Chapter 464
“Are you sure we should break the barrier, Minister Tweller?”
Tweller remained silent, stroking his beard thoughtfully. Since it wasn’t Rutherford’s group but the Ministry of Magic that had erected the shield, caution was absolutely necessary.
Was this a judgment call from our own side? Did it mean the situation was too dangerous to send reinforcements, or that having reinforcements would complicate the response? It was impossible to tell.
Whatever the case, the key point was that the Ministry was currently refusing any outside intervention.
“Hold your positions for now.”
Tweller flicked a cigarette between his fingers and issued orders to his subordinates. Like a guide leading the way, smoke curled upward.
“First, identify their weak points. Strengthen the search starting from the Second Imperial Palace. If this is indeed an entry point, the group that secured King Damon and the Burgos delegation will likely return this way. Don’t just watch the front—keep an eye on the rear toward the Second Imperial Palace as well. Understood?”
“Yes, Minister!”
“Also, bring the magical sealing stones just in case. And my axe.”
His men moved with precision. Having just come from the ceasefire negotiations, holding a ceremonial sword felt awkward. Tweller glanced at Barsabe and Beric.
“What will you two do? The Imperial Defense Department plans to respect the wizards’ wishes and remain on standby here.”
“By His Majesty’s orders, we should enter, but that might burden the wizards. We’ll wait here as well.”
“Ahhh! Ian! Ian! Open the door! Beric’s here! Hey! Damn it. I was trying to help, but why won’t they open? Ian! Ian Hielo! Hey!”
“Beric!”
Thud!
Beric pressed his forehead against the barrier, barking loudly and causing a commotion. With so many eyes watching, Barsabe responded by lightly smacking the back of his head. It didn’t help much.
“Ian! Your molars are grinding again!”
“Quiet, you lunatic!”
“Minister, there’s a message from the main gate.”
At that moment, one of Tweller’s men pushed through the chaos, looking troubled. Tweller inclined his head, signaling him to relay the message quietly, and the man covered his mouth to whisper.
“The Atan tribe has arrived at the main gate.”
“What?”
Beric briefly turned his gaze toward Tweller’s flagship, puzzled by the reaction, but only for a moment. He quickly resumed pressing his head against the barrier, whining to be let in.
“…Beric.”
“What?”
“Is the Atan tribe’s chieftain named Ephdiram?”
“Probably? Honestly, I’m a bit fuzzy on the names. There’s one crazy curly-haired guy, though.”
According to Tweller’s memory, the Atan tribe sided with Burgos during the Klipoford War. They lived off the monsters that spread across the northern rift into Klipoford’s lands, so their interests aligned with welcoming the flood. During the ceasefire, Lord Ian had officially referred to them as Bariel. The real question was: why had they arrived now?
“They say they were delayed after passing through the northern region, but they’re protesting because we won’t let them in. We can’t reveal the reason for the palace lockdown, and they’re too barbaric to be reasoned with.”
“Could they be allied with Rutherford?”
“Unknown. We can’t confirm.”
Atan and Rutherford. Was there a connection? Since Atan had sided with Burgos, it seemed unlikely, but it was suspicious.
From what they’d seen in Klipoford, these weren’t the type to get involved in petty political squabbles.
“Minister, the commotion at the main gate is causing rumors among the imperial citizens. We need to either let them in or find a way to pacify them and keep them waiting.”
“Absolutely not. If Atan supports Rutherford now, the situation will spiral out of control. It’s better to turn them away.”
“Yes. The ceasefire negotiations are progressing well even without the Atan tribe.”
“It’s their fault for being late. We’ll refuse their entry on that basis.”
“But we’re only getting this message because we can’t refuse them outright. They don’t understand reason, which is why the Imperial Defense Department is involved.”
“Even if they’re not connected to Rutherford, letting them into the already chaotic palace is out of the question.”
The consensus was clear: the Atan tribe must not enter the palace. But at the same time, they needed to manage the situation carefully to avoid unsettling the imperial citizens. Tweller nodded toward Beric.
“Beric, I want you to go to the main gate and handle the Atan tribe.”
“Huh?”
Me? Why me?
Beric, who had been rubbing his head against the barrier, froze. His expression was half ‘I don’t want to go’ and half ‘Who does this old man think he is, ordering me around?’
“The palace is in danger. Chain of command is just a formality. As Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, I’m requesting support from the palace guard. If you refuse without a valid reason, you’ll face formal charges and disciplinary action once this is over. The severity will depend on the situation.”
“Wait, is your order stronger than His Majesty’s? I’m the one going in to see Ian! Why should I go? You go!”
“I’m also following His Majesty’s order to protect the palace. Your duty isn’t just to see Lord Ian, but to support him. Protecting the palace ultimately means helping Lord Ian.”
“Every time it’s about Ian. Damn it. He’s always making me do stuff and then sucking up to me.”
“Beric! Watch your language! Apologize to Minister Tweller!”
“Screw that. I’m not going! Why should I? If someone’s going, it should be you, Molar!”
Beric pressed himself against the wall, shouting he wouldn’t move. Tweller pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Beric.”
He was about to mention something he’d rather avoid.
“Aren’t you from the Atan tribe?”
“…?”
“You already know Ephdiram, you’re one of Lord Ian’s closest aides, and you share the Atan identity. I believe you’re the most effective person to persuade them directly.”
The palace soldiers who hadn’t gone to war widened their eyes. Atan tribe? They’d always thought their appetite for meat was unusual, but their blood was different. Was that typical for the Atan? Murmurs spread.
Barsabe glanced around, then tugged on Beric’s collar and whispered.
“Just handle it properly. I’ll keep an eye on things here.”
“Ugh, seriously.”
