Episode 617

“Shouldn’t we be running away a bit faster?”

Lee Han spoke, feeling the stinging gaze of the knights pouring on them from behind.

He didn’t look back, but he could at least imagine that the knights’ stares would be sharp as blades.

But the Skull Headmaster was unbothered.

“No need for that.”

“Um, is there another new student to persuade?”

“No. I need to meet with the neighboring knight families here. After coming all this way, wouldn’t it be rude to just leave?”

Like the wealthy nobles of the capital, the northern knight families were also stout supporters of Einrogard.

Of course, their relationship was a bit different.

With the capital’s nobles, the Skull Headmaster was always the one making requests, since those families lacked for nothing. But with the northern knight families, it was more of a mutual partnership.

The rough, harsh lands of the north always needed magicians, and the Skull Headmaster who led Einrogard was the most reliable ally for the northern knights.

“But then, have you tricked those people just now?”

“Tricked? That could be misunderstood if someone overheard. It was a fair match.”

“A fair match!”

The junior nodded, as if he’d learned something valuable. Lee Han quickly covered his ears.

Alsicle asked cautiously.

“Still, what if what happened just now affects your relationship with them?”

“Don’t worry. The north is so vast, what are the odds we’ll run into those specific knights again? Just think of it as a relaxing break.”

At the Skull Headmaster’s reassurances, Lee Han and Alsicle felt relieved.

From what he was saying, it sounded like they only needed to show up at the knight families’ banquet, eat and drink well, and have fun to keep up appearances.

“I see. Where is the banquet being held?”

“At the Moradi family’s fortress. No place better in the north.”

“Oh, that’s great. I’m close with Moradi.”

“?”

The Skull Headmaster looked puzzled.

Was that so?

• * *

The Moradi family estate, a typical northern knight family, was completely different from a high aristocrat estate in the Empire.

Imperial high families built their mansions close to cities and villages, in beautiful scenery that made one forget the worries of the world, following the tradition of creating homes like works of art.

Northern knight families, though, called their homes fortresses, placing utmost importance on functionality and defensive strength.

Moradi’s fortress, set along one of the north’s rare large rivers and rising up the jagged mountain, its dense walls and family facilities packed along the peak, was the archetype of a northern knight family stronghold.

‘Oh.’

At a glance it was obvious this mighty fortress hadn’t been built overnight. Lee Han could now understand why Moradi wielded strong influence within the White Tiger Tower.

Compared to other knight family castles he’d seen on the way, the scale here was staggering.

And in such estates, size always equaled economic power.

‘Was Moradi richer than I thought?’

Whenever he spoke with the White Tiger Tower types, they always whined, “Our knights are poor because we serve the Empire and defend its citizens,” so he’d actually believed it—but seeing this, he felt a bit duped…

“Lord Gonadaltes has arrived!”

The gates of the fortress opened with a heavy sound.

Knights emerged from within and greeted them politely.

“Your Excellency. Thank you for using the front gate this year!”

“……”

“……”

Lee Han and Alsicle were dumbfounded, but the Skull Headmaster didn’t care.

“Of course they should be grateful. Is the patriarch here?”

“Yes, waiting for you.”

“I’ll go in then. You lot, rest until the banquet.”

At his words, Lee Han’s group nodded.

Being the Emperor’s Archmage and protector of the Empire’s magical barrier, the Skull Headmaster would inevitably have matters to discuss with the Moradi patriarch.

From the situation in the Great Mountains to recent northern affairs to funding amounts…

“It’s my first time visiting the Moradi estate; it feels fascinating.”

Alsicle said, walking up the narrow stone passageway.

Such battle-oriented estates were rare even in the Empire. You could feel Moradi’s history.

“Your friend is from this family?”

“Yes.”

“That’s surprising. Usually Blue Dragon Tower students and White Tiger Tower students aren’t close.”

“We got friendly at swordsmanship class.”

“…Do Blue Dragon Tower students normally take swordsmanship classes?”

While Alsicle cocked his head, knights approached from the other direction.

“Guests, it’s this way up—oh.”

“……”

Seeing the knight who’d come for Ulgan among them, Lee Han and Alsicle paused.

“You’re a Moradi family knight?”

“…Yes…”

Taking time off to help the order and just returning, Moradi knight Inkan felt awkward meeting the magicians.

Alsicle, perhaps embarrassed too, apologized.

“S-sorry about that.”

“Oh, not at all. Ulgan wanted to be a magician—that’s not the magicians’ fault.”

Eandur nodded vigorously, agreeing. Lee Han held his junior’s chin.

“If you ever need anything, please call on us. The Moradi family always respects its guests.”

After Inkan withdrew with the knights, Lee Han’s group finally relaxed.

The guest tower was spacious and comfortable, but recent awkwardness kept them from enjoying it.

“Aren’t there fewer knights here than I expected? What if we meet the order’s knights again at the banquet?”

“Oh, it’s fine. Knights drink themselves silly at banquets. They won’t even recognize you.”

