Chapter 176

Liama lay twisted on the ground, her body contorted unnaturally. A hole the size of a human head gaped in her chest. Without even a moment to gasp for air, one of the three commanders was dead.

Marib picked up the spear that had pierced through her heart.

Swish.

The magic-sealing stone embedded in the spear was sharply carved—so sharp that just touching it could slice through skin. Gently, Marib closed Liama’s eyelids with her own hands, then turned around.

“Ugh…”

“Huff, huff!”

“Marib, Your Highness! Are you alright?”

“What was that just now—”

“Ugh, the bleeding… it won’t stop.”

“Your Highness!”

Dylaina’s garden was a wreck. Not a single blade of grass remained, trampled and scorched by the battle. More than half the palace had crumbled.

And scattered among the rubble were black-armored figures.

These were the marks left by Liama, who had sacrificed herself to drag them here.

‘So it wasn’t in vain that Gale lived as Wesley’s lover.’

The magic-sealing stones—one of the few ways to control mages—were managed under the royal family’s authority, but most were handled by Gale, who had been Wesley’s lover. It was an unspoken arrangement. From Wesley’s perspective, entrusting the magic department’s leash to the most trusted person in the royal family made sense.

‘Though in the end, it was what strangled her.’

“What about Gale?”

“She fled toward the Third Palace.”

“The magic department is still blocking all exits. She won’t get out.”

Marib wiped her forehead with a handkerchief as she listened to her aide’s report. The blood wouldn’t stop flowing.

“The Third Palace, huh.”

“We’re in pursuit. Shall we join them?”

“No. Half will search for Gale, the other half will head to the magic department. If this continues, Gale will surely try to find Ian. There’s progress on that front. I have plenty to attend to as well.”

They could ask Ian to open the palace gates or, as a last resort, surrender and enter a neutral zone. As long as Marib didn’t stop, Ian would have to protect Gale to mediate between them.

“Minister of Imperial Defense, pursue Gale! The rest, head to the magic department! Prepare your arrows—mages will be encountered!”

Bwooo—

The sound of a buffalo horn echoed, shaking the entire palace.

Not far away, Gale glanced back as he fled toward the Third Palace. Paal, his aide who had lost an arm, gripped his shoulder.

“Don’t look back, Your Highness.”

“…My arm?”

“It’s fine.”

Gale bit his lip hard. He wasn’t sure if it was good or bad that Bariel’s soldiers were better than expected.

The early advantage in the battle had gradually slipped away, and the number of magic armors promised by the Haiman family was less than half, turning the situation dire.

Tap, tap, tap!

“The other half should be outside the palace. You should meet with Lord Ian.”

“Marib will be camped there, waiting.”

“What if we can’t see His Majesty the Emperor?”

“…”

Gale fell silent and quickened his pace. Things were not looking good. He had tried to stage a self-made assassination to stab them in the back but ended up getting hit first.

“Your Highness, this way!”

The Third Palace was empty. Everyone had evacuated in the chaos; not even an ant stirred. Stepping over scattered weapons and papers, Gale slowly walked down the corridor.

Swish.

At the very end of the hallway stood a massive painting, towering well above a person’s height. It depicted young angels flying through the sky, scattering flower petals. Gale knelt lightly and pressed his forehead against it.

“Father.”

His voice was earnest, calling out to the emperor.

“Father, are you here? Can you hear me?”

But there was no answer. The angels in the painting smiled brightly, trapped in their silent world. Gale called out again, desperation thick in his voice.

“Your Highness, I don’t think he’s here.”

“Is there another painting?”

“There’s one more at the opposite end of the corridor.”

“Let’s go there.”

The emperor’s secret passage wasn’t a physical space passed down through generations but something created in this era, requiring magic to access. Wesley, who had been in charge, had even sworn an oath of secrecy—but love had proven stronger than any vow.

Tap, tap, tap!

Gale rose to search for the emperor. One of the angels in the painting slowly moved its eyes, following Gale’s back. The angel’s eyes were a faded blue.

---

Meanwhile, at the magic department.

Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair.

The magic-sealing stones—they were the Achilles’ heel of mages. Even a tiny gem could seal away power, dragging those close to godhood down to the ends of the earth. Even the great Wesley had fallen to a stone no bigger than an earring.

“Lord Ian, what should we do?”

“It was probably Gale’s side that used the magic-sealing stones. Before this situation spirals out of control, we must intervene—to retrieve the stones.”

“Agreed. It’s best to confiscate all the sealing stones they have. They’ll pierce our throats someday.”

“Liama is dead! One of the three commanders!”

Everyone spoke urgently, but Ian remained silent. Instead, he muttered while staring at a map dusted with magic stone powder.

“Stay calm and observe. Liama was the core of Marib’s forces. Her death means the battle is nearing its end, which also means the two princes’ forces have split.”

Hale nodded, lighting a new cigarette. Though clearly unsettled, he seemed to maintain composure thanks to Akorella’s fussing.

“I agree. Liama was Bariel’s strongest knight, responsible for the emperor’s safety. The magic detected at the end was unusual—her death was not in vain. Gale even used a precious magic-sealing stone, so this must be the final stage.”

The clock barely pointed to afternoon. So much had changed in less than a day. Ian set down the documents he’d received from Romandro and gave orders.

“Captain Akorella.”

“Yes?”

“During Minister Wesley’s tenure, some high-grade liqui stones were taken out. Do you know anything about that?”

“Liqui stones? One moment, I’ll check.”

