Chapter 779

Knock, knock.

“Ian, sir. Did you call for us?”

“It’s us. How are you feeling?”

It was Hale and Akorella. The two entered the minister’s office, exchanging light glances. Thanks to their three-day leave, they looked healthier—though it wouldn’t last long before they returned to their usual state.

Ian, who had been working on some documents, nodded toward the sofa.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Nothing urgent, but there’s something you two need to be aware of.”

“Us?”

Hale and Akorella exchanged looks, silently asking if either of them knew what Ian was referring to. Neither had any clue. Ian, seemingly unfazed, continued focusing on his paperwork.

“You two are among the Magic Department captains I trust most. So I’m telling you this now—you’d do well to keep it in mind and act accordingly.”

“Ian, sir, I’m honored by your trust, but your tone is a bit unsettling. Don’t you think so, Hale?”

“Yes. It’s worrying.”

Ian’s lips curled into a thin smile. Normally, he would reassure them that there was nothing to worry about, but this time, he said nothing.

Their expressions stiffened just as—

“It seems the faction centered around the Prime Minister, including the Administration and Foreign Affairs departments, is trying to keep the Magic Department in check.”

Ian’s unexpected words startled them both.

“The Magic Department? Why would they do that?”

“After coming back from the war, I’m baffled by this nonsense. Ian, did something happen at the meeting?”

“I can’t say for certain, but that seemed to be their intention. Considering the unique nature of the palace, it’s not surprising.”

Moreover, Ian himself had been cautious about the annex issue, so the Prime Minister wouldn’t take it lightly.

“I don’t understand why that would be considered natural.”

Hale fiddled with his dry cigarette and looked at Ian, who nodded reassuringly. Lighting his own cigarette, Ian took a deep drag, while Akorella smirked irritably.

“Jealousy and envy always follow those who are beautiful and talented. Are we really that exceptional? Well, we know we are, but it’s all about timing. Those who’ve been scraping by on scraps can’t handle that, can they?”

Ian finished his sentence cleanly and set down his pen.

“There are many ways to keep the Magic Department in check, but what worries me most is the firearms imported from Hwan.”

“Ah.”

The only weapon humans have that can rival magic. It’s still in its infancy, which is why we’ve managed to hold our own so far. But no one knows what will happen once their power improves.

“Eventually, Bariel will import firearms too. But that should be a choice made for national defense—not as a tool to suppress the Magic Department. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, we do.”

“But importing weapons from the East isn’t something we can control, is it?”

“That’s right. Which is why I called you here. Lady Melania is currently in Hwan, hoping to connect the Eastern mages with Bariel.”

Hale’s cigarette ash dropped to the floor. Akorella’s amber eyes widened, frozen in shock.

Who? Where?

“Lady Melania is—”

“Is that even allowed?”

She was proof that the Emperor and the Magic Minister hadn’t wiped out the traitor’s family. The sole survivor of the Haiman clan. She knew the secrets of the Abyss and had ties to Rutherford.

She was a living bomb that should never have been sent outside the capital. And yet, she was in Hwan? A place torn apart by civil war?

While the two mages were stunned, Ian smiled brightly.

“No, it’s not allowed.”

“Ah, that explains why she’s been missing. When did she leave?”

“It’s assumed she traveled with the magic stones from Kalamath to Bariel. We left Kalamath ourselves, so we haven’t been able to confirm directly. And since then, there’s been no news.”

Hale stubbed out his cigarette and gathered his thoughts. After several attempts to speak, he finally asked cautiously.

“Can we trust this?”

The idea that she went alone to Hwan to bring back the Eastern alliance seemed far-fetched. It was practically impossible.

But Ian nodded firmly.

“I believe in her.”

She desperately wanted her family’s revival and was willing to do anything for it. That’s likely why the Haiman clan still exists today.

“And that will become a variable for the Prime Minister, in one way or another. Because he doesn’t know Melania’s whereabouts.”

Ian’s certainty convinced Hale and Akorella immediately.

“If Ian believes it, then so do I.”

“Yes, that makes sense. But why tell us this all of a sudden?”

Firearms. Hwan. Melania. None of it was something they could act on right now. All they could do was watch and wait.

Ian shook his head, downplaying it.

“Because someone in the Magic Department must know about Melania’s existence.”

It might not be immediate, but Ian didn’t know when or how his own end would come. If he disappeared without warning, the Magic Department would struggle to handle the threat of firearms.

Knowing about Melania—the hidden card—made all the difference.

“But you’re here, Ian.”

“Just in case. The Prime Minister’s pressure is increasing, and there might come a time when I can’t respond. We’ve all been away from the palace for a long time because of the war.”

“That won’t happen. Let anyone try to mess with you. You can just go on strike and rest at the villa.”

Are they seriously going to tie a red headband on me again?

Ian just smiled at Akorella’s threat.

She still doesn’t understand. The fact that the mages have been away from the palace for so long means the palace’s affairs have been running smoothly without them.

They used to be seen as indispensable, but that’s changing—especially now that the war is over.

The atmosphere in the meeting room has shifted since before the war. The Prime Minister has a tight grip on even the Foreign Affairs department.

“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say.”

