Chapter 347
Jarrett was puzzled by the unusual summons and moved forward cautiously. Normally, he would be called to the Prime Minister’s office, but this time, he was ordered to come to His Majesty the Emperor’s bedroom?
The Emperor was known to be extremely sensitive to external stimuli and hadn’t been seen since the civil war. Although the Imperial Guard shared the palace grounds, Jarrett had never even been allowed near that area until now.
Standing before the Emperor’s chambers, Jarrett spotted Jin and the Prime Minister waiting for him and greeted them.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes, come in quickly.”
“Is something wrong with His Majesty? Why summon me to his quarters…?”
Instead of answering, Jin exchanged a glance with the Prime Minister. Now that he thought about it, the usual attendant, Xiaoshi, was nowhere to be seen. The Prime Minister’s aides and servants were also absent.
The three men stood alone in the vast hallway outside the Emperor’s chambers. The scene felt strange—ominous, even. It stirred a mix of unease and curiosity.
As the Prime Minister pushed the doors open, an indescribable scent wafted out: aged wood, disinfectant alcohol, and dust. Whatever it was, it was not the kind of smell one would expect from the solemn chambers of Emperor Bariel.
Under the soft glow of lantern light, everything was eerily silent. Jin gestured for Jarrett to enter and led the way.
Creak.
After looking around carefully, the Prime Minister firmly locked the door behind them. Then he spoke a name—one that Jarrett knew well: Veols. A comrade and close friend, with whom he had once shared command as one of the three generals.
“The letter Veols left behind… this is what it meant.”
Wasn’t there a letter Veols had given Jarrett the day before the Arsen incident? A warning to stand with the Emperor’s weight, or else danger would come. That letter had been one of the reasons Jarrett had resolved to keep the Ministry of Magic in check.
“I… I don’t quite understand. But is it proper to speak like this before His Majesty? The doctors said even the slightest external stimulus causes him great pain…”
“My father feels no pain. He’s been frozen.”
“…Frozen?”
Frozen? The same kind of freezing Jarrett knew?
Jin beckoned him closer, and Jarrett stepped forward cautiously, feeling a chill in the air.
When Jin pulled back the blanket, the frail Emperor lay there exactly as he had been—bearing the wounds from the civil war, the small scars, even the length of his hair unchanged.
“Father was gravely injured by Marib’s attack and feared that his passing would plunge Bariel into chaos. With Veols’ help, he chose to be frozen.”
Jarrett was at a loss for words. In any case, the Emperor’s condition was as severe as he had always known.
But a body caught between life and death, unable to communicate—was this truly the Emperor’s final state? It was a pitiful sight.
Jarrett deeply regretted that the Emperor he had served had come to such a decision. If only he had stayed inside the palace during the civil war, or if he had uncovered and stopped Riama’s betrayal earlier… none of this would have happened.
“Your Majesty.”
Jarrett pressed his forehead to the floor and whispered with sorrow. The Imperial Guard existed solely for the Emperor. How could his heart not ache?
Jin knelt down and met Jarrett’s eyes.
“Jarrett, tell me what you think it means that I’m showing you your father’s condition.”
“I… I don’t know.”
“Only I, the Prime Minister, Lord Ian, and now you—four of us in total—know this sacred secret.”
Jarrett felt as if he’d been struck in the back of the head. Even Ian, the Minister of Magic, was aware of this?
“Jarrett, Father’s death is for Bariel’s stability. In other words, once my authority is solidified, Father’s death will be confirmed. That means I and His Majesty the Emperor are essentially one.”
It was the Emperor’s will, a signal that Jin could ascend the throne whenever he wished. Jarrett immediately grasped the implication: the focus of the Imperial Guard was shifting—not to the Emperor, but to Jin himself.
His mind spun, and he fell silent. The Prime Minister smoothed the Emperor’s blanket and added,
“Have you heard what Minister Volbe said at the assembly?”
“…There’s been a lot of talk.”
“I still believe the Ministry of Magic holds too much power. Everyone except the Ministry agrees. But even if our goals align, our methods do not.”
