Episode 168
Gale’s palace was shrouded in darkness, ready to welcome an intruder. In contrast, Marib’s quarters were as bright as ever. That night was no exception—except that, unlike usual when he’d be seated at his desk, Marib lay on the sofa, simply counting the hours.
Creak.
“Your Highness, aren’t you sleeping again tonight?”
Marib’s aide, Paarl, asked cautiously. It had been days—he’d lost track. Even before, Marib rarely got enough rest, but lately it had become excessive. His superior was growing increasingly irritable and sharp, often zoning out in a daze.
“…I caught some sleep during the day.”
“That was barely a moment. Your judgment will suffer.”
“Yeah. Feels like it already has. I want to throw you out on the spot.”
A weak chuckle escaped him, devoid of any real strength. He only nodded toward the cold teacup on the table. Paarl, sitting opposite, pulled out a stimulant.
“If something happens like this, you won’t be able to respond properly.”
“My patience is wearing thin. Just shut up and follow orders.”
“…Your Highness, all the lights in Gale’s quarters have gone out.”
“…All of them?”
“Yes. Not a single one remains lit.”
The fatigue that had been creeping over Marib vanished instantly at the report. He popped the stimulant into his mouth and lifted his head. A chill ran down his neck.
“Not anywhere else, but in Gale’s palace? That’s not right. Any sign of movement?”
“None.”
The Hayman family had completed their magical armor, and the troops of nobles who had contact with Gale were acting suspiciously. Tense days, filled with the threat of sudden attacks from either side. Gale, like Marib, would surely be cautious at night—so why turn off all the lights?
“You can’t dodge a flying blade with your eyes closed. You won’t even know who threw it. Order the troops to assemble.”
“Are you sure you’re up to this?”
Paarl hesitated, unwilling to move despite the command. It was just the lights going out. Acting rashly could put Marib in danger. If it was a signal flare, they’d need to move fast—but rushing out too soon would be a false start. Besides, his superior’s judgment was impaired from lack of sleep.
“What if this is a trap set by Gale?”
“Even if it is, would there be such a huge hole that everyone inside the palace would fall for it?”
The steward, sensing the tension, approached and helped Marib regain his composure. Marib accepted the gesture with a murmur. His gaze hardened as he looked at Paarl—an unspoken command to carry out the orders.
“If we’re late because of you, will you take responsibility?”
“…My apologies.”
With no choice, Paarl dashed outside to rally the forces.
The office fell silent. Marib stared into the mirror, meeting his own eyes, and thought of Gale. They bore no resemblance in appearance, but this one thing proved they were brothers.
‘Gale. So a day like this really does come.’
He couldn’t remember when it started. Their bitter fate inherited from different mothers, a destiny rooted deep within their very beings.
Marib felt his heart pounding. Was it the stimulant? The thrill of finally being able to end Gale? Or the tension before the decisive moment?
Whatever it was, it wasn’t a bad feeling.
“Your Highness, Minister Taiha has gathered everyone inside the palace. The external nobles will enter as soon as the message reaches them.”
Marib stepped outside as Paarl reported. The moon still shone brightly. Those who had endured the night by his side were assembled, waiting in front of the palace.
The Imperial Defense Minister Taiha approached Marib and whispered.
“There was an intruder in Gale’s quarters.”
Taiha, who often sparred with Wesley, had been expected not to be reappointed. Yet after the New Year’s meeting, he narrowly secured his position again—thanks to his close ties with Wesley, the next Imperial Defense Minister.
“I thought as much.”
Turning off all the palace lights was likely to welcome the intruder. A bitter smile crept onto Marib’s lips.
“We offered to handle the intruder ourselves, but were refused outright.”
“What’s there to interrogate? They’ll call my name soon enough. It’s a staged act by Gale. Minister Taiha, focus on securing the intruder. Seal off Gale’s palace under the pretense of security.”
“But there’s something strange.”
Marib’s brow furrowed. “What is it? Speak quickly.”
“Gale’s condition is dire. He was bleeding heavily and taken to the infirmary. The doctors on duty are all gathered, trying to stop the bleeding.”
Marib’s stride faltered. By all accounts, this was clearly a ploy by Gale to gain sympathy. But his condition was that severe?
“Are you certain?”
“My subordinate saw it with his own eyes.”
Marib stopped and looked up at the fluttering banners. The situation was clear. Something had gone wrong along the way. Suddenly, a child came to mind.
‘Iaan.’
A boy impossible to predict. Though ordered to kill Gale, Marib never believed Iaan would carry it out straightforwardly.
After failing to finish Gale at the judgment, Marib had felt Iaan was less a pawn on the chessboard and more a fellow player sitting beside him.
‘Did Iaan do this? Approach Gale with a staged act as bait, then try to eliminate him?’
“Your Highness, what shall we do?”
Paarl asked anxiously, as his lord remained motionless. A cold wind suddenly blew, whipping Marib’s long hair around. His tangled thoughts scattered with the breeze.
