Chapter 259

Those reveling in their courtroom victory laughed loudly, sharing their joy. Having overcome a major hurdle, they approached Ian and Jin to offer their congratulations, quickly breaking the ice.

With the crowd’s cheers adding to the festive atmosphere, it was nothing short of a grand celebration—except for the seven noble houses on the brink of ruin, and a few others.

“Your Highness Jin, your testimony today was truly impressive. Your sharp intellect left a deep impression—something I’ve never witnessed before. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Next time we meet, you’ll be the empire’s heir, won’t you?”

“Has the date for the appointment ceremony been set? By the way, our family imports fine silk. Though it pales compared to your radiance, the blend of gold and crimson threads is quite exquisite. If you don’t mind, we’d be honored to present you with a ceremonial robe for the occasion.”

“Ah, you’re trying to get ahead of me! Ha ha! Your Highness, our specialty is wine. Since this is a grand imperial celebration, we’ll make sure the streets flow with it.”

“Thank you. I can’t partake yet, but I’m sure those who do will be pleased.”

At the center of the crowd stood a young child, surrounded by the core of the nobility. They jostled subtly, each trying to get closer or avoid being pushed aside. Without Ian standing firmly by Jin’s side, even the faintest semblance of order would have dissolved.

“Ian.”

Just then, a mage squeezed through the crowd and called out to him. There was something to report regarding the upcoming executions. The nobles, sensing the shift, quietly stepped back.

“We will be escorting the prisoners to the central square for their execution. Will Your Highness Jin be accompanying us?”

“Your Highness…”

Ian muttered, but Jin shook her head. The palace was already overwhelmed with crowds like a swarm of locusts. If she went along, the number of guards and personnel needed would increase, making chaos inevitable.

Though Marib was her brother and she had witnessed his end, there was no need for her to be present at the final moments of the seven houses.

“Only Sir Ian will go.”

“Understood, Your Highness. A wise decision. I will proceed accordingly.”

Twenty-one bodies would be hung high in the central square, swaying in the wind. Was it really worth the trouble just to see such a grim spectacle? Jin had never once left the palace grounds. She didn’t want her first outing to be for the purpose of witnessing someone’s death.

“I will go alone. Prepare accordingly.”

“Yes. And Ian, about Captain Akorella…”

“Akorella?”

Ian glanced toward Akorella’s seat at the mention of her name.

The chair was empty. From the moment they arrived by carriage until the trial began, she hadn’t looked well. Then, amidst the noisy commotion, she disappeared without a trace.

“She left during the recess earlier and hasn’t returned.”

“I’ll go look for her. You all focus on the escort and execution preparations.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Your Highness, shall we return now?”

“Yes. It was a pleasure meeting you all. Until next time.”

As Ian and Jin took their leave, the nobles simultaneously placed their hands over their chests. The crowd parted like waves, and Jin stepped out of the courtroom, clutching a yellow flower close to her heart.

“See you this evening.”

“Please take care until the end.”

“Of course. Shia, look after Her Highness well.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Ian personally opened the carriage door for Jin, watched as she boarded, and ensured the soldiers’ escort safely led her out of the main building.

The crowd followed slowly, calling out to Jin. The carriage window cracked open slightly; a hand twitched out, then pulled back, stopped by Shiaosi.

“Ian, let’s get this side cleared as well.”

“Yes, Romandro.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Ian felt a wave of relief wash over him, as if he had climbed a great mountain. He removed his gloves and faintly sensed Akorella’s magical presence nearby. Her energy was strong, growing more intense the deeper he went down the corridor.

As he rounded a corner, he spotted bloodstains smeared along the wall—long streaks ending sharply, as if someone had collapsed, leaning weakly against it.

“Akorella?”

“Ah, damn…”

At the end of the hall, Akorella was curled up on the floor, blood pooling around her. Ian rushed forward, but she weakly pushed him away.

“Don’t come any closer.”

“Akorella, what happened? Let me at least lend you some magic—something temporary…”

She pressed her forehead to the floor, turning her head. Her upper clothes were soaked in blood, likely from severe coughing fits. Ian hesitated, shocked, but she chuckled faintly.

“Ah, Ian, I think I’m screwed.”

“Akorella.”

“This is worse than just side effects from the magic enhancer. I keep…”

She stared blankly into space, then flinched, as if her mind had briefly slipped away and returned.

“My memory keeps cutting out.”

Memory loss? What kind of side effect from the magic enhancer could cause that? Ian helped her up and poured as much magic as he could into her.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

The surge was so powerful that the mages organizing the courtroom in the building all paused simultaneously. Surely it was the minister’s magic—but why now?

“What was that just now?”

“Where’s the minister?”

“She went to find Captain Akorella.”

The mages exchanged puzzled looks, setting down their tools. Something was clearly wrong. They rushed out together, following Ian’s trail.

Tap tap tap!

Thud!

“Ian!”

“Captain Akorella!”

“Over there! I can feel Ian’s magic!”

“Ian! Wait! Blood?”

“Whose is it? Could it be the minister’s?”

“Looks like Captain Akorella’s!”

“Ahhh! Captain Akorella, what’s wrong? Why are you like this?”

Her comrades were horrified to see Akorella sprawled on the floor. Though her magic was weaker than other captains’, she was one of the strongest people they knew.

She had survived inhaling all kinds of chemical fumes in the basement, escaped unscathed from explosions, and could laugh through three days of shaking beakers nonstop. Yet here she was, broken.

“I’m about to die.”

“Carry her! Captain, stay with us!”

“Prepare the carriage! Now!”

“Clear a path! Hurry!”

