Chapter 289
“Focus, will you? You keep repeating yourself.”
“Easy to say. I haven’t slept in days.”
“If you have complaints, take them up with Lord Ian directly.”
“Who said I’m complaining? By the way, have the people sent to the administration returned yet? Try contacting them—this place is swamped!”
“Move aside, damn it! Has anyone seen the report?”
“Why are you asking us? Where’s the seal?”
“Seriously, this is ridiculous!”
Boom! Thud!
The chaos inside the palace was just as intense as outside. Especially in the administration and magic departments, the noise was like a bustling marketplace.
Order within disorder. Wizards darted around, tangled and rushing in every direction.
“Message from the outskirts!”
“Report to Lord Ian!”
Tap tap tap!
One wizard sprinted reflexively. As he caught his breath and made his presence known, Romandro peeked in, as if to say he couldn’t come any further inside.
“Is this work-related?”
“They say the Luswena procession has reached the city center. It should enter the streets in about two hours.”
“Understood. Inform them immediately.”
“Please take care of it.”
Squeak.
As the office door closed, the noise was cut off and the room fell silent.
Inside, it was remarkably quiet. Probably because Beric and Varsabe had been summoned to the palace guard.
“Ian, did you hear that?”
“Yes. About two hours. It’s tighter than I expected.”
Ian closed the documents he’d been reading and stood up.
His neatly combed hair, crisp uniform, and polished leather shoes made his already impeccable appearance even sharper.
He walked slowly and stood behind Jin, who was still getting dressed.
Their eyes met in the mirror.
“Your Highness, as you prepare, let me remind you once more.”
“Do.”
“…The King of Luswena is about to pay his respects. Keep your composure. Don’t let any wavering show in the mirror. If Your Highness notices, soon the whole world will. You are Bariel, are you not?”
There was no need to be nervous just because you were meeting a foreign king.
How could His Majesty sigh like that?
Ian’s sharp words were accompanied by his hands gently but firmly clasping the child’s shoulders. A touch both tender and resolute. Warmer than any words of reassurance.
Jin was too nervous to notice, but Xiaoshi and Romandro clearly caught the gesture.
“I understand. I will keep it in mind.”
“Good.”
Ian lightly pressed Jin’s shoulders, like playing piano keys. Jin smiled faintly, and Ian smiled back, as if that was exactly the expression he wanted.
“Do you remember the political situation in Luswena?”
“The royalists in Eriphoni have solidified their power. Two years ago, when a drought struck the eastern granary, the opposition rallied, but the crisis was resolved smoothly, so they didn’t gain much strength. The opposition’s leading noble is Lady Haiman’s great-uncle—actually, her second great-uncle.”
The child recited the facts in a steady voice, without hesitation or stammering.
Romandro’s eyes sparkled with pride. This was proof that Jin had fully absorbed the information. He clasped his hands in delight—he couldn’t be prouder!
“And what about the relationship between Luswena, Cliford, and Burgos?”
But Ian didn’t praise him; instead, he asked the next question.
Their eyes met again in the mirror. Though they looked at the same place, their focus was slightly off. Jin smiled and answered.
“There’s no certainty, so we must speculate but avoid rash judgments. The one thing that’s clear is that the long-unformed alliance between the three nations has now been established.”
“Do you understand why?”
“Of course. Because I’m lacking.”
From an outsider’s perspective, it made sense. A palace sealed off by civil war, an emperor clinging to his throne, and a ten-year-old child left standing alone.
Literally, Jin was alone.
Though Ian was by his side…
‘How Lord Ian’s presence is interpreted remains unknown.’
It was both a blessing and a curse.
A strong, capable wizard bolstered Bariel’s power, but at the same time, diminished Jin’s standing.
The leaders of the three nations would prefer to speak with Ian behind the child rather than bow to a ten-year-old.
This was an undeniable reality—and Jin’s first hurdle to overcome.
“Your Highness is not lacking.”
Ian paused, then corrected himself.
A soft rustle—Jin’s hair brushed lightly against Ian’s fingertips. Ian gestured for the attendants to continue dressing him, and they busied themselves.
His hair was combed, his clothes straightened, and small, ornate jewels pinned to his chest.
Today, the scars on Jin’s face seemed more prominent than usual. Jin absentmindedly touched the marks with his fingertips, and Ian added,
“No leader in the three nations bears a stronger symbol of resilience than Your Highness. Take pride in it. You look splendid today.”
“Thank you, Lord Ian. You look good too.”
“Ian looks good even if he wears his clothes backward! Your Highness, it’s about time to depart. Time’s running out. Xia, please do a final check on the carriage.”
“Yes, understood.”
Romandro glanced at his pocket watch and nodded.
Jin took one last look in the mirror, then stepped down from the chair. Ian was about to offer his hand, but before he could, the child pushed open the office door and went ahead.
“We’re leaving. Everyone, follow.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Tap tap tap!
The attendants, Ian, and Romandro followed the small footsteps. Xiaoshi stood by the prepared carriage. Seeing Jin, he bowed and opened the door.
Ian looked down at his hands, then casually pulled out a pair of leather gloves.
“Ian, what’s wrong? Are your hands cold?”
