Chapter 167

Morning in the heart of Bariel was as chaotic as ever.

Shops that had been tightly shuttered overnight now swung open, and the empire’s citizens hurried about, rushing to their workplaces. The noble carriages were stuck, unable to move amid the throng of transport wagons, while messenger birds darted noisily through the air.

“Extra! Extra!”

“Oh dear, what’s going on here at this hour?”

“Why aren’t you moving? What’s the hold-up this early in the morning?”

“Wait a moment, please! Sorry, could you help us out?”

Ian’s carriage was no exception. Ian, Romandro, and Beric had been stuck on the road for several minutes, unable to budge. Of all things, the wheel of the carriage right ahead had come off, leaving them stranded indefinitely.

“Extra! Extra! Second Prince Gale was attacked last night!”

With a sharp clatter, a boy wearing a baker’s cap darted between the carriages, scattering papers. The news was so shocking that people gladly stopped their busy steps to pick up the handbills.

“What did you say?”

“Second Prince Gale was attacked!”

“Are you crazy? An attack inside the palace?”

“Oh my, what is this?”

“They say the bleeding was severe, but his life is not in danger!”

Ian frowned at the added detail. Before the boy passed by, Ian cracked open the carriage window slightly and handed him a copper coin. Like a bird spotting food, the boy’s eyes lit up as he hurried over, shoving newspapers, extras, and flyers through the opening.

“Thank you, sir!”

“But is it true? Severe bleeding?”

“I heard from the newspaper office that a full report will be published after lunch. Do you have a preferred paper?”

At the boy’s words, Romandro opened his pocket and handed over a silver coin. The boy’s chapped lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“It seems there was an intruder. All the central nobles entered the palace early, and rumors say they came with the knights. Something unusual is definitely going on.”

The boy lowered his voice to a whisper, wary of leaking information. Ian’s restless horse began pawing the ground impatiently. The carriage ahead, where the accident had occurred, was slowly starting to move, signaling it was almost time to go.

“But isn’t Second Prince Gale known to be especially close with Lady Melania of Haiman these days? There are widespread rumors that the assassination was orchestrated to check that relationship.”

“We’re moving!”

“Put some muscle into it! Keep up!”

“It was Prince Marib himself!”

With a screech, the carriage wheel was freed, and the driver cracked his whip to make up for lost time. The boy bowed toward the retreating carriage, then shouted again as he ran down the street.

“Extra! Extra! Prince Gale was attacked last night!”

Closing the window cut off the cold wind abruptly. Romandro examined the extra carefully, muttering to himself.

“Ian, don’t you think this could cause trouble?”

Ian had explicitly ordered that there be no disturbances involving Xiaosi. He had told them to stick a knife in the pillow if necessary, but never to confront anyone.

“If Prince Gale is bleeding, even if it’s not critical now, who knows what might happen later.”

“That Xiaosi guy looked pretty smart, but he’s just as useless as the rest!”

“Quiet, you fool! I told you not to pretend you know Xiaosi!”

“Well, it’s just us here, so it should be fine, right?”

The signal flare had gone off. It was louder than expected and had stirred up unforeseen consequences, but at least the mission was accomplished.

‘Xiaosi seemed to have an aversion to blood. Maybe it wasn’t him, but Gale himself who inflicted the wound. To create a pretext against me.’

The details could be sorted out when they met Xiaosi.

“But the newspaper is impressive. How did they find out about what happened in the palace overnight?”

“Gale himself leaked the information.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes. From Gale’s perspective, it benefits him if it’s known that he nearly died and why.”

Gale’s curse was tied to Bariel. And Bariel was the empire’s people. If it became clear that Gale’s life was linked to the empire’s fate, public opinion would swing in his favor.

“Marib or Gale, it doesn’t matter much to the common people. They don’t even know what these princes look like. Whoever becomes the next emperor, tomorrow is guaranteed. But when they realize that Gale’s death means Bariel’s decline, what then?”

“They’ll pray he doesn’t die!”

“That’s what we call ‘support.’”

Beric’s eyes suddenly brightened as if he’d just had a revelation. Praying for someone’s survival—that was support! Grasping Romandro’s hand firmly, he whispered with determination.

“I support you, Romandro.”

“Well, I suppose I should thank you.”

“I support you, Ian.”

“…I support you too.”

Ian chuckled softly and joined in. Sometimes, Beric could be surprisingly endearing. Romandro patted Beric’s hand and sighed, as if telling the reckless boy to behave.

“The emperor has ordered silence on the curse, so this is their way of breaking through.”

“Clever. They must have connections in the press.”

“Most newspapers are funded by nobles anyway, so the ties run deep.”

Just the phrase “Prince Gale was attacked” sparked endless curiosity. Why? Who? How?

As they peeled back each layer, mentions of the curse would inevitably slip out. Words are the easiest way for secrets to leak.

“If they say the bleeding was severe, you can imagine the palace atmosphere.”

It would be nothing like the previous Judgment Day when the curse was revealed. Back then, the tension was rooted in despair; now, it was a tension born of survival.

“Beric, when we get inside, stay close to me and keep your head down.”

“Master, when have I ever wandered off?”

“You haven’t been careful. Romandro, once inside, try to make contact with Xiaosi immediately.”

“Understood.”

They expected the interrogation to have already been rushed through. The process of shaping the truth was already underway, and those connected to Xiaosi were predetermined.

