Episode 1251
Episode 1251
"B-Baldrogard..."
"That's Einrogard, actually."
Unable to watch any longer, Lee Han stepped in.
Seeing Uman stutter and try to pass them off as Baldrogard students, he couldn't just stand by.
"As expected!"
The knights nodded in understanding.
Since Uman was currently visiting Einrogard as an inspector this semester, it made perfect sense for him to bring Einrogard students along.
Though they weren't sure why he had tried to claim they were Baldrogard students...
"Are you here to attend the award ceremony and festival?!"
"No. We came urgently to speak with His Majesty."
"Ah-ha. But you'll still attend the award ceremony and festival, right?"
"Huh? No, we won't."
"Oh dear. But at least the award ceremony..."
"......"
Lee Han was speechless.
'Could they actually be knights from Einrogard in disguise?'
After experiencing so many bizarre incidents lately, even his suspicions had grown stranger.
Why were they being so persistent?
"Then at least the festival...?"
Truthfully, the knights had good reason for acting this way.
The recent Evil God Subjugation expedition was such a joyous and monumental achievement that multiple religious orders had come to celebrate...
...Yet, no one was willing to attend the actual award ceremony or festival!
-You want me to come to the commendation and award ceremony? Summoning even me, a being from another dimension—does this mean you secretly feel the Empire's current authority is lacking? Seems like you have an inferiority complex.
A certain king of a certain race had left the knights who went to invite him in tears.
-To summarize, you're asking me to attend the commendation and award ceremony.
-Yes!
-I refuse. I have no desire to waste time on such events.
-...What about the festival?
-Did the knight order skip reading comprehension training? No, never mind. I'll ask the knight commander myself.
A certain firstborn of a certain family had left the knights who went to invite him drowning in self-loathing.
-Your Excellency. Couldn't you at least attend?
-Are you mocking me right now? Do you have a death wish?
-M-My apologies!
The lord of a certain magic school flew off in a huff the moment they tried to speak to him, making it impossible to even properly make the request.
As a result, despite it being such a grand achievement, no one was willing to attend the award ceremony, commendation, or festival.
For the Imperial Knights, nothing could be more disappointing and awkward.
...Honestly, was it really so hard for Einrogard to send just one person?
Was it really that difficult to have a representative accept the award and attend the festival...?
"W-Well, we're currently in a situation where we can't openly move around. It'd be difficult for us to attend."
"I see."
The knights' shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Feeling oddly guilty, Lee Han glanced at Paridim and asked,
"Maybe you could accept it on our behalf...?"
"Huh!? N-No way!"
Caught off guard by this bizarre Einrogard-style deflection, Paridim lost his usual composure and jumped in alarm.
"Th-There are other friends here, aren't there?!"
"They all snuck out too, so they can't. But you're an outsider, so it's fine."
"......"
For a moment, Paridim envisioned the future.
The sheer bewilderment and icy stares he'd receive as an unrelated Oculogard mage standing in at an imperial award ceremony packed with the Empire's capital citizens.
Just imagining it made him feel like he was taking psychic damage.
"C-Couldn't Their Highnesses here accept it instead?"
"If royalty steps in as substitutes, it could spark unnecessary political suspicions. Of course not."
Lee Han firmly rejected the idea.
If rumors like "They say Jowurin is the next emperor" started spreading, he might get summoned to the Court of Dragons on the spot.
"Lee Han...!"
"As expected of my contractor!"
Jowurin looked at him with moved eyes. Uman felt the same.
Only Paridim was left inwardly bewildered.
Then what about me??
"Ah! Professor Garcia! Professor Garcia is here."
"Huh? Are you talking about Professor Garcia Kim?"
"That's correct. The professor should be arriving in the capital soon."
Unlike Lee Han or Professor Voladi who should have been in the Punishment Room, Professor Garcia had no issues whatsoever.
If the knights could persuade Professor Garcia, she would make a perfectly suitable representative.
"Thank you! We'll do our best to convince her!"
Seeing the knights happily seeing them off, Lee Han felt a small sense of pride himself.
Perhaps Professor Garcia might even be pleased.
'Maybe her anger will subside a bit more.'
"Hmm."
Beside him, Professor Voladi made a thoughtful expression.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Professor Voladi chose not to tell his student.
Given Professor Garcia's personality, she probably wouldn't appreciate something like this...
The Deep Palace—a palace within the palace—was a labyrinth where no strong individual could easily enter, but as Lee Han's group approached, a path instantly opened before them.
It showed just how much the master welcomed the visitors.
"?!"
Lee Han was shocked to realize he was suddenly standing alone.
To be precise, the master wasn't welcoming the visitors. He was welcoming the visitor.
Specifically, Lee Han!
"Uh... Your Majesty? What about the professor and my friends..."
I left them outside.
The Gold Dragon explained as he ushered Lee Han inside.
Just like last time, the Emperor's abode was a desolate place with absolutely nothing in it.
A vast cavern with a ceiling so high it seemed endless, devoid of any decorations or carvings.
But that absence didn't matter at all. Because at its center stood a presence so overwhelming that such things were completely irrelevant.
A Gold Dragon, with a form more magnificent and massive than any gold.
As those wise and benevolent eyes blinked slowly while gazing at him, Lee Han was reminded once again just how young Jowurin was in comparison.
'They're both dragons, so how can their auras be so different?'
