Episode 1282
Episode 1282
The speed at which the sirens retreated was truly astonishing.
So fast that even from a distance, the splashing sounds could be heard nonstop.
"Didn't they look more like they were fleeing rather than retreating?"
Gainando, standing nearby, also seemed to think so as he tilted his head in confusion.
"Shh. Don't provoke Wardanaz. What if he cuts off contact again?"
"No, honestly, it's not the first or second time beings have fled at the sight of Lee Han. Why do people still deny reality?"
Gainando spoke as if he couldn't understand it.
From spirits to all sorts of beings, they had fled at the sight of his friend—why was reality still being denied?
From the perspective of Gainando, who belonged to the black magic faction, that was a blessed talent.
Though if he said that out loud, he'd get smacked on the back, so he couldn't bring himself to say it...
'I wish I could make undead creatures scared of me too.'
Whenever he crossed over to the Undead Realm, he always felt like the undead looked down on and underestimated him.
If only he had an intimidating presence like his friend!
"Sir Gainando, you also deny it every time someone says you keep losing at Wizard Card, don't you? Everyone's like that."
"Wh-what... wh-what... how dare you say something so insulting?! I had no idea you were such a vulgar, crass, despicable, and wicked mage, Ratford!"
'Huh. This guy really is royalty.'
Salko was slightly surprised.
Normally, he only used simple and short vocabulary (snacks, desserts, meals, etc.), making Salko doubt if he was truly of royal blood. But when the time came, this guy could actually wield quite sophisticated language.
-Salko, why aren't you answering? You're not having some absurd conversation with Gainando, are you? Like some nonsense about sirens fleeing...
'Gasp.'
Salko, startled, quickly replied.
-What are you talking about? We weren't having such a conversation.
-Your handwriting seems a bit shaky...
-Earlier, Gainando recklessly cursed us while trying to block the sirens, so that's why.
-Ah. Must've used the Vertigo Song to stop them. Tell Gainando to learn some basic soul defense magic. I've been telling him since the start of the year, and he still hasn't learned it.
"...That's a 3rd Circle Magic..."
Gainando made a pitiful face as he tried to explain.
How could someone nag from that far away?
-A second-year should be perfectly capable of learning 3rd Circle Magic by now.
"!??!!?"
"Did he turn pale with fear?"
Ivanna muttered as she watched Gainando from afar.
One of her juniors, who had been conversing with paper, had turned deathly pale and even fallen on his backside.
Palga spoke as if it wasn't surprising.
"Powerful artifacts always come with a price."
Especially artifacts capable of conversation—those required even more caution.
There was no telling whether this artifact was created purely to assist mages or if it housed some evil and powerful interdimensional entity.
And generally, the latter was far more common. Those drunk on wisdom and power could end up severely harmed if they recklessly spilled everything.
"Seems like the artifact revealed its true nature."
"Then... is that artifact really...?"
"Yes. It's highly possible."
Palga couldn't deny it.
Once might be a coincidence, but solving multiple crises with that artifact meant...
That bundle of paper was an artifact rivaling the Portrait of Wisdom they were searching for.
"Then there's only one thing left to do. Let's take it!"
"Wait. Ivanna."
"Don't stop me. Even if you try, I'll go after it alone."
"That's not what I meant. Think carefully. Even if they're juniors, if that artifact is real, do you think stealing it will be easy? They're already on guard."
"...!"
Her friend's expression changed as if struck where it hurt.
Palga's point was certainly valid. If they had let their guard down, it might've been possible, but stealing an artifact from wary juniors wouldn't be easy.
"Especially if they have the help of that artifact?"
"You're right. Speaking of which, Palga, you were pretending not to care while secretly thinking about how to steal it, weren't you? I knew the blood of the White Tiger Tower still ran through your veins."
"W-what nonsense! No! I only spoke up to stop you! And that's not what the White Tiger Tower stands for!"
As the two bickered, something massive surged up from the depths of the lake.
It was so enormous that calling it an island would be more fitting. The rocky mass boomed with a thunderous voice:
"Who's tormenting the Siren?"
"...?!?!?!"
The two third-year students were utterly stunned by the monster's appearance.
They knew about the abyssal horrors in Einrogard's underground, the space-corrupting tentacled man-eating plants, and even seniors who'd abandoned graduation to seclude themselves below—but this was a monster they'd never seen before.
What in the world is that?
"B-Bulgasari! That's a Bulgasari!"
Ivanna shouted with a trembling voice.
She'd heard rumors of a Bulgasari dwelling somewhere in Einrogard's underground lake, but to witness it in person—!
This amorphous monster, which fed on iron to grow, had no fixed form.
Its appearance varied greatly depending on what it consumed and where it grew, and judging by its sheer size, it had clearly thrived exceptionally well—not just for a year or two, but for decades.
"Which insane senior brought a Bulgasari into the magic academy!? What if the school collapses!?"
Ivanna was deeply indignant.
Even madness should have its limits. If a monster like Bulgasari grew ill-tempered, it could easily destroy an entire small village.
"Einrogard won't collapse from something like that. More importantly, I think we should step in."
