Episode 438
Episode 438
Lee Han, who had been listening nearby, asked in exhausted bewilderment:
"What possible benefit is there in me gaining more notoriety?"
-Isn't it cool?
-Infamy is still fame, young Wardanaz.
One of the Death Knights, who served as a senior knight, spoke in a kindly tone as if giving helpful advice.
Of course, the content was anything but helpful.
-Think about it! Would you prefer enemies trembling at just hearing Wardanaz's name, or being surprised because they've never heard of you before?
"I'd prefer the latter..."
Lee Han just wanted to ambush unsuspecting opponents.
-No proper mage would wish for the latter. Though I suppose young Wardanaz could easily gain notoriety at his current rate even without such methods...
-All legends contain a bit of embellishment, don't they?
-Right! Exactly!
Most Death Knights had been renowned knights in life, so they had no qualms about mixing in a little exaggeration.
Besides, if enemies knew your name, wasn't that something to be proud of? Why fear it?
A true strongman would crush his enemies' traps along with the enemies themselves.
"...I already have enough..."
-Are you satisfied with just slaying the Ghoul King in Granden City during vacation?
-That won't do at all.
-Right, right! Just as you strike while the iron is hot, you must spread your fame while it's spreading!
As the Death Knights gathered and chattered, Lee Han felt a headache coming on.
He was already exhausted from the blood-freezing battle he'd just endured...
"Just... you wait...!"
In the distance, Bak Deugul was still grinding his teeth at Lee Han, failing to grasp the situation.
Irritated, Lee Han sharply retorted:
"Shut up. Now."
The Death Knights nodded approvingly, as if to say that's exactly how it should be done.
The Skeleton Principal, who had been cackling while watching students scream as they were swept away by the rapids, was startled by the Death Knights' report.
What!?
-The Anti-Magic Zealots have attacked a knight order! It appears Bak Deugul of the Secret Rite Hunters is the ringleader!
Huh... is that true?
The Skeleton Principal, flustered for the first time in ages, asked the Death Knight to repeat himself.
Because there was genuinely no reason for Anti-Magic Zealots to attack a knight order.
Moreover, Bak Deugul, who led the Secret Rite Hunters, was a notorious enough criminal that even the Skeleton Principal had seen his name in documents.
Tenacious and sinister, skilled in schemes, and a formidable warrior whose swordsmanship had reached the level of Aura - many imperial mages had lost their lives to his blade.
Why would such a man bother attacking some insignificant order like the Beech Knights?
The Beech Knights had no distinguishing features beyond their abundant gold coins...
'Was he short on money?'
The Death Knights beside the Skeleton Principal, having heard reports from the scene, cried out in alarm:
-You must go at once!
What? There are Death Knights on site.
-The Beech Knights...
Those fools could get hurt?
The Skeleton Principal looked at the Death Knights as if to say, 'Must I really fuss over such insignificant people?'
Frustrated, the Death Knights shouted:
-...They took students with them! Including your apprentice!
Ah. That's even less concerning. An attack of that scale should be easily survivable for him.
-????
The Death Knights were baffled by their master's arrogance.
The Death Knights at the scene would arrive shortly anyway - no need to rush. Let's depart at our leisure.
-Master. While we respect your confidence, excessive confidence leads to arrogance and carelessness...
Tsk tsk. You have eyes yet see not, minds yet think not. But I suppose that's why you're Death Knights and I'm the master.
The Skeleton Principal floated away with an air of absolute confidence.
The Death Knights hurried after him in a flurry, but their eyes were filled with unease.
—Didn't he mess up last time too, acting like this?
—I'm worried...
But surprisingly, this time, the Skeleton Principal's prediction was correct.
When they arrived at the camp, the battle had already ended perfectly—without a single casualty. The Death Knights were stunned.
—What...?!
—Seriously?!
Behold! What did I tell you, you dim-witted underlings? What more must I do for you to believe in me?
The Death Knights felt wronged.
Hadn't their master been wrong quite a few times before?
—What in the world just happened?
—That's what I'm saying...
While the Death Knights huddled together and murmured, the Skeleton Principal floated toward the knights.
This was always the best time to show off—right after a battle.
Healing a few sword cuts and stab wounds would earn him cries of "Oh, Great Archmage!"
Ah! Noble knights of the mighty Beech Knights, the citizens of the Empire shall never forget your sacrifice!
"Archmage Gonadaltes!!"
The seated knights, still wrapping their bandages, shouted fervently.
The Skeleton Principal was slightly taken aback by their much more passionate reaction than he had anticipated.
'What's this?'
"Your foresight in stationing Summons as a precaution—we can only marvel at it!"
"We are eternally grateful for your kindness!!"
Ah.
The Skeleton Principal realized what misunderstanding they were operating under.
They thought the Death Knights, which he had stationed to monitor the fleeing students, had been prepared in advance to counter any potential riots by Anti-Magic Zealots.
The Empire's Archmage, Lord of Einrogard, the Emperor's Imperial Magic Officer, Guardian of the Arcane Barrier...
A quick-witted Death Knight rushed forward and listed the Skeleton Principal's titles in his stead.
...Merely my duty, of course. And when you consider the gold the Beech Knights have donated to Einrogard—where do you think the reagents to summon these undead came from?
When the Skeleton Principal winked, his eye-lights flickering, the knights burst into uproarious laughter.
