Episode 471

Philia rested her head against the rattling window, gazing out at the distant sky.

It was the morning of the fifteenth day since they had left the Hielo territory by carriage. According to the coachman, they should reach the capital before late afternoon. Yet, the eagerness she had felt just yesterday to arrive quickly had vanished like the wind. It was truly strange.

To be more precise, entering the royal palace felt uncomfortable. She wondered how the Crown Prince Jin was faring, how Romandro, Viviana, and the precious people of the Magic Department were doing—but at the same time, paradoxically, she didn’t want to know.

It was probably because of Ian’s disappearance.

A soft sound.

“Philia.”

“Are you awake?”

“If you want to lean on someone, lean on me.”

Nersarn gently cupped Philia’s forehead, worried it might be cold. Philia naturally leaned on his shoulder, smiling as if she were happy, but only for a moment. Her gaze remained fixed outside the window as she murmured.

“We’ll be arriving in the capital soon, right?”

“Yes.”

“…I’m scared.”

Nersarn knew exactly what Philia feared. Ian, who had vanished in an instant. While some said he was dead and others insisted he would return, they had fled the capital at Jin’s urging.

For Jin, it was a political maneuver, but for Philia, it was a survival instinct—a way to avoid facing reality before the world collapsed.

“When we get to the capital, I think Ian will come to meet us. He’ll say it’s been a long time, that he’s been too busy to contact us, and apologize. I’ll feel hurt, but understand. Then we’ll hug, share a delicious meal, and ask how he’s been, if he’s hurt anywhere.”

Philia’s eyes sparkled at the future she imagined, but the carriage jolted, snapping her back to reality. Even the slightest shake could shatter such a fragile illusion. It was cruel.

“But if I find out Ian isn’t there… then I won’t even be able to hold onto that hope anymore. I’m scared.”

“Philia.”

“I’m sorry, Nersarn. I’m so strange, aren’t I? I insisted on coming with you, and now I say things like this.”

“No. You’re not strange. I’m grateful you followed me despite your fears.”

Nersarn embraced Philia and gently patted her back. This journey wasn’t just to celebrate Jin’s coming-of-age ceremony. It was a kind of official mission ordered by Kakantir. Thinking they might be apart for a long time, Philia had packed their things together with their daughter.

“I couldn’t let you go alone. And besides, Kakantir seemed to want me to come along.”

“Since you have a closer bond with His Highness, wouldn’t he be happier to see you than me?”

“Do you think so? Honestly, aside from Ian’s affairs, I really wanted to thank His Highness. Even without a lord, he hasn’t reclaimed the territory or sent someone new. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to freely cross the Great Desert. I’m so grateful.”

Philia wiped her eyes bravely and smiled.

If the royal family had appointed a new lord, they might have rebuilt the walls and barriers according to policy. That’s why the Hielo and Cheollyeo tribes, already mixed together, had been watching the palace nervously since Ian disappeared. But the capital had shown no interest, as if to soothe their worries.

‘Was the palace just like me?’

Averted eyes disguised as indifference. Just as Philia believed Ian was alive in the capital, perhaps the capital thought Ian was alive in Hielo.

Nersarn sighed inwardly and took his wife’s hand. She mustn’t be too burdened.

Creak.

At that moment, the door connecting to the rear compartment of the carriage opened, revealing a young girl.

Her skin bore the hue of the Great Desert, her hair golden, her eyes green. Her delicate features were the spitting image of Philia. Though she had just woken, the girl sat quietly opposite her parents without a whimper.

“Roel, did you sleep well?”

“…Yes.”

Her voice was hoarse, contrasting with her calm expression. Philia stretched out her arms invitingly, and Roel hesitated, then reluctantly nestled into her mother’s embrace.

“We’ll be in the capital soon. You’ve endured a lot these past two weeks, my daughter. When we get there, you can rest on a soft bed.”

“…Mother.”

“Yes?”

Perhaps inheriting a warrior’s temperament—or the Hielo name—Roel was unusually calm and reserved for her age.

But sometimes, when she spoke first like this, it startled her parents and those around her. Just like now.

“It’s about Ian oppa.”

“Huh?”

Philia’s eyes widened. Had she overheard the conversation with Nersarn? The carriage was noisy, so it was unlikely. Besides, she had clearly been asleep moments ago.

Philia bit her dry lips without realizing it.

“Ian oppa. He’s above me.”

“Sorry, was it too noisy with Mom and Dad?”

“When we get to the capital, we’ll see him again.”

“…Roel?”

Roel buried her head in Philia’s arms and yawned softly. Her breath tickled Philia’s neck, but it brought no feeling.

Why would Roel say such a thing? Was her own distorted reality affecting her daughter? As Philia’s thoughts swirled, Nersarn intervened. He brushed Roel’s hair back and asked gently.

“Roel, what you say about Ian oppa is very important to Mom and us. Could you explain more clearly?”

At her father’s prompting, the girl opened her eyes slightly and murmured.

