Episode 246

Eldert, the head of the Ruthwena delegation, glanced over at his battered subordinates before moving closer to the window to survey the outside.

He saw several attendants rushing by in a flurry, their backs turned as they hurried somewhere. Doctors, too, were coming and going repeatedly, their medical bags worn from constant use.

No matter how much he thought about it, this was hardly the usual calm of a royal palace. Yet everyone remained tight-lipped, making it impossible to know what was really going on.

“Ugh, I’m seriously dying here.”

“I actually chewed the powder. Chewed it! This is driving me insane.”

“Quiet, all of you.”

Thanks to the painkillers they’d taken, they were able to move from the palace grounds to a nearby annex by the infirmary instead of being forced to leave entirely.

Eldert kept a close eye on the firmly shut door, keeping his subordinates in check. Their pale faces, cold sweat, and trembling bodies made it clear their condition was serious.

“You won’t die. It’s just the pain.”

“That’s exactly why I feel like I’m dying. When we get back to Ruthwena, we’re demanding a generous paid leave. What kind of needless suffering is this? Ugh, making a living is this hard?”

“Do you think anyone understands what it’s like being trapped here all the time?”

“Should’ve just picked one person to take the powder.”

Eldert shook his head, sipping his tea instead of responding. Could they really have stayed in the palace over just one person’s problem? It was clearly treated as an individual issue. Since they hadn’t made a fuss, the palace hadn’t escalated matters and had accepted their demands.

‘Still, this is really strange.’

Eldert’s gaze drifted to the palace garden visible in the distance. Among the long branches and fresh green leaves, a long bench stood out.

Since arriving, he hadn’t once seen anyone gather there to rest. Not just sitting down, but no one even entered the garden with the intention to relax.

“The number of doctors is insufficient, the attendants and guards seem unusually busy, and the ministers, including the Prime Minister, even more so.”

This was a diplomatic delegation. Despite the problems, no doctor was stationed here around the clock. Instead, as he’d seen, people were just rushing back and forth.

“They say Duke Haiman is under detention. This must be the fallout from that. Haiman. Haiman.”

“If that’s the case, it can be classified as a civil war.”

“Two consecutive civil wars in the palace? That’s a bad omen. Haha! Oh, my stomach hurts.”

“The reports say Arsen is a magic user. If that’s true, the Duke wouldn’t have been detained like this. Something’s definitely off. They say the Crown Prince’s faction controls the Magic Department…”

Knock knock.

“Representative Eldert, His Highness the Crown Prince Jin and Minister Ian Hielo are here. Please move to the adjoining reception room.”

The timing was perfect, as if they’d burst in after overhearing the conversation. Eldert signaled his men to stay back with a finger, then opened the door and stepped out. It wouldn’t do to meet them in the room where his subordinates lay.

Creak.

“Oh, welcome, Representative Eldert.”

“Greetings, Your Highness Jin. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“And I am Minister Ian Hielo.”

“Pleasure.”

Eldert paused when he noticed the scar cutting across the young prince’s face. The boy hadn’t gone into battle himself, so it must be a mark left by the civil unrest. The turmoil had been fiercer than expected.

“So, you drank the wrong tea in the palace?”

Jin’s eyebrows furrowed deeply, genuine concern evident in his eyes. But Ian’s expression remained cold and unreadable as he scrutinized Eldert.

Under the weight of their intense gazes, Eldert cleared his throat and composed himself.

“No, the tea was excellent. It seems the schedule was just too exhausting for their bodies to handle. We’re all grateful for your kindness.”

“I see, I see.”

“Representative Eldert.”

Clink.

Ian lifted his teacup and quietly called his name.

How old was he? He seemed not yet of age, but his tone and the way he held the cup exuded practiced elegance.

‘I only heard he’s a noble from the borderlands.’

“Yes, Minister Hielo.”

“I heard from the Prime Minister that you were a professor at the national university at a young age and now serve as an advisor to King Eriphoni. Quite impressive.”

“Not at all. You flatter me.”

Was he joking? At that age, a Magic Department minister shouldn’t be so modest.

Ian continued to appraise him, slowly letting his gaze rise and fall.

“Does your experience as a professor help with your advisory duties?”

“Though my knowledge is limited, I assist with urban planning, redevelopment, and palace construction.”

“Hmm. Indeed, the Ruthwena palace is renowned for its beauty. But you didn’t come here on Duke Haiman’s orders, did you? You came out of concern for His Majesty’s distress over the civil war.”

“That’s correct.”

Both speaker and listener knew it was a lie. The question was abruptly changed, but Eldert answered plainly.

Then—

‘Wait a moment.’

Eldert suddenly sensed something off in Ian’s words.

“Haiman?” Why did he omit the title ‘Duke’ after the name? Even if he was the Magic Department minister, the social rank difference was clear.

As Eldert pondered this, Ian added:

“That’s fortunate. Haiman is currently detained for defamation and disturbance charges. His title has been temporarily revoked, so he’s no longer a noble. He won’t be allowed to leave the palace until his trial for the civil war concludes.”

Eldert knew about the detention.

But the revocation of the title? Duke Haiman?

The phrase felt unreal, hard to grasp. What were the other nobles doing while this was happening?

Eldert naturally drew a conclusion.

‘The central nobles, too—’

They must have all been crushed.

Revoking a title was a sensitive matter for any noble, even those not aligned with Haiman. And if someone had the power to strip Haiman’s title, they wouldn’t have spared the others. It meant the main factions had been broken.

