Chapter 203

“Arsen!”

Dilaina’s face went pale as she clutched Arsen tightly. The unconscious boy’s body trembled weakly in her arms. She wiped the blood and sputum from his face with the back of her hand, sniffling repeatedly. His entire body was cold and stiff, as if he were already dying.

“How… how could this happen? Arsen, what’s wrong with you? Huh?”

At the mother’s anguished cries, the doctor wiped the cold sweat from his brow. For some unknown reason, Arsen had gone to see Gale—and had been harmed because of it. The guards reported that Gale had grabbed Arsen and thrown him aside.

“Gale?”

“Lady Dilaina, please step aside for a moment.”

“W-what? No! That Gale—damn him!”

“What are you all doing? Hurry and take Lady Dilaina away!”

“This way, please. Lady Dilaina.”

The attendants barely managed to pull Dilaina away from Arsen. Since entering the palace, she had lived under the watchful eyes of the grown princes. All those days she had clung to life beside the emperor, just to protect her son, flashed through her mind.

And yet, in the end, Marib and Gale had harmed her sons. Gale had hurt Arsen, and Marib had targeted Jin…

Then—

Bang!

“Your Highness Arsen!”

“Are you feeling any better, Your Highness?”

“Lady Dilaina, I heard the news. Is it true?”

“Oh dear, what could be wrong with such a small body? Tsk, tsk. Gale is truly cruel.”

Officials burst in, causing a commotion. They looked at Arsen lying on the bed and Dilaina collapsed on the floor, trying to grasp the situation.

“Lady Dilaina, is it true?”

“…Yes. It is.”

Dilaina confirmed that Gale had harmed Arsen, but the officials misunderstood. They took it as confirmation that Arsen was indeed a magic user, and saw this as final proof.

“This is great news! He’s alive!”

“What did you say?”

“We must not miss this chance. Let’s immediately execute Gale. He attacked Arsen, a magic user and the legitimate heir, as a traitor. Isn’t this like committing treason twice?”

“Exactly! He has rebelled against Bariel twice!”

“I agree. Let’s kill him at once.”

“I heard Lord Ian has stationed barbarians nearby. It won’t be easy to break through by force, so we need a pretext. Ian won’t back down easily either.”

“Wait, everyone…”

Dilaina hesitated, confused. Arsen a magic user? She had always been by his side, yet never sensed anything. She wished someone would explain clearly, but the officials were too caught up in their plans to execute Gale.

“By the way, why hasn’t the Magic Department sent any healing mages? Arsen fainted like that—it’s unacceptable.”

“They’re too busy protecting their precious little brat. That magic swordsman, Beric, came in half-dead and drove off all the healers.”

“I heard he fought with Haiman outside.”

“That’s right. A warrant has been issued.”

Screech.

“Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department has arrived!”

“Eek!”

The officials talking about Ian suddenly fell silent, covering their mouths in surprise. Had he overheard? A servant had made a noise, but Ian was a mage who could project his voice across all of Bariel. Anything was possible.

“L-Lord Ian.”

“What are you all doing here?”

“Well, I heard Your Highness Arsen collapsed, so I came out of concern. Heh heh.”

Familiar faces were mixed among the crowd. Just days ago, they had sworn loyalty to Jin, but now they worried for Arsen’s safety. Ian smirked and stepped inside. The doctor recognized him and stood to greet him.

“Ah, Lord Ian.”

“How is His Highness’s condition?”

“In my opinion, there’s no major problem. He did cough up blood, but… well, it’s best to continue monitoring him over time. He seems a bit fatigued.”

Coughing up blood but no physical damage? Then it was definitely an abnormal reaction.

Ian nodded, and the healing mages parted to examine Arsen. They checked his pulse with their fingertips, murmuring.

“If the body can’t handle the magic, it can cause bleeding. Lord Ian experienced this before.”

After facing Marib, Ian had also bled. What Arsen showed was just the ‘awakening,’ but given the boy’s fragile body, it was entirely possible.

“We want to infuse some magic into his body for a closer look. Lady Dilaina, may we have your permission?”

“H-Healing mages?”

Ian frowned at the officials’ questions from behind—a silent warning not to spout nonsense. No matter the conflict with Arsen, as Minister of Magic, he had duties to fulfill.

“Y-yes, you have my permission.”

Dilaina nodded, and the healing mages exchanged glances with Ian. They were ready to follow his orders.

‘Infuse magic and observe the reaction.’

Those with magic power always show some response, whether mage or magic swordsman. Just as Ian had sent magic to reveal Beric’s true nature, the healers would do the same now.

Zzzzz… zzzzz…

Just as the two prepared to channel magic into Arsen—

Snap!

Arsen, eyes closed, suddenly grabbed one healer’s wrist. It was a sleep-talking kind of movement, but his reflexes were astonishingly quick.

“…Mother.”

“Arsen, Arsen! Are you coming to?”

The boy strained his voice, calling out to his mother. Dilaina pushed the healer aside and hugged Arsen. His gaze was vacant, drained of life. He stared blankly at the ceiling, whispering.

“When Gale harmed me, Lord Ian sided with him. Please hand him over. I’m scared, Mother.”

“…Lord Ian!”

