Episode 210
The grand mansion of the Haiman family, often called the “small imperial palace” in the city center.

In terms of size and splendor, it rivaled the actual royal palace itself. So impressive was its presence that newcomers to the capital often mistook it for the palace and wandered inside by mistake.

Duke Haiman sat in the parlor, puffing on his water pipe as he gazed at the small fountain trickling nearby.

“So, you’re saying the palace guard clashed with forces in the Chetur district?”

“My apologies, yes.”

“And their captain, Jaret, was personally involved?”

“Access to the inner Chetur area is currently restricted. The bridge is flooded, and on the other side, the palace guard is blocking passage, requiring identification. Reports say most of the magical armor was damaged, and the stockpiled materials in the warehouse were confiscated as well…”

Snap!

The aide fell silent, struck sharply across the face by the long water pipe. Yet he kept his gaze fixed on the floor, saying nothing.

“I’m pretty sure I told the lower ranks to keep a better watch.”

Ever since the Meil Daily incident, those clad in black armor had been causing nothing but trouble. It seemed they weren’t official knights of the Haiman family but mercenaries hired on contract.

The aide bowed again in apology.

“My deepest regrets.”

“And if they’re taken as witnesses? You’re clever enough to know what that means. What do you think will happen? With Gale still alive, do you really believe Ian will just let us be?”

Haiman’s jet-black eyes gleamed like a raven’s, the whites completely absent, making the aide shrink further into himself.

“Over half of them reportedly died on the spot during the attack on the palace guard. Those taken to the palace are receiving treatment, but their survival is uncertain.”

Haiman had no idea how many in the palace had already been bought off with his gold. Anyone with shadows in their past, anyone who knew the gleam of gold, became his eyes and ears, feeding him information bit by bit.

Had Ian noticed too? That Haiman’s gold was flowing even into the Ministry of Magic?

“Summarize it. Cleanly.”

“Yes, sir. I will make sure of that.”

These were men whose lives could end any day now. If they were discreetly helped when their breaths faltered, the cleanup could proceed without suspicion. Haiman exhaled a thick plume of smoke.

“And the Chetur materials were confiscated?”

“What should we do?”

The magical armor was Haiman’s core strength. Originally made to guard banks, the family held countless sets in storage. But cutting off the supply of those materials was a serious problem. Haiman twisted his beard as he muttered.

“Captain Akorella must have started research on them by now.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

If the mana stones were claimed as Haiman family property, they couldn’t deny responsibility for the midnight battle. Clashing with the palace guard was an undeniable crime. But to just let it be taken without a fight? That was a disaster beyond disaster.

“Akorella is skilled; she’ll uncover their true nature soon enough. That’s not bad in itself, but the real issue is ownership.”

Even if the palace claimed them, if Prince Arsen gained power, they could be reclaimed. But with Ian and Jin firmly standing in the way, that mad researcher Akorella wouldn’t just sit still. She’d be cooking up all sorts of experiments with them, no doubt.

“Besides Arsen being a mana user, nothing seems to be going right. What about Gale’s side?”

“They’re still trying, but the defenses are tight.”

“I wish someone would just go crazy and make a bold move. Once Marib’s trial ends, the Haiman family will be in the spotlight.”

Haiman scratched the leather handle with his nails and called for his steward.

“Steward.”

“Yes, my lord?”

“I’m sending a letter to Luswena. Prepare it.”

Luswena was the oldest neighboring border country adjacent to Bariel. Strong, prosperous, and blessed with fertile lands, it lacked nothing.

It was also ruled by Melania’s maternal uncle. The steward quickly prepared fine stationery and a pen, presenting them before Haiman.

“Will you send it by courier?”

“No. I will deliver it personally, with proper respect.”

“I will prepare a skilled rider.”

Creaaak.

Haiman stared at the blank page, gathering his thoughts. Only as the candle flickered low did he gracefully pick up the pen and begin writing.

—To the Queen of Luswena,
Please lend your aid to the Haiman family.

---

Whirr!

At sunset, Romandro arrived at the Ministry of Magic with palace guards in tow, driving a carriage. His shoulders ached so much that every stretch made a grinding sound.

“Lord Romandro! Thank you for your hard work.”

“Oh, yes. Feels like it’s been ages since I last saw you.”

“But we saw you just yesterday, didn’t we? These are the items confiscated from the Chetur district, right? Greetings, palace guards. Leave the cargo here; we’ll handle the rest.”

Half a dozen small boxes were unloaded from the carriage.

They had thoroughly searched the Chetur district, and half of what they found was assigned to the Ministry of Magic. Research took priority, and since both the palace guard and the Ministry were involved in the incident, the items were divided accordingly. Later, through formal proceedings, items held by the palace guard would be transferred to the Ministry.

“The sun’s setting. Tomorrow’s the trial…”

As Romandro stretched, he caught a sharp gleam from above the stairs. Looking closer, he saw Akorella’s research goggles flashing in the light.

“Lord Romandro!”