“Understood. We’ll keep it in mind.”

“Now, let’s get going. The grand meeting will be held again tonight, and there’s much to handle.”

“Us, or you?”

“Both.”

“Oh, no.”

Akorella trembled as if begging for mercy, then suddenly lit up and looked at Ian. Ian, sharpening his pen, tilted his head in confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

“Why won’t you answer me?”

“Answer what?”

“Are you really okay?”

“Oh.”

What was I supposed to say?

Akorella raised her eyebrows and strode over to Ian. Hale hesitated briefly, then gave up trying to stop her—he knew she wasn’t someone who could be held back.

“You still won’t answer.”

“I’m fine. It’s a silly question, so I’m too annoyed to answer.”

Bang!

Akorella slammed her hand on Ian’s desk, tilting her head to scrutinize his expression—as if ready to call him out if he lied. Hale rubbed his forehead, looking at her like she’d lost her mind.

“Akorella, you look worse than Ian.”

“Hmm. I’m getting a bad feeling.”

“Could you please leave now?”

“One more thing!”

Akorella held up a finger seriously. Ian reluctantly nodded. But what he expected to be trivial stopped his heart for a moment.

“Ian, do you remember what happened at the Masantar Temple?”

Ian froze and looked up. Akorella muttered, clearly troubled.

“We tried piecing our memories together, but nothing comes to mind. It feels like something’s been strangely cut out. The problem is, we don’t even know what we’ve forgotten. I wonder if you feel the same.”

“…Cut out?”

“I just can’t figure it out. The gaps left by Hale, Tommy, and Nakina, who were deployed first, don’t quite line up with the gaps among the mages waiting outside the temple,” Akorella muttered, scratching her nose in frustration. Hale had clearly given up halfway—how could he recall something that just wouldn’t come to mind?

“It’s probably an aftereffect of the Shadow God. I wondered if you felt the same, Ian. If it’s nothing serious, then it’s fine… but if not, that would be a problem,” she added.

“Hmm,” Ian shrugged nonchalantly. “I doubt it’s anything major. The Shadow God is sealed, and we won. That should be the end of it.”

“That’s true, but—”

“Let it be. There’s no need to stir up unnecessary anxiety. If those memories were truly important, they’ll resurface on their own someday.”

Akorella rolled her eyes thoughtfully. Ian was right—there was no point in obsessing over it, especially since there was a way to recover memories—well, at least theoretically.

“No!” she suddenly exclaimed.

“Hm?”

No, wait! We can create it, can’t we?

Besides, there’s already some groundwork laid. There are records from when they researched memory suppression during the Dragon Kaglin plague! This is actually pretty exciting! Bursting with energy, Akorella dashed out the door.

“Ian! I’m heading out first!” she called.

“Akore! You’re crazy! I’m coming too, Ian,” Tommy shouted after her.

“I’ll send the report later! Yahoo!” Akorella’s voice echoed as she disappeared.

“Akorella!” Ian called after her.

Bang!

Silence.

It felt like a storm had just swept through.

Ian stared at the closed door for a moment before returning to his paperwork. Something felt off—the idea that those who had lost their memories were now moving to reclaim them.

Even if nothing changed, just seeing that gave him some comfort. It was a relief to know that the memories they shared hadn’t completely vanished.

It’s done.

…Though thinking about it only made his head ache.

He turned his chair toward the window and gazed outside. The day was beautiful—the sunlight, the breeze, everything. The clearing nearby was still bare, with only the foundation of the Magic Department’s annex laid out.

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Ian carefully channeled a bit of magic to gauge the depth. It was still operable, but not as stable as before. Probably because of the portal they’d opened from Toalrun to Bariel.

Will it ever fully recover?

He was skeptical. It probably wouldn’t disappear entirely, but even if it returned, it wouldn’t be as powerful as before.

Maybe it was for the best that he wouldn’t need to wield such great power anymore. Still, a part of him couldn’t help but feel a little wistful.

“…?”

Ian frowned as he tried to summon Idgal. His fingertips trembled, and something inside refused to come together. No matter how hard he tried to shape it, the amber light flickered and vanished instantly.

“Ah.”

Then came the sharp pain beneath his heart.

Just like in Toalrun, his body was violently rejecting the use of Idgal. A cold sweat trickled down his jaw.

Knock knock.

“Ian. It’s me, Romandro.”

“…Please wait a moment.”

“Hm? Ian, what’s wrong with your voice?”

Ian collapsed forward, gasping softly. Romandro’s worried voice buzzed from outside the door. He kept knocking, but Ian focused on steadying his breath.

“Ian, are you okay? I’m opening the door!”

Bang!

Romandro burst in, startled, rushing to Ian’s side.

“No, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”

“…I’m just feeling a bit dizzy.”

“This is driving me crazy. You really need to take it easy, okay?”

“Could you help me up?”

“Good grief, you’re spinning. Outside—”

“Shh. I’m fine.”

Ian muttered quietly, telling them to stop worrying.

“…”

With Romandro’s help, Ian finally settled onto the sofa, staring blankly ahead. The moment he realized what he’d feared was true—

Idgal can no longer be summoned.

Here, his role was over.