Episode 1168
Episode 1168
Naturally, the opponent's magical power didn't waver in the slightest. Though it might have been a waste of a precious attack, the Crone's voice showed no regret.
This mage had provoked an inexplicable urge to punch him in the face.
For the Crone, who rarely engaged in such childish behavior, this was quite a novel experience.
'You don't necessarily have to be evil to mingle with fanatics.'
'Hmm. That actually makes a surprising amount of sense.'
Lee Han rubbed his head as he pondered.
Hadn't the Skeleton Principal himself used the fanatics of the Ksaxarigol Cult—whom he had captured—to spy on the enemy's plans?
Of course, this line of thinking had one glaring flaw: the possibility that the Skeleton Principal might actually be evil.
"Joining hands with one side, you mean... Hmm... So, are you suggesting we ally with the Prahgal Cult to strike the Sanguiros Cult?"
If the brat wants, you can do the opposite.
Of course not. Lee Han wanted to prioritize crushing the Sanguiros Cult above all else.
You do understand that "joining hands" doesn't mean literally holding hands, right? Even if you leave the hands intact, the rest must be stripped to the bone.
"I understand. But even if I want to join forces, why would the Prahgal Cult agree? I doubt they'd ever trust me..."
Just as Lee Han didn't trust evil god worshippers, they undoubtedly distrusted him immensely.
Especially the Prahgal Cult—hadn't he tricked them multiple times already?
If Lee Han suddenly reached out pretending to be friendly, they'd obviously think, 'Is this bastard preparing an extermination squad and setting a trap?'
And honestly, they'd be right. Lee Han was fully prepared to stab them in the back at any moment. He felt absolutely no guilt about it.
'They'd do the same anyway.'
Do you think I'd give advice without considering that? Of course, I've already thought of a solution! This old woman will act as the mediator between you two.
"!"
Surprisingly, the Crone boldly declared that she could bridge the gap between Lee Han and the Prahgal Cult.
And her words carried weight. As a powerful entity from the Outer Realms, she likely had some degree of familiarity with evil god worshippers.
"If you could truly arrange that, I'd be nothing but grateful."
Now you're being a bit more charming, aren't you? Of course, I can do it. But there are a few things you must remember. Never forget them. Understood?
"What...?"
First. The moment the job is done, you must betray those tentacle freaks.
"I can betray them even before it's done."
Lee Han's immediate, confident reply nearly made the Crone stumble over her words.
Second. In that case, any spoils taken from those tentacle freaks must be offered to this old woman. Surely you won't complain about handing over extra loot, will you?
"How could I possibly object?"
Lee Han had no real issue with this condition either.
Crushing the Sanguiros Cult was the priority—what he gained from the Prahgal Cult didn't matter.
If he could secure the aid of a skilled and cunning Outer Realms powerhouse, this was a small price to pay.
Third. Lastly... Report periodically on the progress of Bakwantalana's magic.
Surprisingly, the Crone seemed interested in the magic left behind by Bakwantalana.
When the being who had supposedly taught Bakwantalana black magic showed such curiosity, Lee Han asked in surprise:
"Is there something you hope to gain from Bakwantalana's magic?"
There's nothing new to learn, but this old woman enjoys observing the foolish magic of mortals. I'm curious to see what kind of magic Bakwantalana—who received my teachings—ultimately perfected.
The Crone had already guessed why Bakwantalana had left his magic inscribed on the stone tablet, a symbolic artifact.
This brilliant mage had clearly wanted to give future generations the same opportunity to inherit wisdom, just as he had.
From the Crone's perspective, this was utterly absurd. Bakwantalana being recognized by her had been miraculous enough—to hope for it to happen twice was laughable.
Normally, she would have cackled at such intentions and tried to reclaim the stone tablet...
...but somehow, she ended up actively giving advice instead.
'Perhaps I got careless from laughing too hard at the fact that he made a contract with the Guest Star.'
Honestly, it was a combination too ridiculous not to laugh at.
A guy with connections to all sorts of dimensional powerhouses was now also contracted with Arna.
It was like a comedy where a candle already burning fiercely went out of its way to find an oil barrel and poured it over itself.
Certainly, this was a rarity distinct from other mortals whose eyes bulged with greed for wisdom.
When would she ever see another mortal who burned so fiercely that not even ashes remained, yet showed not the slightest intention of stopping?
Under these circumstances, the voice decided to observe the magic Bakwantalana had left as well.
'Let's see whether he chose a proper successor worthy of the wisdom he received or not.'
"Understood! I'll learn it right away."
Didn't the old woman clearly say 'periodically'? What if the brat went deaf from straining his ears too much!
"My apologies."
Lee Han apologized.
Having spent so long at Einrogard, he had grown too accustomed to mastering magic on the spot.
If he acted like that outside, he might come across as an arrogant mage.
Then wait quietly. I'll summon those tentacle bastards by kicking their backsides.
"Ah. Please wait a moment."
?
"What should I call you?"
......
The voice was newly astonished by the mage's imbalance.
The disparity between strength and common sense usually stood out in those who grew too rapidly.
For someone so powerful, with ties to multiple dimensional powerhouses, to not even know who the voice was—how absurd.
Kekeke. Call me the cranky Crone.
'Is this a trap?'
"Yes. Grandmother..."
Annoyed by Lee Han's sidestepping after asking, the Crone smacked him once more before vanishing.
Had the stone tablet not remained, he might have wondered if it had all been a dream.