‘How? Is it really the Magic Department’s power?’

With an aging emperor and two grown princes failing, the palace was like a toothless beast. If the nobles united, changing the emperor’s family name wouldn’t be impossible.

He realized the royal situation was more puzzling than he’d thought. Unless they recognized the presence of the ‘monsters’—the absolute evil—it would remain an unsolved mystery.

“So, the delegation should avoid mentioning Haiman’s name. I heard King Ruthwena has a letter for the Empress. He understands why it can’t be delivered directly. Will you hand it over? Or take it back?”

“…I will take it back.”

Eldert broke out in a cold sweat, refusing Ian’s offer. They couldn’t board a sinking ship. If they got further entangled with Haiman, it would give their diplomacy a pretext to be compromised.

‘My suspicions were right.’

The palace’s unrest was due to the suppression of the central nobles, now in a lull. Just managing the aftermath was overwhelming.

Mentioning Haiman was meant to minimize friction between them. In other words, “Things are messy, so let’s keep it peaceful.” No one wanted unnecessary trouble.

“When Haiman’s trial concludes, the ceremony to appoint His Highness Jin as successor will proceed to stabilize the royal family. We will send envoys to Ruthwena as well. I hope you will honor us with your presence again.”

“Of course, it would be an honor. Your Highness Jin, congratulations in advance.”

“…Thank you.”

Eldert bowed respectfully, and Jin smiled shyly.

He wanted to ask where the Fourth Prince Arsen was, but knew it wasn’t the time. More importantly, if Jin was named successor, it meant the palace’s victor was clear.

More precisely, the man sitting beside Jin, Ian, was no ordinary figure…

“Is there any gift you desire, Your Highness? I will convey your wishes to the king and select something with utmost care.”

As the future emperor, Ruthwena had to pay special attention. Jin smiled broadly, as if he’d been waiting for the question.

“Forget the gifts. I want the king himself to come and enjoy it.”

It wasn’t an emperor’s coronation, just a successor appointment. Yet he was asking the king of another nation to come personally.

Eldert flinched in surprise. This was likely to showcase a strong external support amid the palace’s internal purge. Or perhaps a foothold to influence Ruthwena in the future.

Maintaining his composure, Eldert bowed once more.

“I will be sure to convey your message.”

“Very well. Take care. If anything is uncomfortable, inform your attendants at any time.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”

But despite his words, Eldert immediately resolved to return to Ruthwena. Haiman’s downfall was more serious than expected. This was beyond the delegation’s scope.

“Oh, and—”

Ian gestured as if remembering something.

“The charges against Haiman also include illegal dealings with Dragon Kaglin. It seems one of his territories has an unauthorized supply site. Does Ruthwena know anything about this?”

“Dragons? Ruthwena operates dragons only from one certified supply site. We have no knowledge of any illegal involvement.”

“I see. Understood. Please, rise. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Likewise!”

“The honor was ours, Your Highness and Minister Hielo.”

Ian and Jin exchanged brief handshakes with Eldert before promptly leaving the sitting room.

Eldert, returning to the room where his subordinates lay, hurriedly rummaged through his inner pocket. It was medicine to ease his stomach pain.

“If the Fifth Prince Jin and the Minister of Magic hold the real power, pressure will inevitably come from the Ruswena side connected to Hyman. We need to get back quickly.”

Creak.

Meanwhile, Jin glanced back as he stepped into the hallway. Once the door was fully closed, he gripped Ian’s hand tightly.

“He didn’t bring up Arsen.”

“Indeed. The King of Ruswena chose his envoy wisely.”

In a situation where the outcome is uncertain, the best strategy is simply to listen and say nothing. Ruswena is already in a precarious position due to their ties with Lady Hyman. If word gets out that we rushed here at the Duke’s summons, it would link them directly to the rebellion and put them at a severe disadvantage.

“But when we return home and share the situation, Arsen’s name will inevitably come up.”

The magic power verification ceremony for Arsen is a closely guarded secret within the palace. Yet someone there knows about it? That suggests there’s a mole on the scene, which would almost certainly point back to Hyman and, by extension, Ruswena.

“That’s why the secret is so heavy. The more you know, the tighter the noose around your neck.”

Bariel’s history will eventually expose Arsen, but there’s no way to prevent neighboring countries from learning the truth. The only consolation is that he was an unremarkable young prince, so his recognition remains faint.

But Ruswena? Through Hyman’s faction, they must have heard that Arsen is a ‘magic user.’ And that’s the real problem.

“So if they mention Arsen, they can use it as leverage to tie Hyman to treason? And pressure that royal family?”

“Yes. Exactly. They’ll confiscate the family’s assets, which will keep things quiet for now, but seven noble houses will fall. Until another noble family steps in to fill the void, there will be a gap in tax revenue. It’s best to open the kingdom up.”

They disguised the chaos caused by the Arsen incident as a matter of stripping noble titles. At the same time, they threw out a bait. Now, all Ruswena has to do is take it.

“Hmm. I see.”

Jin wiggled his fingers on the hand not holding Ian’s, carefully organizing his thoughts. Just then, a servant who had been following them approached Ian with a message.

“Lord Ian.”

“What is it?”

“Lady Hyman and her retainers have entered the palace.”

“Is that so? Understood.”

“But…”

The servant glanced nervously at Jin and hesitated. When Jin frowned slightly, the servant cautiously continued.

“Lady Melania wishes to see you personally. It concerns Bratz.”

Bratz?

Ian raised an eyebrow at Melania’s choice of words.