Episode 1119
Episode 1119
Perhaps feeling guilty, Jowurin comforted her younger sibling more enthusiastically than usual.
Yet the Black Dragon couldn't easily regain its vigor. Jowurin sighed deeply before calling Lee Han.
"Lee Han. Lee Han."
"Yes?"
"It seems there's no other way. I think it's right to have Uman step down..."
"......"
"Why, why..."
Under the contractor's piercing gaze, Jowurin slightly bowed her head.
Had her perfect plan been discovered?
'Could it be that Lee Han knows mind-reading magic...!'
"Your Highness. No matter how troublesome the Inspector may be, you must support him. He's family after all."
Of course, if Uman resigned as Inspector, quite a few people would be happy.
The students of Einrogard, the Skeleton Principal, even Lee Han...
'...Wait. I don't think I'd particularly be happy about it?'
Lee Han paused.
Upon reflection, if Uman stepped down as Inspector, Lee Han wouldn't really gain anything. In fact, he might even suffer a slight loss.
'Ah, no. That's not what's important right now.'
Shaking his head, Lee Han regained his focus.
The current issue wasn't about whether the people of Einrogard would be happy or not. The people of Einrogard were inherently unfortunate—a little more misfortune wouldn't hurt them.
What truly mattered was Jowurin's emotional growth, wasn't it?
The heart to cheer on one's younger sibling even at a slight personal loss!
Though Jowurin would never agree that being confined indoors counted as just a 'slight loss.'
"That seems right... Since Uman is Jowurin's younger sibling, no matter how troublesome he is, we must support him!"
"Exactly!"
"Even if he prevents Jowurin from playing with the students!"
"That's right!"
"Even if he stops Jowurin from going out with Lee Han!"
"Correct!"
"...Eh, do we really have to support him...?"
"Stop. Let's not think beyond that point."
Lee Han swiftly cut off Jowurin's train of thought. If left unchecked, she might waver again.
"Let me try to console him first. Your Highness, please observe and provide support when the time is right."
Feeling slightly worried about leaving it to Jowurin, Lee Han stepped forward himself.
"Your Highness. It's no lie—many students are truly satisfied."
Hard to believe. Then why are students setting fires and raiding storage rooms?
"Your Highness! Right now, you're committing a grave injustice against the students of Einrogard!"
!?
When Lee Han suddenly raised his voice firmly, not only Uman but even Jowurin was startled.
'C-could it be that Lee Han is trying to send Uman back...!'
While Jowurin entertained unnecessary hopes, Uman responded in a somber voice.
He knew. Since Uman had erred, the students set fires and raided storage rooms...
"That's not it! The satisfied students aren't setting fires or raiding storage rooms, so they remain unseen. Yet Your Highness is about to abandon these students because of a few troublemakers' rampages! Can that truly be called the right choice!"
Th-that...!
Uman's eyes widened at this sharp criticism he'd never considered before.
Is that so?
Though the number seems rather large for just 'a few students'...
"There are far more well-behaved students. And those troublemakers are skilled at incitement and deception. If Your Highness gives up now, you'll be playing right into their hands!"
As if proving the Black Dragon's wings had regained strength, they spread wide. Uman jerked upright and asked—
Is that truly so?!
"Your Highness possesses the Scale Artifact, does you not? If you can't trust my words, bring it here! I'll prove it to you!"
Jowurin, watching from the side, was so shocked she was left speechless.
While it was astonishing how a few words had reinvigorated Uman, what truly stunned her was Lee Han demanding the artifact be brought forth.
'It wouldn't work anyway...!'
That artifact which bound souls and placed them on the Scales of Justice didn't work on Jowurin's contractors.
The endless surge of magical power would repel any attempt to draw out a soul.
And he's using it like that?!
Jowurin suddenly felt her horizons expand. She realized she too might one day employ such trickery.
"No need. I believe you! Seeing your confidence, there's no need to even use the artifact."
Uman was completely convinced.
The absolute confidence radiating from Lee Han was something no liar could possibly fake.
'How shameful. I came here determined to reform Einrogard, yet I got fooled by a few tricks and almost gave up. No wonder Gonadaltes mocks Uman!'
"It gladdens me to see Uman's spirits restored!"
Jowurin clapped her hands cheerfully upon seeing her younger brother regain his vigor.
"Fear not, sister! This Uman shall not retreat but fight to the end!"
"...W-wait. What exactly do you mean by 'end'...?"
Jowurin tried to ask in confusion, but the excited Uman didn't hear her.
Instead, he turned to Lee Han and declared:
"Lee Han of the Wardanaz family! I have a request for you."
"Pardon?"
"You've already proven yourself as my sister's contractor by providing wise counsel. Moreover, you're an expert well-versed in Einrogard's current state!"
"That's... somewhat true, but...?"
"This Uman also requires your wise counsel. Become my right hand in reforming Einrogard!"
Jowurin beamed.
From what she heard, it seemed she could legally play with her contractor now.
"An excellent idea!"