“Ah! You startled me.”

Tap tap!

Swish!

It was Akorella. Not walking down the stairs, but sliding down the banister, leaning back. Her subordinates followed behind.

“Why are you only just arriving?”

“Me? Was there a report to process?”

“We’ve been waiting! Really!”

She immediately opened the lid of a box. Inside were piles of black stones. Akorella grinned, a nosebleed trickling down her face. Was she even human? She looked so exhausted it seemed like a hallucination.

When Akorella whipped her head around, Romandro flinched and stepped back.

“Can we take these straight to the lab?”

“By all means. No one but Captain Akorella at the Ministry is qualified to handle these.”

“Yay! Woohoo! The ones Ian gave me earlier got destroyed somehow. This amount is perfect. Mmm, very good. So good!”

Akorella gestured hurriedly to her subordinates, who quickly tidied up the back of the carriage.

“Lord Romandro, we’ll be off then.”

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks, thanks! Much appreciated! Ha ha ha!”

Whirr!

As the carriage pulled away, Akorella waved enthusiastically. Romandro climbed the stairs with her and asked,

“So, any progress in your research?”

Akorella suddenly stopped and spun around sharply. Romandro nearly stumbled but she paid no mind, eyes sparkling.

“Lord Romandro, no matter how brilliant a researcher, one sample tells you nothing. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this.”

“…”

“But now! Now—!”

She seemed genuinely excited. Usually eccentric, but now on another level entirely.

“Who am I? Akorella, of course! Ha ha ha!”

“Captain, can we please have a normal conversation?”

“I’ve found some peculiarities. The crystals are oddly disordered. In cases like this, they’re not naturally formed but rather refined somewhere, or created through a complex synthesis process…”

Romandro squinted, looking up at her. Despite speaking the same Bariel tongue, he had no clue what she meant.

She stopped mid-sentence and smiled.

“My guess is they’re a byproduct of an organic fusion process. There aren’t many organisms strong enough to withstand an attack from the palace guard. And these have the beautiful color of pitch coal!”

“What are you talking about?” Romandro sniffled and nodded slowly. From afar, Vivianna approached with Mini, carrying a blanket.

“I’ve been soaked all day, running around hungry and exhausted. I won’t understand even if you explain, so just write it nicely in the report later.”

“Sure! I’ll use colored ink!”

“No, thank you.”

Romandro nestled into Vivianna’s arms. She welcomed her drenched, miserable husband with tender concern. Seeing this, Akorella shouted loudly as she dashed down to the lab.

“Have a wonderful love life! Ha ha ha!”

She was clearly in high spirits—almost suspiciously so. Romandro clicked his tongue and entered the office with Vivianna. While he was away, she had organized the documents by urgency and placed them neatly on his desk.

“Thanks, Vivi. What about Ian?”

“After the meal earlier, he went to sleep and still hasn’t woken up. Prince Ji is here with him as well.”

“Ah, well, he must be exhausted. I’ll take care of the rest, so don’t wake him. Let’s just let him rest deeply until tomorrow. After all, the trial and arbitration are handled by the judiciary; all we have to do is organize the testimonies.”

Rustle.

Tomorrow, the First Prince of Bariel will vanish from history. To think that someone once unquestioned as the future emperor would fall so far. It really is true—no one can predict what lies just ahead.

Viviana muttered as she sat beside Romandro, rifling through documents.

“…Was it the year before last? Before I went on leave.”

Like Romandro, she was an advisor who moved throughout the palace, managing affairs. Naturally, she had several chances to see both Prince Marib and Prince Gale as they came and went.

“Back then, both princes were truly, truly beautiful. Beyond appearances, you could feel how fiercely each loved Bariel in their own way.”

But now, seeing Marib and Gale inside the palace was shocking.

One was bound in chains at the wrists, a prisoner awaiting trial. The other lay collapsed, barely able to hold himself up, in a pitiful state.

“I honestly don’t know where it all went wrong.”

“That’s why tomorrow’s trial will be closed to the public. At least it’s a courtesy to preserve the dignity of the prince until the very end. Even if he disappears from history, Bariel will still carry him within for a while longer.”

I won’t deny it. Marib was, after all, the one who had led Bariel well in place of the aging emperor. Romandro gently patted Viviana’s hand as he glanced down at Marib’s name on the papers.

And it wasn’t just the Ministry of Magic remembering the former glory of Marib and Gale.

‘The day is about to change.’

‘Prince Marib will finally…’

‘So this is how it ends. I can feel history unfolding right before me.’

The palace staff taking down the princes’ portraits in the main lobby, the servants tidying Marib’s chambers, the guards standing watch outside the prison—all waited for Marib’s final moments, recalling the brilliance he once held.

And Marib himself was no different.

“…Ah.”

He tilted his head back and stared up at the black ceiling. The days he had lived within these palace walls came vividly to mind.

When he was very young, he never imagined his death would come like this.

Ding—ding—

The chimes struck midnight, and at last, Marib closed his eyes.