Chapter 858

“In Gaia, the East is an unknown world.”

“Isn’t the same true for the East regarding Gaia?”

Jin exchanged drinks with Ja-an and paused for a moment. Judging by the unconscious Beric, this was someone who could never be subdued by force. In fact, disturbing his mood might endanger the empire’s citizens at the center.

Jin decided it would be better to observe Ja-an’s pipe in a different way.

“I managed to find some brief surviving records. They say the East values righteousness and chivalry. Is that true?”

“Those are the very foundations that make up the world. Though the words differ, the Western regions surely base human affairs on the same principles.”

Clink! Ja-an drained his cup and closed his eyes, savoring the passing time. His smile was light, but his voice carried a heavy weight.

“Like reading youth through old age, or remembering love through parting, it’s only after the world fades that we realize what the world truly was.”

Jin recalled Eun-rang’s words in response to his lament.

So far, Ja-an’s sole known goal was the eradication of the anomalies. The side effects of these strange creatures were originally supposed to be handled by the three great mages of the East, including Ja-an himself.

This meant he had longed for greater power, even at the cost of his soul’s erosion. In other words, nothing was as meaningful to Ja-an as the destruction of these anomalies.

“In the East, what you call ‘monsters’ are known as ‘anomalies.’”

“Ah, yes. We sometimes use the terms interchangeably.”

“Have you ever seen the King of Monsters?”

If so, the outcome of the last war that sealed the underground god might pique Ja-an’s interest—perhaps greatly.

Sure enough, the smile vanished from Ja-an’s lips.

“The King of Monsters?”

“In Gaia, it’s called the underground god or the shadow of a deity. It dwells deep in the abyss and is understood to be the source of all monsters. When cracks form in the earth, it spreads its power through them, wreaking havoc on the world.”

“The East also regards earthquakes and land distortions as early signs of anomalies.”

Ja-an seemed to be gauging whether Jin was telling the truth. Finally, a real conversation. Jin smiled and added,

“I see. Whether East or West, under the will of the gods, we are one. Since the great flood of monsters in Gaia, the damage they cause has noticeably decreased. We’ve passed a critical point. I hope the East has similar fortune.”

“You say a critical point has been passed?”

“Yes. Not long ago, there was a great war. A glorious victory where the underground god was directly repelled.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Suddenly, Ja-an threw back his head and laughed heartily. Though his laughter was blunt and frivolous, Jin guessed why.

“Don’t believe it?”

It was understandable. According to Akorella, even if all the mages in the current imperial palace attacked together, it would be difficult to match Ja-an.

There was no way Ja-an didn’t know what they knew. He had already assessed the palace’s full strength, which was why he had to deny Jin’s claim.

A feat that required the three great mages to unite their souls—how could you fools have done it?

“Oh dear, oh my. I must be a bit drunk.”

“All of Gaia bears witness. Why would I lie?”

“Did the Emperor himself defeat this underground god?”

Jin moistened his lips with wine and answered,

“Ian Hielo.”

“Hmm?”

That name again?

Ja-an crossed his arms and lowered his head deeply. Beric, too, and everyone else mentioned this Ian Hielo, who was nowhere to be found in the palace. Jin didn’t know the man’s exact level, but if he based his power on binding magic, it was plausible.

“Ian didn’t use binding magic.”

Jin, sensing Ja-an’s thoughts, smiled slightly and added,

“Instead, he discovered the underground god’s weakness.”

“A weakness?”

“Well, various things.”

Clink. Jin tapped his glass against Ja-an’s, brushing off the topic.

Well, look at that. Ja-an decided it would be wise to verify this with Eun-rang and Ho-heun. If it was true that the King of Monsters had been defeated…

‘You give what you owe, and take what’s due.’

“Wait a moment.”

Something felt off. Ja-an tilted his head and muttered,

“Look here, Your Majesty. No matter how much my damned disciples started this mess, weren’t they the ones who used someone else’s artifact without permission? We’re trying to keep the peace in the East, yet you hesitate so much? It’s enough to upset an old man.”

“I don’t think your old man’s heart is so easily turned.”

Bang! Crash!

At that moment, Akorella burst through the door with a solemn expression, holding a silver tray.

On it sat a single bottle of liquor, its mischievous smile hinting it was something ‘special.’

“Please accept this new wine, Lord Ja-an.”

“Oh!”

Ja-an’s eyes lit up as he eagerly rolled up his sleeves. Jin and Akorella exchanged glances, while the mages who followed stood back to watch.

“What kind of wine is this?”

“It’s a rare imperial palace grape wine, served only to distinguished guests. It’s called Clifopod, from a country just below, famous for its grapes. The prince himself sent it as a gift.”

“Oh my, am I worthy of such a thing? What do you think, Your Majesty?”

Jin gestured for him to enjoy it freely. Akorella poured a full glass and presented it with precise grace.

“Well then!”

As Ja-an lifted the glass, Akorella’s eyes flashed. This was her strongest special sleeping potion—enough to knock anyone out within three minutes.

