Episode 308

Episode 308

At first, when Lee Han said he would subdue the undead in the cave and even collect materials, Gubon tried to dissuade him, saying it was greedy.

Subduing the undead itself was quite a strenuous task, and collecting such rare herbs was usually difficult, so it was highly likely that such a request had come to the Adventurer’s Guild for that reason.

Attempting to do both could have resulted in both failing or just wasting stamina.

However, Lee Han listened carefully to Gubon’s concerns and explained step by step without the slightest emotional reaction.

According to the book, the terrain at the back of the cave was suitable for the growth of herbs, and if undead appeared inside the cave, the power of the herbs would be influenced, making it even more likely to obtain them…

Gubon, who knew little about magic or herbology, still found Lee Han’s words convincingly persuasive.

Moreover, it didn’t stop there.

He even captured the rare monster, the Lapella Field Rat.

Ordinary adventurers wouldn’t do such things. There’s always a reason for resolving one request at a time.

No one knows when or if a request will be resolved, so people are very cautious—and usually, one would have objected to such a greedy plan…

But Gubon could not object.

The other party’s plan was just too perfect and meticulous.

If not for his face, he would have thought he was a person who had worked as an adventurer for ten years.

“All Einrogard students are capable of at least this much.”

Lee Han spoke modestly for the honor of his friends.

The White Tiger Tower students glared at Lee Han.

‘What is he talking about?’

‘Only you can do that…!’

“I don’t see anything more to add. I think we can proceed just like this…”

Gubon trailed off.

Even if one is cautious, there are things that must be said.

“Have you properly prepared for the journey to get there or for camping?”

At Gubon’s words, Angrago snorted as if telling him not to worry.

“You don’t need to worry. It’s not like we’ve camped only once or twice.”

“It wasn’t the type of camping where you brought a servant along to carry groceries and various camping tools, was it?”

“……”

Angrago was at a loss for words at Lee Han’s question.

How did he know?

Lee Han sighed and spoke.

“You should forget about your experiences camping with other knights from your family. Back then, they must have prepared the campsite, water for washing, hot meals, and even night watch for all your convenience. If you’re going to travel on your own, you need to pack as much as you can.”

Gubon was once again taken aback by Lee Han’s words.

He couldn’t believe he was really a first-year student.

How could a first-year student predict things so calmly and coolly…

“Open your backpack. Let’s see what’s inside. At the very least, do you have nails or a hammer? When you never know what’s going to happen? And you need cloth too. Preferably some that’s been oiled. Is canned pork all the food you have? That might not be enough, but it’ll do. Bring a leather canteen too. Looks like you left out flint and tinder because of magic, but don’t waste your mana unnecessarily—bring those, too.”

“……”

Gubon was completely overwhelmed.

He checked the supplies even more skillfully than a fairly seasoned adventurer.

Seeing that, Gubon wondered why he was even here.

It seemed everything would run fine, even without any veteran present…

“Mr. Gubon. I’d like your advice.”

Unaware of Gubon’s inner thoughts, Lee Han called out to him. Gubon felt very burdened.

Lee Han was already doing better than Gubon.

‘I packed my things pretty sloppily…’

Even many veteran adventurers weren’t that thorough. If it wasn’t a truly dangerous place, ‘let’s save some silver coins and tough it out’ was the basic approach.

“You’re quite remarkable.”

At Gubon’s words, Lee Han urged him as if wondering why.

“Why do you say that?”

“Pardon?”

“Surely, there must be something you would point out. It can’t be that there’s nothing at all.”

“Ah… no…”

There really was nothing!

Gubon’s companion, Vizidek, looked at him with eyes that said, ‘How could you possibly give more advice at this point?’

• * *

“I see. The color of the backpack is also important? I did not know that. As expected, experienced adventurers are different.”

Lee Han wrote this down with an admiring expression.

Changing the camouflage color of the backpack depending on the terrain—a seasoned adventurer’s advice was indeed exceptional.

Vizidek whispered quietly.

“That’s not true at all.”

“…I just, honestly couldn’t think of anything else.”

Gubon hung his head in embarrassment.

He had, of course, never changed his backpack color for each terrain.

You never know where or when you’re going—changing the backpack every time? Adventurers weren’t rich enough to waste silver coins like that.

Deorgyu, who was walking in front, asked,

“But isn’t it a little strange? Changing backpacks every time would be a hassle and a bother.”

“Maybe they use grass or soil from around to camouflage it.”

“Aha.”

“……”

Gubon shuddered at the sight of Einrogard students understanding things on their own without being told.

What on earth…

“But since we can use magic, there’s no need for that. It could easily be substituted with -Minor Color Change- magic.”

Deorgyu exclaimed at Lee Han’s words.

“As expected of you, Lee Han, who’s mastered every magic like a madman.”

“What did you just say?”

“Ah, nothing. Sorry. That’s just the manner of speaking among tower friends…”

“It’s fine, Deorgyu. It’s not your fault, it’s theirs.”

“W-we didn’t say anything.”

“We didn’t say anything at all.”

Angrago and Raphadael denied it, but Lee Han ignored them.

“By the way, Wardanaz. If I recall correctly, -Minor Color Change- magic wasn’t covered in class. When did you learn it?”

“No. I only saw it in a book. If I practice, it should work before we arrive.”

