Episode 1139
Episode 1139
Meanwhile, the Death Knights resting at the lodging mansion expressed their bewilderment.
"This is strange. Why hasn't anyone come looking for us?"
Of course, Bepaim City was in chaos due to the disaster, but that didn't mean there were no people around.
In fact, because of the disaster, several notable figures from the Empire had arrived in greater numbers.
There were bishops from the church, some useless guys from Baldrogard, and even the dispatched supervisor for this incident should be here by now...
Yet none of them had come to confront them, which was odd.
Were the criminals in this city really the type to endure such treatment without any protest?
It was hard to tell whether they were cowards or just smart.
"Wow, aren't they something?"
"Too clever for comfort. Are we sure there aren't any Evil God Worshippers here?"
"E-everyone... Did you already know that the people in this city wouldn't snitch?" Ibinta asked in surprise.
Judging by their conversation, it seemed the knights had fully expected the city's criminals not to file any complaints.
"Of course."
"...Y-you knew that, and yet you still caused such chaos yesterday?!"
Naturally, Ibinta had assumed the knights had some kind of plan—or at least official permission.
Otherwise, how could they have rampaged so boldly through an imperial city?
But hearing them talk like, 'Why aren't any complaints coming?' made his stomach drop.
'D-don't tell me that archmage is going to punish me too for this...'
"Calm down. Relax, Ibinta. Of course, we had our reasons."
"R-really?"
As the knight reassured him, Ibinta let out a sigh of relief.
He was the kind of bandit leader who could silence a crying child just by stepping outside, but serving these knights kept making him feel like a coward.
"What was your plan, then?"
"Even if complaints were filed and bishops or officials came looking for us, they wouldn't be able to act immediately. They'd have to gather witnesses and evidence first. That investigation would take days."
"I see."
"In the meantime, we'd flee—no, return to Einrogard."
"Right. And then...?"
"That's it."
"......"
Ibinta's face turned as stiff as a lump of lead.
What kind of plan was that?!
"How is that a plan?! Then the complaints will just follow us to Einrogard, and the archmage will... he'll..."
"Turn you into a toad? A rat? What exactly are you imagining?"
"Stop tormenting him. Sure, this thief committed crimes, but didn't he work hard yesterday?"
An older knight stepped in to mediate. If he hadn't, Ibinta might have collapsed from a heart attack.
"You should calm down too. I admit our methods might be a little... startling."
'A little??'
They had roamed an imperial city in the dead of night, beating up nobles and merchants alike without any preparation, and they called it 'a little'?!
Ibinta nearly screamed.
"But we've always handled things this way. If our methods were truly irresponsible, how could we have gotten away with it for so long?"
"......"
Ibinta was slightly convinced.
Well, these knights had been the Einrogard lord's personal guard for ages, infamous monsters who had built quite the reputation.
If their methods were truly sloppy, how could they have kept operating like this?
"I... suppose that makes sense. So you're saying the complaints really won't reach Einrogard?"
"Of course not. Heh heh."
'Heh. What an idiot.'
As the former bandit leader fell for it, the knights smirked sinisterly.
Of course, complaints wouldn't reach Einrogard.
But the Skeleton Principal was absolutely not the type to let such things slide. He'd definitely unleash his fury on these knights.
So how did the knights handle it?
By boldly walking straight into the Punishment Room, of course.
Knights who'd weathered countless battles had no reason to fear such punishment. Moreover, helping their successor was worth enduring a bit of ridicule.
Naturally, a fallen man like the former bandit leader couldn't comprehend such devotion and sacrifice. Which was precisely why the knights hadn't bothered explaining it to him.
-And think positively. No formal complaints have surfaced, have they?
"But... but what if they're all gathering together to prepare an even bigger complaint?"
-Ah, this damn thief brat. So full of fear. Why'd you even become a bandit with nerves like that?
-Enough. That's enough. Of course it's disgusting how this thief friend of ours acted fearless while committing crimes in the past but now pretends to be scared...
"......"
Ibinta stared at the old knight with a baffled expression.
Weren't they supposed to be on his side?
-Anyway, quit your whining. What can you do about it now? Will you go apologize? Offer your neck as sacrifice while dragging us along?
As irritating as it was, he had a point.
The thieves of Bepaim City probably hated Ibinta even more than Lee Han or the knights.
After all, people always despise the traitor who sided with their oppressors more than the oppressors themselves.
"What were you all discussing?"
-Shh. Don't mention what we just talked about.
As Professor Garcia and Professor Kirmin emerged from inside, the knight quickly warned Ibinta.
Since they'd gone behind the professors' backs yesterday, they couldn't reveal what had happened.
-We were just remarking how lovely the weather is today. Haha.
"It's sweltering due to the heatwave right now."
-We're undead, so this level of warmth just feels cozy. Haha.
"......"
While Ibinta stood dumbfounded at their ridiculous excuses, Professor Garcia finally couldn't hold back any longer.
"We already know everything about what you did last night!"
-!
-Wh-what!?
The knights couldn't believe it.
They'd confirmed the student priests were tagging along, but they'd definitely checked that the professors were staying in their quarters!
