Chapter 821
“Your Majesty.”
At the voice calling from outside, Jin let out a weary sigh without thinking. Wasn’t it always the case that whenever there was something to report, trouble followed?
He glanced at the clock and set his pen down. Judging by the time, this wasn’t about the Eastern Magician case currently underway at the Magic Department.
“What is it?”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. A signed petition has arrived, expressing the withdrawal of the appeal submitted by Minister Rayburn’s faction.”
“What?”
What on earth was this about? Jin asked in disbelief, then reached out to take the document himself.
Minister Rayburn had only just submitted the appeal earlier. And now, they were flipping their position like it was nothing? If these were sane people, they wouldn’t reverse course so easily. There had to be some underlying reason.
“This is maddening,” Jin muttered as he scanned the contents.
Most of the names were from collateral branches, except for Count Davion. They claimed ignorance of the appeal’s details and insisted on Minister Ian’s innocence. They even went so far as to spout nonsense about hoping for a swift resolution to restore stability to the palace.
“Those who claim to want stability act like this?”
Was there anything more confusing than retracting an appeal like this? Jin threw the paper down in frustration.
“Find out what happened. There must have been some kind of deal—”
There had to be.
With whom?
Who stood to gain the most from withdrawing the appeal?
“…It must have been Lord Ian.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jin clenched his teeth tightly.
Ian’s maneuver to have the appeal withdrawn through the Duke was no trivial matter. It meant he had completely neutralized Minister Rayburn and Count Davion’s opposition, proving there was no force in the palace capable of stopping him.
‘If you can neither kill nor restrain it, the monster will only grow bigger.’
No matter how much one begged for it to stop, this was a situation unfolding beyond Ian’s own will.
The pen in Jin’s hand felt like a sword. If he didn’t cut it down now, it wouldn’t stop. If he didn’t act, the bloodshed would only grow worse.
‘If the power of Minister Rayburn and Count Davion collapses, it will be as if the Emperor’s own power crumbles.’
Normally, their influence and the Emperor’s would be inversely proportional, but not now. The special investigation team was auditing the Magic Department under Jin’s orders. If they failed to control the department, it would be no different from the Emperor failing to do so.
Knock, knock!
“What is it?”
The chief steward turned around in surprise. Then came the urgent voice: Minister Rayburn had arrived. He must have rushed straight to the door, requesting an audience with the Emperor.
“Your Majesty! Minister Rayburn is here! I have something to report about the appeal!”
“Send him in.”
The door opened, and Rayburn burst in, drenched in sweat, followed by his entourage. They froze when they saw the withdrawal petition lying on the table. It was clear they knew it was already too late.
“Your Majesty, th-that is—”
“How long has it been since you submitted the appeal for a withdrawal petition to arrive? This is a deception against me! Before investigating Lord Ian, it is only right to charge you all with treason against the royal family!”
With a thunderous shout, Jin threw the paper down, and the ministers immediately dropped to their knees.
“We apologize, Your Majesty!”
“This is my fault!”
“Silence! I don’t want to hear excuses!”
“Your Majesty, if I may explain—Lord Ian has been using the Empress’s position as leverage to lure the nobles. There is no way to stop this. You must see how arrogant and cunning he has become!”
Jin paused, about to throw something again. Ian had used the Empress’s position to rally the nobles? That couldn’t be.
‘I’m sure Lord Ian knows my feelings.’
He had said that marriage should be with the one you desire. Judging by how he treated Eileen, Ian genuinely respected Jin’s choice.
But using the Empress’s position to gather nobles?
‘Is this just a way to escape the situation?’
It was understandable, but unacceptable. Jin placed his hands on the desk and let out a deep sigh.
Since Rayburn’s faction had brought this information, it was safe to say the entire palace was now aware of the current situation: Lord Ian had forced the special investigation team to withdraw, crushed the opposition, and officially claimed authority over the Empress’s position.
‘No more.’
This had to stop now.
Jin finally lifted his head.
“Listen carefully.”
The ministers slowly raised their eyes to meet the Emperor’s gaze. His expression was firmer than ever, unwavering, though his voice carried a hint of caution.
“Those who signed the withdrawal petition will be charged with treason against the royal family. I will not tolerate such a brazen reversal of an appeal submitted to me. Of course, you will also be held accountable, but that will be addressed after this matter is resolved.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Those who claim ignorance of their names being used and protest their innocence will be instructed to file separate complaints. Responsibility will lie with Minister Rayburn’s faction and Count Davion.”
Legally, it would quickly become clear how shallow their lies were. Those who signed the withdrawal would face appropriate punishment for treason without resistance. Those who sided with Minister Ian would pay the price.
