Episode 1198
by Cristae‘This…’
Enster, though lately even more wary, couldn’t just let this pass.
If this letter really was from the magic criminal Antagondals, it was far too tempting an opportunity to ignore.
He bore some pride in his own magical achievements, but compared to Antagondals, he was like a firefly before a full moon.
The difference in years devoted to mastering magic was vast, to begin with.
‘Why would Antagondals contact me? Is it a proposal? An assault? Looting? Ruins exploration?’
Any of those possibilities was alluring.
Magic criminals didn’t always work alone. Whether looting a temple or a mansion, or exploring ancient ruins, more hands were often better.
Of course, an arch-criminal like Antagondals might use Enster as mere cannon fodder…
…but in this world, there is no gambling without stakes. Such risk was inevitable.
What mattered most was—
‘Could Antagondals be working with the cultists?’
Magic criminals often joined with dark-god worshippers if circumstances demanded.
If Antagondals had joined up with the remnants of Sanguiros and was luring him, it would be a trap.
‘No. Impossible. Antagondals is a big fish. He has no reason to team up with failed cult riffraff. If anything, he’d rob them instead.’
In the end, Enster made up his mind.
If this really was from Antagondals, it was worth a meeting!
“Wouldn’t it just be easier to use the dark-god worshippers?”
“Professor Baegrek, in her infinite wisdom, doesn’t want to use them. Hmph.”
Despite his disciple’s and friend’s snappy objections, Professor Voladi silently focused on the work.
The hamster, on the other hand, piped up indignantly.
-Just wait! That guy’s going to take the bait soon enough.
“Mr. Hamster. It’s not that I doubt your abilities, but…”
‘Now he won’t even say the full name.’
The Death Knight mused internally.
He was sure Lee Han used to call him by his magic criminal name, but at some point it had become just “Hamster.”
The most amazing thing was that the subject himself seemed to have gotten used to it and voiced no objection.
Anyone who saw would think he’d been born a talking magic hamster.
“…But as you heard, the other party is on high alert. Will hearing Mr. Hamster’s name really lure him out?”
-Is this my plan?
The hamster squeaked in protest.
This entire plan had been Professor Voladi’s from the start.
Professor Voladi, standing nearby, spoke.
“He’s a greedy type. The odds are high.”
“I see.”
-……
The hamster was momentarily speechless with disbelief.
When he’d said the same thing, they’d all replied, “Come on, he’s not that stupid,” or “Would anyone really fall for just a name?”
-This is exactly what I said! I ought to bury you in a pit right—
He squeaked furiously, but dodged in a panic as murderous intent flew from above.
Thud!
Professor Voladi had suddenly stabbed at him with a dagger.
‘She meant to stab me for real!!’
A nearby knight advised,
-Professor. If you kill him, he’ll escape, so please don’t kill him recklessly.
“I know.”
-……
The hamster shivered.
Did that mean she’d stab him just enough not to kill him, or that her dagger had some enchantment so he couldn’t escape even if killed? It was hard to say.
Maybe both.
The hamster realized that, among mages, Wardanaz was actually fairly soft.
He might get bullied with grapes or water drops, but real mages usually stab you with a blade.
“Professor. Harsh words aside, the hamster is actually pretty decent, so don’t be too rough with him.”
“Understood.”
-……
The hamster felt even more humiliated.
Just stab me with the knife!
-…Magic criminals are always thinking about magic. No matter how cautious, there’s always a limit.
“Ah, like when Mr. Hamster snuck into Einrogard? Oh—sorry.”
The hamster’s brow twitched.
-What matters is to stay calm and let them approach on your terms. It’s not difficult. Watch and see, I’ll have him dancing without casting a single spell.
“Would you rather wait in the basement for a while?”
Lee Han offered out of consideration for the hamster.
Since Professor Voladi could secretly attack rude mages like the hamster, better to leave him in the basement than come back and find him turned into a shish kebab.
-…No! Let me wait up here!
“???”
Lee Han was baffled by the hamster’s intense resistance.
Was there a problem with the basement space inside the dimensional bag?
It only contained junk. Well, there was a portrait of a young prince, but the young prince never bothered anybody.
“Did you say something evil in there?”
It was probably the hamster’s fault, Lee Han reasoned.
If he muttered about sacrificing someone, it’d be fitting for the young prince to retaliate.
-Do I look like a fool? Would I reveal my intentions before a great mage’s fragment?
The hamster shuddered.
He wasn’t an idiot; he wouldn’t babble in front of Gonadaltes’ fragment.
He’d honestly kept quiet in the basement, and so had the prince’s portrait.
There’d only been silence there.
But the hamster could feel it.
The young prince seemed polite, but inside, was probably figuring out how to carve up the hamster like a fish.
