Chapter 830
The company president tossed a few meaningless questions at Acorella, then turned back to the investigator, as if signaling that everything was done.
“It’s over.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I told you it would be simple. You may leave.”
“No, it’s just too quick.”
The interview was so brief that even the bribed investigator seemed to recommend wrapping it up quickly. His real purpose had been to deliver Minister Ian’s letter. Now that was accomplished, the rest was up to Acorella.
The president gave the investigator a gentle shove toward the exit.
“Come on, everyone’s busy. Let’s hurry.”
“Hey, can’t we ask her to spit out what you gave her?”
“Oh no, I’m not that petty.”
Bang!
Once the hallway quieted down, Acorella carefully pulled the letter from inside her sleeve.
A neatly folded sheet of paper. For some reason, she hesitated to unfold it. What could Ian be trying to tell her? Some special instructions to resolve the current crisis?
‘No, the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it seems.’
Why would Ian hide the fact that he came from the future? Was there really any need to make things so complicated?
“Alright, let’s see what’s inside.”
Rustle.
“Ugh!”
The moment she read the first paragraph, Acorella slammed the letter shut again.
She’d overlooked something crucial. The fact that the president of Meili Daily had come to the palace at Ian’s request to find her meant Ian knew exactly where she was.
…Damn it, I’m screwed.
‘And really screwed. I could have gotten away just by hiding in the palace, but now I’m caught and locked up. And on charges of mind control magic!’
Groaning softly, Acorella rubbed her head. Ian’s reprimands were always sharp, no matter who they were directed at.
Still, she had to keep reading.
The palace has been pushing measures to keep the Magic Department in check, and these are gradually leading both sides toward mutual destruction. For example, as I write this letter, the latest news I’ve heard is a bill mandating all palace mages to wear magic-sealing stones.
“What?”
Magic-sealing stones? Acorella furrowed her brow, muttering as she double-checked the words.
“Seriously? Are you kidding me?”
Acorella’s shout made a nearby guard flinch. He wanted to check inside but facing a furious mage took a lot of courage. So he pretended not to hear and stared straight ahead.
Then came the next line, and Acorella bit her lower lip.
Though the Emperor will never actually carry this out, the longer this drags on, the more rumors will spread, and eventually the mages will learn the truth. You know as well as I do that once that happens, there’s no turning back.
Why? Why would you want to step down from the minister’s post? Aren’t you the Emperor from the future? Shouldn’t you stay in the palace and work alongside Bariel for your shared future?
Acorella’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Lies.”
At that moment, Acorella realized Ian’s true intention. Everything he had done was for the world he would return to.
Acorella, accept the next ministership and forbid mages from acting on their own whims. Fulfill the role of Magic Department Minister faithfully by His Majesty’s side. There will be troublemakers like you, but this time, it cannot be tolerated.
“Ah, damn it.”
“Damn you!”
Acorella shouted a string of curses, and the guard sighed. At this point, there was no helping it. He would have to report up the chain and have someone check on her condition.
“Right now, you mean…”
Become the next minister and cut the link between Ian and the Magic Department? This sounds like Ian is planning something. But he said his health is bad. What kind of plan is this? Acorella rubbed her complicated head, lost in thought.
“…So you want me to side with the royal court.”
Even if Ian ends up opposing the court completely, the damage shouldn’t fall on the Magic Department.
‘Is there really a choice? He’s so cunning.’
If she opposed Ian’s plan to the end, she would be disobeying his orders.
And if the fallout caused the Magic Department’s collapse, leading to measures like mandatory magic-sealing stones, then…
‘Just as Ian protects the Magic Department, the Department can protect Ian. But if the tide turns completely and we hit rock bottom, even that won’t be possible.’
They won’t be able to protect Ian.
That’s why Acorella must hold tightly to the minister’s position before it’s completely corrupted. So that when the critical moment comes, she can save Ian.
At the very end, Acorella noticed a small postscript and frowned.
“Seriously annoying, our minister.”
…Damn it. It felt like he knew exactly how I’d react and wrote it just to piss me off. Maybe that’s why my eyes suddenly felt hot. Probably.
At that moment, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Acorella tore the letter into pieces and stuffed them into her mouth, chewing noisily.
“What is it?”
“Hmm.”
The investigator appeared. Acorella stared at him as if nothing had happened. Her eyes, once red, now glinted with defiance.
The investigator checked both inside and outside the cell, found nothing unusual, and was about to leave.
“Hey, wait.”
“What?”
“I want to see His Majesty.”
“Hah. That again? As I told you, you cannot see His Majesty until the mind control charges are cleared.”
