Episode 1084
Episode 1084
'What a Mad Tyrant.'
He had never heard of such a wicked king before. It was hard to understand why no rebellion had erupted in the Yacha King's dimension.
-Why deny the king's wisdom? No tyrant in any dimension denies the king's wisdom.
Apazragon couldn't comprehend Lee Han's reaction.
The Yacha King was a powerful figure respected across multiple dimensions. Even the Demon Dukes acknowledged his wisdom.
So why...?
-You're being deceived!
Lee Han declared firmly.
No matter how renowned the Yacha King was as a sage across dimensions, Lee Han had no intention of acknowledging him.
-You mustn't fall for his words. He's utterly sinister.
-How fascinating. That's a remarkably novel opinion I've never considered before.
The angel listened intently to Lee Han's words.
After all, since the Yacha King had sent him here to learn, there was no reason not to heed his words.
Such a unique and unconventional perspective...
Was this the bearing of one who walked ahead on the path of the ancient mages?
-Can you teach me more? I'll engrave it deep in my soul and follow it.
-Don't trust the Yacha King, and don't trust that ancient mage either—
Lee Han, who had been speaking rapidly in anger, suddenly paused.
But was this right?
'Wait a minute.'
Come to think of it, the angel seemed genuinely desperate.
Though Lee Han didn't know much about angels, he was aware that these celestial beings usually remained secluded in their own realms.
For such a being to wander outside like this, they must truly be in dire need.
Was it right to speak so emotionally to someone who was earnestly memorizing every word of his advice and taking it to heart?
...
On second thought, maybe he didn't need to follow my words.
-Why not?
The angel, who had been planning to memorize and follow every piece of advice without omission, looked puzzled.
-I'm not a mage qualified to teach you. ...
Just don't follow my words! That's my advice.
-I see.
Apazragon was indeed a powerful angel.
Despite the mage's incomprehensible words, he discerned the hidden profundity within them.
'He means I should learn from actions, not words.'
Verbal teachings are easily tainted and distorted.
That mage must have spoken that way out of concern for that very reason.
-Understood. I'll learn on my own, then.
-Good.
-Originally, before meeting the king, I was undergoing training to capture and imprison demons. - ......
Lee Han wanted to ask where exactly he had learned and copied such training from, but he was too afraid to do so.
-I had planned to complete my vow of capturing a certain number of demons before seeking out the disciple of the ancient mage, but I met you first. Perhaps this, too, is divine providence.
-It's probably just that there aren't many demons like Orlach on the continent...
Apazragon ignored him and continued speaking.
After all, the mage had just told him he didn't need to follow his words.
-That's all I had to say. I look forward to our future cooperation.
-Right...
With those words, the angel withdrew the localized Spirit Realm he had unfolded. The blazing vision of souls disappeared, and the awkward human vessel reappeared.
Poof!
Having said all he needed to say, Apazragon transformed once more and flew away.
Lee Han, who had been staring blankly at the scene, belatedly realized something strange.
"Wait, what do you mean, 'future cooperation'?! What's that supposed to mean?!"
Of course, no matter how much he shouted, the angel, now far away, didn't return.
Diret, startled by the sudden departure of the angel and his junior's frantic shouting, asked in surprise.
"What's going on?"
"Well..."
In a slightly choked voice, Lee Han began to explain the sinister plot of the wicked tyrant.
"That damn bastard from another dimension has tormented me how many times now?!"
"......"
Diret's expression twisted strangely as he listened to the story. '...How does this kid keep attracting beings from beyond our dimension like this?' He wanted to say Lee Han might burst into tears if told this, but honestly, it seemed like he was truly born under such a fate.
"Maybe 'Let's work well together' was just a standard greeting from the celestials?"
Lee Han's face clearly pleaded, 'Please tell me it was just a greeting.'
Still disguised as Stedal Nago, his expression looked particularly terrifying.
Diret wanted to agree, but he couldn't. He slowly shook his head. "Doesn't seem like it."
"......"
"Sounds more like he plans to follow you around from now on."
The angel Apazragon, like other angels, possessed strong convictions. An angel like that wouldn't just hear "Don't follow my words" and leave satisfied. Judging by his remarks like "I'll learn on my own" or "Let's work well together," it seemed he intended to follow Lee Han around and learn by observing his actions...
"......"
Stedal Nago looked utterly dejected. He probably hadn't looked this defeated even when captured by pirates.
Diret hurriedly tried to console him. "W-well, we don't know how exactly he plans to follow you around. Maybe he'll just show up when the time comes while doing his own thing."
"That's still really unpleasant."
Lee Han grimaced. While better than being followed daily, it was still horrifying. Frankly, how was this any different from Professor Verdus? 'No, that's too rude a thought.' Lee Han immediately chastised himself. How could an angel who simply wanted to follow and learn be compared to Professor Verdus?
