Chapter 483

Although one unfortunate student suffered, the progress of the work was definitely fast.

Professor Uregor found the location of the Sangoria flowers in an instant, and the Shadow Patrol hunters subdued the monsters on the sea route as if they were drying seeds.

And Professor Bagrak and his outstanding disciple dealt with the monsters hiding on the islands or reefs.

"...Let's stop here for today and go back to rest."

Professor Uregor spoke to the sailors.

The sailors were slightly puzzled but nodded their heads.

"Understood."

'It seems like we could do more...'

'The mage must have something in mind. Indeed, since they rushed here, they might not have recovered from the fatigue yet.'

Since the work was done quickly, the sailors were less tired.

They could still steer the ship more, but since it was the mage's order, they judged that there must be a reason and turned the bow without hesitation.

Professor Bungaegor asked as if she didn't understand.

"Are you tired or something?"

"Ah, no."

"Then why? If we push a little, it seems like we can finish this area today?"

"I feel sorry for Wardanaz..."

"..."

Professor Bungaegor looked at Yi-Han, who was walking out of the island with Professor Bagrak.

And she nodded.

"You're right!"

Among the outsiders in Isran, there were many who were so suspicious that it was difficult to guess their identity.

It would be stranger if there were no such suspicious people in a port open to all places.

However, the suspicious person currently in the shabby and fishy-smelling <Cloudy Fish Eye> inn located near the western dock of the port was a bit special.

A mage-turned-wanted magic criminal of the Empire, who had reached the pinnacle of notoriety that an Imperial mage could achieve, so to speak.

The magic criminal Ianop was sitting in the corner of the inn, listening to rumors.

"The Einroguard bastards have come... It's not a false rumor, is it?"

"Oh my. Mage, sir. With what guts would I deceive you?"

The retired sailor rubbed his palms together and bowed his head as if flattering.

Mages were a welcome profession anywhere in the Empire, and that was the same in the dark alleys of the Empire.

Even to those living in the shadows, a mage like Ianop was an object of respect and fear.

It didn't matter that Ianop's identity was uncertain and suspicious. In the first place, most of the people around here had one or two suspicious things about them.

"I guess so. If it's a false rumor, I'll pluck out your eyeballs and tongue."

"..."

A cold sweat ran down the retired sailor's spine.

He knew well that this mage was not joking.

In fact, what happened to the mercenaries who had attacked last time, aiming for the mage's thick gold coin pouch?

They dried up like a withered old tree and died.

'He must be a dark mage.'

The sailor didn't know much about magic, but he was convinced that Ianop was a dark mage.

Otherwise, how could he use such evil curses?

"I knew there was a fuss because of the Sangoria flowers... but I didn't expect the Einroguard bastards to come too. Could it be that calling the Shadow Patrol was also their idea?"

"Huh? How do you know that?"

At the sailor's question, Ianop threw a light contemptuous glance.

"Then do you think the guild bastards here would have hugged each other and called the Shadow Patrol?"

"They could have called..."

The sailor trailed off.

Ianop didn't explain further.

What was the point of explaining that the guilds in this city couldn't choose the bold method of calling the Shadow Patrol and solving the problem first due to the power struggles and conflicts between them, and the complex interests related to the Sangoria flowers?

They wouldn't understand anyway.

"Anyway, are you going to curse the Einroguard bastards? If you're going to curse them, I'll get the necessary items."

The retired sailor smiled deeply, making the wrinkles etched on his face even deeper.

In that greedy smile, there was a flashing desire to make a big profit.

"Curse the Einroguard bastards... How many guts and lives do you have? Even if you're an idiot and a moron, stuff some straw from the roadside into your head and walk around."

Ianop laughed as if it was absurd when the sailor suggested attacking the Einroguard mages.

Sometimes, the recklessly rampaging anti-magic extremists could be forgiven for being crazy and wanting to die, but Ianop was very rational and sane.

And a rational and sane mage wouldn't touch the mages of Einroguard.

"You were a sailor. When you were catching fish in the distant sea, what did you do when a storm was approaching?"

"Well... we avoided the storm..."

"Yes. You can think of the Einroguard bastards as a storm. After the storm passes, it's not too late to take a share of what's left behind."

Ianop leaned back leisurely. The retired sailor looked dissatisfied that the opportunity to make a profit had disappeared, but he couldn't open his mouth anymore out of fear of the mage.

"Don't be so dissatisfied. Should I pluck out your eyeballs?"

"Ah, ah, no!"

"I have a job for you. If you do this job, I will greatly reward you."

"!"

"Tell all the mercenaries around you too. If the Einroguard mages have come out, there must be students too, so if there are any outstanding ones among them, tell them to let me know."

"Outstanding ones... you say."

The retired sailor hesitated.

He wondered if he could distinguish the skills of mages.

"You don't have to worry too much. It will spread through rumors. The achievements of mages tend to spread through rumors even if you stay still. I don't need mediocre ones. If it sounds absurd to you, let me know. Einroguard produces one or two such geniuses."

"Yes... I understand."

The sailor couldn't understand Ianop's thoughts.

If Einroguard was a storm to be avoided, why was he asking to be informed of outstanding students?

Was he trying to kidnap them?

'But... isn't that the opposite of what he just said?'

Ianop poured cheap liquor into a tin cup and chuckled.

There was no way someone who didn't know about magic could guess Ianop's thoughts.

