Chapter 713: Rebellion
“Let us make our resolve.”
“We resolve.”
“For our Bariel!”
“For Sir Crony’s Bariel!”
There is a line. And once crossed, there’s no turning back. Like wine sliding down the throat in unison with a chorus, fate flows only along the path set before it.
Crony met the eyes of the gathered nobles swearing their loyalty. Their smiles seemed stained with fresh blood.
“Shh. It seems the time has finally come.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Come closer. This is just between us. Yesterday, the Minister of Imperial Defense ordered the troops stationed on the outskirts to return to the palace.”
“For what reason?”
“No one knows. They said it wasn’t reported to the palace.”
“…!”
“The palace may be in the dark, but now we know.”
“My goodness.”
“Will you join us? There’s no turning back now.”
Their movements were like the wind—unseen, yet brushing past everywhere, awakening those around. People pretended not to see or hear, but disheveled hair and rumpled clothes betrayed their unease.
Those standing in the heart of the palace all looked skyward, waiting for the next gust of wind. At its end, the flag of Bariel always fluttered.
“Let’s overhaul the Magic Department once and for all. Honestly, it’s absurd that only the Minister of Magic is chosen internally while we all draw the same salary. Don’t they realize we work side by side within the palace?”
“I agree. The Magic Department has enjoyed too many privileges for too long. Times have changed; it’s only right to reform.”
“Exactly. With the Magic Department’s budget, we could support three other departments. The Imperial Defense Department fights and bleeds on the battlefield—how can they be treated like this?”
“Ahem. Perhaps because His Majesty is a mage himself, he’s been too biased.”
“Even within the Magic Department, opinions are divided. When Naum was appointed Minister, the rights to the Mana Sealing Stones were handed over as part of the deal. The mages have voiced endless complaints.”
“Then let’s reverse it. Return the Mana Sealing Stones, and in exchange, we can build closer ties.”
“I’ve heard rumors that the East has already developed weapons capable of countering mages. Even if we hand over the stones briefly, new checks will arise soon enough.”
Desire blazed like fire, and hope stretched endlessly like clouds resting on the mountainside. The flames spread, eventually reaching the emperor’s feet.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”
“Caram. What is it?”
“One of the three commanders, Merni, is missing.”
“How so?”
“My apologies. I will investigate immediately. Please issue orders for discipline.”
As the emperor looked ahead in confusion, his attendants busied themselves. The jewelry embedded with the Mana Sealing Stones quietly slipped back into the jewel box.
Unaware, the emperor stifled a deep sigh and ordered to be led out. An attendant gently took hold of his long hair to comb it.
Click!
The soft touch on his nape suddenly turned cold. The emperor spun around in shock, but the attendants only stepped back with fearful faces.
Then—
Bang!
Merni, who had been unreachable until now, appeared holding Caram’s head.
Glittering eyes, ragged breath, and blood-soaked flesh. Ian sensed danger instinctively and tried to cast a spell—
“Your Majesty, I am truly sorry.”
Suddenly, the magic vanished. Ian clawed at the necklace around his neck and pressed his back against the wall, scanning the room. A scabbard was nearby. He drew his sword.
Swish!
“Ahhh!”
The emperor was the first to strike down the attendants standing in the corner. They begged Merni for mercy, but he did not help. If it meant comforting the emperor’s final moments, the lives of a few attendants were nothing.
Clang! Clang!
Ian gritted his teeth and swung his sword at Merni. But with his magic sealed, he was no different from a commoner—no match for Merni, the strongest among the magic swordsmen.
Ian kicked open the office door and ran out, with Merni stalking him slowly like a hunter. There was no rush.
“Ahhh!”
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
“Get out of the way! This is treason!”
“You wretches! Who do you think you are!”
Thud. Unauthorized? Ian blankly picked up what had fallen. Blood. Blood spilled from someone who died on the second-floor railing. Those who sought to protect Ian and those who tried to push him away were tangled together, creating hell.
“This way! This way!”
“My goodness, oh my goodness! What is this—!”
“No! Please don’t! What has possessed you all? This is the palace!”
“Your Majesty! Run! Hurry!”
Ian’s heart, once filled with anger and chaos, crumbled. He felt nothing. Reality slipped away, and his senses dulled.
Merni quietly followed and stood behind him.
“Your Majesty, come with me. The rest will be spared.”
“No! Your Majesty, don’t! You can’t trust him!”
“Someone, please protect the emperor!”
“They will all die. Choose.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Ahhh!”
A painful scream tore through Ian’s heart. Ignoring his pounding heartbeat, he rushed toward the sound.
“Stop!”
Stop. Put away your swords from my people.
But the Imperial Defense soldiers paid no heed, killing those in Ian’s path. Merni calmly smoked a cigarette, watching.
It was chaos. Those trying to protect the emperor tried to restrain Ian, but the more they did, the more blood of his close aides stained him. One by one, they fell.
“Enough!”
Ian turned and shouted at Merni, seemingly unaware he was crying.
