Episode 635
Ian, Beric, and Romandro crouched together, looking down at the man from the Natan tribe. Half-hidden in shadow, his gaunt face was pale and drawn.
“Ian, who exactly is this guy?”
“He’s from the Natan tribe, one of the northern minorities. They have the ability to manipulate shadows freely. I figured it out thanks to the magical circle’s energy ripple. But honestly, I don’t know what he’s doing here.”
“Hey, Ian says he’s got questions. You answer.”
Beric grabbed the Natan man by the scruff of his neck and shook him lightly. What kind of lunatic sneaks into a place like this?
Romandro clicked his tongue and glanced around. Since one of the Magic Department’s main duties was palace security, any slip-up could cause serious trouble.
“W-well, I’ve been here a while, sob. My name is Nabushilatakurani-tu.”
“Nabu… what? Didn’t ask for your name. Why are you here?”
“…I came to assassinate King Damon, but things went wrong.”
At the mention of King Damon, Romandro’s eyes widened. This was the lead they’d been searching for since the failed assassination attempt. They’d never found the enemy’s entry point into the palace, and the case had gone cold. But now, maybe they had a clue.
“You came in riding the shadows?”
“No, no. I came in by carriage, with help from someone who delivers food to the palace.”
“What?!”
Romandro shouted in surprise, making Filia, who was nearby, flinch. Hale, who was gathering supplies, paused to assess the situation. Romandro grabbed Nabu by the collar and shook him again, like dusting off a tree’s fruit.
“Who the hell dared to pull that stunt at the palace?”
“P-please don’t shake me! I’m dizzy.”
“Tell us! Which company was it?”
“I-I don’t know the details. The driver’s name was something like Alkaen?”
Romandro gritted his teeth. Once Ian’s group reached Burgos, they’d tear the city apart to find that driver and make him pay.
“But why are you still here? Don’t you have a home?”
Beric tapped Nabu’s forehead gently, genuinely curious. This was probably around the time of the Siege of Agiar, and it baffled him why the man was still lingering in the palace.
“N-no, that’s not it.”
“Then? Were you waiting for another chance to kill Damon?”
“……”
“Wow, Ian. This guy can’t even lie. Look at him clamming up. Makes me want to punch him.”
“No! I wasn’t just waiting! After that day, palace security tightened so much I couldn’t leave. If I could have crossed the magical barriers, I wouldn’t have needed to sneak in on a civilian carriage!”
“Oh, so you had no way out?”
“Even waiting didn’t help… so yeah. I figured something serious had happened. And I thought maybe new orders would come eventually.”
“Hmph. Dumb but honest. I like that.”
Ian sighed softly. Who would have guessed someone like this was hiding somewhere in the vast shadows of the palace? He’d slipped in searching for a place with no signs of life and ended up next to the empty Magic Department. That’s how Ian caught him.
“Trespassing and causing a disturbance in the palace is a grave crime.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why I’ve been hiding.”
“What have you been eating? Raiding the Magic Department’s kitchen? Honestly, the head chef here is pretty careless. If you know how to open the storeroom, you could eat your fill. Trust me, I know.”
Beric nodded knowingly, and Romandro sympathized with the chef. Because of Beric’s constant food thefts, the chef had even taken up swordsmanship—quite skillfully, too.
“No, I never even tried to get inside the building. There are supplies stored here, so I rationed those little by little. I swear.”
“Inside? Where?”
Beric craned his neck toward the shadows but hit the grass, unable to enter.
“I-I don’t want to show you.”
“What?! Why not?!”
“It’s my personal space.”
“Are you crazy? Don’t you realize the situation?”
“Ahhh!”
Beric grabbed Nabu’s hair again, shaking him as if to rip it out. Romandro cheered him on from the side, muttering, “This guy’s insufferable!”
“Is it some kind of pocket dimension?”
Ian traced the shadow with his fingertips. It blended with the tree’s shadow, making the boundary impossible to detect. He’d felt this before in battle with the Natan tribe—it was a fascinating ability. To cut and attach shadows at will, using them as a private space.
“How many can fit inside?”
“It varies by person, but I can fit about twenty grown men comfortably.”
“How long can someone survive inside?”
“For humans, not Natan tribe members, at most an hour.”
“Must be because the air is cut off.”
“Y-yes… but why?”
Why? How dare he ask that, of all people! Beric reached to grab Nabu’s collar again, but the man begged for mercy, hands clasped in apology. A man who earns his beatings.
“Choose. We’re heading to Burgos now. Will you come with us, or pay for your crimes here?”
“P-pay for my crimes?”
“Death sentence.”
“Gah!”
Nabu clutched his neck in horror. He’d barely survived by rationing scraps, and now they wanted to kill him?
“Of course, of course! I’ll go to Burgos!”
“And sometimes, I’ll want to use your shadow. Can you accept that?”
“Y-yes! …Wait?”
That meant he wouldn’t be going back to his tribe anytime soon and would be at Ian’s beck and call indefinitely. Nabu’s mouth fell open slightly, and Ian smiled.
“You understand.”
“Um… how long?”
“Can’t say. At least until the war with Tolrun ends.”
One thing to note: the Tolrun war hadn’t even started yet. Nabu hesitated, clearly unsettled, and Beric gripped his sword tighter.
