Chapter 416

Knock, knock.

The wizard’s approach calling for Ian was cautious, almost hesitant. Just moments ago, Ian had shown intense emotion in front of Damon, and more importantly, everyone knew his condition was far from good.

When Hale gave permission to come inside, the wizard peeked his head in to check on Ian’s state. He looked even paler, drenched in cold sweat.

Ian tilted his head as if to ask what was going on.

“Lord Ian, the Serro family has arrived.”

“Serro?”

“Yes. They say they’re reinforcements and have reached the Clifford Barrier. Prince Noah asked me to have you confirm it. Even if the situation is settled, they’ve come all this way, so we can’t just send them back. Especially since they’re from Bariel, Clifford’s side should be more attentive.”

Ian furrowed his brow and brushed back his damp hair.

Normally, noble families joining the war was encouraged. Nobles had a duty—noblesse oblige—and even a small number of their private troops could be a great help to the empire, protecting the lives of its people.

Besides, there were countless who sought to profit from war. Like light and shadow, the more blood spilled and agonized cries echoed, the more gold filled someone’s vaults, and the more satisfied smiles grew.

But this war was somewhat different.

“Why would Serro come?”

Hale asked with a puzzled look, clearly aware of the unusual nature of this.

First of all, this wasn’t Bariel’s war—it was a conflict between Clifford and Burgos. Most of the magic department’s forces, including Ian’s, were here under the pretense of support.

So naturally, the central nobles should be guarding the capital, worried that Bariel’s palace was left undefended. That would be the proper and expected course of action.

The wizard shrugged. “How would I know?”

“Did Lady Alenara come with them?”

“Lady Alenara? The daughter of the Serro family?”

It was possible to guess. Perhaps driven by the burden of restoring the declining Serro family, they felt compelled to do something—even if it meant coming here. For Serro, this was likely a war he had staked everything on.

The wizard shook his head, still uncertain.

“I only saw Lord Serro. I don’t know if the lady is with them. Their forces are considerable—around a thousand, I’d say. Clifford will need to prepare to host them properly. They asked if you could mediate.”

“Ask if Serro has the Emperor’s seal.”

“The Emperor’s seal?”

“The official seal for deployment.”

For a central noble to participate in the war officially, they needed the Emperor’s permission. That meant they were Bariel’s special reinforcements, and the seal was a kind of proof. When the war ended, the Emperor would remember their contributions and reward them accordingly.

Ian gestured as if to say, “Fine,” and stood up. It seemed better for him to meet Serro directly than to go through intermediaries.

“Lord Ian.”

“Are you—are you alright?”

Even just rising slightly made Ian stagger. He clenched his teeth tightly. He was supposed to be the one who didn’t waver, but in front of Hale and the wizard, it was hard to steady himself. It was frustrating how his body refused to cooperate, weighing down his breath.

But then Hale casually took Ian’s arm to support him.

“Hold on, Lord Ian.”

If you can hold on, hold on. If you can lean, lean. Why would your superior insist on standing alone?

With Hale’s natural care, Ian slowly grasped his shoulder. The wizard opened the door wide, helping him pass through comfortably.

“If this happens again when we return to Bariel, Hale, remember what I told you last time.”

“No way. I already refused. And since it’s due to Idgall, it will surely wear off with time. Everyone goes through it; there’s no reason you’d be different.”

Hale looked off into the distance, clearly not wanting to hear talk about the next head of the magic department.

Carefully, Ian climbed onto the barrier, where rows of soldiers the size of a thousand-man unit stood. Bariel flags and the Serro family crest fluttered everywhere. Serro immediately spotted Ian’s blond hair and waved.

“Lord Ian! Greetings! Serro here!”

“What brings you here?”

“The wizards are fighting hard in a foreign land, and I couldn’t just sit idle in the capital. But as expected, Lord Ian, I heard the situation’s settled. I regret the long journey if I can’t help with the cleanup.”

“And the Emperor’s seal?”

“Huh?”

“If you don’t have the Emperor’s seal, at least show me the Crown Prince’s.”

Serro hesitated. He had come down without meeting the Emperor or even the Crown Prince. To be asked for proof like that was bold. Folding his arms, he glanced at the mercenaries watching him and shouted,

“I came in a hurry and couldn’t get the royal blessing. Lord Ian, don’t we share a bond? I trust you understand my eagerness to help as soon as possible.”

“I see. Thank you. I didn’t realize Lord Serro thought so highly of me and the magic department. It’s true that adversity often brings new bonds. I think our relationship will only grow stronger.”

Leaning against the barrier, Ian smiled warmly.

“Well then, shall we open the gates?” Serro looked up expectantly, but Ian didn’t move.

“However, Lord Serro, if you enter the barrier, Clifford must give you a grand welcome. After all, you are Bariel’s reinforcements. We’re already overwhelmed trying to wrap up the current situation. It might be better if I receive you formally here and not let you inside. That seems the best way to help Clifford.”

