Episode 1261
Episode 1261
"Uh... Bro... Brother, isn't it?"
The Baby Basilisk questioned as if it couldn't believe he didn't know that.
Sure, the imperial family tree might be complex and convoluted, but still, they're siblings!
Jowurin, sensing the accusatory tone in the Baby Basilisk's words, flusteredly replied,
"I... I know! Of course I know!"
As she spoke, Jowurin teared up and threw a pleading glance at Lee Han.
Help me!
"Everyone, show proper respect before Her Highness the imperial family member and the renowned Enchantment Mage of Einrogard, Lady Yukveltire!"
Lee Han declared firmly.
Truth be told, Lee Han wasn't particularly fond of such formalities. In fact, he disliked them even more when they were for seniors like Yukveltire.
They should be grateful he wasn't inciting rebellion against authority—why fuss over formalities for a senior?
But right now, this was essentially an explanation for Jowurin.
'She should remember by now, right?'
"......"
'Hmm. She still doesn't remember.'
Jowurin still wore a puzzled expression. Lee Han shook his head in exasperation.
Jowurin would remember someone if they gave her just one cookie—how indifferent must she have been to forget...?!
The priests, meanwhile, bowed politely once more.
"P-pleased to meet you, Lady Yukveltire. But... no. Never mind."
"You seem curious about something. Go ahead and ask."
Lee Han stepped forward confidently instead.
Having impersonated others multiple times now, he was getting the hang of it. The key was confidence.
"...Weren't you originally silver-haired?"
—Gasp.
The Baby Basilisk froze in panic.
Jowurin's golden hair, shining like the sun, and Yukveltire's silver hair were so drastically different that the contrast was impossible to ignore.
Come to think of it, he had no idea why he'd suggested Yukveltire in the first place.
'I should've said Gainando...! Idiot!'
The Baby Basilisk mentally berated itself.
But what it didn't know was—
If he had suggested Gainando, Jowurin would've refused immediately!
Even Jowurin had her pride.
"For a mage who has reached such heights, outward appearances hold little meaning. Lady Yukveltire is no exception."
Lee Han explained without changing his expression. Jowurin, though his contractor, couldn't help but think inwardly—
'He's scarily good at lying.'
"O-of course! My apologies for such a rude question..."
"It's understandable. Magic is inherently esoteric and often bewilders others. Even if Lady Yukveltire's behavior seems odd, please bear with it."
Lee Han's meticulousness in preemptively excusing any of Jowurin's future behavior left both her and the Baby Basilisk impressed.
Now that's a professional!
"Lee Han. Jowurin lacks confidence..."
Once the priests' attention wavered briefly, Jowurin whispered nervously.
She vaguely remembered who Yukveltire was, but she didn't have the confidence to mimic every little mannerism.
Lee Han encouraged the dejected Jowurin.
"Don't worry. Having done this many times, I can tell you—confidence is the key to impersonation."
'Many times?'
Jowurin was bothered by the "many times" part but let it slide for now.
Right now, she needed to learn this so-called confidence first.
"Besides, the priests don't know Senior Yukveltire well either. If Your Highness acts boldly, they'll just assume that's how she normally is."
"R-really?"
"Yes. And don't worry. I'll assist you from the side."
Hearing her contractor's words, Jowurin felt her energy returning.
Suddenly, she felt like she could pull off impersonating someone else perfectly.
"...Alright! Jowurin will do it!"
"That's the spirit, Your Highness!"
"And from now on, Jowurin will impersonate countless people!"
"You don't need to go that far."
Lee Han firmly dissuaded her.
He wasn't quite ready to be dragged before the Court of Dragons yet.
"Lady Yukveltire is here?"
Another group emerged from deeper in the forest.
This time, it wasn't priests but mages from the Empire. The moment they heard Yukveltire's name, they immediately began cross-referencing her with the installed Magic Circle for verification.
"Am... Amazing! Even if it's just a simple windproofing spell, containing it within such a simplified and streamlined magic circle is by no means an easy feat. Lady Yukveltire! I dare say—your skills have improved tremendously since the last academic conference!"
The mages were deeply impressed by the principles embedded within the magic circle.
Surprisingly, the magic circles installed around them were designed to maintain their effects despite drastically omitting steps and reagents.
They couldn't even begin to guess the secret behind it.
One might think it required an enormous amount of raw magical power, but a mage like Yukveltire would never design something so crude...
'I'm really curious!'
"Hmm."
Even Lee Han found himself at a loss for words.
He never expected that modifying the magic circle to simplify the process—tailoring it to Jowurin and his own traits—would circle back to him like this.
It really was just a case of drastically simplifying the process and compensating with brute magical force.
And yet, they were mistaking it for some groundbreaking advancement in technique and theory...!
"Hmph. Such trivial methods are but child's play for this Yukveltire—something I could develop in the blink of an eye."
"......"
Unaware of Lee Han's stunned gaze, Jowurin puffed up with pride.
'Indeed, confidence is key when impersonating someone!'
True enough, the mages were so awed by Jowurin's bold claims that they didn't dare question anything.
"Ooooh!"
"As expected of Lady Yukveltire! A prodigious talent destined to lead the Empire's Enchantment Magic school!"
"But... wasn't Lady Yukveltire silver-haired? And her appearance seems quite different now—"
"Is that really important right now? How disappointing that you'd ask such trivial questions in the face of this magic!"
"Ah, no, my apologies."
Lee Han persuaded the mages while cold sweat trickled down his back.