Ja-an parted his lips slightly, and Akorella opened hers as if to say, “Drink up, old man!”

“Oh, but by the way…”

“Yes?”

“Your Majesty just told me something interesting.”

“What is it?”

Ja-an paused mid-drink, then set the glass down, suddenly remembering something. Akorella forced a polite smile, hiding her disappointment.

“You said the Emperor personally saw and sealed the King of Monsters. Is that true?”

“The King of Monsters? Ah, the underground god?”

“I heard a man named Ian Hielo led the effort.”

Akorella glanced at Jin, then nodded in agreement.

“That’s correct.”

“Ah, so the one who eradicated the anomalies was executed for treason. That tells me how much has happened here.”

Ja-an poured wine into Jin’s glass. Akorella’s eyes darted nervously, but Jin accepted it calmly.

“Ja-an, since we’re on the subject, I have a proposal.”

“Anything. Listening doesn’t cost a thing.”

“If you help us solve the side effects of binding magic, I will tell you in detail about the war we fought against the underground god. I believe it will be of great help to the East.”

“Hmm.”

“Through the righteousness you hold dear, I hope to achieve harmony and progress between West and East.”

The words ‘harmony and progress’ carried many implications: don’t harm the palace, engage in friendly exchanges, treat people carefully, and even if Beric loses, show mercy.

Ja-an’s eyes narrowed.

“Such pleasant words. But in the East, we are cautious—very cautious—before forming bonds.”

He propped his knees up and leaned on his arms, relaxed and unhurried.

“Tell me about Ian Hielo.”

The hero who saved Gaia, was he not?

From Ja-an’s perspective, that was almost a sacrifice. He himself was prepared to sacrifice his soul to eradicate anomalies in the East.

If such a selfless figure had rebelled, and if his reasons were valid, it would naturally cast doubt on Bariel’s qualities as Emperor.

“If he’s already dead for treason, he should be someone the world cannot accept. Yet why do so many seek him out? And what is his relationship with the Emperor?”

Jin glanced around the quiet hall. Only the sprawled Beric and the mages remained. He smiled softly and replied,

“There’s a flower grave in the central square. Though his body was long ago disposed of, flowers still bloom there in profusion.”

A trace of those who honor Ian Hielo’s final moments.

“Ian was such a man. A being to be grateful for simply by existing. I believe he thought the same of me.”

“Like family.”

“Family.”

Jin’s tone was firm, and Ja-an pursed his lips.

“Is that so?”

“Beric feels the same. That’s why he threw himself in without hesitation. I heard their final wager was to break the pipe.”

“That’s right.”

Ja-an twirled his pipe between his fingertips. As smoke spiraled upward, Jin smiled.

“I will do my best to help Beric win.”

“Gambling is more fun with more players! You’re welcome to join anytime. If we lose, Beric will take responsibility, so please enjoy yourself without worry.”

At Ja-an’s words, Beric stirred. Even unconscious, he reacted to his name. Seeing this, Ja-an gently tapped Beric’s forehead with his pipe.

“If I get to use my wish token, I’m taking that guy with me. He’s so cute, he’d make the perfect servant.”

“Hm. That’s a problem.”

Jin motioned for Barsabe to come closer. Confused but obedient, Barsabe stepped up beside him.

“I heard you won big in the coin toss,” Jin said.

“That fool Beric just messed up, that’s all,” Barsabe replied.

“But you actually broke that walking stick of yours?”

Huh? Zaan blinked, puzzled by what he was hearing.

“Aren’t you a mage?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Besides, that walking stick is the wager you’re supposed to break. It has to be some kind of rare magical artifact, no doubt about it.”

Could it be one of those ‘magic staves’? Items favored by archmages at the peak of their power, imbued with enchantments so strong they can’t be broken by anything in the world—that’s what they were suspecting.

Zaan snapped back with a look of disbelief.

“Hey! What do you take me for?”

“A guest from the East who lives and dies by honor and loyalty. But just as you doubt us, we have no choice but to doubt you. We don’t know each other well enough.”

“You’re taking this too far! I might mess with my rice bowl, but I’m no cheat when it comes to gambling. I told that Beric guy the same thing!”

Zaan looked so aggrieved he might have fallen over. What kind of nonsense was this?

“I’m thinking of asking Eunrang and Hoheun, who know you well, about that walking stick. Do you agree?”

“Oh, heavens. You really think they’d tell the truth? You think I don’t know? If they try to sweet-talk me into letting them escape out the back door, they’ll just insist I’m a woman, not a man.”

“Is that so?”

Jin raised his hands as if to say he hadn’t considered that. Zaan’s temperament was unusual, and his words were clear.

“Then, guest of the East who values honor and loyalty, prove you didn’t cheat. Show me that walking stick isn’t some rare artifact, but just an old, worn-out piece of wood.”

“Huh?”

How? Jin nodded toward the walking stick.

“Break it in front of me, so I can see for myself if it really snaps.”