"Should we try sending another message? Wait. Where did Senior Yukveltire go?"
"She kept insisting you were plotting some evil scheme to betray her and that she needed to scout the Spirit Realm, so I told her to get lost."
"...My apologies."
Lee Han felt guilty, as if their friendship had been strained unnecessarily because of Stedal Nago's identity. But Diret shook his head. "Don't apologize for things that aren't your fault. And your Stedal Nago persona is well-made. Did you see how flustered Yukveltire was?"
"It is convenient when dealing with attackers, looters, or thieves."
Diret decided to pretend he hadn't heard that last part.
A short while later.
They called Yukveltire back and sent another message to the angel, but this time, there was no reply. '...He's not ignoring me because I told him not to follow, is he...?' Uneasy, Lee Han kept glancing around. The unsettling feeling that the disguised angel might be lurking somewhere in the crowded capital streets wouldn't leave him.
"Let's head back first. We need to divide the rewards with the others."
Diret nudged the bulky combat mage and his friend toward the mansion. Yukveltire tilted her head. "Divide the rewards?"
"?"
Lee Han was puzzled by her reaction. What else were they supposed to do with the rewards? 'Can I tease her about this?' In the Empire, when a request was completed, rewards were given, and it was customary for participants to split them. Though he'd just thought of it on the spot, it was a decent jab. Lee Han felt a flicker of pride. '...No...' But Diret stopped him with a warning look. Provoking Yukveltire wouldn't end well.
"Why? We should divide the rewards."
"Even students from the Black Magic school split them."
"Right..."
"Diret. Let me explain why the students of the Black Magic School don't deserve a share of the reward for this request."
'Damn it.' Diret cursed inwardly.
Even without provoking them, the outcome would be the same!
'Senior.' The junior sent another meaningful glance. Thinking he was about to pick another fight, Diret shot him a sidelong glance.
'I don't want to hear this. Let's just run away.'
We won't have to deal with that angel anymore anyway, so what does it matter?
'...That's a fantastic idea.'
So that's exactly what they did.
"Pant, pant, pant. We successfully negotiated with the angel and wrapped things up. We can take the demon with us. It's over!"
"G-good work. But... why are you both so out of breath? Did you sprint here at full speed...?"
The Black Magic School students stared at the panting Diret in confusion.
"Did you fight the angel?"
At Coholti's pointed remark, everyone murmured in surprise.
"Senior, did you really... fight the angel?"
"We didn't."
Diret denied it, but Coholti pressed on sharply.
"Diret might just be saying that so you guys don't worry."
"......"
"......"
When Diret and Stedal both fixed him with a deadpan stare, Coholti quietly shut his mouth.
Guess not!
-Sniff. Thank you. For driving that damn angel away.
Orlach spoke up in a moved voice from the side.
He really had made the right choice trusting the Wardanaz family. Few were as reliable as them in such conflicts.
-From now on, I will serve you with unwavering loyalty!
"Ah. About that..."
Lee Han hesitated slightly.
Come to think of it, he hadn't fully explained the situation to the demon yet.
"You're not my demon."
-Huh?
"To be precise, you'll be the demon assisting all the black mages here from now on—"
-......
The demon's face, which had been brimming with gratitude and joy, stiffened like stone.
What kind of nonsense was this?!
-Black mages? You mean those paupers who can't even scrape together gruel? You're sending me to such a wretched place?!
'This bastard.' Lee Han bristled slightly.
They do eat gruel, at least!
Unaware that he was scraping at the young master of the Wardanaz family's nerves, Orlach desperately flattered him.
-Please, take me as your direct subordinate! I'll compose beautiful hymns of praise for you at dawn and dusk every day!
Orlach was confident in his offer.
Since both the Duke and Arsil had been satisfied with such tributes, surely this young master would be tempted too.
Of course, Lee Han immediately dismissed it.
"Not interested. Either make the contract or I'll call the angel back. Choose one."
-Waaah!
Orlach wept bitterly, to the point where even the other students felt a little sorry for him.
"Do you hate our school that much?"
"Even so, the Einrogard Black Magic School is better than most black mages, isn't it...?"
Regardless, Stedal Nago wrung Orlach dry without a shred of pity. Truly the attitude of a fierce combat mage.
In the end, the weeping Orlach succumbed to the pressure and gave in.
-Sniff...
Having gotten what he wanted, Lee Han tried to console him.
"Still, the Einrogard Black Magic School is better than other black mages."
-They're still black mages, though...
"..."
"I said better, you bastard."
Unable to hold back, Lee Han grabbed Orlach by the collar. The demon panicked and shrieked.
-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
"P-please calm down, Lord Nago! What's gotten into you?!"
"This damn demon keeps insulting the Black Magic School!"
"!"
Coholti was moved once again.
How could someone be so broad-minded?
"......"
Diret lowered his head. He couldn't bear to watch his friend's stupidity any longer. He felt nothing but shame.