Episode 626

Episode 626

‘To think you’re worried about something like that…’

Suppressing a sigh, Giselle lifted her head.

Still, it was her own sister.

“Just watch my swordsmanship then. But, why do you have to show swordsmanship to Wardanaz?”

Since no one else was in the training ground, Ziklin abandoned her usual strict manner and answered her sister’s question more comfortably.

“Because I promised I would show her.”

‘Did she?’

Giselle was puzzled.

When did they make a promise like that?

“Why did you make such a promise?”

“When I was talking about the time I fought the giant swordsman, she applauded and said she wanted to see my swordsmanship.”

“……”

Wasn’t that just a polite thing to say?

Giselle knew all too well that Wardanaz was someone who could flatter as much as needed.

Even if the skeleton principal sent the prince to the punishment room, Wardanaz was the kind of tough guy who could say, ‘An excellent choice, haha,’ from the sidelines.

“I’m sure there’ll be an opportunity.”

“It’s not like you two usually meet?”

‘That’s true?’

Giselle hesitated as her sister hit the point.

Indeed, except for this winter, it was unusual for Wardanaz to visit the family’s estate.

That was a fortunate thing.

“That’s good, then!”

“Giselle.”

‘Oops.’

As Ziklin’s expression turned stern, Giselle realized her mistake.

“You should treasure your friends.”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Don’t put on airs.”

“It’s not putting on airs… Ugh. I was wrong.”

Knowing her sister’s stubbornness well, Giselle simply gave up. Ziklin, fortunately, nodded.

“But if it’s about showing swordsmanship, didn’t you show it during the last hunt… Wasn’t that enough opportunities?”

“That wasn’t really a proper demonstration.”

Ziklin tapped the scabbard with her finger.

To truly experience swordsmanship, it was best to actually face it in person.

And to have a proper confrontation, even if it was just practice, a match was best.

“……”

Giselle was appalled.

It might be okay within the family knights, but could Ziklin really spar with an outsider??

“T-That’s a bit…”

“Giselle. Friends are precious…”

“No, I’m saying this because I do treasure her!”

Giselle really didn’t want to step forward on behalf of Wardanaz.

But how could she just stand by when Ziklin was about to break a guest’s limbs and rupture her muscles?

“I have to be called along no matter what. You can do that, right!?”

“All right. All right.”

Ziklin sent her sister a fond look at her whining. Giselle almost grabbed her neck in exasperation.

When the conversation ended, knights started entering the training ground one by one. Ziklin, as if the comfortable attitude moments ago was a lie, assumed a formal demeanor.

“Giselle. I’ll observe your swordsmanship now.”

“Yes. …Wait a minute, sis. Why is Father keeping Wardanaz around all this time?”

She’d lost track because she had been distracted by the talk about swordsmanship, but now that she thought about it, it was odd that the patriarch was keeping Wardanaz around.

What could he have to discuss so much with an external guest?

“Giselle. Concentrate on swordsmanship.”

‘Oh, come on.’

• * *

The patriarch’s attendant was startled when he entered the study.

The patriarch, who always wore a cold expression while sitting, was now looking at the boy from the Wardanaz family with an expression of satisfaction he’d never seen before.

If the normally cool-headed patriarch was like that, it was practically as if honey was dripping from his eyes.

“What is it?”

“Ah, yes! Lady Ziklin says she wishes to speak with you…”

“Tell her to wait unless it’s urgent. Now. Let’s continue our conversation. Wardanaz. Is it possible to improve the north cliff’s brisk wind barrier as well?”

“I haven’t checked it, but if it’s a structure similar to those I’ve fixed so far, it should be possible.”

“Truly impressive. I’ve never heard such things from other mages.”

“In fact, the reason is that this method, while saving reagents, puts a heavy burden on the mage personally. It’s not the standard practice.”

‘Didn’t he say this was common in Einrogard?’

The patriarch had doubts.

If it puts such a burden on the mage, then shouldn’t it rarely be used, even inside Einrogard?

“Wardanaz. We can’t just accept this out of goodwill.”

“Ha ha. Not at all.”

Actually, Lee Han wanted to be paid.

But this was not Einrogard, this was the outside where imperial laws and customs prevailed. He couldn’t just grab anyone and demand money.

Just like with the skeleton principal, being invited to stay as a family friend meant he couldn’t take gold coins in the name of repair work.

Of course, the patriarch knew this, too. Asking a guest more than once or twice was impolite even for the inviter.

“How about I ask the principal to submit a formal request to Einrogard?”

“!”

Lee Han admired the patriarch’s words.

Surely, as expected of someone leading a great family like Moradi—so polite, good-natured, kind, and admirable.

Rather than asking for more for free, he was preparing to pay a proper reward.

‘Truly, the Moradi family is not called the shield of the North for nothing. What an excellent house.’

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

Lee Han, having answered, paused.

Come to think of it, if he accepted such a request, he’d have to return once more to this northern estate.

…Was that all right?

‘No. If I’m going out for work, it’s better to go somewhere I know.’

Lee Han had unusually gone outside as a first-year (and fought a sea serpent), and from his second year on, he had often taken on jobs that brought him outside of Einrogard.

