Chapter 321

The carriage rolled in, cutting through the chilly dawn air. Perhaps it was because they had just crossed the monumental hurdle of the appointment ceremony, but even the usually bright and bustling Ministry of Magic was sound asleep at this early hour.

The coachman yawned widely as he opened the window by the passenger compartment.

Leaning neatly against the window, Ian was asleep. Beside him, Romandro lay unconscious, mouth agape, his face twisted in discomfort. Seeing how utterly exhausted they both looked, the coachman hesitated for a moment.

“…We’ve arrived.”

“Huff! Hah, yeah. We’re here.”

Despite the faint whisper, both men reacted sharply. Romandro jolted awake as if having a seizure, while Ian barely cracked his eyes open.

It was the day after a long one filled with laughter, chatter, and drinking from dawn till night. They had thought they wouldn’t have to work today, but this was unexpected. Romandro groaned, rolling his stiff shoulders.

“Ugh, I’m dying! Should’ve cut back on the drinking.”

“You haven’t touched a drop since you got the message. Can’t be helped. You did well. Go call the replacement and get inside.”

“You heading in right away?”

“Just grabbing some documents.”

Ian motioned hurriedly to the coachman to go on without them and stepped into the Ministry.

The lobby was empty. Except for the night shift, the wizards were enjoying a rare ‘day off.’ In the distance, Hale appeared, scratching his head as he walked over.

“Hale.”

“Oh, Ian. You’re here. You must be tired.”

“I caught some sleep in the carriage, so I’m fine. How about the young guests?”

Hale had been in charge of escorting the young visitors home, especially keeping a close eye on the masked child.

The awkward figure of the crown prince entering the palace had left a strong impression. He had tried to hide his identity, but it was obvious—and yet, he had clearly enjoyed himself too much to deny being the prince.

Hale nodded, cigarette in mouth.

“No issues. They all arrived safely.”

“Good. That’s what matters.”

Ian checked his pocket watch and passed Hale by. Since everything was prepared at the mansion, all he needed was the materials before heading back out. Romandro shuffled behind him, dragging his feet.

Rustle.

The meeting documents prepared by the wizards lay neatly on the desk. Ian paused to skim them, then handed them to Romandro, signaling he should familiarize himself as well.

“Romandro, open your eyes properly and read this.”

“Huh? Am I sleeping with my eyes open?”

“Yes. Both of them.”

That was odd. It shouldn’t be.

Romandro rubbed his eyelids with the back of his hand, then focused on the papers. For a hastily called meeting, the report was surprisingly detailed. Maybe because it was based on thorough intelligence from the local guards.

“Before we start the meeting, there’s something we need to clarify among ourselves.”

“Wait a moment. Go ahead.”

Still groggy, Romandro rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a notebook. He gripped his pen tightly and blinked his eyes open again.

“The guards believe it’s almost certain that Clifford was attacked by bandits.”

“Especially since the area is forested rather than open fields, which makes sense. There are all sorts of traces left behind.”

“Then let’s think this through.”

“About what?”

“This isn’t just a group of simple merchants—it’s the procession of a national leader returning home. Any band of thieves would be too intimidated to attack, even if they were lying in wait.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

There were more than a handful of guards, and counting the personal porters and attendants, the group easily numbered in the hundreds.

Among the bandits identified in Bariel, none had the strength to take on such a force. Even in Karenna, where bandit attacks were severe, they wouldn’t dare.

Romandro finally raised his eyebrows, sensing something off. His half-closed eyes widened.

“So maybe they did encounter bandits, but since there was no real damage, they kept moving without delay? If they reported it to Bariel, investigations would slow them down. Given Prince Noah’s condition, they might have taken a detour to hurry back.”

“That’s unlikely. With the Bariel alliance imminent, if something had happened before crossing the border, they would have made it public. To gain any advantage, even a little.”

Even if there was no damage, they would have demanded compensation in some form.

But Clifford showed no reaction. The message from Prince Noah was brief and to the point:

—We are proceeding south without issue. Whatever happened, there’s no cause for concern. Upon return, I will inform my father of Bariel’s intentions and consider the timing of our meeting.

It was suspicious. No matter how minor, this involved the safety of a national prince. If he were Noah, he would have asked what happened and made sure he understood clearly.

Romandro doodled question marks with his pen, tilting his head.

“An investigation by the royal court is definitely necessary.”

“When we get to the meeting, Vargas will probably come up.”

Ian grasped the doorknob, signaling it was time to leave. Whatever Clifford’s situation, Bariel’s guards were certain something had gone wrong.

And it couldn’t have been caused by a ragtag band of thieves. It made more sense to think it was a clash between forces of similar strength.

“…Vargas. Right! If it’s Vargas, there’s motive. The Golden Diamond passed to Clifford, so maybe they’re pretending to be bandits to steal it back.”

They knew well the significance of the jewels. They weren’t just cut stones—they symbolized Damon’s standing, the unity of the nobility, and even the course of political affairs.

It was reckless, but not impossible. In fact, it was a clear opportunity to reclaim the jewels, setting aside the tangled interests.