Akorella’s subordinates from the Magic Department, especially the Magic Stone Management Division, panicked as they supported her.

“Hey, are you crazy?”

“Huh?”

Thud!

But Akorella lightly brushed their hands away. Confused, her subordinates asked why, and Ian pressed his forehead, understanding her resolve.

“There are people gathered outside. Imagine the Magic Department captain being carried out covered in blood. Wouldn’t that look terrible? Don’t you know what day it is? Do you want rumors spreading? No way.”

“Are you insane? What do you mean?”

“Wait. I’ll go out when the crowd thins.”

“Captain!”

The mages looked to Ian, silently pleading for him to intervene. But Akorella’s reasoning made sense. This was a moment to show the empire was safe to its people—not for a mage to collapse in blood.

Ian motioned for everyone to step back.

“Only Romandro and Hail remain.”

“Ian! This isn’t right!”

“Exactly. How did Captain Akorella end up like this?”

“I won’t say it twice. Everyone else, return to your posts. Only the two of you stay.”

With the minister’s firm command, the mages reluctantly stepped back, their footsteps heavy as they left her side.

Ian nodded to Hail.

“Hail, carry Akorella.”

“What are you planning?”

“There’s a secret underground passage behind the small garden in the main building. Turn right down the corridor, second room—remove the still life painting. Romandro, have the carriage wait at the small garden. It’s behind the fountain, diagonally left, in the bushes. Fewer people there. We’ll get her into the carriage and send her back to the Magic Department.”

A secret underground passage in the main building? How did Ian know about it?

Wasn’t that something only the royal family knew? Had Jin told him?

Hail and Romandro exchanged puzzled looks, but Akorella’s coughing fit scattered their doubts. As Hail lifted Akorella, Romandro dashed outside to prepare the carriage.

“I’ll finish the schedule and return.”

“Understood. See you soon.”

“Oh, Ian. Goodbye!”

“Akorella, don’t lose consciousness.”

Tap tap tap!

Hail’s figure disappeared quickly down the hall. Ian glanced at the blood on his hands, then slipped his gloves back on, hiding the stain.

As he emerged, the mages greeted him with worried expressions.

“Minister Ian…”

“Akorella is with Hail. Don’t worry. We have our duties. We’ve come a long way. We can’t turn back now, not when the goal is so close.”

Knowing this, Akorella had checked the outside situation before herself.

At Ian’s message, the wizards let out a collective sigh of relief. What a blessing. Had he used some kind of concealment magic? Whatever the method, the fact that Acrella could leave without delay was a huge comfort.

Ian brushed the sleeve of his robe and asked sharply,
“Are you ready?”

“Huh? Ah, yes, yes. No problem.”

“Then we move to the central plaza.”

“Yes, understood!”

With a flurry of footsteps, the wizards took the lead, escorting Ian. As they stepped out of the main building, the imperial citizens waiting outside erupted in cheers.

“Wizards! Wizards!”

“Oh my, it’s my first time seeing one! Sir Wizard!”

“Is that Minister Ian Hielo in the center?”

“Wow, he’s really young. Younger than I thought.”

Suddenly—

“Wooooah!”

“He’s flying! He’s up in the sky!”

Those at the front leapt straight into the air, soaring above the crowd. Countless heads tilted upward, eyes following their ascent. Ian mounted his horse and, guided by an invisible path, slowly pulled the reins.

“Make way!”

“Clear the way! The execution will begin at the central plaza! Everyone, leave the palace grounds and return home!”

“Slowly, in a single file!”

The prisoner transport carriage, waiting for the wizards to join, began moving at a slow pace. Twenty-one in total—a long procession that stretched impressively. Ian traced a beam of light beside them with magic, signaling the prisoner’s escort even from afar.

They moved at almost a walking pace. At this rate, it would take at least an hour to reach the city gates.

Clatter, clatter.

Ian noticed the carriage curtain slightly drawn aside. It was Haiman. His hands were bound, and a soldier sat between him and his wife, but his eyes were calm, as if on a leisurely outing.

“Close the curtain. If they see you, stones will be thrown.”

“Hahaha. Stones, you say.”

“…Is that a joke?”

Haiman stared silently at Ian. Despite the carriage’s shaking and the horse’s movement, his gaze remained steady. Walking side by side, Ian caught the faint smile spreading across Haiman’s lips. Haiman gestured for him to come closer.

“Hey, soldier. What are you waiting for? Close the curtain.”

“Yes, sir! My apologies.”

“I hear Melania is missing. Is that true?”

The soldier grabbed Haiman’s shoulder to pull him back, but Haiman leaned forward and asked again.

“The Imperial Defense Department is having a hard time finding her.”

“Then look for her in death. Find out where your daughter is.”

“Ahaha, hahaha! Ahahaha!”

For the first time in a long while, Haiman burst into a hearty laugh.

Melania! His beloved and proud youngest daughter!

She had always shone brighter than her brothers, a source of pride. Even now, she was a treasure. As long as even one person bore the name Haiman, the family’s legacy lived on!

“It’s Duke Haiman!”

“Kill him! Kill him!”

Yet, Haiman’s satisfied smile never faded.

A thick rope tightened around his neck—

The ground beneath him gave way—

His body was smeared with stones and filth hurled by the crowd—

Until his very last moment.

Screech!

Thud!

“Die! May all other houses perish!”

“Waaaah! Kill him!”

The angry, frenzied crowd’s curses filled the air.

Watching Haiman’s trembling corpse, Ian clenched his palm tightly. Beneath his leather glove, he could feel the sticky warmth of blood.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the bodies of the seven central houses—twenty-one in total—were displayed in the plaza.