Episode 818

Clink, clink.

The sun had long since set. After finishing a brief investigation, the mages guarding the Mage Tower all boarded the carriage together, heading out of the palace.

Acorella pressed her face against the carriage window, sniffling.

“Ugh, damn it. Just a little bit left.”

The mages, unable to bear it any longer, tugged at her collar to stop her. Everyone was worried about the future of the Mage Department, but she alone fretted over an unfinished experiment.

“Captain, is that really what you’re worried about right now?”

“Ian’s worried too. He’s all alone. Ah—if only I’d asked him to mix it for me instead.”

“Are you serious? We’re being kicked out empty-handed!”

“We actually came in empty-handed to begin with.”

Her muttered truth hit the mark, and the mage paused. It was true—the supplies the Mage Department used, from A to Z, were all provided by the palace.

Acorella sighed, longing for the lab that wouldn’t leave her mind.

“So there’s really no need to worry about that. Maybe other departments, but we’re the Mage Department. Don’t you know what happens if the Mage Department’s desks go missing from the palace?”

The Bariel Empire’s dominance over Gaia was entirely thanks to the Mage Department. It had been that way before, it was that way now, and it would be that way in the future. The royal family could never control the Mage Department.

Even if someone raged about arrogance, it was an undeniable reality. It was just a matter of shifting the balance of power, a political dance of sorts. That’s why Ian was told to take this as a chance for a break and step outside.

“Well, that’s true. Even if we’ve passed the worst of it, ruling the empire without the Mage Department would be no easy task.”

“Not just not easy. Impossible. They’re on high alert for any mages appearing in other countries—what else could you expect?”

“But thinking about it that way, it’s really infuriating.”

The mage raised his voice, then glanced toward the driver’s window, worried someone might have overheard. Seeing no reaction from the driver, he whispered again.

“Why are they so desperate to take down the Mage Department?”

“More precisely, Ian.”

Just as the palace chaos had settled, that Rutherford bastard’s nonsense had thrown everything into turmoil again. Ian was already swamped with work, and now these idiots…

“Ian’s acting strange too.”

At that, Acorella, searching for a cigarette, turned her head. The mage was staring out the window with a sullen look.

“There’s so much to argue about, but you’re too passive. That’s why those guys see an opening and pounce, causing more trouble… Doesn’t it feel like we’re stuck in a loop?”

“You have changed a bit since before.”

“Maybe it’s because you collapsed this time?”

“No, it’s different.”

Acorella rested her chin on the half-open window and exhaled smoke.

As the mage said, Ian’s behavior had been odd since right after the incident. It felt like a missing puzzle piece—without it, nothing could be fully explained.

“A hidden puzzle.”

A locked memory.

For some reason, Acorella felt the clue lay in a “wiped memory.” She bit her cigarette and tapped the driver’s seat.

“Hey!”

“What is it?”

“I want to get off here.”

The driver glanced back but firmly refused.

“No. We have orders to confirm that all mages have left the palace and entered the mansion. We haven’t even left the castle grounds yet.”

“Tch.”

Damn it. No use. She had planned to slip off and sneak into the Mage Department.

“Captain, stay calm. If you cause a scene, only Ian will get into trouble.”

“That’s right. Besides the Mage Department being safe, the palace atmosphere is tense.”

“And the Mage Department is swarming with royal guards.”

“Hmph. There must be a way through. Losing that idiot Beric is no problem.”

“Ugh, just thinking about that Beric pisses me off.”

“What can we do? He’s the captain, after all.”

The mages groaned, banging their heads against the window. When would Ian and Romandro come out? Everything was so uncertain.

---

“Thank you for waiting. You must be tired.”

Barsabe sat across from Ian, offering tea. She had been directing the scene until the special investigation team was formed, and if nothing unexpected happened, she would likely lead the team.

At least, that’s what Ian thought. She was the emperor’s closest aide, uninvolved in the mana crystal incident, knowledgeable about magic beyond the average person, and a person of integrity. Beric, aside from his title, had no suitable qualities.

Ian sipped the tea.

“A little.”

Not a complaint, just a straightforward answer. After all, he was the one who had asked for the mages to be investigated first and sent away. Barsabe tucked her hair behind her ear and sighed softly.

“Agent Barsabe, do you think I’m the mastermind behind this incident?”

“I cannot comment on personal opinions related to the investigation. Minister Ian, did you use magic on Rutherford without prior notice?”

“No. Why would I?”

When asked if he had any motive, Barsabe bit her lower lip. She had something to say but swallowed it back.

Ian, watching Barsabe’s expression, turned his head at a voice behind him.

“Ian Verosion—”

A familiar man. Thick scars marked his short hair. Officer Parhan of the Imperial Defense Department. He handed Barsabe some documents and continued.

“—using that sacred name to sow chaos in the empire? If you want to challenge His Majesty’s authority, you should first claim legitimacy through the royal family’s name.”

“Ridiculous speculation.”

“It’s a serious matter to dismiss so lightly. Do you know what this is? A letter Minister Tweller sent to the Imperial Defense Department.”

Rustle.

Barsabe rubbed her brow as she read the paper. Despite having read it several times, her frown deepened.

