Chapter 824
“Your Majesty, are you referring to the entire Magic Department?”
The Prime Minister’s face darkened as he added, “The Magic Department’s unity is well-known across all ministries. Especially since Ian Hielo became Minister, their bond has been unusually strong.”
“This is dangerous,” he warned.
The Emperor knew full well what it meant to suspend the entire Magic Department from their posts. He had witnessed their power firsthand on the battlefield.
Considering how other nations had fallen, like Ruswena, the answer was clear. What if, by doing so, they never returned?
“Your Majesty, it would be wise to dismiss Minister Ian alone. Including all the magic users risks spiraling out of control, making the situation impossible to manage.”
But Jin shook his head firmly.
“No. If we remove Minister Ian, all the mages will follow him out. Do you remember the past ten years when the Minister’s position was vacant?”
“Of course I do.”
“It wasn’t just my will,” Jin said.
The Prime Minister had no reply. He had felt it too. Without Ian’s influence, no successor could truly take the role. Even if the Emperor appointed a new minister, it would be ineffective.
To control the Magic Department, Ian’s power was indispensable. Removing him would be like turning the entire department against the palace.
“If we dismiss Ian, there will be no way forward. To normalize the Magic Department and bring them into governance, we must accept all of Ian’s demands. Do you understand what I mean?”
At that point, whether it was the distribution of mana stones or the Empress’s endorsement, there would be no room for negotiation. Without Ian, there is no Magic Department.
In fact, even if the throne were threatened, it would be difficult to push back. Between a Bariel without an Emperor and a Bariel without the Magic Department, it was obvious which loss the officials and people would feel more keenly.
“But conversely, as long as Ian remains with the Magic Department, the other mages have no choice. Even if told to leave, they will return—if Ian is there.”
“I understand what you mean,” the Prime Minister nodded slowly. Ian and the mages were vital to each other. The pressure in the palace should be directed at Ian, not the entire department.
“Ian knows full well what suspension means.”
During the ten years without Ian, the Magic Department had nearly disintegrated. Mages who tried to leave the palace had mana-sealing stones implanted in their bodies, and the areas they stayed in were under constant palace surveillance. Emigration was impossible, and even leaving the central region was strictly forbidden.
“A life forever lived in an unnatural routine.”
Moreover, mages had families—parents, beloved partners, children. The mages from Ruswena had formed their own families, but after ten years, their ties here were deeply rooted. It wouldn’t be easy to abandon everything and run away, no matter how precious Ian was.
“So, for the sake of the mages, Ian will reconsider. Ultimately, the important thing is not the Magic Department, but the mages themselves.”
Ian was clever and would immediately grasp that the palace held not just the mages, but their precious lives, hostage.
“Your Majesty, it’s uncertain how the mages will react once they find out. The risks remain high.”
“What are you saying? This is information for Ian alone, not the mages.”
Jin frowned. The suspension of the entire Magic Department was a card aimed solely at Ian. There was no need to inform the mages—indeed, it must be kept from them.
“Even if they sense the palace is holding the suspension card, the message will be clear. The mages must be strictly forbidden from knowing. This will all be over before they find out.”
“It may not end so easily,” the Prime Minister said calmly.
“What if Ian harbors rebellious intentions?”
Ian could use the suspension as a pretext to stage a coup. If the mages united, the palace’s current forces would be powerless to stop them.
Jin was silent for a moment, then looked back at the Prime Minister.
“That won’t happen.”
At least in this, Jin was certain. Ian was not the type to bring down the palace. His past actions and the one remaining shred of trust Jin held confirmed this.
“Ian would never destroy the palace.”
“That’s a dangerous assumption,” the Prime Minister said. If Ian wasn’t capable of such things, then what was the meaning of the current situation? Human hearts are unknowable, and certainty is dangerous—especially before such critical decisions.
“Regardless, Ian is responsible. He won’t ruin everything by abandoning the mages. Let’s end it here.”
Jin sighed and pulled out a cigarette, surprising the Prime Minister slightly. He could vaguely sense how frustrated the ruler was.
“Prime Minister, deliver this message to Ian directly.”
“I will obey, Your Majesty. But—”
“Is there more?”
“Just in case, it would be wise to prepare for any eventuality.”
If Ian changed his mind and made a wrong decision, the palace must have a contingency plan.
Jin stared into the air briefly, then pulled a stack of reports from a pile of documents.
“Here is testimony obtained using the truth serum on the Eastern mages.”
The Prime Minister read it carefully. It was the interrogation results of Eunrang and Hohun, conducted separately. If the serum was reliable and had no adverse effects on mana-sealed mages, the testimony was trustworthy.
“They found no unusual mana traces on Rutherford’s corpse. The important part is what follows.”
It was the account of Eunrang and Hohun when they first met Minister Ian. Jin pressed his brows together and muttered.
“Their story is consistent. There was no clash of powers. They say Ian left immediately after igniting the fire.”
At the time, no one believed it because Ian was near death. They thought the mages were lying to lessen their own guilt. The Magic Department even concealed Ian’s condition to avoid scandal.