“You can’t just barge in blindly. What if something happens to Lord Ian or the Ministry? It’s more productive than you banging your head against the barrier here. Everyone knows the Atan are as stubborn as you. Get it sorted before things blow up. Lord Ian will praise you later.”
“Ugh! Damn it.”
Beric sighed in frustration, tilting his head back. He didn’t want to go, but the reasons to go were endless. It was maddening. Seeing that crazy Ephdiram was one thing, but he hated being out of the loop. What if something happened? What if Ian called and he wasn’t there?
“If it were me, I’d just get it over with instead of worrying.”
“…What will I say?”
“Tell them there’s a problem and they need to wait calmly. Don’t mention anything about the situation inside. Watch their reactions closely. If you suspect they’re allied with Rutherford, report immediately. We’ll need to call for backup outside.”
“They pay me peanuts but expect me to do all this.”
“Are you kidding? You’re always breaking stuff and eating like a king, but you forget all that?”
“Whatever. I’m going. Clear the way! Bring the horse!”
“Minister Tweller! Beric is heading out!”
Barsabe saluted with a grin, and Tweller’s men parted to let Beric through. They seemed eager to send him off before he changed his mind.
Whinny!
Clop clop!
“Let’s go! Quick there and back!”
Beric tugged hard on the reins, and the horse lifted its front hooves, galloping swiftly away.
His figure vanished in an instant. Barsabe wiped cold sweat from his brow and smiled. He’d worried Beric would resist, but things had gone smoother than expected.
Zzzzz. Zzzzz.
“Barsabe, look here.”
“The barrier is shaking. Why? What’s happening?”
“Huh?”
Just as Beric left, the magical shield began to tremble noticeably. Like a transparent window holding back a storm, it rippled.
Barsabe focused, trying to understand. The once-solid force felt unstable. It was as if confusion had spread among the wizards.
As Barsabe tilted his head in puzzlement—
Crack.
“Whoa.”
A clear cracking sound echoed from somewhere. Barsabe stepped back in alarm, and the soldiers retreated even further.
“Master Swordsman! Is there a problem?”
“Fall back! This isn’t good! Retreat!”
“The issue seems to be inside, but I don’t know what.”
“Will it hold?”
Boom! Bang!
As if answering, a loud crash erupted from within. What kind of fight were they having? Barsabe tightened his protective gear, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Whinny!
Clatter clatter!
Meanwhile, Beric waved to the palace gatekeepers in the distance. He’d arrived sooner than expected after riding hard. The area had been cleared nearby in preparation for battle, making it possible.
The gatekeepers, who had been standing off against the Atan tribe at the main gate, suddenly brightened when they recognized Beric.
“Beric!”
“Over here! Hurry, this way!”
Bang! Crash!
Rattle! Rattle!
“Why won’t you open this? We didn’t just barge in—damn it, the Minister of Magic himself sent us!”
“Should we just break it down? I think we could.”
“Hey, calm down! If you damage anything, you’ll be severely punished! By strict imperial law!”
“Feed us! I’m starving to death. What’s the difference if we search here or there?”
“Open the door! The Empire treats guests like this? Huh? Seriously. You call us over, and after a long journey, this is the welcome we get?”
Sigh. What a mess.
Beric clicked his tongue and landed calmly. Anyone watching might have thought a riot was about to break out. The gatekeepers shook the massive palace doors as if to tear them down, but their anxious expressions betrayed that they knew the gates wouldn’t budge.
Beric roughly pushed open a small window that connected to the outside.
Thud!
“Hurry up—”
“Ugh, shut up.”
“Wait, that face looks familiar. Captain! The gate’s open!”
“Let me see! So they left a precious guest standing out here to die… It’s Beric, isn’t it?”
Only a tiny crack, just enough to see their eyes and noses. Beric and Ephdiram exchanged glances, neither exactly pleased to see the other.
“Where’s your master? Damn bastard.”
“He’s busy. So just shut up and wait.”
“From what I hear from passersby, if the palace is sealed off like this, it means there’s chaos inside, right? They say it was like this during the rebellion too. What’s going on?”
“Despite how he looks, he’s got a hell of a thirst for knowledge.”
“Hey, if you don’t want to die, watch your tongue.”
“Can’t even break a door down.”
“…Wanna see?”
Ephdiram’s eyes glowed gold, and Beric instinctively stepped back. Right, he’s a mage. Almost got myself in trouble.
“No! Never mind. They said it’ll only be a little longer. If you keep making a fuss, you’re only hurting yourselves. So, damn it, just chill. Let’s keep this civil.”
Maybe sensing Beric’s retreat, Ephdiram’s eyes sparkled. He breathed heavily, like he’d just spotted a very interesting prey.
“Something’s definitely up. Sending a worthless mutt who doesn’t know the first thing about hospitality to deal with us? If we’re causing a scene, it means there’s some serious shit going down inside the palace. Right?”
Caught! Beric tried to change the subject, but Ephdiram shook his head and pointed inside with a grin full of amusement.
“The moon’s up.”
“The moon?”
A deep, pitch-black moon that obscured everything inside.
Since when was it there?
Beric knew exactly what it meant. It was the sign that mages used when traveling long distances. Looks like the Rutherford mages are trying to make a run for it.
“Hey, hey! Don’t get worked up.”
“I could ignore it, but you can’t, can you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“If that’s the cause of the commotion, it means someone’s about to escape, and the Ministry of Magic will be chasing after them. If not, then the Ministry itself must be moving on something. Most likely, it’s Ian’s magic leading the charge.”
Ephdiram pressed his face close to the crack and chuckled. Stupid mutt! You don’t have a clue what’s going on, do you?
“Your master’s trying to get out of here right now, idiot.”