Episode 955
Episode 955
"A... an artificial demigod in MY forest...?"
Ilendil asked slowly in a desperate voice, much like Gainando receiving extra homework.
It was clear he had heard correctly, yet his expression was so pitiful, as if he desperately wished he had misheard.
"Huh? But didn't we agree to share the rights to the relic? Wouldn't it be better to keep it in the dormitory or another magic tower?"
"......"
Lee Han's words struck a nerve, and Ilendil's mouth flapped open and shut like a fish.
The reason Ilendil coveted the relic was for the forest's recovery and growth.
For that purpose, the relic needed to stay in the forest—only then could its effects be sustained consistently.
His junior was probably being considerate, knowing that...
'But I REALLY don't want this!!!'
Regardless, the idea of taming an artificial demigod in the heart of the forest and casting sinister ancient magic was something he absolutely did not want.
At any moment, Ilendil's beloved forest could transform into a "haunted forest" or a "forest of ruin."
"U-um... isn't that... dangerous? For you, I mean..."
Ilendil fidgeted sluggishly, scrambling for an excuse.
Lee Han was genuinely moved.
His opinion of Ilendil, which had dropped below even Yukveltire's, rose slightly.
'He's not a bad person after all!'
It might have been strange that something like this could improve his opinion, but there was no helping it.
When evaluating the seniors of Einrogard, one's standards inevitably lowered without realizing it.
The mere fact that Ilendil had worried about him was enough for Lee Han to reassess his opinion.
"Senior... you were worried about me? Well, I suppose it does look pretty dangerous?"
"Quiet."
The Crazy Doppelganger, who had just silenced his unruly disciple, turned to Ilendil and asked,
"If the royal family has any wise words to offer regarding teaching magic to a disciple, now would be the time to speak."
"...I don't..."
Ilendil shrank back again.
He wasn't reckless enough to speak boldly in front of someone who looked exactly like the Skeleton Principal.
Lee Han pitied him.
'How shameless can you get?'
When someone outright says, "Go on, speak up if you have complaints," who would actually dare to?
"Then... may I say something?"
"No."
"......"
The Crazy Doppelganger cut off his disciple and resumed manipulating the [Echo of the Demigod].
A thick crimson energy surged forth, followed by a brief, agonized scream that burst out like a dying breath.
Lee Han, who had been watching, cautiously asked,
"Is it done?"
"Yes. The Evil God's power has been sealed inside the relic. Once the demigod is fully tamed, you may use it."
"?"
Lee Han froze, having expected purification or severance. Ilendil also wore an expression of disbelief, as if doubting his own ears.
I'll remember you...
"......Master, the Evil God just threatened to remember me."
"An Evil God neither remembers nor holds grudges. Do not assign meaning to its words."
Just as a parrot mimics human speech without understanding its meaning, an Evil God communicates with humans in the same way.
Divine beings do not speak with personality or intent—they speak according to their own laws and principles.
The Evil God threatening Lee Han with "I'll remember you" wasn't because it actually would.
It was simply the most effective method of contact it could choose.
"The mercenaries bound to the Evil God likely had their souls already eroded. But you, my disciple, bear no such shackles. The most an Evil God can do is threaten. Unless you fear that threat, it's utterly useless."
Born from malevolent power and worship, an Evil God moves solely according to the principles and rules of its existence.
Against someone like Lee Han, who is immune to any binding or curse, all it can do is attempt to poison his mind with empty threats.
'As expected.'
Lee Han understood his master's words.
A chill ran down his spine.
It was easy to assume they had personalities when interacting carelessly, but Evil Gods were pure forces of existence—like mana itself.
The moment one assigns them meaning and fears them, they unknowingly amplify the Evil God's power and fall deeper into its grasp!
'But even so, there's no reason not to purify it at all, right?'
In truth, he could guess the reason.
In a way, having a channel to communicate with the Evil God did hold some value.
It was as if the Skeleton Principal was saying, 'Don't destroy it outright—save it for later when it might be useful...'
'That doesn't sound like a good idea at all.'
Ilendil was staring at the Crazy Doppelganger with an expression of shock, disbelief, frustration, and 'Why are you doing this to me?'
It was hard not to feel uneasy knowing that an Evil God was slumbering within an Ancient Artifact.
Realizing that staring at the Crazy Doppelganger was pointless, Ilendil turned his gaze to Lee Han. But Lee Han had no solution either.
'I'm sorry, Senior. There's nothing I can do.'
Just from the way the Crazy Doppelganger ignored them earlier, it was clear that persuading his teacher on magical matters was nearly impossible.
The only thing Lee Han could do was delay the inevitable.
"Understood. I'll try taming the Demigod first and, if I remember later, maybe attempt to communicate with it."
"Do as you wish."
"......"
Watching the two priests, Ilendil slumped his shoulders in regret.
This Ancient Artifact hunt seemed to have brought more losses than gains.
"Still, Senior. You shouldn't forget that the Watcher Club is on my side."
"...Yeah... I won't..."
After the Crazy Doppelganger left, Ilendil seemed unusually drained.
Since Einrogard students were prone to melancholy and lethargy anyway, Lee Han didn't pay it much mind.
"By the way, are you heading straight back to Einrogard?"
"Yeah."
"How did you even get out?"
"I got help from another student."
Lee Han was inwardly surprised.
'Wow. You actually have friends!'
It was a rather rude thought, but he couldn't help it.
Ilendil had always seemed as friendless as Yukveltire—aside from his alchemy juniors, he didn't appear to have any real relationships.
But then again, even Yukveltire had a friend like Diret. It was entirely possible Ilendil had friends too.