“Don’t like it? Then quit.”
“Wait! No! Please!”
“We don’t force anyone who doesn’t want to come.”
“I’m not refusing! I’ll do it! Really!”
He had no choice. If he didn’t go with them, he’d be dead. Ian patted his shoulder, as if approving his decision.
“You can’t return to your tribe anyway. After Rutherford’s fall, all the northern tribes that cooperated with us vanished. It’ll take time to find them. But if you help us here, we’ll pardon the Natan tribe whenever possible.”
“R-Rutherford fell? How did that happen?”
“What do you mean, how? We won. Ian, I don’t know if this guy’s dumb enough to be useful. Can’t we just kill him?”
“I’ll be quick and efficient! I can do it!”
Nabu begged for his life, and Romandro nudged Beric’s side, secretly giving a thumbs-up. Beric looked confused. He’d said that half-jokingly, but it was hard to tell.
“Better to have a safety measure, just in case.”
“Hmm, ah! Hey!”
Romandro called over a mage still stationed in the palace. They intended to form a binding contract. The mage listened to the situation, then drew a magical circle on his palm and extended his hand to Nabu.
“If caught, you’ll be bound by contract. You must cooperate absolutely with Bariel. The duration will be decided based on the situation. If you betray us, divine power will tear your heart apart. Do you agree?”
“I don’t agree, but I have no choice but to accept…”
“Oh, typical loose lips. But you smell a bit.”
“I don’t notice it…”
Muttering, Nabu clasped the mage’s hand. The magical circle expanded, wrapping tightly around their wrists before vanishing.
“Well then, let’s get ready. Hale, did you pack everything?”
“Yes, Lord Ian. I couldn’t get everything, but this should be enough—”
Hale suddenly paused, as if realizing something. He’d just gotten a good new bag.
Ian gestured for him to use it, and Hale set down his load before heading back to the lab. Maybe they could move the entire lab now.
“Romandro, keep all information about the Natan tribe confidential, but please conduct a thorough investigation. Send me a report.”
“Got it! Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to wipe them out!”
Security had been a major concern since the palace intrusion. If word got out that an outsider had been hiding here all this time, it would cause chaos. Best if only the Prime Minister and key officials knew.
“I know the Magic Department is short-staffed, but hang in there. Keep tightening security like this.”
“Yes, Lord Ian. Leave it to us. We’ll stay sharp.”
Ian smiled with satisfaction. Filia, sensing the time to leave was near, quietly grabbed her son’s sleeve.
“Ian, please take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Mother. You stay healthy, too.”
“…Thank you.”
They didn’t need many words. Filia hugged Ian tightly, letting go of her last regrets, then whispered softly.
“I’ll pray. Every day, I’ll pray to the gods that you return safely.”
Ian responded by gently patting her back.
Just then, Hale returned from the lab, dropping five huge bundles of supplies. Beric nudged Nabu’s back.
“Hey! Get moving, Nabu!”
“N-Nabushilatakurani-tu…”
“Shut up. From now on, you’re just Nabu.”
Dragging his feet, Nabu approached Hale with a listless gait and pulled the luggage toward his own shadow. Then, as if a hole had opened up, it slipped right in. Hale clapped his hands lightly at the astonishing sight. It was nice not having to carry the heavy load.
Ziiing. Ziiing.
Ian reactivated the portal magic circle that had paused because of Nabu. This time, to avoid being noticed outside, a black moon appeared on the ground—like Nabu’s shadow.
“Well then, we’ll be off again.”
“Safe travels, Ian! Get that report to me soon!”
“Ian, take care! Be careful!”
“Beric, Captain Hale, and soldier Barsabe, watch yourselves! See you soon! When you get back, I’m buying a big round—except for Beric!”
“Why am I excluded?”
“You eat way too much!”
“Bleh.” Beric stuck out his tongue, grabbed Nabu by the scruff of his neck, and was the first to leap into the black moon. Barsabe and Hale followed right after.
Ian nodded in farewell one last time, then disappeared after them.
“Haah.”
At the Burgos Calamat Palace, the mages sighed softly as they gazed up at the clear sky.
“I wonder how Ian is doing.”
“Well, Beric went with him, so he probably isn’t lonely.”
“It’s only been a few days, but, well…”
“Good, right?”
When Nakina chimed in, the mages smiled oddly. They didn’t quite know how to put this feeling into words. They missed Ian terribly and longed for him, but at the same time, their bodies felt so much lighter.
It was like having a perfectionist, workaholic boss on a business trip—suddenly, the day felt so relaxed. They truly loved Ian, but this freedom was intoxicating.
“Ugh. I don’t even remember the last time I had a proper lunch break.”
“Honestly, I’ve been shedding tears of joy since earlier. Eating lunch outside, not at my desk! And basking in the sunlight while doing it. This is what life’s about, haah.”
“I’m insanely happy… but I miss him. I just wish he’d come back a little later. Still, I hope his mission goes smoothly, and that he doesn’t rush.”
“Huh?”
“Pfft—!”
One mage, sipping coffee, suddenly froze. A black moon had appeared in the sky. They all spat out their drinks in shock and looked up, stunned. The energy was unmistakable.
“Isn’t that… Ian?”
“C-could it be…?”
“Why, why is he back so soon?”
Their superior had returned. And far too quickly.