Chapter 182
“Has His Majesty passed away?”
Ian muttered in confusion as he stared down at the letter. Honestly, this was unexpected. Marib had shown the imperial seal, not the emperor’s body, and considering that in the original timeline the emperor had lived a long life, Ian had naturally assumed he was still alive.
“…He is alive.”
Beols glanced at the painting behind him and replied. His eyes were dark as he said the emperor was alive.
“But he’s not truly living.”
“Explain in detail.”
“Last night, Crown Prince Marib entered His Majesty’s chambers and attempted to harm him, seizing the imperial seal in the process. I was right there, but it all happened so fast I couldn’t stop it. As captain of the royal guard, it’s a disgrace.”
Betrayal by Riama. The aging emperor. A bedroom sealed off on all sides. And Marib, aiming to snuff out his father’s life. Ian could easily picture the scene that night.
“This was written inside a secret passage. The emperor considered countless possibilities and anticipated many outcomes, one of which has now come to pass. Therefore, by His Majesty’s command, I deliver this to you, Lord Ian.”
Ian took the letter. The tightly bound cord was stained thickly with blood—likely the mark of an elderly man.
“His Majesty—”
“He has been frozen.”
“……!”
“His health was already poor, and the bleeding was severe. This was a decision the emperor made himself.”
Now that Ian thought about it, Beols’s clothes were also stained with blood. The old man must have lost a great deal of it; the state was clear. Before his last breath left his body, the emperor locked himself away in eternal time. From birth to death, his life had meaning.
“He feared today’s situation spiraling out of control. If His Majesty died, it would be a true upheaval.”
“I agree. If the throne is known to be vacant, opportunists will exploit the chaos. Even the smallest spark could allow Bariel to be completely consumed.”
“…He instructed that the freeze be lifted only when his death no longer threatens Bariel.”
“There are those who can use healing magic.”
“I cannot guarantee anything. The moment the freeze is lifted, no one knows what might happen.”
Ian pressed his forehead thoughtfully. First, he needed to read the emperor’s letter.
“So, he entrusted this to me?”
“More precisely, to a ‘third party not aligned with any prince.’”
So the emperor’s long life was not without its shadows. Until death is accepted as death, the emperor does not truly die. That was the final duty he bore.
‘No wonder. Even at the New Year’s gathering, he looked like he was about to collapse. It was suspicious that he lived so long.’
Beols gestured hurriedly, urging Ian to open the letter.
“I don’t know what’s written inside either.”
“Were you the one I spoke with earlier?”
“Yes. I apologize for the unintended test. Please understand it was His Majesty’s will. He was especially concerned about Jin and Arsen being caught in the chaos.”
The parchment was thick and tightly rolled, but the contents were brief.
⁝
Marib and Gale are to be thoroughly judged in court. Marib will be permanently stripped of the imperial family name.
Watch over Jin and Arsen carefully. One is light, the other darkness. When they come of age, seek out the Gala priest again.
⁝
It was little more than a will. Most of it concerned the princes’ fates and brief instructions to wrap up various national projects the emperor had overseen.
Ian folded the parchment and looked at Beols.
“How can I prove this is truly His Majesty’s letter?”
“The seal.”
“But Marib stole the imperial seal.”
“His Majesty also had a personal seal used when sending letters to foreign kings. We can verify it by comparison.”
“And Lady Dilaina? Should we inform her? Without His Majesty, the prime minister and Lady Dilaina will temporarily take charge.”
“He instructed that the decision on the successor be made through discussion between Lady Dilaina and the third party.”
‘So Beols will watch over and protect the entire process.’
Ian set the letter on the table and thought deeply. Once this crisis is resolved, the rivalry between Jin and Arsen—that is, between Ian and Dilaina—will divide the palace.
For now, Ian, who saved their lives, holds more power and authority.
Knock knock.
A knock came from outside. Ian hid the letter in his chest and signaled to Beols.
“Let’s end this nightmare for today.”
“Yes. Even just cleaning up will be a huge task. There’s no time to waste. Once the palace is secured, we will move the frozen emperor.”
Click!
Ian opened the door, and Romandro stepped back in surprise. Voices had been heard inside, yet only one person was coming out?
Ian wrapped his robe around himself and passed by.
“I have received a letter from His Majesty the Emperor. We will begin securing the palace. Prepare yourselves.”
“What? A letter from His Majesty? Where is he now?”
“Romandro, I have a question first.”
“Yes, please ask.”
Romandro lowered his voice, aware of the others’ gazes. There was something that had puzzled him for a while but he had dismissed it as unimportant.
“Where is Lady Dilaina’s family home?”
Both Marib and Gale had mentioned Lady Dilaina’s family once. Since she had risen to the rank of consort, her influence must be considerable. But today, when all the nobles had taken sides, there was no mention of her faction.
“Lady Dilaina? She is from the Carbo family.”