After all, being a mage was an expensive calling.

“All right. Let’s do that. Do you have anything else to tell me?”

“How could I dare…”

“Arrogance is not a virtue favored in the Empire. But I believe a competent person should be at least a little arrogant. That’s not arrogance, it’s confidence.”

‘He must be close to the principal.’

Lee Han made a reluctant face at a catchphrase he’d heard many times before.

The patriarch, unaware that his previous remark had slightly soured his likability, continued the conversation.

“And how often do we have guests like you? I simply want to hear your thoughts. Don’t feel burdened; tell me. Magic or otherwise, it doesn’t matter.”

The patriarch looked at Lee Han with eyes full of affection and expectation.

The fact that a student who’d only finished his first year could improve the magical structure of the entire estate—it had seemed far-fetched because he was of the Wardanaz family, but it was true.

If he was this much of a genius, perhaps he could even give fresh advice outside the realm of magic!

“Hmm. I did have this thought. There are a lot of apprentice knights here from other northern knightly families, aren’t there?”

“That’s right.”

Many sons and daughters from knightly families came here to train and build ties under the Moradi name.

Of course, it was expensive, but considering the future strength and name within the North, it was well worth it.

“I think the apprentice knights here might have a bit too much free time.”

“Too much free time?”

The patriarch, intrigued, leaned forward to listen to Lee Han more closely.

“Yes. They wander around chatting in their spare time, looking for other guests to talk to…”

“Hm. But isn’t networking with other knights an essential part of being a knight?”

“That’s true. I know how important it is to build connections. But the problem is that too much time is being wasted in the name of that!”

Having been endlessly pestered by bored knights, Lee Han’s voice rang with sincerity.

That sincerity made it to the patriarch as well.

‘…A valid point!’

For a patriarch who always pursued efficiency and rationality, the boy from House Wardanaz’s critique was piercing.

To have an outsider point out a bad habit that he himself should correct first!

“They should not be allowed to wander needlessly except during designated times. Like the Einrogard method.”

“Could you tell me more about that?”

Mentioning the Einrogard method made it sound more plausible and effective.

Lee Han nodded and pointed at the area on the map where the guest knights were being housed.

“Now, these lodgings are too close to the center of the estate. Once you open the door, it’s too easy to go elsewhere and play around. In my view, all these towers should be moved over here to the edge of the cliff. Then, they won’t dare sneak out…”

“……”

The patriarch looked at Lee Han with icy eyes that were burning inside.

Never before had he wanted to recruit such a talented young person as his chief aide.

If it weren’t for his family and school, he’d make any kind of offer to keep him nearby!

• * *

“What on earth did you talk about for so long?”

“Nothing special, really.”

It felt like all he’d done for several days was eat, sleep, and talk with the patriarch.

Lee Han took a big bite out of rye bread topped with pickled herring and fried onion. He could never relax eating with the patriarch as he could on his own.

Alsicle joked from beside him.

“Moradi. Don’t be fooled. When Wardanaz says ‘I didn’t do anything,’ you can never trust it.”

“Ah, Alsicle of the Pengerine family, who left to repair the icewall! I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d see me that way!”

“…Hey… I said I’m sorry…”

Lee Han deliberately addressed Alsicle with exaggerated politeness, leaving Alsicle flustered.

“Just call me Alsicle! Like you usually do!”

“I’m not sure what you mean. Alsicle of the Pengerine family.”

“I really won’t run away again…! I mean it! It wasn’t intentional! Hey, I’ll do you any favor next time! Really! Even if you ask me to eat a hundred sardines, I’ll do it!”

“Ha ha. Alsicle. I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I always called you comfortably, didn’t I?”

Watching the farce, Giselle yawned and asked again.

“So what did you really talk about?”

“I told you, not much. ‘The estate is pretty, the estate is nice.’ Oh, the patriarch said he’d make a formal request to Einrogard. I’ll be back during the semester, so want to join me?”

“What? That can’t be.”

At Giselle’s words, Lee Han was puzzled.

“Why not? Is there any reason not to ask Einrogard for a job?”

“Because it’s expensive.”

“……”

Lee Han wondered for a moment if Giselle was joking because it was just so realistic.

But Alsicle nodded as if he understood.

“She’s right. Einrogard is expensive.”

“Is it that bad?”

“I sometimes consider hiring Einrogard students as magic lab assistants, but when I see the cost, I end up passing.”

“Still, is the school short on funds?”

“Well, magic experiments are more expensive anyway.”

‘What exactly are the seniors wasting all the money on?’

Even bathing in a gold bathtub would seem less extravagant than this…

“Did the magic talk make things take so long?”

“Probably. But why’s it so noisy outside?”

“The quarters for the knights from outside have been moved. Out to the cliff edge.”

Giselle explained without much thought in response to Alsicle’s question.

Lee Han flinched.

‘Did I go overboard?’

“Why?”

“Who knows. They say it’s to improve the knights’ training… Wardanaz, something important happened while you were talking for days.”

“You mean the dinner party tomorrow night? I know about it. Don’t worry.”

“Tomorrow morning, my sister will duel you.”

“…How despicable, Moradi. How could you do this to me?”

“…Hey!!”