Episode 1074

“Mo-monster…!”

“No. I didn’t do this. My master did it for me.”

Lee Han clarified, thinking the other person had misunderstood.

Originally, mages had several ways to communicate across the limits of space and time.

Even if he couldn’t reveal the Young Prince’s identity, saying he received help from his master inside would be enough for Avalkarn to understand.

“Are you talking about a communication artifact?”

“It’s similar, but a little different. Anyway, just know that my master did this for me.”

Avalkarn assumed the unnamed master Lee Han referred to was the skeletal headmaster.

Rumors had already spread of Lee Han being the headmaster’s pupil, and there weren’t many mages who could pull off magic on this level in such a short span of time.

It was wrong, but a reasonable guess.

And there were parts that were correct…

‘But even if a master helped, wouldn’t a communication artifact require the disciple to do a significant part himself?’

Unaware of the spatial labyrinth or basement, Avalkarn thought this internally.

Even with remote guidance, unless in person, the disciple had to perform much of the process.

…Which meant it was still an impressive feat??

Just as Avalkarn was about to be astonished again, his master’s voice reached his ear.

“All done! Avalkarn, come here!”

Having finished the work, Avalkaigen called for his disciple.

He wanted to show off the newly improved skiff, created using ancient relics.

“Master, about -Bibble’s Lament-…”

“Avalkarn. You can’t put two potions in the same bottle. You must focus on the magic at hand.”

Avalkaigen sternly scolded his disciple.

No matter how much he regretted missing the opportunity because of Professor Verdus, it was unacceptable to keep thinking about it while working on something else.

The magic composing the flying sailing vessel was no trivial matter. Even if it was just combining completed spells, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Ahem!”

“S-sorry. I’ll focus.”

The orc mage shrank and hung his head.

Avalkaigen was a strict master when it came to magic. Seeing this, Lee Han thought he’d better explain everything after it was over.

“Would you like to pilot it? Wait. Are you able to?”

The two mages hesitated even as they asked.

This flying sailing vessel was Professor Verdus’s masterpiece, designed so even the untrained could pilot it safely, but it still wasn’t wise to let someone totally untutored take the controls.

Since this was a prototype, a mage was needed at the helm, someone who could repair and control the magic arrays inside in case something went wrong aloft.

“Yes. I piloted it last time as well.”

“…I see!”

The two mages recalled that the -Bibble’s Launch Enchantment- and -Bibble’s Flight Enchantment- started at a minimum of fourth-circle, but they simply nodded without asking.

At this point, it hardly seemed worth being surprised at anything.

“Then let’s cut out the roof and set off.”

“Wait. Isn’t a permit needed for the Imperial capital?”

Inside the Einrogard domain, it didn’t matter if you flew through the sky or dug up the ground or set fire to the principal’s office, as long as you didn’t escape. But outside, Imperial law applied.

If you took off flying in the capital without a permit, knights would come charging from every direction.

-Don’t worry. We’ve already arranged for the proper authorization.

“…Did you plan all this even before coming?”

-What do you mean! Absolutely not!

The knights bristled at the misunderstanding.

It was frustrating enough being assigned to guard Professor Verdus—who could believe such a thing?

The knights were simply moving diligently, driven by their pure hatred for Professor Verdus.

“Understood. Then I’ll gratefully take her up.”

Lee Han lightly leapt atop the sailing vessel. Avalkaigen, Puyo, and Yukveltire also took seats.

Zap!

“?!”

When mana sparked from the magic circle, Avalkaigen was startled and asked,

“Is this okay?”

“Ah, it was always like this since I got it. It’s because of the hull reinforcement, wind resistance, and anti-corrosion spells… I’ll just turn off the last one.”

Lee Han deftly operated the magic circle.

He’d experimented with all kinds of things under Professor Verdus, and had no trouble handling the sailing vessel.

Puyo, seeing this, whispered to Yukveltire,

“Looks like Professor Verdus made Wardanaz do a lot. Are all the Enchantment School students this worn out?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“……”

Puyo, the tree-spirit hybrid mage, shot Yukveltire a slightly chillier glance at that forthright response.

• * *

“Violet torch? Was there a violet torch tonight?”

The flight knights in charge of the western wall of the capital looked up curiously at a flickering violet flame in the sky.

Those authorized to fly in the capital had to hang differently colored magical torches overhead. If anyone flew without or with a fake, they were arrested immediately.

The violet torch was a mark issued only to royalty or persons connected to the imperial household; it was rare, making the knights’ curiosity justifiable.

“The Einrogard knights applied for it.”

“His Excellency the Demon Commander?”

“No.”

“I suppose he’d fly without a permit if he wanted.”

There was both respect and annoyance in their voices. The commander, when in a hurry, sometimes flew over the capital wall himself, humiliating the knights.

No matter where or how they complained, it never changed anything.

Even a direct petition from high officials or major noble houses to the emperor brought no result. The emperor would only admit fault himself, but always defended his Demon Commander.

“How are you?”

“Ah. Count Zau!”

