Chapter 272
The weather was beautiful. Ian, who had been buried in paperwork, found his gaze drawn to the swaying branches outside. He set down his pen and looked out toward the garden where the Ministry of Magic’s annex was to be built.
It had already been two weeks since Jin’s covert mission—since he met Timothy. Surely, Timothy was supposed to visit before crossing the border, yet there was no sign of it. Given his status, there was no way he would just cross over with empty words.
“Ian, please sign here as well,” a wizard standing nearby gently urged.
Ian finished the signature and handed back the papers.
Unlike the bright outdoors, the office felt stifling, piled high with documents. It was no wonder Beric, who loved this sofa the most, had dashed outside. Ian accepted the next report and asked, “What about Beric? Has he gone to the training grounds again?”
“Most likely. The dining hall is quiet, so that’s probably it. The chef keeps praising Xiaoshi, saying the kitchen is peaceful because he goes to the training grounds every day with Beric. He’s really impressed with Xiaoshi’s dedication.”
Ian chuckled softly. The imperial guard and the empire’s defense department were about to hold their talent selection soon. Beric and Xiaoshi had been diligently training to improve their physical strength and swordsmanship, fully taking advantage of the opportunity.
Who among commoners could use the imperial training facilities or receive one-on-one lessons from Captain Jaret, the empire’s top officer? Ian passed the report along and added, “I heard they get to eat twice as much when they come back tired.”
“That’s fine since the chef’s off then. Though he does curse them every morning. At least he doesn’t see their faces.”
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
Ian looked up at the sound. Romandro appeared, his hair slightly damp as if he’d been running around. He gave a polite nod to the wizard.
“I have a report to make in private.”
“Oh, please call me when you need me, Ian.”
Ian didn’t look away from the papers, pressing his temple as the wizard left. Romandro glanced around cautiously before approaching.
He placed a small, crumpled note in Ian’s hand. It looked like it had been tied up in a courier pouch and was a bit worn.
“Ian, this came from the shadow.”
“…A bit late for a first report.”
The shadow assigned to Melania had sent back updates on her movements and situation. As if anticipating Ian’s reproach, the note’s preface explained the delay.
The main reason for letting Melania go was to establish contact with the Rutherford Guild. They needed to find the guild’s location, and if she had been caught by the patrol, it would have jeopardized everything.
The shadow was managing her carefully, as Ian had ordered.
“What does it say?”
“She’s heading north through Luswena. Aside from her route, nothing unusual so far.”
Ian burned the note with magic. No one but his closest aides—and certainly no one in the palace, not even the prime minister—was to know of this.
No matter the reason, protecting the bloodline of a family wiped out for treason was tantamount to treason itself. It had to be kept under strict silence, with no leaks.
“Good work. Any other reports?”
“About Akorella—her condition is improving, but the palace has run out of all the infected treatment medicine. They need to produce more.”
Since the disease was rare these days, the palace only kept a small supply. If the palace was short, it was no surprise that civilians had none.
“Is the current amount enough for a full recovery?”
“Fortunately, yes. It’s just the right amount. Some ingredients are hard to find in Bariel, so it could have been a big problem.”
“I see. Since production isn’t our department, just keep me informed. Continue Akorella’s medical leave.”
Ian thought this might finally be the end. As he reached for his pen, Romandro smiled awkwardly.
“Also, word has come that Envoy Timothy has arrived at the palace. Shouldn’t you meet with His Highness Jin as well?”
“Ah.”
So it’s finally time. Ian stood up, straightening his clothes as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“And His Highness Jin?”
“He’s in the main hall, having an academic discussion with the prime minister. He should have received the message too. But I doubt the prime minister will come—he has a meeting this afternoon.”
“Since this is an unannounced visit, it’s fine. It’s enough for His Highness and me to greet him.”
“If you’re already there, His Highness will come.”
“Understood. The weather’s nice—let’s meet in the garden.”
“That sounds excellent. Ian, you need some sunlight. Everything from nature is directly linked to health! Is anyone outside? Prepare refreshments in the garden!”
Ian smiled and sorted through some papers. There was no time to waste, not even for Timothy to arrive from the main gate.
For the first time in a long while, Ian left his office and walked into the garden. Wizards rushing down the hall stopped in surprise, wondering if they’d seen a ghost.
“Ian? Why are you outside?”
“Am I not allowed out?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh? Ian, I’m taking this report now.”
“Leave it on the desk. The envoy from the Kingdom of Burgos has arrived for a meeting. I’ll review and respond by this afternoon.”
Even during the short walk, his name was called repeatedly. Romandro suddenly recalled when Ian had collapsed. How had the Ministry functioned then?
Ian had recovered quickly, but even a half-day absence seemed problematic. The organization’s dependence on one man was immense. That spoke to Ian’s exceptional abilities but also revealed an imbalance within the ministry.
