Chapter 242
The Luswena delegation was led to the reception room farthest from the main hall of the imperial palace. From the start, their visit had been unannounced, and the palace intended to keep the internal commotion as concealed as possible.
The Prime Minister, leading his aides, hurried down the corridor.
“The representative of the delegation is Eldert, correct?”
“Yes. He is the current 12th king of Luswena, cousin and closest confidant to Eriphoni. He currently serves as the king’s advisor. Before that, he was a professor of urban engineering at Luswena National University.”
“A professor? He looked quite young.”
The Prime Minister recalled the brief glimpse he had caught of him during a break and was impressed. The fact that such a close aide to the king had come personally meant they were taking Haiman’s request seriously. After all, if they hadn’t, they wouldn’t have come all the way to the palace themselves.
Frowning slightly, the Prime Minister entered through the arched double doors. The attendants standing on either side sensed his approach and signaled inward.
Creak.
“Prime Minister, they have arrived.”
As the doors swung open, those seated on the sofas drinking tea rose simultaneously.
Excluding the guards, there were five members of the delegation. Eldert, the leader, was the last to set down his teacup. He was a man with long, teal hair and sharp eyes, but his soft mouth gave him a gentle expression.
“Oh, Prime Minister.”
“You’ve kept us waiting.”
“Not at all. We’re grateful to be given such a quiet reception room. It’s helping ease our travel fatigue.”
Eldert’s polite words made the aides flinch. Was he not indirectly pointing out that they had been left in the most secluded part of the palace? Moreover, the chaotic council meeting had delayed things considerably. Normally, the delegation would have been assigned quarters to rest by now, not left unattended in a reception room. If anything, their fatigue should have been mounting, not easing.
Setting aside the political relationship between empire and kingdom, this was clearly a palace oversight—if not a deliberate slight.
‘Well, what can you do?’ the Prime Minister thought.
The emperor himself could not be involved in such a sudden visit, nor could he at this moment. Foreign delegations were usually handled by Marib, but he was dead. The foreign ministry officials with the rank to receive them were all tied up in the council meeting.
“All things in the palace are first-rate. Whatever you need to recover from your journey, this will suffice. Please, have a seat.”
Though they were here under the pretext of seeking Haiman’s help to exploit cracks in the empire, the Prime Minister smiled warmly, as if to say, “You’re lucky to get this much hospitality.” The aides and the delegation’s subordinates sensed the chill in the air and held their breath.
“So, what brings you all the way from distant Luswena? I heard you came looking for Duke Haiman.”
Though neighboring countries, the Prime Minister deliberately added “distant.” It wasn’t just to emphasize distance or assert dominance. No matter where in the world, neighboring states rarely had good relations.
“We heard that Duke Haiman is currently in the palace and wished to meet him. But please, don’t read too much into it.”
Wars and disputes fought over shifting borders bred hatred, anger, and resentment. Of course, Bariel was the empire, and they were the kingdom, so history had favored Bariel.
But Luswena was self-sufficient, centered on fertile lands, and its royal lineage was impeccably preserved—an example of a distinct national identity.
“And?”
“Simply put, we heard there has been some unrest in the palace. Concerned for His Majesty’s well-being, our king sent a modest gift.”
At Eldert’s signal, one of his men produced a small box filled with black gems unique to Luswena and rare medicinal herbs.
The Prime Minister stroked his beard, eyeing Eldert carefully. The gems were one thing, but the herbs—what did they signify? It seemed they knew the emperor’s condition was grave, at least publicly. But the freezing? Haiman apparently didn’t know that far.
“If it pleases you, allow me the honor of presenting this to His Majesty personally.”
“Regrettably, that won’t be possible. His Majesty’s duties are overwhelming, and he cannot spare time for unscheduled meetings. I will be sure to convey King Eriphoni’s sentiments.”
The Prime Minister shook his head, refusing. The aides carefully took the box and carried it out of the reception room.
“Is there something else?” the Prime Minister asked with a glance. Eldert only smiled faintly.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“It’s late. Rest well. The horses will be tired; have fresh ones ready.”
The message was clear: they were allowed only one night. The delegation’s smiles stiffened at the blunt treatment.
But this was an unbalanced diplomatic encounter, and an unannounced visit at that. There was no avoiding the awkwardness. Above all, the Prime Minister thought…
‘I’ll have to assign them the innermost room of the secondary palace. And make sure they keep their mouths shut until they leave. Why today of all days…’
It was the day of the Arsen monster incident—a day that would be erased from Bariel’s history.
Having outsiders stay in the palace was unpredictable. For appearances’ sake, only one night. No, ten hours until morning. That was the utmost courtesy they could offer.
Then Eldert spoke quietly.
“Thank you for your words, but we will be leaving the palace with Duke Haiman. I heard he is in the main hall.”
The Prime Minister, about to turn away, paused and looked back at him.
“…With Duke Haiman?”
