Chapter 817

“…Looks like the meeting is running late.”

The nobles gathered in the banquet hall sipped their champagne quietly, their eyes flickering nervously around the imperial palace. They had expected it wouldn’t be easy to leave early, but none of them had anticipated being left completely in the dark like this. It was clear the meeting was chaotic and complicated.

The nobles discreetly approached Count Davion, Regleid, the head of the family that had produced the most high-ranking officials in the palace.

“Count, have you heard anything?”

“I’ve been here the whole time,” he replied.

“That may be, but…”

“It’s strange that the meeting is dragging on. Whether Rutherford went mad and raged before his death, or if there’s some insolent force behind this, shouldn’t it be easy to find out? Especially if they use the truth serum.”

“Who makes that truth serum, though?”

It was produced under the supervision of Minister Ian, head of the Magic Department. Given the circumstances, it was hard to trust.

Regleid swirled his champagne and muttered, “This seems like a case that calls for a special investigation team. I wonder how His Majesty will decide…”

This was a matter tied to the name Verosion. Forming an investigative team was the natural next step, but the opponent was Ian Hielo—the trusted pillar of the palace whom the emperor relied on. Whether a proper investigation would even take place was uncertain.

‘Besides, chaos is opportunity.’

Those who sought to check the Magic Department would never let this chance slip by. They would join forces with the investigation team to chip away at the department’s influence. And the Magic Department wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

Tch! If I’d known it would come to this, I should have just made an excuse about my schedule and refused to come to the palace. The storm was clearly approaching, but I’m at a loss for what to do.

Bang!

At that moment, the banquet hall doors burst open. A foreign affairs official, sweating profusely, hurried inside. He scanned the room anxiously, spotted Regleid, and strode over.

“Count, may I have a moment of your time?”

“What is it?”

The official smiled awkwardly, as if reluctant to speak here.

Regleid set down his champagne and followed him immediately. He glanced back, half-expecting Chloe to trail after them, but she pretended not to notice and continued sipping her champagne, looking elsewhere.

Thud!

As the door closed behind them, Chloe quickly slipped out after them. The other nobles were dying to know what was going on, but no one dared act rashly here. It was a matter of decorum—and one wrong move could get them all caught up and crushed.

“This should be enough. What’s going on?”

“His Majesty has decided to form a special investigation team to look into the Magic Department. The palace guards are heading there now to conduct a search. All related operations are suspended until further notice.”

“What? Really? On what charges?”

“Treason against the royal family.”

…His Majesty has made a big decision. Regleid stroked his beard, surprised.

“From what we can tell, Minister Ian likely used mind control magic, but it will be difficult to find concrete evidence. That’s why everyone is trying to unite now. If we don’t act now, the Magic Department will never be brought down.”

“And?”

Regleid understood the situation so far—and vaguely why the official had sought him out. As head of the Davion family and a senior palace official, he held significant influence.

“We need a formal petition from the Davion family—an official accusation and condemnation of the Magic Department. Minister Raven said you’re the only one who can do it.”

Of course, the motivation was clear. The power of the ministers was limited, and most of it was held by the Magic Department. If they fell, other departments would rise, and the Davion family’s influence would grow accordingly.

‘Chloe’s marriage…’

Thanks to Minister Ian’s influence, it had progressed quite far. Honestly, Regleid still wasn’t thrilled about Xiaosi, but with the objections fading one by one, it no longer mattered.

Even if something happened to Minister Ian, the marriage would proceed without major obstacles. If the mind control magic was true, they could simply sever ties without hesitation.

“What’s the mood like? Does it seem like the mind control magic is real?”

“Almost certainly.”

“I don’t get it. Why stir up trouble? If they’d just stayed quiet, they could still control the palace like now.”

Was this all because of fear of losing his ministerial position due to magic power loss? If so, why use mind control magic? If he had that power, he wouldn’t have to worry about being dismissed.

Regleid felt something didn’t add up but quickly dismissed it as a minor detail. The other senior officials probably thought the same.

What mattered was that the opportunity to expose the Magic Department’s weakness had come—and if they missed it, it would never come again.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll prepare the petition. But when can we leave?”

“Soon, once the gag order and instructions are issued.”

“Damn. Do they think that’ll stop anything? This is serious.”

It had been ten years since Rutherford had stormed the heart of the palace. The public’s interest outside the walls was so high it was almost pointless to explain.

How long could they keep the name ‘Ian Verosion’ under wraps? There were over a hundred nobles here. Once the word spread, it would be impossible to trace where it started.

Tap tap tap!

Footsteps echoed urgently down the corridor. Regleid glanced toward the sound, then turned back the way he came.

“Tell Minister Raven I understand.”

“Yes, Count.”

“Ahem.”

