Chapter 223
A hospital room in Centra Hospital. It was one of the busiest places nearby, always bustling with patients coming and going. But today, it was unusually noisy—all because of Ericsé, who had been rushed in this morning and treated for emergency injuries.
“Does that even make sense? You don’t know what kind of carriage it was?”
“We’re still investigating the area, but it’s been hard to find any trace.”
“It’s not like just anyone rides around in any old carriage! It was a private carriage with red oak wheels! Our carriage’s wheel came off, so the other side must be completely wrecked! And this isn’t even near the border—how can you not find it? What kind of nonsense is that? There has to be something nearby!”
Ericsé’s frustration boiled over. Having an accident first thing in the morning was bad enough, but the guard assigned as the lead investigator kept repeating that they couldn’t find the culprit.
“Ridiculous! Were all the witnesses blind?!” Ericsé shouted, his face flushed red.
“Sir, we’re doing our best.”
“How much tax do you think I pay? This is unbelievable!”
“Well, I’ll take my leave now. We’ll come back once there’s progress. Get well soon.”
Feeling utterly defeated, Ericsé flopped back onto the bed. A sharp pain shot up his spine. This wasn’t a minor injury. For someone who spent all day sitting at work, this kind of pain was crippling.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
“Master, there’s a visitor from the Magic Department.”
“The Magic Department? Not our division?”
The servant peeked in hesitantly. There had been no word from the Judicial Department, Ericsé’s own division, but suddenly the Magic Department? Ericsé gave a puzzled look and allowed them in.
“Hello. I’m from the Magic Department. Are you feeling alright? This is a gift of consolation sent by Minister Ian.”
A man in a wizard’s robe entered, carrying a basket of fruit. Ericsé was dumbfounded. It was surprising enough that the minister would send a gift to a mere officer, but the timing was even stranger. The servant had almost simultaneously brought the gift.
“…I’ll accept it gratefully. But how did you know?”
“We went to file a complaint early this morning and found you were absent. Minister Ian insisted it be delivered to you personally.”
“I could have just left it with my subordinates.”
“That’s the problem.”
“Hm?”
The wizard smiled slyly and signaled the servant to leave. When Ericsé nodded, the room was left with just the two of them.
“What’s going on?”
“Isn’t it strange that the Judicial Department hasn’t contacted you despite your injury?”
“Don’t tell me there’s another rebellion? Is there trouble?”
“Nothing like that. It seems the Haiman faction is actively obstructing the complaint filing. Several people couldn’t come to work today. Though few were as badly hurt as you.”
Ericsé couldn’t believe it. Several people absent from the Judicial Department because of Haiman’s sabotage? The wizard handed over a letter from Ian.
“I suspect the culprit behind the carriage accident is connected to Haiman as well. If so, it would explain why the guards are having trouble finding them.”
“Wait! I’m overwhelmed right now—give me a moment.”
Ericsé raised his hand to gather his thoughts, then quickly scanned Ian’s message. The gist was that the Judicial Department was facing many obstructions, so the Magic Department was requesting cooperation. Also, if Ericsé could bring the official seal, the hospital could process the complaint.
Ericsé rubbed his brow and looked back at the wizard.
“Will a delay of a few days really cause a problem?”
“I don’t know, but there must be a reason. Your injury is one of them.”
“Hmm.”
Could it really be Haiman? Could their agents have deliberately crashed into his carriage? Ericsé’s head ached from the thought. But the conclusion came quickly.
“If I had gone to work, I would have handled this myself.”
Whether here or there, it wouldn’t make a difference. And if the Magic Department was right—that this was Haiman’s dirty trick…
“Fine.”
He would do it no matter what. Whoever broke his arm would pay dearly, no matter the cost. Returning the letter, he gave instructions.
“The seal is on my desk. Bring every piece of evidence to attach to the complaint, no exceptions. And have the person in charge come here for the hearing. If it’s past business hours, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow, so it must arrive before then.”
“Understood.”
“One more thing—I’m thorough with hearings. Given the circumstances, I won’t let this slide easily. Just because we’re handling it here doesn’t mean it’ll be a quick pass.”
“I’ll relay that. Please send a brief handwritten reply.”
“Good grief. What a mess this is. Ugh.”
Ericsé groaned, writing with his right hand. He felt like the pain would only worsen after a nap. When the wizard hurriedly left the room, the servant glanced over and approached.
“Master, is that really a wizard?”
“Yes. Massage my legs a bit. It hurts like hell.”
“Amazing. I’ve never seen a wizard before. What’s going on?”
“What do you care? Just massage my legs.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ericsé clicked his tongue and stared at the white ceiling. What on earth was happening at the palace? If the wizard was right and this was Haiman’s sabotage, that was a serious problem.
“I’ll understand the overall situation once I see the complaint.”
“…And tell the estate guards to come here.”
“To the hospital room?”
“Yes. Tell them to guard me well.”
“Understood.”
Assuming everything he’d heard was true, Haiman was desperate to block the complaint, and the Magic Department was equally desperate to file it. If they tried to pressure him by bringing the seal, that would be troublesome. Especially since this was outside the palace, caution was necessary.
“Master! Master!”
“Ugh.”
