Chapter 380
A small lantern cast its glow on Minister Tweller.

Only then did he seem to notice the dried blood caked on his palm. With a wry smile, he wiped it off out of courtesy.

“Is there anywhere you’re feeling uncomfortable?”

“As you can see, no. The Clifford Royal Palace has been very accommodating.”

“I’ve said it many times before, but both Your Highness and the entire palace were deeply worried. Especially since the entire Magic Department was mobilized—it’s hard for anyone to downplay the gravity of the situation.”

He was gently scolding them for leaving the Magic Department completely empty. Though Tweller was the minister at the time, abandoning the palace like that was never a wise decision.

When the old man’s gaze landed on Akorella and the mages, they subtly averted their eyes toward the ceiling, pretending not to notice. Having been battle-hardened veterans, each look from him was almost too much to bear.

Ian offered him a warm cup of tea and continued.

“It’s my fault as the superior officer.”

“No, that wasn’t my intention. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“And how is Your Highness doing?”

Ian asked first about Jin’s well-being. Though the silver hair and pale eyes before him were vivid, given the palace’s current state, the Jin he knew must have changed a great deal.

He missed Jin. More precisely, he wanted to meet him—to see the true self that history had recorded.

Tweller only raised an eyebrow and took a sip of tea.

“Your Highness is well, aside from the usual hardships of managing palace affairs. Oh, and the one called Xiaosi?”

“Xiaosi? You mean the one who stays by His Highness’s side?”

“He’s been officially granted a title. Now he’s a viscount, like Sir Hiel.”

“What!? A viscount!?”

Beric, who had been quietly listening, suddenly jumped up and shouted. This was absurd! He was the strongest in Bariel—how could Xiaosi be granted a title before him? He was the one struggling outside in the field!

Words caught in his throat, but Akorella smiled slyly and shoved her fist into Beric’s mouth.

“Excuse me, Minister. During war, no one’s exactly in their right mind, are they?”

The mages’ eyes rolled in exasperation. It was terrifying when the unhinged pretended to be sane.

Beric struggled but was dragged outside by Akorella and the mages, while Tweller watched the scene with interest.

“So that’s Beric.”

“You know him?”

“Yes. He’s the bodyguard the Magic Department minister keeps around, affiliated with the palace guard. Quite an impressive fellow.”

Rumors had spread that the Magic Department planted him to keep the palace guard in check. Of course, anyone who had met Beric and knew his temperament would shake their head, doubting how much help that really was.

Tweller scanned Beric up and down in a brief moment, muttering to himself.

“Despite his size, his body is solid. People like him have a natural fighting spirit. Maybe not in war, but in combat, they stand out. Just need to tame his personality a bit.”

He smiled playfully, fully aware that taming him might be impossible.

Ian nodded, signaling it was time to get to the point. Prince Noah had been listening intently to their conversation all along.

What he wanted to know wasn’t the polite greetings between ministers meeting for the first time, but how the Bariel reinforcements had performed and how the battle was unfolding.

“Ah, um… where should I start? First, the number of supply routes from Luswena to Burgos isn’t fully known. It seems they anticipated this and split their movements. The wagons we captured contained dragon scales, some magic stones, and powders.”

“Powders?”

“Likely materials for making black armor. Sir Ian, do you know anything about this?”

“No, I’m not familiar with the manufacturing process. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Narrowing our view by assuming too much is dangerous.”

“Wise words. Anyway, my men, along with two mages who haven’t returned yet, are tracking supply troops through other routes. Finding their supply base is a priority, so I’m considering letting one slip by.”

If there’s a supply base nearby, it’s likely where the black armor is being produced. Even if supplies get through, knowing the location roughly would allow a surprise attack to halt production.

“Minister Tweller, please make that call. I have no military authority.”

“While you may lack military command, you have even greater authority as a mage, don’t you?”

“Hmm. I should inform you of this, Minister. Mages cannot freely wield their power on this land.”

Tweller’s wrinkles twitched in surprise.

With mages present, the outcome of war could be precisely determined. That was why Bariel had grown into an empire and maintained its status—a blessing from the gods themselves.

Yet, mages couldn’t use their power?

“You must still be feeling some discomfort.”

“No, my strength has mostly returned. The mages are also gradually regaining their usual stamina. The problem lies with Clifford’s land. I heard you’ve fought in battles against monsters, Minister?”

“Monster battles? Yes, countless times.”

“Then you must know the conditions where monsters frequently appear. Our intelligence indicates cracks are forming beneath Clifford’s land. A major earthquake is also predicted.”

The smile on Tweller’s lips stiffened. The situation was more serious than he’d thought. He had assumed their mission was simply to block Luswena, assist Clifford, and safely retrieve the mages. Monsters and land fissures were unexpected.

“A problem indeed.”

“Yes, a problem in many ways.”

