Episode 1103
Episode 1103
Iactus:
"As expected! My friend with the insane name!"
Iactus's response came immediately.
Just when Lee Han had been wanting to give the Dragon Inspector a hard time, a club member who agreed with him appeared.
He had always thought his friend's alias was utterly mad, but sometimes, that very madness proved useful.
Without madness, who would dare challenge a dragon?
Beaver
-Penguin
-Fox:
"What is this????"
Then, a direct message flew to Ilendil.
From Ilendil's perspective—who knew Lee Han's true identity—the statement was nothing short of absurd.
A Dragon Contractor asking about a dragon's weakness...
Was some historically dangerous conspiracy unfolding right now in the Empire?
Beaver
-Penguin
-Fox:
"Wh-why are you asking about weaknesses? What are you planning? Can't you resolve this peacefully through conversation?"
Gonadaltes:
"There seems to be a misunderstanding. I'm not asking this to defeat a dragon."
Lee Han quickly clarified.
If any of the seniors got scared and reported him to the inspector, things would become extremely troublesome.
So, you see, His Highness Jowurin is currently trapped...
Beaver
-Penguin
-Fox:
"......"
Ilendil fell silent upon hearing the explanation. His immediate thought was:
'Is this what Dragon Contractors are normally like?'
'Strange. I thought Dragon Contractors were supposed to be... more elegant and noble...'
Wasn't a Dragon Contractor supposed to soar across the skies on a dragon's back, surveying the continent, inheriting the secret wisdom of the dragonkin?
But this current situation made Lee Han seem less like a Dragon Contractor and more like...
'A babysitter... No, no. What a rude thought.'
Ilendil shook his head vigorously.
As a mage, judging based solely on appearances was a pitiful habit.
How could he hastily judge his junior—who had formed a contract with a dragon—just by outward impressions?
Even if he seemed a bit like a babysitter, that was just one facet. Beneath the surface, there must be something far more extraordinary...
Probably!
Gonadaltes:
"Ah. Wait a moment. His Highness has contacted me again."
Beaver
-Penguin
-Fox:
"Uh... sure..."
Lee Han paused the conversation and focused on Jowurin.
Gonadaltes:
"Your Highness. Could you write 'Jowurin' in front for me?"
Jowurin:
"Understood! But why did you write 'Gonadaltes' in front, Lee Han?"
Gonadaltes:
"..."
"Well, I do respect the Headmaster a bit. Haha."
Jowurin:
"Even after all the suffering Gonadaltes put you through?!"
Jowurin was newly moved by his contractor's kindness.
How could someone be this good-hearted?
Gonadaltes:
"More importantly, Your Highness. How did you contact me? Did you find an artifact?"
The artifacts linked to the Watcher Club were scattered across Einrogard's territory (and sometimes beyond).
If Jowurin had found one, this method of contact made sense.
But...
'Then shouldn't he have entered the Watcher Club channel? Why contact me privately like this?'
Jowurin:
"I don't really know... I just... felt frustrated and scribbled a request for help to Lee Han, and it connected..."
"!!!!"
Jowurin's answer, as if checking if he had done something wrong, left Lee Han utterly astonished.
Primitive Magic—manifested purely by will, disregarding any form, rules, or theory!
'No... Calling dragonkin magic "Primitive Magic" is laughable. It's practically akin to wordless incantations.'
Since Jowurin was still mentally immature, he rarely used the diverse magical abilities innate to dragonkin, relying more on raw strength and physical prowess.
Yet, with sheer will alone, he had interfaced with Lee Han's artifact and established a magical connection.
It was truly terrifying potential. Lee Han felt a shiver run down his spine.
'If this keeps up, what kind of disaster is he going to— Oh no.'
Lee Han immediately regretted his thoughts.
Still, as a contractor, he should trust Jowurin. Worrying about what accidents might happen from the start wasn't the right attitude.
Of course, Jowurin had once ambushed him, slapped magical restraints on his wrists, and attempted to imprison him, but still...
Gonadaltes: "Well done, Your Highness. But you said you were frustrated? What happened?"
Jowurin: "That's— I mean— Isn't this just too much?!"
Jowurin, who had been nervously watching for Lee Han's reaction, suddenly began scribbling down words furiously.
The sheer frustration radiating from the words nearly overwhelmed Lee Han.
-Uman!
-Yes, Sister!
-I shall go meet my contractor!
-...
Huh? Already?
Uman, who always held deep respect for his elder sister, was slightly taken aback by her declaration to visit her contractor barely a week into the new semester.
-If it's not too presumptuous, may I ask the reason, Sister?
-Huh?
Jowurin faltered.
-Because... he's my contractor? I distinctly recall being told that contractors are exceptions and can be visited unlike other students...
-Though I did also advise, 'Please, only if it doesn't interfere with their studies'... Surely you're not going without any reason, are you?
Uman asked with an earnest expression, truly believing his revered sister wouldn't spout such nonsense.
Jowurin hesitated before finally blurting out—
-...
In truth, Jowurin was testing Uman! Evaluating his capabilities as an inspector!
-Aah! As expected! I've been had! Does this mean I passed the test?!
-...
Yeah...
-What an honor! This Uman shall carry your trust in my heart and devote my entire soul to fulfilling my duties henceforth!
-......
Unlike the elated Uman, Jowurin looked utterly dejected.
