Episode 576

“Is he the author? The very first noble mage?”

Wherever Ian went, whispers clung to him like shadows. Being a noble mage alone was enough to draw attention, but the greater shadow looming over him was Crony. Ian’s guardian was still Crony’s father, and the very mansion where Ian had stayed until the day before entering the palace belonged to that man.

“Oh, Uncle Ian, over here. Please, meet my direct subordinates. You’ve seen them a few times back at the mansion, haven’t you? Wasn’t Ian about this tall then?”

“Haha, a bit taller than that, I think.”

Crony proudly introduced Ian to everyone around him. Ian was like a child he had raised with his own hands since he was five, barely able to speak. Everything about Ian was wrapped in Crony’s influence.

“I hear his magical power is incredibly strong.”

“Oh, that’s just because he’s young and full of energy. We have quite a few great mages here in Bariel. Ian will have plenty to learn under them, Uncle.”

“Crony, you’ve truly raised Ian well. It’s no easy feat.”

“Oh, don’t say that. You still have a lot to learn, Uncle.”

“By the way, is the Magic Department still barking about those magic power sealing stones? I was thinking of going there myself since I haven’t gotten a response.”

“Why bother? Ian is here now. Just ask him.”

“Now, now, let’s talk about that later. Uncle still hasn’t quite adjusted to palace life.”

“Oh dear, my apologies.”

From the very start, Ian could tell how little the authors thought of him—calling the Magic Department “barking” right in front of one of their own, and then disguising errands as favors. When Ian’s expression stiffened, Crony noticed immediately and gave him a subtle nod.

“Relax, Uncle. Even if it’s hard, you have to smile. That’s palace life. It was your choice, after all.”

Ian hadn’t realized it back at the mansion, but Crony was a dangerous man in the palace. Aggressive and proactive in politics, he had secured a central position in the palace’s power structure. Ian instinctively sensed that Crony was a man who never settled, always craving more.

Why hadn’t Ian noticed this before? Probably because Crony was his entire world. He didn’t know there was another world beyond that, so he couldn’t judge Crony at all.

“Ian, did you meet with Lord Crony?”

“Naum. Sorry I’m late.”

“You don’t have to come just because you’re called.”

“Didn’t you ask me to check on something?”

“Here.”

Ian slowly read through the documents Naum handed him. The estate was divided into ten parts, and most of the assets had vanished. It wasn’t hard to guess that all of this had been used in Crony’s political maneuvers.

‘Is this the price for the Imperial Defense Ministry’s vice minister position?’

Though Ian was new to the world, he quickly understood that Bariel was in decline. In less than a hundred years, the emperor had changed several times, and the palace had been swept by bloodshed repeatedly. The situation was more precarious than a castle built on sand. Ian understood why, as a collateral branch of the royal family, he had been entrusted to Crony.

‘They barely have enough to secure the throne, let alone care for collateral branches. It’s like raising a beast that will bite my own neck.’

Naum studied Ian carefully and gently patted his shoulder.

“How about reapplying for a guardian?”

“…Do you think the court would approve?”

Outwardly, Crony had raised Ian perfectly, without fault.

But Ian was a fifteen-year-old boy who knew nothing of the world and had nothing to his name. In a situation where the vice minister position was practically for sale, there was no way the court would side with Ian.

Ian shook his head as if to say “no,” folding the papers.

“But Naum, the Imperial Defense Ministry mentioned those magic power sealing stones. What exactly are they?”

Naum’s brow immediately furrowed.

The magic power sealing stones were practically the only means to keep the Magic Department in check. For that reason, the Imperial Defense Ministry and several other departments were constantly proposing new plans for distributing the stones.

“The emperor keeps the Magic Department close. So they keep making a fuss about managing the sealing stones. The number of mages is steadily declining, too.”

The political situation was tangled and complicated.

Though Ian was deeply interested, adapting to the Magic Department came first. It was a world far more vast, wondrous, and brilliant than any academic pursuit he had known. Drawing magic circles, learning how to activate them, training, understanding—it was never enough time in a day.

Tap.

“Ian, get this done by tomorrow.”

“By tomorrow?”

“Why? Can’t you? Then get some help from the Imperial Defense Ministry.”

On top of that, the initial wariness born from their status difference had turned into outright rejection as Crony’s influence in the palace grew.

“A mage with ties to the Imperial Defense Ministry.”

Their attitude was so clear that Ian had no idea where to even begin fixing this relationship. He had only ever learned how to deal with Crony, never how to deal with people.

“Give him tasks you can handle.”

“…Naum.”

“If you can’t do it, how can a newcomer? Or you all do it together. You’re off duty today anyway, right? Perfect. Let’s get it done and then eat something good. I’ll help.”

If Naum hadn’t helped here and there, Ian was certain he would never have adapted to palace life.

Gradually, he spent more time with others and found his identity as a mage. Looking back, it was probably the happiest time of Ian’s life. That must mean he was truly happy.

“The emperor has passed away.”

Not long after, a massive storm hit.

But Ian was named as the next emperor with full support from the pro-emperor faction. As a collateral branch of Verosion, a sacred mage, and a young boy who could be swayed by the powerful factions, he was the perfect candidate. Above all, the entire palace knew there was a rift between Ian and Crony.

“Emperor? Uncle, that’s absurd. You’re too young to understand the weight of that title. Beware those who whisper sweet words—they will be your ruin. Uncle, I raised you with all my heart.”

For the first time, Crony came to the Magic Department to persuade Ian. He looked desperate. He knew Ian’s potential better than anyone.

