Episode 840

“Ugh, this is exhausting.”

“My throat’s about to give out.”

“Ian, does it suit your taste?”

The wizards, who had been chattering noisily for a while, finally slumped down, worn out. It was time for the guards to change shifts. Without anyone outside to overhear, there was no point in making a fuss.

Ian poured himself some black tea and took a sip, then shrugged his shoulders.

“A little.”

“Hmm…”

Yet, he’d finished everything cleanly—even the whipped cream. The wizards exchanged knowing smiles as they cleared the dishes. Ian’s face remained expressionless, but there was a subtle hint of satisfaction beneath it.

“Well then, shall we get down to the real investigation, Ian?”

“What we’ve done so far?”

“That was just a warm-up.”

“Impressive objectivity.”

The wizards pulled their chairs closer.

“So, what exactly happened?”

“Captain Akorella said it was because of the rain.”

Ian had plenty of questions himself. What had really gone on behind the scenes that led everyone to gather and greet him like this? He had a rough idea, though.

“During the war, I was the symbol that gave everyone confidence that Bariel would win. For an underground god who thrives on belief, my very existence was lethal. So they erased all traces of me.”

“…So it really was the rain. That’s terrifying. To be wiped out without even realizing it.”

“Vannusa still remembers. As a water mage, she could filter the underground god’s rain.”

“Ah! So that’s it!”

The strange rumors that started at the well suddenly made sense.

The wizards folded their arms, carefully piecing together memories. Since some parts had been cut out and then reattached, they needed to fill in the gaps properly.

“Anyway, Ian, this time you really went too far. If you lost your memory, you should’ve at least told us, right?”

“Exactly! We should have worked through this together. You know how much trouble we all went through.”

“Sorry. But there was no other way.”

One of Ian’s wishes was to keep the Magic Department out of this mess.

The wizards raised their eyebrows, glared at Ian, then suddenly burst out laughing and relaxed.

“Give me your hand.”

They wanted to share their magic. Knowing Ian wasn’t in good shape, they wanted to buy him some time, even if just a little.

But Ian shook his head.

“That won’t solve anything.”

“It’s better than nothing.”

“Well—”

“Hand! Give me your hand.”

“…”

“Hand!”

The wizards cut him off firmly, urging him again.

With no choice, Ian extended his hand and accepted the magic they offered. The endless flow made him a bit uneasy.

“You know you have to save some power for yourself. His Majesty is dealing with the central nobles, and if those cornered resort to force, the Magic Department will have to step in.”

“Geez, so much chatter. You sure talk a lot.”

The wizards blinked in surprise. That last remark wasn’t theirs. Then who?

They all turned around at once and found Beric standing there, holding a silver tray with one hand, nodding.

“If you’re going to give it, just take it. You’re not the Minister of Magic anymore. Stop worrying about work.”

“Beric.”

“Food?”

“I already ate.”

Beric glanced at the plate smeared with chocolate cream and looked at the wizards with disbelief. No wonder they were so caught up in paperwork—they couldn’t even eat properly.

“Are you crazy? You’re supposed to feed him!”

“Ian said he wanted to eat it!”

“Cake is dessert! Dessert! You ignorant fools. You’d know if you’d ever eaten properly.”

While Beric and the wizards bickered, Ian quietly opened the silver tray. Inside were neatly arranged portions of roasted meat and rice.

“By the way, Beric, why did you come?”

Surely not just to deliver this.

“Why else? As captain of the guard, I came to check if you’re handling your investigation well.”

Beric gestured for everyone to sit down, then personally cut some meat for Ian. The portions looked generous—he must have brought enough for the wizards too.

“News of your rebellion has spread all over the capital. The guard is raiding the central nobles’ mansions, and there’s plenty of evidence to prove the charges. But the nobles involved keep denying it, so it’ll take some time before they’re dealt with.”

They planned to drag it out as long as possible—Emperor, Beric, and the Magic Department alike.

“Is that so?”

“Happy about it?”

“Just… bittersweet.”

‘Dealt with’ meant erasing all records and execution by hanging. Ian’s calm response made Beric scowl in irritation, but his hand offering the fork was surprisingly gentle.

“So we’re looking for a corpse.”

“A corpse?”

“To put on the execution platform in your place.”

As Ian asked this, picking up some meat, the wizards each took their share. Then, all of them looked at Ian in disbelief.

“Wait, you actually thought we’d put the real Ian on the execution platform?”

“Ian, you’re crueler than I thought.”

“Eat first. It’s getting cold.”

They needed a male corpse of similar build. So Beric and the Magic Department were checking hospitals and prisons for a suitable candidate.

“We’ll use magic to alter the appearance. Whether it’s hanging or another method is still under discussion. Burning is easiest—it destroys evidence.”

“We’ll ask Katimako to handle moving the corpse. I never thought puppetry would be used like this.”

No one in the capital didn’t know Ian’s face. That meant he had to leave the capital. Ian nodded in agreement.

“Yeah. Burning’s better. If the magic fades, it won’t matter once it’s burned.”

Ugh. What a ruthless man. The wizards narrowed their eyes, unable to help but smile.

“So, is there anywhere you want to go?”

