Chapter 813
Parais, the envoy representing Luswena, glanced around awkwardly as he focused on cutting his food.
Despite the grand dinner hosted by the Emperor himself, armed with both tension and anticipation, something felt off. Was this really how it was supposed to be? Aside from the clinking of cutlery, not a single word was spoken.
“…”
The silence was anchored by the Emperor and the Minister of Magic.
Prince Noah, seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected quiet, kept slicing vegetables with his fork. He was careful not to eat any meat—he knew that would surely upset his stomach in a situation like this.
Meanwhile, Kayla took a bite of the meat cut into manageable pieces, actively observing the Emperor and Ian. She had planned to break the ice with a glance or a word, but both men remained completely absorbed in their meals.
“Ah, um—”
Finally, it was Parais who bravely broke the silence.
Unlike the firmly established alliances with Burgos and Cliffford, Luswena was an absolute vassal state. With the fate of his country hanging on this peace treaty, he couldn’t afford to waste this precious time—even if it meant risking his own neck.
“Your Majesty, thank you once again for inviting us to the magnificent imperial palace of the great empire Bariel. Though humble, we have brought a sincere gift. I hope it pleases you.”
Jin took a bite of his meat and stared intently at Parais, his gaze betraying a silent question: Should I make a fuss about this, or just let it slide?
The strange silence stretched on, and Parais’s forced smile began to tremble. But then Jin gave a slight nod, signaling he would let it pass.
“We have received Luswena’s goodwill.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your words bring me great joy.”
“Is the meal to everyone’s liking?”
That was the first greeting offered in this entire gathering. Prince Noah and Kayla responded with polite smiles. Was it really to their taste?
“Representative Kayla.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You requested to take custody of King Damon’s body.”
“I would be grateful for your permission.”
“Of course, you have it. It’s useless to us anyway. If I may suggest, it would be best if King Damon’s execution was by poison.”
Jin glanced at Ian, who continued eating as if nothing had happened, completely unaware of the undercurrents.
“However, there are conditions.”
“Please, state them.”
Kayla answered as if she had expected this.
Prince Noah and Parais exchanged glances. The real negotiations were about to begin, and this was their signal to steel themselves. After Burgos, then Cliffford, and now Luswena.
“Recently, there was a sharp fluctuation in the magic stone market here in Bariel. Though it has since stabilized, it would be wise to establish institutional safeguards going forward.”
“A wise decision. Burgos will do its utmost to assist in any way possible.”
“Market stability begins with a steady supply. I demand that all magic stones traded with Bariel, along with fifteen key raw materials, be exempt from tariffs.”
Kayla immediately recognized the Emperor’s stance on the Ministry of Magic’s monopoly over magic stones: a clear rejection.
She agreed with this position. Though tariff exemption would sting, Burgos was a defeated nation. Until internal stability was restored, they had no choice but to comply with Bariel’s demands.
“If you agree, I promise full support for mining development within Burgos.”
Mining development would become the lifeblood of Bariel’s empire, while simultaneously revitalizing Burgos’s economy and industry.
Kayla considered this a reasonable deal. With war reparations, recovery, and reconstruction all demanding funds, they had no room to be picky.
“The reparations remain as previously stated, to be paid over ten years. Additionally, you will cede the eastern regions of Karitona and Alton, allow Bariel to establish embassies in ten key cities including the capital Kalamath, and the new Burgos dynasty’s flag will be bestowed by Bariel. Do you agree?”
Parais felt his head spin. Though it wasn’t his country’s fate, this was merciless. He dreaded Luswena’s turn coming next.
“We agree.”
Kayla answered simply, her resolve clear: she was willing to sacrifice anything for the new dynasty’s birth. After all, though she bore Burgos blood, she had been born and raised in Bariel—no wonder she showed no hesitation.
“And Luswena.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You…”
Jin trailed off, as if overwhelmed by what he wanted to say. After all, Luswena had not only launched a preemptive strike against Bariel but also violated the Dragon’s Sacred Non-Aggression Pact.
“Luswena will pay full reparations within ten years, cede the western Hailener region and northern Alcon region, abolish all trade tariffs, and allow an embassy in the capital Elbasa. Furthermore, all black armor must be surrendered and related manufacturing technology destroyed—”
The list of Luswena’s obligations went on and on, and Parais felt utterly hopeless. But what could he do? He could only lower his gaze and listen quietly.
At least Bariel did not demand hostages—this applied to Burgos as well. All reparations would be accepted solely in material resources.
“Finally, thirty percent of Luswena’s reparations will be transferred to Cliffford. Other matters will be negotiated independently between Cliffford and Luswena but must be shared with Bariel. Any objections?”
“None, Your Majesty.”
“This is the general outline of the agreement. And—”
More? Everyone was surprised as Jin turned to Ian, who smiled as if waiting for his cue.
