Episode 263
Episode 263
"Grrrr..."
Doig couldn't believe it.
They'd clearly moved simultaneously, yet he and his brother were slower than that mage.
Though they'd acted at the same time, while the mage was focused on swinging his staff and reciting spells, all they had to do was fire their crossbows...
Thud!
The two adventurers collapsed on the spot.
Unaware of this, Lee Han turned to ask Professor Voladi again.
"Even if they were wearing defensive gear, wouldn't that be a bit insufficient?"
"It's enough."
Truthfully, it was extremely rare to find adventurers properly equipped with anti-magic gear.
If someone owned an artifact expensive enough to rival the price of a castle, they'd just sell it and retire—why risk their lives on dangerous jobs?
The <Snake of the Maple Tree> members Lee Han had encountered before were abnormally well-equipped cases. Normally, it was hard to find adventurers outfitted like that.
Moreover, both Doig and his brother had been traveling as lightly as possible for speed's sake...
'What's their deal? Were they just weirdos?'
Of course, from Lee Han's perspective—unaware of the adventurers' circumstances—their behavior was utterly baffling.
What kind of idiots charge at a mage with such half-assed preparation?
"Both were wanted criminals with bounties. You've done well."
Even so, a fight breaking out in the village couldn't be overlooked.
Lee Han and Professor Voladi went to meet the Empire's administrative officer overseeing Philone Village.
The officer showed no suspicion or blame toward the two mages. From the start, there was no comparing the status of Einrogard-affiliated mages and wanted adventurers.
"They even had bounties on them?"
Lee Han was startled.
The Empire was vast beyond measure, making it difficult to capture criminals who fled far after committing crimes.
The Empire placed bounties on such individuals, though naturally, not just anyone qualified for one.
'For bounty targets, weren't they way too stupid? How haven't they been caught until now?'
'Truly befitting an Einrogard mage.'
The officer struggled to maintain a composed expression, hiding his astonishment.
He knew all of Einrogard's students were counted among the Empire's top geniuses, but to this extent?
They didn't even look that old, yet they'd captured the Doig brothers so effortlessly.
The unspoken question—why were such weaklings even bounty targets?—was answered with such confident ease that it briefly drew admiration.
"Indeed. As expected of an Einrogard student. I look forward to your future achievements."
"Thank you."
Lee Han responded automatically, then paused.
'What achievements is he expecting?'
It was a compliment, but the kind that left an oddly unpleasant aftertaste.
Was this a curse to keep encountering criminals?
But his mood improved again when he received a hefty pouch of silver coins.
Lee Han bowed politely with impeccable manners.
"Thank you. Farewell."
The officer was surprised anew.
This humility stood in stark contrast to the overwhelming confidence shown earlier.
'He must be from a great noble house...'
Though he didn't know which family, the boy was clearly from an ancient, prestigious lineage.
Without realizing it, the officer felt deeply moved.
Magic—an arcane discipline most commoners couldn't even fathom.
A youth who possessed such arrogant certainty in his talent yet never abandoned propriety—perhaps he was truly meant to walk that scholarly path.
'Do well.'
The officer silently cheered for Lee Han.
It was his duty to ensure students like him could focus solely on magic.
Tedious bureaucratic matters like imperial governance were for officers like himself to handle.
"...Will you be sharing?"
"No."
Lee Han, weighing the pouch of silver coins, only then noticed Professor Voladi beside him and asked.
Fortunately, the professor showed little interest in his student's moneybag.
'He seems to be in a rather bad mood.'
Even without using Ogonin's magic, Lee Han possessed an extraordinary sense for reading his professors' emotions.
'It can't be because of the silver coins...'
"Could it be because of the deal?"
Professor Voladi nodded.
Despite receiving quite a few letters, they were all from swindlers.
From Professor Voladi's perspective, it was inevitably disappointing—he'd expected at least one person to bring something useful.
Lee Han struggled to maintain his composure.
'Don't laugh. If you laugh, you're dead.'
Professor Voladi wasn't the type for emotional retaliation like the Skeleton Principal, but nothing good would come of a student laughing beside a professor who'd just failed.
Moreover, wasn't Professor Voladi a master of close combat too?
"It's fine. If it were that easy to obtain, it wouldn't be a rare monster. I can manage without it."
Lee Han spoke with an earnest expression.
At those words, Professor Voladi slightly furrowed his brow.
Seeing his student decline so politely, a faint emotion welled up from deep within him.
It was frustration.
The frustration of failing to fulfill his duty as a mentor.
To suppress this unfamiliar feeling, Professor Voladi had to contort his face even more.
'...Is this really okay?'
As Professor Voladi's expression grew even more strained, Lee Han grew uneasy.
Surely he wouldn't start spouting nonsense like, "No monster? Then I'll substitute as the monster myself," right?
"Professor?"
"Right."
When Professor Voladi's face returned to normal, Lee Han inwardly sighed in relief.
"But there's still time before the final exams, so I'll keep searching."
'Damn it.'
Lee Han cursed Professor Voladi internally.
Why was he so passionate only about such pointless things?
Couldn't he spend that time pondering, "Why do I only have one student in my class?"
"Are you mages from Einrogard?"
"!"
Lee Han looked up.
Though he'd never seen the man before, he could tell he was a high-ranking noble.
From his accent and demeanor to his attire, accessories, and the guards surrounding him.
