Episode 856

“Again.”

Despite Jin’s cold command, Eunrang didn’t flinch. She held her head high, wearing a smile that seemed almost smug.

Jin and the members of the Magic Department all focused intently on what she was about to say next. Their faces were pale, as if struck by shock. But Eunrang drove the wedge in deeper, almost mocking them.

“Ian Hielo isn’t dead.”

Jin slowly turned and sat down in his chair. Without a word, he crossed his legs, and Akorella immediately sensed his mood was unsettled.

“Ian Hielo, the traitor, isn’t dead?”

This was a crucial point. What Eunrang knew could determine whether she lived or died. They needed to find out if she only knew that Ian had left the palace, or if she knew more—perhaps even his current whereabouts.

“Yes. I saw Ian Hielo’s body being taken out. But I know it was a staged farce.”

She was talking about the fake corpse disguised by magic. Jin nodded slightly, silently urging her to continue.

“What nonsense. Even if that were true, who would believe you? A mere traitor from the East.”

Unless she brought Ian here herself, Eunrang’s claim was absurd. Could she prove it?

Akorella silently prayed.

“Please say you can prove it. Damn it.”

If so, they might finally see Ian again.

Eunrang bit her lower lip slightly and scanned the emperor and the magicians. The longer she hesitated, the more Jin and Akorella grew impatient. Finally, Eunrang stammered out:

“I can’t prove it, but that doesn’t change the fact that I know the truth.”

“A waste of time.”

Jin stood abruptly and gave Akorella an order.

“Bind her. Prepare to bring her along the moment Zaan leaves the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Curse magic!”

At the mention of Zaan, Eunrang suddenly shouted. Jin, about to leave, turned his head, and his heart sank at what Eunrang said next.

“I—I cast a curse spell before. If Ian Hielo were dead, I would have known. But there’s nothing! Aaah!”

Akorella grabbed Eunrang’s hair firmly and stared straight into her eyes. Hohun twisted his body to help, but the magicians wouldn’t allow it.

“What did you say? A curse?”

“A killing spell—”

“Are you crazy? How dare you send something like that to anyone?!”

“Ahhh!”

“Eunrang!”

Akorella shook Eunrang’s hair violently and struck her cheek mercilessly. Eunrang, beaten and helpless, clutched Akorella’s sleeve and collapsed.

Still unsatisfied, Akorella opened her golden eyes and muttered under her breath.

“Your Majesty, it would be best to hand only Hohun over to Zaan and deal with Eunrang ourselves. Listening to her insolent and cunning words, there’s no way we can let her go.”

“You admit it, don’t you? Ian Hielo is alive!”

“This isn’t over yet—!”

“Ahhh!”

“Akorella.”

Akorella’s raised hand froze mid-air. Jin stopped her. Panting, she slowly released Eunrang’s hair but muttered curses through clenched teeth.

“You cursed Ian Hielo?”

Jin knelt again and met Eunrang’s gaze.

“Then do you know where he is now?”

Eunrang wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand and fell silent. Why was Jin asking her about Ian’s whereabouts? Since he was smuggled out of the palace, the palace itself should know. She cautiously asked back.

“And if I do?”

“I won’t send him to Zaan.”

“…!”

But if she didn’t know? Jin lightly grabbed her chin and parted her lips.

“Then the only option is to cut out your tongue.”

Those who know the secret must remain silent forever.

Jin’s calm whisper made Eunrang hesitate. She answered in a trembling voice.

“It will take… some time.”

“Is that the truth?”

“The truth, truly…”

If she wanted to run, she had only one chance. Eunrang quickly added:

“But you must break this magic seal stone. The reason we couldn’t find him despite sensing his life force was because of this.”

“No, Your Majesty! That’s a lie!”

“It’s not a lie! If you just break this, you’ll know immediately!”

“Shut up, damn it! As Minister of Magic, I say this: you must not allow it!”

Jin motioned to Akorella to calm down.

“Lower your voice, Minister.”

“But—”

“Excitement narrows the mind.”

Jin nodded to the magicians behind him.

“Bring the truth serum. The Great Empire of Bariel will not tolerate lies.”

---

“Oh?”

Zaan rubbed his chin, intrigued.

Beric, who was pouring a full glass of wine, raised an eyebrow.

“What’s up, old man?”

“The Western Regions are truly fascinating. Things you’d never even think of in the East.”

“Never seen wine before?”

“Tch! You’re like a tiger’s snout. What would you know?”

Zaan gulped down his drink and melted into a relaxed haze.

“Not that I should say, but you really are a bon vivant, old man.”

“Heh, better than the emperor himself. So, what shall we bet on? I doubt your wish token means much to me, but it’s rude to refuse a game at a drinking party.”

Beric paused, thinking.

“Anything’s fine. Mahjong, flower cards, silver coin splitting, coin flipping… what else was there?”

“Old man, how old are you?”

“Suddenly?”

“I’m barely in my thirties. I’ve spent most of my life drunk, eating, and gambling. Seems like you’re the same. If there’s too big an age gap, I’m at a disadvantage. Let’s pick something else.”

Zaan was starting to like Beric a little. He was straightforward, no fuss, and spoke plainly without pretense.

“I’ve lived exactly ten times longer than you.”

“Bullshit.”

“Don’t believe me?”

