Chapter 861

“Is it over?”

Jin felt the wind calm and asked. The wizards, sensing the magical energy fading completely, nodded quietly.

“Y-yes, it seems so.”

“Master Jaan! Is it really done?”

Jaan took a long gulp of the sake he’d prepared, then turned around. At that sight, Akorella and the wizards visibly relaxed and slumped down in their seats.

“Man, I thought I was gonna die not understanding a word of what was said.”

“Exactly.”

“Don’t be so surprised, heh! Looks like a bunch of scaredy-cats! Tsk tsk.”

“You said you weren’t drinking!”

“Shut up, you fools! There’s nothing better to cool the fire inside. Ah, this tastes good.”

This was no ordinary place—it was the backyard of the Imperial Palace’s Magic Department. The moment they saw the giant figure formed from golden letters, their minds had gone blank. If by any chance, just maybe, Jaan had harbored other intentions, it would have been a disaster.

Now, with their guard down, they looked back at Hail.

“Captain Hail, do you feel different somehow?”

“…It felt like something inside my chest snapped. Not my body, but something within.”

“Sounds like it was a success.”

“Ah, thank goodness.”

With that, Ian and Hail’s souls would be spared from decay. The wizards stood up, showing proper respect, and greeted Jaan in the Eastern style rather than Gaia’s.

“Thank you, Master Jaan!”

“Yes, thank you!”

“Thank you for saving our captain and Ian!”

Jaan waved his hand dismissively, blowing on his nose.

“Bah. I didn’t do this for free. If you want to thank me, you’ll have to give me something in return. Now, enough with the formalities—let’s wrap this up.”

He tossed the sake bottle, but Akorella caught it with one hand and drained it in one gulp. The bottle was empty before anyone could blink.

Jin put his hands on his hips and looked at Jaan, then gestured for him to follow.

“You mean the weapons of the Dera tribe?”

“Is there a specific tribe that makes weapons?”

“They started it, but it’s no problem. Most of the blacksmithing work they run is done by hired hands now. If we take the manufacturing methods, the East can easily produce them. If that’s too difficult, we can just bring finished products.”

Jaan followed Jin as they left the Magic Department. The wizards began tidying the backyard, preparing an official statement in case the imperial citizens who saw the golden phenomenon got worried. Under Akorella’s orders, the wizards moved with precision.

Jaan glanced at the scene and quietly added, “When I return, I’d like to bring some Western technicians with me.”

“You mean the Dera tribe?”

“It would be good if they could come along. More importantly, I want to bring talented people from the Magic Department.”

Jin raised his eyebrows in surprise. He’d thought Jaan’s focus was solely on eradicating the anomalies, but it seemed he was also interested in cultural exchange.

“Bariel is always welcome. If we can foster better development through exchanges between the East and Gaia.”

“Thank you kindly for your words.”

“We’ll officially select a delegation. Starting with the Dera tribe’s weapons.”

“But isn’t the forge outside the palace?”

“They don’t work at night, so there’s nothing to see if we go now. Pim!”

At Jin’s call, Pim of the Dera tribe came running. Small and with striking, unruly features, Jaan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity at this unfamiliar race.

Pim saluted briskly and led the two nobles.

“You’re here?”

“The weapons?”

“They’re ready.”

Pim showed them to a display. Polished silver weapons lay on velvet cloth. Jaan rested his chin on his hand, examining them carefully.

“From the outside, they look like ordinary weapons. You’re not trying to trick me, are you? What do they call it these days… a ‘scam’?”

“…It’s hard to tell just by looking. That’s why ordinary people can use them daily.”

Jin forced a smile, trying to hide his disbelief. The Dera tribe’s weapons, once just simple hammers, had been developed into daggers, spears, and even farming tools. So the suspicion was understandable.

“These will be used by farmers, who are at high risk of sudden monster attacks. The goal is for them to be able to defend themselves just by holding these weapons. They’re not perfect yet, but they’re good enough.”

“Hmm.”

Jaan still looked doubtful, running his fingertips over the silver blades. There was no trace of magic… could he really trust this?

Then—

“Old man!”

Kabang!

Beric burst through the door. He was supposed to be resting, but he looked as lively as ever. Jaan glanced at him and greeted.

“Ah, my colt.”

“You showed that secret technique or pillow thing to the kids, right?”

“What? Oh, that.”

He meant the purple orb Jaan had shown Akorella—the secret to his long life.

Beric shouted.

“Tell me too!”

“Who do you think I am, giving it to everyone? Mind your own business.”

“What good is living long if you keep it to yourself?”

“Exactly. What’s the point of living long?”

Jaan muttered as he inspected the Dera tribe’s weapons carefully. He was sincere—immortality without purpose was a curse.

But Beric was adamant.

“Just a hundred years is enough.”

“To go meet Ian Hiel?”

“…!”

