Chapter 837
The wizards gathered around and drank every last drop of the potion Akorella handed them, as if they had just found the water of life in a swamp of death.
Soon, each of them recalled Ian Verosion in their own way, and chaos erupted once more.
“Ah, this is insane.”
“Ian, you’ve gone way too far! Why? Whyyyy!”
“Calm down, man. This is His Majesty the Emperor’s quarters.”
“But seriously, how did he lose his memory? There’s no clue at all.”
“The range is huge—from Toolun all the way to the Empire.”
Thud.
Acorella set down the empty bottle, signaling everyone to quiet down.
“Rain.”
“Huh? Rain?”
“Yes, rain. The only common abnormality in both Toolun and Bariel at the time was rain. I’m certain that damn underground god did something there.”
“Damn it. Even while fading away, he struggled like that?”
“Alright, I get it for now. But what exactly is going on?”
Since the day they left the palace, the wizards had faithfully followed Ian’s orders. They’d been holed up in the mansion, shutting their eyes and ears, so they hadn’t fully grasped what was happening outside.
If Romandro hadn’t gone door to door begging for help, they’d probably still be waiting, clueless, hoping Ian would summon them again.
Romandro glanced at Jin nervously and muttered, “Well, ahem. The last I knew about Ian was that he—”
“Is plotting rebellion,” Jin cut him off sharply.
The wizards’ eyes widened. What did you say? Rebellion?
Romandro, having seen the situation at the Charlotte mansion with his own eyes, couldn’t bring himself to argue.
“Sir Ian said he wanted to give me a gift.”
He had no idea it would be like this.
The decisiveness to swing a sword without hesitation even at those he cared for, the cold resolve to give his heart to no one, and beyond that, the opportunity to strengthen imperial authority by handing over the collars of the nobles involved in the rebellion. Jin sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair.
Romandro tried to defend Ian again.
“Actually, Ian’s health is really bad, Your Majesty.”
“I know.”
“Eh? How do you know?”
“Ian told Akorella, and Akorella told me.”
Knowing he was close to death, Ian must have wanted to use his fading life meaningfully. After all, he probably thought he was a life destined to vanish.
“Besides, if he’s charged with treason, the Empire’s law mandates erasure of all records. For Ian, this is the only choice.”
“But still! This is too much!”
“No. It’s not too much for Ian.”
If they didn’t do this, Bariel might face trouble in the future.
Jin pondered for a moment. It was fortunate everyone had regained their memories, but the problem remained.
“Just as Romandro noticed Ian’s rebellion, the palace has caught on too. According to the latest report, they’re certain a rebellion will happen.”
“That’s not true. If we go now and stop it—”
“Does anyone know exactly what Ian said to the nobles?”
He wouldn’t have just chatted idly with them. Ian must have spoken of rebellion, and the central nobles present surely heard it clearly.
Once words like that are spoken, they can’t be taken back—especially such grave, serious words.
“Even if we persuade Ian to calm down, the nobles won’t stay quiet. They’ll push to punish Ian for mentioning rebellion and aim to crush the magic department’s influence. If the magic department is checked by forces outside the palace, it becomes a crisis for the palace itself.”
“Why not just tell everyone the truth? That Ian is really Verosion, and it was all for His Majesty’s sake.”
“Impossible.”
Acorella’s potion was already met with strong resistance outside. Just look at how the two officials who drank it earlier reacted.
“Besides, Ian might not want that.”
Hail, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. It was true. After all the trouble to erase all traces here… The wizards groaned and rubbed their heads.
“That’s right. And what if there’s a noble tempted by Ian’s proposal? That would be an even bigger problem.”
“We have to assume there is. Unless there’s a traitor in the palace. What time is it now? Romandro, when did Ian meet with the nobles?”
“Um, earlier today… it’s been a while.”
“No traitors, then. That’s surprising in itself.”
“Anyway, even considering the circumstances, Ian can’t be the only one to escape. Those who sided with the rebellion won’t just stand by. No matter how it plays out, punishing those with impure intentions is essential.”
What if they tried to pretend none of this happened?
“Like Lady Melania did! What if we say it was all the palace’s plan?”
“Does that make sense? It’s rebellion, after all.”
“The Melania incident was different. That ultimately led to the defeat of the underground god, but this time, it’s just about strengthening imperial authority by toppling nobles. There are forces that will resist.”
If it became known that the palace was testing the nobles and that Ian personally exploited the rebellion for his own ends, the palace’s dignity would be shattered. Once started, this had to be seen through properly.
“The water’s spilled. Don’t think about scooping it back up—just clean it up.”
Snap!
Acorella snapped her fingers and proposed,
“Let’s look on the bright side. Your Majesty, since it’s come to this, accept Ian’s gift properly.”
Defeat the Archmage Ian who vanquished the underground god in one fell swoop, swiftly punish the nobles involved in the rebellion, strengthen control over the central nobles, and use that as a stepping stone to become the iron-blooded emperor who achieves absolute imperial authority.
