Episode 906

Episode 906

Chasing and catching intruders was something servants did.

There was no reason for the mages of a magic school like Einrogard to do such things.

Of course, if a certain mage spread a groundless rumor like “the intruders might have the Headmaster’s treasure,” it would have been a bit of an exception…

Lee Han did not give such an explanation and simply wore a face of not knowing anything.

-Unless you’ve got nothing to do and time is rotting away!

“This is truly strange!”

Without interrupting the enraged hamster’s squeaking, Lee Han agreed.

Once the hamster vented its rage, it would soon calm down.

If the hamster gave up on escaping and stayed in the cage, it would be good for Lee Han, good for the Mad Clone, and good for everyone.

“A disaster has happened!”

“???”

When Intarendals’ scream rang out from outside, Lee Han was startled.

He was a chamberlain who never lost his composure and kindness no matter what happened. For such a chamberlain to scream like that…

This was Lee Han’s first time seeing that side of him.

“What is the matter?”

“Lord Gonadaltes’ condition has become unstable.”

“…This thing is the culprit!!”

Lee Han immediately pointed at the hamster and accused him.

He didn’t know what was happening, but someone had to survive. Now that they had been caught, the hamster had to take responsibility.

The hamster let out a squeak of absurdity.

Still, he was from a prestigious noble family—how could he betray without even a second of hesitation?

‘Even a magic criminal would at least hesitate for a second.’

“Lee Han of the Wardanaz family. I don’t quite understand what you mean. That mage is the culprit, what do you mean by that?”

“I will speak of the wicked scheme he devised.”

Lee Han quickly explained the vicious trap planned by the hamster.

After hearing the explanation, Intarendals answered immediately.

“It is of no consequence.”

“…Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. Lord Gonadaltes would immediately recognize the traces of a tainted soul at a glance.”

-Nonsense. It can’t be spotted that easily.

The hamster retorted, but Intarendals ignored him.

“And in any case, weren’t all the intruders already captured?”

-……

The hamster was deflated. He could not argue with that.

“Then what do you mean that Master’s condition has become unstable?”

“That is…”

Even before the words were done, a powerful wave swept the workshop.

The Archmage had returned.

At his arrival, Intarendals, for the first time, looked flustered.

“Oh dear, what should I do… It’s faster, but much too fast…”

‘What the heck?’

The anxiety spread to Lee Han as well.

Intarendals was a seasoned veteran from the ancient empire, so he held it at anxiety, but Lee Han immediately felt fear.

To say the state had become unstable—could it mean attacking his disciple?

“Lord Gonadaltes. Welcome back!”

While the chamberlain briefly stepped out, Lee Han whispered to the hamster.

“What’s going on? What do you mean by unstable?”

-I don’t know either.

Normally, the hamster would have gotten angry at Lee Han’s betrayal, but the situation was too serious for that now.

Even a seasoned magic criminal instinctively felt a sense of crisis.

If even the mad archmage’s disciple was afraid, how dangerous must it be for a slave like Lee Han.

-My guess is… Originally, that tyrant had bouts of mania.

The hamster spun his brain as hard as he could to recall his past experiences to survive.

-There were signs in how he acted toward me.

“…You’re not saying he went mad just because he attacked the mage, are you?”

Lee Han asked incredulously.

That was always just the usual Mad Clone. Didn’t he often get attacked, too?

‘And honestly, this hamster kinda deserved a beating.’

-Shut up and listen! That’s not what I’m saying.

The hamster was talking about when Lee Han had just been kidnapped—no, chosen as a disciple—and first visited the workshop.

It was right after being told to master 5th circle magic within a day, with the promise to test him with Antagondals.

“I remember. Now that I think about it, the mage cursed that I would die if I couldn’t master 5th circle magic.”

Lee Han spoke in a cold voice. The hamster played it off, pretending not to hear.

-That’s the story.

• * *

While Lee Han was mastering 5th circle magic, Antagondals waited cheerfully outside the workshop.

Because he very much liked seeing young, fresh mages destroyed by overambition.

But unexpectedly, the Mad Clone stayed close to the workshop at that time.

-Do you have more orders for me?

-……

-Master?

-Is this right?

-…It is, Master.”

-What is?

-Everything!

Thud!

-Don’t flatter me without knowing what the royalty is thinking. Trash.

• * *

“??”

Hearing the explanation, Lee Han was puzzled.

Because he had no idea what the hamster was trying to say.

‘I get that he enjoyed seeing me fail.’

“So what am I supposed to do?”

-You fool. That tyrant isn’t a living being, but a thought-form. A thought-form made of mana! It’s impossible for such a thought-form to doubt or be confused.

After that conversation, the tyrant kept attacking the hamster and was confused about whether this teaching method was right.

At the time, the world’s rejection of mana thought-forms being the cause of his mania seemed plausible, but seeing the current situation, that was a sign.

-Do you think storms or earthquakes doubt themselves and get confused? Never.

“I see. Then how does one cure mania?”

-I don’t know.

“……”

Lee Han looked down at the fat hamster, not with respect for the archmage, but with disdain.

