Episode 1117
Episode 1117
Saratan, who had observed the mage's cold-blooded negotiations from start to finish from within the staff, was impressed.
-Not bad.
"What are you talking about?"
-I thought you'd give in.
Lee Han chuckled at Saratan's words.
It was true that the spirit had every reason to think that way.
A contract with a powerful spirit was a temptation difficult for any mage to resist.
"I suppose you could think that. But a spirit as untrustworthy as that one..."
-Given how you usually grovel pathetically whenever you see a spirit, I was sure you'd do the same with that one... AAAAAAAH!
Lee Han immediately channeled mana into the staff. Saratan tumbled wildly inside from the sudden ambush.
-Why! Why!? We fought together just now!
"Do you really not understand what you just said? Huh?"
-What did I even say... AAAH! Wait! Just wait! Give me a moment to think! Please, O Mage!
Saratan hastily regained the manners he often forgot.
But even then, he couldn't understand why the mage was angry.
Didn't he usually cling to spirits like a desperate fool?
"Whatever. There's no point getting mad at you."
-Y-Yes, exactly. I don't know why, but please stop being angry. Hehe. It's not me who's the problem, it's that damn General of Fire Heaven, right?
Though cursing inwardly, Saratan kept his composure and flattered Lee Han.
"By the way, that spirit boasted he could track down the enemy he wants. Do you think that's really possible?"
-For someone like the General of Fire Heaven... it's definitely possible.
Once fire ignites, it spreads relentlessly in all directions. Even with just a single spark or a bit of kindling, fire will pursue its target to the end.
Though spirits are strongly influenced by the elements that form their essence, the General of Fire Heaven was especially extreme in this regard.
He was a spirit who seemed to embody every destructive aspect of flame.
-I've heard a few stories about his relentless pursuits. Rumor has it he burns the threads of causality itself to track his enemies.
"That's ridiculous... Why are spirits all such good swindlers?"
Lee Han was genuinely astonished.
The innate Authorities possessed by races from other dimensions never failed to amaze him.
Some races could slip into their own dimensional plane, unseen by anyone, and stalk their prey in silence. Others could chase their foes until the end of time after just one battle...
'Who are you to talk?'
Saratan couldn't help but curse inwardly.
From the spirits' perspective, the magic wielded by mages was just as much of a cheat.
Especially in Lee Han's case—he harbored an unfathomably vast source of power within him. The energy mages called "mana" was something spirits could tangibly feel as well.
"Then we might actually get some unexpected results."
-If he brings results, will you make a contract with him?
"No."
Lee Han answered firmly.
Seeing that, Saratan felt just the slightest bit sorry for the General of Fire Heaven. Judging by that attitude, it seemed he'd never agree to a contract.
"Professor. Professor."
"What is it, Lee Han?"
Professor Garcia, who had been meticulously inspecting Jowurin's mouth, looked puzzled at her student's call.
Her student was whispering as if wary of being overheard.
What was going on?
"When and how are you planning to escape?"
"......"
......
Even Jowurin, who had been sitting still with her mouth hanging open, was baffled.
Why... why would she need to escape?
"Your Highness. That's because you misunderstand mages."
Instead, Lee Han spoke as if instructing Jowurin.
"Mages are extremely greedy and despicable, you see."
...But... we fought together...
"Even if their true intentions differ, they can still fight together. Look at Einrogard—when their goals align, even rival tower students will fight side by side."
Before Jowurin could be further traumatized by the dirty world of adults, Professor Garcia hastily intervened.
"I think I understand what you're worried about, Lee Han. Of course, if it were you, you might get kidnapped and locked up in the Magic Tower."
Jowurin was utterly shocked.
This seemingly peaceful visit to the magic tower was actually such a dangerous situation?!
Though not as much as Jowurin, Lee Han was equally surprised.
"Professor. I hadn't considered it to that extent."
"...Be quiet. Anyway, regardless of those concerns, this time it'll be fine."
Why?! The Tower Master could coax Lee Han and then chain him up!
Given his past record, Jowurin felt a pang of guilt and was the first to shout. Lee Han shook his head vigorously.
Professor Garcia responded in a startled voice to Jowurin's extreme concern.
"Your Highness. No matter what, Tower Master Eullangdam is a renowned figure of the Empire. He wouldn't do something so extreme and rude..."
Even if he were to abduct someone, he'd block the door and try to persuade them with excuses—it's not like the ancient times where they'd chain people up.
...S-something that extreme and rude...?
"Huh?"
"Let's discuss this later and return to the original topic. Why is it fine this time?"
"Because Tower Master Eullangdam has given up."
Eullangdam, the mage leading the Daylily Magic Tower, held a long pipe in his mouth and wore a deeply melancholic expression.
Noticing his demeanor, the nearby mages exchanged glances before speaking up again.
"There are still events left, but..."
"Enough. Enough. Just as you can't forcibly confine a dragon, the same goes for a Dragon Contractor."
Instead of a sigh, a thick cloud of smoke billowed out. Eullangdam stared blankly into the air, as if trying to soothe his regret.
It wasn't that Eullangdam didn't feel regret. How could he not regret letting go of such talent?
But he had no choice but to give up.
From the moment he had to block General of Fire Heaven's attack to the sudden appearance of the dragon, Eullangdam felt his heart plummet.
He never expected things to escalate to such an extent.
Normally, he would have greedily invited such a talent to the tower, but when the forgotten contract with the dragon suddenly surfaced, his instincts screamed, 'There's no way we can bring him in.'
