Chapter 433
“What do you mean by ‘other reasons’?”
Ian’s voice was unusually soft and composed. The officials exchanged uneasy glances, stealing looks at Ian’s expression as if trying to read him.
If this had been the usual Minister of Magic they all knew, he would never have reacted like this. Normally, he would have cut off any negative rumors with a sharp, icy tone. But now, instead of shutting them down, he was practically inviting them in, the door wide open.
A new strategy? The officials, thrown off by the lack of confrontation, nervously shuffled through their papers. When no one answered, Ian spoke up himself.
“Are you referring to the rumors linking me to the royal family?”
“Sir Ian!”
Jin shouted, clearly begging him to keep quiet. It was a signal to step back, to stop pushing the issue further—
But the officials misunderstood Jin’s outburst. To mention royal bloodlines in an official assembly, especially in front of the Crown Prince, was nothing short of an insult—disrespectful and insolent.
“This is sacrilege! Spreading rumors in front of His Highness!”
“Yes, Sir Ian. Please restrain your words.”
“This is not something to be spoken of lightly.”
“Is it not? It seems everyone is curious about it. And more importantly, this isn’t something that can be swept under the rug. I thought it only right to address it openly. That, Your Highness Crown Prince Jin, is the loyalty I can offer you.”
Ian placed his hand over his chest in salute, and Jin’s eyes reddened. His expression was a mix of hurt and anger.
Only the Prime Minister nearby noticed the subtle shift. Before Jin’s emotions boiled over, the Prime Minister slammed his gavel down, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Bang! Bang!
“Everyone, compose yourselves. Sir Ian, if you insist on this path, then we have no reason to keep it quiet. Both Highman, former central noble, and King Damon of Burgos have mentioned your bloodline. Can this be mere coincidence? Explain in as much detail as you can why such words came from their mouths.”
“…There’s nothing to explain. I know exactly where my body came from. When Hielo was still Bratz, I showed a clear paternal reaction in the homogeneity potion test with Count Derga, and I unmistakably resemble my mother, Filia.”
“In that case, may we call Filia as a witness? If your birth is certain, then perhaps the key to this mystery lies in her origins.”
“Oh, I must decline.”
Ian shook his head firmly, raising his eyebrows. The assembly murmured instantly. Ian’s refusal to actively clarify his connection to the royal family made everyone suspicious.
“Why?”
“This is not a matter to be asked and dismissed so simply. My mother is currently carrying my younger sibling. Any form of interrogation would be harmful to her health.”
“Sir Ian.”
The Prime Minister removed his glasses and called Ian gently. Why stir up trouble? Everyone would expect him to deny these baseless rumors outright, yet here he was, refusing to call witnesses and subtly not denying the claims.
“There is something else I must say.”
“Something else? More important than this?”
“It concerns Idgal.”
“Iaaaan! No! You can’t! Why? Why would you—? Someone, please shut our minister’s mouth!”
“Captain Akorella! I warned you about causing a disturbance! Leave the assembly hall immediately.”
Bang! Bang!
As soon as Ian mentioned Idgal, Akorella shouted as if having a seizure. The Prime Minister frowned deeply and ordered her out. Soldiers guarding the door dragged her away.
Despite being pulled out stiffly, Akorella kept yelling, as if determined to get her last words in before being expelled.
“Ian, please, let’s keep this civil, okay? Let’s just go easy! We just got back from Klipoford! Bring Romandro here! Ian, please!”
Click! Boom!
The door shut, and her shouting abruptly stopped. The wizards, afraid they might be next, silently covered their mouths and stared only at Ian.
“…Idgal is a type of magic-sealing stone produced and distributed by the Rutherford Guild, isn’t it? Why do you say that?”
The Prime Minister cleared his throat and checked if any reports on the matter had been submitted.
“I believe I was involved in the production of Idgal.”
“……!”
“……!”
Not only the officials but even the Prime Minister’s mouth fell open in shock.
Jin looked utterly stunned, as if the world had collapsed. The wizards clutched their chests, frozen in disbelief. The scribes recording the meeting were no different.
“To be honest, I don’t remember. It must have happened when I was very young. I’m not certain, but I have some circumstantial and physical evidence. I firmly believe that the existence of Idgal was influenced by ‘Ian the illegitimate.’ That is my conclusion.”
“Wait, wait! Have you forgotten you’re the Minister of Magic?”
“Yes. Which is why I cannot hide this. It would be a betrayal to the wizards who follow me, and above all, I have a duty to resolve this. I emphasize again, this was something from my past, against my will. If possible, I want to confront it properly, and though late, I want to try now.”
The Prime Minister raised his gavel, trying to clear his dizzy mind. Ian had just dropped two bombs in a row. Could this really be meaningless?
“…I request a break, Your Highness.”
“Granted.”
“We will resume in thirty minutes.”
Bang!
The Prime Minister struck his gavel and immediately stood, leaving the hall. Officials followed in a rush, and the chamber quickly emptied. Even those with no ties to the Prime Minister couldn’t stay in the room with Ian under these circumstances.
Most of all, Jin sat rigidly, glaring at Ian. The atmosphere was so tense that anyone wandering nearby would surely get caught in the crossfire.
“Prime Minister, what on earth is going on here?”
“The Minister of Magic created a substance to control wizards? Isn’t that grounds for dismissal?”
“He says he doesn’t remember. It happened long before his appointment, even before he entered the palace… There must be a way to smooth this over.”
