Chapter 144

The wizards remained silent. Or rather, they dared not respond even slightly, fearing that any reaction might drag them into the chaos unfolding around them.

No matter that it was the Second Prince’s order—Wesley was their direct superior, wasn’t he? As head of the Magic Department, he was essentially the representative of all current wizards. So how on earth could they be commanded to kill him? And by what right…?

“Your Highness, that’s impossible,” one finally spoke up. He looked older, and his words carried the weight of someone trying to represent the others’ concerns, though Gale would surely find it insubordinate.

“We need to understand why Lord Wesley ended up like this first. It seems like some kind of magical side effect. Finding a way to save him is the way to save all the wizards. If you summon the captains inside, there might be a solution.”

“Identify yourself.”

“I am Shailot of the Mana Stone Management Division.”

“Shailot, you will be tried for insubordination once this incident is over.”

That was a clear warning to shut up. Hearing this, the other wizards who were about to speak fell silent. If only the captains had been here to mediate, things might not have come to this. They glanced nervously at Wesley, who stood behind a shimmering barrier.

Thud! Boom!

Both of his ears were torn. Was that why he couldn’t hear their pleas? Wesley kept pounding his fists against the golden wall, trying to break the barrier.

“What are you waiting for? I said kill him!”

“Do you want to be charged with insubordination?!”

“…”

Gale’s men shouted, but the wizards didn’t budge. At that moment, Gale realized that his control over the Magic Department had truly been thanks to Wesley.

‘It’s time for a change.’

Good. This was the perfect opportunity to completely reshape the power structure and make it clear who the real master was. Gale slowly turned his head to look for Ian. If anyone could move this situation forward, it was him.

“Ian!”

Why was the Second Prince calling for Ian? He was a newcomer, yes, but also a man of the First Prince. Everyone looked at Ian with puzzled eyes.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ian clicked his tongue inwardly but smiled politely and bowed. Not bad. Later, when building his own influence in the Magic Department, it would be useful to appear as though he had the support of both princes.

“What is your opinion?”

Gale’s gaze didn’t match the question—it was more like a challenge, urging Ian to make the first move. But Ian remained calm, thinking carefully.

First and foremost, legitimacy is key.

“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, could you inform us of the decision made in the inner council regarding Lord Wesley’s case?”

Removing the title of head of the Magic Department from Wesley’s name would make it easier to handle the wizards. Gale had left his post and rushed here, so he must have been dismissed.

“…Wesley has been dismissed from his ministerial position effective immediately. A new candidate will be nominated and elected as soon as possible.”

Though he didn’t show it, Gale seemed a bit taken aback. Ian had barely caught his intent and gave a fitting answer, laying out a clear direction for future actions.

“Wesley has been dismissed as minister?”

“That means he’s no longer a civil servant. Reduced to a civilian status?”

“More importantly, they’re accepting candidates!”

“So that’s why the captains aren’t showing up.”

“If they’re electing a new minister…”

“Wait, there’s no rule that only captains can be candidates.”

Wesley was no longer their leader. Continuing to serve her would be an act against the imperial will—tantamount to treason. And a new candidate? Anyone could become the next Wesley.

“I hear there are many powerful figures in the Magic Department. I’m curious.”

Gale smiled slowly and threw down a challenge: prove your loyalty and ability by killing Wesley. Let’s see who can really make a name for themselves.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Bang!

“Elsie!”

One wizard was the first to cast an attack spell. A blue light burst from his palm, aiming for Wesley’s body, but it dissipated before it even got close—like an ice shard thrown into lava.

“Damn it! Sorry, Lord Wesley!”

“Those who set up the barrier, maintain your magic!”

“Wait, hold on!”

“Release your magic to the fullest! The target is Lord Wesley!”

“Are you all crazy? Get a grip!”

“Step aside, anyone in the way!”

Click, click!

The wizards quickly formed ranks, grouping by division. Only the Magic Support Division wizards stood frozen, unable to accept what was happening. Others roughly pushed past them, warning sharply.

“The Emperor is inside. If we fail to stop Lord Wesley here, we all face execution. If you intend to destroy the Magic Department, I’ll kill you first.”

“No, calm down, please!”

The Magic Support Division couldn’t understand the sudden change in attitude from the other divisions. It was a difference born of the usual power dynamics.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Kugugugu! Boom!

“Don’t give him an opening! Keep going! Keep going!”

“Damn it, use some real power!”

Once a domino falls, it doesn’t stop. The wizards unleashed their magic indiscriminately on Wesley. But most were office workers, untrained in offensive spells, so the effect was minimal.

“Magic Operations Division! Why are you standing there?!”

“Yeah, do something like you usually do!”

One wizard wiped cold sweat from his brow and shouted. Everyone was struggling with unfamiliar magic, but Tommy and Nakina just stood there, watching as if it were a fire across the river.

“We don’t attack without orders from Captain Hale.”

“What? Are you kidding me?”

“Yeah, get lost. You think it’s the first time we’ve died because we rushed in blindly? Just keep the barrier up. Wait for the captains to show up, then attack.”

“What don’t you understand? It’s Lord Wesley!”

“He’s burning up. Does that look normal to you?”

