Chapter 322
“Your Highness.”
Xiaoshi’s voice came as a soft whisper.
Jin, who had been dozing with his chin resting on the desk, straightened up as if nothing had happened. From outside, footsteps echoed faintly. Soon after, the door opened, and the Prime Minister along with several ministers entered.
Among them were Ian and Romandro. Had they come in late last night? Ian’s expression was as usual, but Romandro’s face looked grim—seriously so.
“Your Highness, thank you for attending this meeting so early in the morning.”
“It’s my duty. No need for thanks. Please, have a seat.”
Ian met Jin’s gaze, placed a hand over his chest, and bowed his head in a straightforward, sincere greeting. It was so dry and formal that it was hard to believe this was the same man who had been laughing and chatting in the very same room just hours ago.
Jin responded with a slight nod. Everyone looked especially tired, probably because they had rushed here at dawn.
“Rising early promises a productive day.”
“You’re quite diligent. I’m going back to sleep.”
“You live your days as if they were two. Such dedication, ha ha.”
“Now, now, everyone, quiet down. I’m sure you’ve all heard the reports. Let’s cut to the chase. Your Highness, shall we begin?”
Bang! Bang!
Tap, tap, tap.
The Prime Minister struck the gavel, and the sound of papers shuffling filled the room calmly. The first to speak was the Minister of Imperial Defense, who had received the guard’s report and relayed it to the Prime Minister.
“The guards report an intense battle with unknown assailants, while Clifford claims ignorance. That’s the gist of the meeting, correct?”
“Exactly.”
They repeated the conversation Ian and Romandro had had in the Magic Department, assuming either a mistake by the guards or a lie from Clifford.
Romandro, standing behind, glanced at Ian’s back with a look of admiration. Everything was exactly as Ian had predicted—precise and unremarkable. Finding nothing new, Romandro busied himself by scribbling meaningless lines in his notebook, feigning diligence.
“So, it must be Vargas’s handiwork?”
“The tribute Vargas brought was top-tier, the best of the best. They might have orchestrated this to reclaim it.”
“But—”
Jin, who had been quietly listening, raised his hand to speak. The middle-aged ministers stopped and turned to the Crown Prince.
“But Vargas wouldn’t choose such a reckless path. Stirring trouble within Bariel’s territory would only give them an excuse.”
Romandro, expressionless, snorted and vigorously circled something on his notes. That’s it, Your Highness. That’s exactly it! That little one’s thoughts have grown so deep already.
While Romandro silently applauded in his mind, Ian tapped the documents with his fingertips, showing he hadn’t missed a word of Jin’s statement.
“That makes sense. Vargas would certainly find this burdensome; the losses outweigh the gains.”
“Then who on earth…?”
Silence fell over the room. It wasn’t Vargas, nor Luswena, nor any nearby bandits. Only one force could handle such a matter in Bariel: the Imperial Palace.
The Prime Minister’s pupils flickered nervously as he scanned the room. Some officials, realizing the same, cast wary glances around.
A long silence stretched on. Xiaoshi, who had been listening intently, approached Jin and whispered something.
“Hm?”
Jin’s brow furrowed deeply. Whatever was said wasn’t pleasant.
“Why? What is it, Your Highness?”
“Nothing. Everyone, don’t mind me. Continue your discussion.”
Even if told to continue, no one dared speak up. It was almost a conspiracy theory. Why would the palace, fresh from a successful appointment ceremony, risk souring relations with foreign nations? Who could it be…?
‘Crown Prince Jin has moved his residence from the Magic Department.’
Everyone’s eyes flicked to Ian. The unspoken signal between the two was clear. If anyone could do it, Ian was the prime suspect. Though there was no proof, only suspicion, the conversation inevitably turned that way.
One minister cautiously broke the silence.
“…Ian, what are your thoughts?”
“Please, add your insight. You’ve been silent. Ha ha. Did you have a good drink last night?”
The tone hinted at the recent engagement between Philia and Nersarn, the barbarian chieftain’s son-in-law, which had stirred gossip among the nobles. But given the parties involved, everyone kept it quiet and careful.
The Prime Minister frowned, signaling for restraint, but silent reprimands rarely reach their mark. Ian set down his pen and replied.
“Yes. I’m no expert in drink, so I didn’t expect this. The energy still hasn’t faded; I feel the heat lingering.”
A warning not to provoke him with nonsense while still tipsy. The minister who had been openly challenged stiffened, but what could he do? Pushing further would only harm himself.
Ian checked the schedule Romandro handed him.
“In any case, it’s best to form an investigation team and send them out before Clifford crosses the border. The Imperial Defense will handle the guards, and the Magic Department will meet with Clifford.”
“Soon, within a day or two, he’ll leave Bariel. Should we hurry?”
“Today happens to be my day off, so my schedule is clear. I’ll gather a few mages and go.”
“Wha—”
Jin started to ask in surprise but stopped. He recalled the black moon that had appeared during the civil war. It had been troublesome, but there was no faster way to travel long distances.
“Your Highness, I have a question.”
“…You have permission.”
Ian looked back at Jin. It was the first time the boy had spoken since the meeting began.
