Chapter 1261

-Uh... your... your younger sister, isn't she?

The baby basilisk asked as if wondering how she could possibly not know that.

Of course, the Imperial Family's genealogy was complicated and difficult to follow, but she was still her younger sister!

Jowrin noticed the hint of reproach in the baby basilisk's words and hurriedly flustered.

“Jowrin... Jowrin knows! Of course Jowrin knows!”

With those words, Jowrin looked at Lee Han with tears welling in her eyes.

Help!

“Everyone, show proper respect before Princess Yukbeltire, a member of the Imperial Family and a renowned enchantment mage of Einroguard!”

Lee Han shouted firmly.

In truth, Lee Han did not particularly like this sort of ceremonial etiquette. Even more so when it was being performed for an upper-year student like Yukbeltire.

She ought to be grateful he wasn't starting a rebellion through insubordination. What sort of seniority etiquette was there to fuss over?

But right now, this was essentially an explanation for Jowrin.

'That should have reminded her, right?'

“......”

'Hmm. She still doesn't remember.'

Jowrin still wore a puzzled expression. Lee Han shook his head.

Jowrin was someone who would remember a person after receiving even a single snack from them. Just how little interest had she paid...!

For the moment, the priests showed proper respect and greeted her again.

“N-nice to meet you, Princess Yukbeltire. But... no. It's nothing.”

“You seem to have a question. Ask.”

Lee Han stepped forward even more confidently.

After impersonating people several times now, he was beginning to get the hang of it. The important thing was confidence.

“...Wasn't your hair originally silver?”

-Gasp.

The baby basilisk panicked and stopped breathing.

Jowrin's golden hair, shining like sunlight, and Yukbeltire's silver hair could hardly have been more different.

Now that it thought about it, the baby basilisk had no idea why it had suggested Yukbeltire in the first place.

'I should've said Gainando...! Idiot!'

The baby basilisk fiercely blamed itself.

But the baby basilisk did not know.

If it had suggested Gainando, Jowrin would have refused immediately!

Jowrin had pride too.

“To a mage who has reached a high level, outward appearance has little meaning. Princess Yukbeltire is no exception.”

Lee Han made the excuse without changing his expression in the slightest. Jowrin thought inwardly that although he was her contractor, he was remarkably skilled at lying.

“I-I see! My apologies. I asked such a rude question...”

“It is understandable. Magic naturally has abstruse aspects that frequently surprise others. Even if Princess Yukbeltire behaves strangely here, please be understanding.”

Jowrin and the baby basilisk were impressed by the meticulousness with which Lee Han had already granted advance immunity for any strange behavior Jowrin might display later.

So that's what a professional looks like!

“Lee Han. Jowrin does not feel confident...”

When the priests' attention briefly shifted away, Jowrin spoke in a nervous voice.

Now that she had heard more, she vaguely remembered who Yukbeltire was, but she still was not confident she could imitate every little detail of her behavior.

Lee Han encouraged the dispirited Jowrin.

“Don't worry. I've done this several times, so I know that the important thing when impersonating someone is confidence.”

'Several times?'

Jowrin was bothered by the words several times, but decided to let it pass for now.

At the moment, she first needed to learn that confidence.

“The priests probably don't know Senior Yukbeltire very well anyway, so if Your Highness acts confidently, they'll assume that's simply how she normally behaves.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. And don't worry. I'll help you from beside you.”

Hearing her contractor's words, Jowrin felt her spirits rise again.

Suddenly, she felt as though she could impersonate someone else perfectly well.

“...Very well! Jowrin shall try!”

“That's the spirit, Your Highness!”

“And from now on, Jowrin shall impersonate countless people!”

“You don't need to go that far.”

Lee Han stopped her firmly.

He had no desire to be dragged before the dragons' court just yet.

“Princess Yukbeltire is here?”

Another group of people appeared from deeper within the forest.

This time, they were not priests but Imperial mages. As soon as they heard Yukbeltire's name, they began examining the installed magic circles and comparing them against what they knew.

“A-amazing! Even if it's only simple wind-blocking magic, fitting it into magic circles this simple and abbreviated should be anything but easy. Princess Yukbeltire. Forgive my boldness, but your skills have improved tremendously since the last academic conference!”

The mages were greatly impressed by the principles contained within the magic circles.

Astonishingly, the magic circles installed around the area had been designed so that their effects remained intact despite greatly omitting both procedures and reagents.

They could not even guess what the secret was.

It could be accomplished by pouring in an absurdly enormous quantity of mana, but [N O V E L I G H T] there was absolutely no way a mage like Yukbeltire would design something that way...

'I really want to know!'

“Hmm.”

Even Lee Han was at a loss for words.

He had never imagined that modifying the magic circles to suit his and Jowrin's characteristics simply to make the work easier and simpler would come back around like this.

He really had stripped the process down as much as possible and compensated for everything with mana.

And they were mistaking that for the development of some new technique or theory...!

“Heh. To this Yukbeltire, such a thing is merely a simple technique that can be developed in the blink of an eye.”

“......”

Oblivious to Lee Han staring at her in horror, Jowrin looked triumphant.

'As expected, impersonation really is about confidence!'

In fact, the mages were so impressed by Jowrin's boast that they did not suspect her in the slightest.

“Oooooh!”

“As expected of Princess Yukbeltire. A great talent who will lead the Empire's enchantment magic school!”

“But wasn't Princess Yukbeltire silver-haired? And her appearance seems to have changed quite a lot...”

“Is that important right now? To ask such pointless questions in front of this magic. I'm disappointed in you!”

“N-no, you're right. My apologies.”

Cold sweat ran down Lee Han's back as he persuaded the mages.