That’s a scoundrel’s intuition, honed by long hard experience.
-Anyway, just keep me in your sleeve, just don’t put me in the basement again.
“Aww, he’s a great guy once you get to know him, but… fine.”
The hamster swore internally but dared not voice it.
If he did, he’d probably end up in the basement again.
Enster prepared his reply cautiously.
He marked a sign above his workshop door with faint mana.
It was a symbol often used among magic criminals, signaling acceptance of the letter’s proposal.
Soon, a second letter arrived.
Dimensional ruins expedition.
Minimum 15 golems mobilized.
5% share.
If interested, leave the workshop door open at midnight.
It was brusque, listing only demands, but that made it all the more believable.
If it had been polite or overly smooth, he’d have been suspicious.
A “dimensional ruins” meant the site was hidden in some dimensional fold, not even on the continent.
Much tougher and far more conditions than usual ruins. No wonder someone like Antagondals sought partners.
The “bring at least 15 golems” meant don’t bother coming unless you were competent—anyone less would cause trouble.
“5% share” was obviously just an opening offer. Enster would never take that as is.
‘He wants to negotiate in person.’
Even asking him to leave the door open meant that Antagondals would come directly.
When criminals meet, the stronger usually visits the weaker’s territory.
Why would a weakling ever enter the strong’s home?
‘Fine, I’ll meet Antagondals if I get the chance…’
At midnight, Enster left his workshop door open, his heart pounding.
Creak—
The darkness quivered as someone entered. Enster played the part of the ignorant host.
“Who’s there?”
“Let’s not waste time. I am Antagondals. Are you ready?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, but come inside.”
Enster shut the door and confirmed again that no one was snooping.
Next, he recast a soundproofing spell before speaking up.
“An honor to meet you, Antagondals.”
Seeing the infamous and powerful magic criminal in person, Enster felt a rush.
But he didn’t grovel or act servile. Among magic criminals, showing weakness was fatal.
Antagondals didn’t respond right away. After exchanging a glance with the hamster on his shoulder, a difficult-to-place voice issued from behind the mask of truesilver.
“I’m pleased to meet you too.”
“That hamster… is it a summoned beast of some kind?”
“None of your concern.”
Antagondals’ curt answer didn’t offend Enster.
Magic criminals rarely gave away such information.
He’d have reacted the same if asked about his own golems.
“Let’s move on to business, then. You accept?”
“Hold on. I accepted, but I haven’t agreed to all of it yet.”
“What nonsense?”
“I have to confirm you’re really Antagondals.”
As soon as he finished, he felt a surge of tremendous mana from the other side.
It wasn’t an attack, but every mage would recognize it—a show of power.
Enster was stunned.
‘Amazing! How can he control that much mana…?!’
A mage wasn’t necessarily stronger for having more mana, but this much… This amount defied belief.
No wonder the rumors about this criminal were terrifying.
“Such insolence. You want me to prove who I am?”
“I hope you understand. I, Enster, am very cautious, since I’m nowhere near your rank or power.”
Enster put forth some prepared questions.
If this was a cult remnant or impostor, it would be hard to answer.
The figure responded instantly. Enster relaxed a bit.
“Satisfied?”
“One last thing.”
Enster braced to bolt for the basement if the other got angry.
Woosh!
“This brazier goes out if it hears a lie. Can you state, without any malicious intent, that you’re here solely for this job?”
“!”
Lee Han, also relieved, flinched.
Just when he thought he’d bluffed his way through, this happened!
Nothing is ever truly safe in magic. There are always tricks lurking.
‘Should I just blow up and bluster? Or strike first, right now?’
In the space of a heartbeat, Lee Han considered dozens of options. The hamster sent a brusque telepathic message.
-Just say yes.
‘What?’
-Just say yes, but curse a bit first. He’ll absolutely love it.
“??”
A bit confused, Lee Han followed the hamster’s advice.
And astonishingly, the brazier’s flame didn’t go out. Enster’s face brightened immediately.
“Thank you, thank you! Of course I trusted you. A mage like Antagondals wouldn’t stoop to cheap tricks! Come, let me show you the golems.”
“…Ah!”
Only then did Lee Han realize, with some regret.
‘What a dumb mistake… That brazier was fake. It was just a trick to see my reaction.’
It wasn’t hard to make any object radiate complex magical energy. Lee Han could do it too.
Then, by announcing it had a powerful special effect, he’d trick someone for a critical instant.
-What are you talking about? That brazier is real. Make sure to take it later—it’s valuable.
The only reason it didn’t work was the overwhelming mana phenomenon from Lee Han.
It worked by reading the resonance from the subject’s soul, but with too much mana, the spell couldn’t operate at all.
‘…Ah.’
Lee Han felt a little embarrassed.
He wished someone would have told him before he tried to deduce it all…