Episode 805
Episode 805
"Shouldn't it be strange that he didn't notice anything?"
One of the Death Knights spoke as if he couldn't comprehend the situation.
Considering what they'd just heard, it would be more unusual not to be suspicious.
First, showing an abnormally high level of interest, then claiming not to know who Wardanaz was, and fleeing every time the club was visited...
Intarendals responded to the question with a genuinely bewildered expression.
"I truly thought he would be a much more sinister and ruthless wizard."
"Ah!"
"So that's what it was!"
The Death Knights immediately understood. Indeed, Intarendals' words were persuasive.
If the Skeleton Principal were to send them to find his successor, they too would probably start by looking for a wizard with three heads and six arms.
A wizard who looked too ordinary...
Wouldn't that be unfitting?
'What kind of nonsense is this?' Lee Han cursed the Death Knights inwardly.
Such absurdities deserved a stern reprimand, not agreement.
"Wait. If you're Lee Han of the Wardanaz family, why did you hide your identity?"
"..."
"Because you didn't really want to learn magic?"
"Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! Don't lie to me!"
Intarendals reacted as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing, showing the most shocked expression he'd displayed all day. Even some of the Death Knights seemed taken aback.
"Does the successor ever dislike learning magic?"
"Hmm. Depending on the opponent, it might happen. But it's still surprising. I thought anyone would be eager to learn if they could study under Bible."
Fortunately, Lee Han was too preoccupied with dealing with Intarendals to hear the Death Knights' conversation. Had he heard, he might have flown into a rage.
"Why is it a lie?"
"It's an opportunity to learn magic from His Lordship! Think about it. You were born as a prince of a nameless small kingdom. And yet, you became the one who destroyed kingdoms and melted crowns! Who else could achieve such feats if not the Master of Fate? And what greater honor could there be than to learn from such a person?"
Intarendals' voice was filled with genuine sorrow and unwavering faith.
Instead of trying to persuade him, Lee Han turned to the Death Knights.
"Did the Headmaster destroy kingdoms and melt crowns?"
"Well... We each pledged our swords at different times, so..."
"Was it that incident where he gathered kings and stitched them together?"
"No, that didn't involve destroying kingdoms or melting crowns."
'I shouldn't have asked.' Upon reflection, it didn't really matter whether the Skeleton Principal had titles like "Kingdom Destroyer," "Crown Melter," or "King Stitcher."
The important thing was simply to refuse.
"No. I'm not interested in crowns or kingdoms."
"How can that be a reason?!"
"Your master teaches too harshly."
"What?! Harsh? What absolute nonsense! Lee Han of the Wardanaz family! Where else in the continent would you find such a generous archmage?"
One of the Death Knights, unable to stay silent, interjected.
"Listen, Intarendals. The way magic is taught on the continent has become much more peaceful since you died."
"Nowadays, killing disciples would get you punished."
Intarendals, though fanatical and blindly devoted, was not unintelligent. He immediately grasped what the Death Knights were implying.
"This is unbelievable... Are you saying the corrupt customs of this era are hindering His Lordship's teachings?"
"Corrupt... is it?"
"Hmm. These young knights do seem a bit corrupted."
Despite his shock, Intarendals quickly composed himself and spoke. Regardless of his personal feelings, he had a duty to fulfill.
"Very... well. Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. Then let us negotiate."
"Negotiations? Just so you know, don't even think about swaying me with gold coins. No matter how much gold you pour into the Black Magic department, it won't be that easy to tempt me. Understand? I'm not the kind of person who can be so easily swayed by imperial gold..."
'He's getting suspiciously talkative,' the Death Knights thought to themselves. 'A little more pressure with gold might have actually tempted him!'
"Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. The reason I've been sponsoring various clubs is to ensure that you won't face any material obstacles while learning magic from my master."
Intarendals spoke in a serious tone. Contrary to Lee Han's suspicions, his sponsorship wasn't driven by any sinister motives.
Though it had effectively turned into a sinister sponsorship, the original intention was simply to free up Lee Han's time.
Mages often had to waste time on research or magic they had no interest in, just to secure funding.
How regrettable would it be if such wasted time reduced the hours Lee Han could spend learning from Intarendals' master?
"And what do you mean by 'Black Magic department'?"
"Didn't you sponsor the Black Magic department?"
"Yes, I did. But that wasn't for your sake—it was simply because they inherited my master's magic."
"...I see. Thank you. Please continue to support us generously in the future."
"Haha... I'm sure there are plenty of other good sponsors besides me."
At Intarendals' words, the Death Knights and Lee Han subtly averted their gazes.
They couldn't bring themselves to tell him the truth about that particular matter.
"Anyway, Lee Han. I naturally assumed you would come running with joy and excitement upon hearing that my master was looking for you..."
Intarendals, as a competent chamberlain, had devised a simple and flawless plan:
1. Use Club Week as an opportunity to enter the school.
2. Sponsor Lee Han to free up his time.
3. Welcome Lee Han as he joyfully comes running.
'What absolute nonsense,' Lee Han cursed inwardly.
"Um, has there been any report from a magic criminal with a name similar to Antagondals?"
He had clearly expressed his refusal to Antagondals, so this naive expectation was baffling. He wondered if something had happened to prevent the message from being delivered.
