Chapter 265

“Welcome back.”

Siaoshi, who had been guarding the Ministry of Magic alone, greeted his masters. Ian and Jin looked a bit more tired than when they left, but what was going on with Beric? His side wound had reopened, and he was muttering curses that were hard to hear.

“Jaret, you bastard, argh—”

Ah, that was Captain Jaret’s doing. Then Beric’s rudeness must have brought this on himself.

Siaoshi deftly pulled a first-aid kit from the cabinet. Since Ian had been having frequent nosebleeds, the doctor had stocked one in the office.

“Shut up, you fool! Is Captain Jaret your friend or what?”

“If I become captain, then yeah, he’ll be my friend!”

“Oh dear, the captain should’ve pinched the other side too.”

“Pinched? That looked more like he tore it! Ow! Be gentle with the ointment, please.”

Romandro took the ointment from Siaoshi and began tending to the wound. Fortunately, it didn’t seem serious enough to call the doctor again.

While the two bickered, Ian, as usual, immediately scanned the desk for any new documents that might have arrived during their absence.

“Nothing has come in.”

“Good. Everyone was at the grand assembly, so there wouldn’t be any reports yet.”

That was a relief. Honestly, Ian was a bit worn out himself, so being able to rest until tomorrow morning was a blessing. He rummaged through his inner pocket and beckoned Siaoshi over. Jin pulled a chair closer and rested his chin on his hand, as if waiting for something interesting.

“Sia, you can read, right?”

“Yes, thanks to Your Highness, I can.”

“Here. This is for you.”

A crisp, high-quality sheet of paper was neatly folded. Siaoshi hesitated, but Ian urged him to take it quickly. As Siaoshi carefully accepted it, Romandro stopped treating Beric to watch Siaoshi’s reaction.

“Go ahead and read it.”

“…Welcome to the people of the Great Empire of Bariel.”

The official document began with surprisingly sentimental words. It detailed the permission to live not as someone’s property, but as an individual, with all the rights and duties that entailed.

But Siaoshi was so captivated by the first sentence that he couldn’t move on.

“Sia, what’s wrong?”

Ian expected a broad smile, but instead, Siaoshi looked on the verge of tears. He gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“It’s nothing. It’s just—”

He was thinking of the countless lives flowing through his bloodline.

His mother and some unknown father. Then their mothers and fathers before them. Perhaps siblings, too. All of them had lived and died in misery without ever receiving a single piece of paper like this.

Isn’t it so fleeting? Before receiving this paper and now, I am no different. Yet, with the permission of some unseen authority, I have become a completely different being.

A person. A recognized individual.

And a citizen of the Bariel Empire.

“I’m grateful that I can cut this off at my generation. Thank you.”

The bloodline of slavery that had stretched across countless ages was severed at this moment. Siaoshi read every word of the certificate, murmuring thanks over and over.

“That’s enough with the gratitude. Like I said, I’m not doing this out of kindness. Fifty gold coins. For a tenant farmer with a large family, that might be a heavy sum, but it should be just right for you, Siaoshi.”

Ian meant to say, “Pay it back slowly.” The average commoner’s monthly wage was one gold coin. Fifty coins meant saving every penny for nearly four years.

But Siaoshi was Jin’s only right hand now, and he would have opportunities to work in the palace, so he could expect more income. Besides, what expenses would there be for food and lodging?

“What happens if I pay it back?”

Siaoshi looked between Jin and Ian, asking. If he repaid the debt, would he no longer be able to stay with them? If the master-servant relationship and debts disappeared, where would he go? Having been bound by others all his life, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over him.

Ian seemed to understand and draped his coat over the chair back.

“Sia, freedom will be sweeter than your worries. Let’s meet again in a few years. Remember who you are now. I think the future you will be amazed at the present you.”

It was like watching a child dip into water for the first time. Hesitant and fearful now, but soon, he would be free to follow his own will.

Siaoshi folded the certificate carefully and clutched it tightly with both hands.

“I hear the Imperial Guard and the Department of Defense will soon be recruiting talent. Beric says he’ll apply—”

“Of course! We’re all screwed, seriously! Aaargh!”

“Sia, will you apply too?”

Siaoshi knew Ian’s every move had a purpose. Giving him the certificate now was surely to prepare for the recruitment. Slaves would be excluded from the candidate pool.

“Yes. I will.”

Now a free person, he had no choice but to earn his own living. No longer valued as a slave, but as a person. He had to perform well in the recruitment, just as his masters wished.

Ian nodded approvingly, and Romandro continued tending to Beric’s wound while praising him.

“Good. As you take on various tasks, you’ll find what you truly want. Look at Beric. Rough and blunt, but he knows what he wants. Doesn’t life look fun that way?”

“What are you saying to someone with a reopened side wound?”

“This is what you get when you do things your own way. Accept it humbly.”

Snap!

Romandro gave Beric a light flick on the forehead, as if telling him to behave.

“We’ll need a lot of gear and armor. Sia, soon you and I will go out together. It’s been a while since you’ve been home, and we can visit Viviana too. Mm-hmm.”

“Me too! I’m applying as well, so why aren’t you helping me prepare?”

“You have the Black Sword!”

“Ian! Give me some spending money!”

Hearing that they were going out, Beric raised his hand and shouted. Spending money? Ian narrowed his eyes and studied Beric carefully.

“What for?”

“I want to buy armor and gear—”

“You mean to buy meat, right?”

