Chapter 778
“Have you seen the newspapers?”
“I have.”
Jin answered as he took off his outer coat. The aged Prime Minister sat with unwavering posture, as if the long meeting had never tired him.
The Emperor suddenly realized that the Prime Minister now was much the same as the one he remembered from his childhood. Aside from the wrinkles, he was like an ancient tree standing silently through the years.
“What did you see?”
“Everyone is celebrating the Empire’s victory with joy.”
“You surely saw more than just that.”
The Prime Minister’s tone was firm, and Jin let out a small smile. Someone came to mind—Maxim Tweller. As an old friend, the Prime Minister bore a strange resemblance to him.
Jin sat down and lightly shook his head.
“The war just ended, Prime Minister. Why are you still so sharp-edged about it?”
“It’s unrelated to that.”
“Unrelated?”
“The war, Your Majesty. Nothing to do with what happens within the palace, even after the war.”
Every newspaper was shining a spotlight on the Magic Department’s great achievements—how remarkable Ian was, how transcendent the power of magic, what monsters were, and ultimately, what Bariel’s victory meant.
Magic was a subject that naturally captured people’s interest, so this was hardly surprising. But from the Prime Minister’s perspective, it was unsettling.
“There are strange rumors circulating in Toorun.”
“Who told you? It can’t be some mad soldier. And your friend Tweller hasn’t returned yet.”
“The more absurd the rumor, the faster it spreads. Even sitting here, I hear it.”
“Ian’s achievements are indeed remarkable. Prime Minister, if you had witnessed it yourself, you wouldn’t speak like this. Though it’s blasphemous to question the royal bloodline, I understand. To explain such a great man to the people, one must borrow the name of the royal family.”
“Your Majesty!”
“We speak only between us.”
Jin knew well about Ian’s parents, especially Philia. She and Ian resembled each other so closely it was as if they were cast from the same mold. Anyone could see they were mother and son.
Moreover, Jin’s father, the former Emperor, had never left the capital during Philia’s pregnancy. The truth was easy to uncover with a little investigation.
“Both Minister Tweller and you, Prime Minister, are deeply mistaken and overly wary. Do you truly know Ian? I do.”
“You say you know him? You saw him briefly long ago, and again recently, but only for a short time.”
Though Ian had left a deep mark on Jin’s life, their time together was not long.
But trust cannot be measured by time.
“That doesn’t matter.”
“Since you say you know, let me ask again. Do you understand the atmosphere in the meeting earlier?”
“Prime Minister, watch your words.”
Jin’s sharp warning made the Prime Minister sigh softly. Judging by the Emperor’s reaction, he too had sensed it—the rising influence of the Magic Department, specifically Ian.
“How could I not know Ian is extraordinary? As a citizen of Bariel, I deeply respect and honor his achievements. But, Your Majesty, did you not see?”
“…”
“No one easily swayed. Even those who opposed him dismissed their objections without a blink, despite Your Majesty’s presence.”
“Ian is not that kind of man.”
His actions always carried meaning. And if you looked closely, they were always for his own cause. He was not the reckless, stubborn type the Prime Minister claimed.
Yet the Prime Minister shook his head even more emphatically.
“But it happened. He’s not that kind of man, so why? If it was intentional, that’s an even bigger problem. Because it’s out in the open. He’s testing boundaries, pushing little by little.”
A change in behavior is a sign—an omen that something significant is about to happen.
The Prime Minister, who had shown no sign of fatigue during the long meeting, now sighed as if weary.
“I only hope, Your Majesty, that you keep some distance from Ian. Especially if you care for him.”
“Prime Minister, by that logic, you are dangerous to me as well.”
“Yes, that’s true. Which is why I am always prepared. And more than that, there are many in the palace ready to check me if I stray. But Ian has no rival anywhere. Who stands by Your Majesty now?”
Besides the Prime Minister, was Tweller here? Or Jarrett? If not them, then who?
Jin pressed his fingers to his forehead, growing increasingly frustrated. What made it worse was that he understood the Prime Minister’s words logically.
“Ian loves Bariel more than anyone. And he is strong enough to have no equal.”
That’s why, if he were disloyal, he would be more dangerous than anyone else. They had already realized this in Toorun.
Jin wanted to refute every claim the Prime Minister made. But that would be to speak against himself.
“Your Majesty.”
Seeing the Emperor’s distress, the Prime Minister gently extended a document. It was the proposal from the Hawan rebel forces that had not been revealed in the meeting.
“You know the Hawan rebels have firearms. Weapons that even ordinary people can wield with power comparable to mages.”
“I’ve heard.”
To Ian.
“The rebels say that if we help them, they will hand over the firearms after the civil war ends. Furthermore, they promise not to import firearms from the East without Bariel’s permission.”
“…!”
A kind of monopoly on firearms.
This was also why the Prime Minister proposed a peace agreement. If all Gaia nations gathered and this was announced, they could restrict other countries at once without further negotiation.
“I don’t know how the East contacted the Hawan rebels, but one thing is certain: the East is very interested in Idgal. Using this to open trade with them seems best.”
What good is controlling only Gaia? If the East sells weapons elsewhere, the whole thing will collapse. It’s right to make an official agreement with them as well.
“Idgal?”