“Yes. As you know, the Duke’s wife is of Luswena’s royal family. There is a letter from the king that must be delivered. We appreciate your time despite the sudden visit, but we cannot impose further.”
The Prime Minister was momentarily speechless. Leaving immediately was welcome, but with Haiman? Revealing the Duke’s whereabouts would give clues about the palace’s situation.
If he refused, Haiman’s disappearance from the palace would raise suspicions, prompting an official inquiry and possibly a larger delegation’s visit.
Either way, it was troublesome.
“Prime Minister?”
“…Duke Haiman is currently detained for royal defamation and causing unrest. You are aware of the Marib and Gale uprisings.”
This had been announced widely, from special bulletins to magical communication throughout the capital. Anyone familiar with Bariel’s existence, including neighboring kingdoms, would have heard.
“The trial is soon to be sentenced. He likely won’t be leaving the palace for some time. The delegation should rest and return alone.”
“Ah, I see.”
Eldert let out a surprised breath. No matter how much of a royal son-in-law he was, he was still a Bariel duke. Facing trial for treason left no options. And with the emperor refusing to meet, how could negotiations proceed?
The Prime Minister flicked his collar, signaling the end of the meeting, and left the reception room.
Bang!
As the door closed, Eldert brushed back his long hair and sank into the sofa. His men loosened their ties and sighed.
“Looks like we’re too late.”
“If the trial is set, it seems the tide has turned in favor of the Fifth Prince. What should we tell the king?”
“We should have come sooner.”
They cared less about saving Haiman himself than about securing their family’s vast wealth. If convicted of treason, their assets would revert to Bariel. Their goal was to have the Duke or his wife flee in exile and transfer all their wealth to Luswena.
Haiman seemed to hope the fact that his wife was royal would bring military intervention, but that was impossible. Honestly, the king preferred Haiman to die ‘without legal complications.’
“If it’s treason, the wife is likely implicated too.”
If she were left alone, persuading her to return home and absorb the Haiman estate was the best plan. That way, Bariel’s economic dominance could be influenced without lifting a finger.
“Eldert, what shall we do?”
“Let me think for a moment.”
He ran his silky hair back and stared into space. But something felt off.
“Do you remember the front gate?”
“The front gate? Yes, yes. There were carriages and people—quite a crowd for such a late hour.”
“The palace gates are normally closed at night. So why were they gathered there? It seems more like waiting than anything else.”
“You mean they were there since daytime? Why?”
“Who knows? Maybe the gates wouldn’t open?”
The men shrugged at Eldert’s guess. It was the palace, after all—there was no way the main gate wouldn’t open. Unless it was sealed off.
“And the delegation’s usual reception room is on the main floor. Even if we came quietly, this feels like a special case.”
Something was happening—or had happened—in the palace. Eldert sipped the remaining tea, uneasy about leaving tomorrow.
“Come on, everyone, finish your tea.”
“Ugh, but that—”
“Eldert, can’t just one of us sacrifice themselves?”
“No. Everyone drinks.”
“Oh man, this is driving me crazy.”
Eldert chuckled as he sprinkled a fine black powder he’d prepared in advance into his subordinates’ teacups. It was an excellent powder for causing stomach trouble.
Zzzzz… zzzzz…
Ian’s fingertips twitched.
His eyelids slowly fluttered open.
His gaze was hazy, drifting here and there, but after a few blinks, his vision cleared.
There was Hale. He was biting down on an unlit cigarette, channeling magic into it. To help Ian recover, the mages took turns pouring their magic into him without fail.
“…Hale.”
Did he really say that? Ian wondered, wiggling his fingers a few times. At that, Hale, who had been half out of it, suddenly jumped up and shouted outside. His voice was so loud it tore through the air like thunder.
“Ian’s awake!!”
“Ian’s awake, you hear me?”
Bang!
Crash! Boom!
Clatter! Bang!
“Hey, get a doctor!”
“Captain Hale, you couldn’t wait and lit another cigarette again!”
“No, I was just holding it in my mouth.”
“Ian, are you feeling any better? Do you recognize me?”
“Hey, move aside. Move. Ian!”
Ian’s head throbbed from the flood of voices crashing over him like waves. Frowning, he barely muttered,
“Everyone, quiet down…”
“Ah, sorry.”
“Shut up! All of you, shut up!!”
“You’re the loudest one here, you bastard.”
Ian let out a faint sigh and asked for some water. Sitting up, he sipped the lukewarm water little by little. That made it easier for him to speak.
“Can you get up now?”
“…Not yet.”
Ian pressed his hand to his forehead and fell silent for a moment. The mages waited quietly alongside him, watching for his recovery.
A few minutes later, Ian lifted his head and asked,
“…What about His Highness?”
“He’s still sleeping. It’s the middle of the night.”
Ian thought he’d said something in his half-conscious state, but he couldn’t remember. He lay back down and wiggled his fingers again. What could it mean?
Hesitating, Hale slipped a cigarette into his mouth, but Ian immediately spat it out and replied,
“Find out what happened while I was asleep and bring me a report.”