Chapter 780
Near the Emperor’s quarters, in the main building of the Imperial Guard.

Beric rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly into space. Compared to how long the office had been empty during the war, it was surprisingly neat and orderly.

His gaze settled on the golden badges lining the wall—honor medals commemorating those who had died for Bariel. Maybe it was the good weather, but today they seemed to shine more brightly than usual.

Clack.

“Beric, your shift’s over?”

“Just finished.”

Barsabe entered and checked the schedule. With the number of personnel drastically reduced, the workload had become much heavier than before. Still, compared to rolling around on the battlefield for twenty-four hours straight, this was a breeze.

Barsabe glanced at Beric, then gently asked, noticing his dark expression, “What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong?”

“You’re frowning so hard your brow’s about to split.”

With a sigh, Beric leaned over the table and pressed his fingertips against his forehead.

Something was definitely off. Barsabe set the schedule aside and turned fully toward him.

“Come on, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, really.”

“Since you became captain, you’ve been acting like you’re carrying the weight of the world.”

“Damn it, seriously.”

“Is it the stress?”

Was it the sight of Captain Jaret’s golden badge on the wall? Or signing off on paperwork in his stead? Or maybe just being called ‘captain’? Beric remained silent for a long moment in response to Barsabe’s questions.

She patiently waited. The quiet was broken only by the faint sounds of people bustling outside, coming and going.

“I’m just—”

At last, Beric struggled to speak.

“I’m wondering if I’m really cut out to be captain.”

“What?”

Barsabe blinked in disbelief. What was this mutt saying now? Everyone teased Beric in jest, but in the Imperial Guard, who else could possibly take the captain’s post? Deep down, they all respected Captain Jaret’s decision.

Besides, their very purpose was to protect the Emperor. It was only natural that the strongest, Beric, would take the helm.

“No matter what anyone says?”

She thought it was time to put a stop to the jokes.

But Beric surprised her by naming a particular person.

“The old man in the administration.”

“…The Prime Minister?”

At the mention of the Prime Minister, Barsabe immediately understood why Beric was so troubled. She had sensed the strange tension brewing recently within the palace.

With the power struggle between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic underway, no one was in a tougher spot than Beric—caught right in the middle.

“The Minister of Magic is more loyal to the palace than anyone else right now. A hero who led us to victory in the war. So, just because you’re close to him doesn’t mean you’re in trouble—at least not yet. The Prime Minister is only speaking out of concern.”

“‘Not yet’?”

“People’s loyalties can change. If His Majesty the Emperor and Lord Ian ever come into conflict… then you’ll have to make your position clear. If you want to stay in the Imperial Guard, you can’t forget you serve the Emperor.”

Barsabe’s firm words made Beric rub his forehead against the desk. He couldn’t just avoid the issue forever—that would mean losing his right to be captain.

Barsabe sighed.

“Beric, let me ask you one thing.”

“Yeah?”

“Does Ian know you’re struggling with this?”

“Ian?”

Beric suddenly looked up. He hadn’t thought about that before.

“If he knew, what do you think he’d say?”

“…He’d probably call me an idiot.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s only right to serve His Majesty.”

If forced to choose between his own safety and the Emperor’s, Ian would choose the Emperor without hesitation. Beric was certain of that. Bariel meant something truly special and precious to Ian.

“One more question. If you had to choose between Ian himself and His Majesty, who do you think Ian would pick?”

“Even then, Ian would obviously—”

“Exactly. Even I, who don’t know him well, can see the Minister would sacrifice himself for His Majesty. So there’s no question about it. If Ian can abandon himself, why are you worrying about your own selfish desires?”

Beric blinked as if struck on the back of the head. Every word was true.

Barsabe told him not to waste energy on needless worries and picked up the schedule again. Then, with a hint of indifference, she added:

“If you really can’t take it, just quit.”

“Shut up. That’s not going to happen.”

Those were the last words Jaret left behind before he died. Beric had vowed to honor them until his own last breath.

“Now stop whining and deal with this. And what’s with the second shift? We need to recruit some new people.”

“I’d like to, but there’s too much going on with state affairs. No new recruits for now. Just hang in there until things settle down.”

“Recruit? Like the joint effort with the Imperial Defense Department? Will that open up once Minister Tweller arrives?”

“No idea.”

“So basically, it’s indefinite. Unless a magic swordsman just walks in on their own.”

“…Still, they say it’s best to keep the three-captain system. Planning to add two more soon.”

“Good grief, three captains with no budget? Who came up with that?”

“The old man in the administration.”

“……”

“Annoying as it is, it makes sense. To keep His Majesty safe, it’s better if they watch and support each other.”

“…Just a heads-up, if you keep calling him that, you’ll get in trouble later.”

Yeah, screw that. Beric stuck out his tongue and ignored her warning. Then, as if his thoughts had cleared, he stood up briskly and grabbed his jacket.

“But hey, Molar.”

“Hm?”

“You’re going to run for captain too, right?”

Barsabe grinned at his question, as if it were obvious. Probably not just her, but everyone in the Imperial Guard would be vying for that honorable position.

“What about your left arm?”

“That’s just a minor detail. Winning’s what matters.”

