Episode 1131
Episode 1131
No matter how worried he was, putting a bounty on one of his own professors wasn't a wise choice.
He couldn't even imagine how furious the imperial officials would be when they discovered the truth.
"Then how about asking His Highness Jowurin for help?"
"This isn't a matter for the imperial family...!"
Professor Garcia shuddered.
She had initially thought her student was making a somewhat self-deprecating joke, but now it seemed he was quite serious.
If she didn't stop him now, he might even go directly to the Emperor to place the bounty.
"Lee Han. Putting a bounty on Professor Bagrak won't be effective. You might just end up helping the enemy instead."
"That's right, Wardanaz. And what did the bounty hunters ever do to deserve this?"
Professor Kirmin's words certainly made Lee Han reflect.
What crime had those pure-hearted bounty hunters committed to deserve being beaten up while trying to capture Professor Voladi?
"Hah..."
-......
Apazragon stood blankly for a moment before opening his mouth.
-I can go back now...
"This is all your fault!"
At Lee Han's growling, the Death Knights and Ibinta sighed in relief.
When multiple people caused trouble together, the most important thing was to act slightly more perceptive than the others.
Fortunately, this angel seemed to have zero awareness.
'Thank you, angel!'
Apazragon, failing to read the mood, protested.
-I did not aid that mortal's escape. If anything, I'm the victim here. According to this continent's laws, shouldn't you be comforting and assisting me?
In the earlier chaotic situation, he had been cursed at without explanation, but now that things had calmed down somewhat, Apazragon logically defended himself.
Though the celestial beings secluded themselves in their own dimension, they weren't lacking in intellectual ability. Drawing from his research on the continent, Apazragon presented a fairly sound argument.
But being not of mortal origin, Apazragon still missed something crucial.
This continent was far more unreasonable than one might think.
"Get lost! Return to your own dimension. You're even more useless than these demons."
Inside the Bracelet of Ten Thousand Demons, several demons giggled excitedly.
Though trapped miserably within, that didn't mean they couldn't find joy—especially in seeing a celestial being humiliated, which was an exceptionally rare pleasure.
And to be compared unfavorably to them at that!
-I cannot accept this...
Apazragon kept trying to reason with these irrational humans. Ignoring him, Lee Han called to the others.
"Professors, knights. Please help me drive him away."
-Understood!
The Death Knights responded immediately.
Given they were already feeling guilty about causing trouble, this was only natural.
While Professors Garcia and Kirmin weren't as guilty as the knights, they had no reason to refuse their student's request.
And frankly, their thoughts aligned on this matter.
'If not for that angel, he might not have escaped in the first place.'
"Mr. Apazragon. I understand your feelings, but honestly, following Lee Han around like this isn't appropriate to begin with? Since the person in question clearly dislikes it, please return now."
-I don't understand. The fault lies with that mortal...
-Begin attack!!
The angel learned another truth firsthand.
Sometimes mortals preferred force over words.
As the Death Knights hurled chains of darkness and the two professors unleashed their magic, Apazragon hastily retreated beyond the dimensional barrier.
'How can this be? Why?'
Confused, Apazragon resolved to visit the Yaksha King again.
Surely such a wise king could offer advice about what the angel had just experienced!
With the angel gone, the atmosphere grew awkward again.
Though the Death Knights and Ibinta were being cautious, the mercenaries and Evil God Worshippers were even more on edge.
...Were they about to be executed on the spot?
"Calm down, Wardanaz. As I said, Professor Bagrak will be fine."
"Thank you... Professor, you've suffered a lot because of Professor Bagrak too, haven't you?"
Having calmed down somewhat, Lee Han felt apologetic toward Professor Kirmin.
After all, Professor Kirmin had come to help him, only to get caught up in Professor Voladi's indiscriminate escape incident.
However, Professor Kirmin shook his head.
"Before Professor Bagrak is your teacher, he's my friend, Lee Han. Everyone has at least one friend who causes them trouble, you know."
Professor Kirmin gazed steadily at Lee Han as he spoke, his eyes seeming to say, 'Doesn't that remind you of someone?'
'Ah.'
Lee Han realized what he was implying.
"You're talking about Senior Diret and Senior Yukveltire, aren't you?"
"...Uh... Well... I suppose they could count as examples too?"
'He was actually referring to Gainando and the Crown Prince.'
Professor Kirmin thought to himself.
He had meant to talk about 'friends who cause trouble' by bringing up Gainando, who constantly made things difficult for Lee Han...
...Though Diret and Yukveltire were perfectly valid examples as well.
"Well, Senior Diret puts up with a lot, yet he hasn't expelled Senior Yukveltire."
"Lee Han, you too... Hmm. Never mind."
"Pardon?"
"It's nothing. Haha."
Though Professor Kirmin was acting slightly odd, Lee Han had too much on his mind—both the events that had just unfolded and the tasks ahead—to dwell on it.
Lee Han called over the knights. The thoroughly cowed Death Knights immediately began making excuses.
-Professor Bagrak, that sly bastard, had everything prepared...
-We would've poisoned the food first if we were really going to fight... But since it was an Einrogard professor...
-And then that damn angel had to show up...
"...I apologize for losing my temper. You don't have to console me."
Feeling unnecessarily guilty, Lee Han apologized to the knights. Professor Garcia thought to herself.
'That sounded more like an excuse than consolation.'
-!
But it clearly had an effect on the Death Knights. Their eyes sparkled brightly again, like radiant sapphires.
-So you don't think it's our fault after all!
"The professor left of his own accord—how could it be anyone else's fault? If I had to blame someone, it'd be that damn angel bas— No. It's already over."
-You're absolutely right. A wise judgment, indeed.
"And even if you had tried to stop him, it wouldn't have been easy once the professor made up his mind."