“Furthermore, expand the scope of the investigation. After confirming whether Lord Ian used mind control magic on Rutherford or spread other rumors, examine whether the Magic Department’s budget was properly used and if there were any operational issues.”
Even the most meticulous and honest Ian couldn’t manage a department run by dozens of people without some dirt surfacing. Jin was ordering them to find it.
The ministers’ eyes gleamed. Finally, the Emperor was moving decisively!
“Moreover—”
Jin exhaled sharply and continued. To stand firm amid the flood of thoughts in his mind, he had to stay alert.
“I will propose a law mandating all magicians entering the palace to wear mana-sealing stones. Ministers, prepare for a grand assembly. However, only departments operating normally under protocol may attend.”
That meant the Magic Department, currently in disarray, would be excluded. Now was the perfect opportunity to push through a strong bill without their interference.
“And—”
Is there more? The ministers hurried to stand but stopped. Jin sighed softly and added,
“The monopoly and distribution of mana stones will be handled directly by the palace. We will finalize this before the Magic Department can monopolize it. Summon Minister Quintana. Also, call the merchants currently distributing mana stones in Bariel, along with Representative Kyla, and arrange a meeting.”
If the palace could secure the main supplier, Representative Burgos, they could respond effectively. Burgos wouldn’t welcome the Magic Department’s monopoly either. Free trade was the foundation of their profit.
“This is the Emperor’s order. Anyone who refuses or disrupts this will be severely punished. You are to carry out this mission in my name. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We will obey your orders.”
“We will carry out your command!”
Jin turned away as if to dismiss them, and the ministers rushed out, eager to act. It was time to deal with the traitors—those who had signed the appeal and then stabbed him in the back like this.
“Count Davion.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Davion ground his teeth, promising to show them. Officials from each department, having received orders from the main palace, hurried off.
Meanwhile, Jin retrieved a letter from Tweller stored deep in his drawer. He fiddled with its edge for a while before pulling out a small golden case.
It was a high-grade cigar once presented as a tribute. It didn’t suit Jin’s taste, so he had thought it would just go to waste.
Flick.
Unable to bear the tightness in his chest, Jin lit the cigar and exhaled smoke with a sigh. Lord Ian, please break here. If not, the path ahead will truly become irreversible.
“Is he outside?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…Bring the Prime Minister.”
An order to summon the Prime Minister, who was currently confined to his residence. The palace needed someone to wield the blade in Jin’s stead. Given the circumstances, the Prime Minister seemed the most suitable.
“I-I-Ian! Ian!”
Romandro, pale-faced, called out to Ian repeatedly.
Ian, who had been dozing on the sofa in the investigation room, lifted his head. His eyes were sharp and clear, as if he had just woken from a deep sleep.
“You’re making a fuss.”
“No, it’s no fuss! It’s serious! The Emperor intends to prosecute those who signed the withdrawal petition for treason against the royal family!”
Submitting a petition to the Emperor was no joke, and to retract it like this was unprecedented.
Moreover, since it was clear that forces would rally behind Ian, this was a preemptive strike to nip the problem in the bud. It was a warning that those siding with Ian would pay dearly.
“I see.”
Ian nodded quietly, accepting the situation. The decision had come faster than expected. Or rather, it was Minister Rayburn’s faction that had acted swiftly. Either way, it was the right move.
“That’s not all. Minister Quintana and Representative Kayla are currently holding talks to have the imperial palace take full control over the magic stone monopoly.”
“And what about purchasing the magic stones on the market? This situation’s making things a bit complicated, isn’t it?”
“We’ve managed to gather some from Idgal, but—wait, I’m not done. His Majesty has ordered the Prime Minister to return to the palace!”
Ian’s expression gradually stiffened. The responses were coming too fast, too forcefully. But Romandro’s agitation had another reason.
“To preside over the Grand Assembly! Do you know what’s on the agenda? They’re planning to mandate that all palace mages wear magic-sealing stones!”
“…What?”
Ian sat up sharply, clearly caught off guard.
Romandro paced the room, visibly anxious. It seemed the Ministry of Magic was being completely dismantled, and now they intended to impose every possible restriction.
“What do we do, Ian? It looks like rallying the nobles has seriously angered His Majesty. Judging by his heavy-handed approach, he’s determined to crush every last bit of dissent this time—”
Romandro spun around abruptly to face Ian.
Surprisingly, Ian frowned, a hint of irritation crossing his face—an expression Romandro had never seen before.
“Hmm.”
Ian rubbed his forehead lightly and fell silent. Romandro sensed the turmoil in his mind and held his breath.
“This is…”
Ian curled his lips into a bitter smile and muttered under his breath.
“A bit troublesome.”
He motioned for Romandro to follow him as he grabbed his jacket, moving with an unusual urgency.