Chapter 344

“Your Highness, you’re about to fall!”

Ignoring Xiao Xi’s worried voice, Jin kept running. He strode up the grand hall’s stairs without hesitation, cutting through the crowd without so much as a glance at those bowing in greeting.

The courtiers, seeing the crown prince charging forward, hurriedly pushed open the double doors of the assembly hall.

Creak.

Sunlight poured in, illuminating the sea of officials’ gazes. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense Volbe, and several high-ranking officials were already seated.

This meeting had been called urgently after receiving a reply from Klipford. Romandro sat at the far end, and in a brief moment, the child caught his expression and the letter in the Prime Minister’s hand.

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

“You seem to have rushed. Please, catch your breath.”

Jin seemed unaware that his breathing was ragged. The child strode roughly to his seat and asked, needing to know before worry consumed him, before anxiety swallowed him whole—whether Ian was alive.

“Sir Ian?”

“He is unharmed, Your Highness.”

The Prime Minister removed his glasses and handed the letter to Jin. The small, crumpled paper bore Hale’s handwriting—rough and crude, with some words illegible. But one thing was clear: Ian was alive.

“Haah.”

The child pressed his palm to his forehead and exhaled in relief. The officials shared the same sentiment. If something had happened to the Minister of Magic or to Bariel’s core forces, the consequences would have been dire.

Romandro cleared his throat and added an explanation.

“However, Minister Ian’s injuries are severe, and the magic power of those supporting him is limited. Recovery and return will take time.”

Romandro winked discreetly at Jin, signaling that despite the report, Ian would surely regain his strength soon.

As murmurs rose among the officials, Volbe raised a suspicious objection.

“What was the cause of Ian’s injury?”

“That was not mentioned.”

“Are you certain of the source?”

“Yes. It’s definitely Captain Hale’s handwriting.”

“I don’t understand. For the great Sir Ian to be incapacitated to the point that even the entire magic department’s power couldn’t heal him—that the cause is unknown—this lacks credibility. Could Klipford be playing tricks?”

“Absolutely not. I guarantee it. It’s Captain Hale’s handwriting, and the magic stones they took when ascending the Black Moon were enclosed.”

“Exactly. I suspect they wrote this after subduing the mages in Klipford.”

“That’s mere speculation and a huge leap.”

Volbe was the type who hoped for conflict between Klipford and the mages. If that happened, Bariel’s forces would be weakened first, increasing the Imperial Defense Department’s influence.

Moreover, sending troops to rescue the mages in Klipford would spark a war—but if victorious, it would bring glory to the empire and clear the path for generals’ promotions.

Romandro, well aware of this, firmly refuted Volbe’s claims. Though Volbe’s attempt to find fault was commendable, the reality was that Ian was under Klipford’s care.

“I agree. The entire magic department’s power was involved. If there had been a clash, border reports would have surfaced. The lack of mention about Ian’s injury suggests it’s a personal matter or an internal issue within the magic department…”

The Prime Minister shot Romandro a sharp look. Amusingly, since the magic department had been granted leave, even if they returned, no one could hold them accountable.

Romandro avoided the gaze, staring off into the distance as he continued.

“I doubt Klipford has enough resources to aid the mages. Therefore, how about dispatching a delegation to supply magic stones and assist their return?”

The full story would be clear once Ian returned, but for now, there seemed to be no major issues with Klipford.

The Prime Minister nodded in agreement, and several officials showed their support. Volbe and the generals of the Imperial Defense Department, however, looked far from satisfied. As the generals exchanged glances—

Knock, knock.

A soldier from the Imperial Defense Department entered the hall. He approached Minister Volbe and whispered something.

Romandro kept glancing toward them even as he discussed the delegation with the Prime Minister. Volbe’s smile was unsettling.

“Wait.”

As expected, Volbe raised his hand to halt the meeting. The room fell silent instantly. The Prime Minister tapped his gavel and granted him the floor.

“What is it?”

“Just now, we received information that Klipford is mobilizing troops.”

“What?”

“Is that true, Minister Volbe?”

The officials murmured in confusion. If Ian was safe and the mages unharmed, why would Klipford show military activity?

Volbe struck the table with a confident laugh.

“Look at this. None of the tribes along our border are trustworthy. Our Bariel Imperial Defense Department is already assembled. If the meeting orders deployment, we’ll leave immediately. Instead of relying on scraps of paper to ensure the safety of precious mages, we’ll see for ourselves! Romandro, what did you say earlier?”

“…What did I say?”

“You mentioned shortages of magic stones and the delegation. No need for a delegation—we’ll handle it ourselves. Prime Minister, Crown Prince, I ask your permission.”

The mood shifted instantly. Romandro jumped up in opposition. Without Ian, the fate of Bariel could not be entrusted to someone blinded by ambition.

“No. Deploying troops would be an invasion from Klipford’s perspective and the start of war. And the letter from Captain Hale just arrived. How can you know of Klipford’s military movements so quickly?”

“That letter was sent to avoid magical detection by crossing the border, but this is a message from our border guards. Are you, the magic department’s aide, overlooking that?”

