Chapter 530
Hawan.

A land bridging foreign countries and Bariel through trade. Merchants from all walks of life had made it their hub, resulting in a unique identity forged from a blend of countless cultures.

Even the carriages were somewhat unusual—

Screeeech!

“What on earth is that?”

“Doesn’t look like a horse… maybe a goat?”

“C-can we get any closer?”

The creature pulling the cart was a strange hybrid beast. Its massive frame and intimidating hexagonal horns made the palace staff freeze, hesitant to approach.

It was Hawan’s side that moved first. The carriage door swung open, revealing a woman with her hair swept up and her face veiled in cloth. Ian stepped forward and bowed.

“Welcome. Are you Prime Minister Shatima Gurgein?”

“Please, call me Shatima. You must be Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m grateful to join this esteemed occasion as the representative of the Kingdom of Hawan.”

Red and yellow speckles densely dotted Shatima’s eyes. Though her full appearance was obscured, knowing she had served two generations of kings gave Ian a rough idea of her age.

Shatima’s fingernails were as long as fingers—on all ten hands. Ian shook her hand and replied.

“Thank you for traveling so far. I sincerely hope His Majesty the King of Hawan recovers swiftly and that the Empire’s glory continues alongside him.”

Though the truth was unknown, the official documents mentioned the king’s health issues, so Ian had to acknowledge it formally.

Without a word, Shatima smiled—a graceful yet self-mocking expression.

“Your kind words are appreciated. I will be sure to convey them to His Majesty.”

Unlike Bariel, it was clear that in Hawan, the king and prime minister were in strong opposition. Though Akorella’s interpretation was somewhat blunt, the documents made the tension unmistakable.

-…Prime Minister Shatima Gurgein is highly capable and accomplished, enjoying great popularity in Hawan. If possible, please allow her to remain after the coronation to learn from Bariel’s advanced culture and society. During that time, consider her a subject of Bariel to ensure she faces no inconvenience in the Empire…

Shatima likely suspected as much.

And this was Bariel’s chance to engage with a foreign power’s entrenched opposition. Just as Ian had anticipated.

“Is there a caretaker for these beasts?”

“Of course. These are newly introduced creatures in Hawan. They have the stamina of horses but are gentler, making them quite popular. A few have even been prepared as gifts for His Majesty’s coronation.”

“Yes, I’m sure he will be pleased. Let us proceed to the main palace. You may rest and recover from your journey before meeting His Majesty.”

Screeech.

Shatima climbed back into the carriage.

Inside sat another woman, her hair also swept up and face veiled, her gaze fixed on Ian through the window’s crack. The look in her eyes—so long unseen—blazed with an unmeasurable fury and loathing.

“How does it feel to be back after so long?”

As the carriage pulled away, Shatima tilted her chin slightly and asked. The woman let out a low laugh.

“It feels like returning to a long-missed home. Ian Hielo, if it weren’t for that person, I would have come here long ago. I tremble with rage and bitterness.”

“But restrain yourself. I brought you to the palace for contingencies, not to support your personal vendetta.”

“Of course, Shatima.”

“Good. How shall I address you? By your old name? Now that you’re back in your homeland, wouldn’t that be fitting?”

Shatima drew back the curtain and turned to the woman.

“Berti Erika?”

“No. I worry someone might overhear.”

“You’re overthinking. That was over ten years ago. Who remembers the investigation leader who disappeared after failing a mission on the border? The emperor has changed, and the world has moved on.”

Berti Erika.

She had come down to the border to investigate Count Bratz’s tax evasion but failed to secure his title due to Ian’s interference. She wandered the borderlands searching for the bodies of Merry and Chel.

Erika hated how those words defined her.

“Choose wisely.”

Shatima’s brown eyes locked onto Erika’s.

“Your path of revenge.”

Would she simply take Ian Hielo’s life, or return to the palace and erase all traces of her past?

Erika bit her lip repeatedly, rubbing her forehead in frustration. She knew what the wise choice was, but facing Ian’s face shook her rational judgment.

“Erika, I invested in you. If you return to the palace and establish yourself, you will be more useful to me than anyone else. Forgetting the favor of one who took you in is something only beasts do.”

“I will remember.”

Erika answered, carefully covering her face with cloth. In the distance, the main palace where the guests stayed came into view.

*    *    *

“Except for Luswena, all the guests have arrived.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Jin stood before a mirror, snapping his shirt collar with a slightly irritable gesture. The attendants nervously smoothed his clothing.

Leaning back on the sofa, Jin gestured with a sigh.

“I’ve never liked Luswena more than Burgos.”

“Is that so?”

“If I could have chosen the first country to establish as a foothold, I would have taken Luswena without hesitation. Erefoni—the snake of a king—dismissed me as a child from the start. And his successor, Eldert, is no better.”

