Episode 293

The Imperial Palace Guard had two headquarters: one near the Emperor’s quarters, and another by the training grounds. Beric had dashed ahead to the one closest to the Emperor’s residence.

Romandro glanced around, muttering to himself.

“Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve actually set foot here.”

No one could deny that the Emperor’s quarters were the most prestigious and lavish part of Bariel.

“Looks like a dump,” Beric said, using a completely different word. He spun around and started walking backward.

“And there are way too many things you’re not allowed to do.”

“That’s only natural, being so close to His Majesty. Still, Beric, you’re the luckiest guard I know. The others have to live in the barracks, waking up at dawn for sword drills and going to bed early. But you…”

Thunk!

As Romandro kept nagging, Beric, walking backward, suddenly smacked the back of his head against the door. The door swung open abruptly. Barsabeda appeared, glancing disdainfully at Beric, who was crouched down clutching his head.

“…Welcome.”

“Ugh, you did that on purpose, didn’t you, Romandro?”

“I never told you to walk backward. Look at yourself, then complain.”

Ian brushed past Beric and followed Barsabeda inside.

The first thing that caught their eyes was a wall covered in golden badges—each one belonging to a warrior of the Imperial Palace Guard. Those who had died honorably defending Bariel against enemy forces or monsters. In Ian’s time, there were so many badges that they spilled over onto the adjacent walls.

‘It’s humbling.’

This very place had been the palace a hundred years ago. As Ian lingered in thought, Jerrett stood beside him, gazing at the badges with a heavy sense of reverence in his eyes.

“Did you know? The number of Imperial Palace Guards who passed through history matches the number of these badges.”

“Captain Jerrett.”

“Dying honorably—that’s the true mark of the Imperial Palace Guard.”

The badge of the former third captain, Riama, who had betrayed them, was not displayed here. She had been stripped of all honors.

Countless emperors had risen and fallen in the whirlpool of history. Naturally, the guards who stood beside them could not expect peaceful deaths.

“I don’t have a badge, do I?”

Beric suddenly squeezed between Ian and Jerrett. Barsabeda grabbed his collar, pulling him back and warning him not to interrupt.

“If you die, I’ll polish one up and hang it for you.”

“Are you kidding? What good’s a gold or silver badge if you’re dead? Give it to me while I’m still alive! My salary’s already in the red—”

“Just shut up and follow me.”

Ian smiled at Jerrett as Beric was dragged away. It had been a while since they’d met face to face since the selection tournament. Jerrett was quickly becoming a key figure in the power struggle, so meetings like this were rare.

“Long time no see, Captain Jerrett. Beric’s been causing a lot of trouble, and I wanted to apologize, but never got the chance.”

“It’s fine. I expected as much. I know you’re busy with the appointment ceremony. But there’s something urgent I need to discuss. Please, come this way.”

In the shared office, a large round table stood at the center. The new captains, Simon and Bonita, were there, poring over maps and letters. When they noticed Ian, they greeted him.

“Greetings, Minister. I’m Captain Simon.”

“And I’m Bonita.”

They shook hands lightly, polite but stiff. It made sense—though they were fellow captains, Jerrett was Ian’s senior and pillar of support, and he was wary of Ian. These were no fools to waste words on empty pleasantries.

“We received a report from the southern border guards. They inspected the magical anomaly detectors, and the readings were unusually high compared to previous years.”

“How high?”

“About three times the normal level.”

Ian skimmed the report stamped with the border guard’s seal. There was no hint of doubt in their tone.

Simon and Bonita exchanged surprised glances. They had expected Ian to ask what a magical anomaly detector was—just like Romandro had.

Simon handed over another report and explained.

“It’s a kind of alarm device installed at regular intervals along the border. Bariel is relatively safe from monster attacks, but we can’t afford to be complacent. The northern and western borders are so treacherous that normal readings fluctuate between five and six.”

“So it detects magical energy?”

“Yes. Though it’s not limited to monsters alone. But this is the first time such high readings have come from the south, near Clifford.”

What was happening across Gaia, centered on Bariel? Ian flipped through the reports, frowning.

“The surprise inspection was triggered by the aftershocks of the recent earthquake.”

“I suggest we dispatch some of our own guards and mages to investigate the entire border. Romandro, before you became an aide, didn’t you serve as a reconstruction advisor in the earthquake-affected areas?”

“Ah, yes. I was active there until just before heading down to Hielo. Small and large earthquakes have indeed become more frequent.”

Thinking back now, tears welled up again. To be assigned to the provinces right after returning… Romandro clenched his fists, vowing never to leave the capital again.

“How many personnel are you thinking of dispatching?”

Ian cut in, placing the reports on the table. Simon and Bonita exchanged glances, then cautiously offered their opinion, watching Jerrett’s reaction.

“The more, the better.”

Romandro snapped out of his reverie at that. The number of mages was already scarce, and now they wanted to split them up and send them all over the place. Their intent was clear.

