Chapter 519
Tap, tap, tap!

Lady Kayla Hollin crouched low over the table, carefully examining the blade laid out before her. The sword stretched out in a straight line, its edge catching the light and gleaming with a brilliance more captivating than any jewel.

Watching the tip grow ever lighter and sharper, she found herself wondering whose blood this blade would thirst for next. Suddenly, the noisy commotion from outside caught her attention, and Kayla instinctively furrowed her brow and turned her head.

Knock, knock.

“Ah, my lady.”

“What’s all this noise about?”

“A guest has arrived from the royal palace.”

Again? Kayla thought wearily.

Officials from the palace, already scrambling as if the roof was on fire, had been running back and forth between the palace and the estate, wearing down their shoe heels. They tried to persuade her father, the duke, with trivial excuses, and then begged her to intervene on their behalf. Were they so bold because she smiled and laughed easily? They sought to deliver proposals they dared not present directly to her father, using her as a messenger.

Having grown tired of palace officials, Kayla had no intention of going out and instead focused on tidying the sword.

“That will do. Tell them I have business today.”

“But, the visitor is Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department. And it seems the duke is currently out…”

Kayla paused. The moment the attendant finished speaking, she flung open the door.

“Lead the way. Is he in the reception room?”

“Yes, yes. But it seems they knew the duke was absent before coming.”

“Of course. Such an esteemed visitor wouldn’t come all this way without knowing the host was away.”

As she walked down the corridor, Kayla smoothed her hair, attendants trailing behind, gracefully holding the hems of her dress. Every movement—slipping on rings, fastening a necklace—felt like a warrior donning armor before battle.

Stopping just outside the half-open reception room, Kayla caught a final glimpse of herself in the window’s reflection, then fixed a radiant smile on her face.

Knock, knock.

“Good day, Minister of the Magic Department.”

“Good day, Lady Kayla.”

Ian Hielo sat on the sofa in his official uniform, waiting without having touched his teacup. Kayla glanced at the full cup, then gave a slight nod in his direction.

“What shall I do? It seems you came to see my father, but he’s out at the moment.”

“I was informed by the butler. I realize this may not be the best time for a visit, but the matter is urgent, so I came to deliver a response personally. Are there any other family members present besides Lady Kayla?”

“No, you may speak to me. I will keep it safe and deliver it to my father exactly as you say.”

Kayla signaled to her attendant to pour fresh tea. She wasn’t sure of Ian’s intentions, but refusing the offered tea outright was impolite. Whether it was simple disinterest or something deeper, she intended to find out.

Shuffle.

“Minister, what brings you here?”

“Simply put, there have been many visitors coming and going to the Hollin family lately.”

“That’s thanks to the Magic Department, isn’t it? I never imagined we’d be mentioned in the palace’s financial disputes.”

Though she smiled, her words were laced with barbs. The financial issues were theirs to resolve, so why drag her family into it? It was a clear reprimand.

Ian merely smiled in return.

“Indeed. I was surprised as well. I thought the Hollin family had no ties to the palace, but your influence is so great that you were inevitably mentioned.”

So who was it that told the palace officials to collude and expand their business? It was them who reached out first. If anyone should be blamed, it was those who made the first move.

Hah.

Kayla felt her expression harden. She was usually composed in any situation, but Ian’s tone and choice of words grated on her nerves.

“And so?”

“In response to your proposal, I have brought an answer. First—”

With a swift gesture, Ian motioned to Romandro sitting beside him, who handed over a stack of documents. They were contracts for the sale of estates and assets, all prepared so that once the Hollin family sealed them, the matter would be settled.

“What is this?”

“Is this your first time seeing a contract? If there’s a problem, Lady Kayla, it’s fine. We can wait until the duke returns.”

No matter how influential the family was, all business dealings had always been led by the duke. Kayla frowned at the suggestion to delay.

“I know what a contract is. My question is why you’re presenting this now. It seems you’ve been away from Bariel too long to understand.”

Oh! Romandro, standing silently behind, widened his eyes slightly. Ian was one thing, but the sharpness in Lady Kayla’s words was truly formidable.

“Is this your answer to our counterproposal?”

Kayla lifted the contract briefly, then set it down again, as if to say, What am I supposed to do with this?

Ignoring her, Ian smiled brightly and even removed the pen cap himself, sliding it toward her. He knew she didn’t have the authority to decide immediately.

“You proposed the dismissal of Lord Mark and Lord Charles, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Are you aware that’s an overreach of authority?”

“Overreach? That’s laughable. We didn’t issue orders; it was simply a condition of the contract. Were those two officials actually dismissed? No authority was exercised, so I don’t understand why you call it overreach.”

“The very act of trying to remove the emperor’s and crown prince’s men for personal reasons is the problem. For someone of your standing, Lady Kayla, to be unaware of this… it shows how much time has passed.”

Ian tapped the corner of the contract.

“However, His Highness the Crown Prince has been gracious. Considering the Magic Department’s budget and the special circumstances of war, he has proposed a compromise. From now on, all palace officials will be evaluated under His Highness’s system. Do you understand what that means?”

