Chapter 256

Though it was the hour when the dawn moon still hung in the sky, an unusually large crowd had gathered in front of the imperial palace. They were throngs of people determined to witness the final moments of the Seven Great Houses up close. The guards looked down from the palace gates, sensing that the morning of this extraordinary day was truly beginning.

“It’s almost time.”

“Get ready.”

“Are the nobles entering through the side gates?”

“Yes. Open them wide enough for the carriages.”

The crowd already stretched endlessly, and once the sun rose, it would surge forward like a tidal wave. Along with the Seven Houses, the gatekeepers were expected to perish as well. Those who failed to enter in time would likely cling to the gates, trying to catch the faint resonance of the magical instruments inside.

As the guards donned their armor, the main palace and the various department buildings were brightly lit. Especially the judiciary, and—

“Ian.”

The mage felt a strange sense of déjà vu watching Ian being dressed and prepared. Slouched on the sofa, his hair neatly combed, the badge, uniform, and leather gloves all in place. He seemed just as composed that morning during the magic power verification ceremony.

“Whenever the minister dresses like that, someone’s bound to die.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Oh, nothing. You look sharp today.”

“You’re not here to joke around, are you?”

“This is the list of questions and doubts expected to be raised during the trial. I’ve double-checked everything; there are no issues. You can proceed as planned.”

Ian gestured for him to wait and flipped through the papers.

This was less a trial and more a ceremony where the entire palace would join hands to break the necks of the noble houses. The courtroom was a carefully scripted play: the prosecutor’s accusations, the magic department’s responses, and how everything would be received—all meticulously choreographed. Just as the beginning was staged, the outcome was already decided.

Rustle.

“No problems.”

Even after being told there were no issues, Ian insisted on a final check. The mage smiled resignedly and handed over the documents.

“Oh, and about Lady Melania.”

“Have they found her?”

Ian asked with feigned nonchalance. The Imperial Defense Department had issued a wanted notice to the guards, but no trace had been found, causing an uproar. Understandably so, since the surveillance of the mansion and the subject had been ordered directly from the royal family. Because of Melania’s disappearance, there was even a risk of severe repercussions.

“No, it’s quite strange. They administered a truth serum to her second brother, but he genuinely doesn’t know. Anyway, there’s talk of handing the case over to the palace guard. We’ve also requested help from the magic department. If we use magic, we should be able to find her immediately, right?”

“Enough. Once the trial verdict is out, a special pursuit squad will be formed. Why should we lend our personnel?”

“True. We’re already stretched thin.”

“Tell them to refuse. The palace guard will likely do the same.”

Of course, this was just one of the many reins Ian held over Jin. Just as holding a noble’s weakness keeps them in check, finding faults in departments makes them easier to control.

“What about the others?”

Ian blew a stray lock of hair from his face. His attendant noticed the signal and carefully tidied his hair.

“The second and third couples of the Kewel family committed suicide by poison last night. Aside from that, everyone else is waiting at their mansions without issue. Once the verdict is announced, the orders will be relayed for execution.”

The heads and heirs of the Seven Houses would meet death in the palace, but the rest of their families would see their end at home.

Were they clinging to hope?

Or preparing for death?

Ian smoothed the magic department minister’s badge pinned to his chest and stood.

“Let’s move.”

“Yes. They’re waiting outside.”

As the mage said, everyone seemed to have finished preparations early. Especially noticeable was Akorella, unusually dressed in formal attire. She was to testify directly about the Dragon Kaglin. Despite her outfit, she wore protective goggles and a mask.

“Captain Akorella, I heard you’re not feeling well.”

“Yes. I can walk and speak, though.”

“After the trial, you should take some leave.”

“I’m thinking about it. The basement air is so stale, it’s killing me. Ugh.”

The side effects of the magical power enhancer she took for Ian seemed to linger. Standing close, one could almost feel the heat radiating from her. Ian started walking slowly for her sake.

“And about that Idgal you sent later…”

The half-amber crystal Melania had given him. Ian nodded, urging her to speak quickly.

“There’s nothing unusual. The crystal analysis confirmed it was Idgal’s. Is there something specific you want me to analyze?”

“No. That’s enough.”

A crystal bore the mark of the alchemist who made it. If Ian had made it himself, as Melania claimed, there should be traces different from Idgal’s.

‘But it’s unlikely Melania lied. She knows the relationship between the guild and bastard Ian, and more importantly, Ian’s memories are unclear. She wouldn’t fabricate a lie lightly. It was a move to prevent the destruction of their house.’

So, it was more natural to assume Ian had assisted the alchemist Idgal rather than performing the alchemy himself. For now, bastard Ian was also considered a magic user.

Whether alchemy and magic influenced each other through some channel was unknown, but both were transcendent powers. It wasn’t impossible.

“Let’s go. The rear guard will accompany Prince Jin.”

“Yes, Ian. See you soon.”

Ian climbed into the carriage with Akorella, giving orders for what was to come. Akorella leaned against the window, clutching her head as if suffering from a hangover.

“Ugh, my head’s pounding.”

It was remarkable she had been holed up in the basement until now. Akorella glared through her goggles, protesting.

