Chapter 398
— Your Highness, you are the center of this world; your faith is the very truth itself.

Amid the child’s wailing, Ian suddenly caught a whisper from Naum—a small piece of advice from a close friend on how to view the world as an emperor. A perspective that reached even Jin through him.

Zaira kept screaming and yelling, but Ian was lost in thought, ignoring her.

Soldiers, their faces pale with fear, bound Zaira’s limbs. Seizing the moment, a dagger flew through the air and struck Ian’s chest.

“So the Minister of Bariel’s Magic Department, huh? Thought you’d know something, but you’re just useless! Fool, idiot!”

“Hey, someone shut her up!”

“How dare you speak so disrespectfully in front of His Highness!”

“Is there anything impossible in this world? If there is, it’s just because you don’t know about it. Admit it! Admit that you don’t know!”

Zaira collapsed onto the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, relentlessly cursing Ian. Calling him a fool who judged without knowing anything. The leader of the mages—the light of Gaia and the salt of Bariel—yet ignorant.

— Your Highness, you are the center of this world; your faith is the very truth itself.

This time, it wasn’t Naum’s voice. It was Ian’s own—gentle yet resolute—the lesson he had once shared with Jin.

Leaning on the railing, Ian quietly called out to Zaira. His voice was barely above a whisper, but the stillness of the wind carried it clearly to all.

“…Child, do you believe you can save someone lost in the abyss?”

Half-knowledge is poison.

His knowledge from a past life and his certainty in this one seemed to have unknowingly drawn invisible boundaries. Walls built in the name of established truths. Ian saw it clearly: forbidden magic was an end in itself, irreversible.

But in Zaira’s world?

If she truly believed there was a way to undo forbidden magic, wouldn’t that truth come alive for her? In Gaia’s world, the Bariel Emperor is the center, but in each person’s life, aren’t they the center of their own world?

If there is a way to reverse forbidden magic in the blank slate of that child’s world, then maybe it could exist—at least there.

“…….”

Tears rolled down Zaira’s cheeks as she opened her eyes wide. Ian asked again, as if pleading for a clear and definite answer.

“Do you think you can break forbidden magic?”

“…Yes. Even if you don’t know, someone else must. And if no one does, I’ll find it myself. Then I’ll bring my grandmother back from there.”

The mages listening inwardly clicked their tongues. The childish words of an ignorant child were truly pitiful.

If she took that ignorance as a guide, her life—short yet long—would face storms that were all too clear. Foolish, naive, and in some ways, laughable.

But Ian’s reaction was different.

“…That’s remarkable.”

Remarkable. Truly remarkable. The child held a world he had never dared to imagine.

Ian rested his chin on his hand, his eyes filled with genuine awe. He wanted to scold himself for having so easily declared that forbidden magic had no solution.

It wasn’t something to say so lightly. It wasn’t something to decide so simply. It’s easy to look for something you believe exists, but isn’t it far harder to create something you believe doesn’t?

Everyone looked at Ian with puzzled eyes. Zaira too. The child wiped away the last tear and looked up at Ian.

A soft wind stirred. Ian’s hair fluttered like moonlight, and beneath it, his green eyes shimmered.

Was it a trick of the light? Zaira thought it was from her tears, and no one else noticed the subtle change in Ian.

“Zaira… is it?”

“…….”

“I misspoke. Let me correct myself. There might be a way to reverse forbidden magic.”

Not yet in Ian’s world, but if perceptions slowly shift, one day they might find a world where it exists. Because Ian’s faith is the very truth.

“No, it must exist somewhere. I just regret that I don’t know it yet. Zaira, hold fast to your belief so that time cannot erode it. Keep it close, and move forward. Please.”

Ian’s sincere encouragement left Zaira’s mouth slightly open, clearly surprised. Whether in Luswena or anywhere else, few treated a child with such gentle understanding—especially in such dire circumstances.

Hadn’t a general dared to strike a mage’s cheek? A mage wielding power close to the divine, no less.

“…Why… why would you say that?”

“I want you to find it. Because I want us to live in a better world. That’s all.”

A better world. Zaira realized it was similar to the “farther world” her grandmother had told her about.

Ian clicked his pocket watch, checking the time. Dawn was near.

‘They sent a mage, not a scout, to check internal affairs. They must be aware the fire’s been lit, so there will definitely be movement.’

Whether it was a meeting between kings or a night attack, the former was far more likely. This was Clipford, after all—an enemy nation couldn’t move easily under cover of darkness.

“Zaira. Let me ask you something. Is Luswena keeping our mage?”

“They are! One of them! Alive!”

Beric, who had come running, answered for her.

One. That news drew a complicated sigh from everyone. It was good that one was alive, but the whereabouts of the other four remained a mystery.

“How’s their condition?”

“…Not good. Her Highness Eriphoni didn’t allow the transfer of magical energy. They’re discussing it with Burgos.”

“Those idiots! What if they die?”

“Who is it? Describe them.”

“She’s unconscious, so no conversation. A man around thirty, brown hair.”

“That’s Captain Zhang. The only men are Tommy and Captain Zhang. Ah, this is maddening.”

“Hey! How bad was their condition?”

“The doctor treated them! But they just didn’t share magic. I don’t know the details!”

The mages muttered anxiously.

Though Ian’s presence had diminished since becoming minister, Zhang was formerly the head of the Magic Support Unit. One of their key forces was now on the brink of death—no wonder they were so unsettled.

Ian raised a hand lightly to calm them.

“Zaira. You didn’t come on reconnaissance alone, did you?”

“…I don’t know.”

Zaira bit her lip, refusing to say more.