“Do you believe he doesn’t remember? More importantly, Ian has just officially admitted it. There’s no way to cover this up now. He’s going for a frontal assault. Do you understand what that means?”
“Oh my god. How is this place more chaotic than a battlefield?”
“First, he brought up the royal bloodline, then refused to deny it outright. That was the setup. This is maddening!”
It was a kind of balance.
As Minister of Magic, Ian’s position was clearly shaken, but the lingering suspicion of royal blood gave him a new kind of power.
Wouldn’t a former Minister of Magic, hailed as a genius wizard, be more suitable to lead Bariel than a young prince with no standing?
Like Marib and Gale, this was a turning point where power would be divided. Some officials strained to guess Ian’s intentions and the truth.
“Knowing Ian’s character, he wouldn’t bring up such a sensitive topic without purpose.”
“Is it true he has royal blood? Then his mother, Filia, must be involved.”
“I thought peace would last after pacifying the Imperial Defense Department, but this… this will stir a storm in the Ministry of Magic.”
“This is serious. Wizards hold significant trust within the empire. And since they were the main force in the recent war victory, their influence over Klipoford and other nations is considerable.”
“So what do we do?”
One official cut in irritably. Just give us the conclusion. What should we do now? How should we treat Sir Ian in the meeting?
“Neutrality. Crown Prince Jin’s reaction is crucial. I heard he once treated Ian like a brother and cared for him deeply, but lately, he’s been somewhat neglectful. How Jin reacts now is key.”
“Of course he’ll try to keep him in check. The Crown Prince’s position is at risk. If he shows no reaction, it’s like surrendering before the fight even begins. The officials won’t support that. Either way, Jin will—”
Before he could finish, a group of wizards suddenly poured out from the door, followed by a loud crash inside the hall.
Bang!
Did something fall? Or break? Everyone froze, staring at the firmly closed door.
The corridor fell silent. The Prime Minister pressed his forehead and checked the time. Perhaps the break had been too long.
“Ian! You’re lying, right? You didn’t make Idgal! If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable!”
“H-How did you make it? You don’t remember at all?”
“You bastard! You’re Akorella’s lord, aren’t you?”
“No. Honestly, isn’t it curious? A wizard making a magic-sealing stone—it’s like a lumberjack protesting for forest protection laws, isn’t it?”
“Ian, your words and actions… I honestly don’t understand your intentions. If you truly care for us even a little, please stop and—”
“You all, leave now.”
Ian glanced back briefly and spoke softly, because Jin was standing there, looking at him squarely.
The boy sniffled, his eyes reddening, and the mages sensed the tense atmosphere, quietly stepping back.
“Ian, let’s talk this over among ourselves, alright?”
“I—I’m going outside for some fresh air. Ahem.”
Squeeeak! Thud!
Only Ian, Jin, and Xiaoxi remained in the grand hall. Jin couldn’t hold back any longer and suddenly stood up, knocking a chair over behind him with a loud crash.
“Ian! This is just too much!”
“Please calm down, Your Highness.”
“Calm down? You expect me to calm down now? How can you say that? I clearly asked you! When I should be denying these suspicions outright, what’s with this vague attitude? And what’s this confession about Idgal? Are you mocking me? Or are you conspiring with those whispering in the shadows, aiming for this very seat?!”
As the boy shouted in anguish, Ian let out a light sigh and slowly rose. He approached Jin and knelt down naturally.
“How can you say such things, Your Highness? I’m truly hurt.”
“The one who should be hurt is me! Do you not see me as the Crown Prince? Is that why you keep trying to build up rival factions? What is a pillar, anyway? That so-called pillar—why do you keep…”
Tears welled up and rolled down Jin’s cheeks. He hastily wiped them away with the back of his hand, but the traces remained clear.
“Why do you keep trying to drift away from me like this…?”
“Your Highness, I sincerely believe you are the rightful master of Bariel.”
“…Lies.”
“It’s the truth. You have admirably brought the Imperial Defense Department under control, but until you come of age, you must continue to strengthen your power. Soon, I will be leaving to investigate the rift in Clifford.”
According to the records, it took ten years from when Vandor entered the rift until the land healed.
Ten years is no short time in the palace—on the contrary, it’s a very long stretch. That span is more than enough for someone else to fill the void left behind.
“I want to send you to Clifford. Disguised as an investigation, but in truth, it’s exile.”
“I accept, Your Highness. Rumors linking me to the royal bloodline have already spread far and wide. Soon, this will reach the common folk, and honestly, I can’t predict how public opinion will turn. Please don’t worry and accept things as they are.”
Like opening a festering wound, Jin preemptively subdued Ian when suspicions arose.
By doing so, Jin could seize complete control over the royal power and, with the authority of having purged the Minister of Magic, firmly establish himself as Crown Prince.
“There’s a creature called the velvet spider. It lives in the desert and feeds itself to its young. Knowing it will die anyway, it willingly offers its body as nourishment. Who could call such a mother spider foolish?”
“Sir Ian.”
“Use me as you will. Step on me to reach higher ground, and look further than ever before.”
“Why do you insist on entering the rift? What’s there? Can’t you avoid going? Is this guilt over Idgal? That’s no problem—”
“I believe the Abyss lies there.”
The Abyss—the hell that mages fear.
Ian gently took Jin’s hand and smiled.
“There is someone I must meet in the Abyss. I have no choice but to face it, even if it means giving everything I have. Your Highness.”