“Ian wouldn’t really harm His Majesty. He’d just put on a show and give an excuse.”
“Exactly.”
“We can finish this quietly, without much fuss.”
“…You mean smuggle Ian out.”
“Yes. He won’t get a pardon like Lady Melania, but at least he can live.”
Jin frowned. No matter how he thought about it, there was no way to save Ian now that he was already inside the line of rebellion.
The best they could do was erase the records as Ian wished and stay with him in a place no one knew until he moved on to the future.
“Anyone have a better idea?”
Acorella looked around, but no one dared speak. Punishing only the accomplices and sparing the ringleader? Hardly likely.
“Oh, but—”
Nakina raised her hand and asked,
“Any reports of troop movements?”
“None so far.”
“That worries me. No matter how clueless the nobles are, they wouldn’t try to overthrow the palace without troops. Ian must have baited them, saying he’d carry out the uprising himself.”
Isn’t that good? They can just sweep away the nobles cleanly. Why worry? The wizards blinked in confusion.
“No matter how determined Ian is, he wouldn’t plan to take full responsibility and end up on the execution block.”
“Of course not. He’s Verosion, after all. That kind of end—”
“Then the answer’s clear, isn’t it?”
The wizards’ eyes rolled simultaneously. They gasped and jumped to their feet.
“No way!”
Ian’s true intention—
To end his life during the rebellion.
“Ian, don’t use any magic now! It’s dangerous!”
“You just barely survived last time! Absolutely not!”
They ran around in a frenzy. They had to stop Ian from using magic at all costs. Maybe they should worry more about Ian’s health than the rebellion.
“Acorella.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cleaning up the palace after this is over can wait. First, they had to get Ian out safely.
“I’ll give separate orders to the palace guards. But just in case, prepare a silencing spell. We may need to silence witnesses of the rebellion.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Is anyone outside?”
At Jin’s call, the steward approached, making a sound. He still looked confused about the situation. Not only had they released Captain Acorella, but they’d also let so many wizards into the palace. If something really went wrong, who would clean up the mess? The steward seemed torn about whether to report this to the prime minister.
“Give your orders, Your Majesty.”
“Immediately revoke the suspension order issued to the magic department. The magic department will resume normal duties as before.”
“Ah, but Your Majesty—”
The steward stammered, clearly unsettled. With the wizards watching, he didn’t openly oppose it.
‘What has been done to the Emperor?’
Since the royal blessing protected him, it couldn’t be mind control. Then why suddenly? Could it be Acorella’s potion?
“Dismiss such vain thoughts.”
Jin saw through the steward’s doubts and spoke quietly.
“The Minister of Magic is Acorella. She and the wizards have sworn loyalty to the palace again and reported Ian’s rebellion, proving it. Therefore, the magic department can no longer be excluded.”
“Ah…”
It wasn’t just the chamberlain. Many within the palace would refuse to believe the truth, and Ian himself didn’t want that either. So, there was no choice but to persuade them in another way.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will convey your message accordingly.”
The conflict between the palace and the Magic Department was over.
After the chamberlain left, Jin gave instructions to Romandro.
“Find a residence where Lord Ian can stay. Romandro, make sure it’s somewhere far from the center—somewhere so remote that no one would recognize him.”
In the end, parting was inevitable, but this was enough. Whenever time allowed, he could visit Ian.
Romandro nodded repeatedly, assuring him not to worry.
“Yes, I’ll find a place with fresh air and good water.”
“Prepare everything. It won’t take Lord Ian long to arrive at the palace. Beric, go out and keep a close watch on the movements of the nobles.”
Even after regaining his memories, Beric remained surprisingly quiet. But the fiery glare in his eyes—like he was thinking, “Ian, you fool. Just wait and see”—burned brighter than ever.
“…Understood. I’ll be back soon.”
“We’re coming too!”
“We’ll get ready!”
Following Beric, the mages rushed out in a clatter. For the first time in a long while, the Magic Department was alive with activity.
“Ian, you crazy bastard!”
“Ian!”
“Lord Ian!”
Thud!
Ian froze as Beric, Romandro, and the mages charged at him.
They threw themselves at him with all their might, and soon they all tumbled backward in a heap. Even as they fell, they held onto Ian tightly, making sure he couldn’t use magic.
“Ah.”
Where had it all gone wrong? How had it come to this? As they slowly collapsed, Ian’s eyes met Jin’s. An expression too complex for words.
“So this is the Bariel of His Majesty.”
No matter how strong someone is, if they harbor doubt, they will eventually fall. But those who share their hearts come together, and in the end, protect what’s precious. Jin’s Bariel was different from his own—how had he not realized that?
Thud.
Ian lay back, cradled by the mages, staring up at the palace ceiling. It was the first time he’d looked up like this—strange, yet somehow new. Like he’d just understood something he hadn’t before.
“Ah…”
I see.
Yeah. That’s how it was.
Ian murmured with a faint smile.
“I’ve lost.”