cult. But everything turned out fine in the end, so isn't that a blessing? Professor Garcia. Drop the complaint. Let's not make this a big deal.
"Try saying that in front of His Majesty."
And Professor Voladi. This was all done for your sake. Professor Garcia would agree with that too.
"Uh... well... that... that's true, I suppose."
Professor Garcia hesitated and avoided Professor Voladi's gaze, but she didn't back down.
Honestly, she was worried about how Professor Voladi would react upon hearing the name of an Evil God.
"Understood."
That doesn't look like an "understood" expression at all... 'How can you even tell?' Professor Garcia found it slightly fascinating internally.
Outwardly, it was the same blank expression—how on earth could the Skeleton Principal discern anything?
Seeing that the other party wouldn't hold back on methods, the Skeleton Principal finally gave up and declared:
Fine. Since it's come to this, there's no choice. I'll tell you the truth. But swear first. Swear you won't act recklessly.
Professor Voladi immediately swore.
Swear on your honor as a professor of Einrogard.
Professor Voladi immediately swore again.
Swear on your students too.
"...How long are you going to keep this up?"
The more obedient he acts, the more suspicious it becomes!
Professor Garcia had no choice but to accept the Skeleton Principal's words.
From now on, even if you assign Professor Garcia or Wardanaz to monitor me, I'll comply without resistance.
"Understood."
Damn it. If he didn't have students to teach, I'd just lock him up in the Punishment Room for a while.
The Skeleton Principal grumbled before revealing the truth.
The Sanguiros Cult has been revived, and its followers have been sighted...
Wardanaz followed our orders, so don't give him too much trouble.
"Ours?"...
My orders. Satisfied? Huh? Professor Garcia, is that really the important thing right now?
While the two argued, Professor Voladi silently replied.
"Understood."......
"......"
The immediate response made the Skeleton Principal and Professor Garcia deeply uncomfortable.
Even Gainando couldn't help but whisper beside them.
"Is he... lying?"
"Quiet, you loser of Wizard Card matches."