Chapter 816
“…!”
“…!”
The simultaneous shock rippling through the crowd felt almost like invisible screams spreading in every direction.
Even in the heavy silence, an eerie sensation hung palpably in the air. Everyone present either covered their mouths, held their breath, or blinked as if unable to fully grasp what had just happened. No one dared speak until the blood dripping from the severed neck of Rutherford finally splattered onto the platform below.
“Ah—”
The executioner, frozen, didn’t even think to clean up the body but instead glanced nervously at the emperor. The emperor’s reaction was no different from the others—stunned and speechless.
Then, breaking the heavy silence, surprisingly, was Ian—the very man at the center of the controversy.
“What are you doing? Lift the prisoner’s head and show it.”
At the low command, the executioner, half in a daze, grabbed Rutherford’s severed head. There was no trace of courage, duty, or pride on his face—only a vacant expression, as if he didn’t even know what he was doing, as he lifted the head.
“I hereby announce that the prisoner Rutherford has been executed.”
The crowd remained silent. When the silence stretched on, Ian deliberately raised both hands and began to applaud.
The nobles stared at Ian in shock, but he met their gazes one by one, clapping as if to say, “What are you waiting for? Join me.”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
It was as if he was saying, “This is exactly why you’re here.”
Realizing Ian’s intention, the nobles awkwardly began to clap along.
“Romandro.”
“…Huh?”
Romandro, who had been staring at the blood dripping beneath the execution platform, suddenly snapped out of his trance and turned to Ian. Those last words kept echoing in his mind.
“Gather Rutherford’s body and hang it at the palace entrance. It will be burned and disposed of in two days. The execution site must also be cleaned up.”
“Ah, yes. Right.”
Romandro nodded and hurried behind the platform. Then, grabbing the collars of the stunned mages standing nearby, he urged them to move quickly.
“Did you all hear what that bastard said at the end?”
“Everyone here heard it.”
“Kill him! Seriously! Is he crazy or what?”
“He’s already dead. Don’t kick a corpse—it’s bad luck. This way! Hurry!”
“No, Ian—Rutherford—”
“Shh! Hey! I said this way!”
As the mages, now realizing the gravity of the situation, began to get agitated and restless, Romandro blocked and pushed them back. A massive upheaval was about to hit—far beyond the whispered rumors that had circulated among the soldiers at the end of the war.
This was a historic moment. Romandro did his best to pull the mages away and keep them quiet, knowing that any careless word could worsen the chaos.
“This is maddening.”
Beric, watching from the entrance to the execution site, muttered quietly. Jin’s face was hidden from view, so his expression was unreadable.
One thing was clear, though: Jin was looking down at Ian, and Ian met his gaze without flinching.
“Your Majesty.”
Quintana, who had quietly stepped onto the dais, cautiously called out to Jin. Nearby, Kyla and Noah sensed the tension and quietly slipped away.
What was that? Ian Verosion? This was a scandal that could shake the entire palace. Rutherford—what a madman. He probably didn’t care about what happened after his death, but this crossed every line imaginable.
“Summon Lord Ian and all high officials from each department.”
“Yes, understood. What about the celebration party?”
Originally, there was supposed to be a victory celebration with the nobles. But in this atmosphere, no one could share laughter and joy. Yet sending everyone away immediately risked rumors spreading.
“Inform the Magic Department to cast a silence spell. I will impose a gag order on everyone present. Anyone who carelessly spreads the baseless nonsense of a traitor will face severe consequences.”
Quintana nodded and passed the order to her subordinates. Amid the chaotic execution site, administrative staff hurried toward Ian and the other officials.
“They should have torn his throat out instead of just cutting it.”
Jin muttered coldly as he looked at the bloodstains. Quintana felt a chill run down her neck as she guided the emperor down from the dais.
At that moment, one of her subordinates approached with a troubled expression.
“I’m sorry, but the Magic Department says they cannot perform the silence spell.”
“What?”
“They say it’s due to a lack of magical power. They can cover about half the area, but not the entire crowd.”
Jin bit his lower lip tightly upon hearing this. There was no choice now. He gave another order.
“Escort every single person who attended the execution to the banquet hall without exception. Tell them the emperor himself has summoned them.”
They had no choice but to personally prevent anyone from slipping out.
First, they would discuss the situation with the officials and deliver an official statement to quell the unrest. If they let everyone leave the palace now, Rutherford’s last words would be all over the central region within a day. And that was a future Jin could not allow for Bariel.
“This is unbelievable.”
“Tell me about it. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
The officials gathered in the grand hall were too agitated by the events at the execution site to even sit down. After all, this had happened right before the emperor. And yet, someone had dared to utter the name “Verosion”?
“There’s something strange going on. The controversy around the royal bloodline keeps centering on Minister Ian. Whether intentional or not, something is definitely at play. Otherwise, this makes no sense.”
“Rutherford’s intentions are obvious. His last desperate act was to frame Minister Ian. Since it all happened because of him, isn’t that natural? It’s just the way he did it that’s shocking.”
“Do you really think this is a coincidence? Rutherford, who was just thawed from freezing yesterday and barely alive for half a day, suddenly drags Verosion’s name into all these wild theories?”
