Chapter 707
“Damn it, that blasted thunderclad fool.”
Taoma muttered under his breath as he watched Beric and his group disappear into the distance.
Leaving me here all alone—where do they think they’re going? His mission was to find the painting and get it back to the southern lands. Grumbling, Taoma tucked his nunchaku away and resumed his careful search of the village.
“Seriously… this is a nightmare. It’s a small place, but it was always so lively.”
He grabbed the collars of the fallen priests and shook them lightly, but it was pointless. They couldn’t even let out a faint groan.
“Hey, coachman. Stop hiding and help me search the village. We just need to find the painting with the red flower on it.”
“Huh? Me too?”
“Or do you want to just sit here twiddling your thumbs?”
Taoma scolded the coachman and strode into the village chief’s house first. The simple, neat interior was now a mess, utterly devoid of any warmth.
‘If they ran off with the painting, they’d have left some clue. If they were too panicked to take it, then the painting must still be here somewhere.’
Together with the coachman, Taoma combed through the village. He hoped it was the latter—that they’d fled somewhere and were still alive.
“Hey, could this be it?”
“Ah.”
But when the coachman showed him the painting, Taoma’s hope quietly faded. He sank to the floor, staring blankly at the artwork.
Then, from behind, the coachman’s eyes caught something strange moving.
“Wait, is something moving inside the painting?”
“What?”
Taoma’s eyes went wide, and without hesitation, he plunged his head into the painting. The coachman stepped back in shock, but Taoma wasn’t satisfied with just his head—he shoved his entire torso inside, as if he’d found something.
Sliding sound.
“Paper and pen!”
“Huh?”
“Bring them here!”
With his left arm still hooked inside the painting, Taoma urged the coachman on.
The magic stone paintings’ method and number of entries depend on how they’re made. Once you step fully inside, you can’t come back out. So Taoma had no choice but to leave a note, hanging halfway in and out.
—A message from Taoma to Beric, the reckless colt.
The village here suffered greatly from the temple’s waste water discharge. But since the population was small and the village remote, their complaints were ignored—by some truly horrific means.
Fortunately, some villagers escaped into the painting and fled to the southern lands. I will compile their testimonies and send them to the southern envoy. The imperial palace should be prepared to receive an unexpected visitor.
“Hey, Taoma. Am I coming with you?”
“Of course. Didn’t you already collect a few years’ wages in advance? Stop wasting time and go to that house—grab the wooden box from the kitchen’s upper cabinet. And check under the bed in the big wooden house. There should be a cloth-wrapped bundle.”
“Got it.”
These were things the survivors hadn’t managed to take when they fled. The coachman hurried back and forth as Taoma continued writing.
—This painting only opens the path from Burgos to the southern lands, so it’ll take some time before we meet again. But I’ll hurry to show my sincerity to Bariel. I’ll also send information about Silask along with the envoy.
And please, I beg you, ask Lord Ian to reconsider the price. From what I see, the current calculation is way off. Beric, I’m counting on you.
Sometimes, stubbornness without logic is the only way to get things done in this world. If you help me, I’ll gladly forgive you for leaving me behind like this.
“All moved!”
“Then toss it inside the painting! More people might come down from the temple, so let’s hurry!”
—One last thing. There are several roads connecting to the Tolrun capital, but only a few main ones. Of those, only the path to Landarin village in the northwest is passable. The rest are unusable due to collapsed bridges or landslides, according to the survivors. Landarin is home to the Tolrun natives, who are known for their shady dealings and double-faced words. Be careful.
That’s all for now. Let’s have a drink next time we meet. I won’t lose then.
Taoma signed the last page, folded the letter neatly, and hid it behind the frame. Then, grabbing the coachman, he slipped fully into the painting.
The painting lay abandoned by the roadside, next to the wagon. The village fell silent once more.
“That’s all.”
Ian handed Taoma’s letter to Jin. It was exactly as reported.
Twellar and Jaret’s eyes flickered simultaneously, clearly recognizing the value of the information.
“Taoma is more useful than I thought.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Things are unfolding quite interestingly.”
“Send this letter to the southern envoy at the palace. As Taoma said, giving them a heads-up will prevent confusion.”
“Do as you wish. And at the same time—”
Jin added with a dry smile.
“Spread the rumors.”
The Masantar Temple was a cradle for Tolrun politicians. Now, not only had it discharged poison that killed the land, but it had also killed its own people to cover it up? How would the Tolrun citizens react if they found out?
“There are already many dissatisfied with the war between Bariel and Tolrun. The spirit mage families especially. They’re pressuring us to hire mercenary mages for the war effort. And the war’s spark is none other than Lord Ian’s mother.”