“Princess Yukbeltire wishes to give the mages gathered here an opportunity to study the magic circles personally and arrive at the answer themselves. As always, it is wiser to teach someone how to catch a fish than to simply catch one for them.”

“Thank you!”

“But was Princess Yukbeltire always this kind?”

“Would you shut up! Why do you have so many useless things to say today? If she's treating us kindly, we should simply accept it with gratitude!”

“......”

Lee Han sighed inwardly in relief.

It had been dangerous because of the reputation Yukbeltire had built up over time.

Fortunately, mages were the sort who became completely consumed as soon as magic was placed before them, and they had already entered a state of intense concentration while trying to uncover the nonexistent secret of the magic circles.

'At this rate, we can leave them alone for a while.'

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lee Han quickly put on a mask.

People had failed to notice him because Yukbeltire's name had taken all their attention, but because of the festival, Lee Han's face was currently fairly well known around the area too.

If he were discovered, not only would Stedal Nago's identity be compromised, but a huge commotion could break out.

Then Professor Garcia would discover the truth and be deeply hurt!

'If that happens, I might end up in the punishment area until the end of third year.'

Fearing the worst possible future, Lee Han steeled himself.

He absolutely could not be discovered.

“Sir Nago. Were you always wearing a mask?”

“Hmm. When the cold season arrives, injuries from old duels become painful, so I often wear one.”

“Ah. You mean the duel against that wicked pirate, the ominous butcher Venans?”

“...?”

Lee Han froze.

Huh?

'I don't remember ever mentioning a setting like that.'

The background Lee Han had created had definitely included things like 'escaped from pirates,' 'stole a treasure map and became wealthy,' and 'profited even during the Boneflesh Flower speculation crisis'...

But he could not ask about it in return either. If he asked where they had heard that detail, would that not make him even more suspicious?

“Hmm.”

Lee Han neither confirmed nor denied it.

He deliberately left himself an opening so he could later insist, 'I never agreed to that!'

But the priest seemed to take that as confirmation.

“Truly admirable, Sir Nago. Have you not also fought against an evil god, just like the mages who participated in this expedition? And on top of that, you have fought villains such as pirates as well. It is because people like you exist that order is preserved throughout the Empire.”

Since both of those things really had been done by him, Lee Han felt extremely embarrassed.

...Though he genuinely had no idea what this duel with a pirate was supposed to be...

“Thank you. Then we shall be going...”

Lee Han intended to take Jowrin away and rejoin Uman or Professor Voladi.

No matter how much confidence one had, continuing to talk would eventually reveal inconsistencies.

In truth, Lee Han found it somewhat absurd that even people who had met Yukbeltire before had failed to recognize the deception.

'What do these people think Senior Yukbeltire is like?'

Just how barren had their usual interactions been that they would believe a completely different person was her?

“Princess Yukbeltire, you've arrived!”

“......”

This time, a group of nobles appeared.

As Lee Han had taught her, Jowrin once again summoned her confidence.

'...I don't think confidence alone is going to work much longer...'

* * *

The people who had gathered after hearing rumors of the Imperial princess renowned for her magic were impressed.

Many rumors tended to be wildly exaggerated, but at least the rumors about Princess Yukbeltire did not seem to be.

“Princess Yukbeltire. I would like to ask about your ongoing research into artificial dimensional artifacts. What is the greatest problem you are currently facing, and how do you intend to solve it...?”

-Say that your immediate objective is to withstand the powerful external pressure generated within distorted dimensions!

Lee Han quickly sent the words through telepathy. At the same time, he felt a faint sadness.

Why did he know Senior Yukbeltire's research project in such detail?

'Damn it. She repeated it every time she saw me like she was brainwashing me, and now it's burned into my head.'

He had never imagined it would be useful in his life, yet here he was using it.

The people watching Yukbeltire—or rather, Jowrin—speak knowledgeably about her own research could only marvel.

Even the mages who had initially thought, 'Huh? Isn't that a different person?' no longer doubted her at all.

Who else could she possibly be if she knew her own research that well!

“Princess Yukbeltire. You must be thirsty, so perhaps you should rest for a moment. Refreshments have been prepared.”

“Mm! Very well. Yukbeltire wishes to eat sweet pastries. Ones filled with lots of chocolate cream...”

“Pardon? You're joking, aren't you?”

The people were greatly flustered.

Yukbeltire liking and even requesting that sort of snack simply did not fit her at all.

“...It was a joke.”

Jowrin was quick on the uptake. Noticing everyone's reaction, she immediately backed down.

Lee Han could only stare in disbelief.

Of all Jowrin's acting today, the one thing that had actually been exactly like Yukbeltire was her request for chocolate-cream pastries just now!

'This is ridiculous!'

“Princess Yukbeltire. Do you perhaps remember me?”

“Yukbeltire remembers only magic.”

“Haha. I thought as much. Isn't that simply how geniuses are? Here, please look at this letter. Then you will remember.”

A noble wearing a thick coat politely handed over a letter.

It was correspondence exchanged with Yukbeltire.

...I have no choice but to acknowledge that this is an interesting commission. During next semester, I will leave Einroguard together with other students and resolve this commission...

“......”

“......”

This was a commission Yukbeltire had accepted.

Lee Han remembered it.

'...Come to think of it, she did say we should go out together.'

Lee Han tried to buy some time.

But Jowrin boldly declared,

“Do not worry! Yukbeltire shall resolve it immediately!”

“Your Highness...!”

The people present were deeply moved.

To think that the cold and merciless Imperial princess was actually such a charming person.

Even people who had not particularly supported Yukbeltire before now felt an urge to support her.