-...Ah, no. Strictly speaking, Professor Bagrak escaped through trickery. If it had come to a real fight, who knows who would've...
The knights, their pride wounded, reflexively tried to argue back, but the senior knight quickly cut them off.
What nonsense were they about to spout now?
-...You're right. It would've been difficult for us to stop him.
-Ugh!
The knights trembled in shame.
'Just you wait, Professor Bagrak.'
"I... I really did try my best."
When Ibinta cautiously offered his excuse, Lee Han nodded.
"Running into an Evil God Worshipper in the first place was just bad luck. Even if you hadn't confessed, the professor would've figured it out on his own eventually."
"...Thank you for understanding!"
This former bandit leader was deeply moved—an expression that looked oddly out of place on his face.
The mage before him was uncharacteristically lenient for someone from the Wardanaz family. So much so that, without realizing it, a deep sense of loyalty welled up from the depths of his heart.
"Don't worry about it."
"Thank you! Then, about Lord Gonadaltes..."
"I won't hold him responsible either, so don't worry."
"Thank you!"
Ibinta bowed deeply in gratitude, hesitated for a few seconds, then spoke up again.
"Um... And about Lord Hierdan of the Wardanaz family..."
"...Get lost."
At Lee Han's irritable response, Ibinta quickly retreated.
"First, we should report this to the Headmaster immediately."
-Yes. We'll do that.
The knights answered respectfully, then exchanged glances.
"...Should I be the one to send it?"
-We'd be truly grateful if you did, Young Master!
"Don't call me 'Young Master.'"
He ran away?!
The Skeleton Principal was utterly shocked upon receiving the paper bird.
Honestly, it was completely unexpected.
The Death Knights beside him seemed to share the sentiment, nodding in agreement.
-How unexpected. We thought if it was Wardanaz delivering the news, the professor would take it calmly.
"Indeed."
The Skeleton Principal continued reading the letter in astonishment.
Honestly, Wardanaz hadn't even been placed on Sanguiros Cult's assassination list—he was merely on their recruitment list. Who would have expected such an extreme reaction?
For a moment, the principal wondered if Wardanaz had misspoken while explaining the situation.
'That doesn't sound like him though?'
...Unfortunately, we encountered evil god worshippers in the village, and among them was someone who held a grudge against the professor...
Kgh.
The Skeleton Principal let out a short groan.
The following lines of the letter contained something entirely unexpected.
What in the...?
-What's the matter?
It says they ran into evil god worshippers while assisting the cult.
-...Ah, no. Could it be that they were lying in ambush?
That's what I thought, but it seems that wasn't the case. Apparently, Ksaxarigol's followers were there, but even if they died, they wouldn't have participated in such a scheme.
The Skeleton Principal knew full well how much these lunatics feared having their foresight disrupted.
They'd sooner smash their own heads in than willingly entangle themselves with a variable like Wardanaz.
...That bastard dared to send assassins and fled into the Fire Giants' dimension, so I pursued and dealt with him (if you happen to be acquainted with the King of Frost Giants, please tell him to stop spreading rumors)... Unfortunately, during this, the professor learned that many within the cult still hold grudges...
'So that's how it happened.'
Only now did the Skeleton Principal grasp the full picture.
Those kinds of people would harbor resentment not just toward the professor himself but also his students, so it made sense that Professor Voladi, upon hearing the threat, would immediately launch a preemptive strike. It was exactly the kind of thing he'd do.
...Though it was a bit surprising that Wardanaz immediately volunteered to chase them down himself...
-Wasn't Wardanaz always one to relish perilous battles? Even if the opponents were evil god worshippers, he wouldn't have made an exception.
That's true.
The Skeleton Principal nodded in agreement and unfolded the next page.
...If not for that damned angel, they wouldn't have escaped through dimensional hijacking—just thinking about it still makes my blood boil. If you're still in contact with the Yaksha King, please make him take some responsibility...
'The rest is just pointless rambling.'
The Skeleton Principal skimmed through the remaining content. It was just Wardanaz pointlessly cursing the Yaksha King and Apazragon.
-Shall we dispatch a pursuit squad?
No. That brat's an expert at evading capture—it'd just be a waste of time.
-The knights won't fail a second time.
Despite his subordinates' enthusiasm, the Skeleton Principal drew a firm line.
The reason he had tried to stop him before was because he feared Wardanaz might lose his cool judgment—his greatest weapon—to vengeance. Vengeance itself wasn't the problem. This time, he had worried that the boy might still be burning with rage... but judging by the letter, that didn't seem to be a concern anymore.
What the Skeleton Principal feared was his former student losing his rationality and running wild. If Wardanaz was acting calmly, he had no intention of stopping him.
Orderly and methodical vengeance was good for one's mental and physical health.
-I don't quite understand... How can you be so sure just from reading the letter?
The knights asked in bewilderment.
If he had truly lost his temper, he would have slaughtered every evil god worshipper present before leaving. The fact that he spared them and escaped alone proves he was composed.
-As... as expected!
The Death Knights marveled at their master's logic. Truly, one didn't become an Archmage for nothing.
Even if we don't send pursuers, keep your ears open. Leave markers offering assistance everywhere. He'll probably ignore them, though.
-Understood. Ah, the successor seems quite worried—should we explain the situation to him?
Such flatterers. Do as you—... No. I should write the reply myself.
-......
The knights suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
What is he planning to write?
The Skeleton Principal gleefully began scribbling his response in one swift stroke.
...Isn't it because your magic is lacking that evil god worshippers, Bagrak, Fire Giants, and even angels all look down on you...?
The knights were horrified at their master's attempt to turn even this into a trial for his disciple's growth.
If this goes even slightly wrong, we might end up with the greatest magic criminal in history!