Episode 1257
Episode 1257
"Wait a minute! Your Grace came here of your own accord, didn't you?"
The goblin professor launched his counterattack.
Truth be told, the amount involved this time was so large that he couldn't just take the loss lying down.
Moreover, judging by the situation, it was a close enough match that he could put up a fight.
'Someone of Duke Belaron's stature wouldn't have come here unless he had his own purpose, not because the Einrogard mages brought him. In that case, even if they are Einrogard mages, they shouldn't be able to demand an introduction fee.'
Though Lee Han didn't know it, Professor Ukablock occasionally worked as a lawyer in imperial courts as a side job.
Perhaps because of this, he had a sharp eye for spotting logical flaws in the briefest moments.
"He didn't come of his own accord. I brought him here."
"...That's a lie! That's absurd!"
When Professor Ukablock exclaimed in shock without realizing it, Lee Han immediately held out his palm.
It was a demand for compensation for the insult just delivered.
"......"
The goblin professor was deeply furious—not at Lee Han, but at himself.
'How shameful! To have such poor self-control.'
As a professor of Dekarogard, that mistake was truly disgraceful.
A mage who should remain composed and transform all things had rudely accused someone else of lying.
"Ahem."
After paying the compensation, Professor Ukablock calmly asked,
"Your Grace, did you really come here because of the Einrogard mages?"
"That's right."
Duke Belaron's voice carried a hint of irritation.
He wanted to hand over the gold coins quickly and leave, but this wretched mage was holding him back.
"H-how...?!"
"A sincere request. That was all there was to it."
Lee Han spoke confidently. Then he held out his palm again.
Since he had revealed the method, he was entitled to fair compensation.
With tears welling up in his eyes from self-disappointment, Professor Ukablock handed over the gold coins.
He would never forget the mistakes he made today for the rest of his life!
"Be wary of that mage from the Wardanaz family!"
Ukablock, who had been forced to hand over a significant portion of the gold coins paid by the Duke, whispered to his student in a low voice.
Shavit nodded solemnly.
To see the professor, who always seemed lazy and indifferent, acting like this...
It made him realize just how serious the situation was.
"I won't let my guard down for even a moment. I'll be vigilant, assuming that every word and every gesture hides an intent to steal gold."
"But that's not all."
"??"
"That mage will undoubtedly try to visit Dekarogard!"
"...!!!"
The Dekarogard student felt as if he had been struck by lightning at his teacher's words.
This was a threat he had never even considered.
While students stealing gold coins from each other within the magic academy was one thing, an outsider was an entirely different matter.
Dekarogard was a place that absorbed gold from the outside—not a place that gave it back.
"The total amount of gold held by the academy might decrease!"
"Indeed. A truly terrifying prospect... I've heard rumors that the Oculogard mages are reluctant to allow that prodigy to visit. Perhaps this is the reason."
The Oculogard mages would have trembled with indignation if they had heard this.
To compare the purity of foresight with such greed?
While this sinister conversation unfolded behind them, Lee Han went to see off the departing Duke.
"Your Grace. After your business is concluded, wouldn't it be better to take a carriage—"
"I've always preferred walking! I'll walk back!"
"Someone of Your Grace's standing shouldn't wander around alone—it's dangerous. And why the sudden formal speech... Please address me comfortably."
"I'm skilled in swordsmanship and possess powerful artifacts. Please! Just let me go back!"
Lee Han was relieved that no one was watching them.
If there had been other people around, they might have mistaken the situation for some kind of kidnapping.
"No... I understand. Indeed, with the artifacts Your Highness possesses, no one would dare to attack you."
"If... if you need anything..."
When the Duke misunderstood his meaning and tried to offer his artifacts, Lee Han quickly stopped him.
Gainando, who had been about to accept and pocket them, looked puzzled.
"Huh? Aren't we supposed to take them?"
"Are you insane?!"
Under his friends' scolding, Gainando grumbled inwardly.
'You were fine doing this with the Dekarogard mages earlier, so why can't we do the same with the Duke?'
"Then please take care on your way, Your Highness."
"!"
Finally freed, Duke Belaron seemed to regain some semblance of composure.
He straightened his disheveled clothes, which had made him look like a prisoner until now, smoothed his tousled white hair, and cleared his throat.
"...Thank you for seeing me off. I think I made some mistakes in my speech earlier due to nervousness."
"Some?"
Lee Han kicked Gainando in the shin.
The Duke, unaware, continued speaking.
"It's truly an honor to assist such outstanding mages in shaping the Empire's future."
"I'm glad you think so, Uman."
Uman nodded contentedly.
Though the Duke had panicked earlier and begged to be sent back to his mansion in disgrace, there was no denying he had been a great help in this matter.
No matter how much the Emperor looked down on the Duke, Uman, as a member of the Empire, felt obliged to express gratitude. That was just his nature.
"Please... please speak well of me to His Majesty."
Duke Belaron spoke while gauging Uman's reaction.
Though relieved to be free, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
He had made several mistakes during this affair.
He hadn't stopped the Baron from acting rudely to Professor Garcia in time, might have slapped the Baron a bit too hard, and had even bawled like a child to be sent home...
Those in the Empire who had never met the Emperor held illusions about his benevolence, but Duke Belaron, who met him regularly, harbored no such delusions.
The Emperor of the Empire was a savage and twisted perfectionist with a cruel heart. Even the slightest mistake could lead to severe punishment.