“The core provisions regarding magic for all three nations are as follows: all Idgals held by each country must be collected and delivered to the imperial palace; no contact with mages outside Gaia without Bariel’s consent; and new technologies, including firearms, must be managed under Bariel’s leadership.”
“Nothing too difficult, right?” Ian added, finishing his bite.
“Detailed items will be provided at your lodgings. If you have objections, please raise them anytime, but no later than the night before the formal signing.”
The night before the signing—that was now. In other words, just shut up and sign.
Ian smiled and raised his glass. The finest wine from Cliffford shimmered in the light.
“Let us build a peaceful Gaia together with the great empire Bariel. Glory to Your Majesty.”
“Glory.”
“We will do our best.”
“We agree.”
As everyone raised their glasses, Jin reluctantly lifted his own. For someone who demanded glory, he was surprisingly harsh.
As their glasses clinked lightly, the light at the entrance flickered.
“Minister Ian.”
“Yes, Representative Kayla.”
“May I meet with King Damon briefly after the meal?”
“He cannot speak.”
“I understand, but conversation need not be only by voice.”
She seemed eager to speak with the last surviving member of the Rankvis royal family, whatever her reasons.
“Very well. Let us go together. There are matters to settle anyway.”
Though King Damon was the focus, the real purpose was to unfreeze Rutherford.
Kayla nodded gratefully. Behind her, Jin’s irritated gaze shot daggers at Ian.
Damon gazed out the window. The only view allowed was the arched entrance of the building and a single evergreen tree, unchanged through the seasons. To feel the passing of time, it was better to look at the sky.
Though long confined in the mage tower, Damon had gleaned the general situation from passing soldiers’ chatter. The war was over. Completely. Bariel had won.
“The end.”
What did that mean? For Damon, no next life. For Rankvis, eternal defeat.
His vow to someday—if not now, then later—tear Ian Hielo and Bariel apart had long since faded.
Click.
The sound of a lock opening made Damon turn his head. It was Ian, unchanged as ever.
Ian thought the same upon seeing Damon. Except for his longer, rougher hair and gaunt appearance, Damon was the same.
“Damon, it’s been a while.”
“…”
Damon said nothing, instead looking at the person behind Ian. A woman in a wheelchair. Damon couldn’t help but laugh. First the mute king of Burgos, now the lame king?
“King Damon Rankvis, I greet you. I am Kayla Hollin.”
Ian ordered the soldiers to bring Kayla inside, keeping her at a distance from Damon. Whether Damon took his own life or not no longer mattered, but Kayla’s safety was paramount. Damon’s body also had to remain intact.
Damon sat on a worn sofa and looked up, as if asking what this was about. Ian flicked his fingers over the accumulated clutter.
“Your death has been decided. Out of respect for the former dynasty, you will be given poison.”
After keeping him alive for over ten years, now that he was useless, they planned to kill him. Poison? Without a tongue, he wouldn’t taste the bitterness. How thoughtful.
“Representative Kayla, here are pen and paper for written communication. These are Bariel’s property and may not be taken outside.”
Ian meant to inspect them after their conversation. There was likely nothing sensitive, but it was better to be safe.
Outside, the wizard sent a signal. Ian paused at the bedroom door and glanced back at Damon. Damon’s eyes blazed, silently urging him to say something, but Ian left without a word.
“Where’s Rutherford?”
“He’s downstairs. The thawing process is complete.”
Creak.
Ian opened the door and saw Rutherford lying calmly with his eyes closed, his limbs tightly bound by magical sealing shackles.
Just in case, Ian ordered everyone to leave the room.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
Ian then opened the vial of potion that Akorella had prepared.
The wizards cautiously stepped back, and Ian slowly poured the potion into Rutherford’s mouth. Gradually, color returned to his face, and the eyelids that had been shut trembled slightly.
“Rutherford. Are you coming to?”
He stared blankly at the ceiling before realizing his limbs were bound. Was this Agiar’s underground prison? Or—
“This is the Bariel Imperial Palace. The war is over, and you’ve been defeated. As punishment, your execution will take place tomorrow.”
“…So it’s come to this.”
He was back. Back at the palace.
Rutherford let out a small, resigned sigh. After being consumed by endless reincarnation, this was the final chapter for his soul. In a way, he welcomed it. What stung was that he hadn’t been able to destroy Bariel, who was filled with lingering resentment and hatred.
Looking up at Ian, Rutherford muttered, “I suppose it’s only natural. Unlike you, who came from the future, I came from the past.”
“…!”
Ian’s eyes widened. He had overlooked something. While everyone in Gaia had been drenched by the rain or had drunk it and lost their memories, Rutherford had been frozen in stasis.
Ian let out a small, relieved laugh.
“That was a close call.”
If he hadn’t restrained them, things could have gone badly.
Rutherford frowned, not understanding the meaning behind that laugh.