Jowurin Will Be Joining Too!

“Your Highness.”

At Lee Han’s reaction, Jowurin glanced around nervously.

Come to think of it, the house arrest still hadn’t been lifted.

Surprisingly, however, Lee Han neither got angry nor glared at her. Instead, he looked at her as if to say there was nothing to be done.

“How could I keep you under house arrest after all the help you’ve given us? Let’s go together.”

Wow!

Jowurin leaped into the air in delight.

At that moment, a disturbance broke out below as a group of people appeared. The Death Knights accompanying the party spoke in confusion.

-Who’s come to visit?

-They appear to be people of considerable status.

The Death Knights had a point.

Anyone could tell at a glance that the people climbing the mountain were no ordinary visitors.

“...They look like the Imperial Guard?”

Professor Garcia recognized them first and spoke ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) in surprise.

The Imperial Knights who guarded the Emperor’s palace deep within the heart of the Empire.

Strictly speaking, considering the Emperor’s true identity, there was little need for guards at all. Even so, the Imperial Guard’s abilities were beyond question.

That was only natural for knights who carried such prestige and symbolism.

But why would the Imperial Guard come to Einroguard?

“...Uh. No graduates have caused trouble recently, right?”

-Probably... not recently.

At the Death Knight’s answer, Professor Garcia let out a sigh of relief.

From time to time, dust-covered knights would arrive asking questions like, ‘Graduate so-and-so has caused trouble. Do you happen to know where they went?’

If the Imperial Guard had come personally, the scale of the incident would probably be several times worse than usual.

“Wait. Then if nobody caused trouble, why are they here?”

-Perhaps because of Master’s projection? Since Master happened to go to the capital, perhaps support was requested.

“I see.”

It was a fairly convincing explanation.

The Skull Principal was currently in the capital, after all.

Given that the insane duplicate was inside Einroguard’s territory, it wouldn’t have been strange for the Skull Principal to request reinforcements.

“Honestly, considering the current situation, having knights around wouldn’t be bad. Though gold would’ve been preferable.”

“...”

Lee Han quietly listened to Professor Garcia’s brutally honest remark.

As a disciple, he naturally couldn’t point out his great professor’s words.

Thud thud thud thud—

“?”

Lee Han looked around in confusion at the vibration beside him.

Was there a landslide somewhere?

Uuuuuuuuu...

“...???”

The source of the trembling was Jowurin.

The dragon who had been jumping around excitedly moments ago was now crouched down and shaking.

“Your Highness. What’s wrong?”

Nothing at all.

“...I absolutely do not believe that.”

Something clearly felt off.

Anyone could tell Jowurin looked exactly like someone panicking after getting caught causing trouble.

‘But what trouble could she possibly have caused?’

No matter how much he thought about it, nothing really came to mind.

Everything she’d done had already been discovered by Lee Han...

“...Wait. Did you send a letter about the dragon stones?”

It’s not that...

“Your Highness. We promised each other. We would trust one another.”

Jowurin flinched.

After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously glanced at Lee Han and asked:

Then you’ll take Jowurin’s side?

“That depends on what kind of trouble you caused...”

...

“So what exactly did you do?”

“Your Highness!”

Before Jowurin could confess, the Imperial Guard finally arrived.

The knights radiated an oppressive dignity sharp enough to leave no opening whatsoever, yet they greeted the group with impeccable courtesy.

“We pay our respects to the mages who have inherited the orthodox lineage of Imperial magic.”

“Ah. Right. Hello.”

Professor Garcia looked slightly flustered by the far more formal greeting than expected.

Normally, ordinary knights greeted professors with sighs and exhausted expressions first.

“But what brings you here?”

“We have come to escort His Highness back.”

“Ah. But isn’t there still time before the exam ends?”

Jowurin had come to assist the Einroguard students with their exam in the first place.

Naturally, that meant returning only after the exam was over. There was no reason to come this early.

“Is it because of security concerns?”

“No. It’s not that, but...”

The knight hesitated awkwardly.

Unable to bear it any longer, Jowurin hurriedly shouted:

Jowurin is ready! Return immediately!

“Your Highness. The mages here deserve to know the truth as well.”

“???”

After sighing heavily in embarrassment, the knights finally began explaining.

***

Jowurin had always been curious about Einroguard.

That curiosity only grew stronger after the visit from the Wardanaz boy.

However, the Emperor had never permitted Jowurin to visit Einroguard. The reason was simple.

-Dragon, I have a feeling you would only become a nuisance to the Einroguard students...

-Wh-Why would you think that?!

It might be exciting and enjoyable for Jowurin, but probably not for the Einroguard students or the Principal.

And if certain Einroguard students displayed their usual madness, that might not be particularly enjoyable for Jowurin either.

-Jowurin wouldn’t be a nuisance at all! The students would love it too!

-Fine. Fine. Then obtain Osyu’s permission first.

Annoyed, the Emperor shoved the matter onto the Skull Principal.

If the Skull Principal said, ‘Hmm. Prince Jowurin visiting Einroguard should be acceptable,’ then there would be no issue.

And if the Skull Principal refused, then nothing could be done about it.

-Jowurin wants to go! Jowurin wants to go!! Jowurin wants to go!!!!!

-Your Highness. I apologize, but you must first obtain His Majesty’s permission.

Naturally, the Skull Principal was just as crafty as the Emperor and had no intention of agreeing so easily.

The moment he realized the Emperor was dumping the responsibility onto him, he immediately tossed it right back.

