Episode 1078

‘So the Empire has mages like this after all.’

Einrogard graduates were prone to such delusions.

-Our school’s people might be like this, but surely real mages after graduation are less like animals, right?

But when they actually graduated, they learned the truth.

Most imperial mages weren’t much better, character-wise.

Having suffered nothing but trouble from mages outside lately, Koholt was deeply moved by Stedal’s kindness.

He’d thought he was dealing with a terrifying battle mage…

Stedal gave Koholt a slight nod, increasing the gratitude in his heart.

‘…Is this man dense?’

Stedal—no, Lee Han—was inwardly dumbfounded.

Trying to help and saying all this, and yet Koholt just stood there, grinning like an idiot, instead of taking advantage.

If it had been Lee Han, he’d have secured not just support funds from the count and nephew but a list of noble homes he’d have permission to “visit” in the future.

Probably should have explained together when he briefed Senior Direte.

‘No. If I’d explained to this guy, there’s no way he could’ve kept a straight face.’

Lee Han sighed internally.

A fake identity he’d created without much thought was now becoming burdensome.

He hadn’t even entered the mansion, but already a follower-like crowd had spotted him and cheered—a truly chilling experience.

-Master Nago! We heard the rumor you were coming and rushed here!

-Please look this way, Master Nago! Take us on your next voyage, please…!

However he thought about it, his popularity had grown way too much, so Lee Han decided to act rough.

If you behaved rudely in another noble’s home, your reputation would plummet at once.

-Hmph. Don’t block the way—move aside.

-Y-yes! Make way! You lot, move!

But even his rudeness only made people more enthusiastic.

A few sensible critics tried to object, but swept up by the collective frenzy, no one dared speak up.

-That’s just rude, you know—

-Is anyone here trying to insult the great Stedal of the Nago family, His Excellency the Count’s honored guest and the most famous man in the southern empire?!

-N-no, not at all.

‘…I’m doomed.’

The atmosphere was so fanatical, Lee Han realized that even if he punched people at random, he’d earn only praise.

The heat among the people was out of his control.

Now, there was only one thing Lee Han could do.

Not get exposed!

‘If I get caught, will the Wardanaz estate be under siege?’

“Thank you for enlightening me!”

The Count’s young nephew looked at Lee Han with sparkling eyes.

A fellow who always strutted and played tough at other gatherings now was meek as could be. Lee Han found this thoroughly unsettling.

Couldn’t he just keep up the strutting act here too?

“…Hmph. It’s nothing.”

“I’ll definitely catch Professor Verdus myself, just like Master Nago.”

People nearby looked on fondly at the nephew.

“You have a fine nephew, Lord Count.”

“Of course. An insult to the Count must be paid back by his kin!”

“…What happened?”

Koholt, flustered, asked.

The nephew’s animosity toward Verdus rivaled any Einrogard student’s.

A dwarven guest sipping orange punch next to him explained:

“That Bibble Verdus once swindled Count Zau. Not once—three times.”

Famed for his magnanimity, Count Zau had shown generosity even to mages.

One major beneficiary was Professor Verdus.

-I wish to research some new magic. I need ten thousand imperial gold.

-Alright. Take it.

-Count, do you know that mage?

-No. But that’s a remarkable-looking man. Mages who beg gold for research are usually sly and cringing, but this one acts with total confidence. And his artifacts are all superb. Clearly no ordinary mage.

-Indeed…!

Even after casually extracting ten thousand gold, Professor Verdus wasn’t satisfied—he came back twice more for more.

And in the end, instead of repaying with any result, he just locked himself up in Einrogard’s domain.

“Not only the Count, but all his family bear a grudge against that man.”

‘Well. Maybe the Count himself’s partly to blame…’

Lee Han thought privately.

No matter how kind, giving Verdus money without reason…

Was it because he was cute?

“Master Nago!”

“Hm?”

Startled, Lee Han wondered if he’d been caught.

“Forgive me, but might I ask—you once commissioned a deadly poison and curse, I believe? Could you share which ones you chose?”

“???”

It was a guest from outside the mansion, who’d seen Lee Han muttering with Direte and leapt to the (wrong) conclusion:

You’re seeking new poisons and curses for your enemies!

Apparently, he thought it was all to use on Professor Verdus.

Lee Han tried to set him straight.

“Well…”

“That’s the sort of request! Please, could I know too?”

The Count’s nephew cheered.

The people all looked at Lee Han with yearning, hoping for just one show of generosity from the battle-mage rough enough to raid Professor Verdus—a guest personally invited by the Count.

A hunter didn’t share his secrets lightly, but for this host…

“…I suppose it can’t be helped.”