“Nothing. Let’s go, Romandro.”
Ian smiled and put on the gloves, then sat beside Jin. The carriage soon started moving briskly.
The road to meet the King of Luswena, Eriphoni, had opened.
“Look! Here comes the carriage! Wow, it’s a double-decker!”
“The king’s procession really is something else.”
“Come up here! You can see better!”
“Mom! Mom! The Luswena carriage is here!”
“Come to our tavern! You’ll get a great view of the king’s procession! Beer’s only one copper coin! First ten customers only!”
“Yay! Run! Let’s follow it all the way to the palace!”
Just past noon.
The Luswena king’s procession had reached the city streets. Along the central road, reserved only for royalty, the path was cleared for the honored guests.
Soldiers held back the crowd with spears, and dispatched wizards walked alongside, ensuring safety.
Dozens of double-decker carriages moved slowly—a magnificent sight. Citizens cheered repeatedly, welcoming Eriphoni’s visit.
“Welcome, King of Luswena!”
“Welcome to Bariel!”
“Step back, you insolent ones!”
“What’s the harm? It’s a good day and a good guest!”
“Yeah, don’t be so uptight!”
Clack clack. Clack clack!
The sight of several large wheels turning simultaneously caught the children’s curiosity, while the unfamiliar clothing drew the attention of young onlookers.
The gold, silver, and treasures piled high in the carriages fascinated the adults, and the musicians’ tunes delighted the blind old men.
The procession was so massive it barely moved faster than walking.
“…Surprisingly lively.”
Eriphoni, King of Luswena, murmured as she lifted the curtain of her carriage slightly with a fan. Though they had traveled several days over a long distance, she looked no different than when she left the palace.
Her teal hair was neatly combed, her posture straight, and her sharp eyes glanced dismissively at the excited crowd before lowering the curtain again.
“The emperor’s life hangs in the balance, and a ten-year-old is set to succeed him. Yet, they don’t seem too worried.”
“It’s true the palace was shaken, but they’ve regained their footing. I heard they recently held a talent selection exam for the palace guard and the imperial defense department. The effects are still ongoing.”
The man sitting opposite her answered. Eldert, her cousin and part of the delegation. His long teal hair and features were a mirror image of hers.
Eriphoni twisted her lips into a cynical smile.
“So they suffered losses in the civil war, huh? Holding a big talent exam. I heard they even sold tickets to watch the trials of the Haiman and central families?”
It’s understandable, really. Temporary but certain revenue was the goal. The more rumors you interpret, the more you realize Bariel is in trouble.
Eriphoni shrugged her stiff shoulders in discomfort. Honestly, if it weren’t for King Burgos’s invitation, she wouldn’t have bothered making this trip.
It was just a ceremony for a young prince’s appointment.
“When are Burgos and Cliford arriving?”
“They said they’d come on schedule, so there shouldn’t be much difference. Unless something goes wrong.”
At that moment, the carriage began to move more smoothly. They had passed the rough roads and were nearing the palace.
Eriphoni was momentarily stunned by the grandeur of Bariel. Her own kingdom was famous for its beauty, but this was on a whole different level.
“Impressive.”
“Not quite like Luswena, though.”
“Nonsense.”
She snapped back firmly, regaining her composure. By now, I was beginning to understand why the King of Burgos had insisted on meeting at Bariel’s imperial palace.
Eriphoni’s father had attended the current emperor’s coronation and seen the palace, but she had not. Since ascending the throne, she had only heard about Bariel through Eldert’s descriptions. From what she’d been told, she imagined it to be grand, but seeing it in person was something else entirely.
It was truly magnificent.
“Now I see why the King of Burgos summoned me here.”
“Impressive, isn’t it? I think King Damon’s proposal will seem all the more appealing.”
“Indeed. Without a doubt.”
Eriphoni and Eldert exchanged quiet whispers and subtle glances. Though the carriage was empty besides them, who knew if some mage might be eavesdropping?
Screech.
Whirr.
“Your Highness Eriphoni, we have arrived.”
The carriage came to a halt before the main palace. A crowd had gathered—prime ministers and officials all present to greet them. The carriage door opened, and a long staircase extended down.
With a soft rustle, Eriphoni gathered her long hair and stepped out slowly. The officials who saw her for the first time flinched in surprise.
From the portraits, they had expected an ordinary woman, but in reality…
“She’s incredibly tall.”
“Could there be giant blood in her veins?”
“Shh! How can you say such things!”
Her towering height—easily over six feet—was overwhelming. The prime minister stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty, Queen Eriphoni of Luswena. We understand the fatigue of your long journey, but our prince awaits you.”
“Of course. I must pay my respects.”
Though her three-hundred-eyed gaze betrayed no such eagerness, what choice did she have? She followed the prime minister, Eldert at her side.
Swish.
“This way, Your Highness. Queen Eriphoni of Luswena has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
Eriphoni couldn’t help but smile faintly—a voice unmistakably youthful. The doors opened, and there sat Jin on the sofa, waiting.
“Welcome. Thank you for making the long journey.”
“…It’s nothing, Your Highness.”
Eriphoni’s first impression of Jin was simple and clear.
‘How adorable. A young lion indeed.’