Episode 1094

‘That’s a really unpleasant kind of trust.’

Lee Han thought to himself.

Whether it was the young prince or the skeleton headmaster, both placed trust in Lee Han, but the details differed greatly.

To be honest, the trust sent by the skeleton headmaster felt unpleasant.

How was this any different from a curse to run into evil god cultists!

“I thought you brought up Professor Baegrek because they might try to approach him.”

“If anyone’s going to approach, it’ll be Professor Voladi, not them…”

The skeleton headmaster was skeptical.

Of course, evil god cultists, who had madness and straw in their heads instead of brains, were hard to predict.

But if you tried, it didn’t really seem likely they’d approach Professor Voladi.

The evil god cultists didn’t want anything from Professor Voladi.

There was a strong mutual grudge between them, but cultists would rather use their time to spread their faith than to take revenge.

On the contrary, it was more likely that Professor Voladi wanted something from the cultists.

‘Probably what’s on top of their necks.’

Frankly, Lee Han sometimes wanted to lock up both—Professor Voladi as well.

He had seriously considered it with Voladi.

But, knowing Voladi’s temperament, he knew setting him in confinement wouldn’t make him say, “Thank you for worrying, I’ll just stay quietly in the punishment room.” He’d probably break out and run wild.

It was better to keep a leash on, rather than risk the whole plan falling apart by pushing too hard.

And if you kept him with a beloved disciple, maybe Voladi would hesitate once, a half, even a quarter of a time before doing something rash…

The problem was the disciple’s bad luck.

Given everything Wardanaz had experienced recently, it wasn’t strange at all for evil god cultists to approach him.

It was a vague feeling, almost like a premonition or intuition, but a skilled mage never ignored such signs.

“Still, this feels too vague, though.”

“Want a more convincing reason? You’re from a grand noble house, have more magic than a dragon, and even formed a contract with one—no wonder the cultists would get interested. There aren’t many prizes in the Empire like you.”

‘It would’ve been better if he’d just kept his explanation vague.’

Lee Han grumbled inwardly.

When the skeleton headmaster explained logically, it felt even worse.

“Sounds like you get it now. Remember it well.”

“Yes. I’ll be suspicious of anyone I see acting strange.”

“And don’t forget to be suspicious if it’s Professor Voladi acting strange, too.”

“…Yes…”

“Now take her and go train her. Clzenberg?”

-Yes!

The Death Knight bowed his head politely.

“This knight will be your bodyguard for any off-campus duties this semester.”

“Aren’t the knights coming along if Professor Baegrek is coming too?”

“Of course. Like I said, Professor Voladi might beat you up and slip away.”

“……”

“Pick the sharpest knights and prepare for escort.”

-I’ll do so.

The skeleton headmaster was thorough.

Even if he let the two disciples go, he would never let his guard down.

With Voladi watching the cultists, Death Knights watching the cultists, and Wardanaz watching Voladi, there would be no weakness.

-Didn’t you just say something off at the end?

“I said it right.”

-……

The knights were flustered at the idea that they should watch the professor more carefully than the cultists.

Regardless, the skeleton headmaster waved his hand.

“Go on. I need to consult with the professors. Your seniors’ accidents don’t cover themselves… Wait a minute.”

“?”

Lee Han, who’d turned to leave, stopped when the skeleton headmaster called out to him again.

What was it now?

‘Did he hear me swearing to myself?’

“No, it’s nothing. Go on.”

“Yes.”

After Lee Han left, the skeleton headmaster spoke to the gathered knights.

“Why is that kid wearing the Euangelion?”

-Well, perhaps he heard about its location from the clone of Ambition?

• * *

“If you ever need anything from unsavory mercenaries or thieves, please leave it to me.”

Ivinta bowed and flattered.

Any pride from being the mistress of an underground fortress had long since been shattered.

She had only one wish now.

To get through this assignment without offending the fearsome mage of House Wardanaz.

No matter how eccentric this mage was, she couldn’t possibly be scarier than the first one.

“I won’t need anything, though.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I won’t need anything.”

Seeing the ex-bandit’s confusion, Lee Han explained kindly.

Contrary to the skeleton headmaster’s curses, Lee Han had no intention of going out on active missions this semester.

He’d already secured supplies, and, more than anything, after the headmaster’s talk, he felt even less like leaving.

‘If I only take in-school requests, the headmaster’s curse won’t matter.’

“Wardanaz.”

Giselle, with a sword slung over her shoulder, called Lee Han from behind as she walked.

Honestly, she hadn’t really wanted to call her friend in front of both a Death Knight and a thief, but there was something she had to deliver.

“Here. A letter from the family patriarch.”

“??”

Lee Han cocked his head in confusion as Giselle handed him the letter.

She replied, even more bewildered:

“Why are you surprised? It’s a letter for a request.”

“What request?”

“…Did you work so hard over break that you forgot? Last year, you said all I had to do was make a request through the headmaster.”

Giselle looked at Lee Han like he was unbelievable.

-What if you sent an official request to Einrogard through the headmaster?

-Yes. I’ll be waiting.

“……”

With the memory of last winter’s conversation, Lee Han’s face stiffened.

He’d even excitedly suggested to Giselle that they handle a request together and split the money.

‘Oops.’

He’d thought it was a good opportunity at the time, and just grabbed it—but to have it return like this.

To the guest of House Wardanaz.

