Chapter 503

The heated atmosphere in the meeting room instantly cooled.

The seasoned officials clicked their tongues in disapproval and deliberately averted their gazes, while bureaucrats from departments other than the Ministry of Culture clutched their pens tightly, bowing their heads as if pretending not to hear.

They thought they had caught a minor fault, but it turned out they’d grabbed the head of a serpent. Even if they handled it well, blood would be spilled; if luck ran out, it would be the end. Jin kept his cold gaze fixed on Daph Lontine, silently daring him to say something.

“Ah, um, that’s not what I meant, Your Highness.”

“Not what you meant? I’m truly at a loss. How could the Crown Prince not even understand the meaning of a single phrase? How have you managed to work under me all this time? It’s frustrating.”

His words dripped with cutting sarcasm.

Those hoping to let the matter slide shut their eyes tightly. The tension was spreading like poison throughout the Ministry of Culture. Sorry, but it’s best to cut it off here. The person sitting in front of the speaker slowly raised their head.

“I am Delma, Minister of Culture. Your Highness, I take full responsibility for Daph’s slip as his superior and will see to his reprimand. I humbly ask you to calm your anger and settle this matter. It would be unfair to compare Your Highness, of noble birth, with the Minister of Magic, who hails from the borderlands. I believe Sir Ian Hielo will agree.”

Everyone goes through childhood, but that doesn’t mean they stand on equal footing.

Ian responded to Delma’s retort with a smile.

“Of course. As you said, Your Highness and I cannot be judged by the same standards. But I am the same in one respect: it would be wrong for you—or rather, for Sir Daph Lontine—to see me as a mere ‘child.’ I am a magician.”

Among all the ministries within the palace, only the Ministry of Magic selects its minister from within its own ranks. This means that the trust, respect, and confidence of its members are paramount in evaluating a candidate’s qualifications—and it also proves the candidate’s formidable power.

Ian underlined Daph Lontine’s name and asked again.

“You said his youth was the problem, Sir Daph Lontine. Do you understand now?”

“Y-yes, no objections.”

“Good. Then let’s move on. Since Minister Delma has spoken, we’ll address matters related to the Ministry of Culture first.”

Ian gestured, and a magician standing behind handed him a new report. The officials leaned in, curious about its contents, but Ian leisurely flipped through the pages, pointing out key parts.

“First, regarding the Rutherford intrusion, there is no excuse. It was indeed a failure on the part of the Ministry of Magic, which is largely responsible for palace security. I, as the person in charge at the time, fully acknowledge this and bow my head in apology to the palace and the empire’s citizens.”

That’s more like it. No matter how much time has passed, the incident was clear-cut. What could someone just returned possibly do? The first step is to bow low and accept responsibility. Some officials exchanged satisfied glances and nodded, ready to press the matter further.

But that was short-lived.

Ian looked Minister Delma squarely in the eye.

“However, ensuring palace security is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Magic. Directly, it involves the Imperial Defense Department and the Palace Guard, and indirectly, everyone must fulfill their duties. You said all responsible parties were dismissed to restore order. Is that correct?”

Minister Delma glanced at Minister Tweller. Suddenly, the Imperial Defense Department and Palace Guard were being brought up.

But Tweller showed no sign of surprise, as if he had been forewarned. This suggested he had prior notice.

The officials shifted their eyes nervously, whispering among themselves.

“Right now, the heads of the Imperial Defense Department and Palace Guard remain unchanged. Why is only the Ministry of Magic being targeted?”

“If you want to go after the Ministry of Magic, be prepared to include the Defense Department and Palace Guard. That would mean opposing the Crown Prince himself.”

“What is this… a child hiding a dagger beneath his tongue?”

“Shh. Quiet. Don’t call him a child.”

Ian tapped his pen on the desk and glanced at Minister Delma. He had asked a question, but no answer came. She was clearly pondering how to respond. Ian didn’t wait and continued.

“Minister Delma, you must be aware that Rutherford used a painting in the exhibition hall as an entry point. Aren’t all the palace’s artworks under the Ministry of Culture’s jurisdiction?”

“Speak properly! That was clearly a matter of magic! Before the Ministry of Culture, it was the Ministry of Magic’s responsibility to handle!”

“The magic embedded in the painting, yes. But do you know where the painting came from, who painted it, and how it entered the palace? If the import process had been clear, you would have known Rutherford’s involvement earlier. Since the Ministry of Magic bears responsibility, the Ministry of Culture must also share it. Any objections?”

“That’s why the former Minister of Culture resigned.”

“You, Minister Delma, succeeded him, yet no special follow-up investigation was conducted. Isn’t that negligence?”

Ian lightly pushed the report toward her. Delma frowned without holding back.

“Listen. The Rutherford conspiracy disappeared along with you, and countless treasures were lost. The Ministry of Culture focused on recovering those treasures, not neglecting its duties.”

“And how much have you recovered? Those treasures.”

Delma leaned forward slightly, growling as if pleased with her own words.

“Not even half of half. While the intrusion itself might be debatable, the loss of treasures is clearly the Ministry of Magic’s fault. After all, only the Ministry of Magic confronted Rutherford. How do you intend to take responsibility? The Ministry of Culture has suffered enormous losses.”

