Episode 894

Screeeech.

Minister of Imperial Defense, Sharto, rose from his chair with a courteous air, but the way his robe billowed as he strode forward was anything but casual.

There was something about his presence—

like he was about to slap someone across the face.

“Oh my, Minister Arena.”

Thankfully, Arena didn’t flinch. Instead, she stopped firmly in front of him. The officers, including Crony, watched her closely.

“Minister Sharto, do you have a moment?”

“Of course. Since Minister Arena has come all this way personally, please, have a seat. This way.”

Sharto led her to the sofa, casting a subtle glance to his officers, who busied themselves bringing tea cups.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I imagine you know better than I do.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. I don’t have any special powers like a mage, so if you don’t tell me, I can’t know.”

That sly bastard. Arena twisted her lips into a faint smile. So, you’re not going to open the conversation yourself, huh? She reached out her hand, and her aide handed her a document.

“This is the proposal from the Imperial Defense Department.”

“Ah, I see.”

“You requested Ian Hadel be dispatched to the northern expedition.”

“Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem?”

“…A problem? Did I hear that wrong?”

Arena raised an eyebrow. Look at that ridiculous attitude. Sharto sipped his tea nonchalantly and added casually,

“Requesting magical support for a deployment is standard procedure, isn’t it? If possible, you approve it; if not, you send a reply. The Magic Department must be very busy if the minister herself has to come in person because there’s no one to send the paperwork.”

A clear jab. So busy, yet here you are fussing over something so trivial. Arena kept her smile and replied,

“Honestly, it’s just absurd. I came to see if the Imperial Defense Department actually reviewed this properly, and if so, to understand your minister’s true intentions.”

Crazy bastards. How can you submit nonsense like this and still hold your head so high? Arena’s inner voice seemed to echo in everyone’s ears.

“What exactly is so absurd? This is a decision from the Imperial Defense Department itself. If there’s a problem, we’ll correct it.”

Sharto straightened his back, fully prepared to counter any objections.

‘Too young, so replace him with someone else?’

Ian Hadel had officially demonstrated his formidable power twice—once at the Magic Department, once at Energes.

If you say he’s too young to go to the front lines, that means he can’t properly serve the Magic Department either. That’s disqualifying as a mage. There’s no small or big in state affairs.

‘Or a refusal to dispatch?’

The war in the north is inevitable. The enemy may be a minority tribe, but they’re sorcerers. Soldiers alone won’t suffice. They might even lose.

The emperor’s army defeated? That’s no small matter. The Grand Assembly will demand accountability, and the Magic Department will be blamed for not cooperating in the fight against the sorcerers.

“Well said. Ian Hadel is—”

Go ahead, say your piece. Sharto’s face brimmed with confidence, certain he held the winning hand. Arena continued with a disinterested expression.

“He’s a liability.”

“…What did you say?”

Sharto’s mind, running through every possible scenario, suddenly froze as if broken. He looked as if he’d misheard.

The officers behind him were the same. Even Crony’s face crumpled as he stared at Arena.

“A liability.”

“Minister Arena.”

“What is the greatest virtue in war?”

“I think there’s some misunderstanding here—”

Bang!

Arena lightly slammed the table, silencing Sharto instantly. More than that, he was dumbfounded.

“Victory, isn’t it?”

“……”

“We go to war to win! Complacency is forbidden. On a battlefield where you can’t see an inch ahead, you must fight your hardest every moment. Do you know why? Because if you lose, the debt can only be repaid with the precious, noble blood of the empire’s citizens—not Minister Sharto’s.”

Arena’s aide blinked slowly, realizing what she was driving at.

“But you’re asking for nothing more than a ‘liability’ as reinforcements? As a citizen of this empire, I find that insulting.”

“Insulting, Minister Arena?”

Crony, who had been quietly listening, couldn’t hold back and interrupted. Arena’s eyes flashed sharply. Not a metaphor—her irises actually glowed gold. Like a predator’s gaze.

Ssshhh.

“Who do you think you are, interrupting a conversation between ministers…”

“…!”

Crony was stunned speechless by the shimmering golden magic. Sharto gave him a warning glance, and he bowed his head.

“My apologies, Minister Arena.”

“Let’s keep basic respect, Officer Crony, okay?”

“Yes, understood.”