That fruitful conversation last time inspired the family greatly. The advice not to let visiting squire trainees run free but to train them harshly—that advice made the squires much stronger…

In the letter from Giselle’s father, the patriarch of House Moradi, there was a respect you rarely saw.

For a head of household as cool and pragmatic as this, showing this much favor was extremely rare.

There were many reasons for this, but one was a piece of advice Lee Han had given.

Don’t let visiting squire trainees roam about. (Keep them like Einrogard students under “outing ban.”)

Apparently, that advice turned out to be very effective; the family head was expressing satisfaction in his letter.

‘Good. I’m pleased if it helped the knights.’

Lee Han smiled, and Giselle looked at him, puzzled.

What’s in the letter, for him to smile so warmly?

“What’s up? Did they write something besides the request?”

“Oh, it’s nothing special. Last time, the patriarch listened to my advice, and I guess it worked.”

“What advice?”

“I said to treat incoming squire trainees like Einrogard students if you wanted to improve their skills.”

“…?!!!”

So you were the culprit!!

Giselle was horrified.

They’d even changed the tower’s location within the domain to monitor the squire trainees and keep them from goofing off. She’d been wondering, “Did the skeleton headmaster say something?” and now she’d found the real culprit.

Thanks to that, the squire trainees’ skills had improved, but whether they were grateful or not was another matter.

Judging by the fierce glint in their eyes, they probably weren’t.

“…If you come to our domain, never mention it was your advice.”

“Why not? Isn’t it thanks to my advice that everyone improved?”

‘This guy is becoming more and more like the headmaster.’

Giselle cursed her friend inwardly.

After spending so much time with faculty over break, it seemed he’d lost some sensitivity.

Is he really alright?

…As promised last year, I’ve sent an official request to His Excellency. I’ll look forward to more lively suggestions this year as well.

Ziderf Moradi

“……”

Having finished reading, Lee Han fell silent.

Apparently, the patriarch assumed that Lee Han would accept any request, since last year he’d said, “Just give it to me.”

‘I dug my own grave.’

Lee Han reflected.

From now on, no matter how good the opportunity, he’d have to think twice before agreeing right away.

He never expected the circumstances to change like this…

‘Well, can’t be helped. I’ll just accept this one.’

With a resolved face, Lee Han said:

“I accept the request, Moradi.”

“You already accepted last year… Are you okay today?”

Giselle looked at her friend with slight concern.

Normally, she wouldn’t have looked at him this way, but today Wardanaz was acting worrying.

After Giselle left, Lee Han turned back to Ivinta.

“If I just visit the Moradi family’s domain, I’ll barely need to go out at all.”

“Lee Han. Here’s a letter.”

“……”

Lee Han suddenly spun around. It was the first time Yonner’s voice had sounded so ominous.

“…What letter?”

“It’s a letter from my sister. Here.”

He opened a luxurious white envelope that smelled of alchemical reagents, and saw large, sweeping handwriting.

To Yonner’s friend

I don’t know if you remember working together in the workshop last time. I heard that for this semester, you’ve been requested by the patriarch of the Moradi family. I heard some students are avoiding outings to focus on their studies, but I’m glad Lord Wardanaz isn’t like that. Of course, someone as active as you could never be that way.

Actually, I’m preparing a new research and need help from excellent students this time. I’d be thrilled if you could come with Yonner and help. Oh, and don’t take whatever Yonner says too seriously. She tends to exaggerate…

Lee Han shuddered.

‘Noble families should be banned from contacting each other by imperial law.’

When noble families contacted each other, it just led to sinister plots and nothing good for the Empire.

Word of the Moradi family’s request had already reached Yoanen!

“A request?”

Yonner asked knowingly, not even needing to hear. Lee Han nodded weakly.

“You shouldn’t accept. If you do, you’ll be forced to work without sleep this time.”

“Lady Meikin told me the exact same thing and told me not to trust her, too.”

“……”

Yonner’s face turned pale.

She hadn’t expected her sister to predict her behavior so accurately.

“W-what I just said is a secret.”

“Don’t worry. By the way, she said you should come too.”

“What?!”

Yonner grabbed the letter from Lee Han’s hand and hastily read through it.

While reading, she kept muttering in disbelief.

“An alchemy request could just as well be handled inside, but to call people out specifically… That means they really intend to work us to the bone…”

“…I can hear you.”

After reading the letter, Yonner looked sullen.

Unlike Lee Han, if her sister called, Yonner had no choice but to go.

“It can’t be helped… We’ll just have to go…”

“…Yonner. Think positive—at least the reward will be good.”

“Yeah… Maybe if I collapse at work, I’ll have enough for a coffin with that money…”

“Oh, right. She said you can bring other students too. Should we take Gainando along too?”

Yonner’s sullen face brightened a bit. Seeing that, Lee Han became even bolder with his proposal.

“How about a senior or professor you don’t like?”

“That seems crazy.”

“I actually thought so too.”

Lee Han changed his mind quickly. Bringing a senior or professor might make things even harder for him.

‘Still, two trips should be okay.’

It seemed like he could go to the Moradi family domain, then visit Yoanen’s workshop and not have to go anywhere else.

“Senior, you have a letter.”

“Lee Han, here’s a letter…”

“A letter just flew onto the roof.”

“Wardanaz! Paper birds are flying into your room! Check your stuff before things get knocked over!”

“……”

Before Lee Han could even finish thinking, he was bombarded by letters rushing in from all directions. His face stiffened.