“Speak properly, Minister Delma.”

“W-what did you say?”

Ian smiled, repeating her words back to her.

“It’s not the Ministry of Culture’s loss, but the royal family’s. The treasures belong to the royal family, so if compensation is to be claimed, it should be from the royal family to the Ministry of Magic. Isn’t that right?”

“…!”

Caught off guard, Delma faltered. It was essentially true. The Ministry of Culture managed and excavated precious items under the royal family’s orders.

“I will personally propose a solution to Your Highness regarding the lost treasures. To do so, I must first be reinstated as Minister of Magic.”

“Wait a moment. Until now, the Ministry of Culture has overseen those duties. Suddenly changing that—are you telling us to become dogs chasing after chickens?”

Each department fought fiercely for their right to speak, fiercely guarding their responsibilities. The authority that came with their duties and the rights granted upon their achievements defined their value and existence.

For the Ministry of Culture, recovering the treasures was one of their most critical tasks. In other words, they were saying the Ministry of Magic would take responsibility, but the Ministry of Culture would handle the work.

Ian shrugged as if utterly baffled.

“If you wish, you may proceed.”

Damn it, what a—

“Sir Ian!”

“Upon reviewing last year’s budget, I found that several departments borrowed from the Ministry of Magic’s allocated funds and personnel. It seems to have been a kind of secondment, but nothing has been properly returned.”

Ian read aloud the densely written figures.

“The Ministry of Culture borrowed 3,000 gold coins. Have you ever calculated how much interest that accrues?”

“W-we followed proper procedures. It was a lawful interdepartmental transaction under the administration’s supervision.”

“I asked how much the interest is. Surely you know what interest means.”

“That’s an insult!”

Bang!

Delma slammed her desk in protest, and Ian lightly tossed the report aside.

“Six departments, including the Ministry of Culture, borrowed from the Ministry of Magic’s budget, yet not one has repaid properly. That is the real insult, Minister Delma.”

Jin, who had been stroking his eyebrows, flicked his hand at Delma, signaling her to restrain herself.

“It is only right to correct what has been given. Ministry of Culture, choose: will you take both responsibility and duties, or abandon both?”

If they opposed Ian, the treasure recovery would have to be handed over to the Ministry of Magic. Even if the incident was recent, after so much time, shifting responsibility to the Ministry of Culture was not a heavy burden.

Delma’s subordinates whispered behind cupped hands.

“Minister, now that the budget issue has been officially raised, they will surely press on that as well. It’s best to back down at a reasonable point.”

“Yes, perhaps we should withdraw here.”

Delma bit her lip, took a deep breath, and seemed to gather herself. Other departments had already become chaotic, holding their own meetings the moment Ian brought up the budget.

After a sip of water, Delma made her decision.

“…No objections. The Ministry of Culture will take responsibility for the lost treasures and see the task through to the end, Your Highness.”

“Very well. So be it.”

The issues of Ian’s identity and the responsibility for the lost treasures were settled. Ian drew a firm line under the matter and added one last remark to Delma.

“From now on, the Ministry of Culture must manage its funds carefully. By mid-year, we will demand full repayment.”

“…”

“We have no further questions for Minister Ian Hielo.”

“Yes, likewise. No further inquiries.”

Two other departments quickly raised their hands to express agreement. Ian nodded, approving their sound judgment, and closed the report.

“Then, it all comes down to my personal abilities, doesn’t it? The fact that I couldn’t stand against Rutherford with magic.”

His smile shone unusually bright, as if delivering good news. A sudden radiant glow. The officials blinked in surprise.

“Rutherford isn’t a mage. He’s just a human.”

“W-what did you say?”

“What are you talking about? You yourself said earlier that you couldn’t face Rutherford because of magic. And countless mages have followed him. How can you say he’s just an ordinary man? It makes no sense.”

“There was a binding contract of magic between Rutherford and me. It was tied to my power. But I severed that link deep in the Abyss. Now, there’s no connection between him and me. So, I will no longer lose to Rutherford.”

Hale, who had been quietly listening from behind, raised his hand. As the officials turned their gaze back, Ian also looked over his shoulder.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Ian has never lost before.”

“That’s right! Lost? He charged straight into the Abyss! And then went back for another round.”

“Quiet, will you?”

“I agree. The Magic Department has not been defeated by Rutherford. So to even question our abilities is unfair.”

“What exactly does ‘losing’ mean? Casualties happen in every battle. The fight isn’t over yet, so I don’t understand why anyone would use the word ‘defeat’ to diminish the Magic Department’s standing.”

“Exactly. That’s an insult.”

Even the mages found courage to speak up. Seeing this, Ian shrugged once and faced forward again. The officials’ expressions as they looked at the mages were quite telling.

“That’s what they say. Now, honestly, I have to ask—do you have any alternatives?”

An alternative to facing Rutherford without the Magic Department, who carries the shadow of the gods on his back. An alternative that minimizes the Empire’s losses and surpasses Vargas, even Toorun.

Ian asked again, challenging them to answer.

“Do you? Anything at all?”