“Follow me.”
Crack.
Paarl, Minister Taiha, senior officials from each department, knights, and soldiers—all fell in line behind Marib and quickened their pace. Their torches multiplied one by one.
A massive river of light cutting through the imperial palace.
A wave that would change history.
“We’re going to see His Majesty the Emperor.”
“To see His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Seal off Gale’s palace and forbid entry to the Hayman family’s imperial residence.”
At Marib’s command, his followers split left and right, while the standing guards scrambled, unsure how to respond. Something extraordinary was unfolding, but no one could make sense of it.
Crack.
“Your Highness Marib, what is the meaning of this?”
Arriving at the Emperor’s palace, Marib was stopped by Beols, one of the imperial guard captains. Normally, Beols wouldn’t interfere with Marib’s comings and goings, but the atmosphere was too tense. Who were those gathered behind him? And what was that black sword firmly strapped to Marib’s waist?
“I’ve come to see His Majesty the Emperor.”
“That’s impossible. It’s too late at night, and under these circumstances, we cannot allow it.”
Beols was resolute. His duty was to protect the Emperor’s safety. Marib muttered as dawn began to break.
“Beols, if I cannot see His Majesty now, then truly His safety will be at risk.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
The imperial seal—the symbol of the Emperor’s authority and the key to all decisions in Bariel.
If Marib didn’t obtain it before dawn, before the intruder and he were officially linked, he would be forced to take drastic measures.
“Beols, step aside.”
“By the gods, Riama!”
From behind Marib appeared a woman—Riama, one of the three captains. Startled by her sudden arrival, Beols instinctively grasped his sword’s hilt.
“Your Highness Marib does not intend to harm His Majesty. He has business to attend to. If you block him, we will have no choice but to cut down your throat.”
“…‘We,’ did you say?”
“Step aside. Nothing will happen to His Majesty. I guarantee it. Your Highness Marib, please explain.”
Everyone in the palace knew the power of the three captains. Jarrett, Beols, and Riama—no one could stand against them individually.
“I swear it. A son has come to see his father. If you wish, you may come along.”
Marib smiled faintly and raised both hands. They couldn’t overpower him, but if necessary, he was ready to break them. The damage if captains clashed would be unimaginable.
‘Especially now, with Jarrett gone, if I fall too…’
There would be no one left to protect His Majesty at his side. Beols, having made his calculations, slowly released his grip on his sword.
“Your Highness Marib, disarm yourself before entering.”
“Fine. If you promise not to harm me.”
“Look at the situation now, Your Highness. Who’s harming whom?”
Marib signaled everyone to wait and brushed past Beols. Beols glared at Riama, then hurried after the prince.
Tap, tap, tap.
The two disappeared into the darkness. Marib’s forces looked up at the now fully brightened sky and frowned. A new chapter in history was about to be written.
“They say His Majesty the Emperor handed the imperial seal to Your Highness Marib? That’s impossible!”
“Why do you say that? Here’s the proof.”
“You understand the significance of handing over the seal!”
“I am currently the Emperor’s sole heir. His health has deteriorated to the point he cannot govern. Regrettably, I intend to take the seal in his stead. I don’t understand why you raise your voice so.”
“Your Highness Marib!”
The grand hall was in utter chaos. It was no wonder—overnight, Marib had seized the imperial seal, claiming its authority for himself. The officials were all shouting over one another, their voices rising in a clamorous uproar.
“Let us see His Majesty the Emperor!”
“That’s forbidden. His health is extremely fragile.”
“Is that truly the case? Your Highness, right now—”
“Are you accusing me of imprisoning my own father?”
At Marib’s words, one official abruptly fell silent, unable to finish his sentence. To be accused of insulting the royal family was a loss no one wanted to risk. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, a palpable sense of confusion and unease hanging in the air.
“An intruder broke into Gale’s quarters overnight. His Majesty collapsed, and this is a crisis unprecedented in Bariel’s history. Anyone who stirs further chaos should prepare themselves.”
Marib’s declaration gradually silenced the room.
This was a coup—undeniably treason and rebellion. Proudly clutching the seal, Marib summoned Ian.
“Minister of Magic, do you consent to this?”
“Your Highness.”
“The palace’s security and access fall under the Ministry of Magic’s jurisdiction. How could an intruder breach Gale’s quarters? Surely, the Minister of Magic has a report to make on this matter.”
He was demanding an explanation about the intruder.
Ian’s head throbbed as he stared at the seal, its golden gleam almost blinding.
Setting everything else aside…
“This seal… it’s not the one I know.”
It was definitely different from the one used when he was emperor. Even when he received his lordship appointment at the border, he’d sensed the difference—the seal from a hundred years ago was not the same as this one.
“Why?”
Marib tapped the seal impatiently, urging Ian for an answer.
Then—
Boom!
A deafening crash echoed from outside. Everyone flinched and turned around.
Gale strode into the hall, sword in hand.
His hands were smeared with blood—whose, no one could tell.