Chapter 323

The footsteps of the wizards entering the Ministry of Magic were heavy with weariness. Just as they weren’t used to leaving work, coming in felt equally strange. They had forgotten how blissful it was to sleep in a bed instead of a sofa, to eat at the dining table rather than a desk.

Filic froze the moment he opened the door to his department. The weather outside was clear, yet inside, a dark cloud seemed to hang over the room.

“Morning,” someone greeted.

“Yeah, not feeling it,” came the tired reply.

“What’s with everyone? You all went home yesterday, right? Did you work there too?”

“No, we rested. But after a day off, sitting here feels like torture.”

“Filic, how are you feeling? You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“That guy over there has been out since the appointment ceremony. If he’s not okay, that’s unfair. Come on, sit down quickly. You’ve got a pile of stuff waiting on your desk.”

Filic smiled and checked his spot. Papers and files were stacked high, but the most noticeable was a summons from the Minister’s office—an order to report immediately.

“A summons?”

“Yep. Just head straight to the office.”

“Anyone know why?”

Filic flipped through the pages, glancing around to gauge his colleagues’ reactions. Everyone seemed focused on their work, no sign of anything unusual.

“Must be something important. Don’t you know the office is open every day? No need to make a fuss.”

Someone sitting in the corner added, “I heard they’re heading out on a field mission. About five or six of them going together.”

“Where to?”

“No idea. You’ll find out when you get there.”

The wizards gave vague answers and returned to their tasks. Filic stood there, eyes fixed on the summons.

“Did you do something wrong?”

“Huh?”

“Did you do something wrong? You’re just standing there while they’re calling you.”

“What are you talking about? I’m going.”

Without hesitation, Filic packed up and left the office. His colleagues watched him go, exchanging puzzled looks and shrugging.

“See you, Filic.”

“Yeah, bye.”

In the hallway leading to the Minister’s office, coworkers greeted him, but Filic barely registered their words. He was too unsettled.

He’d been summoned a few times before, but those had been clear, work-related matters. This felt different—there was no obvious reason, and of all people, why him?

‘Clifford… so it’s already out,’ he thought.

A field mission? What could possibly warrant that? It had to be the incident on the outskirts of Bariel that had somehow reached the palace.

That was fast. Filic leaned against the wall, nervously biting his nails.

‘But why call me? Is it even okay to go in? The Minister’s usually strict, but this is sooner than expected.’

“What are you doing here?”

Startled, Filic turned to see Varsabe in her palace guard uniform, eyeing him up and down with suspicion.

Without a word, she brushed past him and knocked on the office door. Standing around here would only raise more questions, so Filic followed closely behind.

“Excuse me. Captain Jarrett sent me.”

Suddenly, something tripped Varsabe. It was Beric, sprawled on the floor. She scowled and shoved him aside.

“Why are you lying around here?”

“Uh, my molars… Wait, why am I here?”

“Are you crazy? You reek of alcohol!”

Beric had been drinking heavily all night and was dragged into the palace this morning by one of Jarrett’s attendants.

He rolled over to the sofa, groaning. Drinking with warriors was fun, but the hangover was brutal.

“Ugh. Those guys must have muscles of steel.”

“What are you saying—oh, Ian.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

Ian, freshly changed, greeted Varsabe. Filic stood awkwardly behind them.

Filic bowed his head, studying Ian. Since he was in his outing clothes, the field mission was real. But the atmosphere? Nothing seemed different—his gaze was businesslike, almost dry. He looked a little tired.

Romandro, tidying Ian’s clothes, spoke up.

“We’re going to meet Clifford at the border. Normally, only wizards would go, but Captain Jarrett is taking extra precautions, so two guards are coming along.”

“Two? Me too?”

“So, what will you be doing here?”

“Just planning to nap. I like this sofa—it’s so soft.”

Beric grumbled, and Varsabe closed her eyes in horror. Their expressions clearly said they’d rather go alone.

Ian buttoned his sleeves and sat at the desk.

“Sit down, Filic. This will take some time.”

“Okay.”

“Besides Beric and Varsabe, five of us, including myself, will be going. Two haven’t arrived yet. Check the list carefully, and once everyone’s here, prepare the magic circle in the garden behind the building.”

Ian handed over a note. The names were all familiar.

“Romandro, aren’t you coming?”

“Me? I’ll stay behind and cover for the Minister.”

“I see.”

Romandro helped Beric to his feet while Varsabe supported him, trying to change out of his alcohol-soaked clothes.

A small commotion broke out behind them, but Ian ignored it, flipping through the papers. Filic hesitated, wondering what to say, then suddenly asked:

“Is the address listed as your family home?”

“Huh?”

“I thought you were unmarried. Just curious.”

Ian looked at Filic’s personal information. Filic hesitated, then shook his head.

