Episode 299
Episode 299
Meetings between imperial royals carried entirely different implications compared to gatherings between siblings from other noble families.
While siblings from the same house shared at least some degree of familiarity, imperial royals rarely had reason to meet one another in the first place.
Naturally, they had no choice but to view each other as rivals...
Which meant that whenever they did meet, ruthless competition ensued—devoid of blood or tears.
All to prove before the eyes of the people who among them was the superior imperial royal!
"...Still, the silver lining is that this is the Gainando estate. As guests, they won't be able to act too outrageously."
Lee Han spoke in a consoling tone.
Since they had been invited as guests to another family's estate, there was a limit to how arrogantly they could behave.
After all, they'd just be labeled as ill-mannered fools who didn't know their place despite being invited.
"Besides, Mother is here too."
Though he hadn't met her yet, judging by Yoner's words, she was far from an ordinary woman.
Considering the influence of the family, no one would dare speak recklessly in her presence.
"Mom stepped out for a moment?"
"......"
"...Hey, guys. Gather around for a sec."
Lee Han set down the magazine and called his friends together.
The agenda of their meeting was: <How to Make Gainando Appear Presentable During the Imperial Royals' Gathering>.
Contrary to Lee Han's worries, the imperial royals actually had no intention of picking a fight with Gainando.
For one, they weren't foolish enough to insult a member of the host family while being invited guests at another noble's estate.
Moreover, considering the family's power, there was no benefit in making unnecessary enemies.
The ones the imperial royals truly intended to challenge were each other.
"Bogajun. Long time no see. What a shame about your failure to handle the plague outbreak in Keldran Village last time."
Click!
"Judrantas... Thanks for your concern. I've been worried about you too. Who would've thought your knight would get caught up in a bribery scandal?"
Grind!
As they rode toward the estate, the imperial royals glared at each other from atop their horses, growling under their breath.
Their followers were no different—watching for any opening, their gazes sharp and predatory.
Imperial royals, who had to constantly prove their worth, always strove to elevate their reputation within the empire.
The best way to do so was to involve themselves in the empire's affairs and resolve them.
Of course, such resolutions didn't always end favorably. Failures were common, and sometimes, even before they could act, their own followers would cause a scandal.
And then, they'd have to endure the other royals gleefully feigning concern with remarks like, Oh dear, what a predicament.
'Sons of bitches.'
'Should've dropped dead last time.'
"It's truly heartwarming to see the two of you so concerned for each other's well-being."
"How could the empire's future not be bright?"
"...Hahaha."
"Hahahaha."
The visitors to the estate weren't limited to just the imperial royals and their followers. There were also nobles who mingled with them.
These nobles acted as both spectators and judges.
If any royal caused a scene during the gathering, they'd spread rumors through Imperial Social Circle—Did you hear which royal messed up this time? And if one achieved something remarkable, they'd spread that too...
If not for them, several choice insults would have already been exchanged by now.
"Utterly disgraceful."
"Indeed. A true jewel shines even when sunk to the bottom of a swamp. Compared to Lady Adenart, these wretches are nothing."
Adenart's followers clicked their tongues at the other royals.
True imperial royals ought to carry themselves with dignity, yet here they were, squabbling like commoners the moment they met—pathetic beyond words.
"Tch. Other than getting into Einrogard, what else have you accomplished?"
"Not like someone who failed to enter Einrogard has any right to speak."
"His Highness simply has no interest in magic. He's in a position to command mages, not dirty his hands with spells himself."
"Is that what you tell yourself?"
"Now, now. Everyone, quiet down for a moment. We've arrived at the estate."
The noble families who weren't aligned with any imperial faction stepped in to mediate.
Continuing their verbal sparring even after passing through the main gate would have been tantamount to disrespecting the mansion's owner.
The bickering followers promptly shut their mouths and proceeded through the grand entrance.
A mansion so luxurious it was rare even in Granden City...
Whoooosh—
"!?"
"!"
The entering guests were startled by the illusion of a dragon coiled around the mansion, exhaling luminous lanterns.
At a glance, it was clear the spell had been cast by a fairly skilled mage.
It was the <Azirmo Summoning Enchantment> that Lee Han had (forcibly) learned from Professor Verdus.
"Gainando. Hurry up and greet them."
"Wouldn't summoning a skeleton be better?"
"If you don't want to get hit with bones, greet them quickly."
"There's no need to get so angry..."
As Lee Han growled in irritation, a frightened Gainando cleared his throat and called out.
"Welcome. We are honored by your presence in this mansion."
"...!"
The sight of Gainando and his friends standing atop the staircase left a strong impression on the guests.
"Come to think of it, I heard Prince Gainando was also admitted to Einrogard..."
"To already be capable of such magic..."
"It's not like he cast it alone, is it? He must have borrowed his friends' power to perform it."
"Even so, it's still impressive. Just look at that illusion magic."
The guests slightly revised their previously nonexistent evaluation of Gainando.
Even if he hadn't cast it alone, the fact that he and his friends had performed magic of that caliber was remarkable in itself.
Gainando tilted his head in confusion.
"But Lee Han was the one who cast this alone—"
"Shh. Shut up."
"......"
Gainando puffed out his cheeks at his friends silencing him—in his own mansion, no less.
Lee Han spoke firmly.