'Who is this?'
"That's correct. Excuse me, but who might you be?"
Instead of the noble, a guard beside him answered.
"This is His Grace, Duke Icaldoren. State your identities."
"Lee Han of the Wardanaz family."
"Voladi of the Bagrak family."
Unlike the Bagrak family, the Wardanaz family was a great noble house that even imperial dukes couldn't treat lightly. The guard's attitude grew more cautious.
'Duke Icaldoren...'
Though Lee Han didn't know every noble in the empire, he'd inevitably heard rumors about the prominent families.
Duke Icaldoren was someone Lee Han had heard of several times and even seen in imperial newspapers—a rather famous figure.
'Not exactly good rumors, though.'
While few nobles escaped rumors of cunning or hidden schemes, Duke Icaldoren's reputation was particularly notorious.
Given his crafty and scheming nature, Lee Han couldn't help but tense up slightly.
Having Professor Voladi beside him didn't ease his nerves. In fact, the professor was more of a liability in this situation.
'Even if Professor Voladi insults Duke Icaldoren, the Skeleton Principal would step in, right? After all, we're members of the magic school...?'
Thinking of how the Skeleton Principal would scold him if he heard, Lee Han bowed his head.
"Well. It's an honor to meet you."
Duke Icaldoren appeared to be in his forties.
His actual age was likely double that, but his face was remarkably youthful for a human—undoubtedly thanks to alchemical elixirs.
"A mage prophesied a rare encounter a few days ago. I suppose this must be it. Who would've thought I'd meet Einrogard's finest mages in this town?"
One of the duke's guards scrutinized Lee Han before whispering to the duke.
"Your Grace, as far as I know, magic school students are forbidden from leaving the premises. Doesn't this seem suspicious?"
Nobles' guards were inherently paranoid.
They assumed everyone approaching their master was an assassin in disguise.
"Aren't you ashamed to spout such foolishness? Of course they'd have permission to leave with a professor. I won't tolerate any further rudeness. Step back at once."
Duke Icaldoren sharply rebuked his guard, who bowed his head and retreated.
Lee Han felt a pang of guilt.
'That guard... sharp. How did he know?'
"My apologies if this seems presumptuous. But from what I overheard, you two mages seem to be searching for something? I'd like to offer my assistance."
"!"
Lee Han's face stiffened.
'The rumors were true after all!'
They said he was cunning and scheming—clearly no exaggeration.
To think he'd try to send an innocent student to their doom.
"We're searching for a rare monster."
"Any specific requirements?"
"Immunity to fire, water, and lightning attributes, high magic resistance, capable of speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour..."
Even as Professor Voladi spouted nonsense, Duke Icaldoren's expression remained unchanged.
He called over a guard and asked, "Can this be arranged?"
"We'll look into it."
"Please do. While we wait, may I offer you refreshments?"
Realizing things were going awry, Lee Han suppressed a sigh and replied, "Tea would be preferable, if possible."
"Excellent taste."
"Your Grace. Even accounting for his Wardanaz lineage and being an Einrogard professor, isn't this investment excessive...?"
Duke Icaldoren lightly tapped his fingers. The subordinate immediately fell silent.
No underling dared speak after receiving such a warning.
The Duke murmured coldly, "I know what you're implying."
The monster the mages requested was rarer and more troublesome than expected.
In contrast, there was no telling what standing these two mages held within Einrogard.
One was a professor, but of what rank? The other seemed like a lower-year student...
At this level, befriending them likely wouldn't yield significant benefits.
The chances of a professor or student being close to the Headmaster weren't particularly high.
Yet Duke Icaldoren had decided to invest regardless.
Now was the time to extend multiple feelers into the magic school without concern for efficiency.
'I must uncover Einrogard's internal situation by any means necessary.'
The Duke's face remained serene, but his mind churned. Recently, one of his closest aides had entered Einrogard—then all contact ceased.
If that aide had been captured by Gonadaltes, the situation needed immediate assessment.
Given his temperament, he'd never let such provocation slide.
Even if these mages displeased him, there was no choice. Small increments were necessary now.
"Does the tea meet your satisfaction?"
Duke Icaldoren asked as they entered the parlor, where Lee Han and Professor Voladi were sipping tea.
"Exceptionally so. Thank you, Your Grace."
Lee Han's polite response starkly contrasted with Professor Voladi's mere nod.
Though the Duke let it pass given the circumstances, the impropriety still rankled.
'These damn mages...'
Obsessive fools who only cared about their narrow fields of interest.
Lee Han, however, proved surprisingly refreshing.
For a Wardanaz, whom he'd expected to be inherently rude...
"My apologies for serving such humble fare to a student who should be focusing on magic."
"Not at all. In fact, I'd love to take some home if possible."
"Hahaha... I'll make note of that."
"I'd be most grateful."
'Is he really... a Wardanaz?'
This was Duke Icaldoren's first encounter with a Wardanaz who knew how to converse without causing offense.
And even cracked jokes.
Truly astonishing.
"Speaking of which, studying at Einrogard means you've met Duke Gonadaltes, I presume?"
"Yes. We've met."
"Are you... acquainted?"
"How could that be possible?"
Lee Han answered with visible distaste.
Acquainted?
Unless hatred and suffering counted.
'A pity.'
Duke Icaldoren deeply lamented this expected yet bitter outcome.