In truth, Tolrun had given Bariel a pretext by kidnapping Filia. No matter how you looked at it, it was clearly their own fault. The soldiers and citizens conscripted for war would only grow more resentful.
“But if rumors spread that the temple massacred villagers… internal fractures will deepen.”
“Indeed. It’s fortunate there are survivors. Even if they fled south, we can secure their testimonies through Taoma. No problem there.”
“No matter how much you preach about underground gods or divine shadows, the people won’t believe or understand. A scandal like this will hit them harder. We’ll leak the truth about the Tolrun palace wherever Bariel passes.”
“Exactly. Everything is unfolding as it should—this too is a blessing from the gods.”
Jin smiled with satisfaction. Is everything ready? Anything else to report? Beric rolled his eyes and muttered.
“Uh, there’s one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Aerin, the soldier from the waste water investigation team.”
At the mention of Aerin’s name, all eyes shifted. Some glanced at Jin, others looked away like Beric.
“There’s a problem.”
“What kind?”
“She seems to have the ability to purify the waste water, but there are side effects. She’s developed blotchy spots on her skin… Fortunately, no pain, but treatment will be necessary.”
Jin hesitated briefly, then nodded.
“Bring her here.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
But Twellar and Jaret blocked the way.
“The spots appeared after purification. The link to the waste water is clear—it’s essentially poison. Too dangerous.”
“I agree with Minister Twellar. Aerin carries the power of a paladin, and aside from the spots, shows no other symptoms. But if she mingles with others, who knows what could happen.”
Their concerns were valid. Even a slight cough was forbidden before the emperor, yet here they were, considering bringing in someone potentially contaminated?
Jin’s gaze shifted to Ian.
“But she sacrificed herself for Bariel. If the emperor doesn’t commend her, who will? And since Beric traveled with her over a long distance, he should be quarantined as well.”
“Huh? Me?”
Why me all of a sudden?
“Your Majesty.”
Ian spoke gently. He understood Jin’s feelings, but the ministers’ concerns were legitimate. A compromise was necessary.
“The Magic Department will examine Aerin. Since she purified the waste water, she must be valuable. If we’re lucky, we might learn more about the waste water during the investigation. Also, if we don’t reward someone who sacrificed for Bariel, loyalty will wane. As Your Majesty said, it wouldn’t set a good example. The Magic Department will take responsibility for her treatment and ensure she receives Your Majesty’s commendation.”
Is that acceptable? Ian’s smile reached not only Jin but also Twellar and Jaret. They seemed to want complete isolation, but it was better to reach an agreement here—for Jin as a man, and Jin as emperor.
“Is treatment possible? What if it’s contagious…?”
“No need to worry much. It’s a symptom caused by the waste water. If it were contagious, you’d have to worry about all those days spent in Kalamath.”
Instead of drawing from the river, they had used the well water, but surely, deep underground, the sewage must have seeped into the groundwater. Could they really be certain that the Bariel soldiers who drank that water would be safe?
“There’s no illness that can’t be cured. The real question is whether a person can endure the process. Since Eirin feels no pain, I remain hopeful.”
Moreover, if Eirin’s status as a ‘Paladin’ made purification possible, that was truly the best news of all. After all, Gaia was dotted with countless temples. Not all of them would be like Masantar, of course, but still.
“In any case, the Magic Department will take charge of Eirin’s case. And since she’s already been inside the temple, she’ll have to work alongside the Magic Department regardless.”
“I went with her, though.”
“Right. Beric, you too.”
Ian turned politely to Jin and asked, “May I bring Beric, a member of the Royal Guard?”
“Of course. There’s no one better suited for this mission than Beric. Captain Jaret, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Absolutely, Your Majesty. And I think it would be wise to send Cedric along as well.”
“Cedric?”
Isn’t he still in training? Not exactly a significant asset, is he? Jin looked at Jaret in surprise, who then glanced at Beric—dirty and smudged with all sorts of grime—and replied,
“While the mages are engaged in battle, someone needs to watch over Eirin. We need someone better than a regular soldier but not so vital that their absence would weaken the main force. Cedric fits that role perfectly. It would be best to assign him to the Magic Department.”
Besides, Cedric was the first to notice Eirin’s mark and had been with her the longest. They were preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.
Everyone except Beric muttered silently,
‘Cold as ice.’
It was true, but was it really necessary to put it so bluntly? Cold, yes—but almost too cold. Tch.
Still, it was a rational decision. Calm and clear-headed choices were essential on the battlefield.
“Very well. I order it. Beric, Cedric, and Eirin will move toward the temple with the entire Magic Department.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…Make sure to keep me informed, Sir Ian.”
Jin covered his mouth with his sleeve and whispered very quietly and discreetly. Ian smiled warmly and nodded in understanding.