Chapter 229
Time seemed to stand still.
Everyone stared at Ian, holding their breath in shock. The meeting was supposed to be a mere formality—no decisions could be made here—but wasn’t this still an official gathering?
Ian must be insane. If not, then surely it was they who had lost their minds upon hearing those words. The delegates just kept opening and closing their mouths, speechless.
Bang!
“Sir Ian!”
The first to break the silence was Quintana. She slammed her hand down on the table, her anger genuine and fierce. That sharp sound snapped Baels out of his daze, and he stood up as well.
Jaret, a close friend of the three commanders, leaned back and groaned in despair.
“Ian, you’ve crossed a line just now. No one else could say such things, but you—this is unacceptable!”
Isn’t he one of the few who knows the emperor is frozen?
Had he already forgotten the emperor’s final words?
Baels had a duty to mediate the heated succession dispute. He meant that they couldn’t just let Arsen die over such baseless accusations.
“You all must be exhausted. You’re interrupting before I’ve even finished speaking.”
Snap! Ian snapped his fingers, signaling for calm. As always, his tone was calm and measured.
Ridiculous. How could he remain so composed after turning the entire council upside down? Quintana twisted her lips in frustration and rummaged through her pocket.
Click.
“…Excuse me.”
It was inevitable. She lit a cigarette and slammed the lighter down on the table. It was a clear signal: anyone who wanted to use it, go ahead.
Jaret, still unsettled, lit his cigarette from Quintana’s lighter.
“Please continue. No matter how guilty someone is, their defense must be heard. But remember this—I will report you the moment we leave here. I cannot entrust you with the prince’s safety.”
Ian smiled faintly and simply nodded, as if daring them to try. Quintana’s exhaled smoke thickened, darkening the air.
“I will ask for your cooperation once more. On the day of the Mana Verification Ceremony, I will kill Arsen—if he truly is a monster. And if he is not, then I will die.”
“…Hah!”
He was stating the price for insulting the royal family and attempted assassination. A straightforward acceptance of responsibility. Quintana didn’t even notice when the ash fell from her cigarette as she added one more thing.
“If Arsen is a mage, then Sir Ian, you’re already a dead man. That’s an undeniable fact. If he joins the Magic Department, naturally the minister will be replaced.”
“Bring your sword to me that day. I will not run.”
Ian looked to Baels and Jaret, the three commanders. No personal grudges, just pure resolve—he was putting everything on the line.
At that, some began to think it was worth listening to Ian. Those who risk everything always speak from the heart.
“Continue.”
“Now, I will explain why Arsen must be killed on the day of the Mana Verification Ceremony. You’ll see in the report.”
Rustle.
The sound of pages turning echoed simultaneously. Quintana, having stubbed out her cigarette, finally followed along with her eyes.
“Time is on Arsen’s side. As his body grows, so does the vessel that holds his power. His cunning will surpass human limits. The fastest way to deal with him is the safest and most rational.”
“But—”
Someone tried to interrupt, but Ian waved them off with a gesture. He muttered quietly, asking for silence.
“Are you trying to cut off the defendant’s defense?”
“Sorry, ha ha. Well, I’ll ask later.”
“More importantly, Arsen’s abilities are the problem. I suspect he can manipulate human minds. Those blessed by the royal family are safe, but you are not.”
No one could predict what tricks Arsen might pull if cornered during the ceremony.
What if he tried to control the entire council, destroying everything in the process? That would be as fatal to Bariel as the death of the princes.
“Brainwashing? Is that even believable? I’ve heard even mages find mental domination extremely difficult.”
“That’s why we’re still sane enough to talk now. But only for a little while. Once Arsen matures, anyone who voices an opinion in the palace will disappear. My mother, Philia, is a witness to this.”
“If this were a trial, I would dismiss this, Sir Ian.”
“Yes. Fortunately, this is not a trial.”
The prime minister bluntly rejected the argument, citing a lack of external objectivity. Ian didn’t back down.
If it would be dismissed in a court, that meant it might be accepted here, didn’t it?
“In any case, the biggest reason is that if Arsen’s identity is exposed, no one knows what he might do. Before you are brainwashed into harming the prince, I intend to kill Arsen myself. I formally request your cooperation.”
“…Cooperation? What kind?”
“You don’t mean you want soldiers, do you?”
“Do you think there’s any other option? That’s rebellion! I won’t do it. I refuse outright.”
Voices of refusal burst out preemptively.
The Marib and Gale incidents hadn’t fully settled yet. Gathering soldiers again would be seen as a blatant power grab.
Ian shook his head lightly.
“Do you know what monsters are? Soldiers aren’t necessary. It’s too inefficient when a dozen soldiers barely take down one monster. Arsen is an evil that’s existed since the founding of the kingdom. The Magic Department will handle it.”
“So what do you want?”
Ian looked first to Baels and Jaret. Like other departments, the role of the magic swordsmen was crucial.
“If a disaster occurs, the palace guard must prevent Haiman’s interference, including Lady Dilaina. This is different from the Marib incident. Since the enemy is a monster, even the slightest disruption could cause problems. I believe this is a reasonable measure to ensure the palace’s safety.”
“You mean evacuate them?”
“By any means necessary. And—”
“And?”
Ian paused, looking around at the officials. His emerald eyes darkened. What was he calculating? Everyone held their breath, trying to guess his intentions.