Palga debated whether to cooperate with the juniors.
The Siren was one thing, but there was no way the juniors could handle a Bulgasari on their own.
The difference in sheer scale was too vast, and most attacks would likely be useless against it...
"Shouldn't we just retreat?"
"No. We can't do that."
"Tch. Fine. I'll try to draw its attention."
As the two seniors hastily devised a plan, Gainando, trembling in fear, shouted:
"W-we didn't torment anyone!"
But then why are the Sirens fleeing in terror like that?
"I don't know! Maybe intruders broke into their home?"
It was a desperate excuse, but a fairly convincing one.
Einrogard students often trespassed into the Sirens' territory to steal their tears or seashells before fleeing.
The Bulgasari seemed persuaded and nodded.
Indeed. That makes sense.
"B-by any chance, are you the Bulgasari?"
Yes. Since you know my name, I assume you're an upperclassman?
"N-no, I'm a second-year..."
A first-year came by last year too—are all the new students these days special?
"......"
"......"
Without needing to ask who it was, the group immediately knew. Salko quickly sent a message to Lee Han.
-You didn't happen to fight the Bulgasari, did you? Or scare it?
-How could that hulking thing be scared of me? Are you insane?
-W-well, fear isn't exactly logical, you know...
"Actually, that first-year student is my friend."
What? Really?
The Bulgasari looked surprised. Gainando didn't understand why it was so shocked.
'Do I seem too gentle to be Lee Han's friend?'
You don't look very strong, though.
"...F-friendship isn't about that!"
Fair enough. So, what brings you all here?
The Bulgasari asked in a leisurely tone.
Seeing that it didn't seem hostile, the group relaxed and answered.
"We came down to look for the portrait."
Portrait? Ah, you mean that thing.
"...!!!!!"
The students looked like they might faint from shock.
Bulgasari's reaction wasn't 'That exists?' but rather seemed to indicate it knew about it all along.
"I-It really exists!?"
You mean the talking portrait? Saw some little friends go inside and hide it.
'We found it!'
By 'little friends,' it must mean other seniors, and the fact they hid it deep inside confirms the rumors were true.
Not only did they cross the treacherous swamp, but they even went past the lake and waterfall to hide it there.
"B-by any chance, could you tell us the exact location?"
Hmm. The little friends said it was a secret... But since they told me to treat that freshman well...
"Excuse me? Who did?"
What?
"Who told you to treat Lee Han well?"
The second-years threw curious glances. Bulgasari looked flustered.
Ah, no. Didn't happen. Nobody said that.
"But you just—"
Stop asking! And I came to Einrogard's underground on my own. No student brought me here.
"????"
While the students were bewildered, someone silently appeared behind Salko.
It was Ivanna, a third-year senior from the White Tiger Tower.
"!?!"
Salko realized his mistake.
He'd been so preoccupied with Bulgasari that he'd forgotten about the seniors.
'Launching a sneak attack at a time like this! What the hell?!'
Gritting his teeth, Salko braced himself, preparing for the powerful strike that was sure to follow.
"O rock, cover my body—"
But the senior didn't attack Salko. Instead, she snatched the bundle of paper artifacts he was holding and shouted in triumph.
"I got it! I got it, hah!"
"????"
The underclassmen stared at her like she was insane, but Ivanna paid them no mind as she attempted her escape.
She'd gotten what she came for—time to leave.
"Shadows, pull me forth!"
To their astonishment, Ivanna's shadow, fixed far away, yanked its owner sharply toward it. A creative application of Transmutation Magic.
"Senior! Wait! Why did you—"
"Sorry, underclassmen. But remember this—in Einrogard, you can't trust anyone!"
With a whoosh, Ivanna vanished again. Gainando and his friends could only gape in confusion.
Why would she steal that?
Was that even worth stealing?
Bulgasari also seemed puzzled and asked.
Didn't seem like a remarkable artifact.
At best, it just had some communication magic on it, right?
"Senior! At least tell us why! Why did you steal that?!"
Hearing the shouts from behind, Ivanna scoffed.
Trying to stall her with questions like that was rookie behavior. Only an idiot would waste time answering.
"Ivanna, you—!"
She spotted Palga charging toward her from ahead, furious.
He must have been angry that she'd suddenly turned thief after claiming she'd distract the underclassmen so they could escape.
Ivanna waved her hand as if bidding farewell.
'Only one can be the treasure's master, Palga.'
To announce the artifact's new owner, Ivanna unfurled the bundle of papers.
-Salko, what's wrong? Why aren't you answering?
-Did you drop it? Or did someone steal it...
-Who would steal this, and why?
-...M-maybe the Headmaster stole it to spy on us.
-Worst analogy ever.
The second-years of Einrogard, gathered in their small club, were startled.
An unfamiliar handwriting they'd never seen before suddenly started raging across the page.
-Stop lying! Reveal yourself! I know what you are, ancient treasure! Name your price, but show yourself!
-????
-What??
-Who is this?
-I said reveal yourself!
-We don't know who you are, but this is just a small club for Einrogard second-years...
-Is this a code? A riddle!?