Chapter 222
Ian and Romandro were fine-tuning the details of their plan when a message came from outside.
“Lord Ian, a courier from outside the palace has arrived. It concerns the Ericse official you inquired about. Shall I let him in?”
“Let him through.”
One of Ian’s subordinates, who had gone to Ericse’s mansion, was the first to report back. Ian carefully unfolded the note and read it. Romandro craned his neck from behind, clearly curious.
“What does it say? Was it really a carriage accident?”
“Yes. According to the servants at Ericse’s mansion, there was an accident on the way to work this morning, and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, his life is not in danger, but it seems unlikely he’ll be able to come to work until tomorrow. They said it was a serious accident—enough to cause a carriage wheel to come off.”
“Tsk, tsk! Why drag in someone perfectly fine?”
“The Centra Hospital, huh? They said they’ll go there to check on Ericse’s condition personally and then return.”
Ian folded the note neatly and placed it on the table. Even if the complaint was somehow filed, it would take time before it could be brought before the Grand Assembly. Reviewing the complaint’s validity and submitting it to the assembly was Ericse’s responsibility.
Even if the suspicious employee Romandro had mentioned didn’t tamper with anything, it might be difficult to convene the assembly before the magic power verification ceremony. At least, that was the plan the Haiman family had laid out.
“Haiman and Arsen’s side will try to avoid the trial. They know they have no chance of winning. So they’ll try to prevent the trial from happening altogether by having the assembly dismiss it.”
“Honestly, the entire palace is waiting for that. Nothing is as important right now as whether Lord Arsen is a mage or not.”
In other words, Ian needed to convene the assembly before the magic power verification ceremony. It wasn’t absolutely necessary, but if it made things easier, it was better to do so.
He flicked the edge of the note with his finger, then rang the summons bell.
“Lord Ian, you called?”
“Gather the mages under Captain Hale’s command.”
“Huh? Ah, understood.”
Telling him to gather under Captain Hale meant mostly pulling in those who worked outside the palace, didn’t it? Ian didn’t bother explaining further and instead took out the official seal. Romandro cleared the desk and set out writing tools.
“Are you sending an official document? What will it say?”
“I’ll inform the Minister of Justice of the current situation and make it public.”
“What if Haiman has already made his move there?”
“I doubt it. If he controlled the top brass, he wouldn’t resort to such petty tricks. He wouldn’t fear the trial either. Bariel’s Justice Department is known for its fairness, so I assume Haiman’s influence hasn’t reached that far.”
“True. If he had pulled strings at the top, we wouldn’t be struggling like this. But sending an official document to Captain Hale seems like a waste of manpower.”
“Hale will have another role to play.”
Swish, swish.
Ian filled the paper with neat handwriting. Just as he was about to stamp the official seal of the Magic Department, new news came from outside.
“Lord Ian, both the Minister of Justice and the Deputy Minister didn’t come to work today.”
Thud.
The seal froze mid-air. How could both the minister and deputy minister be absent? Ian frowned and set the seal down. The attendant bowed deeply, stammering.
“Well, the minister went to Count Davion’s party yesterday and is still too hungover to get up. The deputy minister went out to the outskirts on business but got a severe stomachache and can’t move. If it’s urgent, they said to gather the department heads and handle it, but how should I deliver this?”
Ian laughed wryly, but Romandro was aghast, speechless. Had they deliberately picked a day to leave the Justice Department empty? Romandro looked at Ian in disbelief.
“Does this make any sense? Huh?”
“If we can stop it, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
“Should we call the department heads then?”
“No. It’s fine. Judging by how things are going, that won’t be easy either.”
Ian tore up the official document he’d been writing and pulled out a fresh sheet. He scribbled something quickly and handed it to the attendant.
“Give this to the courier and have him take it to Centra Hospital. There will be a reply, so keep watch by the window at all times.”
“Yes, Lord Ian.”
After the attendant left, Ian changed into lighter outerwear, as if preparing to go out. He glanced at Romandro’s expression and asked,
“Romandro, you should go rest now.”
“My duty is to see the complaint filed. I’ll help until the end. But what exactly are you planning?”
“I’m going myself.”
“Huh?”
Romandro hesitated at Ian’s firm answer. The minister personally moving to file a complaint—what a farce. Romandro shook his head stubbornly.
“If that’s the case, no way! I’m coming with you!”
“You look tired.”
“Would I be a hindrance?”
“No, not really.”
“Then let’s see this through! I’m still full of energy!”
Romandro clenched his fist and shouted, and Ian smiled as he buttoned his coat.
“Then, um, prepare protective gear.”
“…Protective gear? Why?”
Romandro hesitated, sensing something ominous, but Ian just smiled. Sometimes, responding to petty schemes with petty measures wasn’t a bad idea.
A few hours later,
Tap, tap!
Knock, knock!
“Lord Ian! Centra Hospital just contacted us!”
Ian jumped up eagerly and took the letter. He roused Romandro, who had been half-slumped on the sofa, drooling in his sleep. The groggy man blinked at Ian.
“Huh, I wasn’t sleeping, Ian.”
“Got it. Let’s get going.”
Ian slipped on leather gloves and stepped out of the office. The mages waiting, led by Captain Hale, all stood to greet him. Their faces showed clear confusion. Ian gestured, and Hale chewed on a cigarette, leaning in.