The generals snickered and looked away. They had known from the start that a non-mage serving as the magic department’s aide was a poor choice.

As Romandro prepared to argue again, Jin slammed the table and shouted.

Bang!

“Insulting language will not be tolerated in this sacred hall!”

“…My apologies, Your Highness.”

“Minister Volbe, I will question you.”

“Anything, Your Highness.”

“Assuming Klipford’s military action is true, do you believe it poses a threat to Bariel?”

The generals glanced at Volbe. In truth, that question didn’t matter to them. They cared little about Klipford’s intentions. What they wanted was to see their swords fell enemies and redraw Bariel’s borders.

Volbe shrugged calmly and countered.

“Then, Your Highness, do you believe Klipford has other intentions?”

“You have a bad habit of answering questions with questions.”

“…”

His tone was sharp and merciless enough to shock everyone present. Even the Prime Minister and Romandro lowered their heads in discomfort. Jin frowned and flicked his fingers as if signaling the end.

“I ask again. Do you consider Klipford’s military action a threat to Bariel?”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

“Regrettable. It seems you have completely forgotten Burgos and Luswena.”

What Jin had warned Romandro about earlier.

And what Ian had worried about the moment he awoke.

The movements of Burgos.

“Currently, Ian and the magic department have lost their strength and are relying on Klipford. This is not speculation but confirmed by Captain Hale’s message. Everyone knows that at the inauguration, a three-nation alliance centered on Burgos nearly formed. But only Klipford broke away and turned cooperative toward Bariel. Now, I ask again, Minister Volbe.”

Though he forbade insulting language, the crown prince openly cornered Volbe.

Tension suffocated the room as officials’ eyes darted quickly. Without Ian, Minister Volbe was the only one commanding the military’s sword.

Though the crown prince held legitimacy and authority, everyone there had lived through civil war. If Volbe harbored other intentions, who could stop him? Ah, perhaps the palace guard.

“What would you do if you were King Burgos?”

“…I would punish Klipford for rejecting the alliance and suppress the mages who left the palace.”

“Exactly. And with suspicions of Idgal distribution in other countries, he would see no better opportunity. So Klipford must gather troops to prepare for Burgos’s attack.”

This indicated their focus was on Burgos, not Bariel. Though still a theory, it was far more credible than Volbe’s claims.

The Prime Minister adjusted his glasses and intervened.

“Has the Imperial Defense Department confirmed movements from Burgos and Luswena?”

“No, we have not.”

“Then we will assess that before discussing deployment.”

“Wait a moment. Nothing changes just because of that!”

Volv shouted, his voice tense with frustration. All he had to do was reach out his hand, but he couldn’t afford to be blocked here.

“If Clifford is clashing with Burgos, then naturally Bariel should send reinforcements as well, shouldn’t it? Sending troops is the right move, especially to safely rescue the mages.”

“Exactly. Either way, a deployment is inevitable.”

“Please reconsider! Time is of the essence. War can lead to irreversible consequences in the blink of an eye.”

“No!”

As the generals chimed in one after another, Jin firmly rejected them.

“Bariel and Clifford have no official alliance. We don’t even know the true cause of the war between Clifford and Burgos. If we intervene now, we risk provoking Luswena’s involvement.”

“Then what do you suggest? Just stand by and do nothing? If Clifford falls, Bariel will face an unprecedented crisis.”

“We wait.”

Jin and Volv rose from their seats, glaring at each other. It was a clash between a towering adult and a boy, but neither showed any sign of backing down. The prime minister tapped his baton sharply, calling out Volv’s rudeness.

Tap! Tap!

“Volv, please sit down. You’re overdoing it today.”

“…”

Volv clenched his teeth and sat back down. He thought they were on the same side, but this attitude was troublesome. The crown prince was too young—he must have forgotten how he used to keep the magic department in check. Volv cursed silently, shooting a sharp look at the boy.

“Sir Ian and the mages are in Clifford. Until those on the ground make a clear assessment and report back, I believe Bariel should remain still.”

“Remain still? Ha!”

“Ah, let me correct that. It’s more accurate to say we’re keeping an eye on Burgos and Luswena. Minister Volv.”

The prime minister stroked his beard and nodded. Several officials seemed to agree with Jin’s stance, voicing their approval.

“I concur with His Highness. Acting rashly could give Burgos an excuse to escalate.”

“Exactly. Besides, they’re mages—what harm could come of it? Let’s wait for further messages from their side.”

“There’s no need to jump into the muddy waters of the Clifford-Burgos war. I respect His Highness’s judgment.”

Volv and the imperial defense generals exchanged weary smiles and subtle glances. They all looked like they knew this couldn’t continue as is. But Jin felt the same way.

Minister Volv, don’t rush. You’re already in a high position; if you move hastily, you’ll slip.

If Ian was struggling outside Bariel, Jin had no choice but to fight from within.

“…”

Watching all this, Xiaosi toyed with the dagger hidden in his sleeve, fixing a cold gaze on Minister Volv’s neck. If the palace were to be swept by a storm of blood again, its source would be right there.