“……”

Lee Han shot Alsicle a skeptical look.

‘Doesn’t seem like he’s spent much time with knights himself.’

But it was true that knights liked to drink. At every gathering Lee Han had attended, they got very lively.

Unlike nobles’ parties, which required formalities and etiquette, knight gatherings were much wilder.

Knock, knock—

“Magicians, are you inside? There are knights who wish to meet you…”

“?”

Lee Han was puzzled by the unexpected request.

The banquet hadn’t even started yet, but some knights were asking to see them.

“Isn’t this a trap?”

“…No! What kind of thoughts are you having!?”

Alsicle was appalled and denied it.

Celebrities in the Empire were always in demand wherever they went.

It was enjoyable and rewarding to hear their stories and later boast “I spoke with someone like that…”

So, of course, many people would want to meet them.

Lee Han and Alsicle weren’t exactly famous, but both came from great noble families, and one was a current Einrogard student.

Many northern knights surely wanted to form a connection with such promising magicians.

“Let’s just go out and chat. Making acquaintances will help you later too.”

“Wait a sec. Let me pack some canned sardines…”

“Hey. You don’t need the sardines.”

• * *

The Moradi estate wasn’t only home to Moradi’s own knights. In fact, sometimes there were more knights from other families.

Even aside from guests and invitees, there were quite a lot; it was common for knight families to send their knights to other families for harsh training.

If you were a knight family with as much influence as Moradi, you’d naturally be popular.

It was a chance for young knights to train and build networks.

The knights who called for Alsicle and Lee Han came from many northern families.

“So you’re a magician from Einrogard? What year are you in?”

“I didn’t hear exactly, but from what I know, probably a third year. Heard from a friend serving in the Beechwood Knights.”

“Wow, accomplished that much as just a third year!”

“That’s the Wardanaz family for you.”

“And Sir Alsicle, are you of the Fongrif family?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, would it be all right to ask you to eat some sardines?”

“Hmm. It’s a bit embarrassing to ask directly, so let’s set them out as snacks ahead of time.”

The knights were scheming as they waited for the magicians to arrive.

Before long, the magicians arrived.

“Welcome, magicians!”

“This must be Lee Han of the Wardanaz family, and this is Sir Alsicle of the Fongrif family! And this…?”

“My junior. Eandur.”

“Eandur!”

With Lee Han’s explanation, the knights nodded understandingly.

“Then is this young one in second year?”

“…He hasn’t even enrolled yet.”

“Oh, I see. Since Sir Wardanaz is in third year, I assumed…”

“…I’m not a third year!”

Lee Han was startled.

Where were all these rumors coming from?

Was this the Skull Headmaster’s trap?

“Oh, not third year? Then fourth?”

“I’m just starting my second year.”

“……”

“……”

The knights all froze, as if struck by a petrification curse, making Lee Han wonder if he’d made a mistake.

‘Is being first year really a problem?’

“Ri-right… That’s right.”

“We’re just a bit surprised. Sorry about that. I heard you defeated the Ghoul King, so I figured you must be at least third year…”

“Ugh.”

Lee Han was shocked that rumors had even reached the north.

Who was responsible for this?

“My friend in the Beechwood Knights said Lord Wardanaz wiped out the anti-magicists…”

“I didn’t do that alone!”

Having found the culprit, Lee Han hurried to explain.

He was grateful for the Beechwood Knights’ goodwill, but exaggerated tales would leave Lee Han cleaning up the mess.

“There was help from others and a lot of luck…”

“So modest!”

“…Ah. Sir Alsicle, we have sardines here.”

Lee Han quickly changed the topic.

Alsicle, however, answered coolly.

“I already ate earlier, I’m full.”

“Oh…” “Tsk…” “Ah…”

Sighs emerged from all sides.

The knights looked as sad as drenched baby birds.

“…Maybe I could manage one.”

“!”

Feeling guilty, Alsicle picked up a sardine, and the knights burst out laughing.

‘Oh, the topic’s shifted.’

“But Lord Wardanaz, we’d like to hear more about fighting the anti-magicists.”

‘Guess not.’

Lee Han regretted underestimating the knights’ persistence.

Come to think of it, the knights likely called them just to hear this story.

They were all perfectly prepared, waiting, eager for details.

“So, well…”

“Wait! Please start from the beginning of the meeting. What did you wear that day?”

“…Is that important…? Um… I think it was a school uniform with a coat over it…”

The knights interrogated Lee Han relentlessly, wringing every detail from his memory.

Lee Han did his best to answer every question.

“…I was lucky. I only made it through thanks to the knights’ cooperation.”

“Now that you mention it, you seem to get along very well with knights, Lord Wardanaz. That’s rare among magicians.”

“Haha.”

“Come to think of it, I heard Moradi family’s Giselle fought alongside you. Are you close? You’re both from Einrogard, after all, so I suppose it’s only natural…”

“Haha. We’re close.”

“Wait, then let’s call Lady Moradi over!”

“Great idea!”

“……”