Chapter 703

Melania gazed up at the portrait hanging on the palace wall.

The centuries-old dynasty had come to an end, and now a new era was about to begin under the name of the Horin family. Gently tracing the gilded letters spelling out the royal name ‘Rankvis,’ she was overcome with a wave of nostalgia.

For a moment, the name ‘Haiman’—a part of her own life—flashed through her mind.

“Haiman is not dead yet.”

It wasn’t arrogance, nor denial of reality. She was the only survivor of the purge of the seven noble houses, and here she was, alive and well. So she could say with certainty that Haiman was still alive, even if she couldn’t say it out loud.

In any case, the problems Melania had to solve to rebuild her family were enormous—so critical that even one misstep could cost her everything. The key issues were:

“Treason. And the connection to Rutherford.”

Yet, astonishingly, Melania had survived despite being linked to all of it. And she lived within the same palace as the emperor himself.

Tap. Tap.

She flicked the name ‘Rankvis’ on the portrait with a cold glance. Soon, war would break out between Bariel and Toorun. And as history dictated, Bariel would emerge victorious. The proof was Emperor Ian, who had come from the future.

So then, what was she supposed to do in this situation?

“War is opportunity. For some, it leads to ruin; for others, to glory.”

Based on Bariel’s victory, Melania had to find a way to rebuild House Haiman. She needed an undeniable achievement.

Melania caught movement near the main hall and turned her head slightly. Lady Kayla and Lady Danit were just finishing their audience with the emperor.

“That’s it.”

She had heard that the Horin family was in charge of transporting the magical ore mined from Bariel. Grasping the hem of her dress, Melania ascended the stairs.

At that moment, Ian was also stepping out into the corridor after his meeting with the emperor.

“Sir Ian.”

“Melania.”

“What is it?” Ian’s face showed surprise. Melania’s existence was supposed to be a secret; even her movements within the palace required extreme caution. Though it had been ten years, there were still those who could recognize the youngest daughter of House Haiman.

Of course, even if they did, it wouldn’t overturn the world—just cause a bit of a stir. But there was no need to create unnecessary trouble. Melania knew this better than anyone.

Yet her expression was resolute.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Shall we walk for a moment?”

Ian stepped aside from the mages and matched her pace. Without preamble, Melania got straight to the point.

“I will bring the eastern mages over.”

She knew that the fire muskets that had threatened the mages during the Luswena war had come from the east. If Bariel could establish ties with the eastern mages, they might find ways to counter the fire muskets.

Ian looked surprised by the unexpected proposal but didn’t stop walking.

“How do you intend to do that?”

“The method isn’t certain yet, but the means are decided. I will use my own bloodline.”

Bloodline.

Only then did Ian recall a fact he had forgotten: Melania’s lineage bore a striking resemblance to that of the Rankvis family.

“Above all, Melania is a noble of Bariel and a distant relative of the Luswena royal family.”

Ian and Melania had first met when she came to Bratz to attend a Luswena royal wedding. During the purge of House Haiman, she had been used as a pawn under the pretext of being related to the Luswena royal bloodline.

She was definitely useful. But Ian remained pragmatic.

“However, Melania, if you suddenly appear after ten years, it could cause chaos. Do you understand what I mean?”

In other words, it was useless. The walls of Elbasa were crumbling, and what power could a distant royal bloodline, thought dead for ten years, possibly wield? It would be better to leave the cleanup to Cleaford.

But Melania didn’t give up.

“I’m not suggesting you use me as a propaganda tool like the Horin family. At this moment, when we worry about Hwan’s interference with the fallen Luswena, I intend to go directly to Hwan myself and find out the whereabouts of the eastern mages.”

It sounded noble, but the risk was enormous. What if Hwan learned of Melania’s existence? Bariel would be marked for failing to completely eliminate the traitors, and Hwan would gain the advantage of holding the Luswena royal bloodline—at least for now.

The political landscape was unpredictable. To Hwan, Melania was like a lifeline in the fog.

“It will surely be easier. Far better than risking mages entering by force or clashing with Cleaford to clear a path.”

“…”

“Sir Ian, you know me. Just as Clark marched north to reclaim his place, I will do whatever it takes to find mine.”

Have you forgotten the me from ten years ago, rolling in the dirt just to survive?

Melania bowed before Ian, who hesitated for a moment. She still didn’t know that in the future, when Ian was emperor, the name Haiman would still exist in Bariel.

“Can I trust you?”

“I believe you understand what I seek. Sir Ian, I am a noble of Bariel.”

It was a bold statement for a survivor of a family destroyed for treason, but there was no other way. This was the best vow she could make.

“Very well. Do as your heart commands. But this is different from Clark’s case. Lady Melania, the palace will not support your journey, nor will it deny suspicions of your involvement. Your very existence will be denied.”

“Of course. This is who I am now. Accepting it as it is will only increase my worth.”

“And whatever you hope for, I cannot promise.”

Rebuilding your family? Sorry, but that’s impossible in this era of Jin. It was the root cause of the emperor’s scarred face and the death of his mother and father.

Melania sensed something strange in Ian’s words.

“Cannot promise.”

If this were the Ian she knew, he would have said:

“No matter what you achieve, rebuilding is impossible.”

Her eyes sparkled without her realizing it. Could the name Haiman truly exist in Bariel’s future under Emperor Ian? Could she dare to hold onto that small hope?

