Chapter 23

Chapter 023

Lee Han decided to show some consideration for Derkyu.

"Well, this is for the sake of honor and justice, so the word 'spy' doesn't really fit. Derkyu, you're an informant."

"Eh... eh?"

Derkyu was taken aback by the unfamiliar term.

However, it seemed somewhat noble and more dignified than being a spy, so he didn't feel too bad.

"Doesn't it sound good...?"

"Yeah. From now on, as an informant, it would be great if you could tell me about the plots of the White Tiger Tower students."

"O-Okay, I'll do that."

Yoner, who had been sitting beside them with his face in his palms, was amazed.

How did Lee Han manage to persuade that orc from the White Tiger Tower to cooperate like this?

"Derkyu, the reason I brought you here on this Saturday morning... is to think of a way to escape the school."

"...What?!"

Derkyu was shocked.

Lee Han remained calm, as he had expected this reaction.

However, what Derkyu said next was unexpected.

"Lee Han, were you planning to escape too?"

"...?!!"

* * *

Like all the other tower students, the White Tiger Tower students were suffering from hunger.

One might ask if those from knight families aren't more resilient to hunger, but knight families were also respectable noble families of the empire.

They rarely went hungry.

In fact, eating well and moving around a lot made them even more vulnerable to hunger.

-We need to go hunting! I heard that Wodanaz from the Blue Dragon Tower caught a wild boar. We can do it too!

-When the weekend comes, let's form groups and go hunting. There's no one here who hasn't hunted before. We have the best chance!

-Let's show those other tower guys who only rely on magic that we can bring them down!

-Okay, okay. Everyone, calm down.

It was Giselle who managed to control the chaotic atmosphere.

She had a natural leadership that quickly brought the hungry students under control.

-Hunting? Good. But everyone, think carefully. Is hunting really that easy?

-But Wodanaz's family caught one...

-That was a wild boar prepared by the alchemy professor. Think about it. How deep into the forest would we have to go to catch such a wild boar? We're not familiar with the terrain around here.

-......

-......

Giselle's words made the students unconsciously agree.

Indeed, hunting was not an easy task, especially in an unfamiliar place.

Even the small hills and forests behind the school were daunting, let alone going deeper into unknown territory where dangerous monsters might lurk.

-Then, Moradi. Do you have another way?

-Yes.

-What way?

-A way to leave the school and head to the village outside.

-...!!!

-If we succeed, we won't have to worry about whether we catch an animal or not. We can bring back everything we need for the semester.

-Is that really true?!

-Hmm... but it sounds too far-fetched.

-I already have a clear plan in my head. If you want to come, you can. I don't intend to keep it to myself. But... if you come, you must follow my orders. I won't tolerate anyone ruining the atmosphere or messing up the plan with petty defiance.

-Of course, Moradi!

-Who would defy you?

* * *

"Wait? Can I join if I just follow orders well?"

"...Hey, Lee Han."

"Probably not, right?"

Derkyu looked at Lee Han with disbelief.

He didn't know if Giselle would accept Lee Han or not, but...

As a member of the Wodanaz family, he had his pride. How could he participate in this?

Just thinking about what Giselle had planned for Lee Han made Derkyu even angrier.

"Think about what Giselle did."

"Of course, she won't let me join."

"No, it's not that kind of issue."

While Derkyu was bewildered, Lee Han was deep in thought.

Giselle's words had complicated his thoughts.

Originally, Lee Han had planned to gather friends like Derkyu and Nilia and gradually look for an escape route.

He never thought he could find it all at once.

The professor Uregeul's words also suggested that escaping wouldn't be easy.

However, surprisingly, Giselle from the White Tiger Tower confidently claimed to have a method.

Was it just boasting?

'No. She's not the type to boast. Not like Gaianado.'

Lee Han hadn't had many conversations with Giselle from the Moradi family, but he could guess what kind of person she was.

Cold and domineering.

When someone like that makes such a declaration, they must have a solid reason.

"So, she won't let me join..."

"No... she can't be serious, right?"

"If she is, there's nothing we can do."

"Yeah, I'm glad you understand."

"We have to follow and uncover it."

"......"

Derkyu didn't know where to start.

"Are you serious?"

"Is there a better way than following?"

"A little... doesn't it seem dishonorable?"

Derkyu hesitated.

As a knight, one should pursue honor even in a simple fight.

Especially for the Wodanaz family, one of the great families of the empire, honor was highly valued.

"Derkyu, think about it. This is a strategy."

"Huh?"

"Knowing the enemy and knowing yourself. That's strategy, right?"

"Is it?"

"It's a strategy."

Lee Han looked straight at Derkyu and spoke with a steady voice.

'The more absurd the lie, the more confidently you should assert it.'

There was a reason why the loudest voice often won in the world.

No matter how strange the words, if you spoke them seriously and with soul, they gained a strange persuasive power.

