Chapter 209

“Sir Ian, we’ve arrived.”

Ian opened his eyes at the coachman’s announcement. Aside from resting his head lightly against the window, he had maintained a proper posture. He let out a faint sigh as he noticed the scenery outside had changed. He had no idea when he’d fallen asleep. Now he understood why Romandro had insisted so strongly that he get some rest.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Not at all.”

The coachman bowed deeply, glancing back nervously. In truth, it had been over thirty minutes since they’d reached the Ministry of Magic, but due to prior notice from the staff, they had been waiting patiently. Ian had wondered when he’d finally be allowed to go home, but thankfully, it hadn’t taken too long.

As the carriage door opened, a group of nearby mages hurried over.

“Sir Ian, you’ve returned?”

“And what of Lord Romandro?”

“He’s out on official business. Something urgent, perhaps?”

“No, it can wait. I left the urgent matters on my desk. By the way, I heard the palace guard was involved in a fierce battle last night. Is that true?”

As Ian climbed the stairs, someone draped a warm robe over his shoulders. Those who had escorted Varsabe and the armored legion to the palace had quickly informed the staff. Ian accepted the robe gratefully; his whole body still felt chilled after just a short nap.

“Sir Ian, you’re back.”

“Perfect timing, Captain Akorella.”

“Me? Why?”

As Ian passed through the lobby, Akorella was greeting her subordinates and tried to pass by him, but stopped immediately when he called her. She seemed unaware, but her bangs were singed and curled—undoubtedly the result of a failed experiment.

Snap!

“Huh?”

“Do you know what this is?”

Ian pulled a mysterious mana stone from his pocket and tossed it to her. Akorella caught it lightly with both hands and peered closely. Her subordinates crowded around as well, leaning in so close their breaths mingled as they examined the stone minutely.

“It’s pitch black…”

“Completely…”

“…new?”

Akorella’s expression gradually softened. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, and her nostrils flared helplessly. She seemed utterly breathless, unable to form a proper sentence.

“W-what is this?”

“I’m asking you the same thing.”

Akorella didn’t know. Neither did her subordinates. Ian himself was asking because it was unknown. This meant it was the first time such a mana stone had been discovered. Without realizing it, Akorella let out a scream.

“Ahhhhhh! No way! Nooo!”

“Captain! Captain! Let’s go together!”

“Careful, you’ll fall! Slow down!”

“Open the lab door quickly! You idiots!”

Bang! Thud! Boom!

As a researcher and mage, excitement was inevitable. She practically tumbled down the stairs to the basement, her subordinates following close behind.

“The Mana Stone Management Department, right? They’re reliable? No need to stop this?”

“Well, it’s not the first time. Sir Ian, if there aren’t any more samples, you should warn them in advance. Captain Akorella tends to smash everything at the end.”

“Fine. Soon, they’ll be bringing in boxes full of them. When the palace guard arrives, have Captain Akorella guide them.”

“Why would the palace guard be bringing mana stones?”

“They confiscated them in the Chetur district. It’s connected to Haiman. Fragments of black armor will come in as well, so everyone should focus on the Mana Stone Management Department and assist them wholeheartedly.”

“Understood.”

Black armor! The very armor that had killed the Third Commander Riama. The mages, aware of Ian and Haiman’s political ties, immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.

Ian skimmed through a report that had just come in and asked again.

“What about Beric?”

“Oh! Right! Beric has woken up.”

“Woken up, huh? But he can’t move, right?”

“If he could move in that state, that’d be something…”

Ian smiled faintly and turned the corner toward Beric’s quarters. A crowd of mages followed him in a rush. After seeing Beric, Ian planned to head to his office and request that their reports be handled first.

“Is he talking properly?”

“Honestly, I was surprised he even could.”

“Ha ha. Yeah.”

Apparently, he had caused quite a commotion. When the mage’s expression soured, Ian couldn’t help but laugh.

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. On the way back from the Great Desert to Bratz, Beric couldn’t even walk but still had the same temper, clinging to Kusile like luggage.

Tap tap tap.

The door to the quarters was slightly ajar. Through the crack came not only voices but a strong smell of meat.

“This is really too much! Lord Jin!”

“Beric, calm down. Your stitches will burst. The doctor said if you eat now, you’ll really die.”

“I’m going to die anyway!”

“It’s fine. You won’t.”

“This is driving me crazy. Xia! Please try to reason with Lord Jin!”

“…”

“That bastard, he’s eating meat and not even responding?”

“Come on, Beric. Just keep smelling it.”

“Ahhh! Ian!”

Sizzle.

What a sight. Beric lay helpless on the bed, unable to move, while Xiaoshi and Jin grilled meat nearby. A pile of bright red premium beef sat stacked to one side. When Beric called out to Ian in anguish, Xiaoshi was the first to notice him.

“You’re here.”

“Oh! Lord Ian! You came?”

“Ian? Iaaaan!”

Greetings poured out all at once. Ian gently pushed the mages aside and closed the door. Beric couldn’t move below the neck but blinked wildly in greeting.

“Your Highness, why are you eating here? Why not in the dining hall? The breeze is a bit chilly, but the afternoon sun is warm—you could eat in the garden.”

“Lord Ian! Listen to me. As soon as Beric woke up, he ordered the servants around to get meat. Even though his insides are all injured, I told him to fast no matter what.”

“Is that so?”

“He even threw a tantrum at the doctor, and I heard about it firsthand. I rushed here to stop him!”

Jin looked up at Ian with sparkling eyes, silently begging for praise. Ian patted Jin’s shoulder lightly.

“Well done.”

“Well done? Hmph! Grilling meat right next to him is cheating! It’s torture! Lord Jin, you’re really too much!”