“But since Ian recovered, there’s been no mention of this. And more importantly—”
Jin paused. After thoroughly reviewing internal reports, one fact was clear.
“Ian’s power is not what it used to be.”
Likely a consequence of the war.
Though mana couldn’t be quantified, the situation made it obvious. Since then, Ian hadn’t directly used magic in official duties, and reports showed increased use of mana amplifiers by Akorella—indications that Ian was struggling.
“This is troubling,” the Prime Minister frowned.
It was a complicated matter. It was fortunate that if Ian harbored ill intentions, he could be subdued. Yet the weakening of the entire Magic Department was worrisome, and on a personal level, it was distressing.
“Mages’ mana can recover, correct?”
“That’s what I understand.”
“Since Ian can live normally aside from using magic, there’s no need for special concern.”
Jin nodded slightly. Aside from the mana deficiency, Ian seemed healthy.
The Prime Minister stood, relieved.
“Then it’s settled. There’s no denying this is the right time.”
Before Ian’s power returns, it’s best to resolve the conflict. This is the perfect opportunity to strengthen the palace’s authority by firmly controlling the Magic Department.
“Understood, Your Majesty. I will convey this to Ian.”
Then, as if remembering something, the Prime Minister looked back at the Emperor.
“About Lady Melania.”
“From Haiman?”
“She’s currently in central Bariel.”
This was information from Marco, who had visited the Prime Minister’s residence after meeting Hohun and Eunrang. The daughter of a traitorous family still alive in the capital. The Prime Minister spoke quietly, watching the Emperor’s expression.
“Shall we investigate?”
When they had sent the traitor’s daughter away, Jin had agreed. But ten years later, the situation had changed. If this became public, the palace’s reputation would be questioned. Haiman’s crime was treason, after all. It was unthinkable that a traitor’s bloodline could still live.
“Later.”
Jin shook his head despite knowing this. It was a weapon he didn’t want to use now. Even if he did, not at this moment.
“I heard it from intelligence.”
“Yes. But there’s no need to worry about leaks.”
Marco, who had come to the Prime Minister’s home on his own, was already dead.
The Emperor turned away, signaling the Prime Minister to leave. The Prime Minister bowed deeply, expressionless as always.
Tap, tap, tap.
At the Lina Hotel, a high-end lodging in the capital.
A carriage bearing the palace’s flag pulled up, and the manager came out to greet them personally. The hotel was a common residence for wealthy merchants, foreign nobles, and even royalty, so the palace’s visit was not surprising. The problem was the current turmoil and the fact that Minister Ian Hielo was staying there.
“Prime Minister, you came in person.”
“I’m here to see Minister Ian Hielo.”
“I’ll notify him immediately. Please wait a moment.”
The steward glanced warily at the palace guards trailing behind the carriage before stepping inside. Seizing the moment, the hotel staff quickly ushered the Prime Minister into the lobby.
Clink.
With every step the palace guards took, the sound of their sheathed swords echoed sharply. They were fully armed, prepared for any emergency. The Prime Minister waited tensely for Minister Ian, soon spotting him descending the stairs.
“Ian, Minister. Over here.”
Ian was dressed casually. He nodded in greeting, then scanned the guards. The atmosphere was tense—something was clearly amiss. Not just Ian, but even the hotel staff passing through the lobby sensed it.
“What brings you here personally, Prime Minister? I thought you’d send someone if there was an investigation.”
Ian settled onto the sofa, crossing his legs. Had the issue with the Idgal disposal reached the palace?
“It’s a matter of grave importance.”
“His Majesty’s orders?”
“More precisely, the palace’s will.”
The Prime Minister raised his eyebrows, as if unsure how to explain. After a brief silence, he spoke again.
“Ian, Minister. It’s not good for either side to keep clashing like this. Come back to the palace. Let’s discuss and work toward Bariel’s stability.”
“I’ve already made my position clear. I cannot agree to any decision made by the palace on this matter.”
“…If you persist, you will be dismissed.”
Ian froze, holding the teacup the staff had handed him. So, the decision had finally been made—his dismissal? He had expected it, steeled himself for it, but facing it now was another matter entirely.
“It’s not just you, but the entire Magic Department.”
Ian’s hand faltered. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet the Prime Minister’s. His expression was calm, but his eyes were heavy with silence.
“The entire Magic Department?”
“Ian, Minister. In the worst case, all magicians except you will be suspended from their posts if you continue to fight for the department’s rights.”
Suspension for the magicians.
Ian’s breath caught. After a long moment, he let out a short, sharp exhale. He had finally grasped the full weight of that statement.
“Hah.”
He felt stunned, bewildered, and numb all at once. To be honest, he was caught completely off guard.
He set the teacup down with a slight tremor, as if dropping it.
‘This is—’
“Are you serious?”
The tea sloshed over the rim with a clatter. The Prime Minister’s eyes shifted to Ian, as if trying to read his thoughts.
‘Got me good, Your Excellency.’
The Prime Minister gave a small shrug. Whether he noticed Ian’s inner turmoil was unclear. But one thing was certain: from this point on, everything depended on Ian.