“That doesn’t make sense…”

“Color, change.”

With just one try, the backpack’s color turned green. Lee Han nodded.

“It’s similar to metal transmutation, but easier. Thanks to that, I succeeded on the first try.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing…”

The White Tiger Tower students turned their gaze away with expressions of sadness and resignation.

The veteran adventurers, Gubon and Vizidek, whispered, unable to understand.

“Isn’t the mood weird?”

“I don’t know for sure… Are they really friends?”

It felt more like the strict relationship between a superior and his subordinates than between fellow knights.

They should be the same grade, and yet…

‘Maybe I’m mistaken?’

Passing through the gates of Granden City, following the imperial highway, taking the path shown on the map, and cutting through the grasslands, the destination, Fireburn Hill, came into view.

Arriving at early evening meant they had arrived rather quickly.

Everyone was in good shape, and they even had horses—most importantly…

“It’s thanks to the two veterans that we didn’t get lost and arrived in one go.”

…it was because they found the way directly without getting lost even once.

The two adventurers said nothing and smiled awkwardly.

‘We…’

‘…didn’t really do anything.’

Lee Han alone checked the map and said, ‘Is it this way?’ ‘It must be this way.’ ‘Let’s turn here,’ and naturally arrived at the destination.

Even though the two who knew the area well tried to give advice, nothing was off.

“Alright, then…”

“We’re still feeling strong. Let’s go in now.”

Raphadael spoke energetically.

As someone learning black magic to subdue criminal dark wizards, he was very eager for undead subjugation.

Gubon brightened.

Finally, it was the time to give advice as a seasoned adventurer.

“That’s…”

“No, Raphadael. Even though we’re not tired, there’s no need to enter a cave where undead come out at dusk. Once the sun sets, the undead’s power will increase. Even if we’re not tired now, it’s best to prepare the camp and wait until tomorrow morning.”

So saying, Lee Han looked to the two adventurers.

“Is that alright?”

“…Yes, yes, it is. That’s a good method.”

“Thank you.”

At this, the two adventurers began to feel not just embarrassed or dumbfounded but deeply doubtful.

…Was there really any need for us to come?

• * *

“We’ll handle the camp preparations!”

“???”

When the two adventurers declared firmly, Lee Han and his friends tilted their heads in confusion.

“Aren’t preparations usually done together?”

“No. People like mages don’t do these things.”

Gubon was right.

Work in a party is divided up, but there are always exceptions.

People such as powerful mages, priests, or those from knightly families, who can accomplish the work of several adventurers, couldn’t be asked to do menial chores. That would even be wasteful.

All the students here were mages and from knight families, so…

“I see. Understood.”

“Then we will…”

“No.”

Lee Han refused.

“If the two of you are not present, we would have to do it ourselves. Not being able to do so would be a problem. We should also learn how.”

“Huh?”

“D-do we really have to prepare that much?”

The White Tiger Tower friends, who had been planning to just rest, asked hesitantly.

But Lee Han was serious.

“Right. Think about it. If you have to camp at Einrogard, you can’t ask other adventurers for help.”

“Why would we camp at Einrogard?”

Gubon asked, not understanding. The magic school students pretended not to hear.

“Alright. What do we do first?”

“First, you light a fire…”

As Gubon was about to take out the tinderbox, Lee Han immediately waved his staff.

Fwoosh!

“It’s lit.”

“…Well, if there’s a source of water nearby, it’s good to fetch some. Securing fresh water is always…”

Splash!

“I brought it. What’s next?”

“……”

Seeing the massive ball of water floating in the air, Gubon and Vizidek opened and closed their mouths, then quietly took out their wooden buckets and filled them.

“The surrounding thicket will block the firelight and cold wind for now, but it’s a little lacking. If you just pile up some dirt…”

Pop-pop-pop!

Instantly, a mound of earth was stacked up, becoming a simple dirt wall.

“Will this do?”

“…Yes. Now, just set up a simple trap to alert us if anyone approaches…”

Lee Han used the magic he’d learned while making fireworks with Professor Verdus.

He imbued an illusion of light in a sheet of paper, so that if the paper tore, the illusion would be triggered.

Flaaash!

Angrago asked absent-mindedly,

“Did you pick that up while coming here too? That’s amazing!”

“What nonsense are you talking about? You know magic doesn’t work that way. I learned it directly from the professor during the semester.”

“…No… Hey…!!”

While Angrago was too upset and taken aback to speak, Lee Han circled the area and finished his work.

“How is it?”

“As long as we take turns on watch, there doesn’t seem to be any problem at all.”

“Did everyone hear that? Remember the order carefully.”

Lee Han said to the White Tiger Tower students.

The White Tiger Tower students nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, unfazed by the countless magics used in succession.

“Don’t worry, Wardanaz. We’ve memorized it well.”

“If it’s just this, we can handle it too.”

‘No…’

Gubon and Vizidek were confused, feeling as if common sense had collapsed.

What normally took two or three hours was done in just a few minutes…

And the others were acting as if that was perfectly normal?

‘Are all mages like this??’

‘There’s a reason mages are so expensive…! They really should be!’

Of course, mages who joined parties didn’t act this way.

They needed to conserve their mana, so no one used magic for preparations like these.

Because they met Lee Han, the seasoned adventurers’ common sense about mages was starting to get oddly warped.