Whether Clifford fell to Burgos or Luswena, or the cracks unleashed a monster-infested wasteland, it was trouble for Bariel. A threatening force was closing in.

Ian shared with Tweller the proposal he had made to Noah.

“There aren’t many opportunities. If Luswena deploys black armor and mages, ordinary soldiers can’t stop them. So, we plan to open a path through Clifford to lure them here. It’s better to end it with a single decisive strike.”

“Hmm. One moment, Prince Noah, may I see the map?”

At Tweller’s request, one of Noah’s attendants brought out a map and spread it before them. His eyes gleamed sharply from beneath his wrinkles as he studied it, tracing routes with his finger and tapping points. Noah bit his dry lips, waiting for Tweller’s opinion.

“Do you know who commands the Luswena forces?”

“No, I don’t. We’re ignorant on that front. Since Bariel has effectively declared war on Luswena, there’s a chance King Eriphoni himself might intervene.”

“Good. I think Sir Ian’s strategy is sound. But there’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

“The Luswena commander must be suspicious, clever, and cautious.”

“Ah, that’s good. We originally planned to open the path starting from this forest, but it’s better to open it from the front.”

“Before the fork in the road? Yes, yes.”

“Wait, wait! What are you two talking about?”

Ian and Tweller’s back-and-forth of cryptic remarks finally prompted Noah to raise his hand in frustration. How could they be discussing plans without including the kingdom’s prince?

Ian and Tweller exchanged sheepish looks, and Tweller placed a hand over his chest in apology.

“My apologies, Your Highness.”

“Why open the path not from the forest, but from the road near the border? I understand the intent is to lure Luswena toward the capital, but isn’t that too much?”

Isn’t it excessive? Opening the border wide and inviting the enemy in is no different from greeting them at the gate.

Moreover, if Luswena changes tactics and attacks nearby villages instead of the capital, slaughtering civilians and destroying buildings, all these plans would be meaningless.

“Prince, consider this. Suppose you and I are bitter enemies, desperate to kill each other.”

Ian gestured for Noah to calm down, then smiled as he offered the teacup he’d been drinking from.

“Now imagine I kindly offer you tea, freshly poured and warm. Would you drink it without suspicion?”

Noah’s expression flickered as the liquid swirled.

There was only one answer: no matter if you’re royalty, nobility, or even a commoner, you’d be wary and refuse.

“Exactly. Now apply that to this situation. Luswena has brought a large army to seize Clifford. They know Bariel’s reinforcements and mages are here. Yet, no one blocks them at the border. Only a strangely quiet forest and empty roads await. How do you think Luswena would act?”

Noah let out a small breath, as if he finally understood.

“My proposal was to lure Luswena to the capital, but Minister Tweller has added a layer. By making them suspicious and buying time, we can request additional reinforcements from Bariel. Though at that point, they wouldn’t really be reinforcements anymore.”

Throwing the entire nation into the chaos of war meant that not only the Imperial Defense Department but likely even the Palace Guard would be mobilized. Since Jin’s standing at the palace seemed to have solidified to some extent, requesting this level of support wouldn’t be an issue.

“Whether Luswena storms right in or hesitates at the border, buying time, either way, it’s an opportunity for us. So, um…”

Ian pointed to the villages near the border one by one, advising that it would be best to evacuate them quickly.

At first, the plan was to feign a retreat with just a small force to open a path, but now, there was no need for that—they would simply clear everything out.

“What do you think, Your Highness? Worth a try, isn’t it?”

Noah pondered deeply, hand on his chin, then nodded.

Ian was right. The goal was to lure them closer to this side. And if they got suspicious and didn’t come in? That would be just as good.

“As Minister Tweller said, a few conditions need to be met. There should be an eerie silence around the border, structures set up as deceptive traps, and the general on Luswena’s side must be cautious and experienced.”

“Sounds like a lot to handle. I won’t be able to just sit here sipping tea until it cools.”

Tweller drained his cup in one gulp and stood up.

“My men are still tracking the supplies. We should have more information by the next sunrise or sunset. I’ll report to Bariel and request additional reinforcements.”

“Oh, I’ll handle the request for reinforcements. It’d be best to include a detailed report of our situation along with the fact that you’ve met with Minister Tweller.”

“If Sir Ian thinks so, then so be it.”

Tweller donned his armor again, estimating the time. By now, his men would be passing through certain areas, continuing their pursuit. He extended his hand to Ian once more.

“I’ll retrieve all the supplies and return. Hopefully, by then, we can share a cup of cooled tea.”

“Yes, Minister Tweller. Please return safely.”

“And may Your Highness remain unharmed as well.”

“Thank you, Minister.”

Noah clasped his hand gratefully, but Tweller shook his head firmly.

“No, none of this is my doing. It’s all by the will of His Highness Jin.”

In that moment, Ian realized that Jin had truly taken his first step into the palace.