At those words, Dilaina’s eyes snapped open and she glared at Ian, ready to attack. But Ian met her gaze calmly.

“Gale was determined to attack, so I issued a no-approach order. I don’t know why you entered, but if you explain, I have something to say as well.”

Wasn’t she trying to kill Gale in his chambers? From Gale’s perspective, he was just defending himself against an attacker. No problem there. And since Arsen violated safety protocols, Ian bore no responsibility for this incident.

“No matter what, Lord Gale went too far! This cannot be overlooked. I demand his immediate execution!”

“Indeed! His violent nature is a disgrace to the royal family!”

“Lord Ian, defeat the barbarian troops stationed here—the Tenryeo tribe—and execute Gale at once.”

The officials seized the moment to pressure Ian, their eyes blazing red. Foolish men who thought sheer numbers would get their way. A simple refusal was all it took to shut them down.

“I refuse.”

“W-why?”

“Are you defending Lord Gale?”

Ian pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. The castle gates had only been open for a few hours. While Beric was torn apart and Arsen slipped in, countless people had come and gone.

“The gates just reopened. The empire’s citizens, worried about what might happen in the palace and Bariel, are finally entering with relief. And now you want to execute Lord Gale? Do you think that’s reasonable?”

“B-but still…”

“No means no. Given the current situation, all procedures must be respected. Besides, Lord Marib’s trial is set for four days from now, with execution to follow. You want to execute Gale first? That’s reckless beyond belief.”

If you insist, go ahead. But I will oppose it, and this will stain your administration someday. That was Ian’s unspoken warning.

“And in a week, we will hold a simple magic verification ceremony. Lady Dilaina, please take good care of His Highness Arsen until then.”

“A week from now?”

“Since he claims to be a magic user, it’s only right for the Magic Department to act. We’ve requested the Oracle’s Light. Once it arrives, we’ll conduct a brief ceremony.”

At the mention of the Oracle’s Light, Arsen frowned. He clung to his mother, whining tearfully.

“Mother, I don’t want to do it.”

“Arsen?”

“Using magic hurts my body. That’s why I’ve never told anyone. The healer said the same thing earlier—if the body can’t handle it, you cough up blood. I’ll definitely cough up blood again and be embarrassed.”

Well, well. Ian raised an eyebrow and looked down at Arsen. Proving he was a magic user and securing his position would be beneficial—so why was he acting like this?

“Unlike the New Year’s ceremony, only a few will attend. The Oracle’s Light reacts even to the smallest amount of magic, so there’s no need to worry.”

Got him. The more Arsen resists, the more Ian would push. Once the Oracle’s Light and the priest arrive, they would set right the fate that had gone awry with Jin.

Ian made sure Arsen couldn’t slip away this time.

“Or perhaps, Your Highness, did you resort to deception and trickery?”

“How reckless and insolent of you, Lord Ian!”

“Watch your tongue! I am speaking to Your Highness, a wielder of magic!”

“Impersonating a magic user is a grave sacrilege, a crime of deceit, and given Your Highness’s status, it’s a betrayal against Bariel itself. Your Highness, it’s not too late—if you have anything to say, speak now. I will personally listen.”

Arsen clenched his mouth shut, glaring at Ian, sensing the mockery hidden beneath that false politeness. Delaina frowned, clearly insulted.

“Your Highness?”

Arsen was certain it wasn’t magic. Even if it were, he was a man destined to vanish from history—there was nothing to fear. From any angle, Ian posed no threat to him.

Instead of answering, Arsen retreated into his mother’s embrace, and Delaina stepped forward to confront Ian.

“First, you must leave. Arsen’s condition is far from good; his recovery must come first. Take your mage with you as well.”

Ian’s intentions were unclear, so even the healing mages were not to be trusted. With a firm order, the mages bowed and exited. Ian did the same, but not before casting a final, measured glance at the officials and issuing a warning.

“One week from now, Your Highness.”

So take care of yourself until then. With that, Ian disappeared. The officials moved to the adjacent parlor to discuss their next steps.

The bedroom fell silent in an instant. Arsen, nestled in Delaina’s arms, spoke softly.

“Mother, were you frightened?”

“A little.”

“To be honest, I only just found out myself. I wasn’t trying to hide it—I was worried it might burden you.”

Being a magic wielder could turn the tide of any situation in an instant. How could she have thought otherwise? Delaina gently stroked the back of his head, puzzled, and Arsen added,

“See? When I said I was a magic wielder, Lord Ian’s attitude sharpened immediately. Even Gale tried to kill me. Mother, I’m scared.”

“It’s alright, Arsen. I will protect you.”

“But what if Gale comes looking to kill me?”

What if? What if he comes here? Arsen’s voice echoed sharply in Delaina’s mind, stirring a deep well of compassion that brought tears to her eyes.

“It’s alright. I will handle it. I won’t let Gale harm you—I promise.”

Delaina whispered this as she held Arsen close. But despite her tender expression, Arsen’s eyes were hollow, weighed down by the looming week Ian had warned about.

“One week…”

The nearest temple wouldn’t take that long to reach. Why did Ian say a week? Arsen clicked his nails together, frowning. If things continued like this, trouble was bound to follow.