Episode 1119
by CristaeFeeling a bit guilty, Joulin was more proactive than usual in comforting her younger brother.
But the Black Dragon could not easily recover. Sighing, Joulin called Lee Han.
“Lee Han. Lee Han.”
“Yes?”
“It can’t be helped. Maybe it’s right to let Wuman resign…”
“……”
“Wh-why…”
At her contractor’s pointed stare, Joulin lowered her gaze.
Had her perfect plan been exposed?
‘Maybe Lee Han really can read minds with magic…!’
“Your Highness. No matter how troublesome the inspector is, you should support him. He’s family.”
Of course, if Wuman resigned from being inspector, a lot of people would be happy.
The Einrogard students, the Skull Headmaster, Lee Han himself…
‘…Wait. Actually, I might not really be happier?’
Lee Han paused.
Come to think of it, Wuman resigning as inspector didn’t really benefit him. In fact, it might even be a little disadvantageous.
‘No, wait. That’s not what’s important right now.’
Shaking his head, Lee Han gathered his thoughts.
The important thing wasn’t whether the people of Einrogard were happier or not. The people of Einrogard were always unhappy anyway, so a little more misery hardly mattered.
What mattered was Joulin’s emotional growth.
Even if it cost him, he should encourage her to support her brother!
Of course, Joulin would never agree with the idea that being unable to go out with Lee Han was only a “small loss.”
“You’re right… Because Wuman is Joulin’s younger brother, I should support him no matter how troublesome he is!”
“Exactly!”
“Even if he blocks Joulin from hanging out with the students!”
“That’s right!”
“Even if he blocks Joulin from going out with Lee Han!”
“Yes!”
“…Uh, do I really have to support him…?”
“Stop. Just leave it at that.”
Lee Han quickly cut off Joulin’s train of thought. If he left her alone, she’d waver again.
“I’ll try to console him. Your Highness, watch and step in if the timing is right.”
Worried about leaving it to Joulin, Lee Han took the initiative.
“Your Highness, I’m not lying when I say many students are satisfied.”
Hard to believe. Then why are they setting fires and raiding storage rooms?
“Your Highness! Right now, you are making a big mistake with the Einrogard students!”
!?
At Lee Han’s sudden firm shout, both Wuman and Joulin were surprised.
‘Could Lee Han be trying to send Wuman away after all…?’
While Joulin harbored unnecessary hope, Wuman replied with a dejected voice.
I know. Wuman made mistakes, so the students set fire and raided the storage…
“That’s not it! The students who are satisfied don’t light fires or raid the storeroom, which is why you can’t see them. Right now, Your Highness, you are about to throw away those students just because of some troublemakers! Is that really right?!”
T-that…!
Wuman’s eyes opened wide at this hard-hitting point he’d never considered.
Really?
But there were quite a lot of those troublemakers…
“There are even more students who aren’t. Plus, such troublemakers are good at instigating and tricking others. If Your Highness gives up, you’re just letting those troublemakers win!”
As if to prove he was regaining his spirits, the Black Dragon’s wings unfurled. Wuman jerked upright and asked,
Is that really true?!
“Don’t you have the Scales artifact, Your Highness? If you don’t believe me, bring it! I’ll prove it!”
Joulin, watching from the side, was too stunned to speak.
It was amazing to boost Wuman’s spirits with just a few words—but more than that, she was floored that Lee Han told him to bring out the artifact.
‘It doesn’t work on you anyway…!’
The artifact, which dragged out souls and placed them on the scales, didn’t work on Joulin’s contractor.
His immeasurable mana bounced back any attempt to pull out his soul.
To use that as a bluff!
Joulin suddenly felt her worldview expanding. One day, she might be able to pull off such tricks herself.
No, I believe you! Seeing your confidence, there’s no need for the artifact.
Wuman was completely convinced.
The self-assurance Lee Han exuded simply couldn’t come from a liar.
Truly shameful. I came to transform Einrogard, and here I am, breaking down over a few tricks. No wonder Gonadaltes laughs at me!
“I’m glad Wuman is back to normal!”
Joulin clapped joyfully at her revived little brother.
Don’t worry, Sister! I, Wuman, will not retreat—I’ll fight to the end!
“…W-wait. When exactly is ‘the end’…?”
Joulin tried to ask in a fluster, but the excited Wuman couldn’t hear her.
Instead, he looked at Lee Han and called out.
Lee Han of House Wardanaz! I have a request.
“Yes?”
You already once gave wise advice as my sister’s contractor. You also know all about Einrogard as an expert!
“I… suppose so…”
I, Wuman, need your sage advice for reforming Einrogard. Be my right hand!
Joulin cheered.