“These guys never sat right with me from the start. We need to get to the bottom of this and make an example of them—”

“Well, now.”

Romandro angrily jabbed the air, accusing them of trying to deceive the Bariel Empire. Ian gently lowered his finger.

“Think carefully. If Vargas tried to seize the jewels, that’s an outright hostile act against Bariel. Enough justification to mobilize troops.”

To take the jewels forcibly from the crown prince on Bariel’s soil? Unless they planned to annihilate Clifford, it would be exposed immediately.

“If they had that intent, they wouldn’t have done it inside Bariel, but across the border. Also—”

Considering the relationship between Vargas, Clifford, and Bariel, it was even less likely.

For Damon, who sought a three-nation alliance, the alliance between Noah and Ian was a heavy burden. If Noah failed to protect the jewels, what would that mean?

“The crown prince lost the jewels he put up as a deposit, and they’re one of a kind. Bariel’s influence over Clifford would only deepen.”

“That’s true. Well, let them be eaten up.”

“…That’s a strange way to put it, but I won’t correct you.”

They would use the jewels as leverage to tighten control over Clifford. It would be a perfect bond beyond mere alliance. Was the jewel’s value worth enduring that?

“Vargas’s nobles belong to Vargas, after all. It’s an internal matter. They won’t try to protect Clifford at the cost of losing it completely. Besides, it’s a neighboring country. If Bariel’s influence grows there, Vargas will only weaken.”

Ian started to add that King Damon wouldn’t have done that but stopped himself, knowing it was an unnecessary aside.

Romandro hesitated, lost in thought, then quickly caught up behind Ian. No one knew the truth.

“What if King Damon realized the relationship between Clifford and Bariel? Judging the three-nation alliance impossible, he attacked to cut off Clifford?”

Flexible and broad thinking was crucial. Romandro kept proposing theories while Ian descended the stairs, countering them.

“If that were the case, Prince Noah wouldn’t have been able to send the messenger safely. Trying to cut off Clifford would mean an imminent clash. They wouldn’t have let Noah live. No, they would have eliminated him for sure. If Noah died within Bariel’s territory, Clifford might have been swayed.”

“Man, it’s baffling! Hey, get ready to depart!”

Thinking hard had woken Romandro up, but it also made his stomach churn. He steadied himself on a pillar and called to the coachman below.

Ian watched Romandro stop, then muttered, gazing at the breaking dawn.

“…Romandro.”

“Ugh. I think Beric spiked the bomb shot with something weird. I wasn’t usually this bad.”

Ian smiled faintly, giving him a look that said, “We drank it together, you know.” He swallowed the joke and whispered softly.

“If it’s not bandits, and not Vargas either, then it’s likely not Luswena.”

“Vargas and Luswena have properly joined forces.”

“Then who’s left?”

One thing was clear: someone wanted chaos.

A force strong enough to rival the royal delegation, caught between Vargas and Clifford.

Romandro furrowed his brows. The sky was brightening with the dawn. A breeze stirred, ruffling Ian’s golden hair. And in the distance, the majestic imperial flag of Bariel fluttered proudly.

“Right now, Ian, you’re…”

“I’m not certain, but it’s something we need to keep an eye on.”

Someone within the palace had conspired. Just as everything was progressing smoothly, this was a ploy to disrupt it.

Romandro took in the changing sky as he replied.

“Of course, keeping watch is wise. But who would want to sour relations between nations? Why?”

“That answer lies with Klipford, who’s heading toward the border. We need to see if he still carries the jewel. If it’s gone—”

If it’s gone, there’s no telling what could follow.

The jewel that links Burgos, Klipford, and Bariel. That tiny sparkle could send ripples far beyond imagination…

“Could it be Jaret’s doing?”

Romandro jumped, turning sharply to Ian.

Everyone knew, at least quietly, that Ian faced opposition within the palace. Whether Ian himself wanted that, no one could say.

But still! When trouble arises in a delicate balance, accusations and blame become weapons for the opposing faction.

“Captain Jaret is a man of honor. He walks the righteous path. This is a matter that, if mishandled, could harm Bariel itself. He wouldn’t just stand by and exploit it.”

“True, the captain isn’t that kind of man. Honestly, it’d be hard for him to do so. And no disrespect—I respect him greatly.”

“I know. I have much to learn from him as well.”

Just then, the coachman waved his hand energetically, signaling they were ready to depart. Ian nodded toward Romandro, inviting him to come along.

“Let’s head to the meeting first. My conclusions are based on limited information; we need to discuss this with everyone. It’s early, so attendance might be light.”

“Mm, alright.”

Romandro clenched his fists inwardly and took a step forward.

Then, a sudden thought struck him.

The meeting would gather the prime minister, the crown prince, and other high-ranking officials. Surely, some of them were wary of Ian. Yet Ian still wanted to bring this up there…

“Ian.”

That meant there was no one among the attendees to be wary of. When Ian glanced back, Romandro sighed, covering his face with some documents.

“…A mage, indeed.”

Ian said nothing, offering only a brief smile before descending the stairs again. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.