“That’s insubordination. Watch closely how the Magic Operations Division is handling this!”

The wizard seemed to be yelling at a colleague but was actually glancing at Gale. Tommy and Nakina chuckled and scratched their ears.

“Idiots. Seriously.”

Whatever the reason, Ian thought this was a wise move. Wesley’s smoke was growing increasingly toxic.

“Your Highness Gale, I’ve brought a bow and arrows.”

Gale took the bow from his subordinate and immediately took aim. The bowstring pulled taut, a black cloth wrapped arrow ready. Without hesitation, he aimed at Wesley’s head.

“…Wizards are all useless.”

“Everyone, clear the way! Mana-sealing stone arrows!”

“Mana-sealing stones are here! Stand back!”

Kraaaack.

Pewing!

The mana-sealing stone was known as the wizards’ Achilles’ heel, capable of nullifying all magic. It was the rarest of the rare, held only nominally by a few royal family members. The wizards scrambled to clear a path, and the arrow sliced through.

Bang!

It pierced the magical barrier in an instant, flying straight toward Wesley.

Ssssh.

Like the other magical attacks, the arrow vanished, leaving only smoke behind. The wizards who saw this froze in place and took a step back.

“Wait, didn’t you say that was a mana-sealing stone arrow?”

“If that didn’t work…”

“Lord Wesley! Could it be… has he mixed blood into his magic?”

“Damn it! Captain Jaret! Don’t get close!”

As panic spread among the wizards, the onlookers also shrank back. Romandro, clinging like a shell, trembled and tugged at Ian’s collar.

“Why… why is he like that, Ian?”

“It seems Wesley has used forbidden magic.”

“What’s that?”

Nakina answered instead. Though she had said she wouldn’t join the fight, her palm still held condensed magic, ready to protect the others if something went wrong.

“We’ve never actually seen it ourselves. It’s literally forbidden magic. They call it ‘mixing blood into magic,’ but we don’t even know if that’s the real method.”

Its very existence breaks the balance of power. Ian, as Emperor, had witnessed it only once—just before his death, when Naum sacrificed himself.

“In any case, forbidden magic allows for transcending space and time or reversing life and death. It defies the laws of nature. That’s why mana-sealing stones don’t work.”

That was how Wesley could transcend space and time even while imprisoned underground. Ian rubbed the back of his neck, clearly troubled by this unexpected turn.

‘Gale, you really botched this.’

If you were going to handle it, do it properly. How could you let Wesley appear wrapped in forbidden magic? Ian looked back at Gale, who wore an equally troubled expression.

“Are you sure you brought the right arrows?”

“Of course, Your Highness Gale.”

“Then why aren’t they working?”

It was just as Gale was scolding his subordinates that Wesley, who had been standing silently all this time, finally spoke up.

“Gale.”

It wasn’t a voice of the living. It was laced with a sharp, poisonous edge that sent a dizzying chill through anyone who heard it. Everyone immediately dropped to their knees, covering their ears, while Gale stood frowning.

“We’ve spent so much time together. I couldn’t just end it like this, so I came to find you.”

“Damn it, why the hell are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

“Is it because of the magic-sealing stone?”

Any mage would never forget the sensation of a magic-sealing stone. Gale’s arrow, absorbed by it, had awakened Wesley’s consciousness. Gale let out a bitter laugh and drew his bowstring again.

“I didn’t realize you were such a pathetic woman.”

Kraaaack!

Ssssh! Ping!

Arrows kept flying, but none could incapacitate Wesley. She advanced slowly toward Gale. The recovered mages charged as a group, but couldn’t force her to take a single step back.

“Protect His Highness Gale!”

“Wesley, are you insane? Stop moving forward!”

“Captain Jarrett! Give the order!”

“Everyone, release your magic!”

“Your Highness, retreat inside!”

“Fall back, fall back!”

The guards and subordinates formed a protective circle around Gale, steadily retreating. Ian simply patted the trembling Romandro on the shoulder and watched the scene unfold. Were they trying to kill Gale? Or was there some other motive?

‘No need to intervene.’

If Gale died here, the Magic Department’s reputation would plummet, but that was the extent of it. Ian still held a connection to Marib, so it wouldn’t affect him much.

‘Ah, but building the annex will definitely get a lot harder.’

Even with the Magic Department’s advantage, they hadn’t been able to push through the annex’s construction. Hmm. Maybe I should help, if only to keep things in check.

Romandro muttered as if on the verge of fainting.

“Ian, is there really no way to counter forbidden magic?”

“No, that’s not the case. If the opposing force is stronger than the caster’s own magic, it can be suppressed without issue.”

“Call the captains! We need everyone’s strength!”

And then, something else.

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Whether it would work or not, Ian released his magic. Forbidden magic can only be countered by forbidden magic, right? And as its product, maybe I can…

Fwoooom!

The magic orb Ian hastily launched struck Wesley’s body. Unlike the others, she was the first to be physically affected without being incapacitated.

“…Huh?”

“Wha—?”

“Did that just…?”

Ian looked down at his palm in surprise, and the other mages shared the same stunned expression.

Chaos erupted, followed by a heavy silence settling over the battlefield for the first time.