Episode 1078
Episode 1078
'So the Empire Has Mages Like This Too'
Students from Einrogard often fell into this misconception.
-Well, maybe only the guys from our school are like this. Surely the mages we meet after graduation will be slightly less beast-like, right?
But when they graduated, they came to know the harsh reality.
Most mages in the Empire weren't exactly paragons of virtue either.
For Coholti, who had recently been repeatedly victimized by mages he met outside, Stedal's kindness brought him deep emotion.
He'd thought Stedal was just a terrifying combat mage, but...
Stedal gave Coholti a light nod, which moved him even further.
'...Is this guy completely oblivious?' Stedal—no, Lee Han—felt utterly baffled inside.
He'd come all this way to help the guy out, and instead of taking advantage of the situation, Coholti was just standing there grinning like an idiot.
If it had been Lee Han, he would've already extracted not only funding from the count and his nephew but even a list of nobles whose estates they could freely invade.
For a moment, he wondered if he should've just explained everything to Senior Diret together. 'No. If I'd told this guy, he'd never have been able to keep a straight face.' Lee Han sighed inwardly.
At first, it had just been a fake identity he'd created without much thought, but gradually, this fabricated persona was starting to feel like a heavy burden.
Even before entering the mansion earlier, being spotted and swarmed by what seemed like a group of fanatics who erupted in cheers was a truly spine-chilling experience.
-Lord Nago! We heard rumors you were coming and rushed here to see you!
-Please look this way, Lord Nago! Take us with you on your next voyage, we beg you...
No matter how he thought about it, his popularity had risen far too much, so Lee Han responded roughly.
If he acted rudely in another noble's mansion where he'd been invited, his reputation would plummet immediately.
-Hmph. Don't block the way. Move aside.
-Y-yes! We'll move aside! Hey, you lot, make way!
Yet despite such discourteous behavior, the crowd only grew more frenzied.
A few clear-headed individuals tried to point out his rudeness, but swept up in the collective hysteria, they didn't dare speak up.
-That's still too rude, no matter how you look at it...
-How dare you insult Lord Stedal of the Nago Family, personally invited by the Count himself and currently the most prominent figure in the southern Empire!!
-N-no, that's not what I...
'This is a disaster.' In this fanatical atmosphere where people would probably praise him even if he punched someone, Lee Han realized the fervor had slipped entirely from his control.
Now, there was only one thing left for Lee Han to do.
Don't get caught! 'If this gets exposed, won't the Wardanaz Family come attacking me or something?'
"Thank you for enlightening me!"
The young nephew of Count Jau stared at Lee Han with sparkling eyes.
Seeing the same guy who'd been puffing out his chest and acting all high and mighty elsewhere in the party now behaving like this made Lee Han even more uneasy.
Couldn't he just keep up the arrogant act here too?
"...Hmph. It's nothing special."
"I'll definitely catch Professor Verdus just like Lord Nago did someday."
At the nephew's words, the people present nodded approvingly.
"You've raised a fine nephew, Count."
"Indeed! The insults suffered by the Count must be repaid by his family!"
"...Wh-what exactly happened?"
Coholti asked in confusion.
The hostility the count's nephew showed toward Professor Verdus was nearly on par with that of Einrogard students.
A dwarf guest sipping an orange punch nearby explained instead.
"That mage Vible Verdus tricked Count Jau before. Three times, no less."
True to his reputation for generosity, Count Jau had shown leniency even toward mages.
And one of those who had benefited greatly from this was none other than Professor Verdus.
-I need 10,000 imperial gold coins for my magical research.
"Very well. Take it."
"No, my lord! Do you know this mage?"
"I don't. But that mage must be an extraordinary person. Normally, mages who come to borrow gold coins for research are cunning and servile, but that fellow has an unshakable dignity that disregards everything. Moreover, every artifact he carries is of exceptional quality, so he's certainly no ordinary mage."
"Indeed...!"
Having effortlessly obtained ten thousand imperial gold coins, Professor Verdus wasn't satisfied with just that and came back twice more to receive additional funds.
Instead of repaying the favor, he holed up in the Einrogard territory and became a recluse.
"Not only those who received the Count's favor but even his relatives are grinding their teeth in frustration."
'Hmm. The Count seems to have some issues too.' Lee Han thought to himself.
No matter how kind-hearted one is, trusting Professor Verdus like that...
Did he give him the money because of his cute appearance?
"Lord Nago!"
"?"
Startled by the sudden call, Lee Han wondered if his inner thoughts had been exposed.
"P-pardon me, but may I ask something! Could you possibly share the deadly poison and curses you requested earlier!"
"???"
Confused, Lee Han realized it was the guest he had met outside the mansion earlier.
Having seen him whispering with Diret, the man had misunderstood, thinking, 'Gasp! He must be searching for deadly poisons or curses to use against his enemies!'
Judging by his reaction, he seemed to think Lee Han had commissioned them specifically for Professor Verdus. Lee Han tried to clear up the misunderstanding.
"That's..."
"Th-that kind of request! Could you possibly share it with me as well?"
The Count's nephew exclaimed with delight.
The others present also looked at him eagerly, their eyes filled with anticipation, hoping this battle-hardened combat mage would show some generosity.
