Episode 601

Even among beastkin, there were some lineages whose appearance was exceptionally close to that of animals.

Such people were usually described as having “strong blood.”

And if that animal happened to be a generally endearing, cute one, it was easy for them to gain popularity that surpassed even the Empire’s typical handsome men and beautiful women.

-Like Professor Verdus.

Indeed, Professor Verdus possessed a cute appearance even among beaver beastkin, exceptionally close to a beaver.

It was questionable whether Professor Verdus had survived this long solely because of magical skills—or perhaps the looks played a part as well.

“Then shouldn’t we just bring the professor along?”

-Are you out of your mind???

“Ah. I’m sorry.”

Lee Han immediately apologized. The Skull Headmaster relaxed his expression and continued.

“Compared to Professor Verdus, Pengerine is a shining star of the social hall.”

“I don’t want to go to the social hall though…”

Alsicle spoke, reading the mood.

Born with outstanding talent for magic, Alsicle believed he was fated to devote himself to magic.

A wizard with such a destiny should not waste time at social gatherings but devote himself to magic instead.

“Oh dear. I don’t want to be the headmaster of a magic academy either, Pengerine. That’s life. When you get caught sneaking in, you end up doing things you don’t want to. Come on. Let’s go.”

The Skull Headmaster dragged the two of them up to the surface.

Suddenly recalling the other intruder, Lee Han asked,

“What happened to the intruder who turned into a statue?”

“Ah. That spy. He was sent by a duke.”

“Which duke?”

“Duke Ikaldoren.”

“!”

Lee Han was amazed.

It was a duke among the Empire’s great nobles—a person he had met several times.

“That fickle, eccentric, and stingy duke? To think he would do such a thing!”

“…?”

The Skull Headmaster looked puzzled by Lee Han’s words. Alsicle also seemed confused.

‘He’s not stingy, though?’

‘Isn’t he known for being cold and thorough?’

“Duke Ikaldoren isn’t exactly stingy, is he? He’s not someone who skimps on gold coins.”

“That’s right. I know several magic towers supported by Duke Ikaldoren, and he isn’t a finicky sponsor. And as for his personality, I heard he’s so cold that he wouldn’t bleed a drop if pricked with a needle…”

At their words, Lee Han tilted his head.

Was that so?

“Maybe the rumors are exaggerated? He seemed a bit odd to me.”

If Duke Ikaldoren heard this, he’d get angry—’That was all because you caught me off guard!’—but, unfortunately, he wasn’t here.

The Skull Headmaster and Alsicle took Lee Han’s opinion seriously.

“People’s personalities can change.”

“That’s true as well. Maybe he became eccentric and fickle and sent a spy.”

Thus, Duke Ikaldoren became an eccentric, fickle miser by accident.

“There are few people to trust in the Empire. Still, a duke doing something like this…”

“You’ve achieved enlightenment. How many people truly care about the Empire? Maybe only someone like me.”

“……”

“…Ah, yes.”

Alsicle and Lee Han’s replies were a bit slow, but the Skull Headmaster didn’t care.

“Then, will you meet the duke first on the way?”

“No. I won’t change plans for such small fry.”

The Skull Headmaster waved his hand dismissively, as if Duke Ikaldoren’s affair was completely trivial.

Even among the most famous great nobles of the Empire, the Skull Headmaster thought of them as mere brats lucky to be born into decent families.

Making a name in Empire’s politics or in society was simply laughable.

He had no intention of changing his schedule for people like that.

Like remembering a dessert left atop the table and eating it when it came to mind, the duke’s matter belonged in that same category.

“I’ll deal with it if I remember later.”

“Oh, I thought you were angry because of the intruder.”

“I was angry when we hadn’t caught him. At my incompetence.”

The Death Knights driving the carriage up front flinched.

“But once caught, there’s no reason to be angry.”

The Skull Headmaster’s face was truly indifferent.

He genuinely seemed angrier about failing to catch the intruder than about the intrusion itself.

“A brat probably thinks he’s special. But guys like that show up in Einrogard every year. Thinking themselves special, believing they can take something from Einrogard.”

The Skull Headmaster glanced at Alsicle as he spoke.

Feeling guilty, Alsicle quickly protested.

“I didn’t break in to take anything—I wanted to teach magic…”

“Silence. Theft is theft.”

Listening to the conversation, Lee Han became curious and asked,

“What do you think the duke wanted to take?”

“Without a doubt, some trivial stuff. Like treasures of eternal life or immortality.”

‘Doesn’t seem trivial to me.’

Lee Han thought so, but kept quiet, afraid the Skull Headmaster would throw him a look of disdain if he spoke.

Silence.

Inside the carriage after their conversation, a deep silence lingered. Only the faint sound of Death Knights driving the carriage outside could be heard.

Perhaps bored or unable to handle the silence, Alsicle spoke up.

“Did you learn a lot of ice magic?”

“Ah. I succeeded in making a contract with a low-rank ice spirit.”

Writing out draft letters to friends, Lee Han answered Alsicle with pride.

“?”

“?”

Of course, Alsicle and the Skull Headmaster both gave Lee Han a look—‘What on earth is this guy bragging about?’

Was that the only thing he could brag about?

“T-t-that’s quite something! Even making a contract with an ice spirit is impressive!”

