Chapter 157
“The next item on the agenda: I hear there is only one candidate nominated for the next Minister of Magic.”
In the grand conference hall where the Prime Minister and all the department ministers had gathered, the sound of papers shuffling filled the air. The documents were thick with letters of support from wizards backing Ian, along with urgent requests to expedite the stabilization of the Ministry of Magic. The Prime Minister lightly tapped his gavel and glanced around the room.
“Additionally, we have confirmation that Viscount Ian Hielo’s donation has been fully paid.”
“There appear to be no disqualifications.”
“Let’s hear only the two opinions: for and against.”
“Is there anyone opposed? We can’t leave the minister’s seat vacant any longer, and above all, the wizards’ support is overwhelmingly strong.”
The ministers cleared their throats nervously, exchanging glances. In this tangled power struggle between the Marib and Gale factions, both sides wanted Ian to take office. No one dared reveal their true feelings; they were simply waiting to see how things unfolded. A very small number of Delaina’s close allies also remained silent, quietly lending their support.
Bang bang!
“Very well. Let’s proceed immediately. Those in favor of Viscount Ian Hielo’s appointment as Minister of Magic, please raise your hands.”
Slowly, hands rose. The Prime Minister frowned in mild surprise. Without exception, everyone had voted in favor. The Marib and Gale factions eyed each other suspiciously but remained silent.
“No votes against?”
“…It seems there are none.”
“This is unprecedented. To pass a motion without a single dissenting vote. Is this truly correct? If anyone has made a mistake, please speak now.”
But the room remained silent, steadfast in their stance. They all believed wholeheartedly that Ian’s appointment would benefit their lord and the Ministry alike.
The Prime Minister sighed softly and struck the gavel.
Bang bang bang!
“The motion to appoint Viscount Ian Hielo as Minister of Magic is passed. It will be submitted to His Majesty the Emperor this afternoon, and given the gravity of the matter, we will proceed with the announcement as swiftly as possible.”
“Agreed.”
“No objections.”
The ministers spoke in unison. And why not? The more they thought about it, the more remarkable it seemed.
This was the minister’s seat, after all. Even though the Ministry of Magic valued ability above all, Ian had only recently entered the palace during the New Year’s gathering. It was barely spring, the ice just melting…
“Most of the ministers here have held their posts for nearly twenty years.”
In many ways, history was being rewritten. The first noble wizard to follow the aristocratic line, the youngest minister ever, and now the first to be appointed without a single opposing vote.
The ministers shook their heads involuntarily and lowered their gazes to the documents. It was clear that an extraordinary new star was rising in the imperial court.
Clatter!
Ian paused as he was filling out paperwork. Beric, who had been lounging on the sofa, peeked his head out, and the members of the Magic Operations Department stopped what they were doing and turned toward the door.
Tommy stood there, breathless and flushed with excitement.
Everyone caught on and slowly rose.
“…You’re here?”
“Yeah, yeah! The golden carriage is here!”
“Awesome! This is it! It’s been a while since I’ve seen the higher-ups move this fast. Congratulations, Minister Ian!”
Nakina clenched her fists and shouted with joy. Beric danced an odd little jig behind Ian, and Hale greeted him with a handshake.
“Congratulations.”
“It’s thanks to all of you. I’m grateful.”
As Ian stepped outside, wizards who had heard the news gathered in small groups. They bowed respectfully and parted like the sea, clearing a path for Ian.
“Viscount Ian Hielo, kneel before His Majesty the Emperor’s decree.”
It was Chielonia, the palace administrator. The elderly woman who had once come to deliver his lordship appointment when he was stationed at the border, and a colleague of Morin. Her expression was one of disbelief. How could someone who had only recently become a lord be appointed minister? Especially of the Ministry of Magic, which held the empire’s fate in its hands?
“Long time no see, Administrator. You always bring me good news when we meet. It’s an honor.”
Ian knelt on one knee, and the wizards followed suit. The woman swallowed a startled sigh but maintained her dignified tone.
“It is truly lamentable that the Minister of Magic position has been vacant due to unfortunate circumstances. Therefore, by the authority of Emperor Bariel, I hereby appoint you, Viscount Ian Hielo, as the new Minister of Magic, based on the unanimous support of the Ministry and the assembly.”
‘Did she just say unanimous support?’
‘Unanimous approval from the assembly?’
‘What on earth has Ian been doing behind the scenes?’
‘This is impossible. There’s no faction left to check the Ministry?’
The wizards flinched, wondering if they had misheard. This meant that the Marib, Gale, and even the third faction had all united in support. It also signified that the Ministry’s shaken reputation after the Wesley incident remained intact.
‘No, it might even be more than that.’
Previously, at least Marib had acted as a counterbalance. But now? Even the Emperor’s own decision would rarely yield such a result.
The wizards glanced repeatedly at Ian’s golden hair fluttering in the breeze, marveling. This was the power of someone who had crossed the great desert alone.
“That concludes His Majesty’s message. Viscount Ian Hielo is now the 18th Minister of Magic and has assumed full authority. Serve the Bariel Empire and His Majesty with dedication.”