Lee Han wondered if the knights had lost their sense of humor from blood loss.
"Now we finally understand the deeper meaning behind Your Excellency sending your disciple! It wasn't just to have him attend the gathering—you sent him because you received intelligence about Anti-Magic Zealots planning a riot!"
...Haha. Caught red-handed. What other reason could there possibly be?
"......"
Lee Han stared pointedly, but the Skeleton Principal brushed it off lightly.
My disciple must have performed admirably.
"'Admirably' is an understatement!"
"He stood unshaken even after being poisoned—"
"He reinforced the tents with earth—"
"He single-handedly captured their leader—"
'What the hell did this kid do?!'
The Skeleton Principal focused to maintain his composure.
He had expected Lee Han to contribute somewhat, but this far exceeded his expectations.
Why was he fighting someone like Bakdul?!
Was he fame-crazed or just plain insane...?
"Hm?"
It's nothing. In any case, I'm truly glad everyone is safe.
"Of course!"
"To think the gold we donated was used to nurture such an outstanding pillar of the Empire!"
The knights were deeply impressed and proud of the first-year standards at Einrogard.
At this level, they didn't regret the gold they had sent at all.
"......"
"......"
The White Tiger Tower students, who had done absolutely nothing, felt guilty for deceiving the knights.
Hahaha! Indeed, indeed!
The Skeleton Principal laughed, his bones rattling.
Judging by this, the year-end donation from the knight order would be quite substantial.
"Say! Since this banquet was cut short by the vile attack, how about donating the remaining gold to Einrogard instead of holding another feast?"
"That's a truly splendid idea!"
"I wholeheartedly agree!"
An excellent...
The Skeleton Principal almost voiced his agreement but kept his mouth shut, fearing he might ruin the mood.
The knights gathered the remaining gold coins in one place as payment for the magical assistance. The Skeleton Principal looked happier than he had in a long time.
Come here, my dear disciple!
"?"
Lee Han was momentarily flustered and glanced around in confusion.
Huh?
'Me?'
-It's definitely Lord Wardanaz.
-It must be Lord Wardanaz.
-Who else would be the cherished disciple?
"Are you referring to me?"
Why don't you tell the knights about Einrogard?
"Eh??"
Lee Han startled and stared at the Skeleton Principal.
'Is he serious?'
Of course, the Skeleton Principal also noticed the emotions behind Lee Han's "??".
You'll do 'well.'
"Aha."
Lee Han looked at the Skeleton Principal. The Skeleton Principal looked back at his disciple. The two priests sealed their deal with just a glance.
"When I first enrolled at Einrogard, what surprised me most was the Headmaster's thoughtful consideration—from the moment we passed through the gates, he showed us magic and helped us grow accustomed to it..."
"What the hell is that Wardanaz guy doing?"
"Just leave him be and get some rest."
Giselle collapsed onto her blanket as if falling over.
Having heard the full story, the knights shed tears of admiration for Einrogard's teachings.
The Skeleton Principal watched his disciple with affectionate eyes as the donations tripled.
You make me proud!
"I, too, have always respected the Headmaster. Did you already gather intelligence on the Anti-Magic Zealots?"
...Indeed.
"...?"
Lee Han felt something was off.
"Wait, did you assign them to monitor us in case we tried to escape...?"
What nonsense are you spouting? There are too many ears around—don't say things that could be misunderstood!
The Skeleton Principal subtly gestured that many knights were still resting nearby.
Lee Han caught on and nodded.
"There are a lot of leftover crates from preparing the banquet—can I take some back?"
...Wouldn't the knights also want to take souvenirs back to their families?
"Then I'll ask before taking them."
The Skeleton Principal cursed his disciple internally.
What kind of Blue Dragon Tower graduate is this greedy?
More importantly, you managed to fight off enemies of that caliber.
"I was lucky."
We had ample time to prepare, the enemies knew nothing about Lee Han, and we even had powerful knights on our side.
Of course, the Skeleton Principal stared at Lee Han as if he were an idiot.
No one would call that 'luck.'
"Well..."
Enough noise. More importantly, do you know why these bastards attacked the knights?
"Ah. About that."
Lee Han explained the unfortunate misunderstanding that had occurred between them.
Upon hearing this, the Skeleton Principal muttered to himself.
Tsk. I should've locked them up more thoroughly. My decision wasn't wrong, but I was too lenient!
"R-really?"
No need to worry. From their leader to the remnants, they've all been captured, so the Beech Knights won't need to fear the night roads anymore.
"I suppose that includes me?"
You're... well, a mage, and you've already crippled two Anti-Magic Zealot groups, so that might be pushing it.
"......"
Lee Han glanced around.
From the knights to the Death Knights, he only saw people who loved spreading rumors.
'To control all of them, I'd need to be at least as powerful as the Skeleton Principal...'
Don't fear the rise of your infamy among enemies. It's them who should fear you, not the other way around. Forget such trivial matters—there's something more interesting. Look.
Completely disregarding Lee Han's complicated feelings, the Skeleton Principal pulled out the artifacts seized from Bakdugul.
Do you know who made these artifacts?
"I'm not sure?"
This is the <Antagondals' Piercing Eye> artifact. Created by the wicked magic criminal Antagondals.
"Ah. I see. ...Wait, was this person also an Einrogard graduate?!"
At Lee Han's genuinely curious question, the Skeleton Principal glared at his disciple.