'The more outstanding, the easier it is to fall.'

Ianop was not from Einroguard, but he had seen magic criminals from Einroguard before.

It was a long time ago, decades ago, but the memory was still vivid.

A genius who completely surpassed Ianop's level, which he thought was not inferior in magical talent, and inherited the essence of Imperial magic.

Just making eye contact was intimidating.

Each spell he spoke was ingenious, the structure of his magic was perfect without any shortcomings...

And he was more arrogant than anyone else.

Ianop didn't understand, so he asked the great and evil Great Mage Antagondal like this.

-What is lacking that an Einroguard graduate is doing that?-

-What a foolish question. Originally, the more outstanding a mage is, the easier it is to fall. Well, you wouldn't know that since you've never been outstanding.-

The more outstanding one was in magic, the more trivial reality seemed, and all the rules and shackles that hindered oneself felt fleeting.

What did it matter if a few hundred insects died when trying to see the end of noble truth and reason?

No matter how much the glory and fame of the Empire awaited the mage, the greatest temptation for an outstanding mage was truth itself.

-Ianop. Think about it. The sight of that shining... great magical intellect that cannot even be compared to the likes of you falling.-

-An... Antagondal, sir.-

-Was it too vague? Alright. How about this? If you succeed even once, I will make you my disciple.-

-...!!!-

For a mage like Ianop who had hit a limit, the temptation of becoming a disciple of a Great Mage like Antagondal was irresistible.

Even after decades had passed, that desire had not disappeared.

'I don't have high expectations, but...'

Since then, there had been a few opportunities to come into contact with mages from Einroguard, but unfortunately, they were not as outstanding as Ianop wanted.

No matter how much they were from Einroguard, a moderately outstanding genius would not easily fall for Ianop's temptation.

Only an arrogant genius who could do anything for the sake of truth would fall for such temptation.

Ianop fervently prayed that there would be such a genius among the Einroguard bastards this time.

Evening.

The faces of the students sitting at the mansion's dining table were haggard and pale.

Yi-Han was startled to see the princess next to him dozing off while holding a spoon.

'Oh my!'

He had seen a similar phenomenon before.

Even Gainando, who displayed extraordinary abilities when it came to food, couldn't overcome fatigue and dozed off once at the dining table.

Gainando was so shocked by that fact that he tried his best to maintain his sanity at the dining table afterward, even if he had to prick his thigh with a needle.

As one could see from this, the fact that a royal was dozing off at the dining table meant that they were that tired.

"Princess. Wake up."

"...!"

Adenart opened her eyes wide.

"You have to eat. You'll regret it if you fall asleep and can't eat."

"Thank you..."

The princess, who was about to express her gratitude while still half-asleep, felt something strange.

...No, she wouldn't regret it just because of one meal, right?

"Wardanaz..."

She was about to confront him about what was going on, but Yi-Han was already talking to someone else.

"Wardanaz. I heard you swept away all the monsters on the island."

"...What? How do you know that?"

When Bartreck from the Bark family of the White Tiger Tower spoke, Yi-Han was startled.

How did those guys who were constantly trapped in the mansion's workshop know?

"The servants told me?"

"...No. No. Wait."

Yi-Han couldn't understand.

"Can you come here for a moment?"

"What is it..."

The servant who was attending to them ran over in a panic.

"Is the drink not to your liking? It's a southern-style drink..."

"No. That's not it. Where did you hear the rumor that I swept away all the monsters... I didn't do it alone, but anyway, where did you hear that rumor?"

"There's a fishmonger I deal with at the port, and I heard it from that fishmonger."

"..Do you know where that fishmonger heard it from?"

"He said he heard it from the fishermen who went to set the nets today... The hunters told the fishermen, didn't they?"

"..."

The transmission speed was faster than the communication network among Einroguard professors.

While Yi-Han was catching monsters on the island, didn't the Shadow Patrol catch the sea monsters around and spread the rumor to the passing fishermen, saying, 'That boy from the Wardanaz family catches monsters so well'?

It was an unbelievable multitasking ability.

'Indeed, they're not called hunting masters for nothing...'

"Did I make a mistake?"

"Ah, no. Actually, the reason I called you was because the meal was so delicious. Can you bring one more plate of the sandpiper dish for the princess here?"

"Understood."

The servant withdrew happily.

The princess, who had woken up and was eating, looked at Yi-Han once again as if it was absurd.

No...!

"What...?!"

Of course, she did think about wanting one more plate, but that was just a thought.

Adenart grabbed Yi-Han's shoulder with the intention of protesting firmly and with dignity.

"...Wardanaz. How was the Shadow Patrol today?"

However, there was another interruption.

Nillia asked a question with a very worried face, glancing around.

It was evident that she was worried that he might have caused an accident.

Yi-Han refrained from saying, 'The hunters kept not believing that I was close to you and thought you threatened me with a bow. And they kept offering me hard liquor, not listening when I explained magic, and were as annoying as Gainando.'

And for the sake of his friend, he opened his mouth.

"...It felt like an honor to meet the most outstanding and capable hunters in the Empire. I wonder if I'll have another opportunity like this."

Yonaire, who had heard the story roughly from the Maykin family, looked at Yi-Han with pity, then grabbed the plate of apple tart in front of Bartreck and swiftly pushed it in front of Yi-Han.

Bartreck felt wronged but endured it.

If Wardanaz brought up the amount of labor, there was nothing he could say.