He hurried back toward the banquet hall.

And watching him from behind a pillar was Chloe, peeking out and taking in everything.

‘So, the situation now is…’

Rutherford was dead, so his intentions didn’t matter anymore. The bomb had been dropped, and now it was a question of whose house it would land in. Everyone except the Magic Department had formed an alliance.

‘Got it.’

Chloe’s eyes sparkled as she quietly slipped away.

A moment later, surprisingly, she arrived at the banquet hall before the count, smiling as if she knew nothing. When Regleid returned, he kept glancing at his daughter’s expression but found nothing unusual.

---

“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, all mages are to exit immediately. A search and seizure operation will commence.”

The mages, just catching their breath, widened their eyes in shock. The execution ceremony had just ended, and they were about to sit down and discuss Rutherford’s infamous words.

What? Who sent this?

“What does this mean?”

“This is a second notice. By order of His Majesty the Emperor, until the special investigation team is formally established, the palace guards will temporarily control the Magic Department. All mages must cease work and come outside immediately. Suspicious behavior will be punished.”

“Wait, hold on!”

“Beric! Say something!”

Normally, Beric, captain of the palace guards, would deliver such orders, but Varsabe stepped forward instead. Everyone in the palace knew of the close relationship between Beric and the mages.

As expected, Beric added in a somewhat conciliatory tone:

“Everyone, come out. This is because of that bastard Rutherford. It’ll be over soon. Don’t make it harder on yourselves by resisting.”

“Wait! Do you even know what you’re doing?”

“You can’t go in there!”

“Bring the captain here! Now!”

The mages scrambled to block the guards, but without using magic, they stood no chance. And this was the emperor’s order. After all, this was the palace.

“All work-related documents will be confiscated. We will also check the list of mages who entered the magic tower yesterday. Those involved will come with us, and the person responsible for the freezing magic is to be brought as well.”

“The person in charge of freezing magic is Captain Akorella.”

“Where is Ian?”

“All other mages must come outside.”

“Where is Ian, Varsabe?”

“Sorry, I won’t answer questions unrelated to the search.”

Tap tap tap!

The guards stormed through the Magic Department.

Upstairs, in the Mana Stone Management Department, Akorella was startled as the door suddenly swung open. Wearing protective goggles, she had been in the middle of an experiment.

“Damn it, can’t you be quiet—”

“Captain Akorella, please come outside.”

“What? The palace guards? Is the execution over?”

“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, we are conducting a search of the Magic Department. Please cooperate.”

Akorella tilted her head in confusion. She would comply since it was the emperor’s order, but—

“Wait, just ten more minutes. I’m almost done here.”

Why now, of all times? When it’s most important?

“What are you doing?”

“If I stop now, I’ll have to replace the mana stones for days again. Just ten minutes, and I swear I’ll kiss you.”

“Is this an official experiment with recorded data?”

“That’s not it… Where would such a thing fit into the grand cause? Isn’t that right? This is a potion to restore memories. Once it’s complete—”

“Step outside.”

“Wait! Please! Damn it!”

Captain Akorella was dragged away, her hands reaching out desperately. All they had to do was stir it a little! If the flame went out, they’d have to start all over again!

But the royal guards gripped her arms tightly and pulled her down.

Clack!

As the mages were forced outside, the guards formed a line, barring their return. The expelled mages stood there, stunned and confused. What was going on?

“Ian!”

At that shout, all the mages turned sharply. In the distance, Ian and Romandro were approaching. Romandro kept slapping his forehead in frustration as he took in the scene.

But Ian looked oddly calm—almost serene.

“Ian, look at that!”

“No, stop! Stop! Dragging them out like that, pulling them around… sniff sob!”

“I don’t understand. We were here for the Rutherford tournament, right? So why are they treating us like this?”

The mages swarmed Ian, chattering anxiously.

Ian raised a hand to quiet them.

“Orders have come down to suspend all magical duties. All mages who entered the tower are to be summoned for a brief investigation. Cooperate fully. It’ll be over soon. And take this opportunity—”

This opportunity?

The mages blinked, their eyes glistening. Was Ian really smiling? Or was it just their imagination?

“It’s a break.”

“Excuse me?”

“Even if it’s unpaid, it’s a break. Everyone is to leave the palace and rest at home.”

Ian looked at them kindly and added,

“Block out the noise and distractions of the palace for a while. Focus solely on rest. Understood?”

“And what about you, Ian?”

“This place is my refuge.”

“…Those bastards blocked us off, didn’t they?”

The mages whispered bitterly among themselves. The camaraderie forged on the battlefield had long since faded into distant memory. The emperor’s orders were orders, and annoyance was annoyance.

“Don’t worry. By the time you return, everything will be back to how it was.”