It was truly a clash of transcendent schemes worthy of the two pillars supporting the Empire.

As both sides kept refusing out of sheer annoyance, Jowurin became deeply dejected.

However, dragons matured quickly, and Jowurin’s recent growth had been especially remarkable.

As a result, Jowurin came up with a deception that would undoubtedly go down in imperial history.

-I received Gonadaltes’s permission!

-Really? How unexpected. If Osyu approved it, then a dragon visiting should be fine as well.

To the Emperor, Jowurin claimed to have obtained Osyu’s permission.

Then afterward—

-I have received His Majesty’s permission!

-No wonder the inside of my skull has felt so restless lately!

-...

-I’m joking, Your Highness. His Majesty truly is generous. Very well. You may visit.

-Really!?

-However, your stay cannot be long, and you must follow proper procedures. That alone will not be simple.

-All the professors of Einroguard will welcome Jowurin!

-Perhaps I should not have rescued Bendozol...

-What did you say?

-Nothing at all, Your Highness.

***

“...And that is what happened.”

The Einroguard mages stared at Jowurin in stunned disbelief.

Even Professor Voladi Bagreg looked faintly surprised.

Lee Han honestly wasn’t sure whether he should be angry or impressed.

‘Amazing!’

Even accounting for the other two lowering their guard, deceiving both the Emperor and the Skull Principal at the same time was an astonishing feat.

“But how were you discovered?”

“Student Lee Han. Is that really the important part right now?”

Professor Garcia looked dumbfounded.

How could that possibly be his first question?

Nevertheless, the knights answered faithfully.

“His Majesty happened to be speaking with the Imperial Mage Marshal, and the topic came up by chance.”

‘What terrible luck!’

Lee Han sighed inwardly.

Jowurin’s scheme had targeted a genuine blind spot, but unfortunately her luck had failed her at the crucial moment.

To be exposed like that...

With slightly better fortune, it might truly have become the perfect crime.

...Jowurin did nothing wrong! Those two just kept refusing! They kept telling Jowurin to get permission from the other person! They were obviously trying to trick Jowurin!

Hearing Jowurin’s indignant protest, Lee Han felt impressed all over again.

‘She even realized that?’

To see through the Emperor and Skull Principal’s shameless scheme so clearly.

At this point, it was fair to say Jowurin had truly adapted to Einroguard. Lee Han felt a strange sense of pride despite the situation.

“Your Highness. Please calm yourself.”

Jowurin cannot calm down! Isn’t Lee Han angry too? Once Jowurin returns, she’ll never be allowed to visit Einroguard again! Maybe forever!

Although Lee Han personally didn’t think that sounded particularly severe, he understood how the young dragon felt and spoke gently.

“That may not necessarily happen, Your Highness. Originally, the two of them discouraged your visits because they couldn’t predict what might happen. But now you’ve proven yourself. It should become easier for you to visit in the future.”

...Really? When??

“I can’t say for certain...”

Next week?

“...I don’t think it’ll be that soon.”

The week after next?

“And even if Your Highness cannot come here, I can visit during vacation.”

Lee Han deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere.

At this rate, the discussion was about to spiral completely out of control.

Fortunately, Jowurin failed to notice.

Wow! Really? You absolutely must come visit!

“Yes.”

Will you stay the entire vacation?

“...That would be difficult. I’ll need time for magical research as well.”

Unable to watch any longer, the knights stepped forward.

“Your Highness. The mages of Einroguard sacrifice even their sleep in pursuit of Imperial magic. They rarely have free time, even during vacation.”

‘That’s a little exaggerated.’

Einroguard is cruel!

Professor Garcia lowered her head slightly in guilt.

As a professor of Einroguard, she found herself unable to refute the accusation.

After grumbling for a while, Jowurin finally compromised on Lee Han visiting during vacation, though the exact duration remained undecided.

Then, accompanied by the Imperial Guard, she slowly crawled toward the school gate.

Her pace was practically that of a snail.

“...Your Highness. You do not need to walk quite so slowly on purpose...”

Hmph.

The knights turned toward Lee Han with pleading eyes.

Sighing, Lee Han hurried after Jowurin to comfort her.

***

After seeing Jowurin off, the group gathered once more to discuss the 【Gonadaltes’ Yeongnak】 magic.

“His Highness will be alright, correct?”

“Do not worry, Student Lee Han. His Highness will be fine.”

Professor Garcia comforted him.

Having spent the most time with Jowurin, Lee Han must have felt the absence especially strongly after such a sudden departure.

As the saying went, people only realized what they had once it was gone.

“His Highness won’t somehow persuade them and return next week, right?”

“That’s what you were worried about!?”

Professor Garcia cried out in disbelief.

Lee Han looked puzzled by her reaction.

“The projection issue still hasn’t been resolved. There’s no advantage to His Highness remaining at Einroguard right now, is there?”

“...Student Lee Han!”

Professor Garcia fell into deep self-reflection.

She was the terrible one here!

To think she had doubted such a thoughtful disciple.

“Do not worry, Student Lee Han. We will absolutely resolve this matter.”

“Oh. Professor.”

Lee Han’s expression suddenly turned serious.

Seeing that, Professor Garcia unconsciously straightened her posture.

What kind of question regarding 【Gonadaltes’ Yeongnak】 was this exceptional disciple about to ask?

“Would it be alright if I went to submit my midterm for 【Imperial Languages That Become Flesh and Blood】 first?”

“...Go ahead...”