"Antagondals? A magic criminal?"
Intarendals looked puzzled and thoughtful before replying, "I apologize, but my master naturally disregards the words of worthless and insignificant individuals. He distinguishes between jade and stone, after all."
"......"
To think Antagondals had risked his life, gone through all that trouble, and even used a doppelganger—only to be ignored.
Lee Han felt a tiny bit sorry for Antagondals. Being a magic criminal wasn't easy either.
"Lee Han, I'd like to discuss the negotiations."
As a former chamberlain who had managed all major and minor affairs for the Skeleton Principal, Intarendals immediately presented his proposal. If the world had changed, shouldn't they adapt accordingly?
"You mentioned that my master's teachings are harsh. How about this? For deaths within a week, we guarantee resurrection up to three times."
"......"
"...Hmm. That doesn't seem to work either. Very well, let me raise the offer."
Intarendals, reading the atmosphere, began refining his negotiation terms—three resurrections, five resurrections, seven resurrections, no deaths at all...
"A ban on attacks is absolutely ridiculous, Lee Han! How can you learn magic without being attacked?!"
"Tsk tsk. This is why people from the past..."
"Are all so rigid and closed-minded. Hopelessly stubborn."
The Death Knights, who were usually mocked by students for being 'old knights,' vented their frustrations on someone even older than themselves.
Intarendals groaned in distress.
"But... but a ban on attacks... Ugh. Fine, I have no choice. I'll relay it. Though I doubt my master will agree..."
"If he refuses, what can we do? Let's just respect each other's decisions."
Lee Han replied indifferently. In truth, if the Crazy Doppelganger heard that and refused, it would only be to Lee Han's benefit—there was nothing bad about it for him.
"What other conditions might there be? Now that we're at it, why don't you tell us?"
"Hmm. How about teaching in a neutral zone? Somewhere like a sub-dimension where neither side can attack the other."
"Actually, a long-distance method using communication artifacts would be better. That way, it'd be much safer, wouldn't it? If we're inside a mirror, we can also rest easy."
"Long-distance... artifacts... communication... safe distance..."
Intarendals swiftly jotted down notes while waving his quill.
"Anything else?"
"It seems Student Lee Han is quite busy attending many other lectures, so his time must be limited..."
"But compared to Master's teachings, those lectures are nothing but trash—"
"Tsk, tsk! This old-timer again! Must you keep spouting such rigid nonsense?!"
"My apologies. Please continue."
"There should be appropriate compensation in return, shouldn't there?"
At the Death Knights' subtle demand, Intarendals finally showed a troubled expression.
"But neither I nor Master possess much. He is an ascetic by nature—no royal territories, no taxation rights... All I have are vast amounts of imperial gold coins and jewels, but..."
"......"
"......"
"That should suffice."
"Ah, is that so? What a trivial compensation. I can approve that much on my own authority."
Lee Han began to seriously wonder just how much of the family's gold Intarendals had embezzled.
"Then I shall deliver this letter."
Intarendals spoke solemnly while still tightly bound and lifted by the Death Knights. His expression resembled that of a capable diplomat, but being completely tied up made him look rather pitiful.
"Farewell, Intarendals. Though our masters differ, meeting an old soul like you has been a pleasure. Return safely."
"The feeling is mutual, knights. It's not every day one meets knights who forsake eternal rest in pursuit of honor."
The Death Knights warmly saw Intarendals off. And the moment he flew far into the mountain range, they muttered:
"Did you plant it properly?"
"Yes."
"??"
Lee Han, not understanding the conversation, asked:
"What did you plant?"
"Ah. When we stabbed that guy, we implanted a Dark Scarab inside his body. If he approaches, we'll know immediately."
The Death Knights disliked inefficiency in their work. The next time Intarendals infiltrated the Main Building, he'd be greeted with several strikes from dark blades before even starting.
"......"
"Everyone!"
Moved, Lee Han hugged the Death Knights. They nodded with satisfied expressions.
"Wait. You didn't plant anything in me, did you?"
"As expected of the Ward—ah, I mean, Lord Wardanaz. Even if we tried, your mana density is too high—it'd just die. More than that, I'm a bit surprised you sent him back. Executing him or, failing that, imprisoning him forever would have been viable options."
"Neither seemed very effective. The Crazy Doppelganger would just send another subordinate anyway... I thought the best method was to persuade them to give up on me."
The Death Knights exchanged subtle glances among themselves at Lee Han's words.
'Will it work?'
'Doubt there's anyone to replace him.'
'Honestly, I think so too.'
"Besides, isn't their pride extremely strong? If they receive such a counteroffer, they might refuse to teach out of sheer spite."
"Hmm. That actually seems plausible."
"Actually?"
"My jawbone is old and decayed, so my pronunciation sometimes slips. Haha."
Hearing Lee Han's words, the Death Knights raised their estimation of success considerably.
True, the boy from the Wardanaz family was an irreplaceable talent, but that also meant his opponent's pride was just as strong.
It was unlikely the master would stubbornly insist on teaching if his disciple made such an arrogant counteroffer...
"Knights!"
Only minutes after leaving, Intarendals came rushing back. The startled Death Knights grabbed their swords. 'Were we found out?'
"Master has granted permission!"
"......"
"......"