Episode 912
Episode 912
Jowurin Will Join Us Too!
"Your Highness."
At Lee Han's response, Jowurin subtly checked his reaction.
Come to think of it, her house arrest hadn't been lifted yet.
But surprisingly, Lee Han didn't get angry or glare at her sternly. Instead, he gave Jowurin a look that said there was nothing to be done about it.
"How could I keep you under house arrest after receiving so much help from you? Let's go together."
Wow!
Jowurin jumped up in delight.
Just then, a commotion broke out below as a group of people appeared. The Death Knights accompanying the party spoke in puzzlement.
-Who's visiting?
-They seem to be people of considerable status.
The Death Knights' words held merit.
The attire of those approaching was clearly extraordinary by anyone's standards.
"Are those the Imperial Guard Knights?"
Professor Garcia recognized their identity and spoke in a surprised voice.
The Imperial Guard Knights who protected the Emperor's palace, located in the deepest part of the imperial capital.
Considering the Emperor's true nature, such heavy knightly protection wasn't strictly necessary, but regardless, the Imperial Guard Knights' skills were undeniable.
It was only natural given the symbolic weight and prestige these knights carried.
But why would the Imperial Guard Knights come to Einrogard?
"...Uh, none of our graduates got into trouble recently, right?"
-Probably... probably not in recent times.
At the Death Knight's answer, Professor Garcia sighed in relief.
Occasionally, dust-covered knights would come asking, 'Graduate so-and-so caused trouble—do you have any idea where they might have gone?'
If the Imperial Guard Knights themselves were coming, the scale of the incident must be several times worse than usual...
"Wait. Then if no one caused trouble, why are they here?"
-Perhaps because of the master's doppelganger? Since the master has gone to the capital, he might have requested reinforcements.
"That makes sense."
It was quite a convincing explanation.
Wasn't the Skeleton Principal currently in the capital?
Given that this crazy doppelganger was well aware of its presence in Einrogard's territory, it wouldn't be strange for it to request reinforcements.
"Considering the current situation, having the knights here wouldn't be bad. Though gold coins would've been preferable."
"......"
Lee Han quietly listened to Professor Garcia's blunt remark.
As a student, it wasn't his place to criticize the words of his esteemed teacher.
Thudthudthudthudthud
-"?"
Feeling vibrations beside him, Lee Han turned his gaze in puzzlement.
Was there a landslide somewhere?
Uuuuuuuuuuuu...
"...???"
The source of the vibrations was Jowurin.
The same Jowurin who had excitedly jumped up earlier was now crouched and trembling.
"Your Highness. What's wrong?"
'Tis nothing.
"...It absolutely doesn't seem like 'nothing.'"
Lee Han sensed something was off.
To anyone looking, Jowurin's current state was that of someone trembling in fear after causing trouble. But when he thought, 'What trouble could she have caused?' there didn't seem to be anything.
All the previous incidents had already been exposed to Lee Han...
"Wait. Did you perhaps write some letter about the Dragon Stone?"
'Tis not that...'
"Your Highness. We made a promise, didn't we? To trust each other."
Jowurin flinched.
Hesitating at his words, Jowurin glanced at Lee Han and asked.
Then will you take my side?
"That depends on what kind of trouble you—"......
"So what trouble did you cause?"
"Your Highness!"
Before Jowurin could confess, the Imperial Guard Knights arrived.
Exuding an atmosphere so strict you couldn't slip a needle through, the knights bowed respectfully.
"We pay our respects to the mages who inherit the true lineage of imperial magic."
"Oh. Yes. Hello."
Professor Garcia was slightly taken aback by the excessively formal greeting, which was far more elaborate than she had expected.
Normally, ordinary knights would begin with a simple sigh and a casual "Hello, Professor."
"But what brings you here?"
"We came to escort His Highness back to the palace."
"Ah, I see. But isn't the exam still ongoing?"
Jowurin had visited Einrogard solely to assist the students with their exams.
Naturally, he would have to return once the exam was over, but the exam itself wasn't finished yet. There was no reason for him to leave this early.
"Could it be because of the escort?"
"No, that's not it..."
The knight hesitated mid-sentence. Unable to bear it any longer, Jowurin blurted out urgently.
Jowurin is ready! Let's return!
"Your Highness. The mages here also deserve to know the truth."
"???"
After letting out an embarrassed sigh, the knights began their explanation.
Originally, Jowurin had always been deeply curious about Einrogard, and that curiosity peaked after the boy from the Wardanaz family visited.
However, the Emperor had forbidden Jowurin from visiting Einrogard. The reason was simple.
-A dragon like you would probably just get in the way of the Einrogard students...
-Wh-what kind of thinking is that?!
While Jowurin would undoubtedly find it fun and exciting, it likely wouldn't be as enjoyable for the Einrogard students or the Headmaster.
And if some of the Einrogard students showed signs of madness, it might not be pleasant for Jowurin either.
-Jowurin won't be a disturbance at all! The students will love him!
-Alright, alright. Then first, get Os's permission.
Annoyed, the Emperor passed the responsibility to the Skeleton Principal.
If the Skeleton Principal thought, 'Hmm, perhaps it's about time His Highness Jowurin visited Einrogard,' then there'd be no reason to refuse.
But if the Skeleton Principal refused, then there was nothing to be done...
-Jowurin wants to go! Jowurin wants to go!! Jowurin wants to go!!!!!
