Episode 1260
Episode 1260
"Nothing here. How strange? I thought even if others didn't, at least Gainando would visit the Wizard Card shop or bookstore. Let's go then, Your Highness."
Unaware that he'd earned the petty grudges of two narrow-minded royals, Uman nodded cheerfully.
This dragon had truly endured many hardships throughout the semester.
Even for a dragonkin, Einrogard's harsh environment was difficult to withstand.
In that regard, being able to conclude this exhausting semester with such a joyous event as the semester's end approached was deeply meaningful.
"Looking back, even everything that happened at Einrogard this semester feels like good memories now..."
"Eh. I wouldn't go that far, Your Highness."
"It seems this semester held no particularly good memories for Uman."
"......"
For a moment, Uman wished he had at least one contracted servant too.
This is just too pitiful...!
Using his position, Uman had secured the Oak Hill area outside the capital.
As it was a festival held in the imperial capital, the scale was enormous, with bureaucrats and religious orders dividing nearby areas into smaller sections to manage.
Yet despite this, all sorts of people formed massive crowds moving about. Various flags and hastily erected sculptures and statues could be seen moving here and there to commemorate the festival.
'What's that?'
Lee Han paused.
Among the statues depicting Yaksha armies, something strangely familiar flashed by.
...Wasn't there a statue that oddly resembled his eldest brother, Hierdan?
'Is there a Yaksha that looks like my brother? Somehow it seems like it would be good at deceiving and controlling people.'
Though curious, Lee Han didn't pay it much mind. There were far more important matters at hand right now.
"Alright. Let's divide our roles. Yoner, you'll assist the alchemists. From cold protection potions to calming draughts and antidotes, we can never have enough of those."
No one was busier during festivals than alchemists.
They had to handle everything from potion brewing to magical cooking.
Fortunately, with many priests from religious orders present, manpower wasn't lacking.
Yoner nodded in understanding.
"Nilia, work with the enchantment mages."
"I know. Setting up magic circles, right?"
Though not as busy as alchemists, enchantment mages were also extremely occupied during festivals. In truth, enchantment mages were always busy.
Installing magic circles to block cold and harsh winds, maintaining various magical sculptures to create the festive atmosphere—all fell to the enchantment mages.
"Lord Paridim, could you coordinate with the divination mages? There aren't many of them, but..."
"No need to worry. Though our magical methods differ, we'll understand each other perfectly well."
Divination mages used various fortune-telling methods and secret arts to prevent potential accidents during the festival.
If anyone harbored malicious intentions, detecting those signs was something only they could do.
"And Gainando, you..."
"......"
"......"
A slightly awkward silence hung in the air.
Neither Yoner, Nilia, nor Paridim really knew what the Black Magic faction could contribute in this situation.
'What does the Black Magic faction do during festivals again?'
'Do they curse people who cause disturbances...?'
Sensing the mood, Gainando spoke in a gloomy voice:
"I'll just go stand in that corner over there. Or maybe inside a ditch."
"No, Gainando. It's a misunderstanding to think black mages can't do anything in situations like this. Black magic can handle many things too."
Lee Han spoke seriously.
Black magic actually covered a surprisingly wide range—it could assist alchemy with detoxification, help enchantment magic with circles and sculptures, and aid divination magic by detecting hostility in advance.
At his fellow faction member's encouragement, Gainando seemed to regain some spirit.
"O-okay. Then I'll summon my undead summon too!"
"That's not it."
"......"
Even while cheering him on, his friend remained coldly rational. Gainando grumbled as he moved to prepare to help.
Paridim was puzzled. One person was missing.
"Uh, Your Highness."
"What?!"
"Huh? D-did I say something rude?"
Paridim was taken aback by Gainando's sudden reaction.
"You called me 'Your Highness'?!"
"Yes... Was that the wrong title?"
"No! It's just that no one at Einrogard calls me that... Call me that more!"
"......"
In that moment, Paridim mentally added a few more lines to his internal report. Gainando remained completely unaware of how he would be forever recorded in the report to be submitted to Oculogard.
"Anyway, what is it?"
"Ah. It seems Lord Wardanaz didn't mention his role during the task division. I was wondering where he went."
"Lee Han? He'll handle everything."
"Huh?"
"He'll do it all."
Gainando wondered if the Oculogard student might be slightly lacking in language comprehension, so he even made an exaggerated gesture.
Everything!
"...Y-you mean he'll create clones? But clones have limitations..."
"Lee Han just does everything? He'll keep moving back and forth without resting."
"......"
Paridim doubted his ears.
Was it even possible to assist mages from multiple schools nonstop like that?
Setting aside stamina, what about magical power...
"Professor and you two, please stay here on standby in case of unforeseen situations."
"Hmm. I'd prefer to help directly, but... understood."
Uman nodded reluctantly.
He would have preferred to be on the front lines helping people directly, but he was currently the person in charge of this sector.
If people came from other sectors or requests came in, he would have to take responsibility.
In Professor Voladi's case as well, rather than being active on the front lines, it would be more appropriate to remain on standby and rush to help students if problems arose.
Lee Han whispered so only Uman could hear.
"Your Highness. About Professor Bagrak..."
"I think I know what you're going to say. You want me to stop him if he tries to help directly, right?"
"No. That's not like him. If he tries to pick a fight and beat someone up, please stop him. We can't let Professor Garcia find out..."
"......"
Is he really your student?
Uman briefly had that thought but nodded anyway.
