Episode 961

It took Lee Han about thirty minutes to deal with the gathered crowd.

Of course, he didn't drive them away with force or magic. Lee Han had to personally sign autographs for each one.

"By any chance, are you considering joining the Imperial Polo Team ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠after graduation?"

"No?"

"Then you must be thinking of joining the Imperial Polo Team before graduating!"

"That's not it."

"If your great noble family's traditions are suppressing you, boldly cast off those iron chains!"

"I just don't have much interest in being a polo player..."

"That's impossible! Don't lie! Deep in your heart, you clearly...!"

"Pfft. Now that you've gotten all your signatures, please move along."

Falkrius used his thick arms to push away the polo-obsessed crowd.

Those deeply impressed by the match all clamored for Lee Han to join whichever polo team they supported or were affiliated with, regardless of whose side they were on.

"Good grief. What nonsense are they spouting?"

"I quite agree."

"Wardanaz, you're going to become a professor, you know."

"...What???"

"We should disguise ourselves again. It seems we'll need to remove our disguises after entering the mansion."

"What did you just..."

Lee Han persistently tried to pursue the matter, but Falkrius was too focused to hear him.

"It would be better to visit the Greenbell family later... Hmm? What did you say?"

"What were you just saying..."

"Right. Wardanaz. How did you win the match to make people chase after you like this?"

"I was just lucky."

"Pfft. If you get lucky twice, the Polo Club guys will be so happy they'll faint."

Falkrius chuckled heartily.

Still, as fellow official Einrogard clubs, he'd developed a grudging affection for them, so hearing that the Polo Club had achieved a major victory after so long was quite pleasing.

Falkrius made a note so he wouldn't forget:

Polo Club gets double portions for a while (Wardanaz excluded)

"Have I done something wrong?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Why am I the only one excluded from the double portions..."

Lee Han looked slightly bewildered.

If they were celebrating the victory by giving out double portions of food, why was he the only one excluded?

"Uahaha. That's so like Wardanaz. You want to be included fairly? Still can't do it. Can't charge a junior double the gold coins."

"...?!"

Only then did Lee Han realize the true meaning of the "double portions."

Surprisingly, it wasn't about receiving double the amount of food—it was about being charged double the price!

For those with hefty coin purses, the price of food naturally rises too.

Falkrius, being an upperclassman, excelled at such timely opportunism.

"We're here. Wardanaz. Do you know where this is?"

"I'm not sure."

Given that it was the central district lined with antiquated mansions, one could guess it was a noble's residence, but Lee Han wasn't originally from Granden City.

Even Granden City nobles needed help from their chamberlains or servants to remember who lived where, so it was impossible for Lee Han to know.

"Lord Zolbabden's mansion."

'That's strange. The name sounds familiar.'

"Pffhaha. Lord Zolbabden is a famous socialite, connoisseur, and penny-pincher in Granden City. If even Lord Zolbabden donated food, the other tightwads in Granden City would take notice and donate too."

"I see. Should I attack first, or will you, Senior?"

"...Wardanaz! We're here to persuade, not threaten!"

Falkrius looked utterly flabbergasted.

If they used magic to threaten someone for not donating, even ten bodies wouldn't be enough for all the punishment rooms they'd end up in.

"Ah. I see."

"Pffhaha. That's right. I'm counting on you."

"Honestly, I can't think of any method besides magical threats..."

"No, no. Seeing how people gathered around you after the polo match, you have a talent for charming others."

"If I really had such a talent, I wish my friends would at least listen to me properly."

Lee Han grumbled as he removed his disguise and called for the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper's demeanor turned noticeably cautious at the sight of the two unusual visitors.

"What brings you—"

"Inform them that mages from Einrogard have come regarding a serious magical issue plaguing this mansion."

"...! Y-yes, right away!"

The gatekeeper, startled, hurriedly relayed the message upstairs. Falkrius offered some useful advice to his junior.

Pfft. When you come for something like this, never state your real purpose upfront. They might claim the master isn't home or even flee.

"Should I send in a Paper Bird to check if he's actually here?"

"...Wardanaz. Have you been getting close to some particularly violent seniors lately?"

As they waited, Zolbabden hastily dressed and rushed out—only to freeze the moment he spotted Falkrius' hulking figure even from a distance.

Realizing he'd already fallen for their scheme, his expression soured.

"...Student Falkrius. You said there was a serious magical issue plaguing this mansion, didn't you?!"

"Indeed, Lord Zolbabden. There is a grave magical problem within this mansion. Namely, the food supplies meant for the poor are lying dormant in your storage."

"......"

Zolbabden was speechless but held his tongue.

First, because no one who'd ever lashed out at Einrogard mages had come out better for it (and as someone who thrived on gossip, he knew this well). Second, because Falkrius' fists were plenty dangerous even without magic.

"And the student beside you is— Wait!! Lord Wardanaz?!"

"...!!!"

The moment Zolbabden recognized Lee Han with a start, Lee Han's own memory clicked into place.

This guy...

"Aren't you the one who spread rumors all over Granden City about me fighting a Basilisk last year?"

"Hahaha! Indeed! Though I didn't expect gratitude for it!"

"......"

Lee Han fixed Zolbabden with an icy glare. Falkrius grew slightly concerned. 'He's not about to throw a punch, is he?'

