Chapter 334

“I thought the meeting was over, but I must have been mistaken.”

The Prime Minister muttered this as he took off his coat. The Crown Prince Jin, the captain of the Imperial Palace Guard, Jaret, and the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department had all gathered in the office.

The minister placed a report on the desk, detailing the organization of troops to be sent to the border. Everything was moving at lightning speed, ready to deploy as soon as the order was given.

Given the sensitive nature of the Three-Nation Alliance discussions, it seemed the Defense Department had been preparing accordingly.

Jaret glanced at the report and asked, “Prime Minister, what are your plans regarding Idgal?”

“I believe we discussed this earlier in the meeting. We will track and investigate it,” the Prime Minister replied.

“And after that?”

At Jaret’s question, Minister Volb let out a short laugh. Having been appointed temporarily after the civil war, he had since secured his position without issue and was working hard to restore his standing. Of course, his influence had waned somewhat after losing Melanie, but he remained confident.

This was, without a doubt, a golden opportunity for the Imperial Defense Department.

“You ask pointless questions, Captain Jaret. Of course, Idgal will be used to its full value for the advancement of the Great Empire Bariel. What answer are you hoping to hear?”

“Volb.”

The Prime Minister’s tone was sharp. When he called Volb’s name as a warning, Volb nodded and stepped back.

“I cannot understand excluding the mages from this expedition. Please reconsider.”

“What do you mean? I clearly authorized the Magic Department’s participation.”

“That was not permission to join, but merely an option.”

If the Magic Department followed the Defense Department to the front, the palace would interfere with the Idgal investigation. That was a clear attempt at control.

To prevent this, the Magic Department had no choice but to stay put, leaving the Defense Department to reap all the benefits from the mission’s outcome alone.

Either way, it concentrated power in the palace.

“I don’t understand why the Palace Guard would say such things. Captain Jaret, aren’t you the one who personally stepped up to keep Ian in check? Or is it because Idgal is involved that you’re uncomfortable?”

“Because the magic swordsmen have also gone missing. If there’s trouble, we’ll need people who can quickly share magical power.”

“Exactly. The mages will accompany my superior out of concern. This conversation feels like it’s going in circles.”

“I’m telling you, since the investigation into Idgal has been ordered, the mages won’t step forward easily!”

Balsabe and Beric stood nearby. Even if Beric was Ian’s man, he still wore the Palace Guard’s badge.

Volb crossed his arms and paced around Jaret. Jin rubbed his forehead, watching the two clash openly. The Prime Minister, as if expecting this, began reading the report Volb had brought.

“Captain Jaret.”

“Yes, Minister Volb.”

“The Palace Guard’s duty is to protect His Majesty the Emperor. Why then do you interfere arbitrarily with the Defense Department’s decisions? Idgal poses a threat to those who wield magic, and mishandling this could cost us valuable forces. This time, trust the Imperial Defense Department and leave it to us.”

Volb patted Jaret’s shoulder with a smile. Outwardly, he spoke of the importance of preserving precious forces, but his true intent was clear: to elevate the Defense Department’s status.

If they could rescue Ian and the other mages, their influence would soar. Even if they were already dead, a war breaking out would be the fastest path to advancement.

Jaret brushed off Volb’s hand, his expression hardening.

‘This guy…’

He was one of those in the palace who wanted Idgal. His goal was to leapfrog the Palace Guard and become a key force for Bariel.

The Prime Minister set down his pen and asked Jin, “Your Highness, do you share this view? If so, we will proceed accordingly. But as I’ve said before, there has never been a better time for the palace to exert influence over Idgal.”

The three men’s gazes suddenly turned to Jin—the palace’s representative, the Prime Minister’s sole subordinate.

The boy looked at Jaret and Volb, deep in thought.

‘This entire operation assumes that Idgal can be perfectly controlled by the royal family.’

It must not leak to other countries, nor fall into the hands of other palace departments. Only the Emperor should possess it fully and solely. But right now, everything was uncertain.

“The priority is Ian Minister’s safe return.”

“Of course, Your Highness. What other weapon does Bariel have like him?”

Volb placed a hand over his chest in agreement. Jin and Jaret both furrowed their brows, but Jin continued, lightly tracing the edge of the sofa with his finger.

“We also need a thorough investigation of Idgal. Prime Minister, I worry that palace interference might lower the Magic Department’s morale and reduce efficiency. According to Ian’s message, it seems pathways have opened to Burgos and Luswena as well. I think this will be a race against time.”

The Prime Minister’s eyes darkened. The young Crown Prince’s urgency was understandable, but he was about to make a regrettable choice out of past sentiment. Still, the Prime Minister didn’t interrupt, only removing his glasses and nodding for him to continue.

“Ian’s life…”

Suddenly, Jin’s voice faltered. He had only been thinking vaguely about it, but now that he tried to say it aloud, his chest tightened painfully.

What if Ian was dead? If he could no longer see the man who had been both kind and stern, what would Jin be giving up for?

Jaret tilted his head in concern.

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

“Oh, yes. I think it’s best to confirm Ian’s condition before sending more Magic Department personnel. But if Idgal has spread to neighboring countries, this will become a full-scale power struggle. Therefore—”

Jin looked at Minister Volb. Reluctantly, he needed to offer a bargaining chip to the man who was baring his fangs at the Magic Department over Idgal.

“I want to review the progress of this situation and explore new possibilities for the Imperial Defense Department.”

Volb smiled, placing a hand over his chest in satisfaction. With increased personnel, budget, and authority, he could finally put Captain Jaret in his place.