Under the Ministry’s unchecked influence, greed was running rampant. Especially with Volbe’s reckless actions and the movements of the Imperial Defense Department.
“Before things spiral out of control—before the Ministry returns—we need to clean house in the palace. The Imperial Defense Department is the backbone of the military, so I’m paying special attention there.”
“Are you planning to dismiss Minister Volbe?”
“You know well that can only happen at the New Year’s assembly.”
Jarrett doubted if the crown prince before him was truly Jin. So resolute, so unwavering in his decisions. And yet, he bared his fangs to seize complete control of the palace. Jarrett lowered his head and pursed his lips.
“You mean assassination.”
Placing loyal people in key positions—that was the only way the young prince could firmly grasp real power.
Jarrett looked again at the frozen Emperor lying there. There was a vast difference between dying while alive and living after death. The Emperor was already gone. The one the Imperial Guard must now serve was the small crown prince before him. There was no room for hesitation.
“Understood.”
Jin smiled with satisfaction. He had successfully persuaded Jarrett. As a pillar of the three generals and a central figure opposing the Ministry of Magic, having Jarrett’s obedience would make things much easier.
Jin took Jarrett’s hand, as if urging him to rise.
“This isn’t something you’ll do yourself.”
“Then who…?”
Jarrett thought of Xiaoshi—the agile, resilient former slave who could hold his own against Beric, with a fierce, unwavering gaze. Perfect for assassination.
“When will it happen?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“That’s soon.”
“It’s the night of the new moon. It can’t be helped. We don’t know when we’ll hear from Clifford, or what stance Burgos and Luswena will take. The Imperial Defense Department is investigating, so we need to wrap this up quickly.”
Every word was reasonable; Jarrett had no reply. After a moment’s thought, he voiced a concern.
“Are you planning to appoint Xiaoshi as Minister of the Imperial Defense Department?”
“No. I have someone else in mind. Sir Maxim Tweller. He’s competent but not a military academy graduate, so his promotion has been stalled. Still, he holds his post without issue. The only problem is he doesn’t get along with Volbe.”
“A flaw that’s more of a strength.”
“Exactly. He’s my priority. Xiaoshi will be promoted to general.”
From slave to soldier in the Imperial Defense Department, then to general—a meteoric rise almost legendary in its audacity. Most would oppose it.
That’s why Jin was sending Xiaoshi as an assassin. Someone who personally eliminated those opposing the throne, thereby strengthening imperial authority. Who could object to that?
“Xiaoshi sounds suitable.”
“I don’t think he’s just suitable, but perspectives differ.”
Xiaoshi was intelligent, quick to learn and judge, and above all, fiercely loyal. When Jin ascended the throne, Xiaoshi would have a fitting place by his side.
“What would you have me do?”
Jin smiled broadly, as if pleased by the question. That smile—Jarrett thought he’d seen it on Ian’s face before.
Placing a hand on Jarrett’s shoulder, Jin commanded,
“Make sure Xiaoshi doesn’t die.”
Jarrett took a deep breath before entering the mansion.
His subordinates followed behind. The servants announced the arrival of a new guest, and the drunken generals raised their glasses in welcome.
“Well, well, look who it is! Captain Jarrett of the Imperial Guard!”
Though the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department were rivals, with the Ministry of Magic caught in the middle, it was only natural for horses to change reins. The generals greeted him warmly, judging it best to maintain friendly relations within the palace for now.
Above all, the issue of Idgal was sensitive even for the Imperial Guard. It was best to handle things amicably.
“Welcome. What brings you here?”
“What brings me here? Good company at a good gathering—what more reason do you need?”
“Hahaha, true enough. Come, have a drink. Over here.”
“Have your men step outside.”
The generals motioned for Jarrett’s men to leave, but they didn’t budge. The Imperial Guard’s stern expressions made the generals hesitate, some even stepping back quickly to fetch their swords from the servants.
“Captain Jarrett?”
“Sorry to interrupt your fun.”
“No, no, not at all. Come, have a drink. Tell your men to step back.”
Jarrett walked slowly among the generals, picked up a glass of wine, and took a deliberate sip, surveying the room.