“You mean a place to hide?”

“Yes. You could go to Hielo, but it’ll be uncomfortable for you there.”

Unlike other territories, many people in Hielo knew Ian. He couldn’t just hide in a mansion, and even if everyone kept quiet, there were limits.

Ian thought for a moment, then smiled as if deciding it wouldn’t work.

“Better to go somewhere completely unfamiliar.”

“Yes, I agree. It’ll take time to adjust, but that will make you more comfortable. We’ll decide on the details and let you know. Romandro is already securing a mansion and servants by His Majesty’s order.”

The wizards chattered on about their plans, then suddenly fell silent. Their eyes reddened and glistened with tears, as if realizing the Magic Department without Ian was real. They wiped their eyes with their sleeves, and Ian smiled.

“If anyone saw this, they’d think you were the ones under investigation.”

“I’ll visit often. I’ll come during every vacation.”

“Thanks for the offer, but that’s not necessary. Just thinking of you now and then is enough. You all have your own lives to live now.”

“No way! We’re coming to visit! You’re not the minister anymore, so we’ll do as we please.”

“Yeah, if you don’t like it, become minister again.”

Damn. Ian had no comeback. It was all true.

“Oh, and could you tell Akorella to bring me the documents inside the desk in my office?”

“What? You’re going to work?”

“There’s something unfinished. It’ll be easier for Akorella if I approve it myself.”

Like finalizing business expenses. Even if the palace or other departments objected, they could say, “The former Minister of Magic handled it,” and smooth things over.

The wizards sighed, clearly exasperated.

“Alright, but—”

“But?”

“We’ll bring it after you finish eating.”

“…I’m full from the cake.”

Ian muttered, and Beric pointed at the wizards, scolding them.

“See? He ate the sweets first, so now he won’t eat the meal! They’ve ruined his appetite.”

“No, but when you look at it—”

“It looks like a cloth! I’m the captain!”

“I’m a wizard!”

“So what? You’re a low-ranking officer!”

“Low-ranking?!”

The second round of bickering between Beric and the wizards broke out.

Ian quietly watched them, nibbling on his meat. Did they realize they were smiling even as they shot barbs at each other? The distance that had grown between the palace and the Magic Department, strained and stiff, seemed to be returning to normal.

Clatter.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside. The guards who had finished their shift were back. Beric and the wizards froze and muttered in unison.

“Uh, uh—”

“Ian Hielo! You are—”

“Do you admit your crimes or not?!”

Bang! Crash!

Boom!

…Here we go again.

Ian leaned back against the cushion, clearly unwilling to listen. Hmm, how long until Jin finishes dealing with the nobles and holds the execution?

As Ian picked at his meat, the guards outside gripped their spears tightly, tense.

“Sure enough, the guard has a different kind of presence.”

“Yeah, I heard they used to be close, though.”

“What can you do when it comes to treason? The interrogations of the opposing nobles are brutal, too.”

“Oh? How so?”

The guard shuddered as he recalled the scene, shaking his head in fear.

“They cut you off after every sentence. Say one thing, and they interrupt. Say another, and they cut you off again.”

“Impressive intimidation tactics.”

“Looks like they’re really thorough with their investigations. From what I saw, all the carriages waiting outside will have to turn back. It’ll take a lifetime to finish questioning all those nobles.”

Bang!

At the sound of something breaking, the guards flinched and straightened up again. The imperial palace was truly a terrifying place.

---

“Your Majesty.”

The Prime Minister entered cautiously, watching Jin’s expression carefully. Treason—especially from someone so close—was bound to put him in a foul mood.

But contrary to his worries, Jin sat calmly at his desk, handling official business as if it were any other day.

“You’ve come.”

“I hope you are well, Your Majesty.”

“That phrase is starting to wear thin on my ears. Sit down.”

Jin gestured to the sofa and continued flipping through documents. After a brief silence, he closed the papers as if he had finished.

“It’s true that Lord Ian conspired with the nobles to stage a rebellion. He even managed to sneak into the palace and put his plan into motion.”

“A truly unforgivable act!”

“Indeed. But the rebellion failed, and the Magic Department has severed all ties with Lord Ian. That should ease the royal family’s concerns about the department.”

The Prime Minister bowed his head in agreement.

“However—”

Jin muttered under his breath.

“There are quite a few officials within the palace who are entangled with these disloyal nobles. I’m thinking it’s time for a serious personnel reshuffle. Waiting until the New Year seems too late.”

The position of Minister of Imperial Defense was vacant, and appointing a new Minister of Magic had been fraught with controversy.

Moreover, no action had yet been taken against the high-ranking officials implicated in various scandals, like former Minister Raven.

Now that those matters were finally settled, it was their turn.

“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”

“Then, Prime Minister, prepare a list of recommended candidates. I will use it as a reference to select new talent.”

“Very well. If you could specify the ranks you wish to replace—”

“All below me.”

Jin’s firm declaration made the Prime Minister’s hand freeze mid-air.

“All below me” included the Prime Minister himself. In other words, Jin was telling him to step down and hand over his position to a successor.

“I didn’t say this lightly. I intend to rebuild the entire cabinet from the ground up.”