If the Hollin family wanted to check the Davion family, they were to lower their heads and stand quietly by their side. The crown prince held the leash, and depending on the balance of power, he could tighten or loosen it at will.

Kayla parted her lips slightly, bewildered.

“An evaluation system? In the palace?”

“Yes. It will be officially announced soon. I’m informing you beforehand so the Hollin dukedom can seize the opportunity.”

“No, what—”

Before she could protest, Ian kindly added,

“Dismissals and appointments have always been made annually at the New Year’s gathering, but there was no objective system to assess officials’ performance. This time, all captains and department heads will be placed under a new system set by His Majesty.”

“…How?”

Why would the Davion family willingly put a noose around their own neck? And how did the crown prince manage this? Kayla asked, but Ian just smiled as if it didn’t matter.

Do as you will.

“In any case, the authority to decide the fate of the two officials you proposed will no longer be mine but His Highness’s. While it’s not a dismissal, I’ve outlined a path that could lead there. Isn’t that sufficient?”

Kayla clenched her fist beneath her dress. She needed to confirm if this was real or not. It simply didn’t make sense.

It was suspicious that people who would normally gorge themselves were now willingly falling into the royal grasp.

“Won’t the officials just stand by quietly?”

“Lady Kayla, do you know which position is the only one appointed independently without palace discussion at the New Year’s gathering?”

“…No.”

“The Minister of the Magic Department.”

That was tradition.

Even without this, the minister led by example, stepping willingly into the yoke. What grounds would other officials have to resist? Ian shook his head briefly, as if there was nothing more to say.

“And soon, a formal complaint will arrive from the Hollin family.”

“A complaint?”

“From the Davion side. They’ve charged you with violating imperial law. We’ll have no choice but to settle this in court. Are you prepared for that?”

Though the judiciary was fair, it was still a department under the royal household. Especially now, with public outrage clear and evidence against the Hollin family strong, the situation was grim.

Kayla stared at Ian with a cold expression, and he softened his tone.

“I can’t say for certain until the imperial law is applied, but in the worst case, part of the Hollin estates could be confiscated. That would leave your side with nothing.”

“…I don’t understand your intentions.”

Kayla knew that if imperial law was enforced, the palace would be the beneficiary of any confiscated lands. The Magic Department would welcome this outcome. So why the advance warning and the offer of help?

“Before that happens, transfer the originally agreed purchase amount to the Magic Department. That way, you can at least recover your principal.”

Only then did Kayla realize the asset sale hadn’t been priced yet. So the land value Ian mentioned included that.

“Blacksmiths from Rajasan are on their way. With war looming, it’s best to begin quickly if possible. This is the opportunity we offer.”

They could wait and get it for free later, but no one could guarantee how long the trial would drag on. Given the judiciary’s reputation and the attention from other noble houses, rushing was impossible. Cooperation was requested.

“If you hand over the estates under these terms, I will do my best to ensure the trial proceeds smoothly.”

“…Didn’t Davion’s side sweet-talk you as well? Offering to help with the trial proceedings? If that’s the case, they must have willingly put on the leash to cut us out.”

Quite perceptive.

Ian nodded slightly, as if a bit surprised, but offered no response. He just stared coldly at the now-cold teacup.

Kaila hesitated, then finally spoke with some difficulty.

“Please guarantee me one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“If Holinga’s influence wanes, my competitiveness as a candidate for Empress will also decline. That would be like losing everything to me. Please don’t touch the general weapons business rights. Whether you deal with monsters or whatever on that front, I won’t interfere.”

“A merchant’s worth is measured by what they sell. The Dera clan’s blacksmiths will be arriving soon. Why don’t you enter the palace wielding the finest sword your family can produce? The sword that survives the competition will become the Empire’s blade.”

With that, Ian stood up. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he paused, as if recalling something.

“Also, my lady, I ask this just in case.”

“Yes?”

“Is the Duchess perhaps a Burgos?”

“…!”

Given the dealings during the Burgos civil war, and noticing Kaila’s eye and hair color, he couldn’t help but ask. For a fleeting moment, a flash of embarrassment crossed Kaila’s face, but she quickly straightened her back and replied nonchalantly.

“What are you implying?”

“I’m only concerned. Please don’t transfer ownership of your territory to outsiders. The moment that happens, whoever it may be, this estate will lose its master once again.”

And the Haiman clan will take over.

Kaila showed no particular reaction—at least, not until Ian left the reception room.

Clatter.

Kaila leaned forward on the table and accidentally knocked over her teacup, spilling a little tea. The hem of her dress got slightly wet, but she didn’t care.

She clearly knew something.

About her mother.

“…Damn her.”

Muttering the curse under her breath, Kaila struggled to suppress her anger. She stared at the contract lying before her for a long moment, then called out for a servant.

“Where’s Father!?”

“Ah, he’s just coming in hurriedly now…”

“Prepare his office. He’ll need to stamp the seal as soon as he arrives.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Kaila clenched her teeth and muttered again.

“And get the dispatch letter ready to send to Burgos.”