Ian immediately understood the content. Rumors from Torlun, linking Banusa and Ian.

“His Majesty is aware of this as well.”

“Of course. There’s no way the emperor doesn’t know what you know.”

The continued obsession with the Verosion name. Everyone could easily imagine what those who coveted it ultimately wanted.

“An attempt to claim legitimacy through royal blood, wasn’t it? Then everything makes sense.”

“This issue has been raised several times. If you use the homogeneity potion on His Majesty and me, it would be revealed instantly.”

“Are you serious? That’s impossible.”

At the sharp objection, Ian turned again. Rayven, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, sat nearby. He looked worn but scrutinized Ian with a persistent gaze, as if wanting to know what Ian was thinking.

“What exactly is impossible, Minister Rayven?”

“You should know without me saying.”

The homogeneity potion was also under the Mage Department’s jurisdiction. Setting aside its reliability, the problem was different. Whatever the result, there would be room for ‘interpretation.’

‘If Ian claims to be Verosion without sharing blood with His Majesty?’

One of them would not be of royal blood. Had they forgotten the monster who looked exactly like the emperor ten years ago? Even if the common people didn’t know, the nobles in the capital still remembered.

If Ian had used mind-control magic on Rutherford, and if it worked on others, it would spiral into uncontrollable chaos across the empire.

‘Pushing the emperor as a remnant of a past monster leaves no solution.’

It was an extreme assumption, but one that could lead to grave consequences.

So, without using any homogeneity potion, simply severing the connection between Ian Hiel and Verosion was the safest way to handle this crisis.

“Anyway, there will be no verification of whether you are related to the Verosion name. It’s unnecessary. You are not Verosion.”

Ian’s eyes, flickering in the candlelight, were unusually clear.

“…I agree. That’s why I’ve maintained my consistent claim. I am unrelated to this incident and, in fact, a victim.”

“Everyone, please take a seat.”

Rayven gestured to the others for understanding. As Barsabe and the palace guards and Imperial Defense officials left the investigation room, Rayven approached Ian and perched on the desk.

“Minister Ian.”

He rubbed his tired eyes and muttered.

“Why do you make things so complicated? Someone like you should know.”

Did he really not understand the cause of the current crisis? Whether it was Rutherford or his grandfather, it was all meaningless. The root of the problem was the power struggle with the Mage Department.

‘If the Mage Department weren’t as it is now, all the ministers would have stood up to represent their grievances, and this would have been dismissed as Rutherford’s lone madness.’

But they didn’t.

They saw it as an opportunity and exposed it.

“To be honest, Minister Ian. Enough already.”

Regarding the monopoly on the magic stones, the order was clear: step back and redistribute the concentrated power within the Ministry of Magic so thoroughly that even if the baseless rumor of ‘Ian Verosion’ spread, no one would feel threatened.

Ideally, the construction of the Ministry’s annex would be halted as well, but that was uncertain. Perhaps it was necessary to concede at least one thing to appease the courtiers. Yes, the annex could be the one thing the ministers would collectively yield.

“Isn’t everyone just trying to do their best here?”

Some craved wealth, others felt overwhelmed by the Ministry’s dominance. Some were driven by ambition, while others acted out of fear, desperate to protect themselves. All these tangled motives only deepened the chaos.

Now that things had come this far, if the Ministry—the root of the problem—stepped back even a little, peace could be restored.

“It’s tipping. Can’t you feel it?”

The Ministry’s operations had been suspended. By imperial decree. The ministers united in submitting petitions, all glaring fiercely to keep Ian in check. In such a climate, could any fair investigation truly take place?

Rayburn lit a cigarette and casually remarked, “There are countless testimonies that Minister Ian spent long hours with Rutherford in the Mage Tower. The wizards feign ignorance, but do you think only wizards were present?”

There were soldiers too.

And those soldiers belonged to the Imperial Defense Department.

“They even ordered everyone to keep their distance. Why do you think that was? I suspect it’s because there’s something they don’t want exposed.”

“You’re quite the storyteller. You should consider becoming a writer.”

“All of this will be included in the report. If Minister Ian keeps stonewalling like this.”

Ian leaned back in his chair, pondering briefly. He kept denying everything, but no one was listening.

“Minister Rayburn.”

He leaned forward toward Rayburn.

“When you write your report, make it a habit to stick to the facts. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in trouble someday.”

“That’s not something you should be saying.”

“Given my position, I suppose you don’t trust me. Then by all means, try it yourself.”

Ian smiled faintly. Even in this situation, he had the composure to smile. Just as Rayburn was about to scoff, the next words made him freeze in shock.

“You want me to report that I manipulated Rutherford to defile the royal family? Fine. Then I’ll tell His Majesty the truth—that Minister Rayburn ordered me to do it.”

“What? What did you say?”

“Absurd, isn’t it? But you’ll have to prove otherwise. If I can fabricate stories, why can’t you?”

Rayburn was left speechless. Ian straightened up and leaned in even closer, whispering.

“If you want to take me down—”

His voice was a chilling yet tantalizing warning.

“Sharpen your blade properly. If you attack half-heartedly, you’ll all die.”

Ian stared intently into Rayburn’s now rigid eyes, as if daring him to hurry and report everything to His Majesty.