Chapter 799

“How’s the schedule looking for the foreign delegation’s arrival?”

“There might be slight variations, but it should be around the end of this month.”

“Ah, not much time left, huh.”

“Exactly. So, I was thinking—when the delegation arrives, why don’t we hold Rutherford’s execution ceremony at the same time? The schedule’s too tight to do it separately.”

“That’s a great idea! Let’s propose it to the judiciary right away.”

Romandro scratched his cheek, mumbling to himself. His once crisp shirt was now wrinkled, dark circles under his eyes made him look utterly worn out, but no one dared say a word. Everyone looked just as rough. They’d caught the Eastern mage, so maybe they could finally rest—but that was wishful thinking.

“Romandro, what about King Damon?”

“I heard he’s being handed over alive to King Burgos.”

“No, I mean the oracle’s word.”

“Oh! Right! Why is it taking so long? By now, they should have arrived ages ago.”

“Should we check?”

“Yeah. Something might be up.”

As if the avalanche of work delayed by petty power struggles wasn’t enough—

“Please confirm the mail routes to the East.”

“We’ll need Ian’s help on this. We know the first step is crossing the Great Desert and the Blaster Sea, but after that, there’s almost no intel.”

“They’re suggesting sending a team of mages.”

“Not this nonsense again. Ugh, I’m so tired of it.”

“Actually, it makes sense. The journey’s long and dangerous, and if we’re going to explain the situation to the Eastern Archmage, it’s only right that some of our mages go along. While we’re there, we can explore their magic and maybe learn something.”

Because of the Eastern matter, a flood of new tasks had been added.

These were unique duties that only the Magic Department could handle—no other division could help.

“The East, huh…”

The mages paused their work, blinking slowly.

“I’m kind of intrigued.”

“Me too.”

“You’ve seen how those Eastern mages use magic, right?”

“Yeah. It’s incredible.”

“Scrolls fluttering in midair—wow, almost mesmerizing.”

Unlike Tolrun, where trade was nonexistent, the East was a completely unknown world. As mages, their curiosity burned fiercely about what kind of magic was practiced there.

But they quickly shook their heads and returned to their work. Once you went, it would be a long-term mission—at least several years. This wasn’t a decision to make on a whim.

“Hey, did you hear about that?”

“What?”

“The Prime Minister.”

Heh heh. One mage chuckled lowly, and soon the others joined in. Without any explanation, they exchanged sly glances, as if relieved to share the joke.

“Hey, why do the Empire’s mages sound like that when they laugh?”

“Romandro, you should try it. It’s oddly satisfying.”

“Ugh, that old man. Acting all high and mighty, then getting reprimanded in his twilight years. First time, they say?”

“Really? At over eighty?”

They swallowed their green-toned tonic, a revitalizing brew made from herbs personally granted by the Emperor.

Romandro, secretly enjoying the gossip, leaned in and added,

“The Prime Minister’s wife is actually the youngest daughter of the previous Prime Minister.”

“What? So they’re just keeping it all in the family!”

“Getting reprimanded isn’t common for a Prime Minister. If you meet her, she’ll probably say, ‘There’s family honor at stake!’ Heh heh.”

“Wait, that was a weird laugh.”

“Ahem! Heh heh!”

“Are they separated?”

“He retired early and went back to his ancestral lands. To a provincial estate.”

“Wouldn’t it be great to follow him there?”

As the mages chattered, the office door suddenly slammed open with a bang.

Everyone jumped, shoulders tensing. They’d been roasting the Prime Minister so hard, it was a reflex.

But when they saw Beric standing there, they turned away with irritation.

“Ah, you scared me. Just a mutt.”

“Hey, now you’re the captain.”

“Beric, what’s going on?”

Beric looked utterly annoyed. His eyes half-rolled back, his face stiff with tension. He pointed toward the minister’s office and barked,

“Open the minister’s office door, damn it!”

“Here to see Ian?”

“Been so long we thought he was dead.”

With a grinding sound, Beric bared his teeth and strode forward. The mages jumped up and hurried toward the minister’s office.

They all knew why Beric hadn’t been around the Magic Department lately. First, as captain of the Imperial Guard, he had no time to spare. Second, with rumors swirling about the Magic Department, he had to be careful not to stir up more trouble. Thankfully, the department’s reputation had improved recently, but still—better safe than sorry.

Despite knowing all this, the mages couldn’t help teasing him.

“What’s got you so busy you don’t even show your face?”

“Unbelievable. You all ran off and left the work piling up, didn’t you?”

“We didn’t run off—we went after those Eastern bastards.”

“Enough. Just open the door already.”

“Such a temper.”

With a flick, a mage tapped the handle, and the firmly locked door swung open with surprising ease.

Beric strode inside, and the mage noticed scratches on the door’s surface. That brat must’ve kicked it in frustration. What a hooligan.

“Here?”

“And Ian?”

“Haah. Same as always.”

The mage beside Ian yawned widely as he answered.

It had been five days already. Ian was still unconscious, unable to pull himself together. Not even on the battlefield had he been like this…

“Ian.”

“Don’t shake him. Just look with your eyes.”

“Got it. Damn.”

“And bring him some food. I’m starving.”

Beric stared down at Ian. He seemed asleep, but there was no sign of movement. Beric put a finger under Ian’s nose and felt a faint breath, relief washing over him.

