Episode 714
Naum stared at the note for a long time. It contained a message so heavy, so grave, that he dared not speak it aloud: Crony was about to rebel.
He spent days and nights lost in thought before finally seeking out the emperor.
“Your Majesty, it seems Sir Crony harbors dark intentions. It would be wise to summon him for questioning.”
The emperor, like Naum, gazed down at the anonymous note, as if counting each fragment of the message on his fingertips.
“And why should I believe this, Naum?”
“Your Majesty—”
“It’s not the content I doubt. I know well enough that Sir Crony is dangerous. That he will be poison to me. But there is no proof.”
What if this was exactly Crony’s trap? To act rashly would only hand over the leash.
Ian burned the note in the candlelight. The ashes scattered naturally on the breeze.
“And this,” he said, “is no great turning point for me.”
Rumors of sacrilege were already swirling within the palace walls. If they had reached the emperor’s ears, then even the lowliest gatekeepers must have heard. Everyone in the world—everyone but him—had surely imagined the new history Crony would create.
“I have ordered Sir Crony on a mission to the North.”
“…He will not stay idle.”
“I don’t know. That man… he’s impossible to read.”
The emperor smiled sadly. If Crony truly drew his sword against him, then he would have no choice but to respond in kind. With a sigh, he recalled the memories of Crony from their earliest days together. Perhaps it was time to bring this to an end.
Naum dared to grasp the emperor’s hand, whispering with desperate tenderness.
“Your Majesty, please steel your heart. You are the master of this palace.”
“Do not worry. Once seated on the throne, all burdens fall to me.”
But neither of them knew then that the flames of rebellion were already licking at their feet.
As Naum gained the emperor’s trust, he naturally drifted away from the mages. The emperor, lacking any solid foundation, had his attendants changed daily to dress and prepare him. There was no adult presence in the palace; the emperor was too young.
“This can’t be happening.”
When Naum finally confirmed the reach of Crony’s claws, despair overwhelmed him.
The investigation report sent to the mansion was shocking. There was no place left for them to stand. The emperor’s legs—the very pillars holding up the world—had long since been severed, and his arms, meant to embrace the world, now gripped weapons unbeknownst to their owner.
There was no way out. No method to protect his lord and overcome this dire situation…
“Treason!”
Startled, Naum turned around. His attendant was gasping for breath, tears streaming down his face.
“What?”
“The emperor has been captured by Crony!”
It was too fast. How much time had passed since receiving that note? Not even a few days. Naum’s eyes widened. As he tried to rush out of the mansion, the attendants clung to his waist, crying out.
“You can’t go now! You’ll be taken too!”
Such helplessness. The attendants’ words were so absurd that Naum wanted to brush them off, but he could not deny their truth.
He stared blankly toward the palace. Thick smoke billowed upward. And as he watched, a thought naturally surfaced in his mind.
“The forbidden magic.”
A strange light flickered in Naum’s eyes. With that, he could push the mages back and solidify the emperor’s authority.
He locked himself in his office, collapsed onto the floor, and wept silently.
“It’s okay. I can do this.”
He was not afraid. It would not be so painful. There was no reason to grieve. No need to fear…
Thump! Thump-thump!
“Master! Master!”
“Everyone, stand back!”
“For heaven’s sake, please! Master!”
With a blade, Naum sliced his palm. Blood poured onto the carpet. After a deep breath, he drew a magic circle with the blood.
Ziiing! Ziiing!
His tear-filled eyes transformed into golden orbs. Watching the magic circle glow brighter, he gave a bitter smile and knelt down. Clasping his hands tightly, he bowed his head.
Whoosh!
Everything in the room stirred in a strong gust—the soft strands of his brown hair included.
“I beg you—”
He prayed to the god who shaped him. Through this forbidden magic, he pleaded earnestly. No matter how afraid he was, he asked to be spared and to be allowed to pass on.
“Please keep Ian Verosion’s Bariel intact, and grant him only peace and glory.”
Whoosh!
The magic circle flared endlessly, its brilliant light threatening to erase the entire world. Though called forbidden magic, it did not darken but shone with pure radiance.
A voice rang out.
“…!”
“To Ian Verosion, deliver this to the annex of the Magic Department. If he goes, there will be a chance.”
A clear, ringing voice that echoed through the world. The song of a rainbow, the chirping of birds, the whisper of sunlight, the laughter of leaves… a voice so pure and bright it defied all description.
Naum realized the magic circle’s light was fading. He looked down at his hands. The power of the forbidden magic had taken root within him. He would save Ian.
—and Naum, as well.
“Hahaha! So this day has come at last.”
Duke Hilron laughed heartily, lighting a cigarette. His noble family had stood alongside the central history for generations, but surely his ancestors would envy his fate.
Which of the Hilron bloodline had ever slain palace soldiers? Who had decided the emperor’s final fate?
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“It was nothing. Just proof that a false ruler had taken the throne.”
“Indeed. From today, Bariel will be reborn.”
“And Sir Crony?”
“He took the emperor down to the underground prison.”
“Planning to kill him?”
“That, I do not know.”
To overthrow the emperor, they needed a solid pretext. A justification to show trembling nobles and curious commoners alike.