From the way things sounded, it seemed she’d be able to hang out with her contractor legally now.
“Great idea!”
“Not sure how it’ll turn out…”
Lee Han slightly doubted if this was the right choice.
The Skull Headmaster was in an unusually good mood today. The knights below knew why.
-Master. Student acts of destruction are becoming more and more severe.
That’s how you grow up.
Normally the Skull Headmaster would have thrown students in the punishment room in a rage, but lately he was uncharacteristically lenient.
When you’re young, you set fire to the school and topple buildings.
-Very wise, Master!
For once, instead of directness, the knights offered flattery.
Even to the Death Knights, Wuman had been a rather annoying boss.
If that Black Dragon returned to the capital, they’d get to relax as usual.
Hmm. Still, I should go check for myself.
The Skull Headmaster ordered the knights to check on Wuman’s status.
He’d raised him since he was young, and couldn’t help but worry.
Wuman had started crying in dragon form three days ago. If he was still brooding, it could be serious. In that case, the Skull Headmaster planned to comfort him himself.
“Good morning.”
“Hello, Headmaster.”
……
The Skull Headmaster stopped dead when he passed a human-shaped Wuman and his crazy human student.
His blue-flame gaze flickered like a candle in the wind.
W-what… What did I just see?
-…Well… indeed, sir.
The knights were so taken aback, they fell silent.
What was that?
The Skull Headmaster finally realized.
Batsunaz!! That devious, power-hungry underling!!!
That student tended to be favored by royals and dragonbloods—much more so if it was both.
And with a tongue that could out-argue even a spirit king, of course he could turn a depressed Wuman with a few words.
-Ah, Lord Wardanaz couldn’t have helped it, sir. If the Inspector asks for your help directly, how can you refuse?
Why do you say it’s impossible? It’s so easy!
The Skull Headmaster muttered and grumbled.
Though, seeing a sniveling Black Dragon, he couldn’t help but feel a measure of sympathy.
Still, keeping his own status in mind, he should have said, “Your Highness, please just return to the capital and never bother Einrogard again,” not become his flunky.
If Joulin whined to become emperor, would he play chancellor for her too? Huh?
-Why… why are you saying that to us…
The knight, who had tried to defend him, grew sullen after being scolded.
The more experienced knights tried to comfort the Skull Headmaster.
-He’s just consoling him. Even the successor probably doesn’t want the Inspector to stay too long.
I doubt it.
The Skull Headmaster sneered.
Comparing what Lee Han suffered before and after Wuman arrived, the difference was nearly even.
Besides that, if Wuman picked up bad habits from Lee Han, things would get real messy.
From the professors to the students, Lee Han was a pro at ingratiating himself.
He’d worried about Wardanaz going over to the Ascension Lily Tower, but the real threat was inside his own domain.
-You don’t have to worry about the tower, Master. They sounded totally nuts. They apparently called him in just to subdue the General of Fire Heaven.
…What? Called in to subdue who?
The Skull Headmaster couldn’t believe his ears.
Now that he thought about it, how did the student get that old evil cult location intel… could it be…?
“First, you should implement appeasement for at least one meal a day.”
“But even once will negatively affect the students’ health.”
“Sometimes you have to take a step back to go two steps forward, Your Highness. If you appease them now, the students will gradually adjust to a healthier diet and, later on, may even refuse greasy, crude food themselves.”
Lee Han lied smoothly, without blinking.
Though it was tough, Wuman nodded. Hadn’t he already decided to follow his sister’s contractor’s advice?
“I understand. I’ll try appeasement once a day.”
“And you must strictly supervise Professor Verdus. Ignore the rest.”
“???”
Wuman was instantly confused.
Even though he’d decided to trust the advice, this one made no sense at all.
“Why is that?”
“Professor Verdus tends to phone in his lectures. If you inspect him, all the students will know you’re a competent Inspector.”
“B-but… as far as I know, the professors at Einrogard are highly autonomous, outstanding mages. I may take charge of students’ meals and habits, but interfering in their teaching is…”
Wuman had even watched Professor Bendozol’s classes carefully when visiting.
Even then, he worried that his observation might have disrupted Bendozol’s unusual lessons.
“Your Highness. Trust me.”
“…Understood! Once I make a promise, I keep it!”
Though still confused, Wuman nodded.
He might not get it, but he’d already decided to trust Joulin’s contractor.
So he would follow the advice.
“Also, make sure to thoroughly supervise Professor Verdus, and… Ah. Shift about half of Professor Garcia’s duties to Verdus. That should balance things. The faculty will respect your abilities too.”
“O… Okay.”
It made him even more confused, but Wuman agreed.
He wondered what this had to do with the respect of the faculty!