Episode 1168

Naturally, the power of the opponent didn’t waver even a bit. Though it was a wasted blow, the voice didn’t regret it.

This magician had an inexplicable way of making you want to smack him.

For the voice—who usually didn’t stoop to such childish acts—this was a rather refreshing experience.

It’s not only evil people who can mingle with cultists.

‘Huh. That’s oddly plausible.’

Lee Han rubbed his head and thought.

Even the Skull Headmaster had manipulated a Kraksasarigol cult fanatic he’d captured, spying on his enemies’ plans.

Of course, it was always possible the Skull Headmaster was actually an evil person, though.

“So, when you say to join hands with one side, do you mean… I should ally with the Prahgal Order and strike the Sanguiros Order?”

Go the other way if you want, kid.

Of course not. Lee Han most wanted to defeat the Sanguiros Order first.

You know I don’t mean you should really join hands—at most, leave them alone while you carve up the rest for yourself.

“I understand. But why would the Prahgal Order agree just because I want to? I doubt they’d ever trust me…”

Just as Lee Han didn’t trust evil god cultists, so too would the cultists never trust Lee Han. Especially given how often the Prahgal Order had gotten burned by him.

If Lee Han suddenly approached and acted friendly, they’d obviously suspect, “Is he preparing an inquisition and laying a trap?”

And they’d be right, actually. Lee Han could betray them at any time, without a hint of guilt.

‘They’d do the same to me anyway.’

You think I haven’t planned for that? Of course I have! This granny will act as intermediary.

“!”

Amazingly, the voice confidently claimed she could bridge Lee Han and the Prahgal Order.

It was persuasive—an extra-dimensional power might well be acquainted with evil-god cultists.

“If you really could do that, I’d be grateful.”

You’re finally sounding a bit endearing. Of course I can! But there are a few things to remember. Don’t ever forget them.

“What are they…”

First. The moment it’s over, you must immediately betray the Tentacle Ones.

“I can even betray them before it’s over.”

At Lee Han’s confident response, the voice almost faltered.

Second. In that case, any spoils seized from the Tentacle Ones must be offered to this granny. You’re not going to whine about giving up a bit extra, are you?

“Of course not.”

Lee Han had no objection to this condition, either.

Defeating the Sanguiros Order was what mattered, not what he might gain from the Prahgal Order.

Having a clever and cunning extra-dimensional powerhouse on his side was well worth it.

Third, and finally… you must periodically report on the progress of Baquantalana’s magic.

Surprisingly, the voice seemed interested in the magic Baquantalana had left behind.

That the one who’d bestowed black magic on Baquantalana was so curious made Lee Han ask,

“Is there something to be gained from Baquantalana’s magic?”

Probably not much to learn, but this granny simply enjoys watching mortals’ silly magic. Curious to see what kind of spell Baquantalana—my pupil—managed to create.

The voice already guessed why Baquantalana had left the spell as a marked tablet.

This outstanding magician surely wanted future generations, upon inheriting the tablet, to also receive a chance at wisdom as she once did.

From the voice’s perspective, it was an absurd act. Just having caught Baquantalana’s eye was miracle enough, but to hope it would happen a second time?

Normally she’d have scoffed at such intentions and reclaimed the tablet…

…but somehow, she ended up being actively helpful.

‘Maybe I got too soft from laughing at the Star contract thing.’

Honestly, it was hard not to laugh.

A guy deeply connected to all sorts of dimensional powers who’d also made a contract with Arna the Star—like a burning candle upending a barrel of oil over itself.

Definitely a rare sort among mortals greedy for wisdom; most would be blinded with desire, but this one barreled on without hesitation even as the wick burned away.

So the voice decided to see how the magic Baquantalana left behind would play out.

‘Let’s see if she picked the right heir after all this wisdom.’

“Understood! I’ll begin studying it right away.”

Didn’t granny say ‘periodically’? If your ears go any deafer as you get older, what’ll you do?

“Sorry.”

Lee Han apologized.

He’d gotten so used to instantly mastering magic on the spot in Einrogard, he’d forgotten how arrogant that could seem elsewhere.

Very well, then wait quietly. I’ll go give the Tentacle Ones a beating and summon them.

“Oh. Please wait a moment.”

?

“What should I call you?”

……

Once more, the voice marveled at how unbalanced this magician was.

Such imbalance of strength and sensibility often came from growing up too fast.

How could one so strong, with so many ties to dimensional powers, not know who she was?

Heehee. Call me the Cantankerous Old Hag.

‘Is this a trick?’

“Yes, granny…”

Annoyed that Lee Han had asked but then mumbled, the Old Hag gave him another swat before vanishing.

Had the tablet disappeared too, Lee Han might have thought it all a dream.

“……”

Lee Han looked at Catten.

Despite being the most sharp-sensed senior he knew, Catten had noticed absolutely nothing.

‘…Incredible. I can’t even guess what sort of power that was.’

