Chapter 149

The Ministry of Magic was facing unprecedented turmoil. For the first time ever, both the Minister and the Chief Aide positions were vacant simultaneously. And since this chaos stemmed from a scandal, the Ministry’s stance was inevitably awkward. It was no surprise that the voices of the department heads gathered in the meeting room grew louder and more heated.

“Watch your words and actions.”

“What? You’re saying the Magical Support Department will be excluded from the investigation team?”

“I never said ‘excluded.’ I said the investigation team would be formed mainly from other departments.”

“That’s just semantics! When something like this happens, it’s the Support Department’s role to deploy personnel. This is an overreach by other departments!”

“Come on, do you really think it’s reasonable for the department directly under Minister Wesley—the very one who tried to sabotage Gale—to lead the investigation? You’d better just shut up and sit down.”

“If you’re going to serve the Minister, you should have done it properly! What was the Support Department’s chief doing until this mess happened?”

“Hah! We’re wizards! One family!”

“Watch your tongue! Wesley is nothing but a traitor!”

Bang! Crash!

The sound of folders slamming down on tables echoed from all sides. Only Captain Hale of the Magical Operations Department sniffled quietly, rummaging through his pockets. Since the meeting was dragging on, he figured he might as well smoke a cigarette.

Rrrrriiiip!

At that moment, the door burst open, cutting through the commotion. It was Ian. The captains had been in a personnel meeting and hadn’t witnessed the scene firsthand, but among those who had, only Ian had confronted Wesley. He had just returned from the Emperor’s emergency meeting as the Ministry’s representative.

“Ian, you’re here.”

“Yes, sorry I’m late.”

“No, you’ve done well.”

Hale pulled out a chair and patted the back, inviting him to sit. Behind Ian, Tommy and Nakina stood, half dazed and held in place. Judging by the heated arguments here, it was clear the tension had been just as fierce at the Emperor’s emergency meeting.

“There’s blood on your sleeve.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Not mine.”

Ian smiled lightly in response to Hale’s question. Everyone was watching their whispered exchanges intently, desperate to know what punishment awaited the Ministry.

“Ian, what did they say?”

“Tell us everything. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

“Why call only a rookie like me in?”

“Because they don’t trust the other wizards.”

“Thanks to Minister Wesley, our position has become absolutely, utterly precarious! Damn it!”

The department heads couldn’t hold back their remarks, but Ian sat down and straightened his clothes carefully.

“Stop stalling.”

“Do I look like I’m stalling?”

At someone’s question, Ian furrowed his delicate brows. The room instantly froze. Everyone assumed the punishment would be severe and fell silent.

‘Interesting,’ thought Hale, the only one who saw through Ian’s bluff. He smirked and chewed on his cigarette, while Ian playfully tapped his fingers under the table. No one else dared to speak.

“His Highness Gale has regained consciousness. Are you aware?”

“What? He’s come to?”

“Any serious injuries?”

“No. He seemed to be moving around without issue.”

“And the curse? Was it actually inflicted?”

Ian nodded gravely as the others gasped. Their worst fears had come true.

“There’s no doubt this is a crisis threatening the very existence of the Ministry.”

“Have the forbidden magic-related documents arrived yet?”

“Ian, keep going. If possible, tell us everything, even the unnecessary details.”

This was why Ian had taken such a serious tone.

He was the sole messenger of the Imperial Court’s will, and the only one connected to Marib, who was rising in influence. The imbalance of information naturally translated into power, bringing Ian one step closer to the next Minister’s seat.

“This isn’t just about the Ministry’s survival—it’s about Bariel’s survival. Therefore, the Imperial Court ordered His Highness Gale to verify the truth through a truth serum potion. All existing samples are to be discarded and new ones created.”

All eyes turned to the relevant department heads. The freckled woman blinked in surprise.

“When is the deadline?”

“Sooner is better, of course. But I’ve requested at least two weeks, so as long as it’s within that timeframe, it should be fine.”

Akorella, head of the Mana Stone Management Department, let out a shaky breath. Given the gravity of the matter, she had feared they might demand it within a day or two.

At that moment, one of the murmuring captains raised a hand and asked Ian a question.

“Any other sanctions against the Ministry?”

“None have been issued yet. We’re still responsible for investigating the forbidden magic. Once Gale’s curse is identified, further measures will be discussed. It’s expected that the independent and unique authority we’ve enjoyed so far will be significantly reduced.”

“Then shouldn’t we hurry to elect the next Minister?”

“Right. Even if temporary, that’s best. It’s confusing now, but we need to unite more than ever.”

“Having a representative makes it easier to express our stance. I’m in favor.”

“But we exclude the Magical Support Department, which was directly under Wesley. If a Minister from that department is elected now, it’s basically supporting Wesley.”

The Support Department’s chief and his members bit their lips tightly under the sharp gazes of the other wizards. They were frustrated but had no grounds to argue. The captains exchanged glances and cleared their throats awkwardly.

“Captain Zhang of the Magical Research Department, are you willing to register as a candidate?”

“I’m not interested.”

“Mana Stone Management Department also abstains.”

“Does it matter if the candidate isn’t a captain?”

“Why? You want to run?”

“If it’s allowed, yes. Even the research department, usually buried in books, is confident enough to put forward a candidate.”

“Hah! Look at that attitude. Hey! Train your subordinates properly! If I become Minister, you’re getting demoted.”

“Ha ha ha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard today.”

Bang! The meeting room erupted again. Those wanting to register as candidates, those trying to block them, and those indifferent all mingled in a noisy chatter. Hale belonged to the latter group.

“Wanna grab a bite after this?”

“Captain Hale, aren’t you running?”

“Nope. I hate the whole stamp-and-seal business. I can’t stand talking to those high-ranking palace folks. Not interested.”

