Chapter 857
“Hmm. Let’s see, let’s see.”
Jaan suddenly sat up straight, eyes narrowing with a sly glint. That tiger-nosed bastard! Maybe he’s more cunning than I thought. Jaan tapped the floor with his long pipe, muttering to himself.
“So, this Ian Hielo guy is supposed to be dead, right? That’s what Akorella said earlier.”
“I don’t know.”
“Just by looking at you, it’s clear you want to find him.”
“Don’t call Ian a ‘guy.’ That unlucky old man.”
“Heh, what a rude little punk. Anyway! If I find Ian Hielo, you guys owe me a favor. If I don’t, then I lose the bet, right?”
Barsabe, who had been listening nearby, pressed close to Berik and jabbed him in the ribs. Jaan’s a wild card. What if he actually goes and finds Ian Hielo? That would mean two losses for us. We’d have to hand over the wish token to Jaan immediately.
“It’s fine.”
But Berik remained calm, as if it didn’t matter what happened.
‘Right now, the important thing is to inform Ian about the situation.’
He needed to know about the side effects of the binding magic—that if he died now, he might never return to the future.
Once Ian understood what was going on, he’d handle things on his own. No matter how sly that old mage is, Ian would get what he wanted in the end.
‘But I win the second bet?’
Whether Jaan gave up or failed to find Ian, that would be one win each. The final bet would be do-or-die. No matter the challenge, give it your all.
‘Then I’ll use the wish token to cure Ian’s binding magic side effects, and that’s it.’
“Easy enough, huh?”
“Cheeky little—!”
Jaan chuckled, spinning his pipe with a flourish. He seemed to be thinking for a moment. Seeing that, Berik clenched his fists and asked.
“You know where Ian is.”
“Kid, what good does it do to know? I flew ten thousand miles following a scrap of paper. I’m exhausted and can’t move!”
He pounded his knees, exaggerating his fatigue. Barsabe and Berik both scowled in frustration, biting their lips, while Jaan laughed heartily, clutching his stomach.
“So, what now?”
“Hmm. I’m feeling lazy, and since I get to choose the next bet anyway, I’ll just forfeit. I lost.”
“Tch. No guts.”
“Ha ha ha! Never thought I’d hear that from myself!”
Drunk Jaan wore a look of disbelief. We’re fighting for our lives here, and he treats it like some drunken game.
Watching the scene, Barsabe whispered into Berik’s ear.
“If that’s the case, the winner of the second bet should decide the next one.”
“Didn’t think that far.”
“Hah!”
Damn it! Barsabe shot Berik a look that said, “You’re hopeless.” But Berik just wiped his nose and raised his glass toward Jaan.
“One win. I’ll take it.”
“Yeah, drink up!”
“What about the next bet? I hope it’s something other than luck.”
“Oh, you want a lot, huh?”
“Luck’s boring.”
“What was that?”
Jaan’s eyes narrowed. If he’d added some old excuse, I’d have told him to shove it, but ‘boring’ was enough to get Jaan on board.
He raised his pipe and said,
“Fine. Then let’s do something really fun. Next bet: break the pipe.”
He tapped the floor with his pipe, and a golden magic circle blossomed around the spot.
Magic swept through the palace like a gust of wind. Barsabe instinctively drew his sword but was too slow to catch it.
“What are you doing?!”
“Oh, nothing much. I just cast a little something to protect your shields from breaking. Exactly one day from now.”
At Jaan’s words, an hourglass shape appeared in midair. Light trickled down, marking the passage of time.
“Use whatever means you want. If you can break this pipe, you win.”
“Ha! Old man, I think you’ve been misjudging people.”
Berik’s eyes flashed as he rolled up his sleeves. If it’s a physical fight, he’s confident. He charged at Jaan across the table.
Snap!
Crash!
Food and dishes flew everywhere. The musicians froze, mouths agape. As the music stopped, time seemed to slow.
Then, in an instant—
“Ebi!”
Jaan’s eyes glowed gold as his pipe came down hard on Berik’s forehead.
Smack!
“…!”
Boom!
Berik’s body was flung backward, crashing into a corner. He lay crumpled, blinking in confusion, clearly unsure what had just happened.
Barsabe stepped back in shock, while Jaan righted a fallen cup and muttered,
“Jumping onto the table like some wild animal.”
“W-what was that just now?”
“What do you think?”
Jaan exhaled smoke and chuckled.
“That was a counterattack.”
“Ah, so that’s how it’s going to be?”
Berik sprang up, shaking off the blow, and charged again.
“Berik! No!”
Barsabe shouted, but it was too late. Berik drew his flaming magic sword, flames swirling around him, quickly engulfing Jaan.
Feeling Berik’s energy, Jaan murmured,
“So, you carry non-human blood, huh?”
“Shut up! I’ll smash your pipe and your head!”
“No wonder. Yeah, you really are like a wild beast.”
Whoosh!
Jaan lightly leapt over Berik’s sword, then smack!—his pipe struck Berik’s forehead again.
It was like a toddler fighting an adult—shockingly one-sided, yet merciful. Barsabe instinctively sensed that if Jaan really wanted to, he could destroy the entire palace with a single blow.
“Berik—!”
“Damn it!”