Watching her oblivious younger brother, Jowurin muttered under her breath—
-You don't have to be that obsessive about your duties...
-No, Sister. This is a responsibility someone must bear. Just as a crooked tree is straightened with a splint, I, too, wish to guide the mages of Einrogard onto the right path.
-...
Gonadaltes isn't that bad of a mage...
-Huh?
-Ah, never mind...
Unaware of Jowurin's reaction, Uman continued passionately—
-In fact, His Majesty himself encouraged this endeavor.
-......
This time, Jowurin grumbled inwardly.
If he was going to send someone, why send Uman just to torment me? 'This is too cruel!'
-What exactly did he say to encourage you?
-If I must say... He told me to stop bothering this old dragon and just go do it already.
-...
Uh, that doesn't sound like encouragement...
Jowurin paused.
No matter how she looked at it, that didn't sound encouraging at all.
-Ah, yes. He also mentioned something about your contractor.
-Really?
-Yes. He said that from Gonadaltes to the other mages, they've been assigning too much work harshly, so he urged me not to forget and to pay close attention. Though it may sound like shameless self-praise, I believe I've already made progress in this regard. Checking the contractor's schedule, I found his free time has significantly increased compared to last semester!
-......
Jowurin's fingertips trembled with rage.
So now, because of the complacent and corrupt lifestyles of the headmaster, professors, and students, even she was suffering the consequences?
This was utterly unfair. Jowurin was slowly awakening to the harsh realities of the world.
Even if she wanted to stay still, as long as corrupt villains existed, the damage would spread like this...
Gonadaltes: "Your Highness. Your Highness. Wait a moment."
Jowurin: "Why?"
Gonadaltes: "Please calm down for a moment."
Lee Han quickly tried to soothe Jowurin.
No matter what, they couldn't just let Jowurin storm into imperial politics and start scheming to become the next Emperor simply because she wasn't allowed to roam freely around the school.
If left unchecked, there was a 100% chance Jowurin would later burst into tears, asking why no one stopped her.
Even the current Emperor lamented that the Skeleton Principal had ruined his life whenever he saw him...
'The Skeleton Principal might endure it because he has no heart, but I'm not so sure about myself.'
Gonadaltes: "Anyway, I understand the reason now. You wanted to meet him but were refused because there was no justification."
Jowurin: "That's right..."
Gonadaltes: "Then why are you being confined?"
From what he'd heard, Uman was a dragon who deeply respected Jowurin.
So why would such a dragon imprison Jowurin on a whim?
What in the world had happened?
Jowurin: "Well, I'm not exactly confined... Um... I can go outside, but if I can't go to the school's Main Building to meet Lee Han, isn't it practically the same as being locked up...?"
"......"
Lee Han leaned his head back as he watched Jowurin hesitantly confess.
No...!
'When we first met, she wasn't this good at lying. Is it because of me?'
Suddenly, a phantom scene flashed through his mind—the Court of Dragons asking, 'Does the defendant, Wardanaz, admit to the charges of dragon corruption?'
Lee Han shook his head.
'No. Of course, I might bear some responsibility, but Einrogard is the bigger culprit here. It's because of Einrogard.'
Jowurin: "...
Are you mad??"
Gonadaltes: "I'm not mad. But you should explain properly. Only then can we come up with a proper solution."
If Jowurin wasn't physically confined somewhere, meeting her would actually be easier.
They just had to slip past magical surveillance and arrange a meeting.
The real problem was how to bypass the watchful eyes of a dragon gone berserk...
'Is there even a way?'
Lee Han fell into thought.
Even the Watcher Club, where the seniors gathered, hadn't come up with any solid solutions—so how could he possibly have a brilliant idea?
Jowurin: "Actually, that's why I asked Gonadaltes for help."
Gonadaltes: "Me? Ah. You mean the Headmaster."
Jowurin: "......"
Gonadaltes: "Just joking. Haha."
Jowurin: "I think it'd be better if you just used your real name..."
Jowurin spoke with a hint of concern.
After all, didn't many stories feature people who made mistakes because they got too caught up in using aliases?
Gonadaltes: "I'm fine. So, what's the request?"
Jowurin explained the situation again.
Truthfully, she did want to meet Lee Han, but if Uman interfered, there weren't many places Jowurin could turn to for help.
"Gonadaltes! Uman is bullying me!!!"
"What a coincidence. He's been bullying me too."
"Shouldn't Gonadaltes retake control of Einrogard? Doesn't it anger you as its lord?"
"No, Your Highness...! Every time I see you lately, you keep startling me. Even scheming for the throne? Just what is that Wardanaz brat teaching you—"
"What does Lee Han have to do with this?"
"Ah. No, never mind. Anyway, it's impossible right now. His Majesty wouldn't so easily reverse a decision he's already made. We'll have to wait until that guy racks up enough misdeeds."
"Then at least find me a way to meet Lee Han!"
"A way... Uman's been gleefully keeping watch these days... I'll talk to Professor Paselet and have her tell Wardanaz to learn a bit of Divination Magic."
"No! I'll tell him myself!"
"Huh? How?"
"Last time, when I focused my mind, I somehow felt a connection. If I try just once more..."
"...Truly astonishing. At this rate, I wonder if Uman will even last till next semester."
"—Just kidding. Kidding. Calm down."