Episode 935
Episode 935
'I Still Have So Much Left to Prepare'
Lee Han clicked his tongue in disappointment at his own overly businesslike demeanor.
He had wanted to share the story of how Stedal Nago had achieved great success by choosing stable investments in the Miner's Guild over uncertain Magic Tower investments after the surge of dark energy.
This story would have shown people just how wise Stedal Nago was—wise enough not to blindly trust mages.
After all, Magic Towers and mage guilds fundamentally weren't good places to invest in!
"Please wait here for a moment. Another noble will be boarding shortly."
"Who might that be?"
"Hmm. This individual is... rather difficult to deal with. Quite arrogant and self-important, you see. It might be best to simply exchange brief greetings and then converse with others after arriving at the palace."
Amur, standing nearby, asked curiously:
"Why are you traveling with such a person?"
"A merchant can't afford to only associate with people they like. In this case, this individual is seeking patrons, and I've taken on the role of assisting them."
The Kaako Merchant Guild held considerable influence within the Empire, and Arian, as one of its members, handled a diverse range of tasks.
Among these was fulfilling requests like this one—introducing young nobles seeking patrons to social gatherings and facilitating smooth interactions.
In return, the guild could build both connections and debts of gratitude with noble families.
"My, my. Sounds like quite the unpleasant character. That doesn't seem easy to deal with."
"We can simply keep to ourselves and converse among ourselves without engaging them."
"Thank you, Amur. Truly, no one but you could—"
At that moment, the carriage door opened, and a penguin beastman mage wearing an ornate silver snowflake-patterned coat stepped inside.
It was Alsicle of the Pengerin family.
"......"
"Good day to you."
"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Pengerin."
"Yes. I look forward to your kind assistance. And this gentleman is...?"
"This is Lord Stedal of the Nago family."
"I see."
Alsicle responded with disinterest before plopping heavily onto the elongated carriage seat.
Then he clacked his beak and muttered:
"I don't want to go..."
"Lord Pengerin!"
"...M-my apologies."
At Arian's sharp reprimand, Alsicle straightened his posture.
Upon reflection, the gathering had essentially already begun—weren't the others in the carriage also participants?
"But... these people aren't potential patrons, are they?"
"Correct. But rumors have a way of spreading anywhere, anytime. While these gentlemen are discreet, you should still be careful, Lord Pengerin."
"...Why must patrons only gather at theater events? Couldn't they meet to observe magic experiments at the Magic Tower instead?"
Alsicle spoke with deep resentment in his voice.
There was only one reason why the arrogant, self-important penguin beastman mage Alsicle would force himself to attend such theater gatherings.
Because that's where the patrons were!
Needing to secure patrons for new research, Alsicle had no choice but to attend even though he found theater boring and pointless. 'Sniff... I really don't want to go.'
Amur whispered curiously from beside him:
"Aren't magic experiments popular too? I believe I read about them in the Imperial Newspaper."
Amur distinctly remembered articles in the Imperial Newspaper like: <All Patrons Gathered to Observe Magic Experiments at Rootwood Magic Tower Have Their Hair Turned Into Branches!>
Even after such accidents, people kept gathering because watching magic experiments secretly held its own peculiar appeal.
"They are popular, yes, but that depends greatly on the type of magic."
"Ah."
For instance, schools like Black Magic rarely attracted spectators even when they offered to demonstrate experiments.
Occasionally, some morticians or others might drop by to ask if there was any work available?
And from Lee Han's perspective, Alsicle's research didn't seem particularly appealing either.
For one thing, it was too cold. 'Wealthy Imperial citizens have no reason to pay money and travel to remote locations just to shiver in the cold.' While snowflakes might look pretty up close, watching them fall from afar quickly grew tiresome.
As the two whispered to each other, Alsicle suddenly grew curious and asked Arian:
"By any chance, is Lord Nago quite wealthy?"
"...Well, Lord Nago was once captured by pirates from the southern Empire before being rescued by Lagesa, daughter of Torgerd who commands the Privateer Fleet. While held by the pirates, he obtained a treasure map and amassed a considerable fortune. Afterward, he devoted himself to alchemy, created several potions, and further increased his wealth..."
"!"
At Arian's eloquent explanation, Alsicle's eyes widened into circles.
He'd assumed this was just some idle noble tagging along to watch a play—who knew he was this wealthy!
Alsicle checked his own attire. 'I should've brought that can of sardines.' Praying there'd be sardines at the palace, Alsicle spoke up.
"Lord Nago. I'm truly impressed by your innate luck and discernment. To have accumulated wealth even during the Bone-Reviving Flower Speculation Frenzy—that's even more astonishing. Might you have any interest in ice magic research..."
"Alsicle. That's Wardanaz in disguise."
"...Hey!!!"
Alsicle shouted in sudden fury.
How dare they toy with his earnest feelings!
* * *
"Why on earth are you disguised like that?"
"To help the Einrogard Theater Club students escape."
"...I shouldn't have asked."
Alsicle deeply regretted his question.
Unlike himself, twisting excuses to avoid play-watching, this boy from the Wardanaz family was doing his utmost to help his friends.
"Why does Einrogard torment its students to such extremes?"
"That's my question too. More importantly, Alsicle—do you know much about theater?"
At Lee Han's question, Alsicle's expression instantly darkened.
