Chapter 329

Ian’s gaze was truly strange—partly as if he had just realized something, yet tinged with a hint of sorrow.

Sensing his thoughts, the mage added more. It was important for Ian to understand just how remarkable it was for a boy his age to have risen to a ministerial position. And also, to grasp the limits of ordinary mages.

“We gave it our all, Lord Ian.”

Though it was a bit embarrassing to claim they’d done their best after only managing a basic binding spell with three people, what else could they say?

In truth, most of their strength had already been spent on the portal magic used at departure. Interfering with the flow of time and space was akin to a curse of permanence—an incredibly difficult magic, no explanation needed.

“Yeah. I underestimated things.”

“No, please don’t say that. If anything, we should be the ones feeling ashamed. But since you say it’s urgent, this is serious. How much magic power do you have left, Lord Ian?”

The earlier display of magic was unlike anything before. It wasn’t just summoning the World Tree; the earth itself had surged, split, and then healed again.

“I’ll gather whatever strength remains and give it to you. Perhaps you should ascend alone first.”

Ian subtly turned his head at the mage’s suggestion. Prince Noah and Mei were huddled in discussion nearby. In the distance, the wreckage of a shattered carriage lay scattered, and in a corner, Felic was tied up and lying face down.

And that wasn’t all. Just a short walk away was the Clifford territory. If the prince’s party was delayed, reinforcements would surely arrive—and would the mages be ready to handle them?

“What? We can’t go home!?”

“Quiet! Move this stuff first.”

“What about food? There’s nothing to graze on in this barren wasteland!”

“Enough noise, keep it down.”

“Don’t even think about stealing my lunch. Then again, you don’t have molars, so you couldn’t eat it even if I gave it to you.”

“Whose fault is that? Die!”

“Ah!? Are you crazy? You’re really swinging that around?”

…Among them was Berrick, and more importantly, Varsabe from Jarrett’s faction. Since there were still matters to settle with Prince Noah, it was best to send the dispatch letter first.

“Captain, fetch a dispatch letter. It’s to be sent to the palace. Also, I think everyone should recover within half a day. What do you think?”

“Yes, that should be doable.”

“Ian! Tell the doctors to bring food when they arrive!”

Creak.

Meanwhile, as Ian organized the scene, Noah and Mei put their heads together, searching for a solution.

Their secret dissent had been exposed just before the alliance. Now it was time to accept the consequences humbly. If things spiraled out of control, it would mean war—and the annihilation of Clifford.

Mei bit her lip, blaming herself for the past.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“It’s not your fault. The decision was mine. What’s done is done. But judging by Ian’s attitude just now, something else is going on, isn’t it?”

“Yes. He seemed especially shocked when he heard there was no payment.”

Prince Noah furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Since the other side demanded jewels, it was clearly a political ploy. The reason he suspected the palace was because of Felic, the mage lying there. That was why they hadn’t informed Bariel’s side.

From Ian’s demeanor, it seemed there was internal strife within the Mage Department.

“A traitor within the Mage Department. And Idgal…”

He realized Clifford had been dragged into a messy situation. But there was no turning back. Even if he could rewind time, he would have made the same choice.

The power to stand against mages was a matter of national importance—independent, secure, and vital for a prosperous future.

“Your Highness, whatever choice you make, I will stand by your side until the end. So please, don’t worry too much.”

Mei squeezed Noah’s hand tightly, lending him strength. To prevent Clifford from suffering damage, Noah had to bear everything himself.

The curse of the beastmen exposed, the attempt to oppose Bariel—it was all the prince’s unilateral problem, his choice, and his action.

“Mei, there’s no need for that.”

“Your Highness, I mean it.”

“No, really, you don’t have to. Ian might even…”

‘Show mercy,’ Noah almost said, but stopped himself. No matter what, that word felt too blunt and insulting. He cleared his throat and continued.

“He might give us a chance.”

Knock knock.

At that moment, Ian deliberately knocked on the door—a signal to stop their whispered discussion. Mei straightened up in surprise. Prince Noah simply looked at him with a calm expression.

Ian adjusted his jacket, sat down, and crossed his legs. His eyes challenged them: “Well then, show me how you plan to take responsibility for this mess.”

“Lord Ian.”

“Yes, Prince Noah.”

“First, let me make this clear. All my actions in Bariel were my own decisions. The king knows nothing. So if there’s a problem, it’s mine alone. I will pay whatever price I can, so do not hold Clifford responsible.”

“That’s impossible. Your Highness, you came here as Clifford’s envoy. And as the likely heir, your intentions are inevitably interpreted as Clifford’s.”

“The attackers were mages. Then isn’t it also your fault, Lord Ian, for failing to manage your subordinates properly? You know the power of magic, so you must understand how much danger one threat posed to us.”