He knew it was due to the Old Hag’s veil, but what sort of spell it might have been, Lee Han couldn’t even speculate.

Magic from another dimension, beyond the continent, embodied chaos and change, deviating from all common rules and laws.

The Old Hag’s display of power must have been part of such magic. No wonder Baquantalana sought her wisdom.

‘Wait, was she asking why I didn’t ask about magic? …Maybe I should’ve just asked about magic?’

Lee Han was suddenly filled with regret.

With all those evil types swarming like flies lately, he’d gone straight to that issue, so naturally the conversation sounded awkward from the other side’s point of view.

Getting a life consultation from a mysterious extra-dimensional magic master surely sounded weird.

He should’ve just asked about black magic…

‘…Never mind. What’s done is done.’

No point being wishy-washy with eccentric dimensional powers—Lee Han had already learned that from the Yaksha King.

“Senior, I just had a conversation with the owner of the tablet.”

“…Th-th-th-that’s impossible!”

Catten jumped in shock.

So that odd sensation earlier really was…?

“Come to think of it, Saratan, didn’t you loudly insist earlier that there was no change in magic or distortion of dimensions?”

-…That opponent was just too much.

Saratan mumbled sullenly.

Why not just forget it… Did he really have to bring it up…

---

Giselle walked through the spartan corridors of the northern stronghold alongside her older sister, Ziklin, explaining what had happened.

She spoke with feigned humility, but it was plain to see she was proud.

The White Tiger Tower students had caught several wanted criminals, and as for herself, she’d caught Halenken—but it wasn’t as if she was bragging…

A faint smile flickered over Ziklin’s otherwise stern face. Nothing delighted her more than her younger sister’s successes.

Maybe chopping off a giant beast’s head and savoring the blood scent could compare, but her sister’s achievements were a bit more delightful.

“I see. Well done.”

When alone, Ziklin treated her little sister informally. In this rare family moment, Giselle boasted more than usual.

“I can use aura completely now, too.”

“!”

That news even surprised Ziklin.

Even among her peers fixated on swordsmanship, achieving it this early was extremely rare.

“Truly impressive!”

“It’s not much. I got lucky.”

“How did it happen? In training alone? Or during combat?”

“It was during combat.”

Ziklin nodded in understanding.

“The thrill of battle sharpens a swordsman’s focus. And with our family’s dynamic sword style, all the more so.”

Depending on one’s swordsmanship and temperament, some people awakened in solitary training, others in battle.

“Describe the situation in detail.”

“So, um…”

Giselle stopped bragging and spoke earnestly, seeking the Senior’s advice.

There was this odd friend who stole even evil gods’ powers and got distracted during the fight…

“Wardanaz?”

“I didn’t say it was Wardanaz.”

“Someone else?”

“…It was Wardanaz. But that’s not really important, is it?”

“Did you thank him?”

“Excuse me? Thank him?”

Giselle felt incredulous.

Honestly, apart from this, for everything else in Einrogard—meals, homework, exams, tracking runaway White Tiger Tower students—she could be thankful to Wardanaz.

She couldn’t deny how much Wardanaz did.

But this was her own hard-won fight!

“I get that, but that insight about swordsmanship is an even greater achievement. You should be grateful.”

“…Yes… I’ll say thank you.”

“When?”

‘Uh oh.’

Giselle regretted it.

Whenever Ziklin suggested a meal together, she was the type to set the exact hour, minute, and second on the spot.

“I’ll do it as soon as the meeting’s over…”

“Good. Treasure your friends.”

‘She’ll just think it’s weird.’

“How’s everything in the domain?”

Giselle switched the subject. Ziklin’s expression darkened a bit.

“A knight’s abilities are pitifully limited.”

“…Same for magicians.”

Nature is always mightier than mortals.

When dimensions were warped and bizarre phenomena occurred, there wasn’t much people could do.

Currently, northern knights were running all over, subjugating any monsters above a certain size and managing new ruins and dungeons—but they couldn’t restore order completely.

“Right. There are a bunch of black magicians in the territory, but the Einrogard black magicians didn’t come?”

“They were invited, but didn’t come.”

“Really?”

Giselle felt puzzled.

Wardanaz, and Grell of their tower too, both claimed “Einrogard black magicians will go anywhere if invited,” always stressing how poor they were…

‘Was it exaggerated? Then again, Wardanaz does exaggerate a lot.’

“People are debating whether they might be able to solve the northern phenomena.”

“From what I hear, the incidents look like black magic phenomena…”

“Hm. What do you think about having the black magicians invite Wardanaz to their meeting?”

“We’re only in our second year!”

Giselle panicked.

It was one thing to push a friend forward in everyday affairs, but shoving Wardanaz into a nest of famous black magicians—she didn’t want to be responsible for the blood-soaked revenge that might follow.

“Even as a second year, it’s possible to offer good insights, isn’t it?”

“It’s not… absolutely impossible, but please don’t do that. People will think it was my idea.”