“Carbo? The Carbo temple?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The Carbo Temple. A venerable place that had conveyed the gods’ will to the emperor at Bariel’s founding. It was said to have blessed the imperial family and was still regarded as a symbol of the divine.
“Oh, it started when war orphans were adopted and given the Carbo name. Among them, a man named Roberside, who did not become clergy, won a battle against monsters and was granted a title. The line continues to this day.”
Romandro explained, assuming Ian, raised on the frontier, might not know. It was a prestigious and symbolically significant bloodline. No wonder Marib had spared his life out of respect for his maternal family.
“The Carbo family is rooted in the temple, but over generations their identity has faded.”
“So the prophecies about Jin and Arsen must have come from Carbo as well.”
“Most likely. Having a strong maternal family is a blessing, though in this case it was more of a curse. But still, a message from His Majesty the Emperor?”
Why was Lady Dilaina’s family so important now?
“Also, I heard that Prince Gale plans to hand over the Magic Seal Stone. What will you do?”
Ian stopped in the lobby.
The Magic Seal Stone—the only means to keep the mages in check. If he took that, nothing could stop the Magic Department.
‘It would be safe for now, but it’s not ideal.’
Checks and balances create equilibrium, and equilibrium brings peace. Ian was a mage, but also the emperor. He knew well the dangers of power tipping too far to one side.
‘Distribute it—’
First gather everything, then divide it appropriately.
‘Especially to Jin.’
“Everyone, attention.”
Ian called the mages. Those working on their tasks stopped and turned to him.
“A message from His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
“What? A message from His Majesty?”
“Is he safe? Where is he now?”
“…There is no threat to his life. This letter is sealed with a different stamp, not the imperial seal, but it is verified.”
Ian carefully covered the bloodstain with his hand and held up the letter. The mages sensed the shift in energy, and other officials began gathering, murmuring.
“From now on, the Magic Department will no longer be neutral territory. We will purge Marib’s faction, who are disturbing palace order. Prepare amplification magic.”
“Yes, understood!”
The Magic Tool Manufacturing Department rushed inside to fetch the magical device that functioned as a loudspeaker.
Meanwhile, Ian continued issuing orders.
“Gale will also be captured and tried. The Magic Department will show no mercy to those who resist.”
“Ian, here it is!”
A long stand held a round disc. Condensed magic shimmered in the small holes.
Ziiing. Ziiing.
“Just speak into it.”
“Make sure those outside, near the palace, cannot hear.”
“Yes, no problem!”
Ian spoke cautiously.
[I am Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Department.]
Wheeeeee—
His voice carried on magical waves throughout the palace. Fallen soldiers, hiding officials, fleeing people—even untethered beasts—paused at the unfamiliar sound ringing in their ears.
[All living beings, listen carefully. I bring a message from His Majesty the Emperor.]
Beric covered his ears every time Ian spoke. It sounded like the words were being repeated inside his inner ear.
[First Prince Marib is hereby expelled from the imperial family. Those who follow him must immediately lay down their arms and surrender. Otherwise, they will be judged as traitors and dealt with severely. The Marib you trusted and followed will be captured alive by the Magic Department and executed before your eyes.]
He spoke of death with calm resolve. If Marib had regained consciousness, he would probably be listening to this very announcement now.
[And to you, Second Prince Gale.]
Ian looked straight ahead, as if facing Gale directly.
[I, Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic, hereby lift your curse by the honor of my office. The fate of Bariel no longer concerns you. You will also be held accountable for your role in this crisis.]
He declared it plainly. The curse Wesley had left behind was gone. Gale could no longer cling to life by using it as an excuse. Whatever the verdict of the trial, he would have to bear the consequences.
[From this moment on, the Ministry of Magic and the wizards will take charge of restoring order in the palace. Let those who stood with Gale take heed: surrender, or face death.]
“Surrender, or face death!”
“Surrender, or face death!”
The wizards chanted in unison, their voices growing louder and spreading.
These were the palace people who had sought safety in the neutral zone. Now, it was time for them to return to their posts and work toward normalization.
“Move out. And bring Gale here.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Leave the disposal of the bodies to the wizards. Romandro, assess the damaged buildings and submit a reconstruction plan by tomorrow. Disarming the soldiers is our top priority. Also, urgently bring in the high-ranking officials who have been unable to enter the palace.”
Peace is easy to break but hard to rebuild. Ian would confer with his advisors to restore calm to the current palace.
[The chaos is over. Let all survivors rejoice and let the present slip into the past. Tonight will be unlike any night before.]
Ian took a breath and looked over the blood-soaked corpses. Haru, Xiaosi, who had burst into Gale’s quarters and fired the signal flare, and then rushed here, breathless.
[Celebrate the end of Haru’s nightmare.]
“Demosha!”
“Demosha!”
Whatever it meant, if there was a reason to celebrate, then surely the gods’ blessings should be shared. The warriors’ loud cries rang out, and the wizards raised their fists in solidarity. As the sunset bathed the half-ruined palace in a warm glow, the palace gates opened—ushering in a new chapter of history.