'Please don't tell me it's Senior Diret...'
If Ilendil's friend turned out to be Diret as well, Lee Han might have shed a tear or two.
"What kind of help?"
"A special glass bottle..."
Ilendil explained in his slow, deliberate tone.
It was an arcane method of hiding one's body inside a glass bottle. With some modifications, the spell could even be used to escape Einrogard.
Of course, the downside was that it only worked during the periods when other students were allowed out. But Ilendil wasn't particularly fond of leaving in the first place. If not for this Ancient Artifact business, he wouldn't have come out at all.
"I see. So where is this friend of yours now?"
"?"
Ilendil tilted his head at his junior's question.
"I don't know...?"
"...Uh, don't you need to meet up with them to go back? Do you have another way to return?"
"I can just find another student."
"...!!"
A chilling realization suddenly dawned on Lee Han.
"Wait—were you and that student not even acquainted when you came out earlier?"
"Hmm? Yeah..."
'That's not help—that's sneaking into someone's pocket!'
Normally, people didn't call secretly slipping into someone else's belongings "getting help."
Lee Han was reminded once again that the person before him was an Einrogard senior. If there wasn't something slightly twisted about them, they wouldn't be an Einrogard senior in the first place.
"I see. So that's how you do it. By the way, could you do us a favor and carry some of our luggage?"
Lee Han and his friends had their own ways of hiding things, but nothing was foolproof.
If the Death Knights decided to be as strict as they were at the start of the semester, things could get messy.
Entrusting their belongings to Ilendil in advance would reduce the risk and make it easier to transport everything else.
"......"
Ilendil made a pained face. Reading his senior's expression, Lee Han quickly added,
"If it's too much trouble or uncomfortable, you don't have to."
"No... I can do it. It's just that there's a problem..."
"If it's a magical issue, I can help."
Lee Han was willing to assist beyond the current request if needed.
Since it involved transporting their luggage, he couldn't just dump it all on Ilendil without offering something in return.
"I don't want to meet the juniors again..."
"......"
Ilendil let out a deep sigh at the thought of having to meet several unfamiliar juniors again.
Lee Han pretended not to hear and ignored it.
'Guess I worried for nothing.'
"Thank you, Senior!"
"P-please speak more quietly..."
"We'll be in your care, Senior."
In the end, Ilendil left carrying a heavy load of luggage. The second-year students praised him, saying they'd misjudged him.
"We never thought that senior would agree to such a request."
"Right. He's the one who summoned artificial spirits in the forest. Who'd have thought he'd help with something like this?"
'That reputation isn't going to stick forever, is it?'
Lee Han worried that even after graduation, Ilendil might be remembered as "that guy who unleashed artificial spirits in the forest."
He's done plenty of good things too...
"Yoner, where did Angrago and Salko go? I don't see them."
"They went out for a bit earlier, saying they had some business outside... Wait. Where are you going?"
Yoner looked puzzled as she took in her friend's attire.
It wasn't the usual ragged Einrogard-style clothing, nor was it the standard mage's outfit used for outings. The protective gear on his arms and legs, along with that equipment, made him look like... a polo player?
"I'm going to polo practice."
"What!? Why!?"
Yoner was startled by the words least expected from her friend.
"...Because I'm in the Polo Club?"
"Ah."
Only then did Yoner remember that her friend was part of several clubs.
Lee Han spoke bitterly.
"Honestly, I don't have much confidence in it."
"Second-years don't have to compete, right?"
"I have too many rare mounts..."
From the griffin onward, Lee Han owned several rare mounts. If he didn't participate, it would give some seniors—who treated polo as a matter of life and death—a heart attack.
He wasn't sure how much help he'd be, but Lee Han planned to cram as much as he could before the match.
"That outfit suits you very well. If I'd seen you on the field, I'd have thought you were a skilled player."
"Indeed, young master. And you needn't be so nervous. I'm certain you'll display outstanding talent in polo as well."
Amur and Arian, unaware of Lee Han's inner turmoil, praised him from the side.
'I'm not sure this will go well.'
The few times Lee Han had played polo at Einrogard, it had been unorthodox—relying on his mounts' strength and magic.
Seniors like Carnella had high expectations of him, but proper polo players would have entirely different skills.
It wouldn't be strange if he got completely outplayed.
"I want to go cheer at the match, but we'll probably have to return before then."
"Wait, Wardanaz is competing!?"
His friends were deeply disappointed.
A fellow second-year representing the club in a match? If they didn't cheer for him now, when would they?
But the Theater Club's outing period was almost over, and soon it would be time to return to the Death Knights and bluff, "We returned on time, phew. We were busy helping people because of that monster that appeared at the palace."
"Can't we just... not go back and hold out?"
"That's a 100% guarantee of the Punishment Room. Don't talk nonsense."
"Ashan's right. Getting sent to the Punishment Room over a match? That's ridiculous."
Lee Han urged his friends to return on time, then took a crash course in polo from Amur and Arian.
The remaining friends reluctantly prepared to go back.
They gathered or hid their newly purchased items, checked if they'd left anything behind, and memorized the tools and equipment they'd need for potion work even after returning to school...
And through all of that, Angrago and Salko still hadn't returned.
"......"
Lee Han took out an artifact.
-Angrago. Did you get kidnapped or something?
-What? No, I wasn't kidnapped! You guys go back first. We still have some business here.
-...You didn't ditch to watch the polo match, did you?
-Wha—no!? What are you talking about?
-What the hell are you two doing right now!?
Giselle was horrified.
Just what kind of idiocy were those fools up to outside!?