"Well, when Wardanaz was that furious, did you really think he'd just quietly sleep through the night?... Of course we assumed he'd go out searching after dark."
-Damn...
It wasn't just his friends who could read Lee Han's behavior patterns.
The professors had figured them out too.
-Acting emotionally led to your predictability. A good lesson learned, I'd say.
-Indeed!
"What do you mean 'indeed'? What 'good lesson'?"
Professor Garcia retorted angrily.
"Once we return, you can forget about expecting any support from us—though Lee Han might be another matter. You're on your own!"
-We never expected otherwise, Professor. We're grateful you didn't interfere yesterday.
Seeing the Death Knights' shamelessness, Professor Garcia regretted letting them off the hook yesterday.
She'd thought to give her student time to sort through his feelings after hearing Professor Kirmin's words, but seeing the knights now made her wonder if she'd just enabled worse behavior...
"You all should take going underground more seriously."
-We'll keep that in mind going forward.
Ibinta, who'd been blankly listening to the knights' glib responses, suddenly froze.
"Huh? Underground? What do you...?"
Wait, weren't they just returning to Einrogard? That was it?
-No need to know. Professor Garcia enjoys her jokes sometimes. More importantly, Professors—there's something strange.
Seeing the professors present, the knights seized the opportunity to explain the odd situation.
Why was no one filing any complaints?
Could there be some massive conspiracy at play here that they weren't aware of?
"Maybe the Church is covering it up because they value Wardanaz?"
"The Baldrogard students probably won't file complaints either since they're close with Lee Han."
-Impossible! ...Though now that I think about it, that does sound plausible. But what about the bureaucrats...?
"...Do you think it never reached the bureaucrats?"
No matter how well Professor Garcia knew Lee Han, even as a mage of Einrogard, there were limits to her imagination.
Who could possibly imagine that bureaucrats dispatched from the capital would burn the complaint letters just to side with a single student!
-This is what happened.
"Oh. That's good. It seems I can go out tonight as well."
Lee Han was delighted by the knights' report.
At his nearly crazed expression, the knights unknowingly felt a sense of pride.
'He's gradually becoming more worthy of being the successor!'
Had Lee Han heard that, he would have lost his temper and swung his staff in rage.
"Come to think of it, the professors knew about it. I should reflect on this."
Like the knights' opinion, Lee Han reflected slightly.
Because he acted emotionally, he was predicted twice.
Lee Han learned his lesson. From now on, no matter how angry he got, he wouldn't forget to make creative moves.
-But Lord Wardanaz. This time, luck was on your side, and you managed to avoid the complaints. But eventually, it will reach our master's ears.
"I've thought about that too."
-Oh, what's your plan?
"If I get caught and banned, I plan to move under the identity of Stedal Nago from then on."
-...!!
The knights were deeply moved. Some knights even poked Ibinta's side hard enough to squeeze out tears and then wiped them on their own faces.
-You prepared for such a time?!
"That wasn't the case."
-Truly admirable!
"I said it wasn't. Are you not listening to me—"
Unfortunately, Lee Han couldn't finish his sentence.
A commotion could be heard from outside the mansion.
-Someone's gathered outside.
-Are they planning to attack instead of filing complaints?
The Death Knight, revealing his thoughts of 'I really hope so,' rushed to the window.
Seeing the dozens of people gathered below the mansion's main gate only heightened his anticipation.
The gatekeeper, flustered, asked, "Uh, what should I—"
-Open it! Quickly!
The knights excitedly rushed down. They even thought they could twist the story later when reporting this.
They tried to resolve things peacefully, but these insane criminals attacked in broad daylight—what else could they do...
-So! What brings you here?
"...We've come to turn ourselves in."
-Wha... huh?
The knights, who were about to draw their swords, froze.
What did they come here for?
"We've come to turn ourselves in..."
The gathered people spoke with the most depressed and sorrowful expressions in the Empire. Resignation and regret radiated from their entire beings.
-W-Wait. Why?
Even the knights, who had stirred up the city, were bewildered.
Though they had captured many figures in the Empire before, they had never seen people flocking to surrender like this.
"We deeply regret our crimes..."
-Stop the nonsense. We'll interrogate you anyway, so confess quickly. If you hide anything and it comes out later, we won't forgive you.
"...Actually, the thing is..."
Frightened by the knights' threats, the crowd confessed honestly.
Frankly, they had even reported to the bureaucrats, but when nothing happened, they were overwhelmed with terror.
What could they possibly do against such a monster?
-You went to the bureaucrats!? Were they imposters dressed like bureaucrats?!
"We went to the Inspector General, but..."
-The Inspector General!?
As the knights buzzed in shock, a bishop and a priest watched the scene quietly from afar.
"As expected, their lies were baseless. They haven't used any violent means at all! Yet they spread such slander."
"Your words are correct. It must be the greedy ones holding grudges over Count Bouillon's affairs."
"Send letters to the others in the order as well. They must not fall for such schemes."
The members of the order were deeply angered by the cunning plots of the greedy.
From now on, they would never be deceived again!