Chapter 336

Ian was only conscious for a brief moment. Soon after, the doctors administered more sedatives and sleeping pills, and he slipped back into a deep sleep. The mages took turns standing guard outside his door.

Since they now knew that the lack of communication was due to a magical adverse reaction, the next step wasn’t sending a letter but dispatching someone in person to make contact.

The mages munched on grapes one by one, voicing their worries.

“Even if we manage to reach Bariel, can we actually move Ian? In his current state, I don’t think he can take a single step outside the bed.”

“You saw his condition. It’s a miracle he’s still alive.”

“The only option is for the kids left in Bariel to come and replenish his magic.”

“When? That’d take at least two weeks.”

“Better if Ian wakes up before then.”

Having passed the worst of the crisis, they were finally able to joke a little. The mages gazed out over the vineyard stretching beneath the clear blue sky, each lost in their own thoughts.

The green grapes, specially cultivated within the royal palace, blended with the blue leaves to create a scene of pure freshness. Some thought that Cleaford was surprisingly livable, while others wondered what was moving between the rows of vines.

One mage pressed his forehead against the windowpane, frowning.

“Good heavens. Beric, that kid is…”

“Leave him be. Maybe because the prince and princess are young, Beric gets along well with them.”

“That’s a bit rude. It’s not that they get along well—it’s more like they’re fascinated.”

Three children surrounded Beric, offering him grapes as if feeding an animal. With food going in nonstop, as if there were a hole in his stomach, how could a child not be amazed?

“Try this one too, Beric.”

“Next, this one. The soft ones are the sweetest.”

“More grapes? Ugh, I’m kinda sick of grapes. Got any meat? Burp.”

“Meat? Sure! I’ll give you some once you finish all these. Eat it all at once, like before.”

“Okay. Watch closely. This is the last one.”

“Waaah!”

He popped it in his mouth and pulled it out, leaving only a bare stem. If that counts as an organ, it’s quite something. The mages watched in disbelief from the window.

Normally, this time of day would be hectic at the Magic Department, but here they were, calm as if on vacation. It would have been hell if Ian hadn’t woken safely.

Just then, someone appeared.

Sliding in quietly.

“Where is Sir Ian?”

“You’ve come? Since the doctor visited earlier, he’s been asleep continuously. Even slight movement is too much for him. He needs thorough and extended treatment.”

“Is that so?”

It was Prince Noah.

He must have received a report already, so why ask now? It didn’t seem like he had business with the sleeping Ian. The mages quickly realized that Noah had something to discuss with them.

“What is it?”

“A soldier carrying a letter has just left the palace.”

“I see. Thank you. If Bariel learns of this, they’ll be deeply moved by Cleaford’s kindness and consideration.”

In truth, the letter wasn’t sent to save Ian. It was a precaution to prevent war born from misunderstandings. Noah pulled up a chair and motioned for everyone to sit.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

The situation was complicated. More precisely, it was complicated for the mages to handle without Ian. Cleaford had tried to secure Idgal, turning its back on Bariel’s alliance, and had attempted to form a contract with Ian. But as you can see, everything was temporarily on hold. The mages tensed, waiting for Noah’s words.

“There’s a mage named Filic.”

Noah smiled knowingly, as if he understood their unease perfectly. His usual cheerful expression deepened into something more meaningful as the corners of his eyes crinkled.

“He’s finally spoken.”

“Is that true? What did he say?”

“Why on earth did he betray us and side with Cleaford—”

“Hey, hey, hey.”

“Anyway, please tell us what he said.”

It was awkward to discuss the traitor’s words in front of him. Noah shrugged, showing he didn’t mind.

“First, I’m not sure how credible it is.”

“What do you mean…?”

“They say Idgal is connected to Sir Ian.”

“Excuse me?”

Silence fell. The mages stared at Noah, unsure if they’d heard correctly. But he kept repeating the facts, tapping his chest as if swearing on their truth.

The silence shattered instantly. Several mages jumped up, rolling up their sleeves.

“That lunatic, kill him now.”

“Hold on, hold on. Could he be sane after torture?”

“No, damn it. If his tongue’s still intact, he should be apologizing, not spouting nonsense. Ian connected to Idgal? That’s ridiculous.”

“I agree. If that rumor reaches Bariel, it’ll only cause trouble for Ian. Let’s just kill him.”

“Calm down. We’re not alone here.”

Prince Noah watched their turmoil with interest. Their reactions clearly showed how problematic Filic’s testimony would be if it reached Bariel. He tapped the table and told them to sit back down.

“Apologies, Prince, but may we see Filic ourselves?”

“Of course. But before that, I have a small favor to ask. Consider it a token of gratitude for your humane treatment of Sir Ian and your fellow mages.”

“I’m not sure what you want, but we can’t decide without Ian.”

“Hmm. It’s nothing major. Just to downplay the connection between Filic and Cleaford in Bariel—and—”

That meant covering up Cleaford’s attempt to secure Idgal. Ian would never agree to that.

The mages bit their lips awkwardly, and Noah continued.

“There are places in Cleaford that need the mages’ help. While you’re here, I hope you can assist.”