“It’s exactly as I said. When we get to the capital, we’ll see him. Ian oppa will be coming up soon.”

“Coming up?”

Nersarn suddenly recalled Kakantir’s sigh from when he was debating whether to appoint him as the next tribe leader after Winchen’s death.

Though Nersarn was qualified in many ways, the tribe leader had to support the entire Cheollyeo tribe with special abilities.

“Oppa is coming up from below.”

“W-who said that?”

“I saw it. With my own eyes.”

“…!”

The murmurs of warriors worried about who would care for the Cheollyeo tribe after Winchen’s death flashed through Nersarn’s mind.

Philia held the silent Roel tightly, frozen, while Nersarn ran his hand through his hair in confusion. He looked at the girl quietly. Her sun-kissed skin marked her as a Cheollyeo warrior, but her golden hair and green eyes proved Bariel blood ran through her veins.

“Y-yes, Nersarn.”

Philia called her husband softly, unsure what to do. If Roel followed in Winchen’s footsteps, her fate could be easily predicted. She would face a cycle of withering and blooming, depending on the presence of the Silask.

But the vision was too vivid and sweet to dismiss as a child’s dream. Philia could not firmly deny the message that the lost Ian would return.

“It’s okay, Philia.”

Nersarn, knowing this too, couldn’t say it was just a dream. If Roel truly possessed special abilities, it would worry him as a father, but as a member of the Cheollyeo tribe, it was a relief.

He embraced Philia and Roel together, exhaling a heavy sigh.

“…”

Only Roel, nestled safely in her parents’ arms, looked out at the rattling landscape with an untroubled expression. In the distance, a massive fortress began to come into view.

The capital they had only heard of in stories—the heart of Bariel.

---

Jin slammed a document down on the table. Thud. It was a small sound, but to the officials seated neatly on either side, it felt like the sky was falling.

Everyone sensed the Crown Prince’s foul mood and fixed their gaze on the table. Eye contact at times like this only meant trouble.

“Who submitted this proposal?”

“I did, Your Highness.”

“To halt construction on the Magic Department annex?”

Jin tapped the table lightly, as if he had heard something unbelievable, and asked slowly.

“Why?”

“I-Yes, Your Highness! As stated in the report, the construction costs for the Magic Department annex have been rising daily. As you know, construction expenses increase exponentially with the length of the project. Although completion is near, the amount of mana stones coming from Burgos is decreasing, so we judged it reasonable to temporarily suspend work and resume at a more appropriate time.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Especially since this year is packed with major events, including Your Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony…”

“The budget was generously allocated ten years ago when construction began. While inflation may cause some fluctuations, it shouldn’t be a major issue.”

“Ah, but—”

“For ten years, the number of mages has been halved. Are you saying you don’t like the idea of building an annex at all?”

“Your Highness, no!”

“Is that so? Then it must be the influence of those uncomfortable with Lord Ian’s possible return.”

The official glanced around nervously. The long-standing members remained silent, holding their breath, while the newly appointed ones showed signs of support.

One of the main reasons the Crown Prince was so adamant about building the annex for the Ministry of Magic was said to be connected to the Minister of Magic—and it seemed that was true after all. That person had disappeared long ago, with no sign of return. What on earth was going on? Seeing it firsthand, it was clear: he was chasing a pipe dream, wasting time on something pointless.

Amid the tangled intentions swirling around, Jin slowly furrowed his brow.

“How many years has this been happening in cycles, I wonder.”

“Your Highness?”

“At this point, it’s safe to say the existing officials are against the Ministry annex as well. Every time a new person comes in, they’re pushed to speak on behalf of the opposition. The faces change, but the complaints stay the same—it’s exhausting.”

“Ahem. That’s not the case, Your Highness.”

“Yes, it’s a misunderstanding.”

“How have you all endured watching the Ministry annex site for ten years? Truly impressive. That, at least, I must commend.”

The justification for building the Ministry annex had steadily diminished over the past decade. Even during Ian’s time, opposition had been fierce, and now, it was impossible to find any valid reason to continue.

For ten years, it had been pushed through solely by royal authority. Now, the end was in sight—but there was no turning back. As always, Jin was resolute.

“I reject it.”

“Your Highness, but Burgos—”

“After the coming-of-age ceremony, I will go to Burgos myself.”

Jin’s quiet command left no room for argument.

What did it mean for him to go to Burgos personally? It meant bringing Burgos under Bariel’s control, signaling Jin’s direct entry into history—and, more ominously, hinting at the emperor’s impending death.

The final days of His Majesty, who had long lain bedridden, were becoming clear. As the officials exchanged murmurs and glances, a sound came from outside.

Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, there’s urgent news of a sudden death.”

“Send them in.”

Jin naturally assumed it was news of his father, the emperor’s, passing. He had instructed Xiaosi to inform him of any bad news during the meeting.

But what came next was unexpected.

“It’s urgent news from Minister Tweller: someone using the name Rutherford has been spotted in Burgos.”