Episode 836
“Ian Minister’s behavior is highly unusual!”
Jin furrowed his brow. The memory of Akorella pleading with him, risking her life to warn him, was still vivid—but now, Ian’s actions were completely unpredictable.
Did Ian even realize what kind of heart Akorella had when she bowed before him? Whether he was Verosion from the future or not, this was a problem either way. Jin just wished Ian would stay still for once.
“What’s going on?”
“The wizards who usually stay at their homes have gathered. The situation looks serious. Upon investigation, it turns out Lord Ian met with the second son of Count Charlotte at a hotel.”
“What?”
The chamberlain bowed his head and added,
“It seems Captain Akorella sent a letter through Advisor Romandro. It was just a request for Ian Minister to exercise caution, so it was permitted. But why the wizards gathered remains unclear.”
Jin bit his lower lip lightly. So, right now…
“The wizards are marching toward the palace in groups.”
“Akorella secretly ordered Romandro, and the wizards have united accordingly?”
“That’s what we’ve gathered, but I recommend you look into it carefully before making a judgment. The one confirmed fact is that dozens of central nobles gathered at the residence of Count Charlotte’s second son, who met with Lord Ian.”
Anyone could see this was the prelude to rebellion. The sudden movement of the wizards, the nobles meeting with Ian, and the dead of night…
Jin’s hand trembled slightly. The civil war he experienced at ten years old was still deeply etched in his mind. It ended only after many precious people—parents, siblings—had died. Surely, this would be the same. Either someone dear would die, or he himself would…
“Your Majesty.”
At that moment, Beric, who had been lurking like a shadow, appeared.
“Beric.”
“Don’t worry. Those wizard bastards may seem tough on the outside, but inside, they’re fragile. They wouldn’t do anything reckless, even for money. I’m sure you know that too, Your Majesty.”
Though he trusted the minister more than the emperor, Beric was still a palace official and a subject of the empire. Placing his hand on the scabbard, he swore,
“They’re definitely coming for another reason.”
“Captain Beric, it’s dangerous to be so certain. The situation—”
“If anything happens, I’ll risk my life to protect Your Majesty. Not a single scratch will come to you. Chamberlain, don’t trouble His Majesty with needless worries.”
The chamberlain, though not spoken to directly, sensed the warning and stepped back cautiously. Beric was more than capable of backing up his words.
As the chamberlain retreated, Beric approached Jin and glanced over the documents on the desk.
“Your Majesty, do you want to believe that Ian is Verosion from the future?”
Jin remained silent.
He wanted to believe it. And at the same time, he hoped it wasn’t true. If Ian really was Verosion from the future, it meant he would eventually return there.
But—
“Very well.”
Better this than leading each other down a path of mutual destruction. That much was clear.
As Jin made his decision, his eyes caught Akorella’s potion sitting in the corner of the desk. And at the same time, he recalled something Ian had once said.
“I understand this is confusing. But in times like these, you must calmly read the situation and use it to your advantage.”
When was that? Probably during the Arsen incident. When Jin asked Ian why he followed him, that was his answer.
“So, you mean that no matter what Ian’s true intentions are, I should use him first?”
“Exactly. And once your authority stabilizes, take a breath and look at me again. You’ll see things differently. What do you think?”
“…I want to believe you spoke the truth.”
“Then believe it. You are the center of the world; your belief is the truth.”
Believe what you want to believe. Since you are the center of the world, your belief becomes the truth.
Jin picked up the potion. How could he have forgotten that everything depended on his own decisions and mindset?
“Your Majesty, honestly, I don’t understand this situation at all. Why are they all acting like this when they supposedly care for each other?”
“Because they care too much. That’s why.”
“If they care twice over, we’ll all die.”
Jin smiled faintly and swallowed the potion. A strange sensation flowed down his throat. The chamberlain watched the emperor with a worried expression, while Beric stood guard silently beside him.
Jin wiped his mouth and frowned. Suddenly, it felt as if the ground beneath him had collapsed—his heart plummeted.
“Your Majesty?”
“Ah…”
A whirlwind raged inside Jin’s mind. It tore through fragmented memories, beginning to wash away the traces of the underground god.
Across the abyssal sea, a brilliant name shimmered, buried deep beneath: Verosion, Verosion. That glorious name—Verosion…
Jin staggered and sank to his knees. The chamberlain hurried over.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
But Beric immediately stepped in front, not looking at Jin. He intended not to turn back until the emperor rose on his own. The chamberlain understood and covered his eyes and ears before leaving the office.
“Beric, Beric…”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Beric kept his gaze fixed ahead. The emperor’s voice was thick with emotion.
“What should I do?”
Tears streamed down Jin’s bowed face.
He didn’t understand why he had forgotten something so important. That Ian was bound to him by blood, Bariel’s victory—all of it had been truly joyful and happy. How could it have been severed? So careless… It was a grievance directed at the gods and a tantrum aimed at Ian.
“I… I—”
Jin curled up and wept silently.
Feeling his breathing grow rough, Beric exhaled deeply. Whatever it was, it seemed true that Ian was Verosion.
“…I doubted Lord Ian.”
“That’s alright. It was Ian’s intention.”
“But I shouldn’t have.”
“If you hadn’t, Ian would have been disappointed.”
“I was wrong.”
I was wrong. I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have done that… Jin muttered repeatedly in a hoarse voice.
Beric waited, turning his back until the emperor’s crying ceased. Soon, flickering lights appeared outside.
The wizards had arrived.
“Please! Let us see Your Majesty!”
“You can’t do this, wizards! Don’t you realize how dangerous this is?”
