Episode 138

“Is it because you’re sincere, or just youthful recklessness, I wonder.”

A faint, enigmatic smile played at the corner of Gale’s lips. Did he really think I’d let him slip something into my mouth under the guise of a truth serum? That was one of the reasons high-ranking officials were so uneasy around the Magic Department—no one knew what they might do to your body.

“I’m sincere. And truthful.”

“Let’s hear it then. Those who swear oaths always have something they desire.”

He was inviting me to persuade him. I placed my hand on the box’s lid and chose my words carefully. From now on, there could be no room for error—I had to speak exactly as I had rehearsed in my mind. Since Gale was likely to use the truth serum, I needed to shield myself with carefully nuanced phrasing.

“I became a lord with the help of His Highness Marib, but I am not his man. Of course, I have been given certain instructions in return. I believe Your Highness Gale is already aware of this.”

“That’s something not only I but the secretaries of the Magic Department know.”

“His Highness Marib wishes for me to be assigned to the Mana Stone Management Division.”

Mana Stone Management? Gale’s brow furrowed slightly. It was a small clue, but enough to catch Marib’s intentions.

“So you were trying to learn about the truth serum.”

“I understand it’s currently a hot topic at court.”

“But you didn’t go to the Mana Stone Management Division. Why? Did you think it would be easy to access?”

“Exactly as you say.”

I nodded and slowly offered the box. Gale’s eyes, filled with curiosity and suspicion, fixed on it. He nodded as if granting permission, and I opened the lid.

Swish.

“I believe you’ll recognize it immediately.”

“…Luron?”

Most of what Gale had seen so far was powder. He’d seen small granules no bigger than a fingernail, but never a chunk like this. How many kilograms could this be?

“According to the records, the Magic Department currently stores about ten kilograms of Luron stone. Each dose of the truth serum contains roughly ten grams of Luron, so on the surface, it seems like a generous amount.”

But the problem was that research was still ongoing. About five kilograms had already been used, and another kilogram was expected to be consumed to improve the serum’s quality.

‘Besides, Luron is a rare, high-grade mana stone. It’s useful not only for the truth serum but for other purposes as well. After a few rounds of research, it’s clear the supply will run short.’

Having ten kilograms left didn’t mean there was any real surplus. That was why the Bratz borderlands—the suspected mining site—had been targeted so persistently.

Gale lifted the chunk of Luron, holding it up to the ceiling light, murmuring:

“…So it was in Bratz after all.”

His blue eyes flickered. What had been a faint possibility had now practically rolled right into his lap.

“All the deposits buried in the Hielo territory have been mined and are now managed centrally.”

I deliberately emphasized the name Hielo, as if to say the border’s ownership had long since changed. It was also a subtle way of telling him to focus on me, right here, rather than looking elsewhere.

Gale kept fiddling with the Luron stone, chuckling. This was turning out to be quite an entertaining development.

“That’s only a small portion.”

“I admit it. Honestly, I’m quite surprised.”

“If Your Highness wishes, I will arrange for the Luron stones to be traded with the Magic Department. We’ll supply them at market price. That way, you can easily dismiss any baseless objections about wasting precious mana stones.”

One of the main arguments from the opposition was this: how could such a rare, high-grade mana stone be consumed in a single-use potion? Usually, mana stones were used as magical aids, so the idea of drinking them up and losing them sparked resistance.

“Will you pay the tribute with the proceeds from the trade?”

“Now that I’m at the center, there are many places that need it.”

His subtle hint deserved a subtle response. I smiled, and Gale fixed his gaze on the violet-glowing Luron stone. It was more than beautiful—it was truly mysterious.

“So, what is it you want?”

Leaning back against the sofa, Gale asked lazily, inviting me to reveal my true intentions.

“Please raise me to be the next Minister of Magic.”

“……!”

From start to finish, it was one shock after another. I was almost curious to know what was going on inside that small head. Gale parted his lips slightly, then burst out laughing.

“Ah! Hahaha! You’re mad!”

No matter how much rare, high-grade mana stone you supply, isn’t that asking way too much? The Minister of Magic, no less! He must be completely out of his mind.

Gale’s hearty laughter couldn’t be contained, and I patiently waited for him to catch his breath.

“Securing Luron stones will make things easier, that’s true. But that’s all it does. It only shuts up the nonsense about wasting mana stones. Ian, have you lost your mind?”

“Supplying the Luron stones is merely a gesture of goodwill toward Your Highness Gale.”

“Is that so? Then what else?”

His tone was like soothing a child. I stared him down and wiped the smile off his face completely.

“I will get the truth serum proposal passed.”

“…The jokes are getting less funny.”

“You’ll find it amusing when it becomes reality.”

“How do you plan to do that? You’re just a minor noble, a self-made nobody.”

I had neither the qualifications nor the right to attend the meeting. Yet here I was, boldly declaring I would make it happen. It was the height of audacity.

“The entire department, except the Magic Department, is up in arms over this. And you say you’ll handle it? So you want to be made Minister?”