"Gainando. You remember, right? You only say three things: 'Yes,' 'No,' and 'Hoho.' Got it?"
"Yes..."
"No need to start yet, but I like the proactive attitude. That's the spirit."
Lee Han patted Gainando on the shoulder.
All he had to do was sit quietly and keep his mouth shut until the gathering ended. That way, at the very least, he wouldn't suffer any losses.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Bogajun."
"Lee Han of the Wardanaz family."
"...!"
"A pleasure. I am Judrantas."
"Lee Han of the Wardanaz family."
"!!!"
Every time the visiting royals heard Lee Han's family introduction, their eyes gleamed with greed as they stared at him.
'They're looking at me more greedily than I do at gold coins.'
Of course, Lee Han knew exactly why they were acting this way.
Being from the prestigious Wardanaz magical lineage and an Einrogard student, it was no surprise they saw him as a promising future mage.
And royals, by nature, loved gathering talent under their wings.
"I've heard much about the Wardanaz family. A new magic tome recently arrived at my mansion—if you're interested, perhaps you'd like to take a look?"
"Thank you for the offer. I'll consider it."
"I've recently acquired an artifact..."
"Thank you. I'll think about it."
Getting entangled with them would only make life exhausting. Lee Han deftly parried every question without leaving the slightest opening.
Seeing no weakness in Lee Han, the royals shifted their attention to Nilia and Ratford.
The Maykin family, being Gainando's relatives, were nearly impossible to recruit, but the other two were still unknown to them.
"If there's anything you desire..."
"This time, we've newly..."
While the royals and their followers swarmed Lee Han, Nilia, and Ratford, one guest, seemingly curious, asked Gainando:
"Your Highness, I have a question. Who cast that spell? I have some knowledge of magic, and that spell doesn't seem like the kind another mage could assist with."
"Hoho."
Gainando answered exactly as Lee Han had instructed.
The guest pressed further.
"Did Your Highness cast it yourself?"
"No."
"Then perhaps it was Lee Han of the Wardanaz family who cast it?"
"Yes."
"......"
Lee Han, who had been answering the imperial family's questions from a slight distance, inwardly lamented.
'I should've just sewn their mouths shut.'
"So it was Lord Wardanaz who cast it? I'd truly love to hear about it! When would be a good time for you?"
"We can arrange a time whenever convenient. To think a mage from the Wardanaz family has come..."
The followers, who had been making relatively gentle suggestions until now, began charging forward with gleaming eyes.
Their burning desire to invite Lee Han to their follower gatherings was palpable.
Gainando grumbled to Yoner.
"Why do they keep trying to invite people when we don't even have time to relax at the mansion?"
"Just shut up for once, will you..."
Only after causing quite a commotion in front of the mansion were the guests finally able to enter.
They each sat calmly in the hall sipping tea, but their eyes were razor-sharp.
The guest who had bothered Lee Han earlier by asking Gainando unnecessary questions now sat before Lee Han.
"Truly astonishing, Lord Wardanaz. Ah, I am Zolbabden."
Lee Han cursed inwardly at the elf extending his hand.
Why did you have to go and say unnecessary things...
"I knew Einrogard was an outstanding magic school, but to think a first-year student could demonstrate such magic... I'm genuinely in awe."
"It was just luck."
"Luck? How could that be? Look at the expressions of the other imperial family members."
'This is your fault.'
If only Zolbabden hadn't exclaimed, "No! This magic was cast alone!", the imperial family wouldn't be staring with such fervent eyes.
Though Lee Han generally preferred mingling with wealthy people, the imperial family was a different story.
These were the kind of people who would make you pay more than you could gain by associating with them for a few gold coins.
There was no need to drink from a poisoned chalice.
'I'll earn my money honestly and proudly.'
Lee Han changed the subject.
"So what brings the imperial family members together today?"
"Ah, the riddle will be presented soon."
There was only one reason these mutually hostile imperial family members gathered.
To prove "I'm better than them" in front of other nobles.
And of course, such proof required opportunities.
Thus, at imperial family gatherings, nobles would take turns bringing small riddles.
Thud!
Inside a transparent glass case was an egg with a peculiar pattern.
The noble who brought the glass case smiled meaningfully and said:
"Well then, esteemed wise ones gathered here today. Can you guess what creature this egg belongs to?"
Zolbabden, sitting beside Lee Han, let out an admiring exclamation.
"As expected, Lord Brodon overflows with wit! Don't you agree, Lord Wardanaz?"
While inwardly thinking, 'If you want to do that kind of thing, why not just enroll in Einrogard?', Lee Han forced a polite smile and replied:
"Truly a witty challenge."
"Isn't it? Ah, Lord Wardanaz, why don't you try solving it too?"
'Are you insane?'
Lee Han's fingers twitched.
Of course, Zolbabden was purely motivated by his desire to promote the talented young scion of the Wardanaz family in imperial high society.
No matter how great one's lineage or talents, if no one spreads word of them, who would ever know?
As a noble of imperial society, Zolbabden considered it his personal mission to widely publicize the names of talented individuals.
From Lee Han's perspective, however, this was just a nuisance.
The imperial family members were practically trembling with eagerness to solve this themselves—why did he have to get involved?
"I'm afraid I have no guesses—it seems quite difficult."
As he said this, Lee Han paused.
Strangely, the egg looked familiar.
Where had he seen it before?