Ch.150EP.37 – The Knight Grew to Hate the Ball (5)

The Pendragon Kingdom was currently facing numerous troublesome incidents.

Most notably, a massive “monster terror attack” occurred during the Academy’s midterm evaluations, and shortly after, the “tunnel collapse incident” happened at the largest fertilizer production site in the southern continent.

Either incident alone would have been enough to shake the kingdom, yet they occurred consecutively.

It was no exaggeration to say this was an ominous sign and crisis for the kingdom.

However, despite this, the lack of unrest in the kingdom was likely due to both incidents ending rather inconclusively.

<Let’s learn about the ‘heroes’ who prevented the kingdom’s terror attack.>

<The Princess performs a miracle!>

<Prince Aren’s bravery resolves the tunnel situation.>

And so on.

For such major consecutive incidents, there was remarkably little damage, so the kingdom remained largely undisturbed.

Of course, internally, each organization held meetings with heated arguments daily, but that was just business for those in high positions.

The common people continued their daily lives, so it was fair to say peace prevailed.

Perhaps thanks to this maintained peace.

“As expected of Pendragon. The title of hegemon of the South is no empty claim.”

“Indeed. I heard there have been major incidents recently.”

“Haha, do you believe such baseless rumors? That thousand-year-old monsters appeared and a giant Mother Worm collapsed the tunnels.”

“…Those are certainly difficult rumors to believe. I don’t know about thousand-year-old monsters, but even a single Mother Worm would be an enormous headache.”

“Indeed, in the West, worms must be killed when discovered. If they reach maturity, it’s truly a nightmare.”

Two men were seated together in an ornate carriage.

The gold-plated carriage adorned with various precious gems seemed priceless, and it was pulled by five enormous black horses. Would you believe that these horses cost nearly as much as building a fortress?

It was truly an extravagant display of wealth.

However, the owner of the carriage and horses was a wealthy magnate from the Western continent who could spend such vast sums like water, and also one of the seventeen sultans ruling the Western continent.

“Sultan, is there anything else you need?”

“Bring me the wine I just bought from that stall, chilled.”

“I’m deeply concerned about sullying the Sultan’s lips…”

“Ahem.”

“…As you command.”

Salah Al-Adil Muhammad.

Or Sultan Salah.

He controlled the largest oasis in the Western continent, along with massive gold veins, gem mines, and even a huge merchant company.

With his tanned skin complementing his young, handsome appearance, he was only 27 years old.

Having attained the position of Sultan in his twenties, he possessed charisma that matched his youthful arrogance.

Just looking at him made one think, “Ah, this person is of high status!”

“Sigh, the wine of the South is good quality no matter where you buy it. Even from a random stall.”

“The fact that even commoners can easily sell such quality wine means the logistics system must be quite efficient.”

“That’s the Military God’s achievement. What an impressive man. How he built such a logistics system is beyond me. If the West were to fight Pendragon, the South would win because of this supply chain.”

“Hmm, is it appropriate to say such things in front of me?”

“You must also be interested in conquering Pendragon, aren’t you, Magician?”

“Let’s not go there, Sultan. I won’t fall for such talk no matter what you say.”

“You could be honest in a setting like this…”

Though the Sultan spoke kindly, suggesting it was safe to reveal one’s true thoughts, the man wasn’t fooled.

Instead, he heightened his vigilance.

“I appreciate the accommodations you’ve provided, but if you continue with such remarks, I’ll have to end our companionship here.”

“Oh my, I shouldn’t dare upset a magician, hahaha!”

The man remained firm.

“……”

Normally, the man would have been angered by such flippant and provocative attitude, but his opponent was a Sultan.

Showing emotion to someone referred to as one of the West’s “17 Lords” or “Kings” was something to be careful about, so he suppressed his anger.

‘Offending him would only harm us.’

The rare materials from the West that supplied the Magic Tower came through the Sultan’s merchant company, so discretion was essential.

‘…I wish this uncomfortable journey would end soon.’

The man’s name was Huey de Beyron.

He was designated as the successor to the Magic Tower, often called the ivory tower of magicians.

“Now you’re turning your gaze completely outside, what a boring man.”

Huey barely suppressed a sigh and turned his attention outward.

He looked at the crowd enthusiastically welcoming them.

Yet despite the crowd’s fervent welcome…

“……”

He maintained an utterly cold gaze.

“He’s clearly just a common spellcaster.”

“Pardon?”

“Look at his eyes. Those aren’t human eyes. He’s nothing but a goblin or troll wearing human skin.”

“…Master, isn’t that a discriminatory remark?”

“I suppose it could be.”

“Y-you’re admitting it more readily than I expected.”

“I’m aware that I lose my composure when spellcasters are involved. That’s why your role is important, Bear Cub.”

“My role?”

“Yes, if I get worked up and try to tear him apart, you need to stop me. Your duty is crucial.”

“Umm… I-I don’t think I can do that…”

Confusion swirled in her eyes, which resembled blue violets.

Though she wanted to fulfill most of her dear master’s requests…

‘…Master seems to get stronger in battle when magic is involved.’

As expected of Levi, who had the potential to become the Mercenary Queen someday, she understood the man’s strength well, and she scratched her cheek to express her feelings.

She was genuinely worried he might cause a major incident.

*

*

*

The Sultan from the West and the Magic Tower from the Empire.

It had been about 50 years since these two powers visited the South simultaneously.

Those who had been intimidated by the Military God’s presence and hesitated to visit were finally showing their true colors now that he was gone.