"May I ask the reason, if I may?"
Well, if they were here, you wouldn't be able to speak freely, would you?
"?"
Lee Han was confused at first but soon realized.
"No, no. Professor Bagrak isn't like that. He doesn't hold grudges... well, not exactly, but there was no need to leave him outside..."
It wasn't just about the professor.
The Emperor spoke calmly.
Keeping everyone else waiting outside the Deep Palace wasn't solely because of the professor.
With foolish idiots around, you'd inevitably be cautious.
"???"
Lee Han was puzzled, unsure who the "foolish idiots" referred to.
Gainando, perhaps?
'But he wasn't even here...'
"Excuse me, but who are you referring to?"
Jowurin and Uman, of course—who else?
The Emperor replied indifferently.
Though he had many children, the nine he found most disappointing were the ones who could never inherit the throne.
Utter failures!
While his other children had their reasons for failing—their species—these nine were particularly galling. Born as dragons yet incapable of inheriting the throne.
They haven't been bothering or harassing you, have they?
"Ah, no! Absolutely not."
Lee Han answered sincerely. But the Emperor wasn't so easily convinced.
And Jowurin? You made a contract with him—surely he hasn't been a nuisance?
'Sharp!'
Sweating internally at the pointed question, Lee Han marveled at how the long-lived dragon could discern matters from afar while seated.
But he had a gut feeling—if he showed even the slightest agreement here, Jowurin would be dragged back to the estate.
"Heh heh heh. Not at all. On the contrary, it was an honor to serve such a noble race."
"Don't imitate that unpleasant laughter. I don't understand why you'd copy even that aspect of Os."
"......"
Lee Han immediately stopped laughing and composed himself.
'Looks like I won't be able to use this laugh when flattering people from now on—it's too off-putting.'
"Seeing you take Jowurin's side, I can tell you've truly found the right Dragon Contractor... Though I feel guilty placing this additional burden on you, who already struggles as Os's disciple... Perhaps fate is simply something we cannot change."
Lee Han struggled to maintain his expression.
If this was a trap question, one wrong answer could result in Jowurin being dragged away immediately.
"Ah, yes. How are those kind imperial relatives you mentioned last time?"
The Emperor suddenly remembered and looked at him with expectant eyes.
Last time, this disciple of Os had spoken very highly of them, saying 'people are kind.'
Perhaps by now, they might have even grown into suitable successors to the throne.
"Uh... They're still kind."
"Marvelous. Kindness means having compassion for all things in this world—and that is precisely the qualification of an emperor."
'Can't I just summon the Headmaster here?'
Without realizing it, Lee Han glanced around.
Last time, when the Skeleton Principal was present, there had been someone to point out, 'What kind of nonsense are you spouting?' But now, there was no one to do that.
"I've rambled on too long... Right, why did you request an audience? Do you perhaps want me to punish Os further?"
It was a tempting question, but Lee Han still had a conscience.
At the very least, in this incident, the Skeleton Principal hadn't done anything particularly wrong.
"No. It wasn't the Headmaster's fault. I acted on my own."
"Still, it's Os's fault. If Einrogard's glory and prestige belong to Os, then Einrogard's mistakes must also belong to Os."
The Emperor dismissed Lee Han's defense.
Even if a disciple ran away and caused trouble, according to the Skeleton Principal's usual logic, that too would be the Headmaster's responsibility.
Lee Han wavered slightly at those sweet words.
"That... does sound somewhat reasonable..."
"Not 'somewhat'—it's correct. It's all because Os taught you wrong."
"You're absolutely right!"
Lee Han immediately switched sides.
In fact, perhaps Professor Garcia should have been angry not at Lee Han himself, but at the Skeleton Principal.
Because the Skeleton Principal taught him wrong...!
"Your Majesty. The reason I requested this audience... was for Professor Garcia. I came here personally to plead on her behalf. Punishing the Headmaster further is one thing, but as for the professor..."
"?"
The Emperor slowly tilted his head.
For a moment, the old Gold Dragon couldn't comprehend Lee Han's words.
Who said anything about the Dragon punishing Professor Kim?
"Huh?"
"The Dragon has no intention of punishing Einrogard's professors. As I said, if anyone is to be punished, it's Os..."
"......"
Wait.
Lee Han sensed that something had gone terribly wrong. The Emperor spoke kindly.
"Calm yourself. You've likely fallen for one of Os's schemes. Try retracing your memories carefully."
"Th-thank you."
Encouraged by the Emperor, Lee Han carefully retraced his steps.
"Definitely... The mage from Oculogard testified. He said the professor would soon face punishment from Your Majesty..."
"That's it. That mage was either bribed or deceived by Os."
"...What a despicable person!"
"Indeed."
The Emperor deeply agreed with Lee Han's words.
Truly, a disciple who understands their master's true nature.
"Then why did Professor Garcia come to the capital?"
"Wait and see. Hmm..."
The old Dragon's eyes sparkled like stars. For a Dragon with access to countless imperial records, uncovering such information was hardly difficult.
"She's meeting with mages from other magic schools to persuade them toward harmony. A truly admirable mage."
"Absolutely."
"Unlike her master."
"Exactly!"
The Emperor and Lee Han gazed at each other fervently.
Despite the vast span of years separating them, they felt an instant camaraderie, as if they had found kindred spirits.
When else would they get such a perfect opportunity to badmouth someone who wasn't even present?