“On the day of the ceremony, the area to the left of the stage will be divided by mana-sealing stones. I don’t know if it will neutralize Arsen’s power, but I want those present here to watch the ceremony from there.”
It wasn’t a difficult request. They wouldn’t be directly involved in danger, and it wasn’t a burden.
Quintana sighed, pressing her palm to her forehead, feeling foolish for having been so tense.
“Is that all?”
“Yes. That’s all.”
“But I have a question.”
“Who are you? Speak.”
“Uh, I’m a reporter from the Ministry of Culture. About uncovering Arsen’s true identity—how do you plan to do that? Knowing the specifics would help build trust.”
A reporter from the Ministry of Culture? Quintana frowned irritably at the unknown voice. Could they even understand the explanation? If they understood the language of mages, they wouldn’t be an ordinary reporter.
But Ian smiled as if he’d been waiting for this and explained kindly, as if to a child passing by.
“Are you aware that a magic circle is drawn under the light of the oracle? I also held the ceremony on the magic circle of former Minister Wesley during the New Year’s gathering. It helps activate the oracle’s light, even with minimal mana.”
“Hmm. I suppose the main purpose is to provide a spectacle alongside the mana verification.”
Of course, in Ian’s case, it was the opposite. He still vividly remembered how Wesley had schemed to break his spirit.
“With the help of the priests, we will modify the magic circle. If a monster’s presence is detected, the reaction will change.”
“Oh, so mana can be activated even without the magic circle?”
“It can, but the mana must be strong enough.”
The reporter nodded repeatedly, scribbling notes.
Ian glanced around, as if asking if there were any more questions. Most details were in the report, and the night was growing late. The weary officials clearly wanted to wrap up and leave.
“Very well. Let us adjourn. If you have any questions, contact the Magic Department.”
“Come on, let’s hurry out.”
“I’ll be leaving first. Ahem!”
The prime minister also banged his gavel to end the meeting. Several people quickly stormed out, eager to distance themselves from the turmoil and gather their thoughts.
The meeting dissolved into silence, much like when it had begun. Ian gathered the reports and began to organize them.
“But Sir Ian, one last question.”
Quintana, still rubbing her forehead in thought, spoke up. Ian buttoned his robe and looked down at her.
“Ask anything. I will answer sincerely.”
“What confidence do you have to say such things? Whether Arsen is a monster or not, this is dangerous for you.”
“If Arsen is not a monster, it doesn’t matter. I’d be overjoyed and dance with glee, knowing I’m walking to my own defeat and death. And if he is—”
If he is a monster…
“He will try to kill me. If I die before the Mana Verification Ceremony, Quintana, please protect the prince in my stead.”
“I wasn’t asking for your foolish jokes.”
“Foolish? What a shame.”
Ian turned to leave but hesitated.
“I have one question as well.”
“What is it?”
“Are you still planning to report me?”
“……”
It was a pointed question, recalling how Quintana had gone berserk, threatening to report Ian as soon as she left this place.
Quintana let out a hollow laugh, and Ian just nodded slightly as he passed by her. Romandro followed closely behind, assisting him.
“Tough going, huh?”
“You saw earlier, right? That woman from the Ministry of Culture’s newsletter?”
“Yeah, yeah. I saw her too. She gave me the creeps.”
Ian and Romandro whispered quietly as they descended the stairs. If Arsen was a monster, he’d do anything to avoid being exposed during the magic power verification ceremony.
For example, planting someone in the tournament Ian refused to cancel, or having a mage within the Ministry tamper with the magic circle—anything.
“Let’s see what happens now.”
The two hurriedly boarded the carriage, heading toward the Ministry of Magic. Night had deepened, and dawn was just about to break. After a long night, morning always comes.
Ian glanced back at the palace shrouded in darkness.
Meanwhile, at that very moment.
Jin tossed and turned, unable to find comfort in sleep. Eventually, she opened her eyes, but everything was hazy, her vision blurred.
A grayish head of hair, faintly visible…
Xiaoshi?
“Xia?”
Moonlight spilled through the window, and Jin realized it was silver hair. She couldn’t tell if she was dreaming or awake. Her toes involuntarily stiffened, and she gasped sharply.
“Jin.”
It was Arsen. He was looking down at her. The more she tried to close her eyes, the brighter his smile became.
“Jin. Shhh.”
“Ah, Arsen.”
“If you make noise, I’ll leave, you know?”
“W-what are you—”
Just like before, Arsen nuzzled his face affectionately against her shoulder.
At that moment, Ian’s voice echoed in her mind. Arsen was a demon, an ancient curse who had come down to harm her and Bariel.
Noticing Jin’s expression turn pale, Arsen whispered sweetly.
“Jin. Soon, everyone will know I’m a mage, and I’ll have the whole palace’s support. Then, not only you but Ian will die. Like Marib, you’ll vanish without a trace. Ah, my poor little sister.”
“……”
“So, I’m giving you one last chance.”
“Please, stop…”
“Will you kill Ian for me?”
Jin flinched, and Arsen chuckled lowly. No matter how much he laughed, Xiaoshi didn’t move.
Ah, this is a dream.
“I’ll give you your mother back. How about that? I’ll tell her to love you. I’ll return the embrace you’ve been denied all this time.”
A demon who looked exactly like her.
Jin bit her lip hard and stared him down. The moonlight shone even more brilliantly.
“…Better you die than Sir Ian.”