"Lady Yukveltire wishes to grant all the mages gathered here the opportunity to study the magic circle and uncover its secrets for themselves. As always, it is wiser to teach one how to fish rather than to simply hand them a fish."
"Thank you!"
"But... was Lady Yukveltire always this kind?"
"Will you shut up already?! Why must you spout such nonsense today?! If she's being gracious, you should accept it with gratitude!"
"......"
Lee Han exhaled a sigh of relief internally.
They had narrowly avoided disaster thanks to Yukveltire's established reputation.
Fortunately, mages were the type to become completely absorbed the moment magic was involved—they were already deep in concentration, searching for secrets in a magic circle that didn't even exist.
'If they stay like this, we can leave them alone for a while.'
Seizing the opportunity, Lee Han quickly donned his mask.
Though people hadn't noticed due to Yukveltire's name drawing all the attention, his face was fairly well-known around here because of the festival.
If caught, not only would Stedal Nago's identity be exposed, but it could also cause a major uproar.
And then Professor Garcia would realize the truth and be deeply hurt!
'In that case, I might end up in the Punishment Room until the end of third year...'
Fearing the worst possible future, Lee Han steeled his resolve. He absolutely could not be found out.
"Lord Nago... Were you wearing that mask earlier?"
"Hmm. When the cold season arrives, the injuries from duels become painful, so I often wear one."
"Ah! You mean the duel against that wicked pirate, the ill-omened butcher Venance?"
"...?"
Lee Han froze.
Huh?
'I don't remember ever adding that setting...'
The backstory he had fabricated was things like 'escaping from pirates,' 'stealing a treasure map to gain wealth,' and 'profiting from the Bone-Reviving Flower Speculation Frenzy'...
But he couldn't exactly ask where they'd heard that. Questioning it would only make him seem more suspicious.
"Hmm."
Lee Han neither confirmed nor denied it—leaving himself an out to later claim, 'I never agreed to that!'
But the priest seemed to take it as confirmation.
"How truly admirable. Just like the mages who joined this expedition, you too have faced Evil Gods in battle, Lord Nago? And not just them—you've even stood against villains like pirates. It is because of people like you that the Empire's order is upheld."
Since both of these were things he had actually done, Lee Han felt quite embarrassed.
...Though he had no idea what this business about dueling pirates was about...
"Thank you. Well then, I'll take my leave..."
Lee Han tried to exit with Jowurin in tow to regroup with Uman or Professor Voladi.
No matter how confident he was, continuing the conversation would inevitably reveal inconsistencies.
In fact, Lee Han found it downright absurd that people hadn't noticed he'd never even met Yukveltire before.
'What exactly do these people think of the Senior?'
Just how isolated had she been in her daily interactions for them to believe in someone completely different like this?
"Has Her Highness Yukveltire arrived?"
"......"
This time, a group of nobles appeared. Jowurin, following her contractor's lead, mustered her confidence once again.
'...I don't think confidence alone is going to cut it anymore...'
Those who had gathered upon hearing rumors of the magically renowned royal were full of admiration.
While many rumors tended to be exaggerated, at least those about Her Highness Yukveltire didn't seem to be.
"Your Highness Yukveltire. I'd like to inquire about your ongoing research on the Artificial Dimension Artifact. What would you say is the most pressing issue you're currently facing, and how do you plan to resolve it...?"
-Say that withstanding the intense external pressures from the Distorted Dimension is your immediate goal!
Lee Han quickly sent a telepathic message while simultaneously feeling a pang of sorrow.
Why did he know the details of Senior Yukveltire's research project so well?
'Damn it. Every time I saw the Senior, she drilled it into my head like brainwashing.'
He never thought it would come in handy in life, but here he was using it.
Those who witnessed Yukveltire—no, Jowurin—speaking so knowledgeably about her research could only marvel.
Even the mages who had initially thought, 'Huh? Is this someone else?' no longer harbored any doubts.
If she knew her own research that well, who else could she possibly be!
"Your Highness Yukveltire. You must be thirsty—why not take a short break? Some refreshments have been prepared."
"Hmm! Very well. Yukveltire desires sweet pastries. Ones generously filled with chocolate cream..."
"Pardon? You must be joking?"
People were greatly taken aback.
For Yukveltire to enjoy such snacks, let alone request them... It was utterly out of character.
"...'Twas but a jest."
Jowurin was quick on the uptake. Noticing their reactions, she swiftly backtracked.
Lee Han could only feel baffled.
The only moment in Jowurin's entire performance today that had truly matched Yukveltire was when she'd asked for that chocolate cream pastry!
'This is ridiculous!'
"Your Highness Yukveltire. Do you remember me, by any chance?"
"Yukveltire remembers naught but magic."
"Haha. I expected as much. That's just how geniuses are, isn't it? Here, please take a look at this letter. It should jog your memory."
A noble clad in a thick coat respectfully presented a letter—one exchanged with Yukveltire.
...He had to admit, it was an intriguing request. Next semester, during a joint outing with other Einrogard students, they would resolve this commission...
"......"
"......"
This was a request Yukveltire had received. Lee Han remembered.
'...Now that I think about it, she did ask me to come along.'
Lee Han tried to buy some time, but Jowurin boldly declared:
"Fret not! Yukveltire shall resolve this posthaste!"
"Your Highness...!"
Those present were deeply moved.
Who would have thought that cold, aloof royal could be so charismatic?
Even those who hadn't particularly supported Yukveltire now felt compelled to do so.