Episode 910

Noticing Professor Garcia seemed to be dodging the point and hiding something, Lee Han looked at him suspiciously.

But Garcia was a professor after all. When dealing with students, professors never lost.

“Lee Han, listen closely to what I’m about to say.”

“Yes!”

“To use a spell that can damage that demigod, you’ll need to activate an ancient artifact—”

“No need for that.”

When Professor Voladi interjected, Garcia looked at him in confusion.

“Is there another way?”

“Yes.”

With his answer, Professor Voladi pointed to the sky.

A certain familiar gold dragon flew in like a comet.

“……”

Barely any time had passed since the lockdown order, yet now Lee Han’s royal friend was boldly breaking it and flying in. Lee Han’s face was complicated.

• * *

Professor Baegrek. What do you think about Joulin going out briefly?

“?”

As soon as Lee Han left in a hurry due to the test, Joulin began plotting.

Of course, Joulin had deeply reflected and promised never to recklessly use his own flesh again.

But wasn’t going out a completely different matter?

Playing with the baby basilisk in front of the lounge fireplace lost its appeal quickly.

Joulin missed roaming Einrogard with Lee Han.

“Of course it’s possible, Dragon!”

Professor Bendozol replied right away, then growled at Professor Voladi.

“If you have any heart, let the dragon go out for a bit.”

“No.”

“What’s wrong with you? Do you not have a heart?!”

As the two started to argue, Joulin anxiously intervened.

It wasn’t due to guilt, but out of worry Lee Han might find out if they fought.

S-stop! It was just a simple question!

“Is that so, Dragon! I misunderstood your simple question.”

So, Professor Baegrek, what do you think…

Professor Voladi used the classic sign of shaking his head—meaning “no.”

‘Hmph.’

Joulin regretted writing to Professor Voladi to come visit the school.

He couldn’t help it then, but if only the person guarding the door was a bit less strict…

It didn’t even have to be a less strict professor.

If it had been someone like Professor Verdus, Joulin could have sneaked out and made a good fuss about it!

Joulin’s recent rise in social intelligence only made him more regretful.

Eventually, Joulin gave up and curled up by the fireplace again.

In a way, it might have been for the best.

If he sincerely reflected on his actions, Lee Han might reduce his sentence time a little.

-Are you sure you can stand not sneaking out?

Mm.

-Then could I sneak out? I don’t think I’d get caught.

No.

Joulin hugged the baby basilisk tightly. The baby basilisk struggled, but could not escape the dragon’s embrace.

If Basi disappeared, Joulin would be unbearably bored.

-I really wouldn’t get caught…

Joulin’s not hearing anything.

-Huh? There’s a little commotion over there.

!

The baby basilisk pointed with its tail at the window in puzzlement.

A strange power was emanating from the mountains.

The baby basilisk, by lineage alone, was so exceptional it noticed the sense of foreboding.

Naturally, Joulin noticed it too.

Something’s weird!

-That’s right!

Still, strange things happened all the time at Einrogard.

-That’s true.

The two clever animals immediately accepted it.

Even though the distant surge of power felt strong and threatening, this was Einrogard.

Strange things happened all the time.

Something strange happened right away. Professor Garcia appeared in front of the tower.

“Professor Baegrek, did you feel that wave just now? I think it’s coming from the workshop where the clone is, so I want to check. Would you come with me?”

“Understood.”

“Wait. Both of you are leaving?”

Professor Garcia’s sudden visit lit up Professor Bendozol’s face.

He already found it torturous staying with this inorganic professor—now he was being taken out as well!

As expected, Professor Garcia was one of the more conscientious of the Einrogard faculty.

“Yes, I just have something to check.”

“All right. Go ahead. Professor Baegrek, I’ll hold things down here by myself.”

“Keeping promises is a mark of one’s dignity.”

“…What are you getting at?”

“Nothing. Do as you wish.”

With that, Professor Voladi left at once.

He wasn’t sure what the situation was, but if anything did happen, speed was needed.

Left alone, Professor Bendozol ground his teeth.

“How dare he leave me with words like that! If he thinks I can’t handle the dragon, he’s sorely mistaken! Does he think I can’t let the dragon out?!”

He shook his fist as if yelling at Professor Voladi, but the one already flying away couldn’t hear.

Professor Bendozol trudged along, pondering.

‘…Keeping promises is definitely important. All the more with young dragons…’

As someone who knew more than anyone about the empire’s animals, Professor Bendozol understood how critical it was to teach intelligent and strong species habits of keeping rules.

If he let this slide, in a few decades a wicked, cunning dragon might be born.

• * *

“Wait. But how did you get here?”

Lee Han listened and grew puzzled.

Professor Voladi had tied up Professor Bendozol with a few words. That meant Joulin shouldn’t have been able to sneak out.

He just let me go when I asked?