“If word spreads that Marib is involved, the palace will undergo rapid changes. Ban all mages from leaving their posts, and summon everyone who has left the palace back immediately.”

“Even those who have already left?”

“When the storm hits hardest, you have to stick together to survive.”

“Exactly. The stronger the group, the harder it is to break.”

Romandro jotted down orders in a small notebook, nodding repeatedly. But his hand trembled noticeably, betraying his nerves. Meanwhile, Beric hummed a tune, leisurely watching the world outside.

“Hmm, hmm. I like wielding a sword. It’s fun. Chop, chop, palace folks. Hmm hmm.”

“What kind of bizarre lyrics are those?”

“Huh? Are they that strange? Fine, I’ll change it to ‘clang clang.’ Hmm hmm.”

Better not listen at all. Romandro ignored Beric’s humming and asked Ian.

“By the way, Ian, what kind of changes do you expect?”

“Marib will react immediately.”

If the midnight attack was blamed on Marib, he would want to check on Xiaosi at once. But Gale’s side wouldn’t let him see.

A first clash was inevitable.

“One side will demand a formal investigation, while the other will refuse to cooperate unless the mastermind is present. If the standoff continues, the more desperate party will make the first move.”

That would be Marib. Cornered, he would try anything to escape—whether by force or some hidden card.

“Gale’s side will accuse Marib of treason and all manner of crimes, raising their voices, while Marib’s side will be busy defending themselves.”

“Are you planning to inform Prince Marib?”

“That Xiaosi is my slave?”

“Yes. After all, if Marib ordered this, he should be made to prove the truth.”

“It’s best to tell him at the right time. The signal flare has gone off, but what good is it if no one takes the lead?”

Since Gale bled, Marib needed to respond accordingly.

“From Marib’s perspective, I’ve failed. I ordered Gale’s death, yet the slave was captured alive and gave them a pretext. Revealing this now would only poison the situation, destroying trust. We’ll let it drift away quietly and wait for the right moment.”

Ian looked up at the palace drawing nearer. As usual, Bariel’s flag fluttered proudly. Just as the boy had said, the nobles had entered the palace with the knights. Entry permits were taking three or four times longer than usual.

“And honestly, there’s something else bothering me—”

Before he could say more, the palace guards recognized Ian’s carriage and approached.

Knock, knock.

“Minister Ian Hielo, is that you?”

“That’s right.”

Ian nodded as he showed his face. The guard turned to the driver.

“We’ve received urgent orders. As soon as the Minister of Magic arrives, take him straight to the First Palace. We’ll open the back gate for you.”

The First Palace housed the royal family’s quarters and the officials’ offices. An emergency meeting was clearly underway.

Ian’s carriage passed the long line of people and, escorted by guards, smoothly entered the palace.

“Ian, what was it you wanted to say earlier?”

“Hm?”

“You mentioned there was something troubling you.”

“Oh, yes. That’s right.”

The carriage was already moving swiftly. Sitting upright despite the jolts, Ian answered.

“It’s about His Majesty the Emperor.”

“The Emperor?”

“Though he’s old and frail, he remains the center of the world and the dignity of the imperial palace. When something like this happens, it’s hard to predict how he’ll respond.”

It was a kind of variable. Given that Gale, favored by the Emperor, had come all this way, it was likely there was tacit approval to sideline Marib.

‘He’s not aiming for the throne outright, but competing for the position of heir. Maybe the thinking is that such a struggle is acceptable, and the prize should go to whoever wins.’

The third prince had died from a fall. Whether that was the truth, only the gods knew. Gale was born of a concubine, but without Marib, he was the closest legitimate son among the remaining princes.

‘If Gale informed the Emperor of Marib’s alleged assassination plot, then the Emperor would surely back Gale even more.’

Ian pressed his temple with his wrist. When someone who holds everything is pushed to the brink of losing it all, what lengths might they go to?

“Look at that, Ian.”

“Whoa! That’s intense!”

At Romandro and Beric’s words, Ian turned his head out the window. Armored knights gathered like a storm, each holding the banners of their respective houses. Brightly colored fabrics rippled across the palace grounds.

“…Looks like it’s really starting.”

The factions faced off, holding their ground. The tension was so thick it felt like any shout could set off a hail of spears. Ian’s carriage passed through them and arrived at the First Palace.

“We’ve… arrived,” the coachman said, his voice hoarse with tension. Ian quickly stepped down and climbed the stairs, followed closely by Romandro and Beric.

Tap, tap, tap.

The First Palace—the residence of the royal family and the offices of the officials. So many people had gathered that the main hall’s doors were half-open. Those who recognized Ian shifted aside to make way.

“What do you mean by that, Your Highness Marib?”

Murmurs rose, but the crowd blocked the view inside. Only voices could be heard.

“You’re saying that Your Highness Marib holds the Emperor’s seal?”

Ian’s eyes widened at the sudden claim. Pushing through the crowd, he saw Marib seated in the Emperor’s place, her hair tied tightly up.

Those who knew understood.

That was the hairstyle Marib wore only when going hunting.

“Oh, Minister Ian Hielo!”

Marib smiled brightly and waved. Before her lay the Emperor’s massive golden seal.

“Welcome.”

The Emperor’s seal.

Ian quickly pieced things together. The seal in Marib’s hands—last night, it was Gale who had gathered armed forces…

‘Everyone at the entrance was armed.’

Ian realized. Marib must have anticipated Gale’s assassination attempt and preemptive strike.

How much he himself had been used in this scheme would depend entirely on what happened next.