“I didn’t say ‘made.’ I said ‘raised.’ Please dismiss Minister Wesley at the next personnel meeting, scheduled for next week. That will spark a power struggle within the Magic Department, and I will handle things from there.”

Arrogant. But it was an attitude born of absolute confidence.

Gale fell silent, resting his chin on his hand as he glared at me. I met his gaze without a hint of fear.

“Handle things yourself?”

“Is there any other department that runs purely on merit like the Magic Department?”

Suddenly, Gale recalled me during the mana verification ceremony. The mana that captivated not only the nobles but the entire royal family. Wesley’s flustered expression was especially vivid.

“Did you tamper with the magic circle during the mana verification?”

“Yes.”

“…How?”

“Magic isn’t something that can be explained in words. I apologize, Your Highness.”

He was basically saying that no matter how much you explained, you wouldn’t understand, so don’t ask. I just smiled, and Gale’s thoughts grew more complicated.

‘Maybe Ian’s mana is even stronger than Wesley’s. If so, even if Wesley doesn’t fall from the Minister’s position this time, Ian will catch up eventually.’

One by one, reasons emerged why Wesley wasn’t indispensable. Above all, if the subject of the summoning magic was Gale himself, it made sense to deal with it quickly without hesitation.

But…

“Wesley is loyal to me out of admiration. What will you offer me in loyalty? You know what it means to sit in the head seat of the Magic Department.”

He was asking if I was prepared to become his complete right hand, as Wesley was. He acknowledged I might have potential, but was I ready to pledge such loyalty?

“Your Highness Gale, I…”

I finally spoke.

“I do not believe His Highness Marib is fit to be Emperor.”

“…Hah!”

“So, please feel free to use me as you see fit.”

I wasn’t lying. The next emperor would be either Arsen or Jin. Gale snapped his fingers, and a subordinate who had been lurking in the shadows stepped forward.

“You called, Your Highness?”

“Bring the truth serum.”

“As you command.”

Swish.

Even as the subordinate moved, Gale didn’t take his eyes off me. He looked ready to pounce on the slightest sign of weakness.

“What will you do if I reject everything you’ve said here?”

“With all due respect, I will go to see His Highness Marib as I am. I will report that Minister Wesley plans to use forbidden summoning magic to harm Your Highness Gale.”

If that happened, Marib would kill Wesley without hesitation—for daring to harm a royal. It would be like cutting off Gale’s arms and legs without giving him any chance to respond.

Shhh.

Gale lit a cigarette, drew his sword, and slowly brought the blade close to my neck.

“Ian, you survived the desert, didn’t you?”

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

“Have you considered this scenario? Tell me. Because right now, I can’t think of any option other than killing you.”

I calmly looked down the blade. The dim light of the bedroom shimmered faintly along the sharp edge.

“I haven’t considered it. Because I believe Your Highness Gale will make a wise decision.”

“You’ve got honey on your tongue.”

Whether I lived or died, Wesley’s misdeeds would be reported to Marib one way or another. So rather than handing Marib the sword of judgment, it was better to have me on the same side.

Swish.

The tip of the sword slowly traced up my neck toward my mouth, as if to tear it open. Gale was warning me: with just a little pressure, he could kill me.

“Your Highness, the truth serum has arrived.”

Hearing the approach of his subordinate from behind, Gale dropped his sword to the floor. Inside the crystal bottle was a clear liquid. Gale personally opened the cap and gave it a shake.

“If Wesley falls from power, the Minister’s seat will remain vacant, and a new meeting will be convened. Until then, it’s entirely up to you to rally support within the Ministry of Magic.”

“I’m confident.”

This would cause a huge upheaval. After all, this was the Minister of Magic who could bring down even a flying bird. The moment he was suspended, every wizard in the Ministry would be fiercely divided. Departments that had produced ministers, like the current Magical Support Division, would enjoy the benefits of power. During that chaotic period, Ian—or Ian’s faction—needed to assert their presence decisively.

“I like your answer—straight to the point.”

Thud.

Gale placed the potion of silencing on the table, gesturing for Ian to drink it without hesitation. His cheerful smile was oddly unsettling.

“Go ahead, try it. What, do you think it’s poison?”

“Not at all. As I said, I believe I can be of help to you, Lord Gale.”

“I haven’t tasted it myself, so I’m curious about the flavor. Describe it in detail.”

Ian cautiously took a sip of the silencing potion. His throat felt like it was on fire, and his heart pounded rapidly. The heat rising within him was no different from a strong liquor.

“Ah—”

Matching Gale’s words, Ian slowly opened his mouth. Suddenly, a gush of black blood poured out. There was no pain, but the shock was undeniable.

“No need to be surprised. It’s perfectly normal.”

“…No wonder the other ministers are so desperate to avoid drinking it.”

“Haha! Yes, it’s not exactly a pleasant sight.”

Leaning closer, Gale asked Ian a question.

“Sir Ian, is there any falsehood in what you told me?”

As Ian wiped the blood from his hand, he found himself answering without thinking.

“I swear, not a single lie.”