-Your Highness. I apologize, but you must first obtain His Majesty's permission.
Naturally, the Skeleton Principal was just as cunning as the Emperor and didn't give in easily.
The moment he realized the Emperor had dumped the task on him, he immediately tossed it back to the Emperor.
It was truly a battle of wits between the two pillars upholding the Empire—a display of Heaven beyond Heaven.
When both sides kept refusing out of sheer annoyance, Jowurin grew despondent.
But dragons were a fast-growing species, and Jowurin's recent growth had been particularly remarkable.
Perhaps because of that, Jowurin came up with a deception that would go down in imperial history.
-I've obtained Gonadaltes's permission!
-Oh? How impressive. If Os is fine with it, then the dragon can go too.
To the Emperor, he claimed, 'I've already gotten Os's permission.'
And then...
-I've obtained His Majesty's permission!
-No wonder the inside of my skull felt uneasy!-......
-Just kidding, Your Highness. His Majesty is truly too generous. Very well. You may visit.
-Really!?
-But don't stay too long, and you must follow the proper procedures. That won't be easy either.
-All the professors at Einrogard will welcome Jowurin!
-Maybe we shouldn't have rescued Bendozol...
-What was that?
-Nothing, Your Highness.
"...That's how it happened."
Upon hearing the story, the mages of Einrogard all stared at Jowurin in shock.
Even Professor Voladi seemed slightly surprised. Lee Han wasn't sure whether to be angry or impressed.
'Incredible!'
Even if the other side had let their guard down, tricking both the Emperor and the Skeleton Principal at the same time?
That was truly a remarkable achievement.
"But how did you get caught?"
"Lee Han. Is that really important right now?"
Professor Garcia looked incredulous.
Of all things to be curious about at a time like this!
However, the knights answered the question dutifully.
"His Majesty happened to mention it while conversing with His Excellency the Magic Tower."
'What a shame!'
Lee Han sighed inwardly.
While Jowurin's scheme had clearly struck a sharp blow, it seemed luck hadn't been entirely on their side.
To be discovered this way...
If they'd had just a bit more luck, it might have been the perfect crime...
'It's not my fault! This is all because you two kept refusing! Always telling me to get permission from others! It's like you were deliberately trying to deceive me!'
At Jowurin's petulant outburst, Lee Han was surprised once again.
'To have noticed that?'
To have caught onto the Emperor and Skeleton Principal's cunning deception...
At this point, one could truly say he'd grown during his time at Einrogard. Lee Han felt an oddly misplaced sense of pride.
"Your Highness. Please calm down."
'I won't calm down! Aren't you angry too, Lee Han? When I return, I'll probably be banned from visiting Einrogard! Maybe forever!'
While that didn't seem like such a severe punishment, Lee Han tried to understand the young dragon's feelings and spoke kindly.
"There's no rule saying it has to be that way, Your Highness. The two of them discouraged your visits because it was hard to predict what might happen. But you've proven yourself now, haven't you? It should be easier for you to visit in the future."
...Really? When exactly?
"Well, I can't say for certain..."
Next week?
"...That might be too soon."
The week after?
"And even if Your Highness can't come, I can always visit during break."
Lee Han deftly changed the subject.
If this conversation went on any longer, it would become impossible to manage.
Fortunately, Jowurin didn't seem to notice.
Wow! Really? You have to come visit me!
"Yes."
Will you stay the whole break?
"...That might be...difficult. I'll probably have magic research to do."
The knights, unable to bear it any longer, stepped in.
"Your Highness. The mages of Einrogard dedicate themselves to advancing the Empire's magic, even sacrificing sleep. They won't have spare time just because it's break."
'That's not entirely true.'
Einrogard is too cruel!
Professor Garcia bowed her head slightly, feeling somewhat guilty. As a professor, she couldn't really argue with that.
Grumbling, Jowurin eventually compromised with the promise that Lee Han would visit during break (the exact timing remained undecided).
Then, accompanied by the Imperial Guard Knights, Jowurin began crawling toward the school gates at a pace that rivaled a snail's.
"...Your Highness. There's no need to walk so slowly..."
Hmph.
The knights looked at Lee Han with pleading eyes.
With a sigh, Lee Han ran after Jowurin to placate him.
After seeing Jowurin off, the group gathered again to discuss the Withering magic.
"Will His Highness be all right?"
"Don't worry, Lee Han. His Highness will be fine."
Professor Garcia comforted Lee Han.
Having spent the most time with Jowurin, it was only natural to feel a sudden emptiness after his abrupt departure.
They say you might not know where you belong, but you know where you don't.
"His Highness won't succeed in persuading them and come back next week, will he?"
"That was your concern!?"
Professor Garcia exclaimed in disbelief. Lee Han, looking puzzled, replied:
"With the clone issue still unresolved, wouldn't it be bad for His Highness to stay at Einrogard?"
"...Lee Han!"
Professor Garcia reflected deeply.
She was the wicked one after all!
To have doubted a student with such pure intentions...
"Don't worry, Lee Han. We'll definitely solve this problem."
"Oh, Professor."
Lee Han spoke with a serious expression.
At his demeanor, Professor Garcia unconsciously straightened her posture.
What profound question about Gonadaltes' Downfall could this outstanding student possibly have?
"Would it be all right if I submitted my midterm assignment for 'The Flesh-and-Blood Languages of the Empire' first?"
"...Go ahead."