The hamster protested in a fury.

-Who could cure a thought-form’s mania! Most thought-forms are erased by the world’s rejection before anything else. That tyrant is enduring by ancient secrets!

“So you’re saying you can’t.”

-If you didn’t want this, you shouldn’t have interfered with the measures I prepared!

“When did I interfere? Are you saying I was the one who hired those mages and giants…”

Before he could finish, the Mad Clone appeared at the entrance. Behind him was Chamberlain Intarendals, looking extremely anxious.

‘…Surprisingly, he looks fine?’

Lee Han was rather flustered.

He thought ‘unstable’ would mean hair standing on end and murderous eyes blazing, but he was his usual self.

“You’re right on time.”

“Ah. Yes. I wanted to ask you about academics…”

“We’ll put that off for now. Something more important has come up.”

“What is it?”

“Starting now, I will conquer the continent.”

“……”

A silence worse than death filled the room. Behind him, Intarendals bowed his head in despair.

Lee Han wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but he couldn’t, not with the Mad Clone right in front of him.

“C… Conquer the continent?”

“That’s right. Disciple, you must serve as the royal family’s officer and commander.”

The skill with which he recruited him into the central rebellion of the empire made Lee Han shudder.

Since he had made a contract with Arna the guest star last time…

…Descendant of the Wardanaz family charged with imperial rebellion shock… Dreamed of a new dynasty, it’s revealed…

…Ambitious plotter who cunningly deceived the royal family, exposes his true colors!…

…Such empire newspaper headlines flashed through his mind, but now this was no joke.

Seeing the current situation, the tone could turn even more extreme.

“Master, may this disciple ask a few questions?”

Lee Han asked cautiously, but to his surprise, the Mad Clone nodded readily.

“Go ahead.”

“Uh… Why do you want to conquer the continent?”

The Mad Clone sighed softly.

The sigh sounded as if to say, “Why is my disciple so dull, foolish, and clueless?”

It was so sincere that Lee Han almost felt a bit sorry.

‘No, wait.’

Lee Han composed himself.

Not understanding this was absolutely not Lee Han’s fault. He must not fall for the other’s nonsense.

“Look.”

The Mad Clone pointed out the open workshop door with his fingertip. Lush, green mountains came into view.

“What do you see?”

“I see mountains?”

“To the royalty, they see the world’s pain and wounds.”

“……”

Lee Han wanted to say he’d get them new glasses made of emerald, but he held back.

Because he wasn’t sure if the Mad Clone would accept a joke right now.

“If left alone, people will only cause each other pain and scars forever. If no magic or secret method can save them, then at the very least, a sacred king must strictly govern and guide them.”

“Uh… I see.”

Lee Han felt like he might pass out, but from experience and conversation thus far, he barely managed to grasp the context.

Unbelievable as it was, the Skull Headmaster had been a rather decent person in his youth and had worked to ease the world’s suffering.

He had even developed -Gonadaltes’ Fall-, so that enthusiasm was real.

Such passion, even when it failed and resulted in despair, didn’t go away; if anything, it only burned brighter in a new direction.

Having failed with magical means, if the Mad Clone judged, “I guess I’ll just have to rule and control the continent myself,” it wasn’t so…

‘No. It’s weird. It’s insane thinking.’

It was crazy, but he’d always been the Mad Clone. Lately, he just seemed a bit more composed so Lee Han had forgotten.

Apparently thinking the explanation was done, the Mad Clone gave a final order.

“Disciple, listen. While the royalty prepares their army, you will lead the vanguard and seize that magic school. The wizards of the domain must devote themselves to the magic empire.”

Now, the Mad Clone felt so mechanical and inorganic it was almost preferable when he just used to get annoyed.

He felt like a thought-form born solely for the purpose of continental conquest.

Having been silent while digesting all this information, Lee Han suddenly remembered and asked,

“By vanguard, who do you mean?”

“Who do you think? The giants. They’ll be enough, won’t they?”

“Master! The giants would never…”

Lee Han tried to argue, “The giants are too independent and will never listen.”

“The giants said they would follow if you were their commander. Go. The royalty will prepare a new army.”

‘Ugh.’

Lee Han cursed the unhelpful giants in his mind.

Of course, the giants meant to help him—“Lee Han’s attacking? We’ll tag along”—but in this situation, it wasn’t helpful at all.

As the Mad Clone left, Lee Han and the hamster immediately grabbed the chamberlain and bombarded him with questions.

“What on earth is going on?!”

-To conquer the continent. What’s happening?

“How can we stop him? We must stop him!”

-No matter how strong this tyrant is, conquering the continent is impossible…

“Wait. Please wait a moment.”

Intarendals held up a hand to pause their barrage of questions.

Then swung a whip of magic at the hamster.

Snap!

“Thought I’d go easy, but you dare for a prisoner to act so arrogant.”

“……”

Lee Han instinctively straightened his posture. After subduing the hamster, Intarendals dropped his cold expression and reverted to being the polite chamberlain.

“I’ll explain everything, Lee Han of the Wardanaz family.”

“You can, uh, explain when it’s convenient for you.”

“?”