Fortunately, Lee Han restrained himself—though internally, curses flew freely. 'I should've petrified him when the Basilisk was out.'

Back then, Lee Han had wrapped things up without much thought—only to later realize just how swiftly rumors spread in Granden City's social circles.

If anything moved faster than spatial magic, it was gossip.

"...Given our shared history from last year's Basilisk incident, how about making a donation?"

"Ghk!"

The nobleman let out a pained groan as his weak spot was struck.

Just then, the Chamberlain approached and whispered something to him.

Pfft. This looks ominous.

Falkrius watched their exchange with growing unease.

Nobles like Zolbabden didn't care much for dignity or decorum—it was entirely possible he'd suddenly clutch his chest and feign illness.

"...Is that true?"

"Yes. I heard it directly."

Finishing the conversation, Zolbabden's eyes sparkled like stars as he declared:

"Very well! Student Falkrius, I shall donate!"

"You mean it?!"

"On one condition."

"And that is...?"

"Lord Wardanaz must personally recount today's polo match for me."

"......"

"......"

Only then did Lee Han realize what the two had been whispering about.

No wonder the Chamberlain was mimicking a polo swing earlier...

* * *

Unlike Lee Han, who trudged out of the mansion looking thoroughly exhausted, Falkrius roared with laughter.

"Well done, Wardanaz! Wahahaha! A few stories in exchange for food supplies—what a bargain!"

"I didn't expect persuasion to take this form."

Zolbabden, who held an unshakable belief in spreading gossip faster than anyone else, cared little about emptying his storeroom if it meant hearing Lee Han's firsthand account of the polo match.

"Indeed! So even though Lord Wardanaz never practiced polo or had any interest in it normally, the moment he mounted the griffin, he could see the opponents' movements and instinctively knew how to win! As if it were in his very blood! Truly a genius-level talent!"

"Not a single part of that matches what I just said."

"Minor discrepancies shouldn't concern you too much. Isn't embellishment just part of storytelling?"

"Did you also embellish the fight with the basilisk like this?"

Lee Han couldn't even begin to guess how much Zolbabden would exaggerate the rumors, making him uneasy. But seeing his senior laughing excitedly, he shook his head.

'Well. If it means getting more food supplies, what does a little rumor matter?'

Falkrius was stepping up like this to help others, so for Lee Han to complain about mere rumors would be shameful.

Suddenly, the image of the young skeleton headmaster came to Lee Han's mind.

If he were only surrounded by people like Professor Verdus, Lee Han wouldn't feel any pangs of conscience. But with morally upright ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠figures like the young skeleton headmaster and Falkrius constantly around, he was inevitably influenced...

'Let's try to act a little more virtuously!'

Giving up on worrying about the rumors, Lee Han spoke up.

"Where to next?"

"Next is..."

"Lord Wardanaz!"

"?"

Brodon, a noble acquainted with Zolbabden, jumped out of his carriage. Falkrius immediately recognized his status.

"Lord Brodon, isn't it?"

"Yes. The one who bought a basilisk egg and hatched it in front of people."

'Must be insane.'

The baby basilisk muttered. Lee Han silently agreed.

Sure, Brodon had been tricked by the merchant, but even accounting for that, it was hard to think well of him.

"Pfft. If he's rich enough to buy a basilisk egg, maybe he'll donate more food?"

"If he had the intelligence to buy a basilisk egg, he might not have any gold left to donate..."

Unaware of Lee Han's scathing muttering, Brodon rushed over and exclaimed:

"Lord Wardanaz! Is it true that if I donate food for charity, you'll share stories about today's polo match?"

"......"

Lee Han turned back to look at the mansion in shock.

How on earth had word spread so quickly in that short time?

'Do they have a communication artifact or something??'

"A-ah, no? Did I misunderstand?"

"Well... that is correct, but..."

"Perfect! After hearing about it, I immediately arranged a tea party. All attending members will donate! Now, would you grant me the honor of inviting Lord Wardanaz?"

"......"

Clap clap clap clap clap

-Applause sounded from beside him.

Falkrius was looking at Lee Han with deep admiration.

"Wardanaz... I should've brought you along last year too!"

"Senior. Is it really acceptable to receive donations like this?"

"Pfft. If we can get them, what's the problem? Far better than chasing nobles around in carriages ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for three days, harassing them!"

Unlike his skeptical junior, Falkrius was profoundly moved by this method.

Instead of chasing nobles down to pester them, they were summoning nobles to donate willingly.

The other juniors needed to learn this too.

'Is no one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠interested in stories about boiling soup from rocks and dirt at Einrogard?'

"Let's go, Wardanaz. You might just fill every starving mouth in Granden City."

"If the attendees feel cheated and get angry, I take no responsibility..."

Contrary to Lee Han's worries, every tea party attendee left utterly satisfied.

Some even requested he visit their other clubs and salons to retell the stories.

"Could we also hear about your fight with the basilisk firsthand?"

"...If you double your donation, I'll go and tell you in person."

"Excellent! Let's do that!"

"......"

Lee Han was stunned—he hadn't expected them to agree so readily. Falkrius whispered beside him:

"Wardanaz. Next time, we should charge even more."