Episode 1208
Episode 1208
Thanks to this, the angel Apazragon got to directly experience the irrationality of mortals.
"Why did you let your dimension get stolen? Huh?"
"If you possessed such a dimension, you should have managed it more carefully."
'I may not fully understand mortal customs, but normally in such cases, the thieves are punished—why are both the ascetic and the mages blaming me...'
The two professors ignored the angel's protest. Truly an approach befitting professors of Einrogard.
"Fortunately, we're giving you a chance to atone."
"Quite fortunate indeed, isn't it? Mr. Apazragon must have been bored while waiting."
'I don't experience emotions like boredom...'
Apazragon tried to explain again.
The celestial beings of the multiverse were beings with scarce desires beyond their purposes. Such a race wouldn't feel boredom from waiting a little while.
"So just open the dimension for us."
"We promise we'll use it for good deeds, not bad ones."
The two professors revealed their true colors.
The Dimension of Divine Light Extinguished used by this angel was like a sort of shadow dimension—there was no better Authority for secretly observing someone.
The problem was that an angel who'd already been robbed once had hidden his dimension thoroughly.
As always, theft is easiest for the first one who breaks in.
'I refuse. Sharing a celestial's dimension with mortals is...'
"You already shared it!"
"That's right. You shared it with Professor Bagrak!"
'That wasn't sharing...'
Pushing and pulling, the two professors drained the spirit from the angel unaccustomed to mortal conversations.
"We heard you're walking the path of ancient mages. If you want to continue gaining wisdom at Einrogard, it'd be wise to cooperate."
"By the way, our positions are 'professors.' You might not know this, but within the territory, it's an extremely powerful position."
The whip and...
"If you cooperate, we can help you too later. Think carefully about whose disciples the Wardanaz are."
"I won't even mention which professor Lee Han respects most."
...the carrot.
Apazragon, still unfamiliar with mortal society, found his judgment growing increasingly clouded.
In the end, the angel yielded and opened his mouth.
'Very well. I'll open the dimension. But I'm coming along too.'
"Do whatever you want. Just hurry up and open it before Wardanaz gets too far away."
As Apazragon opened the Dimension of Divine Light Extinguished, Professor Garcia whispered with a slightly guilty conscience.
"I'm feeling a little bad about deceiving such a clueless angel."
"Professor Kim. Had that angel managed his dimension more carefully in the first place, Wardanaz wouldn't have caused such a ruckus."
"...Should we check if he has any other useful Authorities? Just in case, let's secure them all for ourselves?"
Professor Garcia immediately steeled her resolve.
Come to think of it, it hadn't been long since she'd received criticism about her combat abilities from her student.
Perhaps she needed to abandon such weak-minded attitudes and secure everything she could get her hands on?
Pop!
The mages and angel, having transformed from existence into concept, flew into the area near the swamp.
Unsurprisingly, the ascetic was already there. Upon spotting the flickering concept, Professors Kirmin and Garcia unleashed a torrent of criticism.
'What a selfish bastard.'
'We searched for you all semester, and this is our reward? Leaving a clone behind without a word and slipping away?'
Professor Voladi calmly explained.
'Moving in a group increases the risk of detection.'
'......'
'......'
The two professors felt the urge to exit the dimension and grab him by the collar in reality.
Had it been possible, they might have actually done it.
'...Let's just observe for now. Getting angry will only leave us at a disadvantage.'
"What's the current situation? There shouldn't be any major issues."
Professor Garcia tried to adapt to this unfamiliar dimension.
Dimensions accessed in such an altered form required a brief adjustment period.
For mortals accustomed to receiving information through five senses anchored to physical bodies, this method—transforming into pure concepts to receive surrounding informational wavelengths—was bound to feel alien.
It could be described as a process of focusing one's perception.
Professor Voladi had fled much earlier, so he must have already adapted, but Professor Garcia was still...
"They're using worshippers from another Evil God cult to fight."
"Excuse me???"
Professor Garcia was startled.
She'd assumed they'd just be fighting some undead—what in the world was this?
As she frantically concentrated her mind, the chaotic stream of incoming information began taking shape.
And just as Professor Voladi had said, there really was another Evil God cult present!
"Why are those people he— Oh."
Professor Garcia cut herself off mid-outcry.
The belated realization struck her—their student had made a contract with The Crone.
"In such a repulsive, corrupted dimension, all manner of vile beings could be present. Hardly surprising."
"......"
"......"
Professors Kirmin and Voladi stared pointedly at their junior.
Blood may be thicker than water, but this was a bit much, wasn't it?
"Voladi. The reason they're here is likely due to Wardanaz's contract. As I mentioned before, he made a pact with The Crone."
"You mean that dangerous contract you failed to prevent."
'I genuinely want to challenge him to a duel.'
Professor Kirmin was seething.
The most extraordinary thing about his friend was that he wasn't even doing this deliberately.
What was the point of Professor Kirmin deliberately provoking him a hundred times?
Even when his friend unintentionally threw one remark, the destructive impact was this severe!
"Fine. Though someone suddenly deserted, I won't harp on that now."