“…It’s okay if there’s no promise. I will decide my own fate.”

Melania bowed once more and then strode back the way she came. The palace’s refusal to help wouldn’t hinder her journey. The Horin family was organizing a convoy heading toward Bariel. They were the new royal family of Burgos and also weapons merchants. There would be opportunities for deals.

As Melania disappeared, the mages whispered among themselves.

“Lady Melania looks quite pleased.”

“It’s just her nature. She feels alive only when throwing herself into the storm.”

“Like Captain Akorella. So fearless.”

“What are you talking about? The captain’s more cautious because of her research. She doesn’t care about politics or factions.”

Is that so? The mages scratched their chins and asked Ian:

“By the way, Sir Ian, how’s that Beric fellow doing?”

“The palace guard is worried too. Sending that apprentice swordmage Cedric along was a bit much.”

“Well…”

Ian wouldn’t say he wasn’t worried at all, but he trusted experience over reason.

“He causes trouble every time, but Beric never fails his mission.”

“Huh?”

Really? Is that so? The mages stopped walking and began folding down their fingers one by one.

Come to think of it, it was Beric who came looking for Ian in Rajasan, who fought off the northern great demon’s attack, who captured Rutherford, and who always brought back important clues wherever he went…

“Strange.”

“He’s seriously underrated…”

“That’s why they say your behavior matters. In this world.”

Amazing! The mages shivered in surprise as if they had just discovered a new magic circle. By objective merit, he was practically the next captain. It was almost unbelievable.

Ian chuckled softly and passed by them.

“Focus on preparing for deployment. This war will end quickly.”

Just as they had pushed Luswena aside, they would reduce anything standing in their way to ashes. The mages nodded in agreement with Ian’s command.

---

“Uahbyo! Chah! Chat!”

Taoma’s battle cries were strange and comical, but his attacks were surprisingly effective. Even the priests like Beric and Cedric had never seen his weapon before. Could a club linked by chains really be this powerful?

Swish! Thwack!

He twisted the chains to catch an incoming sword and threw it aside, then quickly struck the attacker’s face. Though his movements seemed wild, his strikes were precise.

Thwack! Tap! Tap!

“Ahhoo—!”

As several priests collapsed on the spot, Beric clapped lightly.

“I don’t know why you asked for an escort. You’re doing fine on your own.”

“It’s a priest, a priest! No way those warriors can handle him. Ahem. Hahaha! Still, should we give it a shot?”

“Hmm, it’s pretty amazing. Let me try.”

“No! This is precious stuff. It came all the way across the sea—we paid double for it.”

“Who cares? Hand it over!”

As Beric and Taoma bickered over the nunchaku, the remaining priests bit their lower lips anxiously.

The big guy wielded some unknown weapon, and the other two looked a bit clueless but were still magic swordsmen. They were out of their league. It seemed best to retreat inside the temple, behind the barrier, and report the situation to the High Priest for help.

“Fall back!”

With someone’s shout, everyone scrambled to flee without hesitation.

“Huh? They’re running.”

What now? Cedric glanced awkwardly at Beric, while Taoma and Eirin waited for his ‘orders.’

Reluctantly taking the lead, Beric scratched his ear and waved his hand dismissively.

“Let them run. They’re probably just circling nearby anyway.”

“There’s a barrier around the temple. It won’t be easy to get in.”

“Oh, really?”

“And that Vanusa who delivered the letter—she seemed to need Bariel’s help. Looks like she’s being held inside the temple. Maybe she can help us.”

At Eirin’s report, Beric furrowed his brow deeply.

“Hmmm. Let’s see…”

A barrier, huh? Beric suddenly recalled crossing the Luswena border with Ian. They’d planted something underground to mark the boundary…

Okay! That’ll do. Red mana began to surge from Beric’s hands.

Ziiing. Ziiing!

“Taoma, since you brought us to the village, our job’s done here. You handle finding the painting on your own.”

“What? Come on, help me look for it.”

“Nope. Too busy. Eirin, stick close behind me.”

“Understood!”

“Cedric, you—”

Beric slung his blazing red greatsword over his shoulder and grinned sharply, his pointed teeth gleaming.

“Watch and learn, kid.”

Ta-at!

Shhaaak!

In an instant, Beric sprang forward, plunging into the bushes like a predator chasing down its prey. Eirin followed with all her might, and Cedric clenched his lower lip, sprinting to keep up. Only Taoma was left behind, shaking the collar of a knocked-out priest.

Moments later, the priests who sensed the pursuit shouted.

“T-they’re chasing us!”

“Hurry!”

But they had no idea Beric was keeping a steady distance behind them.

After a long trek upstream, the temple’s barrier appeared. Just as the priests reached out toward it—

“Okay.”

Ziiing! Pwoooom!

Beric’s red greatsword erupted in a massive blaze, incinerating everything around. A fiery storm whipped up, scorching the air. Everything the flames touched turned to ash in an instant, but—

“Perfect visibility.”

Inside the barrier, the greenery remained untouched, as if a line had been drawn on the earth itself.

Beric realized the barrier formed a huge semicircular dome and estimated its size with a glance. A protective shield generator? It should be somewhere around here… Eh, whatever.

“All we have to do is follow this barrier and burn it all down.”