“Is there any doubt?”
“Congratulations. Well then, that is all.”
Ian bowed as he received the appointment certificate from Chielonia, who then mounted her carriage and left the Ministry’s garden without hesitation. One by one, the wizards approached Ian to offer their congratulations.
“Congratulations, Minister Ian.”
“Congratulations. I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you all. Now, please return to your duties and finish your work.”
Ian smiled lightly, encouraging the wizards. Normally, there would be an inauguration ceremony and a fitting celebration, but given the circumstances, he was buried under a mountain of paperwork instead.
Clatter.
“Ian, congrats! Should I ask Viviana to throw a party? Beef is so cheap these days!”
“Beric, you’re not ready for beef yet.”
“Why not? I’ve been sticking close to you 24/7.”
“Oh? Really? I thought you were here because the training grounds were empty and the mansion was crowded with Astanians.”
Well, that was somewhat true. At the training grounds, Beric had been kicked out by the caretaker for eating all the food alone, and at the mansion, the number of guests had reduced the amount of meat available. Mini had even locked the storage room.
Thwack!
Ian tossed the paperwork pile at Beric, gesturing for him to get to work instead of lounging around.
“We’re moving to the minister’s office. Bring all this stuff with you.”
“The minister’s office? Is the sofa there even comfier?”
“If Wesley had good taste, yes.”
“Let’s go! Let’s go!”
Beric hoisted a heavy box with enthusiasm, pacing back and forth down the hallway, unsure of the way.
“I also have a request for the Magic Operations Department.”
“Please speak plainly, Minister.”
“…Thank you. Go to the archives and bring me all the top-secret Level 1 classified documents that were previously off-limits. Forbidden magic, necromancy—anything. Bring all restricted materials to the minister’s office.”
“Should we bring them as physical copies?”
“Yes. Also, grant the department heads access to Level 1 and above classified materials.”
“Understood.”
The minister’s first order—and access to classified files—would breathe new life into the stalled investigation of the Wesley incident.
“Also, I understand the department closest to the minister’s office is the Magic Support Department.”
“That’s correct.”
“Change offices with them.”
This meant that with the new minister, the power dynamics within the departments were shifting. Everyone had anticipated this, and the Magic Support Department had already packed their belongings. They were probably hauling their boxes over right now.
“Come on, let’s get moving. There’s a lot to do.”
Hale stubbed out his cigarette and snapped his fingers. With the new minister’s inauguration, the Ministry building buzzed with noise and chaos all day. It wasn’t until late afternoon that things finally settled down.
Clatter! Thud!
“Last one!”
“Good job.”
Beric rolled his shoulders and set down the box. The room was packed to the brim with boxes and papers, but he squeezed himself onto the sofa and curled up.
“Wow. I don’t know about anything else, but Wesley had good taste. This sofa is really soft and comfy.”
Rustle.
Ian smiled softly as he skimmed through the documents. It would take a while to review everything, so it was more efficient to selectively check the information.
‘Ah, this is…’
Among the files, a title caught his eye. Delaina had said that once you learn the truth, you can never go back. Ian hesitated briefly but then turned the page without hesitation.
—At 3 a.m. on the night of the full moon, month 00, day 00, concubine Delaina began labor. The palace was soon illuminated, and His Majesty the Emperor, coughing, hurried to the birthing chamber.
It was a detailed report written like a chronicle, mainly consisting of testimonies from the midwives and doctors who assisted with the birth.
The labor pains continued relentlessly, but there was no sign the baby would come. Delaina slipped in and out of consciousness repeatedly. By the time the morning sun rose, the doctor insisted on performing a cesarean section.
“…?”
At that very moment, a prophecy was delivered: ‘The one born later will kill the one born first,’ and ‘If the one closest to the throne dies, the royal line will be broken.’
Ian frowned. The first prophecy was an open secret, but he had never even heard of the second.
If the one closest to the throne dies, the royal line will be severed?
‘No wonder they’ve been so overprotective of Arsen.’
The royal line.
Such a vague phrase.
If it referred to the royal family name, the ‘Verosion’ line had continued through Emperor Ian’s reign. If it meant bloodline, then after a century of branching out, hadn’t it already become diluted? After all, Ian himself was an emperor who came from outside the family.
When they opened Delaina’s abdomen, the cause of the difficult birth became clear. One baby was strangling the other. The doctor pulled out the strangled child first and cleared its airway. The other, the one who had attacked his brother, was named Jin.
Ian mulled over the report, picturing the scene. From the moment he was born, he was a criminal. And so he was growing up as one.
“So, this is…”
“Why? Found something interesting?”
Beric spoke up, but Ian was too absorbed to hear him. He kept flipping through the documents, inching closer to the palace’s hidden truths.
Swish.
And then, what Wesley was presumed to have reported: a dossier on the forbidden necromantic arts.
“There’s definitely a lot here.”
“Iaaaan, I said, is there something interesting?”
“Ah, yes. There is.”
Ian lightly tapped the papers in response to Beric’s whining, signaling that things were about to get interesting.