A cool breeze swept through as they entered the garden.
“This is where I first met Prince Gale.”
“Ah, yes. You said you ran into him when you came to tour the Ministry.”
When Ian entered the palace, he had followed Naum’s last words to find this place. There was no annex yet—only Gale.
Ian spotted a carriage approaching from afar. An outsider’s carriage—Timothy.
Squeeeak!
As Timothy stepped down, Ian greeted him warmly. It had only been two weeks, but Timothy looked worn from searching for the gypsies. The sleeve torn in the underground battle still hung ragged.
“Envoy Timothy, it’s been a while.”
“Minister, sorry for the late greeting.”
“No need to apologize. We never set a definite time. Please, have a seat.”
Timothy naturally looked around the garden before sitting. He had been to the palace several times and had thoroughly explored the interior when Wesley was still here.
Especially this garden. This was the site where the Ministry’s annex was to be built, wasn’t it? Though not finalized, there had been discussions about exchanging mana stones and manpower related to it.
“The Ministry’s annex will be built here soon,” Ian said, lifting his teacup. Timothy paused, frowning slightly. He had heard about Wesley…
“Former Minister Wesley was overseeing the annex project.”
“Yes. I intend to continue it.”
“…If I may be so bold, is there something about her final days we don’t know?”
The Wesley incident was hotly discussed even in neighboring countries. The scandal of two public lovers ending in disaster was one thing, but what drew attention was the final outcome. The empire’s top mage, who had become minister, fell into hell under an eternal curse, and the prince was cursed because of it.
Neighboring nations had poured enormous effort and resources into uncovering the nature of the curse—until Gale confessed falsely in court.
“No. You know all there is.”
“Then why do you intend to follow in the former minister’s footsteps?”
Wouldn’t it make more sense to take the opposite path? The annex project Wesley pushed for should have been scrapped.
“I am also the Minister of Magic. This is a decision made for the department’s efficiency, standing, and other benefits.”
Clink.
Timothy set down his teacup. This was a clear sign of Ian’s authority. No one in the palace dared to stop him, even if he followed Wesley’s path. No one would question him if he openly declared it.
Ian smiled and offered the refreshments.
“Isn’t this something the Kingdom of Burgos would welcome?”
“We always support the advancement of the royal household.”
If the annex was built, Burgos could sell vast amounts of mana stones and, in return, receive support from mages. As Ian said, it was a win-win for Burgos.
“Indeed. Thank you. Your arrival at the palace suggests your schedule is complete and you’re returning home. Have you achieved what you wished?”
He was asking if I had found the gypsy. But Timothy tightened his lips and shook his head. Ian studied him carefully, probing gently. If the gypsy Jin had seen in the park was indeed that same gypsy…
“Since that day, the guards have been conducting a focused crackdown on illegal slave trading. If you get any leads, please let me know. Is it an elderly woman, with scars on her face, and difficulty moving?”
“Ah, thank you. But we’re not even sure if she was actually captured as a slave.”
“…Judging by the fact that the king is searching for her, she’s no ordinary gypsy.”
“As I said, her story runs deep.”
Runs deep? That’s clearly something he’d heard secondhand, isn’t it?
“You don’t know the details, then?”
“What do you mean?”
There was only one thing that set the gypsy he was looking for apart from the others: she fed on secrets.
Ian set down his teacup and stared intently at Timothy. A sudden spark lit up in his mind. Even those investigating didn’t really know the subject’s traits?
‘Could the king be in the dark too? No, that can’t be. The king must know. After all, he sent an envoy to track her for this long. That means she’s incredibly important…’
“Ian?”
“Envoy Timothy.”
Ian smiled slyly.
Timothy responded, puzzled, but Romandro, who had been watching from behind, caught the meaning in Ian’s smile. Just as people died when Ian dressed up, whenever he smiled like that, a new phase was about to unfold.
Romandro quickly refilled Timothy’s teacup, diverting his attention. He wanted Timothy to slip up under Ian’s questioning.
“How long has the current king been on the throne?”
“Just over two years now.”
“Ah… I see.”
Two possibilities. If the king needed an exact prophecy, it meant he was facing a matter grave enough to peer into the future.
But Ian thought it best to minimize that possibility. Burgos had been a kingdom holding its place on the continent for many years. No matter how accurate a prophet might be, there had to be someone else to take their place.
‘Is it really worth using someone like Timothy for this? I’m not so sure.’
If that’s the case, it’s better to focus on the fact that she feeds on secrets…
‘Among the secrets the gypsy has consumed, there’s something the king must know. Or perhaps, through her, there’s a secret that must be erased from the world. Either way, it means there’s a problem for the king of Burgos.’