Episode 1284
Episode 1284
True to his Duel Club affiliation, Palga acted immediately without hesitation. Casting Enhancement Magic on his juniors, he shouted loudly.
"Everyone, run away!"
If one were to rank the danger levels of species in Einrogard, troll hybrids would be at the lowest while giants or beaver beastmen would be considered the most dangerous.
They were innately powerful by nature, stubborn, and had their own set of rules—provoking them carelessly could lead to serious injury.
Ivanna, well aware of this, had already put considerable distance between herself and the threat. Palga prepared to guard the rear in case the giant gave chase.
"Huh? Why?"
"Are you trying to hog the portrait for yourself?"
"????"
However, the reactions of his juniors were utterly baffling.
Far from running away, the juniors were looking at Palga with suspicious eyes.
"It's a giant!? Why aren't you all getting out of here!?"
While Palga was flailing about in agitation, the giant suddenly poked its head out from inside.
Then it waved cheerfully at Gainando and the others.
-Little tricksters! Long time no see!
"Hello? It's been a while since we last met..."
-That tower last time was fun!
The giant lifted Salko, Gainando, and Ratford all at once and began spinning them around in circles.
An enraged Gainando flailed and shouted.
"Put me down!"
-No need to be polite! It's not tiring for me!
"It's tiring for me!!"
-I don't see the Elder's friend. Where is he?
After setting the students down, the giant looked around searching for someone. Gainando, drinking an anti-nausea potion, answered.
"Cough, cough. Lee Han is locked up and couldn't come."
-What!? Why!?
-Shut up! Keep it down!
The giants inside shouted.
They couldn't tell what was happening outside, but the noise was disrupting their concentration.
-This is no time for that! The Elder has been captured!
-What!? Why!?
Crash! Bang! Thud!
Other giants came rushing out in a frenzy.
"W-well... you see..."
Gainando was flustered.
Explaining that Lee Han had been sent to the Punishment Room for fighting an Evil God felt strangely awkward.
Wouldn't people think Einrogard was an absurdly oppressive school if they heard that?
'Ah. But... that's actually true, isn't it?'
"He was punished for recklessly fighting an Evil God."
-That's! Unbelievable!
-Those mages are terrible! We giants never punish anyone for fighting a strong foe!
The giants were outraged.
Punishing someone for battling a formidable enemy was utterly nonsensical. If anything, they should be praised.
-We'll go get him! The Elder doesn't need those mages—he can live with us in the mountains!
'Gasp.'
Gainando realized his mistake.
Even if Gainando wasn't an expert on giants, he could guess that Lee Han wouldn't be too thrilled about this.
As dreadful and harsh as the Magic Academy was, it was still better than a giant village in the mountains...
"T-that won't be necessary! Lee Han is currently reflecting on his actions!"
-Reflecting over something that doesn't require reflection? Clearly, the Elder has been wronged by those mages!
-We must rescue him quickly!
"...No! No! Actually, this is part of Lee Han's plan..."
While Gainando floundered trying to calm the giants, Palga, who had finally regained his composure, asked Salko.
"W-what in the world is going on? How did you persuade these giants? Is it a magic item?"
"Ah... Wardanaz is on good terms with the giants. They worked together on a request last time, too."
"......"
"......"
The expressions of the two White Tiger Tower seniors hardened like stone.
...Could it be that juniors from the Wardanaz family have some innate ability to befriend bizarre creatures?
Ivanna, barely recovering from the shock, finally spoke.
"It's... not entirely impossible. In the Summoning Magic school, there are mages who are especially beloved by spirits, right? Mages born with a certain soul. This must be an extreme version of that constitution."
"W-well, now that I think about it, I have heard rumors that there was a mage like that in the Wardanaz family. Since they're from the same family, perhaps the junior has similar abilities."
As the two seniors speculated, Salko and Ratford exchanged glances.
Let's keep it a secret that Wardanaz isn't particularly popular with spirits!
"But still, being friends with giants is really unbelievable."
"Senior Catten is close with giants, isn't he?"
"From what I've heard, it wasn't so much being close as beating them into submission..."
While the seniors whispered among themselves, Gainando let out a ragged breath.
He had barely succeeded in persuading the giants.
"Everyone understands, right?! There's absolutely no need for you to come down!"
-Hmph.
-We miss the Elder. Sniff sniff
'Wait a minute. Even if we say his ability to befriend giants is due to his innate soul, what's this about an Elder?'
Palga was inwardly puzzled.
He couldn't even begin to imagine what Lee Han must have done to be treated as an elder by the giants.
-Salko. If the giants don't say much, try asking if we can go inside.
"Um... may we go inside?"
-No! This is the sacred sanctuary of the giants.
"What nonsense...! It's just a ruined basem— Mmph!"
Gainando tried to argue but was quickly silenced by Ratford.
Logical arguments held little weight with giants. If the giants declared, "From today, this pretty basement is our racial sanctuary!" you just had to respect that.
"But we're here at the request of Wardanaz... I mean, the... ugh, the Elder."
Salko spoke while suppressing his embarrassment.
No matter how much of an Einrogard student he was, calling his friend an elder of the giant tribe was still slightly mortifying.
-Hmm. These tiny mages have a point. The Elder has the right to enter here.