It was better to keep him alive than to kill him outright, to strengthen their cause. Duke Hilron flicked ash from his cigarette and wiped the blood from his shoe on the corpse’s clothes.
“Do as you will, but I can’t help worrying. That man is surprisingly emotional.”
Though Ian Verosion had lost his magic, he had deceived the palace and seized the throne. In Bariel’s name, they would punish him. That was the justification they would present to the world.
With the magic-sealing stone embedded somewhere in his body, he would be burned alive before all. A mage who couldn’t even control a single flame—what a joke.
Bang! Kraaang!
Suddenly, a strange roar echoed from afar. Duke Hilron tilted his head in confusion, and his men followed his gaze.
“L-Lord Duke.”
“What is that?”
“I-it seems to be magic.”
“Magic?”
Wasn’t the Magic Department already settled? Why was there such a commotion? He looked around, bewildered, but his men had nothing more to add.
Tap-tap-tap!
“Trouble! Three mages and a magic swordsman are causing a disturbance and heading this way!”
“A disturbance? Do they intend to resist the revolution?”
“Th-that seems to be the case.”
“Good grief. How does Sir Crony handle things? Send an urgent message! And who was it again?”
“Luigi, the appointed next head of the Magic Department. He’s currently coordinating with the allied mages to secure the palace.”
They were the mages who actively sided with Crony, not just bystanders. Mages must be dealt with by mages, right? Regaining his composure, Duke Hilron flicked his fingers and gave orders.
“Yes, yes. Contact Luigi as well. Tch. How can there be discord in such a critical moment? Oh, and the captain of the palace guard should be nearby.”
“Understood.”
Shaking his head, Duke Hilron mounted his horse. The roar was growing closer. It was best to leave the cleanup to others now.
“Hey! You bald-headed bastard!”
But a shout stopped him in his tracks—
It was Nakina.
She leveled her sword at Duke Hilron, eyes flashing fiercely. Countless soldiers had fallen before them, their bodies blocking the way. Witnessing this, the remaining soldiers kept their distance, wary.
“B-bald? Me?”
“You’re a noble, right? Who are you?”
“How rude! Even a sacred mage has limits!”
“Sacred…?”
A radiant light shone from Nakina’s eyes.
Though all four were drenched in blood, not a single wound marred them. Slashing, breaking, and crushing commoners was as easy as a light jog. Nakina drew breath from her core and shouted.
“Who the hell do you think you are, causing trouble in the sacred mage’s palace? Keep your voice down!”
Gasp!
How could such a small woman produce such a powerful resonance? The soldiers flinched and stepped back. Duke Hilron froze, swallowing hard. Something was definitely wrong.
“L-let’s discuss the details with Luis.”
“Forget about Louis or anyone else—where’s His Majesty?”
“Uh, uh… You’re saying you’ll defy the revolution? This was all agreed upon by the wizards.”
Zzzzzzt! Zzzzt!
So words won’t work with this one. Nakina unleashed her magic to the fullest and leapt into the sky. Duke Hilron’s eyes went wide, and the soldiers scattered in panic.
Boom! Bang!
But a man stepped in front of her. Behind him, a black wizard’s robe billowed. He blocked Nakina’s attack and landed lightly, turning to face Duke Hilron.
“Please, go ahead, Your Grace. We’re family—we’ll handle the persuasion.”
“Ah, ah, yes. Do your best, then.”
These were the wizards acting under orders from the next Minister of Magic. They were eager for the emperor’s downfall and were moments away from achieving their goal. At their command, the soldiers hastily retreated, leaving only the wizards behind.
“What are you all doing here? Shouldn’t you be waiting at the Ministry of Magic?”
“Yeah. Perfect timing. The others keep asking, but no one’s telling. Where’s Ian?”
“…Seriously. There’s a limit to how clueless you can be.”
“You don’t know either? Then I’m done with this.”
“Can’t you read the times? The ship’s sinking, and Ian Verosion is going down with it.”
With that, Nakina sprang up and soared high. Tommy and Hale followed suit. The three spaced themselves evenly, as if by unspoken agreement, then stretched out their hands and unleashed a barrage of magical attacks.
Bang! Boom!
Crackle! Boom!
The black-robed wizards, who had been holding their ground, suddenly felt something off. They were supposed to be the Ministry’s elite forces—what was this power? And the coordination was too precise.
“…!”
“Huh? Look at this.”
Nakina nimbly dodged the incoming attacks, spinning half a turn in midair. She chuckled in disbelief.
“…What a bunch of idiots.”
“Hmph. So all that training over a hundred years was for nothing?”
“Nakina, Tommy.”
“Binding.”
The three conjured a massive pillar of light. The wizards, seeing this, formed sharp spheres of magic to counter it.
But when Beric swung his magic greatsword head-on, the spheres shattered effortlessly, losing all their power.
Whoosh!
“Get a grip, you bastards.”
Boom!
The binding magic fell beside the wizards.
Beric swung his greatsword again, descending upon them. Damn it, this is infuriating! Ian got taken down by these nobodies? Ian is—Ian is—!
“Damn it, Ian’s supposed to be insanely strong!”
Crash!
Meanwhile, Duke Hilron, fleeing in a panic, froze at the ominous roar behind him. But he didn’t dare look back. Kicking his horse’s side, he galloped toward the underground prison where Crony was held.