“Step back! You’re not allowed inside the main palace!”
“No, please, just pass on the message! It’s truly urgent!”
“Yes, we beg you!”
As the wizards surged forward in a crowd, the guards tensed and raised their weapons. They were already armed with spears embedded with magic-sealing stones, having been alerted at the gate. The fear of a violent outbreak hung thick in the air.
“Begging won’t get you anywhere! Request an audience through proper channels during the day! This is your final warning!”
“No! Wait!”
Romandro pushed through the wizards and guards, waving his hands to signal everyone to step back. He calmly mediated.
“This concerns a matter of state. How can the guards make such rash decisions? Has this been ordered directly by His Majesty?”
The guards hesitated. In truth, no imperial order had been issued. Reports had been made, but this was only a temporary command from the captain of the guards and the chamberlain.
If it were a matter for the Ministry of Magic, the emperor would have given direct orders immediately. Yet today, there was no instruction. The emperor surely wasn’t resting.
“Then whose order is this? We came here under the Ministry of Magic’s minister’s command. Is this the order of someone higher than the minister?”
“That’s exactly the problem! You know the current relationship between Minister Ian and the palace.”
“No, the current Minister of Magic is Akorella!”
“What?”
“Akorella? That sounds a bit disrespectful, but also not. Ahem. Anyway, it’s not what you think, so please clear the way. I really—”
“Really?”
Romandro rolled up his sleeves and glared.
“I won’t stand for this!”
“I won’t stand for this!”
The wizards joined in, shouting loudly. They looked ready to charge and throw punches, but ironically, that tension eased the guards’ nerves. Honestly, a fistfight seemed manageable.
“Good grief, causing a ruckus on a moonlit night.”
At that moment, Beric, dressed in his uniform, descended the palace steps. The startled guards turned and saluted, while the wizards looked up at him with tearful eyes. Seeing him now, Jin felt a strange sense of relief.
“Beric!”
“Beric! About our Lord Ian!”
“Enough. Stop the noise and come inside.”
“Sir! Captain Beric!”
“This is His Majesty’s order. From now on, I, the captain of the royal guard, will escort you. Guards, return to your posts. And you! Go to the underground prison and bring Akorella here.”
Beric waved his hand dismissively and turned away. The guards, confused by the situation, soon relaxed and dispersed as ordered.
The wizards hesitated briefly, then hurried up the stairs.
Thud!
Tap, tap, tap!
With determined faces, they dashed swiftly down the corridor. Not a single one spoke easily. They had all resolved, united in purpose, to lay everything bare before His Majesty.
Just then, the chamberlain, who had been tipped off in advance, stood with the bedroom door open.
“Your Majesty, the wizards from the Magic Department have arrived.”
Though his voice still carried worry, the chamberlain closed the door with a composed gesture, as if to show he would not question the royal command.
Jin sat on the sofa, his calm expression standing out sharply. He looked up at the wizards, and noticing their gaze didn’t meet his, they bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty!”
“…It’s late at night, yet such a commotion.”
“Your Majesty, we apologize for the disturbance. But there is something we must ask you to hear. Captain Akorella—or rather, Minister Akorella—has likely already spoken to you, but there is a truth that must be confirmed clearly. And to uncover it, Your Majesty’s will is absolutely necessary!”
Romandro placed an old book on the table with trembling hands. It was a collection of stories by Vivi. He squeezed his eyes shut before speaking.
“Your Majesty, this is a novel I’ve secretly been writing for some time. I swear by the heavens, I had no impure intentions. However…”
A novel was essential as a catalyst to approach the truth, but they couldn’t put Vivi in danger. Romandro willingly claimed authorship.
“For some reason, it contains details never seen before. Quite a few, written so clearly.”
“The countless rumors surrounding Lord Ian, the circumstances that forced the Magic Department’s difficult decisions, and ultimately, the choice made for Your Majesty’s sake—I believe it all lies within.”
“Your Majesty, I beg you, please set aside the whispers of those who may not even know if the truth exists, and help us find it. The truth about Lord Ian.”
“Please. I implore you.”
“If not, Lord Ian will truly reach a point of no return.”
“We will do anything. Just please spare him.”
The wizards, still bowed, wept openly, their hands stretched out in desperate plea. The royal palace echoed with their heart-wrenching cries.
Jin’s throat tightened, and he struggled to speak. After a long silence, he finally calmed himself, took a steady breath, and then turned his head toward the sound outside.
Creak.
It was Akorella. She entered, shackled, blinking in confusion as she took in the scene. The wizards, tear-streaked and snotty, looked back at her.
“Everyone…”
“Captain Akorella…”
“What’s going on? Why—why are you all like this?”
A flicker of unease passed through Akorella’s eyes. But it was brief. After a long pause, Jin gave her an order.
“Akorella.”
“Yes?”
“Go fetch the potion.”
“…You mean the truth serum?”
“No.”
“Then… could it be…?”
“Yes.”
A strange light sparked in Akorella’s eyes. She finally understood what that meant. I’m done. I’ve already taken it. Now it’s Beric and the wizards’ turn.
Only then did Akorella notice the empty vial on the desk. She let out a silent scream, her face flushing red as she bit her lip and stepped backward.
“Y-Yes! The truth serum! I’ll bring it right away! Hey! You all, wait! Stop crying!”
“Then why is the captain the one crying, huh? Sniff, sniff.”
“Shut up! Wait! Beric, get these off me!”
Jin nodded, granting permission. Beric swung his sword, neatly cleaving Akorella’s shackles in two. She immediately unleashed her magic and took flight.