Thus, the only ones Duke Belaron could rely on now were the Emperor's nine children.
"Um... well... it might be better to ask someone other than me, Uman."
Uman gestured sideways with his eyes. The Duke, catching the hint, exclaimed.
"...Ah, you mean His Highness Jowurin...!"
"Further to the side!"
"??"
Duke Belaron looked to the side of His Highness Jowurin.
There, the mage from the Wardanaz family was whispering with his friends.
-Right. We need to make sure those mages don't mention my name to Professor Garcia.
-Through threats?
-You're going to threaten them?
-Threats might work.
-...I'll persuade them...
Though he knew Lee Han was a prodigy, compared to the Emperor's direct descendants present here, he was still just a young mage with no official standing.
Even with Einrogard's professors here, how could a mere student persuade His Majesty the Emperor?
"Are you joking now? He's still a student. No matter how much merit he's earned..."
"It's true. In terms of favor, he far surpasses even Uman or my elder sister..."
"Your Highness! Please, I beg of you!"
Duke Belaron, thinking Uman was just brushing him off out of annoyance, pleaded desperately.
Seeing his obliviousness, Uman began to understand why the Emperor looked down on this Duke.
'After all this, he still can't believe me...!'
"Your Highness Jowurin. Do you perhaps remember this old and insignificant man...?"
"Huh?"
The Duke even called out to Jowurin.
Jowurin, who had been innocently licking the large whirlpool candy Lee Han had given him to stave off boredom, turned his head in confusion.
"Your Highness! Please speak well of this matter to His Majesty."
"Wouldn't it be much more effective to talk to Lee Han rather than Jowurin?"
Jowurin, seeing the duke look so pitiful, sincerely advised him.
When not one but two of the Emperor's direct descendants said the exact same thing, even the most oblivious duke couldn't help but sense it.
"...?!!!!!"
Did the Emperor truly favor that young mage more?!
"Lee H—"
Too late.
The duke, who had been about to call for Lee Han, felt a mountainous Intent press down on his entire body.
Goosebumps rose all over his skin. There was only one person who could project such Intent.
"Y-Your, Your, Your M—"
And he was watching directly at that very moment?!
'His Highness Uman was right after all...!'
Don't bother them needlessly. Return to your estate and reflect. Write your own critique regarding this mistake.
"...Yes...!"
The duke wept tears of blood in his heart as he regretted.
If only he'd pretended not to know and built a good relationship with that mage from the Wardanaz family instead, he wouldn't have missed the opportunity and ended up pointlessly flattering the Emperor's children.
Come to think of it, this was all Einrogard's fault.
He'd never imagined the Emperor would favor a mage from Einrogard to such an extent.
'Ugh!'
"Ah, about these gold coins..."
Lee Han, who had returned after seeing the duke off, pointed at the shared gold coins.
The Dekarogard mages immediately straightened their postures. Their expressions even carried a hint of solemnity.
"...I'm not asking for more, but I have a request. Could you deliver these gold coins to Professor Garcia? As for the pretext... something like 'The Dekarogard mages voluntarily donated this for the upcoming Exchange Meeting' would be good."
"???"
Professor Ukablock couldn't comprehend it for a moment.
Why was he gifting the gold coins he'd earned under Dekarogard's name?
"I don't quite understand..."
"Professor Garcia has high expectations for inter-school cooperation. How delighted she would be if the Dekarogard mages voluntarily donated like this."
"...!"
Professor Ukablock was genuinely moved.
To have such a student...
That was a sight rarely seen in Dekarogard.
"So this kind of thing happens in Einrogard too!"
"No... it usually doesn't."
"Lee Han's just special."
The Einrogard students, unable to bear it, tried to correct the misunderstanding, but their words didn't reach Professor Ukablock's already impressed ears.
"Frankly, I'm touched. Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. Your thoughtfulness toward your teacher is admirable."
'Hmm. I shouldn't ask for a moving fee right now.'
Lee Han held back, as it wasn't the right moment. Now was the time for requests.
"But as Dekarogard mages, we don't just grant requests without reason. You know that, right?"
"Yes. Yes."
How could he not?
Lee Han was prepared to return all the gold coins he'd extracted today.
Thud—
Placing the pouch of gold coins on the table, Lee Han spoke again.
"If this isn't enough, I can come back during winter break... no, winter break might be difficult. I'll visit again during the next semester to pay the remaining amount."
"......"
"......"
The atmosphere suddenly turned icy.
Lee Han sensed something was off.
'What? Are they angry because I suggested paying in installments?'
"Where... did you say you'd visit?"
Shavit, a student of Dekarogard, asked on behalf of his professor, who seemed too shocked to speak.
"Naturally, Dekarogard. To pay the debt, I'd have to visit—"
"N-no need to come! Haha!"
Professor Ukablock laughed heartily.
Then he quickly pushed the pouch of gold coins back toward Lee Han.
"We can't possibly accept payment for such a touching gesture! We'll just do it for free!"
"But... that's against school regulations."
"After hearing such a moving story, we must offer our services in return!"
The professor skillfully shoved the gold coins back into Lee Han's arms. It was clearly not his first time doing this.
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Come to think of it, the duke's introduction fee must have been insufficient. Bring more!"
"......"
His friends, who had been watching, whispered from behind.
-Did Lee Han threaten them without us noticing?