-But the Elder didn't come himself!
-He's trapped. He probably had no choice.
-We must show this to the Elder in person! The painting demands it too!
Ratford immediately reported every single word to Lee Han without omission.
Lee Han, who had been intently listening to the conversation, froze momentarily at the giants' words.
'The painting wants to meet me?!'
-Ratford, did they say the painting wants to meet me?
-Yes. I heard it clearly.
'Could it be...?!'
Lee Han felt his heart pounding.
He hadn't been expecting much, but to receive such a clue...
There were many animated portraits in the Empire, but few among them would specifically want to meet Lee Han.
That meant there was a high probability it was the Young Prince!
-Ask the giants more questions!
Urged on by Lee Han, his friends pressed further.
"Um, you mentioned earlier that the painting wanted to meet Lee Han. Is that really true?"
-Yes. The painting has mentioned several times that it wanted to meet the Elder.
"Wh-what kind of painting is it?"
-It's a wise and brilliant painting! We giants were already smart, but we became even smarter after meeting it.
The more Lee Han heard, the more convinced he became.
This really might be the Young Prince...!
-Tell them to get permission from the painting. It'll surely allow it!
Lee Han wasn't wrong. The giant who had gone in to relay the message soon returned and announced:
-The painting has granted permission! Everyone may enter!
"!!!!"
The giants solemnly guided the students inside.
Seeing these usually violent and rude beings acting so cautiously only heightened the students' curiosity.
Just what kind of painting could command such respect from the giants?
Palga asked a probing question.
"Honorable giants. What kind of painting is inside?"
-It is royalty. Overflowing with dignity and wisdom.
"Is that so... What kind of wisdom does it share?"
-Things like what dishes to serve at feasts, or which animals to raise next year.
"......"
-What else was there?
-We also asked how to close a dimensional rift that appeared in the mountain range.
-That's not an important story. Isn't there anything else besides that?
"!!!"
Palga was greatly startled.
Closing such a dimensional rift was absolutely not something an amateur mage could do.
And to think they even had the giants, who are far removed from magic, close it.
Just what kind of existence was this portrait?
"Juniors. You all seem to have some idea... Does Wardanaz know anything about this portrait?"
"A little. Lee Han is quite close with this portrait, you see. Though he can't communicate with it right now..."
"!"
The seniors from the White Tiger Tower were even more shocked, but quickly regained their composure.
To be honest, it was less surprising than him being friends with the Siren or the giants.
Mages as exceptional as Wardanaz, even if they were juniors, naturally possessed dozens of secrets. It wouldn't be strange if he had once obtained the Portrait of Wisdom in the past.
"That's impressive. Being the top of the academic faction isn't for just anyone."
"In a way, it's a relief. If he's already acquainted with the portrait, there's a higher chance it'll be more cooperative."
"That's certainly true as well."
Ivanna nodded.
Such talking portraits didn't always cooperate unconditionally. Some portraits demanded wicked prices or sacrifices.
In that regard, the fact that their junior was already acquainted with it was quite encouraging.
-We're here. Enter politely!
-Mind your manners!
"......"
The students stood with tense faces before the room at the end of the ruined underground passage.
Outwardly, it was just an ordinary room—a rusty iron door with corroded, creaking hinges, cracked bricks nearby.
It was hard to believe that in such a ruinous place lay a treasure the giants held dear, but the students knew better.
They were well aware that Einrogard's treasures were often hidden in such shabby places without a second thought.
"Greetings. We are mages from Einrogard."
-Mages from Einrogard? I happen to have something to tell you. You may enter.
Creak—
Carefully opening the door, the students slowly stepped inside.
And there, hanging in the center of the room, they faced a massive portrait.
A dignified, wise, and powerful royal portrait.
It was the portrait of a Frost Giant wearing a crown.
"......"
"......"
Gainando and the others' faces turned pale.
Even if they didn't know exactly what kind of mentor their friend wanted, they instinctively felt this wasn't it.
Ratford, just in case, asked Gainando.
"Lord Gainando. Is this... the right one?"
"...N-no, I don't think so? From what I know... Lee Han wanted the portrait of the young Headmaster..."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"It's a long story. It sounds crazy, but the young Headmaster is very different from the current Headmaster..."
"Juniors? Don't just talk among yourselves. You should converse with the portrait."
Palga called out to the whispering juniors.
Seeing the King of Frost Giants again was oddly fascinating.
Just how did the junior from the Wardanaz family end up befriending the King of Frost Giants?
But fortunately, Palga and Ivanna had already somewhat adapted.
On their way here, they had witnessed firsthand the junior's friendships with the Siren, the Bulgasari, and the giants.
For such a junior, being close with the King of Frost Giants wasn't strange at all.
-The King of Frost Giants was waiting for a challenger of great renown. Now, step forward and announce yourself!
"He says to introduce yourselves. Junior."
"Well... uh... um..."
Gainando hastily pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and fervently reported the situation.
-...So that's how it is. Lee Han. Is this the one? This isn't it, right? What do we do?
No answer came. Gainando couldn't help but wonder.
-Where the hell did Wardanaz go?
-Shut up! Lee Han wouldn't do that! ...He wouldn't, right? Lee Han?! Lee Han?!