After all, Ian was the child he had raised with his heart. The most intelligent, sharp, and divinely blessed being.

“I know things between us aren’t like before. Look, Uncle, this is what I feared. If you had stayed at the mansion, we would still care for each other like parent and child. But since you entered the palace, we’ve gone through many changes. You can’t pretend you don’t understand what it means to be crowned emperor with the pro-emperor faction’s support.”

It meant they were about to clash head-on.

Ian’s face was calm, but inside, waves of emotion churned. Crony was, after all, his father. The man who had taken root in his heart since childhood. Though their bond was cracked, something unbreakable remained between them.

“Crony, I—”

But the path was set. Ian shook his head and answered with effort.

“I have come to love Bariel.”

He would become emperor. He would restore Bariel’s fading sky and steady its trembling ground. If he could, he would find the meaning of his birth in this world.

At Ian’s words, Crony’s gaze shifted strangely. He realized he could not persuade him.

“…Very well, Uncle.”

Pushing too hard when someone’s resolve is firm only backfires. Crony stepped back, deciding it was better to maintain their bond and keep trying.

“If that is your will, I will lend you my support.”

And that was a very wise decision.

When Ian Verosion ascended the throne, those unaware of the situation expected stability at last. He was thought to have the support of both pro- and anti-emperor factions.

But the problem was Ian lacked the power to mediate their power struggles. He was more a source of conflict than a solution.

“The emperor is a mage, yet they want to control the magic power sealing stones to keep him in check? Dangerous talk. It would be better for his guardian and blood relative, Lord Crony, to handle it through the Imperial Defense Ministry.”

“Preposterous! The sealing stones are vital to the survival of mages. We will never hand them over.”

“Your Majesty! The Imperial Defense Ministry’s power is too great. We need measures to keep it in check.”

“Lord Crony is His Majesty’s regent. The Ministry’s power is His Majesty’s power. Tsk, tsk. Such disloyalty!”

“Is that what you call words? There are widespread complaints about the Imperial Defense Ministry. Why was the investigation into the civilian deaths in the Chetur district so inadequate? Some suspect the perpetrator received special treatment because he was a direct subordinate of Lord Crony. This will tarnish Your Majesty’s honor.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Thanks to an emperor from the Magic Department, who benefited the most? The budget was greatly increased, yet no thorough audit was conducted.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!”

Bang!

Ian slammed his desk, as if begging them to shut up. His gaze fixed on Naum.

‘Naum, I need your help.’

Instead of the corrupt current Minister of Magic, it seemed that only Naum’s rise to the position and his support could offer a way out.

In truth, it was a reasonable and pragmatic approach, but reality rarely follows expectations.

“Naum is aiming for the Minister of Magic post. You must help him.”

“It seems His Majesty the Emperor has his own intentions, Minister. But isn’t the Ministry of Magic an internally elected office? Rather than coming to us, wouldn’t it be faster for you to handle things within the Ministry itself?”

“Sir Crony! Even so, the Emperor listens carefully when it comes to your words! I will hand over some authority over the Magic Sealing Stones. Convince His Majesty.”

Crony smiled—brighter than ever before.

“Yes, well. I will do my best.”

When Naum Obia took control of the Ministry of Magic and assumed the ministership, management of the Magic Sealing Stones was transferred to the Imperial Defense Department, and the pro-Emperor faction lost key figures, causing their power to collapse.

Everything happened so quickly that Ian couldn’t grasp the situation. His decision had been sound, rational, and the only option available. Yet, in changing the Minister of Magic, they had suffered a devastating loss. The balance was shattered.

“Your Majesty, it’s alright. Authority can always be reclaimed. I swear by my name, Naum Obia will see to it.”

Ian still believed there was time. Though the scales were tipping, he thought it could be reversed. He was young, but his potential was limitless, and he had shown remarkable growth day by day. As the sun set and rose, Ian’s political acumen was beginning to shine.

“Your Majesty, we must go to war.”

Once again, Crony cast his shadow over Ian.

The Imperial Defense Department chose war as a means to expand their influence and to push Ian and his allies out of the palace. The justification was clear.

“For the people of the Empire to truly respect an Emperor from outside the palace, he must have achievements to match. Nothing shines brighter than a monument written in blood. Why not lightly secure the borderlands? If we reestablish Bariel’s prestige with powerful magic, morale will soar. Since you’ve never left the capital, this is a perfect opportunity in many ways.”

Every department except the Ministry of Magic supported the war. Even some mages began to favor it—a sign of betrayal, but Ian could not avoid it.

“The Minister of Imperial Defense will accompany you. I will stay to guard the palace.”

Crony, who had always lived through others, now seized the opportunity of a lifetime. He was left alone in a palace without a master.

Thus, Ian’s downfall had effectively begun from a very young age—since he was five years old, that fragile time.

*    *    *

“It was my fault, my mistake.”

Ian muttered quietly, recalling the errors of that day as if reviewing a lost game. If only he could go back—he would have acted differently, more flexibly.

“Your Majesty.”

Ian looked at Jin with a pale smile. Jin’s expression was so devastated that Ian could almost feel his pain. In truth, everyone present felt the same.

“It’s regrettable, but it’s alright. Because I have finally rediscovered the value of failure.”

He meant Jin, who stood with him in the name of Verosion. From failure, Ian had been able to teach Jin countless lessons—how could that not bring joy? Because Ian existed, Jin could be here, and through him, the history of the next hundred years would continue. This was not failure, but a necessary process.

The history of Verosion had never stopped, not for a single moment.