“……”

Lee Han regretted hearing that story.

All of Professor Bendozol’s worries and insights fell apart at a simple request.

Joulin looked nervous as he spoke.

I-I was going to stay, but when I saw Professor Baegrek and Professor Garcia leave, I got worried… The power waves grew stronger… a-and Basi agreed too.

-Wh-why include me?

The baby basilisk trailing after them started wailing.

He was already miserable from being exiled—why did Joulin keep revealing things that would get him in more trouble?

Watching Joulin quietly, Lee Han slowly opened his mouth.

“Your Highness.”

Mm?

“I know I’m one to talk about acting out or giving your flesh to others, but… I need your help.”

…!

Joulin’s big eyes blinked, and a wide smile spread across his whole face.

Joulin can help! Joulin wants to do just that! Wow! So excited!

The first time Lee Han had asked for help—Joulin couldn’t contain his excitement, shivering with glee.

The baby basilisk glanced around and asked,

-B-but, isn’t it bad to be excited in this situation?

…Forget I said that!

“If you use your breath, all defenses in the area should go down completely.”

Professor Garcia calculated coldly.

That demigod hamster (never mind why it was in hamster form) had built up sturdy defenses in the area by altering laws and order.

This side needed to bring out even greater magic, but a dragon’s breath was another story.

It would obliterate and destroy everything, shattering the chains that bound order and law.

“If Your Highness unleashes your breath, Professor Baegrek and I will finish it immediately.”

Got it! Lee Han, hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Lee Han slightly regretted asking as he climbed onto Joulin’s back.

The Death Knights signaled and took to the air first to confuse the demigod hamster’s attention in case of a counterattack.

Leave.

Keeping distance and quietly focusing on descending, the demigod hamster sternly warned as the Death Knights charged.

A mighty law of subjugation was sent at the Death Knight with the spear.

-Hmph!

The Death Knight immediately reverse-summoned himself. With his existence erased, the law lost its target and vanished too.

Another Death Knight tapped the pommel of his sword and the just-reverse-summoned Death Knight reappeared.

A feat possible only for Death Knights fighting on their own domain.

-So you’re a demigod? Here’s an offering!

One of the more seasoned Death Knights, atop his mount, lifted both arms and created a black sphere.

Pop!

The sphere vanished and was absorbed directly by the demigod hamster.

A pure offering with no intent to attack.

But the offering made the demigod hamster’s movements sluggish.

-Ah, offerings made of darkness are a bit hard to digest!

-More, give more!

Knights who spent decades on the battlefield became not only strong but also monstrous tricksters skilled with all manner of ruses.

Death Knights, with centuries more experience, knew how to tackle even demigods.

While the demigod hamster pushed away the forced offerings in annoyance, Joulin carried Lee Han high.

Joulin’s ready! If Lee Han lends magic like last time…!

“I’m ready, Your Highness. Please handle it well.”

Lee Han’s voice held an unfamiliar lethargy.

Yet, excited by the adventure and battle, Joulin didn’t notice.

Now!

The dragon’s jaws opened wide and torrents of violent power began to spiral, causing the Death Knights to scatter in all directions.

A stray hit, even with domain resurrection, would mean months of recovery.

Ceasetheattackcommander…

Commander?

“Ignore it.”

Got it!

At Lee Han’s definite order, Joulin unleashed his breath.

A golden waterfall, dazzling as the sun.

From high in the sky, the torrent struck the demigod hamster with full force.

As Joulin joyfully poured out his breath, feeling his depleted magic restore, he flapped his wings.

With such a solid supporter on his back, he felt he could go anywhere.

Once, twice, three, four times…

Commander!

With a dying scream, the demigod hamster’s telepathy was cut off. The surrounding laws and order instantly reverted to normal.

Even before Professors Voladi or Garcia had to act, the seething giants charged in with savage war cries.

-You! You little…!!

-I’ll put you in a hamster coffin!

Lee Han! Joulin won again! You can praise me!

“Well done… Your Highness.”

…?

At last, Joulin sensed something was off.

Lee Han’s voice was far too lifeless compared to usual.

Normally, Joulin would have been excited and praised him just as energetically…

Lee Han? …Lee Han?!!!

Joulin let out a high-pitched scream. Lee Han had collapsed atop the dragon’s back.

On closer inspection, blood was streaming from his lips.

Blood! There’s blood!! Lee Han! Blood! Blood!!

“That’s from earlier… I’m fine.”

Not only had Lee Han forced himself through a failed spell, but he’d kept pushing ever since, leaving him half-exhausted.

Even while fading toward unconsciousness, he tried to calm Joulin, but it was no use.

D-d-don’t die!!! Lee Han! Lee Han??

No answer came from Lee Han, who had fallen into a deep sleep. Joulin was gripped by a fear as if the world itself was ending.