Overwhelmed by the mood, Lee Han changed tack.

In a situation like this, he had no choice.

“Bring the Einrogard Black Magic School students here.”

“Oooooh!”

“They were from the Black Magic School after all!”

• * *

The Black Magic School students, playing table-disk from the corner of the hall, were startled by the abrupt summons.

“Did Senior Koholt get in trouble again?”

“Hey. It’s Mr. Koholt now. Don’t cause rumors.”

“Quiet, everyone. Let’s check it out.”

Direte led her juniors over with a reluctant face.

Even though the mood was gentle, none of them had any clue what was going on.

‘What is this situation?’

Arriving by the Count, Direte was more alarmed by the crowd’s response.

People’s gazes brimming with hope and admiration were fixed on them.

Black magic students rarely drew such looks. The juniors whispered, flummoxed:

“Did they mistake us for another school?”

“Must be the Healers, right…?”

“Welcome!”

The Count’s nephew greeted them cordially.

More polite than expected, the students thought:

‘Wasn’t the nephew supposed to be a troublemaker?’

‘What would Koholt know, after all.’

They inwardly cursed Koholt, raising their hands.

“N-not at all. May we ask why we were called?”

“We heard you’re experts in poison and curses.”

“…That’s not wrong?”

Poison and curses were the realm of black mages or healers, usually.

“Is someone sick? If so, shouldn’t you call the Healers…”

Black magic students could remove poison and curses, but couldn’t guarantee the patient’s survival.

“No! No one is sick. I want to commission poisons and curses!”

“……”

“U-uh. Sorry, but, you can’t buy those without valid justification—it’s Imperial law…”

Dwarven student Dirimpa spoke up in confusion.

Black mages were sometimes popular, but only with those plotting crime.

They were the go-to for killing relatives and stealing inheritance.

But of course, selling poisons or curses for money indiscriminately was out of the question.

“Don’t worry. I have a good reason. I’ll gladly submit it to the Empire. I wish to buy poison and curses to subdue Bibble Verdus.”

The Count’s nephew spoke ardently.

He shouted that he knew Stedal Nago had commissioned the Black Magic School students for poison and curses to use on Professor Verdus.

“Really?!”

“Was it Senior Direte’s commission? Of course it was.”

The black magic juniors gazed at her with respect.

As expected, their senior was the most capable. When had she gotten such a contract?

With a client of this fame, the fee would surely be generous.

“……”

Direte, utterly at a loss, stared at her junior. Even disguised, Lee Han’s eyes radiated pure apology.

‘Sorry. Sorry.’

“For a poison usable by layfolk, Ahrak venom would be fitting. Red or blue venom’s also good for applying to weapons.”

Even as she spoke, Direte was doubtful.

Whatever its strength, Professor Verdus was surprisingly thorough in his defenses against things like this.

He always carried antidotes and protective artifacts, so most things wouldn’t work…

‘What do you think, Junior?’

‘That’s for the buyer to worry about.’

Lee Han was merciless.

It was enough to provide poisons and curses—why should he teach how to actually catch Verdus with them?

Plus, Lee Han didn’t know that answer either.

“……”

Hey!

While Direte struggled, others cautiously spoke up.

“Might I also commission you? I’d like to try using it when we confront Professor Verdus.”

“Me too! Price is no object!”

The crowd seemed half-entranced.

Unless they bought poisons today, they’d never have a chance to capture Verdus.

“Please, everyone—be calm and rational. Professor Verdus is himself an expert in poisons; have you really thought about how you’ll use these?”

Direte tried to restore their reason.

But they were already drunk on confidence.

“Master Stedal Nago succeeded—so it must be possible!”

“Even if we fail, we won’t blame you! Please, accept our commissions!”

“All right! All right!”

The Black Magic juniors quickly pulled out paper to take names.

This chance was too good to waste.

When else could they sell their deadly wares for such sky-high prices?

“No… hey… guys… sigh.”

Direte nearly scolded her juniors for deceiving people—but shut her mouth.

Everyone was just so happy.

When would her juniors ever get such a flood of commissions again?

These poisons probably wouldn’t work on Professor Verdus or would be neutralized, but for her juniors, it would be a massive boon.

Just thinking that, she let this farce play out.

“What’s this commotion?”

“Master Nago is revealing the poisons he used to subdue Bibble Verdus.”

“My heavens! And you only tell us now?!”

Even guests who arrived late, hearing the rumors, lined up at the Black Magic table.

Lee Han used the confusion to whisper,

“Senior Direte, in the end, isn’t this a pretty good result?”

“Go away, Mr. Stedal of the Nago family.”