“But tell me—who’s hosting this gathering today?”
Suddenly, the question hung in the air.
The generals instinctively glanced at one another. This one looked at that one, that one at another. Hadn’t they all been summoned to Volbe’s mansion?
“What is this…?”
“You were the one who contacted me to congratulate Minister Volbe.”
“No, I just passed along what I heard.”
“To whom?”
A murmur spread through the room—something felt off. Jarrett calmly pushed his way through the group and asked again.
“How many generals here were appointed directly by Minister Volbe?”
About seven, they guessed. The tension thickened. Then, someone placed a hand on their sword’s hilt and called out sharply.
“Captain Jarrett, this isn’t just interference. What’s your business here?”
“We all serve His Majesty the Emperor, but we cannot ignore the chain of command. If Minister Volbe dies, what will you do?”
“What did you say?”
Volbe dead? The generals all turned their eyes toward the stairs leading upstairs. Just as they were about to rush up—
Zzzzz… zzzzz!
Bang!
“Ahhh!”
The palace guards unleashed their magic, warning them to keep back. Though the generals were skilled warriors, these were magic swordsmen—an entirely different breed, their power undeniable.
Jarrett motioned, and his men handed each general a piece of paper.
“This is a resignation letter. Sign it, or mark it with your blood—your choice. If Minister Volbe dies, a new minister will take his place. Do you think you’ll get along with them?”
“T-this is treason!”
A shout rang out, but Jarrett’s gaze turned icy. The generals suddenly noticed who stood behind him—the young Crown Prince. So small, yet cunning enough to orchestrate this.
Jarrett summoned his magic sword.
Zzzzz… zzzzz.
“I repeat: sign it, or mark it with your blood.”
The generals’ pupils darted nervously. Where were their own men? Even if they all charged, could they defeat a single magic swordsman? At the very least, they needed to escape alive.
Then—
“Ahhh!”
A Cortizan woman tumbled down the stairs, shattering the tense silence. She fell forward, babbling incoherently.
“W-what’s going on?”
“U-upstairs, the master—there’s blood—someone…”
“Calm down.”
“Someone stabbed the master! A man, gray hair, I—I don’t know! We have to go up quickly!”
The generals froze, staring at Jarrett like stone. Had Volbe truly been killed?
But Jarrett only nodded sharply, urging haste. One by one, the generals bit their fingers, drawing blood to sign.
“I—I’m writing mine.”
“Shairo!”
“Let me out.”
“Damn it, are you crazy? Right now—”
“Me too, here’s my resignation.”
“Everyone, get a grip!”
Boom! Thud!
Sounds of a scuffle echoed from above—Volbe and Xiaosi wrestling. A drunken general drew a dagger and slashed at the Cortizan woman.
Slash!
“Ahhh!”
“Ugh, ugh…”
“Damn.”
“P-please spare me. There were no witnesses.”
The woman, the only witness, begged for her life, claiming she’d kill anyone who found out. Jarrett caught her as she collapsed, clicking his tongue.
“No witnesses? Everyone here heard her scream. Now, let’s go see for ourselves.”
“W-what—”
“Follow me.”
See it with your own eyes, then close your own eyes to it.
If you remain silent after witnessing the scene, you only deepen your guilt in Volbe’s death.
Jarrett led the way up the spiral staircase, his men pushing the generals forward. At the top, he found the door wide open and Xiaosi sitting there, stunned.
“Xiaosi.”
The generals glimpsed Volbe’s body beyond Jarrett and shuddered. If things went wrong, they could all die here.
Jarrett turned to them.
“Well? Generals. What do you see?”
“Th-that…”
“To me, it looks like the downfall of a greedy man.”
“Y-yes, yes… th-that’s right.”
The door to Volbe’s room closed again. As if nothing had happened, the horror was hidden once more.
“Seems like nothing serious. Let’s head back down. Strange, on such a fine day.”
“…Captain Jarrett.”
“I understand perfectly. I’ll resign—just spare me. I swear to close my eyes and ears.”
“We’ve already taken care of the generals’ estates. Enjoy yourselves. We’ll be your hosts.”
…Where to?
“To the palace.”