They had poured all their magic into saving Ian, and whenever some returned, they gave it to him. Both requests were difficult for the mages.

But they couldn’t refuse, since Cleaford was fully responsible for Ian’s treatment. They exchanged glances, pondering how to handle this.

“This is tough.”

“Maybe we should request an audience with King Cleaford. He seems more reasonable than Prince Noah.”

“Do you think Noah would allow that?”

“Let’s just pretend to agree for now.”

Having endured hardships together, a single look conveyed their meaning. Just as one mage was about to agree on their behalf—

“Ahhh! Big trouble! Big trouble!”

Beric, who had been playing outside with the prince’s siblings, came running in. Noah turned irritably, muttering that Beric was always like this, and saw a younger sibling clinging to Beric’s side. Ears…

Crash!

“Ear, ear! Pop! Pop!”

“Beric, what are you doing coming here?”

“What else could I do? No one from the palace was around, so I came here.”

“Brother, I’m like this too. Waaah.”

“Don’t cry, it’s okay. Here, come.”

The mages exchanged puzzled looks as Noah completely shielded his sibling in his arms. Other children scampered over, clinging to Noah’s legs.

After a moment of surprise, the mages sighed in relief, glad to avoid answering.

“Beric, what’s wrong?”

“Hmm. It’s there. Like, a family pain you can’t explain? But I know it. Well, that’s enough.”

“What are you talking about, you idiot…”

Beric pushed through the mages and plopped down on the sofa, craning his neck back and muttering.

“Ugh, I’m hungry. When’s Ian waking up?”

“Beric, I saw you picking grapes down there.”

“Grapes aren’t a meal. I couldn’t even eat meat because of the ear thing. Damn it. I don’t get why people around here act like that all of a sudden.”

Beric stared blankly at the blue sky, then spotted a tiny dot. Dust on the window? But it grew larger, soon the size of a thumbnail.

Ah, it was a bird.

He blinked without much thought, then—

“Huh?”

Whoosh!

A massive black shape suddenly filled the sky.

The mages followed Beric’s gaze upward. They all knew what it was—the magical Black Moon that connects one point to another.

Startled, they pressed against the window, their faces lighting up with joy, relief, and excitement.

“What? How did you open that?”

“Oh my. Guys! Guys!”

“Wow, they must’ve used some power. What’s going on?”

“Let’s go! We have to get outside and signal them!”

The people of Cleaford stopped what they were doing, staring up at the unprecedented sight.

Noah, carrying his sibling, sighed deeply, knowing that when the Black Moon opens, mages will appear. The little one whimpered, tugging at his brother’s neck.

“Oppa, what’s that? It’s scary.”

“It’s okay. Looks like more guests are coming.”

Whoosh!

Just as he said, people began falling from the black moon. They descended gracefully, their golden eyes shining brightly. The wizards cheered with ecstatic delight, setting their sights on the Clifford Palace as their landing spot.

“This time, they really came through!”

“Woooah! This is amazing!”

“Everyone, slow down! If you crash into the palace, it’ll be a disaster!”

“Can’t hear you! Can’t hear you! I’m not listening!”

“Akorella! Calm down, you crazy woman!”

“Hahaha! I wonder where Ian is?”

“Oh, there! There, I see our people!”

The wizards came outside, waving their hands excitedly, bouncing up and down in greeting.

Trailing behind them in elegant spirals, faint golden streaks marked their descent. Otric, who was getting more and more excited, counted them and suddenly froze. One, two, three, four…

“Why… why are they just not stopping?”

“No way…”

Boom! Bang!

Had the entire Ministry of Magic arrived? Everyone was stunned as one by one, they began landing on the ground—right on top of the vineyard the palace cherished so much.

Crash! Bang!

Leaves scattered everywhere, and the earth seemed to tremble with the noise. Hail and Akorella glanced around awkwardly, locking eyes with the startled wizards.

“Uh, is everyone okay?”

“W-we were just about to ask the same. Is everyone safe?”

“…Of course.”

“Hey! You guys! You bastards!”

“We came because you took so long! Get over here, you jerks!”

“Y-you crazy fools! Aaaah!”

Hail dusted off his jacket, and they all rushed to each other, embracing tightly with joy. They’d only been apart for a little over a week, but not knowing if they were alive or dead had made their hearts ache.

After a moment of jumping around while hugging one another, Akorella popped a grape into her mouth and mumbled.

“So, where is Ian right now?”

“H-he’s on the third floor of this building…”

“Okay! Lead the way! Akorella’s going in!”

“What’s Ian’s condition? I only heard he was barely hanging on. We’ll share our magic too. You guys don’t look so good.”

“Ah, yeah, it’s been a bit tough. This way!”

“Eek! Excuse me!”

As the wizards rushed toward Ian’s bedroom, Hail finally realized they’d completely trashed the vineyard.

At that moment, a small, chubby man stood there, looking utterly dejected as he gazed at them.

“My v-vines… my grapes…”

“Sorry, but who are you?”

“I should be the one asking that. I’m the king here.”

“…Oh.”

With tears in his eyes, the King of Clifford motioned for them to head upstairs to see Ian first. Hail hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stepped back.