“But the jewels were a gift from His Majesty. They weren’t stolen but traded to ruffians. That’s the height of betrayal. And in exchange, Idgal?”

Mei felt suffocated by the relentless accusations. Ian seemed ready to devour Clifford whole, yet why did the prince think they still had a chance?

“Mistakes deserve forgiveness. When I meet the Crown Prince, I will sincerely apologize. I will pay the proper price.”

“The proper price? I’m curious.”

“I’ll add a military agreement to the alliance.”

Secret parties had handed Idgal over to Clifford, almost without economic gain.

At the time, they hadn’t considered it, but Ian’s reaction gave them a clue. If Idgal spread to neighboring countries, Bariel’s military strength would suffer a severe blow.

“You were making deals behind our backs before the alliance. Why should we trust you?”

The power gap between Bariel and the three nations was close—perhaps the three nations had a slight edge in troop numbers. Yet Bariel had ruled as a great power thanks to one thing: their formidable mages.

“Let’s make a contract here.”

“Your Highness!”

While Mei panicked, Ian merely smiled slowly. He had expected this, but the response came faster than anticipated. It showed how heavy the prince’s sense of responsibility was.

“If Idgal circulates in Clifford, it will naturally spread to Burgos and Luswena as well. Maybe it already has.”

Ian propped his chin and tapped his cheek. Was King Damon of Burgos’s confidence connected to this? Idgal was already on the market in Hwan Kingdom, so it was likely Luswena had encountered it too.

If the mages’ power was threatened, the alliance with Clifford would become crucial.

“You said you’re not Clifford’s representative, but what meaning does a contract with you hold?”

“You’re just a minister in one of many departments, aren’t you? I have someone to see at the palace, so this could be a mutually beneficial deal.”

Mei clenched her hands under the table, silently praying. If she could, she would give her life to calm this crisis.

Ian hesitated briefly, then nodded.

“Very well. But there are conditions.”

“Conditions are essential. Speak.”

“First, I will report to the palace that the whereabouts of the jewels given by His Majesty are unknown. Second, I want to make the contract not only with you but also with Clifford’s king.”

“Your father?”

Ian smiled broadly and nodded. Since they kept trying to pin everything on the prince’s status, he wanted to prevent that by making a contract with the king himself.

“Is that a problem? In return, I will ensure no blame falls on you for the loss of the jewels.”

“…And Idgal?”

“That will be discussed with Clifford’s king.”

“I want to know the details of the alliance list.”

“That too will be discussed in the king’s presence.”

Noah swallowed a sigh. He had hoped to handle this himself, but Ian was not one to yield easily. He was no longer in a position to make proposals.

The prince finally agreed.

“Then when…”

Before he could ask when to arrange the meeting, the guards sounded the buffalo horn again. The chaotic noise made him flinch reflexively. The guards waved white flags and called out.

“Mounted troops from Clifford are coming!”

“They’re waving flags too! They’re from the kingdom! It seems they came to check because the envoy’s return is delayed!”

Hearing that soldiers were approaching from Clifford, everyone rushed toward the border, waving their hands as hard as they could to signal their presence.

“Here! Over here!”

“The prince is here too! Someone do something about the carriage!”

“They’re under attack by our mages—!”

“Hey, watch your mouth!”

“Yeah, exactly! There are mages here too! Be careful!”

The cavalry sensed something was wrong. One of them immediately turned back the way they came—to request reinforcements. Seeing this, Ian spoke quietly to Noah.

“Instead of setting another time, it’s better to handle this now while we’re here. If we ride hard without the carriage, how long until we reach the kingdom?”

“If we don’t stop, we should get there by nightfall.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

By then, the mages’ magic should have recovered. We can finish things here and head straight back to the palace. Ian stood up and gave his orders.

“The guards will temporarily allow the Cliffford soldiers to enter, assist with cleanup, and secure this place. We’ll escort the prince back to the kingdom.”

“Understood.”

“And don’t forget to send your reports.”

“The courier is ready, Ian!”

“Everyone, move quickly.”

Ian jotted down a brief summary of the situation, tied it to the courier’s leg, and sent him off.

Soon after, Ian’s group, along with Noah and Mei, mounted the cavalry’s horses. Beric chuckled excitedly and asked Mei,

“Hey, is it true there are really a lot of grapes in the Grape Kingdom?”

“…”

Mei shot him a glare. She hated to admit it, but it was true.

Wine was their main product, and every yard had at least one grapevine planted. Ignoring him, Mei pulled the reins first.

“Let’s go! Time to eat some grapes!”

“Shut up! Go drink some sewer water or something—”

“Let’s go feast!”

Beric dashed ahead, followed by the mages, Mei, and Noah. The air carried a faintly sweet scent. Even though they’d just crossed the border, the atmosphere already felt different.

Ian adjusted the Idgal tied at his waist and lowered his body as the horses picked up speed.