Some nobles felt displeased, but others said:

– It’s not a major breach of etiquette to visit, just a coincidence.

Above all, there was a clear reason for their visit.

Namely.

“Lady Irene. Would you prefer to choose whom to meet? Or wait until they come to you directly? I’ll accept whichever you choose.”

“I-I’d rather not meet any of them…”

The golden egg who might become the representative magician of this era.

They visited the kingdom to meet Irene Windler.

Diplomatically, it would be proper to receive them, but…

“Hmm, if the lady doesn’t want to, I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”

“??”

…Wasn’t he trying to persuade her?

The headmaster gave up surprisingly easily, and Irene blinked in confusion, wondering what was happening.

“Um, Headmaster. I know I said I don’t want to meet them, but is it really okay to give up so easily? They’re important guests from foreign lands, after all.”

[That’s right, our Irene would have agreed if pushed a little. She’s just too timid.]

‘You be quiet!’

Though she said she didn’t want to meet them, as the ghost girl suggested, Irene’s personality was such that she would have received the others if the headmaster had insisted.

“True, both the Magic Tower and the Sultan are indeed important guests.”

The headmaster agreed.

As the girl said, they were important guests.

The Magic Tower, boasting powerful authority and strength in the Empire, and the Sultan of the Western continent.

Both were formidable powers, and even Pendragon would suffer diplomatic losses and create unfavorable currents if they committed a breach of etiquette.

However,

“You’re not an ordinary noble lady, but the ‘Lady of Galahad,’ aren’t you? If the Lady of Galahad refuses, what madman would dare force you?”

“……”

“I hate to say this, but I don’t want to make an enemy of the Duke either. He’s quite vindictive.”

The headmaster shuddered exaggeratedly, as if horrified, and Irene was dumbfounded by his behavior, which seemed half-joking and half-serious.

“…You, I mean, the former Chancellor, are afraid of something?”

Even though you still hold strong power despite retirement?

“Former Chancellor, yes. And even if I were still the current Chancellor, I wouldn’t upset him. I witnessed his younger days firsthand, and I know that making him an enemy would be 100 times worse than making enemies of the Sultan and Magic Tower.”

“……”

The power of Galahad seemed far more formidable than she had realized.

Irene felt she had glimpsed a fragment of the capabilities of the family managed by that sleazy old man.

The headmaster continued:

“Anyway, Lady Irene. Do as you wish. If you do decide to meet them, let me know the date and place, and the Academy will try to provide maximum convenience.”

“…You’re subtly pressuring me, aren’t you?”

“Haha, of course not.”

“……”

…What a sly old man.

Putting pressure on her with just his gaze.

‘I should just blast him!’

Irene felt like using Buster Call.

* * *

“…So that’s the situation. What should I do?”

“You’re asking me about this?”

“You’re the only adult I trust enough to ask.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“I’m serious, really serious!”

Irene, burdened by the consecutive events happening to her, consulted with Ihan.

For Ihan, this was:

‘The timing is good?’

It was both absurd and somewhat welcome news.

Since he had business with the Magic Tower anyway, he welcomed any easier approach.

However…

“…Do as you wish.”

“What?”

“You probably want to refuse because the situation is burdensome, but your personality makes you worry about inconveniencing others, so you’re confused.”

“Ah…”

Irene was slightly shocked.

For a moment, it seemed like Ihan had completely seen through her inner thoughts.

“There will be almost no harm done. Rather, those guys came to our kingdom, so they should be the ones being careful, not you. Why should you worry? You’d rather take a nap and eat dessert than meet such people, right?”

“Gasp!”

A statement that precisely understood Irene’s psychology.

It was as if he had read her mind like a fortune teller, and she felt that if he tried to sell her insurance or something right now, she might fall for it completely.

“That’s an exaggeration.”

Ihan’s advice was unusually warm.

It was advice that sacrificed his own benefit, but this was natural.

Although the chick used magic, she was still one of Ihan’s disciples.

‘She’s a spellcaster but still my disciple! A spellcaster but still my disciple…’

A mantra-like determination.

Though he still felt aversion, he didn’t deny that she was a student he taught, so he did his best to set aside his biased view and offer sincere advice for Irene.

Anyone who knew about Ihan’s hatred for magicians would understand how much mental effort this required from him.

…However, Ihan’s consideration was rendered meaningless when:

“I’m sorry to say this to Lady Irene, but it seems these people are one step ahead of you. …Or should I say they’re being more underhanded?”

“Levi?”

Levi interrupted their conversation and gave Irene a sympathetic look.

“This newspaper just came out, and it seems they’re determined to meet Lady Irene. In a legal but underhanded way.”

“…Should I really call that sleazy old man?”

Irene wore a disgusted expression as if she’d encountered a stalker.

And for good reason.

<Lord Huey and the Sultan have expressed their wish to visit the Academy, which is full of Pendragon’s talented individuals, and announced they will attend the Academy party on the full moon. The royal family has shown great generosity by->

It was truly underhanded.

“See? They have no shame.”

“…Yes.”

This was Ihan’s comment after seeing the news, and Levi, the only one who understood its meaning, found herself nodding in agreement…

‘Oh? If that’s the case…?’

Subtly.

“A party… Hmm, can faculty members attend?”

“…This is actually happening.”

Levi’s face turned pale as she realized she might really need to calculate the possibility of her master tearing apart the Magic Tower’s disciple.

She recalled that she truly needed to be the brake that stopped him.