Ian’s face was gaunt and pale. Beric sighed and sank down.

“Damn.”

“Really. I should’ve come back then.”

“When you met Romandro?”

“Did you hear?”

“Yeah. But what difference would it have made if you’d come?”

A cold comfort.

It was true. Beric couldn’t share his magic to protect Ian, nor could he face two Eastern mages alone. Even if the entire Magic Department joined, it would be tough. What could Beric do?

Beric glared, eyes wide.

“Such an attitude.”

“The truth always hurts.”

“Ugh. You and your smug talk. Go get sick yourself.”

“I’d like to, man. But hey, are you even allowed here?”

The sound of a spoon stirring tea was oddly soothing. Beric flopped down beside the sofa, eyes fixed on Ian.

“Today’s your day off.”

“Oh? The Imperial Guard must be pretty slack if the captain can take a day off.”

“Damn it, you’ve been provoking me all day. I’m the captain, you know? What are you? What rank?”

“What else? A mage. Didn’t you see this red cloth?”

“What? That’s white. Ha! I’ll soak it in your blood.”

“Hey! That’s my ambassador’s sash.”

As Beric and the mage bickered, Romandro strolled in, clicking his tongue. Clearly trying to sneak in some rest.

“You guys are noisy.”

“Romandro, this guy just got promoted to captain and thinks he owns the place.”

“Of course. Why would I sit with a rankless mage?”

“Wow, really. The same guy who got caught stealing meat from the kitchen? Life’s unpredictable.”

“Enough. Beric, when will you be officially appointed captain? Talk to the Imperial Defense Department. You’re the only captain, and with Minister Tweller gone, other departments are causing chaos.”

Beric munched on a cookie, looking at Romandro.

He knew well why the palace was so desperate to control the Magic Department: a lack of talent. Increasing the number of captains to three and having Minister Tweller return would ease the tension. Definitely.

“I’m trying, but the Defense Department’s ignoring us. They say it’s not their problem. So who told them to shut down the office and run off?”

“We didn’t run off—we were on a field mission!”

“Romandro, you’re no different. You’re just as stubborn as those mages.”

“Only you’re more stubborn.”

“Enough! Just get Siana married already.”

“Who? Siaoshi?”

At the sudden mention, Romandro and the mages’ eyes widened. Siaoshi—the young lady Chloe was close to?

“Right. That might work.”

Come to think of it, many high-ranking officials in the palace were from the Davion family. Strengthening internal bonds and diverting their attention from the Magic Department was a clever move.

If it worked, Siaoshi’s influence would rise, becoming second only to Minister Tweller.

Romandro and the wizard clapped their hands sharply—clap!—but Beric just twitched his ears and muttered under his breath.

“I can’t stand looking at this. Seriously.”

“Beric, man! Have you gotten any smarter?”

“What? I’ve always been smart.”

“Ha! You’re totally crazy, aren’t you?”

“Ugh, shut up already. Quiet, everyone.”

“You’re just an empty-headed idiot without magic!”

“I said, be quiet!”

Then—

“…Quiet.”

“……!”

“……?!”

Even Romandro, who had joined in the ruckus, suddenly fell silent.

The hostile glares shifted, rolling toward the source of the voice. Ian, who no one knew when he’d regained consciousness, was frowning as he looked at the three of them.

“I, I, I—”

“Ian!”

“Ian’s eyes are open!”

…Quiet, I said.

Ian closed his eyes again as if to say he couldn’t be helped, and the wizards who had rushed in at the shout quickly turned the room into a bustling market square.

They saw Ian with his eyes closed and immediately wrapped their arms around Beric’s neck.

Tap tap tap!

“Where did you get that lie from?!”

“Ah! I didn’t say that!”

“No, Ian just opened his eyes.”

“Hey, Ian, can you hear me?”

Even Romandro cautiously spoke up, and the room fell silent once more.

After a brief pause, Ian answered with difficulty.

“…I can hear you.”

“Gasp!”

It’s true! Ian’s awake! The wizards covered each other’s mouths to stifle their cheers and bounced around the sofa in delight.

But Ian kept his eyes closed, frowning. He didn’t seem fully recovered yet.

“Ian, where do you feel uncomfortable?”

“Call the healer, and the captains!”

“Aren’t you hungry? Ian, do you recognize us?”

“We’ve already caught and dealt with those Eastern wizards. You just need to recover.”

“Yes, and the prime minister was disciplined and dismissed.”

“He’ll come back someday.”

“The Hawan incident has been resolved somehow. His Majesty received the report Melanie submitted. It’s confidential, so only our magic department knows for now.”

The wizards crowded around Ian, giving a detailed report of everything that had happened.

Ian listened calmly, then lifted his gaze. So, everything’s been settled? While I was lying here?

‘…Why?’

It was unexpected. He had assumed his absence would cause problems. But apparently not.

Ian kept his thoughts to himself. The wizards waited for his response, expecting a “That’s good.”

“Ian?”

Without a word, Ian slipped back into sleep. His expression was strange—somewhere between relief, discomfort, and confusion, as if even he didn’t understand what he was feeling.

But what did it matter?

“Iaaaan!”

“Captain Ako! Shh!”

At least he was conscious now; full recovery was just a matter of time. The excited wizards, hair all disheveled, dragged Captain Akorella back out.

In the now-quiet room, Romandro and Beric glanced at each other, exchanged light smiles, and nodded.