Episode 1090

Radical? What do you mean?

The young prince asked with genuine confusion.

What part of the advice he’d just given could possibly be considered radical?

“Well… mansions are expensive, and ones in the capital even more so. Asking someone to just hand it over is a bit much.”

Ah.

From the prince’s response, Lee Han thought maybe he’d finally understood.

Truly, unlike the skull headmaster, this young prince listened and was understanding of his disciple’s words…

That’s just your misconception, disciple.

“……”

So, not after all!

Disciple, the noble house that owns this mansion is already so wealthy, it’s excessive. Would giving away a single mansion leave them starving? The wealthy should share their riches.

It was an opinion worthy of someone who’d renounced his royal fortune to wander the continent.

Of course, to Lee Han, it sounded utterly insane.

‘Come on, if you lost even a single mansion in the capital, you’d be so bitter you couldn’t eat!’

Even if it was just a shack on the Einrogard estate, losing it would turn his stomach…

Just by teaching them rather than forcibly taking it, they should be grateful. How kind that is! Honestly, I’d like to teach them a lesson, make them emulate even half of your generosity, disciple.

“??”

Lee Han was flustered by the sudden praise.

“What did I do? I don’t think I’ve ever donated anything.”

You’re saving up gold coins to share with the poor, aren’t you?

“…No, I’m not!”

Lee Han jumped, taken aback.

How could anyone think such a thing!

“I’m going to use those gold coins to start a business. The Empire’s greatest… well, one of the top businessmen at least…”

In the past, he’d have boldly claimed he’d be the best. But after meeting the Skull Headmaster’s clone, Lee Han had toned down his ambitions.

Now that he had duties as a magician, he couldn’t devote himself fully to business.

So he’d compromised his goals to something manageable as a side job.

I know. Then after you save up your gold coins, then what?

“After saving? Save more.”

And when you’ve saved and saved until you can’t save anymore?

“……”

Lee Han was momentarily speechless.

He’d thought about accumulating wealth, but never considered what came after.

‘Should I lie atop the gold pile like a dragon?’

If another dragon heard, they’d say ‘That’s just a fairy tale cliché!’ But still, Lee Han spoke up.

“I never thought that far…”

I know. You’ll behave the same as now. You’ll end up being generous to others, just like you are with friends.

“…No, those guys—!”

Only then did Lee Han realize what the prince meant.

Letting friends and juniors stay at his villa and looking after them—it had just sort of happened.

“It just happened that way!”

Alright, disciple. Let’s go with that. You’ll probably “just happen” to help other people too…

‘This guy… He’s basically the Skull Headmaster, isn’t he?’

Lee Han freshly recognized that this was, after all, the young Skull Headmaster.

No matter how gentle he smiled, at the core, he struck straight to people’s feelings.

Go on now. Don’t be afraid to take from the wealthy and share with the poor.

“I understand, but I really can’t bring myself to swindle this Baldrogard student… I’ll handle it myself.”

Although the prince pressed him, Lee Han politely declined.

He just couldn’t reach that level yet. Tricking an innocent Baldrogard student out of a mansion was simply too much.

‘If it were Professor Verdus, maybe I’d feel differently…’

Gonadaltes: Sorry for the late reply. I was organizing notes on how to host an Einrogard guest.

Ipheldrem: Oh no! Thank you so much! Didn’t think you’d go that far.

Ipheldrem answered cheerfully.

Actually, among the Watchman Club members, Gonadaltes didn’t have a great reputation.

He’d picked a fight on day one (Ipheldrem wanted to use “Wardanaz” as his pseudonym but was blocked), and since then had always been curt.

But today, he didn’t seem so bad.

Going out of his way to organize notes like this.

Gonadaltes: When the guest steps in, take them straight to the basement.

Ipheldrem: …Are you making fun of me???

Ipheldrem immediately protested.

He’d never heard of such etiquette in his life.

Gonadaltes: Hah. Forget it. This is why you can’t trust Baldrogard magicians. Do as you wish.

Ipheldrem: Wait, that’s not it! It’s just… just sounded so ridiculous.

But Ipheldrem didn’t realize—

He was dealing with a battle-hardened Einrogard magician.

Traditionally, no Baldrogard magician has ever won an argument with one from Einrogard.

With Lee Han flipping out, Ipheldrem lost his nerve.

Ipheldrem: Forgive my rudeness. Could you explain again? I promise not to say anything out of line this time.

Gonadaltes: This is your last chance. The reason you take them to the basement is because that’s the best place to sense the mansion’s magical aura.

Ipheldrem: I see…! Makes sense!