Just as the Bariel mages had their own bonds, so did the Luswena mages. Ian was sure Zaira’s unilateral actions had unsettled them, and there would be consequences when she returned.

So Zaira thought it best not to mention anything about that.

“Captain Jarrett.”

“Yes, Lord Ian.”

“Strengthen the guard on the right side of the barrier.”

Eriphoni wouldn’t have sent the child alone. This was no ordinary mission—it involved approaching the enemy’s barrier to gather intelligence.

Besides, Zaira was a child who had lost her grandmother during the day. Choosing her just because she could move stealthily was questionable.

Ian turned his gaze back to Zaira.

“Zaira, do you have any other family?”

“Why do you ask?”

“If not, I suggest you naturalize as a Bariel citizen.”

“Ian!”

The mages gasped, covering their mouths. With the Luswena mages in such a state and five missing, naturalization?

Look at her condition. She had just lost her grandmother at their hands. She was a fiery child with a strong will—how could he make such a suggestion?

But Ian ignored their protests and added:

“Unlike Luswena, Bariel has abundant knowledge of magic, and the palace spares no support for active research. Above all, the entire nation reveres the greatness of magic. Zaira, if you want to break forbidden magic, seeking help through Bariel’s Magic Department wouldn’t be a bad choice.”

“I’m Luswena.”

“Your center of life is still far away. Someday, when you die, you might call yourself Bariel.”

Ian tempted her sweetly, but Zaira couldn’t even bring herself to say the word “naturalize.” Didn’t she have a younger sibling held captive in the palace? And the Luswena mages were like family.

Ian noticed no change in her expression and raised an eyebrow.

‘She must harbor resentment toward King Eriphoni, but she won’t even consider it. She has more family.’

“If there’s someone you want to bring here, we will welcome them too. Bariel is a country overflowing with mercy and compassion.”

“Ian—”

Someone tried to protest, refusing to mingle with the enemy Luswena side, but several mages quickly silenced them.

Foolish talk. The best way to weaken Luswena’s forces in this war was to win over their mages.

Ian was trying to make that happen through this child. He knew this wasn’t a matter to be handled emotionally just because comrades had been lost or wounded.

Zaira stared at them all and shook her head.

“No.”

“‘No’ instead of ‘I don’t want to’? That’s refreshing.”

Ian smiled, and Zaira activated her magic. Her eyes glowed golden. She was trying to escape.

The soldiers raised their spear tips in alarm, looking at Ian. Those who could use magic immediately unleashed their power.

Ziiing. Ziiing.

“Zaira. Don’t be clever—be wise.”

Amid the surge of power, Ian stood calmly, leaning on the railing. His advice rang out with strength.

“We could kill you right here and now. That would mean mission failure, and ultimately, it would endanger the precious people you left behind in your homeland.”

Kill me? Zaira scoffed inwardly. Sure, she’d let her guard down and taken a hit from the magic swordsmen, but she hadn’t even used her full strength yet. Breaking through a bunch of sickly mages and soaring into the sky was nothing…

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Kraaaang!

“Binding!”

A sharp, dense beam of light shot up swiftly from Ian’s feet, plunging down toward Zaira. She lay there, eyes wide, staring at it.

“Ian! I told you, no magic! Don’t go all weak on me again! Bring the meat! Meat!”

“Beric, eating meat won’t cure everything. Do you think you and Ian are the same? Get Captain Akorella here! We need to boost the amplifier somehow!”

“Hey! Captain Akorella said no! If we open the door during the experiment, we’ll die for sure. Enough—Ian, release the binding. We’ll handle this.”

“Ah, of all things, getting hit by Idgal…”

“Those who are just shells, fall back!”

“Such polite words, you little—”

“Those with magic power, step forward! Let’s gather the binding!”

After the commotion, the mages capable of wielding magic rolled up their sleeves, ready to act, but Ian shook his head lightly to stop them.

“It’s not efficient.”

“Huh?”

“Zaira’s magic is incredibly strong. Even if many combine their power, they can never surpass her. It’s better for me to create a single layer of binding than for many to stack multiple layers.”

“Th-then, should we give you more magic power?”

There was no way to help. The mages stomped their feet in frustration, and Ian smiled—a faint but clearer smile than before.

“Go finish your meal.”

“See! Ian likes meat too! Come on, eat the rest, Ian. And save me a bite.”

“Strengthen the right-side barrier guard. The Imperial Guard and the Empire Defense Department will assist Klipford in the operation. You may withdraw your soldiers.”

“Yes, understood!”

With a crisp sound, the soldiers carefully saluted and removed the Idgal spears. Zaira leapt up like a wild beast, but Ian’s pillar of light slammed down like a lid, completely sealing off the space above her.

Kraaaang!

“What is this?!”

“Don’t you know binding? Honestly, I was suspicious when your grandmother used cold magic.”

“Don’t act all high and mighty! I’ll break it!”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Paaaang!

Zaira unleashed a burst of magic in a frenzy, but the wall of light held firm. Those who had been uneasy relaxed a little, releasing some of their tension.

“Zaira. If you don’t naturalize as Barielo’s citizen—that is, if you don’t cooperate with us—you will become a valuable sacrifice to save Jean. Wait there a while. After assessing the situation, I will decide what to do with you.”

Ian nodded and said,

“If you have anything to say, I’m willing to listen anytime. Cool your head and call me when you’re ready. And when you do, it would be best for you to address me properly.”

Without looking back, he walked inside.

Beric glanced between Zaira and Ian, then hurried after Ian.

“Ian! You’re not going to lock me up in there, right?”

“Why? Did you do something wrong?”

“No, no. Just asking, just in case.”

“Hey! Let me go!”

Kraang! Kraaaang!

Zaira shouted, conjuring light, but no one answered.