When Eldert sent a proxy instead of coming himself, Jin’s relief and satisfaction were unknown to those involved. By doing so, he had given himself the justification to deal with both Eldert and Burgos, a gift he intended to keep for the coronation.

Ian smiled faintly as he flipped through the report.

“They will request audiences in this order: Astana, Klipoford, then the Kingdom of Hawan.”

“I hear you have a special relationship with the King of Astana?”

“It was a chance connection long ago, involving former Minister Wesley.”

“Hmm. I see.” Jin shrugged, and Ian returned his gaze to the report.

“And the daughter of Duke Holin.”

“Lady Kyla, you mean?”

“Yes. Before moving to Burgos, she requested a final audience with Your Majesty. With the upcoming festival causing a stir in Bariel, she likely judged this the best time to leave the country.”

Jin smiled slightly, puzzled. The timing seemed right, but the motive was unclear. What could Lady Kyla and he possibly have to discuss in private?

“I’m busy.”

Jin replied playfully, and Ian shrugged.

The coronation and send-off ceremonies did not conclude in a single day. First came the grand banquet gathering all central nobles alongside the arrival of guests. Then, for a week, the entire empire celebrated with public holidays.

And at the end of it all was the march to the battlefield. Jin’s schedule was packed with events to unite the empire’s people every day. There was simply no time to meet Lady Kyla.

“I will inform her as such.”

“Everyone is worried, Ian. They fear you might collapse again before such an important event.”

Though the four black moons hanging in the sky were blamed, Ian vaguely understood the real cause: mages, Romandro, and Beric had all come to lament to Jin.

Ian shook his head slightly, as if to reassure, and adjusted Jin’s collar.

“No matter how ungrateful a subject I may be, I would never ruin Your Majesty’s coming-of-age ceremony and coronation. Please don’t worry. The Ministry of Magic is just making a fuss over nothing.”

“Taking care of yourself is also your duty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now. Please enjoy every moment. It is your day, after all.”

“Very well.”

Ian lightly gathered the reports and left the Crown Prince’s palace. Mages waiting in the corridor straightened their posture to greet him.

“The guests?”

“All have arrived and settled in. The banquet time has been announced, so everyone will prepare and appear on time.”

“Just in case, notify them again in a couple of hours.”

“Yes. Oh, and the King of Astana requested ‘that’ be brought.”

“That?”

“The doll Romandro presented. This one.”

A transparent glass case held the Infi doll. Romandro had looked disgusted, barely able to suppress a gag.

“Apparently, one of Astana’s attendants is an expert on this. They said they can check for curses anytime. Shall I bring it now?”

“Place it in King Hasha’s quarters.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Have you confirmed the ritual sequences from the banquet hall to the palace and the outer central areas?”

“They’re in the final stages. No issues with the event’s progress.”

“Unlike Burgos, there are those here trying to gauge Bariel’s strength. No mistakes can be allowed during the ceremony.”

“Yes, Ian!”

“Then, everyone, return to your posts.”

With a crisp sound, the mages saluted sharply at Ian’s command. They dispersed to their assigned positions, and the mage responsible for the Infi doll flew off toward the Astana guests’ quarters.

Whirrr!

Tap!

“Are you there?”

“Yes, what is it?”

The Astana attendants were busy carrying fabrics and ornaments—likely gifts meant as tribute.

“A representative from the Magic Department. I’ve brought an item for appraisal by the Astana delegation. Who’s in charge here?”

“He’s just stepped out to the back courtyard. If you leave it there, I’ll make sure it gets to him.”

“No, I’d prefer to deliver it myself.”

“He’s in the middle of a ceremony, so it might take some time.”

The mage hesitated briefly, checking his pocket watch. Any delay here would throw off the entire schedule. After a moment’s thought, he placed the glass case containing the doll on the table.

“Then I’ll leave it here. Please make sure it’s delivered.”

“Don’t worry.”

With a nod, the mage stepped outside, and the attendants resumed moving their cargo.

The Infi doll sat alone, ignored and forgotten. How much time had passed? As silence settled, the doll’s head slowly tilted, and the glass case began to creak open bit by bit.

Thud.

The doll collapsed forward, limp as a person with all their tendons severed, yet it struggled feebly, twitching. Inch by inch, it crawled forward—slowly, steadily.

Just as it nearly reached the crack in the door—

BANG!

“Hashaaah!”

The door swung open abruptly, striking the doll and sending it flying across the room.

Something had been in the way? Beric scratched his nose and glanced down, spotting the doll crumpled in the corner, battered and pitiful.

“What the hell? Why is this here?”

Narrowing his eyes, Beric sniffed suspiciously. What was this creepy doll? After staring at it for a long moment, frustration got the better of him, and he punched the doll’s face.

Thwack!

“Ugh, this thing’s just plain unlucky.”

He then pinched the doll’s tip between thumb and forefinger, as if handling something filthy.

“Hashaaah!”

Dangling the doll, Beric dashed inside, searching for Hasha.