“You asked to let him at least smell the meat, didn’t you?”

“No… seriously, Ian. You know how I feel, right?”

She probably intended to shove the meat right under his nose the moment he asked to smell it. Jin didn’t even know how to use a fan properly. Ian sat on the edge of the bed and carefully examined Beric’s condition.

“…His body?”

“Fine. So just one bite.”

“Hold on a little longer. Even healthy people feel burdened eating meat first thing after waking up. How can you do that?”

Ian’s words made Jin nod repeatedly as she stepped closer. Xiaoshi, meanwhile, chewed calmly on what was already in his mouth.

“Ah, I really…”

“Varsabe came back alive, too.”

“What? Varsabe survived?”

Ian changed the subject with a grin. It was almost comical how the mood shifted instantly from gloomy to bright the moment Beric heard Varsabe was alive.

Whether Varsabe considered Beric a close friend or not, he was one of the few people Beric was familiar with. Ian nodded in acknowledgment.

“He’s a bit injured but will recover soon. So Beric, focus on your treatment. Then you can eat all you want.”

“Ah! Okay, okay! Call the doctor! Tell them to treat me quickly! Apply the medicine! Keep applying it!”

Jin fanned the air, trying to comfort him with the scent of grilled meat. It was a relief to see Beric was otherwise fine despite being bedridden. Ian glanced at the black sword lying beside the bed and asked,

“Beric.”

“Couldn’t help it! If I hadn’t used magic, I’d really be dead.”

Beric guessed what Ian was about to say. He had been told not to channel magic into the black sword but had fully unleashed it to face the enemy. Since the sword summoned monsters, it was fortunate none appeared nearby—otherwise, the collateral damage would have been severe.

“I’m not scolding you for that.”

“Huh? Really? Never mind then.”

Ian hesitated, wondering if he should tell Beric he might be part of the Atan tribe. Before he could decide, a piece of meat was suddenly pressed into his hand. Jin had offered it.

“Lord Ian, you haven’t had lunch yet, right?”

“That’s right, Your Highness.”

“Have some. Beric ordered way too much meat. I don’t know how he planned to eat it all by himself.”

“Hah! Lord Jin, I can eat that all in one sitting.”

“Lies. How can anyone eat more meat than me? You’re teasing me, Beric.”

“I’ll show you. Feed me.”

Jin pursed her lips and shook her head firmly. There was no way she was giving up the meat. Ian cupped his hand and ate the piece she offered.

“Tasty, isn’t it?”

“…Beric, you ordered the expensive stuff.”

“Of course! Ian’s rich! Top grade! The most expensive!”

Ian called a servant over and pulled up a chair. The moment he took a bite, it hit him—he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had a proper meal. He’d only been filling the gaps with things like Gula here and there. A meal like this had long since faded from his memory.

Swish.

As Xiaoshi rose from his seat, Ian motioned for him to sit back down.

“The bedroom’s cramped. It’s fine—just sit.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Xiaoshi, try this again. It’s very tender. Do I have to keep telling you to eat before you actually do?”

“No, Your Highness.”

Xiaoshi glanced down at the meat Jin had placed on his plate, clearly uncomfortable. He’d reluctantly eaten earlier, but still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. A slave dining alongside his master? And with royalty, no less? Hesitating, he picked up his fork, only to be corrected by Ian.

“Xiaoshi, when cutting meat, hold the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left. Don’t let the blade be too sharp, and keep your elbow resting on the table.”

Jin followed Ian’s instructions well. Since his temperament was trustworthy, Xiaoshi would likely continue serving Jin unless something unusual happened. So it was only right for him to learn basic dining etiquette.

“Ahhh! Xiaoshi! Even you!”

“…”

Beric watched the three of them eat, letting out a desperate wail. No one paid him any mind, which only made his cries sound more pitiful.

“Sir Ian, have you seen the painting?”

“You mean the yellow ox? Your Highness, did you paint that?”

“Beric asked me to draw it.”

“Your skill keeps improving. It’s impressive.”

The clinking of dishes and their warm, friendly chatter filled the room pleasantly. Suddenly, the noise died down, and when they looked back, Beric was fast asleep with his mouth wide open. Though he seemed lively, his body was clearly worn out enough to lose consciousness so quickly.

“By the way, Sir Ian, you know tomorrow is Marib’s trial, right?”

“Of course. The Ministry of Magic is preparing thoroughly. He will surely pay for attempting to harm Your Highness Jin.”

“Mother and Arsen will be there too.”

“Yes. If you’re not ready, you don’t have to attend.”

Ian was referring to Jin’s resolve to face his mother. Jin bravely took a bite of meat and shook his head. Instead of answering with words, he gave a brief nod, following proper dining manners.

“No. I’ve realized something. Resolve isn’t something you suddenly find—it’s built day by day. So I will attend the trial.”

Ian smiled warmly and placed more meat on Jin’s plate. If he had seen his own heir in a past life, if he had a child, he hoped they would be like Jin.

“Understood. We’ll prepare everything without issue.”

“Good. I’ll do the same.”

“Eat more.”

Clatter, clatter. Ian laughed as he watched Jin eat heartily. Beric stirred awake now and then, grumbling, but even that sounded like peaceful background noise. The day after rain was so warm and gentle. Without realizing it, Ian fell asleep after finishing his meal.

Creak.

“Gasp. He’s asleep.”

“Oh dear, what happened?”

“Let’s stay a bit longer, just an hour.”

The bedroom, once heavy with the scent of blood, now smelled only of meat and soft, steady breathing—Jin, Xiaoshi, Beric, and Ian all quietly sharing the space.