"But why isn't Lee Han fighting?"
As Professor Garcia further assessed the situation, she grew puzzled.
While the undead of this realm and the Evil God cult priests were locked in fierce combat, Lee Han was keeping his distance and observing.
How was that even possible?
"He seems to be tricking the Evil God worshippers into serving as decoys..."
"How?"
Professor Kirmin fell silent.
Simply because no method came to mind.
How on earth did he manage that?
'Did he arrange all this when contracting with The Crone? He couldn't have negotiated such detailed terms, could he?'
Failing to find an answer, Professor Kirmin changed the subject.
"Those undead... are they ancient western vampires?"
"House guards."
At his friend's confirmation, Professor Kirmin grew slightly concerned.
Technically speaking, weren't they old enemies?
Considering the vengeance his friend had displayed before, it was impossible not to worry.
"Is this... alright?"
"They're already dead. What's there to worry about?"
Professor Voladi replied impassively. Contrary to Professor Kirmin's concerns, this mage wasn't burning with vengeance.
Only one thought occupied Professor Voladi's mind now:
Completely eliminating future threats by slaying the Evil God and mopping up the cult's remnants.
"Had they not pursued us, I would've handled it quietly."
To Professor Voladi's words, the other two professors retorted coldly.
"You didn't listen to the Headmaster either. Consider this karma."
"Professors can do as they please, so why can't Lee Han?"
"......"
As they conversed, the battle raced toward its conclusion.
The Evil God worshippers led by The Undead had suffered considerable damage, yet they'd nearly succeeded in sweeping the undead into the marsh.
Professor Garcia sighed in relief. It seemed everything would somehow end well.
Crrrrrack!
From beneath the swamp, a massive, rusted and shattered fortress revealed itself anew.
What could be called walls were mostly cracked or collapsed, with only a few spires barely maintaining their shape.
Yet the eerie energy emanating from the wreckage and ruins was anything but weak—if anything, it grew stronger.
Professor Kirmin frowned. There was something oddly familiar about that fortress.
"The Blood Mist Fortress."
—!
At his colleague's words, Kirmin's memory belatedly returned.
No wonder the fortress seemed familiar—it had once served as the stronghold of the rebellious Western Vampires.
"Then it would be best not to approach the fortress."
The lingering dead roaming this area were fools who had worshipped the Evil God in life.
They were suffering a punishment more terrifying than any other—their souls half-devoured, their essence lost, doomed to wander this realm.
But that didn't make them any less dangerous.
Especially a fortress like that, steeped in grudges and malice, where powerful lingering dead were likely swarming.
"I agree."
Professor Voladi concurred.
There was no need to storm such a fortress just to find a path to Sanguiros.
They could explore other areas first and leave that as a last resort.
"...Student Lee Han is going straight in, though?"
—?!
Professor Kirmin was utterly taken aback.
Just as Professor Garcia had said, Wardanaz was indeed entering the fortress without hesitation.
"Voladi. You've been using this dimension for a while—can't you send telepathy inside?"
The angel Apazragon answered firmly.
"This dimension isn't one where such a thing is possible."
It was a dimension strictly for movement and observation—what nonsense was this about sending messages and communicating here?
"I sent it."
"......"
Apazragon was shocked.
Had he modified it without anyone noticing?
"Good job."
"For a mortal to tamper with a dimension so recklessly—"
"Could you please be quiet? I need to focus on my student."
Apazragon felt a faint surge of emotion at the mortals' insolence.
Though the emotions of the angelic race had dulled from disuse, this constant provocation was...
"Wait. Wardanaz is just... going in? Did you actually send it?"
"Yes."
"Did Student Lee Han just ignore the professors' words?"
An awkward silence briefly filled the dimension.
Professor Kirmin cleared his throat.
"Well, that's just how students are. You were the same back then."
It wasn't exactly helpful.
Professor Garcia found the atmosphere in this cramped dimension utterly stifling.
'Is the ventilation not working?'
"Reckless, but not an incomprehensible choice."
Surprisingly, Hamster respected Lee Han's decision to enter the fortress.
Because from within the exposed fortress, Sanguiros's voice could be heard.
"Very well, very well indeed. Hahaha... If you have the courage, step inside this fortress. For you mages, there are spells aplenty to covet. Hahahaha..."
No one else present could hear it—but Lee Han could.
Hamster thought it was a gamble worth taking.
Many families had vanished due to the rebellion, but the Western Vampires of the Empire had a long history. Who knew what legacies they might hold?
Besides, hadn't even the Yacha King sensed magical energy in this swamp?
If that wise king had advised it, there might indeed be powerful spells to be found.
And Sanguiros, too, seemed to favor this brat.
"Relying too much on a corrupted Evil God isn't wise, but he's been useful so far. Go search for the magic."
"Huh? Magic?"
"...Wasn't that why you came in here?"
"I came in because I was curious about what exactly happened in the past."
"......"
Hamster was momentarily speechless.
The Evil God had just mentioned magic, and this brat was worried about some trivial past event?
If he's curious, he can just read a history book!