Chapter 169

The moment Ian saw the blood smeared on Gale’s hand, it felt as if time itself had frozen. Gale’s slow, deliberate steps seemed to stretch out endlessly, and all of Ian’s senses shut down—yet at the same time, every hair on his body stood on end, and his mind raced with sharp clarity.

Think.

Gale had been attacked, and he would officially accuse Marib of it. Marib currently held the imperial seal, and the emperor’s safety was uncertain.

Which meant…

The emperor’s authority had effectively passed to Marib. If Gale officially accused someone of assassination under Marib’s command—

“Gale. So you’re alive. I thought you were dead.”

Marib’s smile twisted into a grimace, betraying his disappointment. Gale didn’t respond; instead, he fixed his gaze on the imperial seal before striding forward, blood dripping from his fingertips.

Ian grabbed Romandro’s arm and stepped back.

“Lord Romandro.”

“Hm?”

“Order the mages to seal all entrances to the palace and maintain protective wards around the entire magic department building.”

At Ian’s whispered command, Romandro retreated and exited the grand hall.

As Gale advanced without hesitation, Marib’s guards drew their swords.

Swish!

“Stop, Your Highness Gale.”

“Soldiers have gathered around my quarters.”

“Stop!”

“Silence. Who dares speak to me like that?”

Slash!

Without hesitation, Gale sliced into the chest of the man before him.

The blood on his hand was no accident—it was the mark of those stationed near Gale’s palace under Marib’s orders.

The officials gasped, covering their mouths in shock, while Marib’s guards drew their swords en masse.

Swish! Swish!

“Your Highness Gale! This cannot be allowed!”

“How can you say that? Everyone, stand down!”

“There was an intruder in my quarters last night. Sent by Marib.”

Gale’s men and Marib’s soldiers squared off, ready to clash at any moment. The officials, utterly confused, froze, their eyes darting helplessly.

This is no ordinary situation.

Ian had suspected as much when he heard Marib claimed authority through the imperial seal, but now it was undeniable. Look at the bright red blood pooling on the floor. If this isn’t reality, then what is?

“I am cursed alongside the fate of the great empire Bariel. You tried to kill me and even stole my father’s seal. How am I supposed to interpret that? Hm?”

Gale’s bitter smile swept over the trembling officials. There was no room for interpretation—this was treason, a crime that threatened Bariel’s very future.

“T-The intruder was sent by His Highness Marib?”

“Marib, please explain yourself.”

“The death of Your Highness Gale would mean your own death as well!”

“No, wait! Everyone calm down. The intruder can be investigated later. The real issue is the seal!”

Despite the tension and the readiness of their soldiers to tear each other apart, Marib remained seated, leisurely fingering the seal as if detached from the chaos.

“Gale, weren’t you the one attempting rebellion? Did you think I didn’t know you were building alliances with the border nobles? And to fabricate a plot to frame me—that is outright disloyalty to His Majesty. Besides, I know your curse is a lie.”

All eyes turned to Gale. The question of who was truly committing treason hung thick in the air.

Suddenly, the man Gale had cut rolled on the floor, screaming in pain as Gale’s men charged forward. The hall erupted into chaos.

Clang! Clang!

“Ahhh! No! I’m innocent! I’m not involved!”

“Everyone, outside! Outside!”

“Please, Your Highness! Stop this!”

“Find the Emperor! Only His Majesty can mediate—”

Ziiiiiing!

Bang!

Beric, who had been watching the fight with gleaming eyes, snapped to attention. Ian had just released his magic. His golden eyes burned with unmistakable deadly intent.

“…Everyone, calm down.”

“Stay out of this! We’re completing a great mission!”

Clang!

Someone, caught up in the frenzy, swung a sword at Ian. Beric instinctively blocked and countered with fluid precision.

“Don’t interfere. The master is speaking.”

“You insolent—!”

Smash!

Beric grabbed the man by the hair and slammed him onto the marble table. The sound of skull cracking echoed relentlessly.

“Enough.”

“Who are you?”

“Riama. The mad dog who fought Jarrett.”

“Friends with Jarrett?”

Riama was one of the three commanders. If he was friends with Jarrett, then this one must be formidable too! Beric’s eyes flashed as he prepared to attack again, but Ian released his magic once more.

Fwoom!