"Don't worry. Within this sector, I swear on Uman's honor to do my best."
"Haha. Don't try to take all the responsibility yourself. There are several people here. Then I'll go set up some magic circles around here and come back."
"Jowurin will go too."
"Have a safe tri...?"
Uman paused as he watched Jowurin scurry after her contractor like a duckling.
...Didn't the elder sister tell her to stay here?
As Lee Han descended the hill and surveyed the magic circle installation area, he was startled to find Jowurin standing behind him at some point.
"Your Highness?! I told you to wait up there."
"Really?! Jowurin didn't hear that!"
"......"
When Lee Han stared pointedly, Jowurin and the baby basilisk pretended not to notice, lowering their gazes.
It would be awkward to tell her to go back now, so Lee Han let it slide.
"I need to focus on this task, so I can't play with you."
"Jowurin came to help too! Not to play!"
"Oh."
Touched by these admirable words, Lee Han felt slightly moved. Seeing this, the baby basilisk panicked internally.
'She didn't come to play?!'
It had followed thinking that was the case!
"Well, considering Your Highness's abilities, you could probably do the work of dozens of mages here."
Lee Han didn't underestimate Jowurin's capabilities at all.
The dragon race was simply powerful from birth. Lee Han wouldn't even be surprised if a newborn dragon could immediately use draconic speech.
"Jowurin is ready! In original form..."
As Jowurin began to revert to her dragon form, Lee Han urgently stopped her.
Of course, borrowing the power of a massive dragon could instantly expedite all the ongoing tasks in the area, but there were too many eyes watching.
"Not only is there already plenty of attention on Jowurin and her contractor, but I really don't want to pour oil on the fire here."
Moreover, Professor Garcia wasn't too far away either...
"That won't do. The professor might notice."
-Ah! I have a great idea! Master, if you could transfo...!
The baby basilisk, coiled around Jowurin's neck like a necklace, wagged its tail thoughtlessly and was about to shout out.
Lee Han silently stared at the baby basilisk. His psychokinesis tightly sealed the little creature's mouth.
Be quiet!
"Transformation?"
-I-I just thought it'd be nice if you could learn transformation magic and turn into a dragon!
At the baby basilisk's words, Jowurin laughed. This young basilisk still didn't seem to understand how difficult magic could be.
"Hmm! Transformation magic is extremely difficult, I tell you. Even if it's Lee Han, it would take several more years to master it—I heard it with my own two ears!"
"......"
-......
Both Lee Han and the baby basilisk felt cold sweat trickling down their backs.
'Should I have just offered His Highness Uman as a sacrifice from the start?'
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Lee Han felt a twinge of regret.
If he had just confessed from the beginning that he'd transformed into a Black Dragon, only Uman would have borne the brunt of the anger.
But now, Lee Han and the baby basilisk were accomplices too!
'...No. I can't abandon that poor prince.'
Lee Han recalled the Black Dragon curled up like a giant ball of yarn, looking utterly dejected.
How could he betray such a pitiful dragon!
"Jowurin is a broad-minded dragon, so I won't pressure my contractor, I tell you."
"Meeting someone like Your Highness truly makes me the luckiest person. Heh heh heh."
"?"
Jowurin felt something was off. Whenever Lee Han spoke like this, it usually meant he was lying or flattering.
'Must be my imagination, right?'
"There are plenty of other ways Your Highness can help. How about learning a simple spell while we're at it?"
"Hmm. That does sound like a good idea, I tell you. Actually, Gonadaltes once suggested it before, but..."
"Oh? How did that go?"
"......"
Jowurin's eyes rolled back and forth.
She remembered throwing the spellbook away, declaring, "I won't do it!" because it was even more boring than wizard's chess.
'Guess it wasn't fun for her.'
Lee Han didn't need to hear it to understand Jowurin's thoughts.
"The Headmaster isn't exactly the best teacher, to begin with."
"R-right, exactly! That's so true! But with Lee Han, it'll definitely be different, I tell you!"
If Gainando or the White Tiger Tower students had been present, they would have immediately scolded her for such words. Unfortunately, none of them were around.
Feeling a sense of responsibility and duty, Lee Han nodded.
"Then please watch my spell and try to follow along."
"Okay!"
"......"
An hour later.
Jowurin thought she finally understood what it meant to be bored to death.
"Winds, cease."
"Windstop."
"Winds, cease."
"Windcease."
"Winds, cease..."
Lee Han didn't pause for even a second, busily setting up the necessary spells in their designated locations. Jowurin had no choice but to follow along, casting spells beside him.
"Ah. I think Jowurin's mana is running a bit low..."
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"...Yeah. Actually, I'm not low, I tell you..."
When the priests arrived belatedly, they were stunned to find the space as warm as a spring day, without even a hint of chilly wind.
"Where are you all from?! Y-you did all this alone?"
'Oh no.'
Lee Han realized his mistake.
He had been so focused on the task that he hadn't noticed they were now alone, facing outsiders.
"Could you tell us your names, perhaps..."
"Stedal Nago! This one is Stedal Nago, I tell you!"
Jowurin quickly stepped in with quick thinking, displaying reflexes that even surprised Lee Han.
'Your Highness!'
"And this one is... uh... um..."
Jowurin hesitated, unable to come up with a fake name. The baby basilisk swiftly whispered advice.
-Yukveltire! Say Yukveltire!
"Yukveltire, I tell you! ...Wait, who was that again?"