When had he fallen asleep? Ericsé jolted awake at the servant’s frantic call, wincing at the sharp pain in his ribs. He’d completely forgotten about the accident.
“The Magic Department is here.”
“The Magic Department? Ah, send them in.”
“Yes, but one of them seems unwell.”
“Unwell? Why?”
“I don’t know. They might need treatment right after the business. Anyway, I’ll bring them in.”
Ericsé didn’t understand what the servant meant until the door opened.
Clatter.
“Greetings. I’m Captain Hale of the Magic Operations Division. I was sent by the minister. I heard you were seriously injured. How are you feeling?”
“Oh, yes, I’m fine.”
Captain Hale was well-known. Ericsé sat up and sized him up. He knew Hale was usually carefree, but how had his clothes gotten so torn? His hair was also disheveled.
As Ericsé silently wondered about the eccentricities of wizards, another figure entered.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Romandroil, aide to Minister Ian.”
“Are you alright?”
Romandroil looked worse than Ericsé. Bloodied tissues stuffed in his nostrils, bruised eyes, and scratches all over. If Hale’s clothes were shabby, Romandroil looked like a complete mess. He sniffled repeatedly.
“To be honest, I’m not okay.”
“You look it.”
“Before I get any sadder, let’s get this done quickly.”
Romandroil dragged a chair and sat across from Ericsé. On the table lay a thick complaint document—and Ericsé’s official seal.
Tap.
A small orb at the end of the seal’s handle flickered, marking the passage of time. That was why Ericsé and the Judicial Department staff were so strict about business hours.
Once the time passed, the seal would stamp tomorrow’s date, and the complaint would be processed accordingly.
“Then, let’s begin. The Magic Department will file the complaint, and the target is not just Duke Haiman but the entire Haiman family, correct?”
“Yes. I wish you’d speak a bit faster.”
“I’ll try.”
Romandroil anxiously checked the time. If the hearing was delayed, bringing the seal here would be pointless. It was the first time he’d fought physically to get it.
Ericsé, seemingly unaware of Romandroil’s worries, carefully read through the complaint.
“Please explain this part. The research results on the black stone seized in the Chetur district claim it’s dragon’s karlin? Is that reliable?”
“There’s a separate report attached.”
“But the research period listed is absurdly short. I find it hard to trust.”
Leaning against the doorframe, Hale watched the exchange. Romandroil, fortunately, seemed prepared for the question and answered without hesitation. If not for the bloody tissues, he might have looked quite impressive.
“The length of the research doesn’t determine its reliability. Some studies require time, others don’t. Identifying the substance is obviously the latter. Above all, a thorough investigation of the Haiman family is necessary. That can only happen once the complaint is filed.”
“So you intend to clarify the dragon karlin issue during the trial. Understood. I accept that claim.”
Rustle.
Erikse flicked his eyebrows and flipped through the papers. This back-and-forth questioning went on several times. Tick-tock, Hale kept glancing at the clock, growing more aware of the time. The workday was almost over, and the official seal was about to change hands. As Erikse had warned, there was no leniency—he didn’t let a single detail slide.
“This is driving me crazy.”
He was so anxious he wanted to chew on a cigarette. If it weren’t for being in a hospital, there’d probably be a pile of butts by now. Even the attendants sensed the tension and held their breath.
Rustle, rustle.
Erikse scribbled something repeatedly. The pages turned slowly but steadily. Finally, they reached the last page—no omissions.
“Let me confirm one last time. This is an official procedure. It will lend credibility in the upcoming grand council and any future trials, so please answer carefully.”
The last one! The very last! Romandro’s eyes sparkled as he nodded eagerly, urging him to hurry.
“Of course.”
“Is there any falsification or intentional misstatement in the accusation against the Haiman family by the Ministry of Magic?”
“I swear there isn’t. Absolutely not.”
“If it’s found that the accusation contains falsifications or intentional falsehoods, you will be held accountable. Do you agree to this?”
“Of course I do!”
“Understood.”
Erikse pressed the seal lightly. The orb, sensitive to the official’s fingerprint, glimmered faintly. He stamped the accusation firmly on the front page.
[No. 52398 Accusation Received.]
Click.
At the same moment, today’s date appeared clearly below. As Erikse lifted the seal, the orb’s time changed. They had just barely made it within office hours.
Romandro, overwhelmed with relief, hugged Erikse tightly. The tissue stuck in his nostril flew out with a pop.
“It’s done! Thank you! Oh, thank you! But seriously, why did you have to be so slow? I was sweating bullets here!”
“Ah! It hurts! It really hurts!”
“Oh dear, sorry, sorry.”
Ignoring the two fussing, Hale collected the accusation papers. Now that the seal was affixed, tampering with it would be a grave offense. They just had to return to the palace. Surely, the head of the Ministry of Magic was waiting.
“Romandro, let’s hurry back.”
“Huh? Ah, yes! Right, right. Erikse, get well soon! And those staff members need to be replaced! Tsk, tsk. All muscle and no brains—just learned how to be mean!”
“Excuse me?”
Romandro made a choking gesture with his hand and grimaced in disgust. Confused, Erikse just rubbed his aching arm and watched their backs.
What on earth had been going on at the palace? What a mess.