The knights saluted the familiar face.

Count Zau was known for his even temperament among the many nobles in the capital.

Few nobles, even with guts, could make a scene in the emperor’s city, but Count Zau was especially magnanimous.

He was so generous, he forgave a mage-school graduate who set his carriage on fire by accident.

“This little fellow kept wanting to fly, so I had to come out. Hope I haven’t troubled you.”

The old, white-haired count apologized, but the knights waved him off.

“Not at all, sir! Since we raise flyers, we understand. Pegasi hate staying still, after all.”

The pegasi the knights rode gave disgruntled snorts.

“What a shame, I’ve only made more trouble for you. Well, this old man will take his leave. Let’s go!”

Receiving the magic torch, Count Zau soared away.

The knights watched his departing figure with respect.

If only all the empire’s nobles were like that, what a peaceful place the empire would be!

“…Wait. Doesn’t that violet glow look odd?”

Amid the conversation, a knight belatedly pointed at the sky.

A violet line traced the dark sky, quick and dazzling.

What kind of vehicle was moving like that?

“It’s not a living creature.”

“I see. That explains it.”

The veterans nodded.

That movement was far too stiff to be biological. Considering the visitors were Einrogard knights, it made sense for it to be a magical vehicle.

“But if it’s a magic vehicle from Einrogard… Ver—”

“No way. Would Professor Verdus be idly flying around? Never.”

Magical vessels and flight could only mean Professor Verdus in the Empire.

But not here—if he tried that outside the Einrogard territory, he’d likely be shot down…

“Oh, look—the count’s torch is heading for them!”

Count Zau’s blue torch was shifting toward the violet one.

Other torches, which had been circulating elsewhere, also started converging on the violet torch.

The knights suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.

• * *

‘So fast!’

Lee Han was amazed by the fierce motion.

He never expected this level.

This was on a wholly different scale from when he’d cautiously flown through the Einrogard domain.

“To make up, for, the, lack, of, speed, I, brought, an, ancient, relic!”

Avalkaigen shouted with pride, braving the rushing wind.

“I, enchanted, the, mast, to, boost, resistance!”

“Thank you, everyone!”

Lee Han carefully brought the small vessel to a halt.

He’d gotten carried away with the speed and acrobatics, but worried he’d overdone it in a still-prototype vessel.

A check revealed no damage to the magic arrays or the hull.

“Junior.”

“Yes?”

“People are coming.”

“?!”

At Yukveltire’s words, Lee Han glanced up and started.

Torches were flying in from every direction; clearly, others were converging.

‘What’s going on? Did the Death Knights not get the right permit?’

Headlines from Imperial newspapers flashed through Lee Han’s mind.

Einrogard student runs wild in the skies above the Imperial Capital without a permit… Einrogard again?

Professor Ver [blurred] turns himself in at the Imperial courts… Considering his other crimes, a life sentence predicted…

“Gah…!”

“?”

But the two mages were even more startled than Lee Han, their faces turning pale.

“Why? Do you know who’s coming?”

“No, but I can guess why! They’re coming for Professor Verdus!”

“Excuse me?”

At first, Lee Han didn’t understand, but then was shocked as realization dawned.

They guessed it was Professor Verdus just from the vessel?

“Just hearing of a fast, flying magical vehicle is enough for people to think of Professor Verdus?”

“It is.”

“…What an unhelpful man!”

Lee Han was infuriated by Professor Verdus’s pointless fame.

Even in his absence, he was dragging his disciple down.

-Bibble Verdus, is that you? Answer!

-Professor Verdus?

Voices rang out, calling loudly to the small vessel after glimpsing its outline in the distance.

The two mages steeled themselves at the sound.

“What a stupid mistake. I’m sorry, Professor.”

“No, I should’ve anticipated this. I got too absorbed in magic…”

If it became public knowledge this was tied to Professor Verdus, it would be fatal.

From now on, countless people would hassle them: “Where’s Professor Verdus?” “Bring out Professor Verdus,” and so on.

Lee Han issued clear instructions with a determined face.

“Everyone, keep your heads down.”

“What?”

“Quickly! Everyone keep your heads down. Cast invisibility. Don’t come out.”

The mages, bewildered, obeyed nonetheless. Lee Han hurried through preparations.

The voices outside drew nearer.

“Professor Verdus! Answer if you’re there! We’re not angry. We just want to see what you made with the investment gold. Eh? Just poke your face out. We’re unarmed!”

“Hah. Like I’d fall for that! Bibble Verdus, come out! You bastard, I’ll tear your tail off and cook it into soup!”

Cries with all different motives echoed across the night sky.

But what sounded from inside the small sailing vessel was a harsh, snarling voice that exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“Who’s this Bibble Verdus? I’m Stedal of the Nago family!”

“Stedal of the Nago family?! The very Stedal who increased his fortune during the Boneskin Flower bidding wave?!”

“……”

When someone unexpectedly referenced such a detailed backstory, Lee Han almost dropped his disguise out of sheer surprise.