Ah, yes. Blood is always hotter and stickier than tears. Merni smiled and gestured lightly. At once, the swords that had ignored the emperor’s solemn orders were withdrawn.
“Your Majesty.”
Merni shook his head with pity. Ian clutched his robe, hearing the dying murmurs of his retainers: Run. You must live. You are the heart of Bariel. This is clear treason; may the gods judge…
“You should have decided sooner. Now, it’s all over.”
Tears streaming, Ian glared at Merni. Even the captain of the palace guard was beneath him. The world had changed in an instant. Both victim and perpetrator were awakening to this truth.
“This is Your Majesty’s failing.”
“You bastard—!”
“Escort him. With the emperor secured, those who surrender will only face meaningless death. Report to Sir Crony. What of the Second Palace?”
“No contact yet.”
“Pay special attention to the Magic Department.”
“Of course. Do not worry.”
Hearing Crony’s name, a lightning bolt struck Ian’s mind. …You’ve truly crossed the line, Crony.
“Hmm.”
Merni watched the kneeling emperor. He looked no more than a boy. The heavens had fallen—and by his own hand.
A fleeting thrill rose within him, but when he met the emperor’s furious gaze, he instinctively looked away.
“Cover him.”
“Yes.”
The soldiers placed a sack over the boy’s head, and Bariel’s emperor was swallowed by darkness. It was over.
“Haah.”
Nakina exhaled cigarette smoke with a sigh. In the distance, the flames of the First Palace’s chaos flickered faintly. Smoke rose, fire roared, and faint screams echoed. She stubbed out her cigarette and muttered,
“Damn it. What a mess. Seeing my own house fall apart like this turns my stomach.”
“Swift and decisive.”
“Yes. It seems they’d been preparing for this all along.”
“I wonder where Uncle Naum is.”
“Yeah. Haven’t seen him since.”
She handed over a note. It warned that Crony’s rebellion was certain and advised preparation. Naum studied it for a long moment, then quietly left the Magic Department. Naturally, she assumed he’d inform Ian—but what was this?
‘No word since.’
And then, the day came. Like an unavoidable fate.
“Excuse me. Sir Crony requests your presence. Those who will follow, please leave your robes behind.”
“Hey, you all!”
“Sorry, no questions.”
“Damn it!”
“Hey! You’re going to take off your robes?”
“The world’s tilted. Standing straight means falling.”
“What crazy fools!”
“Then you stay here. Roll in the dirt with the emperor. Just like before. That miserable life you had before entering the palace.”
They watched the mages leave the Magic Department, robes discarded. Those who chose to submit to the new era.
Some protested, but without the current Minister of Magic present, there was no control. Like other departments, after fierce arguments, those siding with Crony prevailed.
“…This won’t do.”
Swish.
Nakina slowly rose and stretched, her muscles waking in sync with her movements. Tommy and Hale did the same. Instead of removing their robes, they strapped daggers to their waists.
“Let’s go. If we waste any more time, we’ll lose our chance.”
“What about Beric?”
“He’s coming.”
Heavy footsteps echoed as a bloodied magic swordsman entered the mage’s hall. The mages all stared at him in confusion. Beric glared at them with wide eyes, then called out to the three with irritation.
“Ian’s been captured.”
“Are you insane? How dare you speak the Emperor’s name like that—!”
“Shut your mouth! Damn it! You traitors don’t deserve to even say the Emperor’s name. You’re pathetic.”
“Th-that’s disrespectful!”
“Yeah. Just like your face.”
Ignoring the commotion, the four prepared to leave, but the mages blocked their way.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To rescue Ian, obviously.”
“Don’t you get the mood here? The Minister’s nowhere to be seen. We have no idea what’s going on. If you interfere, you’ll only get yourselves hurt.”
Nakina stared at the mage gripping her arm. Feeling the sharpness of his gaze, the mage reluctantly loosened his hold and added,
“Don’t go. Wait here. It’s better to move after this is all over.”
“You stay put here. If you crawl outside the mage’s hall and get in our way, I swear, it’ll be your life or mine. Got it?”
Unlike other departments, the mage’s hall was taking a wait-and-see approach. It was clear the Emperor’s fate was hanging by a thread, but the mages were bound to his destiny. No matter which way the upheaval resolved, it didn’t affect them much.
If the Emperor regained power, the mages would gain influence. If Crony won, they’d get the promised magic-sealing stones back without trouble. There was no reason to act rashly.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Beric!”
“We’re moving.”
…Captain? Why that title? The mages watched in disbelief as the four headed out of the mage’s hall grounds.
Just then, soldiers spotted them and stepped in their path.
“Mage?”
“What is it?”
“You can’t leave. Stay inside the mage’s hall.”
“By whose order?”
“Uh? Obviously—”
Thwap! Nakina grabbed the soldier’s neck with her hand. Her eyes glowed golden. Then—
Bam!
Though it was a small burst of magic, it was enough to crack the soldier’s skull. Without hesitation, they unleashed their magic and dashed toward the First Imperial Palace, where bloodshed awaited.