Episode 438

Episode 438

Lee Han, who had been listening from the side, asked in confusion even while exhausted.

“What good will it do if I become notorious?”

-Isn’t it cool?

-Notoriety is still fame, Wardanaz.

Among the Death Knights, the one serving as a high-ranking knight explained kindly in a gentle voice.

Of course, the content was not at all kind.

-Think about it! Would you prefer it if your enemies trembled at the mere mention of your name when they met you, or would you prefer that they’re surprised to hear your name for the first time?

“I’d prefer the latter…”

Lee Han simply wanted to ambush off-guard opponents.

-No wizard would want the latter. Of course, you might think you could easily become notorious at your current pace without using these kinds of methods…

-True fame always has a bit of exaggeration mixed in, doesn’t it?

-Exactly. That’s right!

Most Death Knights, being former renowned knights in their lifetime, had no aversion to mixing in a bit of bragging.

Besides, if the enemies knew their names, it was something to be proud of—why would they fear that?

A true strong one tramples even a trap, even if enemies have prepared one.

“…I think I’m already enough…”

-Were you satisfied with subjugating the King of Ghouls in Granden City during vacation?

-That won’t do.

-Right, right! Just like you strike the iron when it’s hot, fame should be spread more while it’s spreading!

As the Death Knights gathered and chattered, Lee Han started to get a headache.

He was already tired from the nerve-wracking battle…

“Just… wait… and see…!”

From afar, Pakdgul still hadn’t grasped the situation and continued to glare at Lee Han.

Annoyed, Lee Han snapped sharply.

“Shut up. Please.”

The Death Knights nodded in satisfaction, as if to say that’s exactly how it’s done.

• * *

The skeleton headmaster, who had been watching the students getting swept away by the rapids while laughing heartily, was taken aback by the Death Knights’ report.

What did you say!?

-Anti-magicists attacked the knights! Pakdgul of the Sorrowful Shadow Slayers seems to be the ringleader!

Uh… Is that true?

The skeleton headmaster, flustered for the first time in a while, asked the Death Knight again.

Because in truth, there was no reason for anti-magicists to attack the knights.

Moreover, Pakdgul, who led the Sorrowful Shadow Slayers, was notorious enough that the skeleton headmaster had seen the name in documents.

Persistent, devious, cunning with schemes, and a master of swordsmanship at the level of Aura—a formidable foe, and many imperial wizards had died at his sword.

Why would such a fellow waste his time attacking an unremarkable group like the Beechwood Knights?

The Beechwood Knights were a group characterized by nothing but plenty of gold coins…

‘Was he short on money?’

The Death Knights at the headmaster’s side were surprised by the report coming from the field.

-We need to go immediately!

What? Aren’t Death Knights here?

-The Beechwood Knights…

They might get hurt?

The skeleton headmaster looked at the Death Knights, as if to say, ‘Do I really need to fret over even those sorts?’

Then the Death Knights exclaimed in frustration.

-…They took students with them! Including your student, Master!

Ah. That’s even better. If it was just this level of assault, they would have certainly taken care of their own lives.

-????

The Death Knights were bewildered by their master’s arrogance.

Death Knights on the scene would’ve arrived immediately anyway, so there was no need to rush. Let’s set out soon.

-Master. I respect your confidence, but I think excessive confidence leads to arrogance and carelessness…

Tsk tsk. You have eyes yet cannot see, have a head yet cannot think. Well, perhaps that’s why you’re Death Knights and I’m the master.

The skeleton headmaster floated away with a confident swagger.

The Death Knights followed in a rush, but with anxiety in their eyes.

-Didn’t Master make a mistake last time, after acting like this?

-I’m a bit worried…

But surprisingly, the skeleton headmaster’s prediction was correct this time.

The Death Knights were amazed at the sight of the camp, perfectly subdued with not a single death.

-What…?!

-Really?!

See! What did I tell you, dull-witted servants? What more must I do to convince you?

The Death Knights felt wronged.

Wasn’t their master often quite wrong, too?

-What on earth happened?

-Well, that’s…

As the Death Knights gathered and chattered, the skeleton headmaster floated over to the knights.

It was always best to show off after a battle had ended.

If he healed a few wounds from slashes and stabs, he’d be praised as the great archmage.

Ah! O great knights of the Beechwood Knights, the citizens of the Empire will not forget your devotion.

“Lord Gonadaltes!!”

The knights of the Beechwood Knights, sitting as they bandaged themselves, shouted fervently.

The reaction was even hotter than expected, so the skeleton headmaster was slightly flustered.

‘What is this?’

“The foresight to keep summoned beings on standby just in case—it’s nothing but admirable!”

“Thank you for your grace!!”

Ah.

The skeleton headmaster realized what misunderstanding was occurring.

They thought the Death Knights stationed to watch for student escapes had actually been prepared in anticipation of potential trouble from the anti-magicists.

Imperial archmage, lord of Einrogard, imperial magus-at-arms of His Majesty the Emperor, guardian of the magical barrier…

A keen Death Knight rushed over and listed the headmaster’s titles in his place.

…It was only natural to do. Besides, think of the gold the Beechwood Knights donated to Einrogard. Where do you think the reagents used to raise these summonings came from?

Winking with a twinkle in his eyes, the skeleton headmaster made the knights burst into hearty laughter.