“Bullshit. And what about you, standing right in front of me? Are you some kind of puppet wearing a human skin? If you had the power to control minds, you’d have smashed this and walked out already. Forget it. Just deliver this message. It’s not yours—it belongs to His Majesty. Got it?”
She meant every word had to be passed on exactly as written. Whether His Majesty listened was his choice, but it was the investigator’s duty to deliver it.
After pushing him hard, Acorella sighed and added,
“I’m going to be the next minister.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I! The next Magic Department Minister after Ian! I have legitimacy and proper plans. If you’re curious, tell them to grant me an audience. I’ll even reveal Ian’s secrets.”
The investigator paled.
“You don’t say ‘Ian Berosion’ in front of His Majesty. Your head will roll. And mine too.”
“You bastard, if I get out, I’ll personally rip your head off. So don’t talk nonsense and just go report. You were quick to take bribes from outside, but why are you so slow when it comes to your salary?”
Acorella’s threat made the investigator scowl reluctantly. Well, reporting was his job after all.
“Understood. Understood. Just stay still.”
“Do you think I’m rampaging right now?”
“Better not say anything…”
“Yeah, shut up and get lost.”
Spitting, Acorella stopped herself—there were still bits of the letter in her mouth. She mumbled and sniffled naturally.
The investigator gave her a look of disdain.
‘What the hell is she chewing on?’
Only Acorella knew.
“Captain Acorella?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jin read the report with a calm expression.
Unauthorized intrusion into the Magic Department, unknown potion manufacturing, forced injection into officials, abuse of magic power… This was by far the worst incident Acorella had caused so far. He glanced at the Prime Minister and asked,
“Are the officials under investigation still the same?”
“Yes. Their memories are intact except for the implanted ones about ‘Ian Berosion.’ They claim it was news heard during the war, but it’s utterly ridiculous.”
The Prime Minister smiled. Understandably so, since no one except those two had any such memories.
“Let’s just say, as Captain Akorella claims, that they all lost their memories. But to have that happen simultaneously across the entire region—from Toorun to Bariel? Without any trigger, just out of nowhere? That argument isn’t just weak; it’s a leap.”
“One thing, though—we should hear Captain Akorella out properly.”
“You mean because she’s the next Minister of Magic?”
“Exactly. The drastic move to suspend the entire Ministry was meant to keep Minister Ian from leaving the palace, to make controlling the Ministry easier. But if a new minister can take over that role, there’s no need for such extreme measures. Rumors spread like water—fluid and light as air.”
Though the attack was a subtle jab aimed only at Minister Ian, it couldn’t stay secret forever. More importantly, it was a dangerous gambit.
“Very well. Bring Captain Akorella in.”
Since she wore the magic-sealing stone, she was no different from an ordinary citizen.
Following Jin’s orders, Akorella entered shortly after, her wrist adorned with a bracelet. Though supported by guards, she showed no sign of weakness—her posture was firm and upright.
“Your Majesty!”
“You’ve had a hard time.”
Was it Captain Akorella? Or—
“Hey, seriously! Let go of me!”
One of the guards?
Jin nodded, signaling the guard to release her. Akorella took a steady breath and composed herself with a measure of courtesy.
“May I speak freely?”
“Your Majesty.”
Akorella asked, but the Prime Minister urged refusal—for the Emperor’s safety.
Jin followed the Prime Minister’s wishes.
“That won’t be possible, Captain Akorella.”
“…Understood.”
“I know what you want. But before that, I want proof that you can faithfully carry out the duties of the next Minister of Magic.”
The Prime Minister’s unspoken question was clear: Would the mages follow you so easily? More so than Ian?
Akorella narrowed her eyes and replied.
“Don’t worry about that. This is practically Ian’s final command. Even if some are reluctant, in the end, they will follow willingly. Just like me.”
“Final command?”
Jin asked, puzzled.
Akorella’s appointment as the next minister was temporary. Once Ian recovered and the situation settled, it was only natural he’d be reinstated.
But Akorella shattered that assumption in an instant.
“Ian will not return. No—he cannot.”
“What?”
If he was openly admitting his health was failing, then time was running out.
But why? Was he trying to escape into the future? Or was this the end?
“Don’t you want to know?”
“Captain Akorella, are you bargaining with His Majesty right now?”
“No!”
Akorella denied it firmly, then slammed her forehead against the floor.
Thud!
“You’re bargaining over me!”
“Captain Akorella!”
“I stake my life on this! I’m willing to die!”
Her fierce spirit left the Prime Minister and officials speechless, their mouths moving but no words coming out.
Akorella lifted her head, her eyes blazing as she looked up at Jin.
“So please, listen, Your Majesty. To the world of Ian Verosion.”