“We’re going to the Justice Department.”
“To the Justice Department…?”
“To retrieve Ericse’s seal. Then we’ll head to Centra Hospital. Get the complaint approved there.”
Whatever it meant, Hale nodded. He then ordered the other mages behind him.
“Follow Lord Ian. We’re going to the Justice Department.”
“To the Justice Department! Let’s move!”
Dozens of mages, robes billowing, rushed down the building’s stairs. Ian led the charge, eyes fixed unwaveringly westward—the direction of the Justice Department.
Though it was past noon, the Justice Department was unusually quiet. More than half the staff were absent, as if an epidemic had struck. Even high-ranking officials like the minister had taken the day off. The place was practically paralyzed.
“Someone might think today’s a holiday.”
“Right? How could all the higher-ups be out at once? Even the deputy minister. I worked late last night to get today’s reports done, but he didn’t show up.”
“Honestly, it’s nice not having the bosses around.”
“Yeah, and with so many gone, it’s even better. If only one or two were out, we’d be stuck covering for them and working late again.”
The employees chatted idly, dividing up the manageable workload. There was little incoming business from outside today.
As they sipped tea and shuffled papers, someone suddenly spoke up.
“Huh? What’s that?”
“What? What is it?”
“It looks like the Magic Department’s flag. A convoy of carriages is entering the Justice Department.”
At the mention, others stood and looked out the window. The horses were turning toward the building where the reception desks were mostly located.
“Ignore it. It’s not our business.”
“Hmm. Probably right.”
“Just ignore it. Let’s get through today quietly. It’s almost quitting time.”
Three hours remained until the end of the workday. The staff shrugged and returned to their desks, unaware of what was about to unfold in the building opposite the Justice Department.
Screech!
Whirr!
The convoy of carriages pulled up in front of the reception building, causing the guards to step back in surprise. The mages looked grim, as if ready for battle.
“What’s going on here?”
Ian stepped down from the carriage, supported by the mages. He pulled a letter from his chest pocket—bearing Ericse’s personal signature.
“We’re here to file a complaint with the Magic Department, but Ericse’s official didn’t come in today due to an accident. Since this is urgent, I contacted the hospital, and they said if we bring the seal, they’ll process it promptly. So, we came to get it.”
The guards couldn’t tell Ericse’s signature from anything else. They were used to standing guard here, just watching the entrance. They exchanged uneasy glances.
“But why did so many of you come?”
“Is it necessary to justify the minister bringing his subordinates? My time is as precious as yours, so step aside.”
Tap, tap!
Just as the guards lowered their spears and turned, the reception staff inside rushed over, startled, then quickly assessed the situation with growing alarm.
“Th-that’s… Ian!”
It was the same employee who had asked Romandro for identification that morning. The woman bit her lip hard and shouted in a clear, sharp voice.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to collect Ericse’s seal, as he requested.”
“You expect me to believe that now?”
“It’s not the emperor’s official seal, just a work stamp. Why make such a fuss? Here’s Ericse’s own signature. If anyone doubts it, go ahead and verify.”
Ian slipped the letter between his index and middle fingers and gave it a slight shake.
But the staff just clammed up, exchanging glances. They weren’t even bothering to check if it was real or fake—they were determined to block him no matter what.
That’s when Hale finally caught on to the meaning behind the order.
“Well, it’s been a while since we’ve had one of these.”
He cracked his knuckles and stretched his fingers and toes lightly. The imperial palace was a place of dignity, but sometimes, to get things done, physical confrontation was unavoidable. Not everyone followed the rules to the letter. Usually, these scuffles happened during meetings, though.
“It’s not allowed. The workday’s almost over.”
“I just need to take the seal.”
“Not until Ericse himself shows up! What are you all doing?”
Clack!
No matter how much Haiman had paid them, these employees seemed ready to quit their jobs over this. They linked arms tightly, forming a solid human barrier at the entrance.
“You insolent fools! Do you think you can cover the sky with your palm? How can you be so simple-minded, ignorant, and damn stubborn?”
Romandro stomped and wagged his finger, but they just snorted in response.
“If it’s not allowed, then it’s not allowed!”
Hale rolled up his sleeves and swallowed a sigh.
If Ian used magic, he could easily take them down alone. But involving his comrades was a precaution—to avoid accusations of unilateral violence through magic later on. Hale and the other mages understood this and readied themselves.
“Alright.”
Ian clicked his pocket watch.
“Ten minutes.”
“Understood.”
“Push forward.”
With a sharp gesture, Ian gave the signal. Hale led the mages as they charged. Romandro flailed helplessly, frozen in place.
Thwack!
Pat-pat-pat!
“Yaaah!”
“Ugh! Ugh!”
“Move! Get out of the way!”
“What are you saying? Can’t you scram? I said no!”
“Hold on! Don’t let go of my arm! Hang in there!”
Instead of fists, they shoved with shoulders; instead of pulling hair, they grabbed collars and tore at them. As the mages tangled with the judicial staff, Ian watched from behind.
And there stood Romandro, awkwardly at the side. When Ian raised an eyebrow, Romandro shut his eyes tight, as if swallowing his pride, and charged forward.
“Hey, hey, you lot! Let us do our job!”
Thwack!
He was thrown to the ground by the fierce scuffle but sprang back up, shouting with renewed spirit.
“Move! Move out of the way!”