How old would that make him? Beric squinted suspiciously, but Zaan just sipped his drink as if it were true.

“Are magicians always like this?”

“How so?”

“Living so long just by drinking?”

“No way.”

“Then how have you lived so long?”

“That’s a secret I can’t share with just anyone, kid. If you’re curious, win and use your wish token.”

If he lived long enough, maybe he could see Bariel a hundred years from now. Ian would be there too.

The thought briefly crossed Beric’s mind but he shook it off. The wish token’s purpose was already decided: to break the binding spell on Ian.

Zaan smacked his lips and pulled a coin from his pocket.

“Here’s the deal. One game I choose, one game you choose, and the last one Jin chooses.”

“Fair enough.”

“Gambling is all about skill and luck! That’s my philosophy.”

“So, you want to flip a coin?”

“Don’t you like it?”

“No, not really.”

Beric eyed him suspiciously. Zaan grinned.

“I’ll have someone else do the fair toss.”

“Who else?”

“Over there.”

Zaan pointed to the firmly closed door. Beric frowned in confusion. No one was there.

But then came a knock.

Knock knock.

“Excuse me.”

It was Barsabe.

She had come worried after hearing Beric had come to see Zaan, and to update him on what was happening in the main hall.

She took in the messy table, the flushed and drunk Zaan, and Beric sitting opposite, shooting a look that clearly said, “What on earth are you two doing here?”

“Oh! A new guest!”

“Apologies, Captain Beric. Please come quickly to the hall.”

“Why? Did Eunrang say something?”

“…!”

Barsabe flinched in surprise, and Beric looked puzzled.

Zaan raised his glass and chuckled.

“She’s been like that since she was young. Small but sharp, and really mean. Lies like it’s second nature.”

“Why did you take her as your disciple then?”

“Talent is innate. No matter how good you are, without talent, it’s all for nothing. Better to take a brat with attitude and fix their temper—it’s cheaper.”

“Sounds like a mistake.”

“Who knows? Life’s unpredictable until the end.”

Zaan chuckled again. Barsabe gave Beric a look, signaling him.

“Beric.”

“Let’s go. Eunrang has clues about Ian Hielo’s whereabouts.”

But Zaan blocked the way.

“No, no. Don’t ruin the mood, I’d really be upset.”

“Sir Zaan, sorry—”

“It’ll be over soon.”

Ting!

Suddenly, a coin flew through the air. Zaan had tossed it to Barsabe. She caught it reflexively, looking between the two of them in confusion.

“There’s a side with Eastern characters written on it, and a side with numbers. Which one will you bet on?”

“Beric, what are you doing?”

“Letters and numbers, huh? Neither really suits me.”

“Beric?!”

Barsabe strode up and grabbed his collar, but he raised a hand, signaling her to wait.

“I made a bet with the old man. Best of three rounds. The loser grants a wish.”

“A wish? Are you out of your mind?”

What kind of wish could that guy possibly put on the line? Realizing this was going nowhere, Barsabe leaned in and whispered to Beric.

“I know Eunrang and Lord Ian are alive. I don’t know where they are, though.”

“…You don’t know where?”

“Exactly. So we have to hurry—”

“All the more reason to cling to the old man.”

“What?”

Jaan rested his chin on his hand, a pleased smile spreading across his face. Since he could hear everything happening from afar, those whispered words must have sounded like shouts right next to his ear.

“Old man, you said you didn’t come here because of the letter sent to the East.”

“That’s right. I found out thanks to a paper that flew in from the demon realm. I’ve been tracking its trail.”

“Then it makes sense.”

The trail left by Ian, who used the demon realm.

Barsabe pressed her forehead in frustration, while Jaan pulled out a long kiseru pipe from his fingertips and took a puff.

“I’ll choose first. I’ll take the letters.”

“No way. I want the letters.”

“Fine, suit yourself, you fickle duck’s behind.”

“Beric!”

Despite Barsabe’s protests, neither Beric nor Jaan backed down. Jaan tapped Barsabe’s hand lightly with his pipe.

“Unfold it, young lady.”

Really? Is this okay?

When even Beric nodded and urged her on, Barsabe reluctantly opened her hand, revealing the coin. Jaan exhaled smoke and stretched his neck forward.

“Ha! Ha ha ha!”

It was numbers. Jaan was so delighted he rolled on the floor all the way to where the imperial musicians were. Then he jumped up, flapping his sleeves as he ran around.

Barsabe frowned deeply, glancing back and forth between the coin in her hand and Beric.

“Ah, you’re tempting me, you little devil! That’s why I told you to just take the letters!”

“Beric, let’s quit now and back off, okay?”

Beric downed his drink in one gulp and glared at Barsabe.

“Play nice.”

“Is this guy crazy?”

“Enough! Old man, it’s my turn to pick the game next, right?”

“Sure, sure. Pick whatever you want! You better choose something you can actually win this time. This is your last chance!”

Bang! Beric slammed his cup down and shouted.

“Next up: hide and seek.”

“Hide and seek?”

Jaan stopped rolling and whipped around. Well, look at that.

“Right. The bet is Ian Hielo. Jaan, you have to find and bring him back. I bet I can’t bring him.”

Barsabe’s eyes went wide in shock. Regardless of who won or lost the game, this was a bet he couldn’t lose.

“So? Think you can handle it?”