Chapter 825
Ian’s gaze fixed on the spilled tea on the table.
Jin had a precise understanding of Ian’s relationship with the mages and had skillfully used that knowledge to gain the upper hand. There was no denying it.
Until the prime minister arrived, Ian’s plan had been simple: just hold the line from outside. But now, everything had fallen apart. Unless he found another way to turn things around, the situation would unfold exactly as Jin wanted.
“I won’t bring up the annex of the Magic Department any further. Let him handle it as the department wishes. As for the monopoly on the mana stones, leave that to the palace’s discretion. Once the situation settles, those who manipulated the market will be investigated and punished accordingly.”
The prime minister’s voice was gentle, almost as if soothing a child. He personally poured tea into Ian’s cup.
“So, send the gathered nobles back to their places, and Minister Ian, please return to your post promptly. Regarding the empress, I share your sentiments.”
Ian knew the emperor favored the paladin, but the prime minister opposed appointing someone with no political advantage to that position. On this, Ian and the prime minister were aligned. Perhaps, in time, a solution would emerge.
Ian stared quietly at the tea the prime minister had poured, then glanced at the palace guards.
‘Three guards.’
“Don’t count the guards. Don’t even try to guess who they are. Crossing that line is like crossing a river of no return.”
Ian chuckled softly at the warning. The suspension from his post was unexpected and carried great risk. Yet Jin had played that card…
‘He knows I’ve lost my magic.’
The guard standing beside the prime minister was proof. Normally, such protection would be laughable, but these men could easily overpower Ian now.
They were likely stationed near the mages’ residences as well, ready to respond immediately if any disturbance arose here.
‘But there’s something they overlooked.’
That was Ian’s true objective. He didn’t want to reclaim the Magic Department’s rights or return to the palace—
“I resign.”
Ian’s firm declaration twisted the prime minister’s and the guards’ expressions.
“You know why the palace suspended the mages, yet you say that? It’s impossible.”
The suspension was meant to prevent Ian from stepping down, a safeguard to protect the greater good and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
But resignation? Sorry, that wouldn’t be accepted.
“You are a man of responsibility.”
Still, if Ian insisted on resigning, the burden would fall entirely on the Magic Department. It would be seen as disobedience to the palace’s orders and raise suspicions of ill intent.
“Yes, precisely because I am responsible, I am resigning.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Prime Minister, please return to the palace and convey my intentions to His Majesty. You will understand soon enough.”
The prime minister studied Ian’s eyes for a long moment before rising. He issued one last warning.
“You have no cards left.”
“Yes. It seems so. That’s why I intend to borrow one.”
“What do you mean?” The prime minister looked at Ian, puzzled, but Ian gave no answer. Eventually, the prime minister left with the guards.
Left alone in the lobby, Ian crossed his legs and picked up the now-cold tea. A staff member who had been watching from afar cautiously approached and replaced it with a warm cup.
“Excuse me.”
“Thank you.”
This was a meeting between the prime minister and the Magic Department’s minister, discussing the political situation. The lobby was quiet, intentionally so. Ian glanced around and muttered softly.
“There has to be someone listening.”
“Pardon?”
“Send someone to Mayliday. I have something to convey.”
“Of course. I’ll prepare pen and paper.”
“No. I’ll speak directly.”
The staff hesitated, surprised.
“By word of mouth?”
“Yes. Listen carefully and relay everything without omission.”
Ian sighed quietly and smiled. If the palace refused to let him go, he’d have to enlist help from elsewhere.
“Ian Hiel secretly saved Melania, the youngest daughter of the traitorous Hyman family, and helped her escape.”
The staff blinked, unsure if he’d heard correctly. Ian straightened the man’s collar with a snap, as if to bring him back to reality, and added:
“This was the Magic Department minister’s unilateral decision to capture Rutherford. Though it achieved its intended result, it betrayed the royal family’s trust. Mayliday should investigate thoroughly and spread the word throughout Bariel.”
“Um, Mr. Ian?”
“You may say I’m the whistleblower, but I doubt anyone will take it seriously. If they want proof, it’s in the Magic Department archives within the palace. Direct them there.”
Understood? Ian lightly tapped the staff’s shoulder. The man, still dazed, hurried out of the hotel. A little exercise would clear his head.
‘There’s no denying it’s treason. Saving Hyman is a grave crime. If the people find out, the palace will have no choice but to punish me. Jin won’t admit his involvement either. The mages don’t know, so they can’t be implicated. To quell the unrest, only my dismissal will suffice.’
The problem was the mages.
If they learned the palace was using suspension as leverage against Ian, who knew how they’d react? The palace likely only told Ian to avoid leaks.
‘But they might find out eventually. Better to sever ties with the Magic Department quickly.’
To do that, Ian would have to personally select and appoint the next minister.
He tapped his foot, pondering whether Hale or Akorella would be better.
“Hey.”
“Yes!”
At Ian’s call, another staff member hurried over.
“I want to go to 12th Street, First Central Road. Prepare a carriage.”
“It’s not far. We can leave immediately. Do you want a small carriage for the alleys?”
“No, it’s a mansion on the main road.”