When Lee Han, from the Wodanaz family, spoke seriously with his cold, handsome face, Derkyu couldn't help but think, 'Huh? Is it?'

Thinking about it, it did seem like a strategy...

"It could be a strategy."

"Right. It's a strategy. We need to know what the enemy is planning to prepare for it."

Although Giselle didn't have any specific plans to do anything to Lee Han with the escape plan...

Lee Han subtly attached the idea that he needed to know the escape plan to prevent any future evil schemes by Giselle.

"Derkyu, your role is important. You need to tell me about the escape plan of that Moradi family student."

"Understood. I'll try my best."

"Great! Excellent. You're an honorable informant. I know how honorable you are, even if others don't."

"Thank you, Lee Han."

"Sure, sure."

Lee Han patted Derkyu's shoulder, encouraged him, and sent him off.

"Hmm. I was originally thinking about planning an escape, but the plan has changed. ...Why are they all looking at me like that?"

Yoner and Gaianado were looking at Lee Han with strange expressions.

Gaianado asked seriously.

"Did you learn mind control magic before coming to school?"

"......"

* * *

Saturday evening, just before sunset.

The time when Giselle from the Moradi family decided to lead the White Tiger Tower students in an escape attempt.

Lee Han, who had received the time from Derkyu, also began to move.

'I need to confirm the escape route this time if possible.'

Giselle wouldn't share the escape method with others.

Moreover, once they succeeded, they would thoroughly check for anyone following them.

Because Lee Han would do the same!

The best opportunity to confirm the escape route without being noticed was today, the first attempt.

The White Tiger Tower students would be too tense on their first attempt to check if anyone was following them.

"Derkyu, Gaianado, Yoner, Nilia."

Lee Han looked at the friends gathered and said.

These friends would be his companions for the tracking today.

"Thank you all for joining the meeting to find a way out of the school today."

"......"

The dark elf Nilia was startled and perked up her ears.

She had never heard this before.

She had come reluctantly, thinking, 'Oh, maybe they're going hunting?'

"What, what? Get out of the school!?"

"Yeah."

"...Are you crazy?!"

Nilia's outburst made Gaianado unconsciously feel relieved.

At least there was one other person in this meeting who was sane besides himself.

'Right! This is crazy!'

Gaianado, of course, wanted to go to the village if he could.

But it wouldn't be that easy.

He followed because he thought Lee Han had some plan, but he was also afraid.

"No, Nilia. We're not just trying to escape. We have a plan."

"!"

Lee Han's serious words made Nilia's eyes widen in surprise.

A plan?

After only a week in school?

From his expression, it didn't seem like he was lying.

'The Wodanaz family is really... amazing...'

Nilia inwardly marveled.

She had only heard rumors about the Wodanaz family, but seeing Lee Han now, she understood why those rumors spread.

The atmosphere he exuded was different from other freshmen.

Nilia asked with a voice tinged with anticipation.

"What's the plan?"

"There's a student in the White Tiger Tower who knows the escape method. We're going to follow them and copy it."

"......"

Lee Han's plan was definitely not what Nilia had expected.

It was so far off that it was a problem.

* * *

Chasing another dormitory student to copy their method was not the romantic school life Nilia had imagined.

A short but deep contemplation. And a sigh.

However, Nilia ultimately decided to participate.

- Lee Han, Nilia doesn't seem to want to join.

- But Yoner, we need Nilia's help. She's the best at tracking here.

- But forcing her to join...

- Is that so? If she really doesn't want to, there's nothing we can do...

- ...There's nothing I can do! If no one else will, I'll help!

- Nilia!!

Hearing the conversation between Lee Han and Yoner, Nilia couldn't refuse.

Abandoning a friend out of fear was not part of the <Shadow Patrol> code.

And...

Honestly, she was flattered that her hunting skills were highly valued.

Ironically, the one who valued her hunting skills the most was not her fellow tower students but Lee Han from another tower.

Derkyu, not understanding, muttered quietly.

"That dark elf. I thought she would refuse, why did she join?"

"I think I understand."

Gaianado said confidently.

"Ah, I see."

Everyone has things they don't want to do.

There are many reasons.

Fear.

Anxiety.

Selfishness.

The virtues that make people overcome these reasons and take action are called honor and friendship.

The reason that dark elf joined despite not wanting to was only one.

It must be for the friendship among friends.

'What a good thing to see.'

Derkyu smiled secretly.

Since he had joined for the sake of honor, seeing friends he had built friendships with, regardless of their families, made him feel good.

"What? Choy, did you figure it out too?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe she wants to go to the village as much as you do. I really want to go to the village too. Once we get there, I can sleep in a soft, soft bed... No, no. First, I need to eat. I'll eat all the sweet things in the village. Candy, chocolate, hotcakes, syrup..."

"......"

Derkyu looked at Gaianado with a bewildered expression.

'Why is this guy here?'