“Exactly. When coincidences pile up, it’s suspicious.”
“Could it be that…”
The chatter abruptly stopped. The last speaker hesitated and then shook his head as if dismissing the thought.
“What is it? You stopped mid-sentence.”
“Nothing. I was just thinking out loud.”
“We’ll be the judge of whether your thoughts are short or long.”
“Please, speak up. This is the time to put our heads together.”
The official hesitated, then whispered cautiously.
“I heard from an officer in the Imperial Defense Department that Minister Tweller suspects Minister Ian is the source of the rumors about Toalun.”
“And?”
“There’s a possibility that Rutherford’s thawing was manipulated by Ian using mind control magic…”
Silence fell. Everyone considered whether this was a plausible theory.
Surprisingly, it seemed possible. The Magic Department had been involved in thawing Rutherford, and Ian had strictly forbidden anyone from approaching him—except for giving him a sip of water.
“Why would Minister Ian do such a thing?”
“Exactly! There’s no motive.”
“That’s something only he would know.”
“I’ve heard rumors about his health lately. Could he be losing his mind?”
“Minister, are you the one who’s crazy?”
“No, I’m just trying to consider motives. Ahem.”
“Could it be he’s afraid of losing his position as Magic Minister?”
“What do you mean by that?”
A sudden chill ran through the officials as Ian quietly approached, pulling out a chair with a curious smile. Then the emperor entered, and the grand hall doors were firmly shut.
Bang!
“…”
“…”
Ian’s eyes demanded answers.
No one dared speak, all watching each other nervously. If only the prime minister were here to handle this smoothly.
Quintana sighed and turned to Ian.
“Minister Ian, how do you propose we handle Rutherford’s statements?”
“You suggested the silence spell, but as I said, the Magic Department doesn’t have the capacity right now. It’s also impossible to keep everyone here under control indefinitely. For now, the emperor’s decree holds them, but soon we’ll need the nobles’ consent. I’m not sure they’ll agree easily.”
They had come with invitations, only to be held captive indefinitely, waiting for a silence spell? This wasn’t a national emergency like during Arsen’s time. The backlash would be severe. Each noble had their own businesses, and many workers were mobilized in the central economy and industry.
“Is the silence spell really that difficult?”
“You’ll understand if you try.”
Ha! What a joke. The officials raised their voices in disbelief.
“Minister Ian, how can you say that? Isn’t the Magic Department responsible for managing Rutherford?”
“The prisoner’s tongue is not under the Magic Department’s jurisdiction. And please lower your voice. I don’t understand why you’re speaking to me like this. Have I misspoken?”
“If you want to question someone, take it up with the late Rutherford. Why me?” When Ian sharpened his tone, the bureaucrats fell silent, their mouths moving as if they’d just tasted honey. There was some truth to his words.
“Come to think of it, I’m the victim here, aren’t I? I was quietly minding my own business when I was suddenly accused of insulting the royal family. That suggests there’s someone behind this.”
“W-what do you mean?”
Everyone stammered, caught off guard. The situation had flipped unexpectedly. Was someone using Rutherford to frame Ian? That was absurd.
“We’ll find out what this means after a proper investigation. Next, here is a list of witnesses for the Ministry of Magic’s internal inquiry. Minister Raven.”
“…Yes?”
“And Minister Pixie. Minister Charlotte.”
Ian called out the ministers calmly. Quintana, who had been quietly listening, suddenly looked up sharply, realization dawning. All of them were connected to the magic stone price scandal.
“To conclude, I request one-on-one interviews with the ministers named.”
“No! Are you accusing us?”
“This is nonsense. If anyone were involved, it would be the Ministry of Magic, not us.”
“That’s exactly what the investigation is for.”
“Wait a moment, Minister Ian!”
Quintana saw through Ian’s move—he was using this opportunity to purge the opposition. Everyone in the room must have sensed it instinctively.
As Quintana rose abruptly, Jin raised a hand to stop her.
“No.”
The weight behind his voice was undeniable.
All eyes in the chamber turned to Jin.
“No.”
“What do you mean by no?”
“Didn’t you say the Ministry of Magic is the victim? Victims don’t conduct their own investigations. In this case, it makes sense for an independent third party to lead the inquiry.”
Ian raised an eyebrow. The reasoning was sound.
“Very well.”
“I will personally select a special investigation team to uncover the truth behind this incident. And Ian, I have one question for you.”
“Please, ask.”
“Are you truly uninvolved in this matter?”
Jin’s question brought to mind the note from Tweller he had tucked away on the table. The source of the Toorun rumors was Ian… Then what about Rutherford, who made the same claims?
“I am not involved. This is unjust.”
Ian answered plainly, as if it were no big deal.
Jin nodded, murmuring his understanding.
“In that case, you will fully cooperate with the special investigation team. For now, the Ministry of Magic will immediately suspend all operations except national defense and await further orders.”
All operations… including the monopoly on magic stone distribution.
Ian smiled faintly and asked again.
“Are you sure this is wise?”
“I will not change my decision.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Ian bowed deeply, thinking to himself:
A truly fitting move, Your Majesty.