"Make sure those present keep their mouths shut. If word gets out that a dragon royal is active in the world, there will be plenty who'd cause trouble."
It might have sounded slightly unscrupulous, but Eullangdam prided himself on the Daylily Magic Tower's relatively courteous methods.
They didn't resort to force—they merely prepared events to persuade.
In contrast, the Empire's loyalists, who sought to find the next usable royal and crown them as the future Emperor, had no sense of dignity. If it were a dragon royal, they'd undoubtedly chase after them at the risk of their lives.
"Understood. We'll handle it. Ah, the White Poplar Knights—"
"Ugh."
Eullangdam grimaced as if he didn't want to hear it. The deep wrinkles on his forehead became even more pronounced.
No mage enjoyed being criticized, but being called out by knights was particularly painful.
After boasting that they could handle everything, they let an Einrogard student get ambushed...
The knights must have thought, 'Did the mages of this tower happen to be founded by Baldrogard graduates?'
"Though we understand that Wardanaz volunteered, they cautiously relayed that the role assigned to him seemed excessively dangerous."
"...He didn't volunteer. What nonsense is this?"
Eullangdam was baffled.
No matter how willing he was, what kind of insane mage would send a second-year student to the frontlines?
Even Gonadaltes, infamous for his madness, wouldn't—well, he might, but Eullangdam certainly didn't.
"Could it be that Wardanaz smoothed things over for us?"
"...Unbelievable! How does His Excellency keep producing mages with such kind hearts under his wing?!"
The elderly archmage sighed in a voice thick with jealousy.
The most baffling thing about the Skeleton Principal wasn't the exceptional skill of the students he trained.
It was the fact that his students were all so morally upright.
"The former I can understand, but the latter—why on earth...?"
"Deliver our gratitude and appropriate compensation to the White Poplar Knights. Report this to the Empire as well. Had they not stepped forward first, who knows what might have happened? The General of Fire Heaven, no less. A stroke of luck amidst misfortune."
"The Guardians of the Shadow Valley were also involved."
"Ah. Extend the same courtesy to those young folks as well. Wasn't their leader a mage from Kallarogard?"
"Yes. His name is Jute. We even sent him an invitation to our tower once, though he declined."
"The most coveted talents never seem to join the towers, do they?"
Whenever the Empire's magic schools approached graduation season, the various magic towers would sharpen their senses.
Wasn't it the perfect time to recruit outstanding talents?
But the mage leading those adventurers had left Kallarogard long before any invitation could reach him.
It wasn't out of ignorance—his resolve must have been firm from the start.
"Tower Master Eullangdam, if I may ask..."
"?"
"What if Wardanaz expresses a desire to join our tower despite us no longer extending invitations? Should we still refuse?"
"......"
The mages present shot disapproving glances at their tactless colleague.
Here they were, trying their hardest to let go, and now this utterly oblivious question!
"Can you even call that a question?"
"Give it up already!"
"Enough, enough. No need to argue over this. What's the point?"
Eullangdam mediated between his colleagues.
Then, after taking a slow drag from his pipe, he spoke quietly.
"If that happens... we must respect his wishes. So we'd draft the contract immediately."
"......"
I thought you said to give up!
"Thank you. Travel safely."
Outside, Lee Han and his group bid farewell to those who had assisted them.
Bamandam, the knight from the White Poplar Knights, hesitated briefly before speaking.
"Student Wardanaz... If I may offer some advice, it would be wise to refrain from throwing yourself recklessly into the forefront of such dangers. That's what knights are for. Well then, I'll take my leave."
"...Excuse me???"
Lee Han reacted belatedly, but the knights were already far in the distance.
What kind of absurd nonsense was this?!
"Professor! Did you tell them I volunteered?!"
"Who would spout such ridiculous nonsense? And who would even believe that?"
'That's... very logical.'
Even in his bewilderment, Lee Han had to concede the rationality of Professor Garcia's words.
Who would believe that he'd stepped forward because he wanted to fight a spirit head-on?
"Perhaps they heard rumors about you and jumped to conclusions? Some of the other White Poplar Knights have met you a few times before..."
From the knights' perspective, it wasn't strange to assume Lee Han had taken the initiative rather than the tower making an unexpected mistake.
"How can such experienced and seasoned knights make judgments based on mere rumors?!"
"W-well, yes."
While Lee Han fumed in frustration, the adventurers emerged. Jute looked at him with admiration.
"I've heard much from Professor Mortum, but I'm still astonished. I never imagined you'd deliberately plan to confront it directly."
At first, they'd thought the spirit had broken through their encirclement with unexpected brute force, but later, the knights explained that Lee Han had orchestrated the situation from the start.
For a mage who didn't favor close combat, it was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Truly, a talent worthy of upholding the Empire's Black Magic tradition.
While his student was too indignant to respond, Professor Garcia quickly stepped in.
"Thank you all again. Please travel safely."
"We're grateful as well. And thank you again for yielding the credit to us."
Once the adventurers had left, Lee Han finally managed to catch his breath.
'The Empire needs a law against false rumors.'
Just then, his vision into the Spirit Realm opened—a sign that the angel Apazragon was about to manifest.
Apazragon spoke, seeking confirmation of what he'd just heard.
To learn from the actions of a pioneer, understanding their intent was crucial.
—So you really planned it? What was your reason?
"...Sit down for a moment."