The Prime Minister rubbed his eyes briefly, then let out a small sigh.

Though unintentional, that sigh made Jin’s heart drop. With Ian gone, the Prime Minister was filling that void. If any opposing factions formed, it would be a serious problem.

Jin suddenly realized just how young and powerless he still was as Crown Prince. That was why he couldn’t even feel relief at the compromise the Prime Minister had just offered.

“Understood. If that is Your Highness’s will, I will delay the Magic Department’s deployment. Instead, I will order them to investigate Idgal’s distribution in Burgos and Luswena.”

“As far as I know, Idgal is produced through alchemy, so the quantity shouldn’t be large.”

“I think so too. Though little is known, alchemy isn’t something done easily. If Burgos and Luswena possess Idgal, we will send stern warnings. Your Highness, please approve.”

“…Very well.”

The conversation seemed to be wrapping up. Maintaining the status quo was beneficial to Jin for now.

The Magic Department had preserved its independence, and Volb was hopeful about his position. It was a strange situation where no one truly gained much.

The Prime Minister put his glasses back on and asked Jaret, “Captain Jaret, do you have anything further to add?”

Though they shared the same stance on Idgal as the mages, the Palace Guard was directly under the Emperor. Their position was different, so they had no choice but to support Jin’s opinion unconditionally. After all, he was the next Emperor, their future lord. Just as Jaret was about to shake his head.

Knock, knock.

“Prime Minister!”

A commotion came from outside. The door opened before permission was given. The Prime Minister frowned but guessed from the aide’s urgent expression that this was no ordinary matter.

“What is it?”

“A message has arrived! A message!”

“What? From Clifford?”

The aide shook his head, panting.

“No. The border guards found dead Thunder Lizards and sent them immediately to the capital. They say they found two, but the others are still missing…”

“Dead Thunder Lizards? What do you mean?”

“I don’t know the details.”

Jaret pressed his forehead, recalling the magical anomaly detected at the border. But whether it affected the Thunder Lizards’ magic stones was unknown. The mages would need to verify.

“The two messages said the same thing. Ian Minister has suffered severe internal injuries and is fighting for his life.”

“…What?”

“The other mages are also in poor condition…”

Jin shot up in shock. What was this? Fighting for his life? Ian?

Volb muttered, calculating how Ian’s death might change the political landscape.

“Any idea why?”

“It wasn’t mentioned.”

“Prime Minister, I’ll set out immediately. Clifford has definitely caused trouble. The dispatch report says he’s barely clinging to life—he might already be dead by now—”

Let’s go. War is upon us. This was the perfect opportunity to prove ourselves to the Imperial Defense Department.

“Volve! Silence yourself!”

Just as Jin shouted angrily, something strange caught their eyes outside the window—a black moon rising against the blue sky.

*    *    *

“Wow, it’s been a while. The state of the house is a mess.”

Acorella muttered as she brushed dust off her long-neglected laboratory with her fingertips. A few mages, including Hale, followed her inside and asked,

“Are you feeling okay? What brings you here?”

“Wamma. They called all the mages together, so I came. But honestly, it feels like a funeral here. Ian’s missing, right? After going over to Clifford? No wonder everyone’s shaking like wet dogs.”

“Acorella, you—”

“Ahahaha! Just kidding! I’m just happy to see you all again after so long! Cheer up.”

Leaning against the workbench, she smiled brightly. Meanwhile, Hale and the other mages looked grim.

If they went down to Clifford, the palace would surely interfere with the Idgal investigation. But with their superiors and comrades missing, they couldn’t just stand by.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing? Are you sick or something? You don’t get it, do you?”

Hale muttered through his cigarette, only for Acorella to snatch it away and toss it aside.

“No way! I came back way smarter than before.”

“You’re crazy. Absolutely crazy.”

“We can just open a portal and get there in a flash—one day tops.”

“If that were possible, we’d have done it already—”

Before Hale could finish, Acorella started dancing around, spreading open her coat. Just when the mages thought she’d truly lost it, she pulled out a mysterious vial from inside.

“Guess what this is?”

“…What?”

“A mana enhancer! No side effects whatsoever—Acorella’s masterpiece! Kyaaa! I’ve been dying to show you this!”

The mages hesitated, stepping back. The idea of a side-effect-free mana booster was astonishing enough, but the fact she’d been researching it while sick was even more shocking.

“Everyone takes one shot, then opens the portal. That’s how it’ll work.”

“Acorella, I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but when you’re sick, you should rest, okay?”

“I tested it myself, I swear! Come on, don’t be so doubtful. Hey, you—come here. I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt.”

“H-Hale, please have mercy.”

Everyone was skeptical. Acorella scratched her head sheepishly, but then a message came from outside—the same news that the Prime Minister and Jin had heard—

“This is serious! Clifford was found at the border! But, um, Ian is…”

The news that Ian and the others were barely alive sent the mages into a flurry of confusion and worry.

Acorella crossed her arms, shaking the vial repeatedly. Finally, Hale made a decision.

“Bring me a syringe.”

“Okay! My first volunteer!”

“Acorella, are you really in your right mind?”

“Of course. I guarantee it. But I don’t think you can open the portal alone. Anyone else want a shot?”

A few hands went up.

“Me too, me too.”

“Yes. We can’t just stand by.”

“We need to hurry before the palace interferes.”

“Please count me in, Acorella.”

Looking around, Acorella saw one by one the mages raising their hands. Everyone there was willing—ready to face whatever came next.