They wanted to break us apart.

Whether it was influence or something else.

“What about the Imperial Palace Guard? How many are you thinking of sending?”

“We plan to send the number assigned by the Magic Department. Any shortage in escort troops will be supplemented by the Imperial Defense Department, so there’s no need to worry about safety.”

“No, wait a minute.”

Romandro bristled, about to object, but Ian raised a hand to stop him. The gesture was slow and quiet, but it silenced the room.

“Everyone except Captain Jerrett, please leave.”

Romandro cleared his throat and stepped back. Simon and Bonita waited for Jerrett’s approval before departing.

Ian traced the borders of Bariel on the map with his fingertip.

“Captain Jerrett, let me be clear. I will not send mages to the border. Even if I do, one is the absolute maximum I can spare.”

Ian’s goal was to keep himself in check, not to challenge the Magic Department. The mages were the core of Bariel. If that foundation wavered, the front lines could never advance.

‘Is this the limit of the warriors? It seems we’ve reached some understanding with the Imperial Defense Department, but…’

They needed someone to watch over the situation on their behalf. A righteous heart is a strong force, but if it’s misdirected, it’s worse than having none at all.

Ian flicked the map and smiled wryly.

“Seems I’ve earned some ill will from Captain Jerrett without even realizing it. Maybe it’s because I left someone like Beric in his charge.”

“Not at all,” Jerrett replied.

“There’s been a lot of talk lately. I hear things because I have ears, and it’s been quite bothersome. His Majesty is holding his position firmly, so things are unsettled, but aren’t all the officials doing their best in their respective roles?”

They were the Emperor’s personal guard. Being close to the administrative side rather than the Defense Department made sense in many ways.

“The Magic Department is the same. There are rumors that our treatment is excessive, but if the number of palace mages dwindles, the department’s operations will suffer. It’s obvious. I suppose you expected me to refuse.”

Jerrett nodded calmly. As Ian had guessed, he never expected an immediate yes.

“Very well. But I doubt you called me here just to discuss this.”

Ian sat down, folding his hands. Jerrett exhaled deeply and rummaged inside his coat, producing a bundle of letters. He handed them to Ian.

“What is this?”

“You’ll see.”

Jerrett’s voice was grave. Ian untied the string and, surprised, pressed his temple.

---

“Where’s Ian?”

“Hey, what are you doing like that?”

Romandro, clearly annoyed, approached Beric. For some reason, Beric was standing on his hands against the wall. Romandro crouched down, muttering complaints that made no sense.

“What do you mean, ‘Where’s Ian?’”

“He’s inside, meeting with Captain Jerrett.”

“Damn, I hope I’m not getting scolded.”

“Did you mess up again?”

Beric jumped up with a quick motion, crossing his arms in an X and shaking his head vigorously. Strong denial often means the opposite.

“Absolutely! No way!”

“Yeah, sure.”

“By the way, when’s the appointment ceremony? I heard it’s chaos outside. The gutters are running with spilled alcohol, strangers are dancing and singing in the streets, just partying like crazy.”

He wanted to go out and join the fun too. Beric’s eyes sparkled as he moved closer, but Romandro shoved his face away.

“Don’t even think about leaving until all the guests have gone, even after the appointment ceremony’s over. How can someone on a salary be out playing with everyone else?”

Eriponi had just arrived as the first guest, and yet he said that!

Beric clicked his tongue and flopped down on the floor. Simon and Bonita, the three captains, seemed used to this by now and ignored it, quietly discussing something between themselves.

“Did Viviana come to the appointment ceremony?”

“Of course, since His Majesty invited her.”

At the mention of Viviana, Romandro’s expression softened slightly.

The appointment ceremony itself was held only in front of the nobles and a select few guests, ending with the newly crowned emperor walking the path of the crown.

Squeak.

“Hey! Ian!”

“Ian! How did the negotiations go?”

Ian’s expression was as usual, but Beric sniffed the air suspiciously. Startled, Romandro grabbed Beric by the sideburns.

“Beric! Whatever else, don’t wear your uniform like that!”

“I’ve taken care of everything. Let’s head back to the Mage Department.”

“Ah, right. Understood.”

“And you, Beric?”

“I’m coming too! I finished all my training for today!”

He seemed to have made that decision on his own, without asking his superiors Simon and Bonita. Ian nodded and gave them a quick glance.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Please go ahead.”

Both bowed politely, and Ian didn’t hesitate to step forward. Somehow, he seemed to be in a bit of a hurry.

Romandro caught up from the left, running alongside him.

“Ian, what’s going on? What did Jarrett say? What about the mages?”

“They won’t be sending the mages.”

“Right? Ah, I heard the royal guards were a bit much!”

Beric came running up from the right, pestering for information, but was drowned out by a mage standing beside the carriage who suddenly shouted.

“Ian! The Clifford carriage is coming into view!”