There was only one way to choose the captain: a one-on-one duel. Beric glanced at her arm and nodded.

“Right. Fight like your life depends on it and make sure you win.”

Annoying as it was, according to the Prime Minister, Barsabe was the perfect partner to cover Beric’s weaknesses.

She smiled and replied, “Of course. If you’re doing it, why wouldn’t I?”

---

“Ian, maybe you should just skip this meeting. I really think that’s the best idea.”

Inside the carriage heading to the main palace, Romandro clung to Ian’s side, pleading once again to turn back.

Despite his voice growing hoarse from nagging, Ian didn’t even seem to hear him. Even as the carriage jolted along, he kept flipping through documents without missing a beat.

“Ian, if you don’t take care of yourself, that’s on me.”

“How could that be your fault, Romandro?”

“I’m your aide!”

“That’s not true. I just felt a little dizzy earlier. Honestly, it’s harder dealing with you than anything else.”

Romandro finally decided to play his trump card. Stammering, he whispered cautiously, barely above a whisper.

“I’m going to tell Captain Akorella about this…”

Ian reacted instantly, turning his head to look at him. Romandro awkwardly smiled and averted his gaze.

“Romandro.”

“Hm?”

“You misspelled her name.”

“What? No way!”

“It’s true.”

Screech!

Eventually, the carriage arrived in front of the main palace. As Romandro reread his report, a guard spoke through the carriage window.

“You must be Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department?”

“That’s right.”

“His Majesty has requested you stop by the office as soon as you arrive. Please go up immediately.”

The meeting was about to start, so why call him to the office separately? Ian found it odd but nodded and climbed the stairs.

Those who had arrived early to the meeting recognized Ian and greeted him respectfully.

“Your Majesty, Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department is here.”

“Send him in.”

creak

Jin looked as harried as ever, no doubt due to the upcoming meeting. His desk was buried under piles of reports and scrolls. Though he greeted Ian warmly, he didn’t put down his pen.

“Your Majesty, my apologies for coming immediately after being summoned. Would you prefer I return later?”

“No need. There’s something I want to discuss before the meeting. Please, have a seat. It’s nice to see you twice in one day.”

Ian clenched his fist lightly under the table, wondering what could be so urgent. After the afternoon meeting, Jin must have met with the Prime Minister. This must be related to that.

“Sir Ian, have you eaten?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. And you?”

“Oh, me? Ha ha, same here.”

“So, the matter you wish to discuss is…?”

“Hmm. Nothing major—”

Jin cleared his throat and sat opposite Ian. It was uncomfortable trying to assert an opinion before a deity. He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“Sir Ian, after reviewing the reports from the Magic Department, I have some concerns about the monsters.”

“Concerns about the monsters?”

“Yes. The creatures that spilled out from the rift in the Klipoford region, and the ‘Great Monster Assault’ in the northern territories. Though the underground god is sealed, could these incidents be connected to the monster seal?”

Ian hesitated for a moment.

The Shadow God and the monsters were intertwined. If humans exist for the gods, then monsters exist for the Shadow God.

Therefore, even if the god does not manifest in the world, monsters could still exist somewhere, continuing on.

“No, that’s not the case. The monster threat should be viewed on a different level.”

“I see.”

Jin nodded, as if he expected that answer. Ian’s fingers twitched, and the light fist under the table tightened. He had caught on to what Jin was implying.

“Your Majesty, we must justify the import of firearms. Since the Shadow God is sealed, the only threat disturbing the world will be monsters.”

And only mages and magic swordsmen can effectively combat them.

“In that case, Sir Ian, I’ve been thinking—what if we establish a dedicated monster response unit?”

“Please ask Minister Ian’s opinion. Aside from the Magic Department, everyone welcomes the proposal from the Hawan rebels. If they truly care for Bariel, they will accept it.”

Jin slid a sheet of paper across the table, watching Ian’s expression closely.

“This is the proposal from the Hawan rebels that I couldn’t bring up in the meeting.”

slide

“The Eastern mages have shown interest in Idgal. I’m thinking we could officially establish relations with them by offering part of it. Hawan will assist us. We just need to recognize them and send supplies. Plus, once the civil war ends, they’ll hand over all firearms and authority. This is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.”

Jin silently apologized to Ian, knowing this was difficult. But if they didn’t act, the nobles wary of Ian would only grow bolder in their schemes.

Above all, Jin trusted that Ian—the Ian he knew—would understand his true intentions and the situation.

But—

“…I fully support establishing the monster response unit, but I must respectfully disagree with the rest.”

Ian’s reply was completely unexpected.

“W-why?”

“While the response unit is no problem, since we have the Dera tribe’s weapons, we must be extremely cautious about handing over Idgal to the unfamiliar East. No matter how powerful firearms are, Bariel’s strength comes from magic. We cannot sacrifice that.”

Ian pushed the document back toward Jin, his tone firm.

“On the contrary, I’m considering purchasing all Idgal scattered across Gaia and destroying it.”

Because it won’t exist in the future. It’s merely a gift from the gods to repel the Shadow God and suppress the rifts.

Ian added calmly, “Therefore, I cannot cooperate, Your Majesty.”