Alsicle wasn't exactly a connoisseur of culture and arts either.
"Not particularly confident, no."
"No problem. I came prepared."
"!"
Alsicle's face brightened again.
Hearing the Wardanaz boy say that was oddly reassuring.
Coming from a great noble family, if he spoke with such confidence...
"Let me briefly explain a few common play plots. Two heirs from feuding families fall in love..."
"They both die, a lich revives them? I know that one."
"......"
Lee Han stared at Alsicle with a look of shock and betrayal.
You knew about plays all along? Why pretend otherwise? 'How can someone be this cowardly?' "N-no...! This is basic cultural literacy! Who hasn't seen this one?!"
"...Then do you know this one? A poor girl desperately wants to attend a ball, crying her eyes out..."
"You mean where a lich gives her a dress and glass sword? She kills the demon disguised as the prince? Later the real prince mimics the sword swing to reveal her true..."
"I think you don't need my help after all."
"Y-yeah, fine."
Alsicle was more shocked that a mage like Wardanaz knew this stuff.
Even a lumberjack from the northern mountains would've seen these plays when visiting town...
In the distance, their destination gradually came into view—the famed <Old King's Palace> of Granden City. Once a royal palace during the kingdom era, it now served as a banquet hall for cityfolk.
Several ornate carriages had already arrived. Alsicle whispered to Lee Han:
"Point out anyone who might invest in my research, will you?"
"Then will you help my friends escape in return?"
The two mages shook hands firmly. Arian and Amur watched them fondly.
"Have a safe trip. We'll wait here."
Bidding farewell, the two mages stepped forward with resolve.
Lee Han scanned the surroundings for useful contacts.
"Alsicle. That mage over there seems to be from Dreams, Illusions, Bubbles and Shadows."
"Wardanaz."
"Yes?"
"All mages are penniless bastards who won't be interested! Look for sponsors instead!" 'Though there are exceptions like Baldrogard...' Lee Han grumbled internally before nodding.
Truth be told, Lee Han also saw no reason to befriend the mages gathered here.
They'd be difficult to secure as sponsors, and might even interfere if Lee Han caused trouble later...
"Sir Kulvik. How should we coordinate the timing when the play begins?"
"Through effort and repetition! All the mages gathered here possess talent, but to fully blossom that talent requires sweat and blood!"
Kulvik spoke earnestly while observing the illusion mages.
His purpose in coming to the palace today wasn't just to provide magic for the play, but also to teach the illusion mages under his guidance.
If there were magic towers that selfishly hoarded knowledge among themselves, there were also organizations that spread information to strengthen their entire school's capabilities by traveling across the Empire.
The Dreams, Illusions, Bubbles and Shadows that Kulvik belonged to leaned toward the latter. This was only natural since Ogonin himself was a leading figure of the illusion magic school.
Currently, Kulvik was teaching nearby illusion mages gathered in Granden City without demanding any compensation. Thanks to this, the illusion mages' eyes shone with respect.
"Still, don't worry too much. I, Kulvik, will check everything from start to finish. Everyone, prepare the magic you're responsible for!"
Lee Han grew interested in the illusion mages' conversation.
From what he heard, they seemed to be preparing magic for a play. If he could participate, wouldn't that make it easier to help the students escape later?
"It seems they're preparing magic for a play? I'd like to join that."
"Ugh. I told you there's no money in it..."
Alsicle complained but didn't oppose Lee Han's suggestion.
Admittedly, participating in such play preparations would likely be effective for helping Einrogard students escape.
Given how thorough the surveillance was, they'd need to probe for weaknesses multiple times to stand a chance.
"Better to have Alsicle of the Pengerin Family make the request than Stedal of the Nago Family. Speaking of which, that family name sounds familiar—does it actually exist?"
"No. It's just Headmaster's name spelled backward."
"......"
Alsicle made a face like he'd seen everything crazy in the world before approaching the mages.
Upon hearing Alsicle's family name, Kulvik readily agreed.
"An honor! I'd be happy to help however I can. You're welcome to teach these mages too!"
"Thank you...All set?"
Alsicle returned and spoke to Lee Han.
But Lee Han's face was frozen in shock and horror.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" "Sir Valdororn is over there!"
Though most of his face was covered, leaving only his eyes visible, Lee Han recognized him immediately.
That was Valdororn the Great, the illusion mage from Philone Village.
"...Huh? Really?!"
Alsicle jerked his head up in surprise.
He'd heard about the legendary illusion mage who taught Wardanaz magic during the vacation.
-So that's Sir Valdororn...
-Now that I think about it, Sir Valdororn...
-Honestly, Sir Valdororn seems more impressive than Sir Ogonin...
-You're free to think that, but it's probably better not to say it in front of the illusion magic school members.
"Who is he? That person? He looks ordinary though?"
"True excellence often hides within ordinary appearances," Lee Han said with a hint of reverence in his voice.
A true master knows to conceal their claws.
"I actually had some magic-related concerns I wanted to discuss with him."
"Wait. Hold on. Sir Alsicle. Look at Sir Valdororn right now."
Lee Han pointed at the man.
The other party had most of his face covered, as if trying to avoid being recognized by someone.
Meaning he had ulterior motives.
"He must have other purposes like us. Let's not interfere unnecessarily."
"I see... What a shame. I really wanted to talk with him. By the way, what purpose would make someone like him do such menial work?"