“Of course! I’ll buy meat too! Hup!”

Beric covered his mouth and held his breath.

Does he only think about food? Romandro clicked his tongue and began tidying the first-aid kit. Jin, who had been quietly listening, gently grabbed Ian’s sleeve.

“Um, Lord Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“I, I also…”

Jin hesitated, swallowing his words. Ian bent down kindly and said, “Ask me anything.”

“I want to go outside and see the world too!”

“Oh, Your Highness Jin, ask Ian for some spending money as well.”

“You fool, Bariel belongs to Your Highness. Who’s giving money to whom…”

Born in the temple and raised there as a baby, Jin had never once left the palace. There was no reason or need to. The palace was vast, with everything inside, and still many unknown places to explore.

‘True. Marib and Gale naturally went out to meet nobles and build influence, keeping an eye on public sentiment across the capital. But the young prince has almost no reason to go out. Delaina’s ties with her family have also been severed.’

Jin gripped Ian’s sleeve tightly, eyes sparkling. Just like when Siaoshi held the certificate, desperate. He had already met the empire’s people in the courtroom and tasted that joy. If you don’t know, you don’t know, but once you do, how could you not want it?

“Lord Ian, please. If I become heir, I’ll be even more confined. Buried in study and training every day. This is the most free time I’ll ever have in my life!”

Ian smiled and gently patted Jin’s hand.

“Your Highness, Romandro and Siaoshi are going out on personal business. If you want to come along, you’ll have to disguise yourself and hide your identity. Official visits require a lot of preparation.”

“Of course, I know that.”

“And if Your Highness goes, I will go too.”

Even with elite knights assigned, Ian felt uneasy sending Jin alone. He wanted to be by his side for peace of mind.

“…I want that too!”

The possibility of permission was growing. Jin couldn’t help but jump up and down. Ian told him to keep his composure, but the flush on his face didn’t fade.

“Very well. I’ll set a date during the week.”

“Wow! Thank you, Lord Ian!”

“You’re welcome. When Your Highness grows up, there will be many occasions for undercover work. Think of this as practice.”

Jin’s first undercover mission. Romandro scratched his chin, thinking of what needed to be prepared.

First, they’d have to inform the Imperial Guard and select knights to follow discreetly, check the route, prepare forged IDs, and so on. Though called undercover, cooperation from various departments was essential.

“So, shall we all go together?”

“Beric, promise to behave yourself outside. If Your Highness Jin is with us, even small disturbances won’t be tolerated.”

“Yahoo! Ian’s the best! Your Highness Jin, I heard from Captain Hale there’s a tavern that serves beer with honey. It’s supposed to be amazing. We can have fun and grab a drink there—”

“You fool!”

Snap!

Romandro delivered one last flick to Beric’s forehead. How dare he mention a tavern to His Highness Jin! He glared fiercely, forbidding such nonsense.

“Why? They said the honey farm there is amazing—super delicious! They even sell milk! Your Highness Jin can just have that!”

“Right, right, Beric. Since it’s my first time going out, you’ll have to tell me a lot. I’m genuinely curious about what the empire’s people like and enjoy.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll be your guide! Yahoo!”

“Your Highness, don’t trust him. That guy’s terrible with directions.”

Beric bounced around excitedly while Romandro whispered to him. Jin kept bursting into laughter, clearly caught up in their enthusiasm.

Ian watched them as he organized some documents. Just a little while ago, Jin hadn’t looked so cheerful—maybe it was just simple fatigue.

‘Keeping the conversation with Quintana a secret,’ Ian thought with a slight smile. Holding onto secrets is the foundation of one’s character. Among all the green lights, this was the brightest. Truly admirable.

Above all, anyone destined for the throne must know how to stand on their own.

“And outside, be extra careful not to expose His Highness Jin’s identity!”

“Ugh, I get it already! Seriously, enough with the nagging. So, if not ‘His Highness Jin,’ what should I call him? Huh? I’m not trying to be rude!”

Beric’s shout made Romandro pause, then glance subtly at Ian. That’s right—usually, when going out, they use a disguise… so they’ll need a new set of titles.

Ian met the three men’s expectant gazes and lifted his head, as if wondering what the fuss was about.

“Let’s say His Highness Jin and I are brothers, and Xiaoxi and Beric are attendants. Romandro, you can be an aunt or uncle.”

“Brothers? Me and Lord Ian?” Jin’s eyes nearly popped out. So that means outside, I have to call him ‘brother’? No way!

“I like it! I’m all for it!”

“Wait, why am I an uncle or aunt out of all the possible relations? Isn’t that a bit much? I think ‘uncle’ would be simpler.”

Romandro’s comment made Beric clutch a fresh wound and chuckle.

“Oh, Romandro, for a guardian without blood ties, that’s perfect. The family resemblance is just too different. Right, Ian?”

Ah! Romandro snapped his fingers as if he’d just realized something, but then his expression darkened when he understood the implication. Seeing this, Jin panicked and grabbed his hand to comfort him.

“Romandro, don’t worry. Your child will surely look just like Viviana.”

“…Thank you for the comfort, Your Highness.”

“Are you crying?”

“No, just… sad.”

Jin kept soothing Romandro, all the while smiling without stopping. What would they see once they went out? What would they experience? With these companions, everything would be an adventure.

The boy glanced back at Ian, who was still reviewing the documents, and smiled with quiet resolve. A smile that said he had no doubt everything would turn out well.