Lee Han wondered if the knights had lost their sense of humor from blood loss.

“Now I finally understand the deeper meaning behind you sending your student, Lord. Not merely to attend, but to prepare in case anti-magicists caused trouble, upon hearing such intelligence!”

…Haha. You caught me. Of course, what other reason could there be?

“……”

Lee Han stared, but the skeleton headmaster lightly ignored him.

Your pupil did quite well.

“He did more than just well!”

“He wasn’t shaken even after being poisoned…”

“He reinforced the tents with earth…”

“He caught that boss on his own…”

‘What the hell did this kid do?’

The skeleton headmaster focused to remain calm.

He’d expected a certain level of achievement, but what he heard went far beyond.

Why on earth did he take on someone like Pakdgul himself?

Is he mad for fame, or just plain mad…

“Yes?”

Nothing, nothing. Anyway, I’m just glad everyone’s safe.

“Of course.”

“To think the donations we sent helped foster such excellent pillars of the Empire!”

The knights were amazed and very proud of Einrogard’s first-years.

At this level, not a single gold coin donated felt wasted.

“……”

“……”

The White Tiger Tower students felt they had to feel guilty, as if they’d deceived the knights despite having done nothing.

Hahaha! That’s right, that’s right!

The skeleton headmaster laughed, baring his bones.

Judging by the situation, another hefty donation from the knights would be coming at year’s end.

“Hey! Since this year’s banquet has ended so quickly due to these evil men’s assault, instead of resuming the banquet, why not donate the leftover gold coins to Einrogard?”

“That’s really a great idea!”

“I agree as well!”

Very good…

The skeleton headmaster was about to agree from the side, but shut his mouth lest it ruin the atmosphere.

The knights pooled together the remaining gold coins as payment for the magical aid. The skeleton headmaster looked overjoyed for the first time in a while.

Come here, my cherished pupil!

“?”

Lee Han was momentarily flustered and looked around.

Huh?

‘Is it me?’

-Yes, Sir Wardanaz.

-It’s you, Sir Wardanaz.

-Who else would be the cherished pupil?

“Are you talking about me?”

Try talking about Einrogard in front of the knights.

“Huh??”

Lee Han glanced in surprise at the skeleton headmaster.

‘Is he serious?’

Of course, the skeleton headmaster caught the emotion in Lee Han’s ‘??’.

You’ll do ‘well’.

“Aha.”

Lee Han looked at the skeleton headmaster. The headmaster also looked at his pupil. With just their eyes, master and student reached an agreement.

“When I entered Einrogard, what surprised me was the headmaster’s thoughtfulness in demonstrating magic from the moment we passed through the school gates to help us get familiar with magic…”

“What on earth is that Wardanaz doing?”

“Just leave him be and get some rest.”

Giselle flopped down on the blanket.

• * *

Having heard everything, the knights wept in admiration at Einrogard’s teachings.

The skeleton headmaster watched over the disciple who had tripled the donation amount with eyes brimming with affection.

I’m proud of you!

“I always find you admirable, Headmaster. Did you know about the anti-magicists’ plans beforehand?”

…That’s right.

“…?”

Lee Han sensed something off.

“Did you really assign them just to keep an eye on our escape…?”

What nonsense are you talking about! There are many listening ears—you’ll just cause misunderstandings!

The skeleton headmaster gestured with his eyes—there were still plenty of resting knights near the camp.

Lee Han noticed and nodded.

“There are lots of leftover boxes from the banquet preparations—can we take some inside?”

…The knights might also want to take things home to their families, wouldn’t they?

“Then I’ll ask first before bringing them.”

The skeleton headmaster cursed his disciple.

For a Blue Dragon Tower student, he sure is greedy.

More than that, to think he handled such formidable opponents…

“I just got lucky.”

He’d had plenty of time to prepare, the enemies knew nothing of Lee Han, and he had a powerful knight on his side.

Of course, the skeleton headmaster looked at Lee Han as if he were a lunatic.

No one would call that just ‘luck’.

“I mean…”

Enough. Anyway, do you know why those guys attacked the knights?

“Ah. That’s.”

Lee Han explained the unfortunate misunderstanding among them.

Hearing it, the skeleton headmaster muttered.

Tsk tsk. Should have locked them up much more thoroughly. My decision wasn’t wrong, but I was too lenient!

“R… Really?”

Nothing to worry about. With all the leaders and stragglers captured here, the Beechwood Knights won’t have to worry about walking at night anymore.

“And me?”

You… Well… You’re a mage, and you’ve already broken up two anti-magicist groups—so you’re in a bit more trouble.

“……”

Lee Han looked around him.

From knights to Death Knights, everyone looked like the type who loved to spread rumors.

‘To control all of them, you’d have to be at least like the skeleton headmaster…’

Don’t fear your notoriety rising among enemies. It’s the enemies who should be afraid, not you. Rather than worrying about such useless things, here’s something interesting. Look.

The skeleton headmaster, completely unconcerned with Lee Han’s complicated feelings, took out the artifacts he seized from Pakdgul.

Do you know who made these artifacts?

“I don’t know.”

This is the -All-Seeing Eye of Antagondals- artifact. It was made by the vile magical criminal Antagondals.

“Ah, I see. …Wait, is he an Einrogard graduate, too?!”

Seeing Lee Han ask sincerely, the skeleton headmaster shot a glare at his pupil.