“…I won’t say this twice. Anyone causing further disturbance will face severe consequences.”

His voice was low but carried an authority no child should possess. Those who had been shouting for the emperor’s arrival fell silent, covering their mouths. Who would know the emperor had already come?

“Sir Ian Hielo, I’m curious about your opinion. Who do you think is behind this rebellion and the chaos in the palace?”

Marib tapped the seal lightly, as if urging Ian to choose a side. No more balancing acts—he wanted a clear stance.

This is a mess.

No one here was trustworthy. The tangled web was so knotted that no one even knew who was bound or free anymore. Ian glanced calmly between Marib and Gale.

“Both of you—”

At this point, there was no need to untangle the mess.

“You will be forgotten by history.”

Just cut it off and throw it away.

At Ian’s words, both Marib and Gale’s eyebrows twitched.

“Until I see the emperor’s safety with my own eyes, I cannot recognize Marib’s authority. Stealing the seal is outright treason. And if Gale was harmed, that too would hasten Bariel’s decline.”

“Exactly! If that happened before the curse was lifted, it can only mean demonic influence!”

“Your Highness Gale…”

Ian looked over Gale and sighed. There was no need to say more—he had known Gale was the rebellion’s mastermind since the border days.

Bang!

At that moment, a loud crash came from outside. The forces clashing at the palace gates had erupted into battle. No one had given the order, but they screamed and charged with wild fury.

“Kill them all!”

“Bariel’s fate is in our hands! Will we hand the future to an illegitimate?”

“Shut your mouth!”

Ian glanced back as he left the first palace. The scene felt eerily familiar.

Find the emperor!

Kill anyone who stands in your way!

Your Majesty, you must escape. Crony is—!

Crash!

Ahhh! Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

“Focus your gaze precisely. Will you dedicate your future to that child who has stepped down from the throne, or will you pledge it to me, the one who will ascend? I, Crony, oppose my uncle—no, Emperor Ian.”

When he was emperor, the palace had echoed with the shouts of opposition just like this. The sudden unrest in the usually solemn, peaceful, and steady palace created a strange sense of alienation. Even now, the second time around, it was still unsettling—something one could never quite get used to.

“Ian! Ian is coming this way!”

“What on earth is going on?”

All the mages had gathered outside the Ministry of Magic building. Following Romandro’s orders, they had inscribed protective magic circles around the entrance and nearby areas, creating a shield. This was the very defense line meant to keep Wesley out.

Ziiing. Ziiing!

“Lower the magic intensity to the minimum, but expand the area covered. More and more people will likely come this way.”

Ian placed his hand on the translucent glowing wall, testing its strength. The barrier wasn’t meant to stop Wesley or monsters—it was just to block human swords and spears. It didn’t need to be that strong.

“Is it true that all palace entrances have been sealed? We did ban passage for now, but…”

Magic fell like auroras at every palace gate—a Ministry of Magic device to verify identities and keep outsiders out. Now that it had stopped, the guards in charge of access control were paralyzed and had locked the doors completely.

“There are imperial citizens’ homes just outside the palace. Do we want the filth of their mudslinging to spill over? Enforce strict control.”

“Understood.”

In the distance, where the grand hall once stood, smoke began to rise. It was as if they were ready to burn each other to ashes. When the chaos settled, it would be clear who was standing in a pool of blood. Whoever it was, they would clean the floor together.

“…A portal.”

“Hm?”

Ian muttered to himself as he stepped into the Ministry’s main building. He was about to order Beric when he hesitated.

‘I need to check on Arsen and Prince Jin’s safety too, but Beric’s terrible with directions. This might be too much for him.’

“Why? Why do you look at me like that? Got something for me to do?”

“Nothing. Just stay here and watch the people.”

“Eh? But I do! I definitely do!”

“In a moment, we’re heading to Delaina’s palace. We’ll bring back Arsen and Prince Jin.”

Ian suddenly remembered the prison nearby where Xiaosi was held. Boom! Another loud, unexplained roar echoed as smoke billowed again.

“Huh? Look at that. What on earth is that…?”

“Is something happening inside the palace?”

“I heard Gale Jeoha got hurt too.”

“They say no one’s allowed in this morning. Maybe the Ministry blew something up during an experiment?”

The imperial citizens living near the palace saw the smoke as well, but no one could guess what was truly unfolding inside.