Gonadaltes: In the Wardanaz family, they confine guilty demons in the basement and have them spin the wheel of mana. So we’re especially interested in other family’s cellars.

“……”

Ipheldrem looked deeply suspicious.

That’s got to be a lie…

‘No way the Wardanaz family does that kind of thing.’

Thinking back, this Gonadaltes was always gruff and hostile about the Wardanaz family.

Ipheldrem vowed not to believe that part.

Ipheldrem: Thank… Thank you. Wait! Our mansion isn’t that old, so there’s nothing special in the basement. What do I do?

Gonadaltes: That’s fine. What matters is assessing the magical energy, not how many spells are layered up. Just giving a tour of the basement will be impressive enough. The guest will be amazed.

Ipheldrem: Understood!

The young prince, watching the conversation, thought to himself:

Disciple, my method is much more considerate than yours…

• * *

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Wardanaz. Please come in.”

Once preparations were ready, the head butler called Lee Han in. Lee Han quickly tucked away the notebook.

“Lady Irendi! Lee Han of the Wardanaz family is here. Wardanaz, this is Lady Irendi of House Kraha.”

The butler made sure to introduce them formally to each other.

Irendi looked a bit more like Gainando’s sister than Adenart did. If Lee Han hadn’t known the house, he might have thought so himself.

“P-pleased to meet you, Wardanaz! I’m Irendi of House Kraha!”

“……”

“……”

Lee Han and the butler exchanged awkward glances. Irendi seemed unaware of any mistake.

“I’ve long respected the Wardanaz family’s great reputation. I hope you’ll guide and instruct me in magic going forward. My major is Enchanter; my area is temporary phenomenon capture using gemstones…”

“…Pleased to meet you.”

Lee Han felt a touch guilty receiving greets like that from a junior.

‘I didn’t lie. The other Baldrogard guys just spread weird rumors.’

If he admitted he was a second-year here, it’d just complicate the path to the basement.

It was better to keep up the act to get what he wanted.

“You remind me of Gainando.”

“Pardon? You know Gainando?”

“…He’s a talented junior from my tower.”

“Wait, Gainando is a talented junior??”

‘Damn, what a blunder.’

Lee Han clicked his tongue.

For an Einrogard student, a rookie mistake—twice in one visit.

But Irendi seemed to swallow it easily. She muttered to herself, nodding.

“Didn’t realize Gainando was so accomplished…”

So a distant cousin barely in touch at all was actually a rising star at Einrogard.

She resolved to work even harder herself.

“……”

Lee Han resolved to send Gainando a stern warning as soon as he got back.

“Ahem! Please, come this way. I’ll guide you to the cellar.”

“…?!?!??!”

The head butler nearly fainted.

Not the parlor, not the gallery—the cellar??

-M-my lady, not the cellar! Not the cellar!

The butler moved his lips in silent alarm.

If this got out, he’d never be able to show his face again.

The young Wardanaz spoke. The butler just wanted to squeeze his eyes shut in terror at what might come next.

“The cellar? You really understand Einrogard students! Any Einrogard student always wants to visit the cellar first. Amazing.”

“As a magician of House Kraha, of course I should know at least that much about hosting guests.”

“??????”

The butler could barely believe his ears.

What…?

‘Is this really some… Einrogard custom?’

Come to think of it, Einrogard magicians were known for being odd. Maybe it made sense they’d want to see the basement first.

“Being able to sense the magical energy that supports this mansion—truly delightful.”

Hearing this final confirmation, the butler wondered to himself.

Should I start showing the cellar to all Einrogard magicians from now on?

“This way, please!”

Irendi trotted off ahead. The butler led Lee Han on with a complicated look.

“How is it, Master?”

Lee Han quietly took out the notebook so others wouldn’t see.

It’s clear, no one’s touched it yet.

“!”

Lee Han’s face brightened at the reply.

If, after all that, there had been nothing under the mansion, it would have been a letdown.

“Is it in the basement?”

No, you’ll have to dig deeper.

‘Not so easy, after all.’

Lee Han was a bit disappointed.

If it had just been in the cellar, that would have been too easy.

But, of course, a safe spot would be deep enough that no one had ever touched it.

“Then I’ll send the others out.”

Determined, Lee Han spoke.

At this point, he’d have to invent a new Einrogard custom.

Allow the guest to dig alone in your basement for 30 minutes…

No need for that, disciple. Even with others looking on, I can retrieve it quietly for you.

Explained the prince.

Protected by his unique sorcery, he could pull it out and hand it over, no matter who was watching.

“I see. That’s a relief.”

Oh, but you do still have to dig.

“……”

Lee Han closed the notebook and quietly called to the others.

“Did you know the magical energy in this mansion isn’t that good?”