Tommy and Nakina seemed the same. They shared a cigarette, eyes fixed on Ian.

“You gonna do it?”

“Our youngest looks like he wants to.”

“After going toe-to-toe with Wesley, I guess he feels up to it.”

“Ah, this kid’s got talent. No doubt.”

“…May I?”

It wasn’t really a question of permission. Whatever they said, Ian was going to do it. It was just a matter of courtesy. Hale answered indifferently.

“Go ahead.”

Permission granted immediately. Ian glanced at Tommy and Nakina, who nodded simultaneously, as if to say, “Why even ask?” The atmosphere was the exact opposite of the noisy bickering in other departments.

“Yeah. If you want to, then do it.”

“If you become Minister, pull some budget for our department. Damn it, the equipment we have in the field is pathetic.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. But if the youngest becomes Minister, what do we call him? ‘Youngest Sir’?”

“Minister, you idiot.”

“Ah! Then I won’t have any juniors anymore?”

“Exactly. You’re stuck as the eternal youngest.”

“Then I’m against it!”

Tommy jumped up, but Nakina’s kick to his shin forced him back into his seat. Hale raised his eyebrows, signaling Ian to hurry and register.

Swish.

“I, Ian Hiel of the Magical Operations Department, hereby register as a candidate.”

As Ian stood and declared this, the murmurs abruptly stopped. It was expected, but the feeling was that the inevitable had finally arrived. The captains exchanged glances and turned to the Magical Operations Department.

“Not Captain Hale, but you, Ian Hiel?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“No problem, per se. But…”

Zhang, who had registered first, stroked his beard thoughtfully. Those exchanging looks with him were captains from other departments who had already built their own power bases and were clearly eyeing the next Minister’s seat.

The more Ian’s presence and status rose, the more the existing captains had to be on edge. There was nothing worse than having a rookie as your superior.

“Speak your mind.”

“Ian Hiel, Viscount. You were granted a fief by His Majesty the Emperor. You’ve also made notable contributions while the captains were absent.”

Ian nodded slowly, listening attentively. The groundwork laid before pointing out problems was never wasted, though the author seemed unaware of this.

“This acknowledges that, aside from the captains, you are clearly capable among those present on the field.”

They were subtly emphasizing that if the captains had been there, Ian wouldn’t have stepped up.

Hale wrinkled his nose and scanned those exchanging looks with Zhang. Their political savvy was impressive—they had managed to build a power base even amid the chaos.

Ian shrugged and replied,

“I still don’t see what the problem is.”

“But Ian, doesn’t your status have an expiration date? I believe it’s one year.”

“Expiration date? What do you mean by that?”

“Ah, it seems some of you are still unaware. Ian Hielo is the illegitimate son of the previous Bratz Count. Everyone knows that his father was executed by beheading for treason. By exposing his own father’s crime, the Emperor suppressed the rebellion. Naturally, Ian must pay both his due rewards and his debts.”

The reward was a new surname—Hielo—and the title of lord. The debt was a tribute of ten thousand gold coins. And it had to be paid within a year.

“If he fails to deliver the ten thousand gold coins within a year, he will lose his title and become a slave in the Imperial Palace. So, have you prepared a way to survive? If not, many will find themselves in trouble. Even a slave wizard is unheard of—let alone a former minister turned slave. There’s no dishonor greater than that.”

“Exactly! If that happens, it will be a disgrace to the Magic Department.”

“A minister of the Magic Department, reduced to a slave?”

“Listen, it’s not just about being a minister. Even being nominated as a candidate is problematic. Imagine how ridiculous the Magic Department would look in the future.”

Those hearing Ian’s situation for the first time stirred loudly. Hail, Tommy, and Nakina all swallowed hard and glanced at Ian.

‘I-an?’

Yet his expression showed no sign of disturbance. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying the moment, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Ian Hielo, is everything Jean said true?”

“All of it.”

“Then I must reject your candidacy.”

“Indeed! I reject it as well!”

“Let me be clear: I have no problem raising the tribute.”

“Don’t lie! You’re still relying on that Romandro fellow’s estate in the Administration Department, aren’t you?”

“You seem quite interested in me, Captain Jean.”

Ian’s calm reply made Jean scowl in disbelief. Ian then turned to Akorella, head of the Mana Stone Management Division, and asked,

“May I ask, what is the current market price of Luron Stones?”

“Lu-Luron Stones? I haven’t checked today’s price yet.”

“An estimate will do. Let me ask again: about eighty kilograms of Luron Stones—how much would that be worth?”

“I can’t calculate it exactly right now, but, um, it would easily exceed the Magic Department’s budget for several years.”

Akorella tilted her head, puzzled by the question. Then suddenly, she shouted excitedly, her usually quiet voice replaced by the frantic cry of a mana stone-obsessed scientist.

“Could it be! You actually have that much Luron Stone!?”

“A Luron deposit was discovered in the Hielo territory. We’ll officially deliver it to the Magic Department and settle the tribute immediately. With this, there’s no problem at all.”

“Th-That’s a lie!”

Jean’s blunt denial made Ian smile.

“Do I have any reason to lie? I will settle the tribute within days. If I do, I will be a noble granted land by His Majesty the Emperor and the only wizard to have actively contributed on site. Doesn’t that qualify me?”

“Of course! If it’s eighty kilograms of Luron Stone, I’ll gladly cast my vote for you!”

“Captain Akorella, please calm down.”

“Calm down? How can I calm down right now!?”

Akorella’s eyes sparkled wildly as she shouted like a madwoman, while Ian just nodded slightly. As you can see, there’s no problem—just put my name on the candidate list.

“I-I support you!!”

“Captain Akorella!”

That was already one vote secured.