Though hunters normally never reveal their secrets, surely for the sake of the Count who had arranged this gathering and invited them...!
"......Very well."
Overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Lee Han quickly changed his words.
At this point, there was no other choice.
"Summon the students of the Einrogard Black Magic School."
"Ooooh!"
"So it was the Einrogard Black Magic School!"
The black magic students, who had been enjoying a game of table polo in the corner, were startled by the sudden summons.
"Did Coholti senior cause another accident?"
"Hey, call him Mr. Coholti. Who knows who might misunderstand?"
"Everyone, quiet. Let's go for now."
Diret led the juniors with a bewildered expression.
At least the atmosphere didn't seem hostile, but they were still clueless about the situation.
'What's going on?'
Upon arriving where the Count was, Diret grew even more flustered by the reactions of those present.
People were looking at them with eyes full of expectation and admiration.
Black magic students rarely received such looks. The juniors, equally confused, whispered among themselves.
"Did they mistake us for another department?"
"Maybe they confused us with the Healing Magic School..."
"Please, come in!"
The Count's nephew bowed respectfully.
His unexpectedly polite demeanor made the students think,
'I heard the nephew was a troublemaker, but maybe not?'
'What would Coholti know?'
Silently cursing Coholti, the students waved their hands dismissively.
"Ah, no. Why have you called us?"
"We heard you are experts in poisons and curses."
"Well... that's somewhat true?"
When it came to poisons and curses, it was usually the Black Magic School or the Healing Magic School.
"Is someone ill? But if they're sick, you should call the Healing Magic School..."
While black magic students could remove poisons and curses, they couldn't guarantee the patient's survival in the process.
"No! It's not about someone being ill—we want to request poisons and curses!"
"......"
"..."
"W-well. According to imperial law, you can't purchase them without a legitimate purpose," stammered the dwarf student Dirimpa, flustered.
Truth be told, black mages did occasionally find themselves in demand—specifically among those plotting crimes.
When someone wanted to eliminate a family member and seize their assets, black mages were the most reliable allies.
Of course, that didn't mean they could recklessly sell deadly poisons or curses just because there was money to be made.
"Don't worry. I have a valid reason—one I'd even submit to the Empire. I wish to purchase poisons and curses to subdue Vible Verdus," declared the count's nephew passionately.
Then, raising his voice, he announced that Stedal Nago—present among them—had entrusted the Einrogard Black Magic School students with crafting potent toxins and curses.
"Really?!"
"It must be Senior Diret's request. As expected of our senior."
The junior black magic students gazed at him with reverence.
Truly, he was the most resourceful figure in their department. When had he managed to secure such a request?
With a reputation like his, the commission fee must be substantial.
"......"
Diret was so dumbfounded he could only stare blankly at his junior. Even while disguised, Lee Han's eyes radiated an apologetic plea—'Sorry, so sorry.'
"For a poison even non-experts can use, Ahrag's poison would be most suitable. The red or blue variants would also be ideal for coating weapons," Diret explained, though skepticism laced his tone.
Regardless of the poison's potency, Professor Verdus was surprisingly thorough in his defenses.
He always carried an assortment of antidotes and curse-breaking artifacts, making most conventional methods ineffective...
'What do you think, junior?'
'That's the buyer's problem to figure out,' Lee Han replied coolly.
They were just providing the poisons and curses—was he supposed to hand them a foolproof plan to capture Professor Verdus too?
Besides, Lee Han didn't even know how to do that himself.
"......"
Damn it!
While Diret was still reeling, others in the room cautiously spoke up.
"Honored black mages... might I also place a request? I, too, wish to use it to capture Professor Verdus."
"If it's not too much, I'd also like to commission one! I'll pay handsomely!"
The attendees seemed half under a spell—as if convinced that if they didn't buy poison today, they'd never get another chance to apprehend Verdus later!
"W-wait! Everyone, calm down and think rationally. Professor Verdus is an expert in poisons—have you even considered how you'd use them before making requests?"
Diret tried to reason with them, to restore some semblance of logic.
But the crowd was already drunk on baseless confidence.
"Since Stedal of the Nago Family succeeded once, it'll surely work again."
"Even if it fails, we won't blame you! Please, accept our requests!"
"Understood! Understood!"
The black magic juniors swiftly pulled out paper, jotting down names.
They couldn't let such a golden opportunity slip away.
When else would they get to sell their deadly poisons at such high prices?
"No... hey... everyone... sigh."
Diret, who had been about to scold his juniors for deceiving people, shut his mouth.
Everyone looked so happy.
When would his juniors ever receive such fervent requests again?
The poisons people were buying wouldn't work on Verdus—they'd be nullified instantly.
But for the juniors, this windfall would be a massive boon.
Thinking that way, he decided to let this farce slide.
"What's all this commotion?"
"They say Stedal Nago is sharing the poison he used to subdue Vible Verdus."
"By the heavens! Why only now?!"
Even latecomers, drawn by the rumors, lined up before the black magic students.
Seizing the chaos, Lee Han whispered slyly,
"Senior Diret. All things considered, this isn't so bad, is it?"
"Get lost, Stedal of the Nago Family."