"I'm not entirely sure about this..."
Lee Han felt slight doubt about whether this was the right choice.
The Skeleton Principal seemed particularly cheerful today. His knights below knew exactly why.
"My lord. The students' destructive behavior is escalating."
"Isn't that how they grow?"
Normally, the Skeleton Principal would have flown into a rage and thrown students into the Punishment Room, but lately he'd been showing unbelievable leniency.
"In youth, one must set schools aflame and topple buildings!"
"Truly worthy of our master!"
Even the knights, instead of their usual bluntness, offered flattering words.
Uman had been quite the bothersome superior to the Death Knights too.
If this Black Dragon returned to the capital, they could return to their usual relaxed duties.
"Hmm. Still, go check on him once."
The Skeleton Principal ordered a knight to verify Uman's condition.
Having raised him since childhood, he couldn't help but worry.
Three days ago, Uman had started crying in his Black Dragon form. If he was still moping about as a dragon today, that would be slightly dangerous. In that case, he planned to go comfort him.
"Good morning."
"Greetings, Headmaster."
......
The Skeleton Principal froze when he saw a human-formed Uman and his insane human student passing by.
His blue-flaming eye lights flickered like candles in the wind.
'Wh-what... what did I just see?'
"...Indeed, my lord."
Even the knights were too stunned to continue speaking.
'What in the world?'
The Skeleton Principal belatedly realized the situation.
'That Wardanaz!! That vile lackey of power!!!'
This student already enjoyed favor from both imperial royalty and dragons. Combined together, the effect was even more pronounced.
Moreover, with silver-tongued skills that could deceive even the Spirit King, cheering up a depressed Uman would've been child's play.
"A-ah, Lord Wardanaz probably had no choice. How could he refuse when the Inspector asked for his help?"
"Why can't you just refuse? It's so easy!"
The Skeleton Principal kept grumbling.
Of course, it was understandable to feel pity when looking at the whining Black Dragon.
But still, considering his position, he should have coldly said, 'Your Highness, it would be best for you to return to the capital and never show interest in Einrogard again,' instead of trying to placate him and acting as a lackey!
If Jowurin whined about wanting to become the Emperor, would he play the role of prime minister next? Huh?
"W-why are you blaming us...?"
The knight who had pointlessly defended them once and only got scolded in return looked sullen.
The more experienced knights made an effort to appease the Skeleton Principal.
"Surely he was just trying to placate him temporarily. The successor wouldn't want the inspector to stay for long either."
I wonder if that's really the case.
The Skeleton Principal sneered.
Honestly, comparing the hardships Lee Han usually endured to the ones he faced after Uman arrived was a close call.
And regardless, if Uman ended up learning the wrong things from Lee Han, things would become troublesome.
From professors to students, wasn't he an expert in winning people over?
He had been worried about him being lured away to the Daylily Magic Tower, but it turned out the enemy was within his own territory.
"You needn't worry about the Magic Tower, Master. From what I've heard, they've gone completely mad. They summoned him to subdue the General of Fire Heaven."
...What? Subdue who?
The Skeleton Principal couldn't believe his ears.
Come to think of it, he had wondered how his student had reported the Evil God Cult's former location—could it be...?
"First, you should employ a lenient policy at least once a day for meals."
"But even once would negatively affect the students' health."
"Sometimes, to take two steps forward, you must first take one step back, Your Highness. If you employ leniency, the students will gradually adapt to healthier meals, and later, even if you offer greasy and vulgar dishes, they will refuse them themselves."
Lee Han smoothly spun lies without batting an eye.
Uman was pained but nodded. Hadn't he decided to listen to the advice of his elder sister's contractor?
"Understood. I shall employ leniency once."
"And thoroughly inspect Professor Verdus. You can leave the rest alone."
"???"
Uman was immediately confused.
Even though he had decided to heed advice, this suggestion was so baffling that he couldn't help but object.
"Why is that?"
"Professor Verdus tends to be lax with his lectures. If you inspect him, all the students will recognize Your Highness as a competent inspector."
"B-but... as far as Uman knows, the professors of Einrogard are outstanding mages guaranteed strong autonomy. While Uman can directly intervene in students' meals and habits, recklessly interfering with professors' teaching methods..."
Uman had even been cautious when observing Professor Bendozol's lectures.
Yet, because Professor Bendozol had acted quite strangely, Uman had been worried that his presence might have disrupted the class.
"Your Highness. You must trust me."
"...Very well! Uman always keeps his promises."
After some hesitation, Uman nodded at Lee Han's words.
He didn't fully understand, but hadn't he already decided to trust Jowurin's contractor?
Then he had to follow the advice.
"First, go and thoroughly inspect Professor Verdus, and also... Ah. Transfer about half of Professor Garcia's duties to Professor Verdus. That should roughly balance things out. The faculty will respect Your Highness's competence as well."
"U-understood."
Even more confused, Uman acquiesced.
He was curious about how this had anything to do with the faculty's respect, but!