“I’m not drunk.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

“Please give me paid leave. I sacrificed my lifespan saving Ian.”

Ian just raised an eyebrow, signaling her to do as she wished.

The carriage rattled forward, and the swelling crowd came into view. Nobles and commoners alike gathered in small groups near the trial hall.

“Everyone’s so eager this early in the morning. They won’t even get inside the trial hall, though.”

“Even if you’re not a noble, those with tickets can enter.”

“Tickets? Wow. That was Vice Minister Quintana’s idea, right? Both of us are crazy, but he’s money-crazy. I can hear him gleefully tapping his calculator from here. Selling his soul for revenue. What about those without money? They’ll just suffer. Tsk, tsk. I hope they become rich!”

“…I was the one who proposed it.”

“Isn’t national power supposed to come from the treasury? Ian, you’re amazing. May you become rich too. Oh, wait, you already are.”

“Even those without tickets outside can see inside. Akorella, didn’t we have meetings about this?”

From the placement of the magical instruments to the judiciary’s requests for cooperation from the magic department, there had been several meetings. Akorella had been present each time, but now she was unusually quiet. She coughed awkwardly, clearly not paying attention.

“My head… cough… feels like there’s a syringe stuck in it. I’m sacrificing myself to save Ian! cough”

Eeeek!

Screech!

Ian narrowed his eyes in disbelief and shook his head. The carriage arrived at the trial hall, and Ian ascended the steps, receiving reports from his subordinates.

“How’s the magical instrument setup?”

“There’s less space than expected beside the third pillar on the left. We’re adjusting that area. Everything else is fine.”

Akorella immediately understood what Ian meant.

The trial wasn’t to be held in the judiciary but in the central banquet hall of the main building where the New Year’s gathering had been held. The hall was massive, capable of seating hundreds, with a second-floor balcony overlooking the proceedings, and perfect lighting designed to enhance the beauty of the event.

‘They removed all the windows facing outside. It was almost like floor-to-ceiling glass before, but now there’s nothing. Even climbing the stairs, you can see right inside.’

With sound-amplifying magical instruments installed, anyone wanting to watch would have no trouble.

Akorella took her seat, placing related documents before her. She stared blankly, pressing her palm to her forehead.

“Captain.”

“……”

“Captain Akorella!”

“Huh?”

A mage shook her shoulder to get her attention. She had been sitting with her eyes open but seemed to have lost all sense of time.

When did this happen? Akorella frowned, looking around at the palace officials, nobles, and ticket holders filling the area.

“It’s about to start. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Bring me some cold water. With ice.”

“I’ll get you a cold towel too. You’re not looking well. You know how bad you look, right?”

“Cut the crap.”

Ian whispered with other department heads, while Prince Jin conferred quietly with Xiaoxi. Romandro moved about, checking for any issues. The nobles were unusually silent.

Akorella realized most of the noise came from outside, through the now-open windows.

‘Oh no.’

The garden had once stretched so wide its end was nowhere in sight, but now not a single blade of grass was visible. The crowd had gathered so densely that there was barely room to step.

They couldn’t contain their excitement at seeing the interior of the imperial palace for the first time, the wizards, and the crown prince himself. If not for the guards maintaining order, they might have surged right up to the windows.

“Hey, hey, hey. Get a grip.”

This was an important moment. Why was she spacing out now, at the very page of history that would close the chapter on the seven great houses? Even if she slipped up, the verdict wouldn’t change—but this was the first official event where His Highness appeared before the empire’s people. Not a single mistake could be allowed.

Crunch.

Acorella reluctantly pulled a pill from her pocket and bit down. It was a medicine to ease the effects of the magical power enhancer—still experimental, but it had worked well these past few days. She felt the bitter taste spread across her tongue and bit the inside of her cheek.

“Damn it. I’m really just here for the forced leave. I’ll have to spend some time collecting samples and resting. Ugh. I want to lick some Luron stone.”

Screeeech.

Thud!

Just as she swallowed the ice water, the front doors of the banquet hall swung wide open, and a booming announcement echoed through the room.

“The Chief Judge has arrived! Please remain silent!”

Wooooom! Woom!

At the same time, the ringing of magical instruments filled her ears. Ian had used them several times during the rebellion, but the sensation was still unfamiliar, impossible to get used to.

The noisy crowd, unable to resist the strange feeling, fell silent on their own. Ian rose from his seat, and hundreds of spectators followed suit.

At this majestic sight, the Chief Judge walking ahead pressed his lips tightly together, smiling nervously.

“Is it because it’s the seven houses? All the judges from the judiciary are here. It wasn’t this intense even during the first prince’s trial.”

“There are just so many of them.”

“Shh. Quiet.”

The judges, wearing white wigs, filed in and took their seats. The Chief Judge struck his gavel heavily, signaling the start of the trial.

“Case number 52398: The rebellion charges and ten counts of execution against the seven great houses, including the Haiman family. The accused, please enter.”

Bang! Thud! Thud!

With each strike of the gavel, the crowd flinched slightly. As the right rear door slowly opened, all eyes turned toward it.

Twenty-one bound prisoners from the seven houses appeared, ready to face judgment.