Jin and Beric both froze in surprise. Pim was also shocked—he’d forgotten Ian’s true identity and was startled to hear the name of the ‘traitor’ spoken so casually.

Jin sent Pim outside and asked Jaan,

“How did you know?”

“What do you mean, how did I know? The Emperor called him family. I’ve never seen anyone in the palace who doesn’t value blood ties, so it’s clear it’s not just words. Besides—”

Thwack. Jaan picked up a light hammer and added,

“Everyone in the palace expects me to be involved with that Ian Hiel from start to finish. I figured Beric’s whining is connected to that too.”

“Old man, you’re sharp.”

“Think I wasted my years for nothing?”

“Then why did you drink the sake Akorella gave you without hesitation?”

“…No one can resist sake.”

Ahem! Enough about that! Jaan slung the hammer over his shoulder and looked at Beric. His stubborn glare was as fierce as ever.

“Anyway, I understand your will, but I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Fate isn’t something you tie and untie just once. If you’re already deeply connected to him, the cycle of destiny will bring you back together again.”

He could live on because he had escaped that cycle. Once his great work was done, he would scatter like dust and disappear from the world, never to exist again.

“But to break free from the cycle just for a single meeting? What foolishness. If you want another chance, pray diligently and purify your soul.”

There might be a third, fourth, fifth meeting—or more—but he was willing to give that up? Foolish.

Jaan’s firm stance made Beric grit his teeth and charge.

“That’s for me to decide!”

Snap!

As Beric reached into Jaan’s inner pocket, Jaan stepped back lightly and struck the back of Beric’s head with the hammer.

Kraang!

“Ugh!”

“Oh?”

With a clear sound, Beric collapsed. Jaan’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected force. He’d only swung lightly, but the impact was significant.

“Really?”

If this is the case, ordinary people might stand a chance against the anomalies. At least they wouldn’t be helplessly slaughtered. Jaan grinned, swinging the hammer through the air excitedly.

“Ah, this is something special. Ha ha ha!”

“Damn it, old man!”

“Shut up! If you want to meet him so badly, go meet him now.”

Beric glared at Jaan, clutching his head. He used to pass out after one hit, but now he could stay conscious.

“Since the truce is over, I can’t track Ian Hiel anymore. So before you go anywhere, meet him yourself. I have a rough idea where in the Great Desert he is.”

Of course. No way he’d miss that.

Beric pouted and grumbled.

“You think I’m some carefree old man like you?”

“Oh? You wanna say that again? Come here!”

“Think I won’t come if you ask?”

Kabang!

“Ah, that feels good!”

Kabang!

While Jaan playfully pounded Beric’s head like a drum, Jin pulled out a neatly bound stack of documents from a drawer.

“This is the record of the last ten days of the war.”

“Oh! I see.”

“The original palace records left out anything about Lord Ian. This is a newly edited version, so be careful not to let it leak anywhere in Gaia.”

“Of course!”

“To sum it up, the victory over the underground god was won by ‘faith.’”

Jaan took the documents with a smile.

“I’m not sure of the details, but it sounds like good news.”

“Alright, then—”

Just as Jin was about to move on to discussing the envoy, the steward made a sound outside.

Knock, knock.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“A message from the Magic Department. Eunrang, the mage from the East, reports that the magic is fluctuating wildly.”

“What?”

Jin furrowed his brows and turned around. Beric, snapping out of his daze, lifted his head as well.

“What does that mean?”

“Ah—”

Only Zaan seemed to understand Eunrang’s meaning. He rubbed his chin, then cleared his throat and nudged Beric’s back with his foot.

“Looks like our time’s up.”

“W-what are you talking about?”

“Didn’t Eunrang say someone’s life is on the line? From what I gather, if Ian Hiel dies like this, I’m the one who’ll take the fall. So I’m just being honest.”

“Ian’s going to die?”

“Exactly as it sounds.”

Beric sprang to his feet and grabbed Zaan by the collar. But Zaan met his gaze with a serious expression—this was no joke.

“When your role is done, you’re taken away. Don’t cling to false hope.”

“Hey—!”

Clack, clack!

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the palace. The mages appeared, their faces pale as death.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“Eunrang is saying strange, strange things!”

“There’s something wrong. We want you to come and see for yourself…”

This was a moment that demanded a decision. Jin hesitated briefly, glancing at Zaan. No matter how urgent, they couldn’t just leave the Eastern mages alone in the palace.

But could they open a portal all the way to the Great Desert’s Cheollyeo here? The magical energy required would be enormous, and even calculating the coordinates correctly was uncertain.

“Your Majesty?”

Jin froze, unable to give an order. Then Zaan heaved himself up from the sofa with a grunt.

With a resigned shrug and a playful grin, he said, “There’s been so much rumor, I want to see the man’s face for myself. I’m going to see him now—anyone want to come along?”