Alsicle tried hard to nod, shaking his beak.

The Skull Headmaster looked even more dumbfounded.

“Did you lose your mind in the punishment room, Pengerine?”

“Isn’t a spirit contract at least pretty impressive…”

“There’s a limit even to indulgence.”

“Anything else?”

Trying to change the topic, Alsicle shifted the conversation.

“I was so busy that I couldn’t learn much… Oh. I did succeed in making an elemental clone of ice.”

“Kuh.”

At the merciless genius’s words, Alsicle fell silent and staggered.

• * *

The Imperial capital was a place better known by the title of ‘capital’ than its actual city name.

The most beautiful city in the Empire, the largest city in the Empire, the most bustling city in the Empire…

Even those proud of their hometowns across the vast Empire had to admit it with a frown when this city’s name was mentioned.

That was the Imperial capital.

At dozens of city gates, already countless visitors were lined up waiting.

The city walls, with a history rivaling Einrogard’s defensive walls, looked down at those visitors.

Numerous magic enchantments on the walls amazed the waiting magic users. Some came just to see the city walls themselves.

“Is that Lake Anita? The one that’s supposed to bring blessings?”

“Already crowds are gathering.”

“Look at the top of the wall! Illusion mages are showing new magic!”

“Swear upon the Imperial Majesty’s grace, it’s truly beautiful!”

Had this been another city or fortress, people waiting outside would have started to grumble. But in the capital, it was hard to find such complaints.

There were so many brilliant sights that your eyes could barely rest—but really, the main reason was…

…Even a trivial disturbance would result in a face-to-face with the Emperor’s Imperial Guard.

No matter how reckless a person was, they wouldn’t cause trouble in the Empire’s capital.

Bwooooooo—

With a loud trumpet sound, a carriage steeped in the chill of death began approaching.

Experienced mages and warriors shuddered at the powerful energy emanating from the carriage.

Bwooooooo—

-Make way, make way! It is Lord Gonadaltes, Imperial Ghost Officer and Guardian of the Empire’s Magic Barrier!

The Death Knights blew their horn and signaled to the people gathered at the gate.

The moment they heard Gonadaltes’ name, people blanched and began to clear a path.

“Hey, move! It’s Lord Gonadaltes! That great mage!”

“Swear upon my beard, I never thought I’d see the Empire’s greatest archmage here!”

“Don’t look at the carriage! Do you want to turn into a toad?!”

People fluttered about from various rumors and misconceptions about the archmage.

Fear, respect, curiosity…

Those faces swirled with all manner of emotion.

Watching from inside, Lee Han bowed his head in embarrassment.

The people outside probably couldn’t see into the carriage, but instinctively he covered his face.

“Do we have to enter so grandly?”

“Would you rather I fly the carriage over the city walls? There’s a proper procedure for everything.”

The Skull Headmaster went outside and waved his hand.

A thunderous cheer erupted.

“Long live the Archmage!”

“I hope my kid grows up to be a hero like the Archmage!”

‘Oh dear.’

Lee Han truly felt sorry.

To think anyone would try to emulate the Skull Headmaster!

A tragedy born out of hidden truths.

“Lord Gonadaltes. Thank you.”

The knight captain in charge of the city gate area came running over after hearing the commotion.

Unlike normal guests, Gonadaltes’ visit was a major event that put the capital’s knights on edge.

“We’re sincerely grateful you didn’t fly over the city walls this time.”

“……”

“……”

Inside, Lee Han and Alsicle were speechless.

Did he really fly over the Imperial capital’s walls??

The Skull Headmaster snorted in reply.

“I’ve been flying into this city for hundreds of years. Since before you were born.”

“You know quite well it wasn’t by my order.”

With a desperate look meaning ‘please don’t cause trouble,’ the knight captain stared at Gonadaltes.

It was not the knights who stopped the Headmaster from flying in, but the Empire’s officials.

After sweating blood to create the Empire’s laws and regulations, how humiliating was it to have some ancient archmage sneer and enter as he pleased?

The moment the Skull Headmaster flew in, the officials would run straight to the Emperor to complain.

“I know, I know. It’s because those guys get annoyed. Can we come in?”

“Yes. Please enter.”

The knights made way.

After crossing the gate, Lee Han was stunned seeing the avenue where the Headmaster’s carriage entered.

The Imperial capital had veins of various roads spread out, and some were reserved for specific groups.

The road the Skull Headmaster’s carriage now entered was the imperial road used only by the Emperor. Even though there was a dense crowd around, not a single ant could be seen on this avenue.

“…Is it alright to use this?”

“Oh, come on. With all the merit Lord Gonadaltes has accumulated, surely this much is allowed… Probably.”

Alsicle tried to maintain his noble poise in front of Lee Han.

But the end of his beak trembled.

Fortunately, the knights didn’t rush over. It seemed they really did have permission.

“Pengerine. I’m going to have a private audience with His Majesty with Wardanaz. You…”

“I have relatives nearby, so I’ll stay there.”

“No. Go meet officials and boast about Einrogard for a bit.”

“…Yes…”

Alsicle had a lot he wanted to say but only bowed his head quietly.

The effects of the punishment room still hadn’t worn off, so refusing was impossible.