“It’s a substance not found in the East.”
“Did Ian create it?”
The Prime Minister shook his head, uncertain. Thinking about it, it was strange. Across Gaia and the East, Ian was the only one who could produce Idgal.
“Your Majesty, the Hawan proposal is too good to refuse. But given the circumstances, we must keep an eye on the Magic Department.”
“Even so—”
“So, I earnestly ask you.”
“Ask?”
“Help me trust Minister Ian completely, just this once. If the process is sound, I will follow him in any situation, just as Your Majesty does.”
As time passes, factions will arise to check the Magic Department. With just the Prime Minister and Tweller, things are already chaotic. More factions would be unmanageable.
Jin decided it was better to clear doubts from the start.
“Just once, Prime Minister. I care for Ian.”
“Is there any doubt? Don’t worry. Then, Your Majesty, simply pass this message.”
The Prime Minister rolled up his sleeve, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered. Jin frowned at what he heard.
Squeeeak.
The Prime Minister stepped out of the Emperor’s office and took a moment to catch his breath. Though his duty was to speak frankly, seeing the Emperor in such distress weighed heavily on his heart.
“Your Majesty, do you think I want to remove Ian?”
Minister Ian is undoubtedly Bariel’s treasure. With him, the Empire will flourish and enter an unprecedented golden age.
“If he truly shares the Emperor’s will, and if the Emperor can coldly clip his wings whenever necessary.”
But not now. Ian’s true intentions remain unclear, and the noise surrounding him is troubling.
Moreover, the Emperor relies on Ian excessively—both publicly and privately, far too deeply.
“That cannot continue. If only Your Majesty had given a little less of his heart, this would not be so difficult.”
That’s why he had warned long ago: when things lean too far one way, they topple. The Emperor must be cautious. People’s hearts are unpredictable, but the Emperor’s must not be so.
The Prime Minister sighed softly and turned to leave. In the distance, a familiar face appeared.
“…It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Beric, his fiery red hair hastily twisted up, stood before him. The badge on his uniform marked him as Captain of the Imperial Palace Guard.
He gave the Prime Minister a casual nod in greeting.
“Good day.”
“Must be tough being the only captain left.”
“Well, it’s manageable.”
Beric yawned lazily as he replied. The Prime Minister watched him quietly for a moment, then smiled in a way Beric couldn’t quite read.
“Captain Beric.”
The Prime Minister deliberately emphasized the title. Beric had thought it was just a passing pleasantry, but when the Prime Minister continued speaking, Beric’s expression soured. He had no patience for sly old men.
“Do you truly believe you’re suited to the position of captain?”
Look at that. Why stir up trouble when you could just be on your way? Beric narrowed his eyes and glared. Was he being reprimanded for yawning? That’s ridiculous! It’s a natural reflex. His unfiltered defiance was already bubbling to the surface. The Prime Minister seemed to see right through him and quickly countered.
“I’m not questioning your manners or dignity.”
“I don’t know. What do you think?”
“Not at all. You’re not fit for it.”
“Oh, come on.”
The Prime Minister was just an old man with no real say in appointments. He had no right to talk about qualifications.
Beric almost snapped back but held himself back. They say position shapes a person, damn it. He quickly turned away, signaling he wanted the conversation to end.
“The exit is that way. Just in case you forgot. Happens to the best of us as we get older.”
“Why don’t you ask me? If you’re interested in the captaincy, wouldn’t you want to know my intentions?”
“Not interested. My master is His Majesty the Emperor, and I took the captaincy to honor Captain Jaret’s last wish. Listening to powerless old men like you only makes me hungry.”
“Your master is His Majesty the Emperor? Is that so?”
“What?”
There was a flicker of surprise in the Prime Minister’s eyes. He stepped closer and asked again.
“I asked if your master is truly His Majesty the Emperor. If so, I apologize for misjudging you.”
He wasn’t asking if Beric followed Ian Hielo of the Magic Department, but whether he was loyal solely to the Emperor. The Prime Minister had always believed this was the fundamental question to ask Beric.
“What—”
“Everyone, even the lowest gatekeeper, knows you have a close relationship with the Minister of Magic. But is it right for someone like you to claim to be the Emperor’s shadow?”
Better to leave the post vacant than entertain such a dangerous notion, he implied.
The Prime Minister brushed past the towering Beric, then whispered in a cold tone completely different from before.
“When the Emperor and Ian Hielo are cornered on the battlefield, ask yourself whose sword you will protect. Then you will understand my meaning.”
He took a few steps away, then turned back.
“Oh, and Captain Beric.”
“…?”
“I know you’re short on men, but it’s best to maintain the three-captain system. It’s not without reason it’s lasted for centuries. Especially if you lack the qualities of a captain, it’s wise to accept help from others. Remember that. This is also for the sake of Sir Ian, whom you respect and cherish.”
Beric’s mind went blank. He wanted to say something but couldn’t quite grasp what. Annoying as it was, he instinctively knew there was some truth in the old man’s words.
Only after a long moment did he snap back to himself and slam his fist against the wall.
BANG!
“Damn it!”
Crazy old man. Spouting nonsense for no reason. Beric shook his head, trying to shake off the Prime Minister’s voice that still echoed in his mind.