“No, I’m from the provinces. As you know, most wizards are.”

“True. Same here.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s fine. It’s the truth.”

Most wizards came from commoner backgrounds. Ian was the first noble wizard, but even his origins were stained by his rural roots.

Romandro glanced at Filic repeatedly while brushing Beric’s hair. Ian treated him politely, but…

‘Captain Jarrett suspects something? Wait, I’m still feeling the hangover. Ian…’

‘You know Melania sought refuge with the Rutherford Guild. I don’t know who’s involved, but Filic overheard that Melania is alive.’

‘And that we’re protecting her?’

‘Don’t say “we.” It was me alone.’

“Ah!”

Beric yelped as Romandro tugged his hair too hard, lost in thought.

“Hey, easy! That hurts!”

Romandro’s mind buzzed with Ian’s words—he alone had saved Melania, defying the royal order to execute her. It was a grave crime, and Ian drew a clear line, taking full responsibility.

Suddenly, the storm they were caught in felt all too real.

“So, you told Captain Jarrett? Filic?”

“That’s the only theory for now. The shadow we cast couldn’t have been exposed.”

“How much does Jarrett know?”

“Not sure, but he’s subtly probing. Knowing his nature, if he found out I saved Melania, you can guess what would’ve happened.”

“Yeah, he’d have made it public and shut it down immediately.”

“We need to investigate Filic more. Why he’s risking everything, I don’t know.”

“If he’d stayed quiet, half of this could’ve been avoided. Tsk tsk.”

“We’re on the same page. Some want me to step down for the good of the prince, others want to climb the ranks. Filic’s no different—he’s just using Captain Jarrett.”

Jarrett had quickly become Ian’s rival faction, so choosing him made sense.

Romandro’s glare at Filic sharpened. Like a common thug! If this were another department or person, maybe, but not a wizard! Not when Ian was involved!

“Romandro, did I mess up last night after drinking?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry, sorry.”

“Use words, not hands.”

Beric whined while Varsabe looked on, startled.

Romandro snapped out of it and looked at his hands, which were clutching his own messy red hair like a lion’s mane.

Filic glanced back and straightened up.

“But Ian, why me…?”

Ian looked up from the papers, clearly puzzled by the question. Filic waved his hand, trying to explain.

“I’m not really an expert in magic circles. And I don’t have much field experience. Haha.”

“You’ve been resting since the appointment ceremony. I thought you’d be in better shape than the others. Are you still not fully recovered?”

Ian replied with a sly grin. He’d left right after the appointment ceremony and had been resting ever since—what problem could there possibly be?

“No, not at all.”

“That’s a relief. Honestly, you looked a bit off when you came in. I wondered if something had happened while you were resting.”

Romandro’s gaze sharpened again. A problem? Of course there was! If it was connected to the Clifford delegation incident, that meant Ian had been going back and forth alone between here and there. And on top of that, he’d pulled some kind of trick over there! He must have drained his magic—there was no way it wasn’t a problem.

This time, Barsabe tapped Romandro’s arm.

“Romandro, uh… Beric’s cheeks are about to split.”

“Huh? What?”

Beric’s cheeks were stretched wide from side to side. He half-lidded his eyes in resignation and glared at Romandro.

“…I messed up. I really messed up yesterday. Come on, spill it. Did I say something while drunk? Did I call you chubby, Romandro? Or short-legged? Did I say I wanted to pull your beard?”

“You usually think of me that way!?”

“Or what else!? Why do you keep doing this? It hurts!”

“You little—seriously!”

“Alright! Romandro, I told Viviana you skimmed some extra pay last time, and she found out, didn’t she?”

“You told her? You…! Come here. This won’t do. Instead of tearing, I’ll have to stitch you up properly.”

Boom! Thud!

Across the sofa, the commotion was loud enough to drown out any sound from outside.

A wizard poked his head in and called out to Ian.

“Ian, the other two have arrived. You should start heading to the garden soon…”

“Right, let’s go. Filic, get ready.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Romandro, it’ll take some time to design the magic circle, so please prepare. Beric, go wash up.”

“Help! Ian, save me! Ah!”

Ian left for the garden with Filic. The wizards working on the basic incantations bowed their heads in greeting. Ian rolled up his sleeves and placed a hand on Filic’s shoulder.

“Set the location to the south, near the Clifford border.”

“Yes, no problem. Will you be channeling the magic, Ian?”

“No.”

Ian gave Filic’s shoulder a light pat.

“Filic will take the lead on channeling the magic. He’s had the longest rest among us, so there shouldn’t be any issues. Right, Filic?”

“Ah, yes…”

Pushed into the spotlight, Filic forced a smile to hide his discomfort.

The clock hands crossed the midday sky. Soon, the sun and the black moon would rise together, a rare sight to behold.