“Oh? Isn’t there a shortage of hands?”

“Not at all. One of Clifford’s strengths is its large population. I was planning to leave for Bariel early tomorrow morning. Why not return with me? Traveling with you would make the journey safer, and I could rest easier. Do you have a carriage?”

Carriage—not a war chariot, but a long-distance one. If they brought one, it was likely Alenara was with them. Ian naturally tested Serro.

And Serro was an open book.

“We only have one carriage.”

Hmm. Ian raised an eyebrow.

So Alenara did come. But since she wasn’t here now, she probably took the fork toward Luswena. Not just aiming to restore the family, but turning toward Luswena entirely. She must have found the Crown Prince’s appointment quite to her liking.

Hale turned his head toward Ian and whispered,

“What shall we do, Lord Ian? Should we open the barrier? Honestly, as long as it’s not a full welcome, Clifford wouldn’t mind the extra hands.”

“No. We must never let them inside the barrier.”

“Ah, yes. Understood. I’ll inform those below.”

Without asking why, Hale gave a signal to the soldiers waiting to open the barrier. Just as they were about to return to their posts—

Rumble.

A loud roar echoed from somewhere.

Before anyone could identify the source, the ground began to tremble. Slightly at first, but unmistakably. Flags planted in the earth swayed gently side to side, and helmets and gear clattered.

Ian stepped away from the barrier and looked toward the noise.

Boom!

“What’s that sound?”

“Could it be reinforcements from Luswena?”

“No, it came from the palace side.”

The tremors continued. Ian had experienced earthquakes before, but this was the first time the shaking felt like something was exploding beneath the surface.

The soldiers shrank back, fear etched on their faces. Hale leapt into the air, scanning the surroundings.

“Lord Ian! A dragon’s breath is rising in the distance!”

A dragon’s breath? Serro couldn’t believe it and spread his palms. The sky was clear, the breeze cool—how could a dragon’s breath be rising?

Ian suddenly recalled the broken Idgall pendant in his hand and the magic he had been pouring out at the time.

“It’s a fissure.”

Earthquakes were natural, but this was causing a crack in the earth’s crust.

Ian quickly gave orders to Clifford’s side. The tremors continued, growing stronger as if just beginning.

“Inform Prince Noah that all residents near the fissure should be evacuated immediately.”

“Yes, sir! Understood.”

“Lord Ian, shall we send scouts?”

One of the wizards asked, but Ian hesitated.

Despite capturing King Damon, they were still face-to-face with the enemy—northern reinforcements, Luswena, and now the unexpected Serro.

Turning their backs now would leave a gap for the enemy. More importantly, the fissure was inside the Clifford barrier, under the palace’s jurisdiction. Ian summoned Akorella.

“Akorella, take one subordinate and investigate the dragon’s breath. Report on its size, strength, and the extent of the crustal movement. Calculate how much time remains before the fissure spreads.”

“Captain Akorella!”

“Yes? Yes, I’m here!”

Acorella stepped out, wiping the grease glistening at the corners of her mouth with the back of her hand. She seemed to get along well with Berrick, and judging by how casually she shared a meal with Chief Efdiram of the Atan tribe, they must have been on good terms.

Efdiram emerged as well, clutching a chunk of meat in his hand.

“Hmm. Smells good.”

The scent of monsters, faint but unmistakable, drifted from the rift. As she savored it, humming softly to herself, Berrick instinctively pinched his nose. Yeah, he couldn’t deny it. It wasn’t the usual smell of cooked meat from a tavern—it was something subtly sweet and strange.

But admitting that meant accepting he shared the same nature as Efdiram. And that would mean his path diverged from Bariel and Ian’s. His body’s reaction betrayed his mind, and irritation flared up inside him.

Boom!

Rumble!

“Ahhh!”

“It’s getting worse!”

“Everyone, get out of there! If it collapses, it’ll be a disaster! Move to the open area—this way! This way!”

Crash! Thud thud thud!

The earth convulsed violently. The countless years of civilization built by humans and others twisted helplessly under the force, and the sky above the epicenter gradually stained red.

As if the blue sky itself was being devoured, the world they knew was slowly changing.

Boom!

Crash!

The mages lifted Ian into the air to protect him. As his vantage point rose, the chaos inside Cliffpod came into view. Buildings leaned precariously, and people scattered like ants scalded by boiling water, panicked and desperate.

And through the cracks where the dragon’s breath seeped out, something molten and fiery—like lava—glowed fiercely…

“That’s…”

“Lord Ian! What’s happening? Open the door, please!”

If that overflowed into the world, it would become a monster.

Ian frowned, glancing back and forth between the Luswena forces watching from the hillside and the Burgos side, who were gathered cluelessly. Then he thought:

Once shattered, it can’t be undone. The only question left is how long it will take before it completely collapses.