"......"
Lee Han looked at Catten.
Despite being the senior with the sharpest intuition among those he knew, Catten hadn't sensed anything happening at all.
'...Impressive. I can't even begin to guess what kind of Authority that was.'
He understood it was due to the barrier the Crone had erected earlier, but even Lee Han couldn't fathom what kind of magic had created it.
Magic from beyond the continent, from other dimensions, was the epitome of chaos and change, defying ordinary rules and laws.
The Authority the Crone had displayed was likely part of such magic. Bakwantalana hadn't sought her wisdom for nothing.
'Wait. Was that why she asked if I wasn't going to inquire about magic? ...Should I have just asked about magic instead?'
Lee Han suddenly felt regret.
Lately, so many wicked beings had been swarming around like flies that he'd prioritized asking about them first. But in hindsight, no wonder the other party found it absurd.
Asking a mysterious master of extradimensional magic for life advice—how bizarre must that have sounded?
If only he'd asked about Black Magic instead...
'...No. What's done is done.'
There was no point groveling to cranky dimensional powerhouses with requests like, 'Can't you change it?'
Lee Han had already learned his lesson from the Yaksha King.
"Senior. Actually, I just spoke with the owner of this stone tablet."
"W-w-w-w-what nonsense is this?!"
Catten jumped in shock.
Could that strange sensation earlier have been real?
"Come to think of it, Saratan. Didn't you confidently claim earlier that there was no change in mana or dimensional distortion?"
-...The opponent was just too strong.
Saratan sulked and made excuses.
Couldn't they just let it slide and forget about it? Why bring it up again...
Giselle walked down the bleak, undecorated corridors of the northern fortress with her sister, Jiklin, explaining what had happened.
Though she feigned humility, she couldn't completely hide her triumphant air.
"The White Tiger Tower students managed to capture several wanted criminals this time, and I caught Hallenken... though I'm not necessarily bragging about it..."
Jiklin's stern face broke into a faint smile. Few things pleased Jiklin as much as her younger sister's achievements.
If she had to compare, beheading a giant monster in one strike and savoring the scent of its blood was one thing, but her sister's accomplishments brought her slightly more joy.
"I see. Well done."
When alone, Jiklin treated her sister with ease. In this private family moment unseen by others, Giselle indulged in boasting more than usual.
"I can fully wield aura now."
"!"
This was news even Jiklin found surprising.
Among peers solely devoted to the sword, such rapid progress was rare.
"Truly remarkable!"
"It's nothing special. Just got lucky."
"In what circumstances did you realize it? During solo training? Or in the midst of battle?"
"It was during combat."
Jiklin nodded in understanding.
"The thrill of battle sharpens a swordsman's focus. Our family's swordsmanship is particularly dynamic, so that makes sense."
Depending on the nature of swordsmanship and the swordsman, realizations came either during solitary training or in the heat of battle.
"Explain the situation in detail."
"Well, you see..."
Giselle stopped boasting and began explaining earnestly, seeking advice from her senior swordsman sister.
There were Evil God Worshippers and this strange friend who kept stealing their Authority, and during the fight, he got distracted...
"Wardanaz?"
"I didn't say it was Wardanaz."
"Someone else?"
"...Well, it was Wardanaz. But that's not really the point here."
"Did you thank him?"
"Huh? Thank him?"
Giselle was baffled.
She could—with great reluctance—admit that in every other situation at Einrogard, she might owe Wardanaz gratitude.
Meals, assignments, exams, tracking down runaway White Tiger Tower students—she couldn't deny he played a big role in all of it.
But this? This was something she fought hard to protect herself!
"I understand, but gaining enlightenment in swordsmanship is far more significant. You should be grateful."
"...Right... I'll thank him."
"When?"
'Oh no.'
Giselle immediately regretted it.
Her sister Jiklin was the type who, if she suggested having a meal together, would pin down the exact hour, minute, and second on the spot.
"I'll do it right after this commission meeting ends..."
"Good thinking. Friends should be cherished."
'She's just going to find it weird.'
"Has anything notable happened in the territory?"
Giselle changed the subject. Jiklin's expression darkened slightly.
"It seems there's frustratingly little a knight can do."
"...Same goes for mages."
Nature was always greater than mortals.
When dimensions twisted and anomalies appeared across the land, there wasn't much anyone could do.
Currently, the northern knights were scrambling to subdue monsters above a certain size and manage suddenly appearing ruins or dungeons, but they couldn't fully quell the chaos.
"Right. I heard some black mages came to the territory—did none from the Einrogard Black Magic School arrive?"
"They were invited but didn't come, apparently."
"Really?"
Giselle found that odd.
Wardanaz and that Gral guy from the same tower kept insisting, 'The Einrogard Black Magic School goes anywhere if invited,' playing up their poverty...
'An exaggeration? Well. Wardanaz does tend to exaggerate.'
"People are deliberating whether they might be able to resolve the anomalies in the North."
"From what I've heard, it does seem related to black magic..."
"Hmm. What do you think about asking the black mages to include Wardanaz in their meetings?"
"We're only second-years!"
Giselle panicked and tried to stop her.
As much as she often felt like pushing her friend off a cliff, she definitely didn't want to shove him into a gathering of legendary black mages. That would invite a bloody, merciless retaliation.
"Even second-years can offer valuable insights."
"It's absolutely not—well, not impossible, but please don't. They'll think I put him up to it."