Berik screamed, blood streaming from his split forehead. He wiped it off roughly and spat.
“Old man, I thought you were just wasting your age.”
“I’m still alive, you punk.”
“Okay, fine. Let’s do this.”
“Berik! Wait! Don’t rush in blindly!”
“That stupid wooden stick!”
Whoosh!
Berik swung his sword, sending a scorching wind toward Jaan. A sharp, fiery hook flew at him.
Jaan, sipping his drink, swung his pipe in a long arc and easily deflected it.
Clang!
“…!”
Boom! Boom!
The out-of-control fiery hook smashed through the palace, shaking the walls and pillars.
Berik hesitated, startled. But Jaan was already in front of him, blowing smoke from his pipe and taunting,
“I told you, anyone who bets against me ends up dead.”
“Damn you—!”
“But I did get one thing out of this. Your wish token? I’m going to have a lot of fun with it.”
Swish!
Jaan raised his arm, sleeves fluttering like a waterfall.
At the same moment, his pipe slammed down on the center of Berik’s forehead. The impact hit like a rock, sending a shock through Berik’s entire body.
Crack!
“…!”
Berik fell backward, mouth agape, unable to scream. He stretched out his limbs and passed out.
Jaan pinched Berik’s cheek, grinning.
“You’re pretty cute, you know.”
Tap tap!
Bang!
The magic department members who had rushed over noticed the commotion. Akorella froze, taking in the wreckage. She’d felt the sudden tremors and power waves but hadn’t expected this level of destruction. Furniture, pillars, walls—nothing was left intact.
“What is—what is this—”
“Ah! Please don’t misunderstand! I was just standing here, and that guy attacked me.”
Jaan raised his hand in protest. Meanwhile, Akorella glanced between Barsabe and Berik, silently asking for an explanation.
“Minister, please, just a moment—”
Barsabe tried to pull her outside the room. Jaan called out to them.
“Hey, you lot!”
“…?”
Barsabe turned, tense.
Jaan, already seated in the place of honor, tapped the table with his pipe and smiled.
“Set the drinking table again.”
“A bet?”
At Jin’s question, Akorella nodded. Berik had really caused a scene.
Barsabe bowed his head, apologizing repeatedly on Berik’s behalf.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I should have stopped him somehow—”
“No, you have no need to apologize. What about Berik?”
“He’s still unconscious and hasn’t woken up yet.”
With just a few swings of his pipe, he had completely subdued Berrick. Calling him strong didn’t even begin to cover it—he was on a whole different level. An absolute master. There was no doubt he had reached that ultimate state Ja-an had described to Eunrang and Hohun.
Jin pressed his fingers hard against his furrowed brow, his expression tense.
“Any other damage outside?”
“Ja-an cast a protective barrier. From the outside, it looks flawless—not even a single crack.”
“Impressive, in every way.”
“And for some reason, it seemed like he knew every conversation that took place throughout the palace.”
Jin frowned at Barsabe’s report. That meant he was aware of the plan proposed to Eunrang and Hohun. It was as if they’d already revealed one of their cards.
But looking at it another way…
‘No matter what happens, it won’t really matter.’
Also—
A rare opportunity.
Jin casually picked up a pen and asked,
“So the current score is tied, and only the final wager remains?”
—I’ll reprimand Berrick for his recklessness later. For now, focus on seizing this chance.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Jin’s words, Barsabe and the mages all pulled out their pens and paper.
“You said the pipe just needs to be broken within a day, right? Then it doesn’t matter who does it?”
“Huh?”
Barsabe hesitated, trying to recall. Indeed, Ja-an had never specified that Berrick had to be the one to break it.
When she nodded, Jin stood up as if making up his mind.
“Then I’ll give it a try, too.”
—Akorella, return to the magic department and bring me something to slip into his drink. It must be colorless and odorless, and be careful with your actions. It can’t endanger his life. A sleeping potion or anesthetic would be good. Or even a stimulant.
“Your Majesty?”
Akorella feigned surprise, twirling her finger in a circle. Seeing this, Jin gave a subtle nod, signaling everyone to move.
“Alright.”
“Oh dear, I’m a bit worried, but trying it together isn’t a bad idea. Understood!”
With a snap, Akorella flew off toward the magic department, while Jin and Barsabe headed to where Ja-an was.
The door swung open, and the first thing they saw was Berrick sprawled out in the wrecked banquet hall.
Floating in midair nearby was an hourglass.
“Well, well, who do we have here! The Emperor himself has graced us with his presence!”
Ja-an, who had been doodling on Berrick’s face with a pen, suddenly pretended to be startled and flattened himself against the floor. He swayed slightly, clearly tipsy.
“I was careless to neglect such a precious guest. I was just having a little fun with my personal guard captain.”
“Yes, yes. But this guy’s completely out cold, not moving an inch.”
Ja-an giggled as he stuffed a piece of vegetable into Berrick’s nostril. Seeing this, Jin sat down opposite him and picked up a cup.
“As Berrick’s master, I apologize. I didn’t mean to spoil the fun.”
“Not at all! It’s quite entertaining. Ha ha ha!”
Ja-an defiantly bit down on the pipe right in front of Jin, then propped his chin on his hand, nodding slightly—as if to ask, “Is this what the Emperor desires?”