“If, during the investigation, we find suspicious behavior from foreign nations, how would Your Highness wish to handle it?”
“What do you mean?”
“The guards suspect a fierce battle. The Magic Department and Imperial Defense will prepare for any sudden incidents, but all actions will be under Your Highness’s direction.”
Explosions always start from a small spark. If friction arises with foreign powers, the response must come from the decision-maker.
“…If possible, I want peace. I am safe within the palace, but the people living in those lands are in real danger. I don’t want to hear their screams.”
“Understood. I will carry your wishes deeply in my heart.”
Ian glanced toward the Imperial Defense and nodded. They would handle the matter quietly, respecting the Crown Prince’s wishes.
‘The Imperial Defense is a department grown on blood.’
They had never stood out within the palace. Given the high chance of trouble, Ian used Jin’s voice to issue a warning.
For now, the priority was to settle matters with the three neighboring countries. The other ministers forced awkward smiles to ease the tension.
“Ahem. If the guards were mistaken, it would be best to resolve this without incident.”
“Indeed. Now, who shall we assign as the general for the Imperial Defense investigation team…?”
“I’ll take my leave first.”
With a swift motion, Ian closed the report. He had wondered if there was something unexpected, but everyone seemed to think alike. There was no reason for him to stay.
Besides—
“The teleportation magic is quite complex. To prepare it carefully, we should start now.”
“Y-Yes, that’s true.”
“If there’s anything to relay, please let me know.”
Without Ian, they could speak more freely. As he rose and walked toward the door, the ministers’ gazes lingered on him.
Boom!
“Your Highness Jin, I think it would be wise to send someone from another department along with the Magic Department.”
“Agreed. I share that opinion.”
Though they didn’t say the Magic Department was suspicious outright, their caution was clear. Jin’s eyes shifted slightly toward Xiaoshi.
“Your Highness, do you remember? Last time, Ian mentioned there was a traitor within the Magic Department.”
What Xiaoshi had just reminded him of was the forgotten presence of a betrayer. If a third party was involved, that person was the prime suspect. Ian must know this as well.
Jin absentmindedly fiddled with his bangs, deep in thought.
“Of course. We need someone to keep watch. I will personally order another department to join.”
“Yes. A wise decision.”
The ministers breathed a collective sigh of relief and praised the choice, unaware that Jin had selected the Palace Guard.
Sending Varsabe and Beric along would look appropriate to outsiders and wouldn’t interfere with Ian’s work. Jin motioned to Xiaoshi and whispered,
“When Ian finalizes the list of mages to be dispatched, bring it to me.”
“Understood.”
The traitor still lurking in the Magic Department—once Ian’s list was ready, they’d know who was under suspicion.
The Prime Minister tapped the gavel, calling for silence. Ian’s seat was empty, but the meeting continued, as expected.
“Ian, shall I issue the assembly order?”
He still vividly remembered the chaos when they had to draw the magic circle during the civil war. Of course, now they had more time and energy, but they needed to hurry.
Ian nodded and gave the command.
“Do so. Everyone will be surprised this early in the morning.”
“Who else but us? Better than hearing it while drunk.”
Without a word, Ian continued walking. Romandro stepped in front of him, holding up a report.
“Ian, the mage you mentioned earlier—is that the traitor? The one we failed to root out last time?”
The note Gale had burned as a threat to Philia.
It seemed almost impossible for anyone to be as lucky as him. He had seen with his own eyes the fate that befell traitors. If the gods had granted him a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck, why reveal himself in the midst of all this chaos instead of staying hidden like a shadow?
“I don’t know yet,” Ian replied.
“Don’t play dumb. You think I don’t know you?”
“You do understand the presumption of innocence, right?”
“Cut the nonsense!”
As Ian tried to slip past, Romandro moved to block his way. His firmly set mouth made it clear he had no intention of stepping aside easily. Tilting his head, Ian asked what he wanted.
“Before you start drawing the magic circle, shouldn’t we catch that person first? And we should warn His Highness Jin not to get too close.”
“That’s a bit difficult.”
“Why?”
Ian finally leaned against the window. Even after the meeting, it was still early morning, and no one else was around.
“If it’s the same traitor from before, you can probably guess who they’re connected to.”
“Hayman?”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m holding a tricky card.”
“How is that tricky? It works in our favor. If they’re tied to the Melmung family, we can deal with them more easily.”
“Romandro, do you remember when the Cliford envoy arrived in the capital and Captain Jarrett met with him briefly?”
“Yeah. There was a report from the southern border about some kind of magical anomaly device.”
“They were suspicious.”
“Huh?”
Romandro recalled it now—the secret conversation between Ian and Jarrett. Ian had never said what they talked about.
“Captain Jarrett suspects that Melania was sent back alive, and that there’s even a shadow attached to her. From what I saw, it looks like the traitor heard news about Melania and passed it on to Jarrett’s side.”
So how do we fix this? We need to fully understand and expose everything about the other side. Ian slipped past the stunned Romandro and said,
“Go fetch Fillic first. I’ll lead the investigation team myself and we’ll go together.”