“Oh, the one where the explosions happen often?”
It was Akorella’s mansion. Ian had decided to appoint her as the next minister and wanted to meet her to discuss the current situation. He could use his health as an excuse to the Magic Department. That way, no one would try to stop his resignation.
Tap, tap, tap.
As the staff said, the mansion wasn’t far from the hotel. But perhaps because of the palace’s turmoil, the streets were busy and chaotic.
Even more chaotic was Akorella’s mansion. The yard was littered with boxes and sacks scattered haphazardly. It looked like no one lived there. Ian, visiting for the first time, was a little taken aback.
“Minister, is this the right place?”
“…I believe so.”
“It looks like no one could live here without getting sick.”
So that was why Akorella never stayed in the mansion, living like a ghost in the Magic Department. Ian gestured for patience and knocked on the door.
Creak, creak!
Boom!
The door’s strange noises drew neighbors out, who started chatting.
“Who’s there? From another country? If you’re delivering strange goods, just toss them in the yard. Don’t knock on the door—things might explode.”
“I heard the owner is Akorella, a mage from the Magic Department.”
“Yes, you found the right place. But if you want to see her, it’s faster to go to the department. She comes here once or twice a year, maybe just to pick up things. Hardly ever seen her face.”
No wonder all sorts of strange experiments ran wild inside with no control! Luckily, whatever magic she used kept them from leaving the mansion.
Ian suddenly felt something was off.
“Has Captain Akorella been here recently?”
“Here? Why?”
“Because she was ordered to stay here after leaving the palace.”
The neighbors laughed and waved their hands.
“If she came, we’d know. Every time she’s here, windows get smashed, roofs collapse… never a quiet day. Everyone would know. She’s definitely at the Magic Department.”
“…I see.”
Ian realized Akorella hadn’t left the palace. He had made the driver swear to deliver her safely, but somehow she had tricked them.
‘This is maddening.’
To contact Akorella, he’d have to send someone to the palace, but Jin would surely notice and interfere.
Sending Romandro was out of the question. The palace was practically enemy territory. If he sent Romandro, who knew how they’d use him to pressure Ian.
And Ian couldn’t go himself.
“Akorella…”
Ian muttered softly, clenching his mouth shut. Thanks to this, things had gotten even more complicated. Just what he needed.
“Ow, my ear itches.”
Akorella muttered, digging around her ear. Who’s talking about me? Anyway, I’m busy.
“I’m busy, you know.”
Ever since the palace officials took the memory-restoring potion, the second floor had been unusually quiet. Thanks to that, Akorella was free to conduct her experiments without interruption. Over time, her experiments grew bolder—now she openly scattered her materials everywhere and used them without a care.
She leaned over a bubbling potion, sniffing it deeply. That warm, sharp, tingling scent!
“Let’s see, let’s see…”
Rummaging through the cabinet, Akorella pulled out whatever she needed. If something was missing, she’d even pry a magic stone from the Ministry building itself to use. Sure, she’d get scolded if caught later, but that was a problem for another day.
Brrrrrrr!
“Ohhh!”
As soon as she added the final ingredient, the potion reacted instantly. Bubbles formed, and a swirl of iridescent smoke began to rise.
Akorella bit her lip, eyes shining with delight. She had to keep her wits about her or she’d burst out cheering right then and there.
“It’s done, it’s done! It’s finally done!”
After the last stir, she set down her stirring stick and clenched her fists tightly. Then, pacing around the dimly lit lab, she started wiggling her hips in excitement.
“Now all that’s left is to find a test subject. Ugh, I thought I was going to go crazy from the suspense.”
The secret memory potion, ready to fill in the gaps of forgotten memories! At last, it was complete! While waiting for the potion to cool, Akorella feverishly scribbled down her experiment notes.
Then—
Footsteps.
“—!”
Someone was coming down the hallway!
Damn it! Did those guys have magnets stuck to them or what? Every time I make a potion, they crawl over here like flies.
Panicking, Akorella hurriedly covered the experiment table with a cloth and grabbed the entire potion, hiding herself away. The hot, sharp smell was tough to bear, but she could handle it.
“Didn’t you check the whole second floor? They took all the materials last time.”
“Yeah, but they said to look one more time.”
“Damn, there really must be something here. More experimental tools scattered everywhere.”
Akorella clicked her tongue, debating whether to lick the memory potion she was holding. But the next words they spoke cooled her excitement like a bucket of cold water.
“When will the wizards be back?”
“Should take a while. The minister stormed out, so they won’t come back until this mess is sorted.”
“…?!”
Minister Ian stormed out? He left the palace? Where? Why?
“He might get dismissed at this rate.”
Ian? Who? How?
Akorella’s eyes flashed as she peeked out cautiously. This was a critical moment. Should she grab those guys and grill them, or wait for a better opportunity…?
“They said the Prime Minister went to see Minister Ian, so maybe the message got through?”
“That’s far enough! Freeze right there!”
“Ahhh!”
Unable to hold back, Akorella sprang up, and the officials froze stiff, as if knocked out by her sudden appearance.
Her orange eyes gleamed wildly.
“Stop moving, but keep flapping your gums.”