Akorella adjusted her glasses, frowning. She usually knew every detail about magic stone transfers, but nothing came to mind. Only after flipping through the report did she exclaim.

“Ah! Now I remember. The royal family bought them. They said it was to support palace painters—I was baffled. Using precious stones in paintings?”

Palace painters.

Ian snapped his fingers, sensing a clue.

“You don’t know anything else?”

“Me? I’m clueless about art.”

“Was Wesley in charge back then?”

“Yes, yes, he was.”

Akorella groaned, pressing her brows together. Why would the minister be curious about liqui stones? But then she realized one of their key properties: absorption.

“Hale, where was the last place you sensed Beols’ presence?”

“The Third Palace.”

“Captain Akorella, take Beric and go to the Third Palace. Collect all the paintings made with liqui stones.”

“Me? With Beric? Really?”

“He’s reliable in skill.”

“Not so much otherwise!”

The mages listening quietly bit their lips. The magic department’s mad dog and Ian’s mad dog going on a mission together—was that really a good idea? But Ian closed the documents, signaling no second thoughts.

“If collecting all is too difficult, just bring back one.”

“Uh, well… please send a few more with me, just in case. There’s been a battle and magic-sealing stones involved—I’m a bit nervous.”

Akorella clasped her hands, pleading earnestly. Ian nodded. It was better not to send her alone.

“Fine. Tommy will escort you.”

“Ha… understood. What about Beric?”

“He’s still eating in the dining hall.”

“Let’s go. Yes, let’s go.”

Akorella adjusted her glasses and grabbed her jacket. Better to get it over with quickly—after all, they only needed one painting.

“Uh?”

Someone made a puzzled sound. Akorella, already on edge, crossed her arms in an X and snapped.

“No ‘uh?’ like something’s wrong!”

“No, look at this.”

“What is it? Hah!”

“Marib, Your Highness, seems to be coming this way. The forces have split. One side is heading to the Third Palace.”

The mage’s words were correct. It was unclear which side Marib led, but it was far more likely she was coming toward the magic department than the Third Palace.

Akorella gaped at Ian, but Hale blocked her view with his hand.

“What are you waiting for? Not going?”

“Marib’s soldiers heading to the Third Palace now?”

“Two mages and one magic swordsman. They won’t die.”

“Damn it…”

“The later you move, the more you lose.”

“Damn! Beric! Beric! Tommy!”

Bang!

Akorella dashed out, calling for Beric. The gathered mages in the lobby stirred uneasily as the approaching banners drew near.

Ian straightened his collar and nodded.

“All remaining captains, follow my lead. Every unit—no exceptions—participate in reinforcing the protective barrier.”

“Yes, understood.”

With a sharp snap, everyone moved out, organizing themselves to maintain order and manage the situation. Civilians were ushered deep into the building for safety, while the mages stepped forward, gathering their magical energy. The shield’s hue deepened steadily.

A low hum filled the air.

“Sir Ian!”

A voice called out—it was Marib’s aide. Ian, accompanied by the mages, stood atop the stairs, looking down at them. Marib was below, bow in hand, staring up.

“…You don’t look well, Your Highness Marib.”

“Thanks to whom, do you think?”

“If you intend to end this chaos and restore the dignity of the palace, you’ve come to the right place. Lay down your weapons and apologize to His Majesty the Emperor.”

A faint smirk tugged at Marib’s lips, as if he’d just heard a particularly amusing joke.

“The dignity of the palace? I will reclaim it, mark my words. Now, hand over Delina and the twin prince you took with you. They’re conspirators allied with Gale, and they’ve humiliated me—I will repay that insult in blood.”

Was it the failure to end Jin’s life earlier that stung so deeply? Ian lifted his head with noble composure, looking down on them. When no one answered, Marib’s face twisted in frustration.

“…I must remind you again, this is neutral ground. Safety comes first, and we will uphold the order Your Highness has trampled upon. Therefore, I refuse.”

“Don’t hide behind neutrality! Anyone who doesn’t side with me is ultimately my enemy! Even if you survive here for now, I will make you pay the price sooner or later!”

It sounded like black-and-white logic, but there was truth in it. Ian intended to clean house once this was over, no matter who emerged victorious. Marib drew his bowstring, aiming squarely at Ian’s head.

Twang.

“Ian. I truly admired you.”

No arrow could pierce the magical barrier. But the sheer menace in Marib’s stance forced the mages to pour more power into the shield. Marib shouted one last warning.

“If you won’t cooperate, I will wipe this place clean.”

“Once again, I refuse.”

Snap!

Marib released the bowstring. The arrow shot forward, stopping mere inches from Ian’s face. Sparks flew as the arrowhead struck the barrier, igniting with a faint glow.

Crackle! Pop!

The mages flinched, unsettled. Normally, the arrow would simply bounce off, but this felt different—as if the arrowhead was slowly piercing through the shield.

“Step back, Ian.”

Whoosh!

Crash!

Hail swung his sword, deflecting the arrow. A thunderous roar erupted as magical energy swirled around the arrowhead—it was the combined power of the mages maintaining the barrier.

“Wait, wait—magic is leaking!”

“Hold it! Keep pushing your energy in!”

Crack—

But a crack appeared in the shield. As the mages gasped in shock, Ian instinctively reached out.

“This…”

The arrowhead, having absorbed the magic, had turned amber.

A color that captured sunlight in all its brilliance. It was the same mysterious gemstone Ian had found in the flowerpot.