Arena withdrew her magic and turned back to Sharto, smiling as if nothing had happened. She lifted her teacup.

“Where were we?”

“Y-You said it was insulting…”

“Ah, yes. Those who claim to fight for victory are asking to dispatch Ian Hadel, who just started today, as reinforcements. It’s heartbreaking. Are you trying to be considerate of the Magic Department, or did you never intend to win in the first place?”

“Minister Arena, watch your words. That’s an insult to me!”

“I’m just giving an example, not accusing you.”

Arena smiled and gently swirled her teacup.

“As stated in the request, I’m well aware of Ian Hadel’s talent. He’s rumored to be an all-weather prodigy. Does it really matter that he just started? His presence alone boosts our army’s morale. And above all, the northern region is vast and uninhabited.”

Meaning he can unleash his uncontrollable magic without issue.

Arena raised an eyebrow, as if agreeing with herself. She set down the cup carelessly and replied with a smirk.

“Yes, yes, I saw that part. You said it would be a great opportunity for Ian Hadel—perfect for gaining experience without risk.”

“Exactly.”

“But you know only half the story.”

“Half the story?”

Sharto frowned at Arena’s confident tone.

“Setting aside Ian Hadel’s genius power, if we look only at experience, yes, it’s a chance to grow. But do you know what happened when the child used magic at the Magic Department and at Energes?”

At the Magic Department, he destroyed the palace’s protective barrier; at Energes, he obliterated an entire garden sealed with space-time magic.

“The destructive power of Ian Hadel’s magic exceeds anything you can imagine. Still, if you insist on his deployment, fine. But let’s be clear on one thing.”

Arena pushed the teacup aside and slid a sheet of paper across the table.

“Any harm caused to our forces due to the child’s immaturity is not the Magic Department’s responsibility. The Imperial Defense Department, which requested Ian Hadel’s dispatch, assumes full responsibility.”

The word ‘harm’ was broad—no one could predict how it might manifest. Friendly fire, the death of a general or high-ranking officer—it was a warning.

‘Take him if you dare.’

Arena pressed the pen toward Sharto, urging him to sign. Taking Ian Hadel meant putting your own life on the line.

Who knows? The Magic Minister might use Ian Hadel to wipe out all the high-ranking officers in the Imperial Defense Department, tie up the minister’s limbs, and swiftly settle the palace’s political turmoil.

“Just sign. Then I’ll personally make sure Ian Hadel is bathed and dressed nicely for you.”

This way, the Magic Department isn’t refusing the Imperial Defense Department’s request. They’re handing over the strongest force they want.

But only after carefully explaining the instructions and warning about the risk of explosion.

“Ahem.”

Sharto glanced at Crony. Handling Ian Hadel was Crony’s responsibility. Here, Crony’s opinion mattered more than the minister’s.

“Minister, the meeting will start soon. Let’s decide this matter later.”

Crony subtly signaled. Don’t decide now—take a step back.

Sharto checked his watch with exaggerated movements and muttered,

“Oh, it’s already that time.”

“Oh, you have a meeting?”

Arena feigned ignorance. The desk was spotless—where does he pretend to work?

“Well, the Imperial Defense Department is as hectic as the Magic Department.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“I’ll relay this matter again.”

“In writing?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“I prefer talking in person.”

Isn’t it so much better to just lay your cards on the table and speak openly? It’s easier and more straightforward than wasting time doodling on paper.

But Sharto dodged giving a clear answer.

“Hmm, I’ll get back to you.”

“Understood. Thank you for taking the time despite your busy schedule. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

Is that it? Arena shrugged and stood up. Just like when she came in, her robe fluttered as she headed for the door—

“Oh, and Officer Crony.”

She paused a few steps before the half-open door and glanced back at Crony.

“So, it seems you’re not as close to Ian Hadel as I thought? Taking your last living relative to the battlefield… I assumed you were even his guardian and that you two were quite close.”

“The child is young and shy around strangers. And please don’t speak of the battlefield like that. Anyone who cares for Bariel can and must go there.”

“Is that so? Yet you seem to get along just fine with the Ministry of Magic.”

“…”

“If I struck a nerve, I apologize. But you can keep your soldier’s pride to yourself. What’s the point of dragging a five-year-old into all this? It’s infuriating.”

She had already given the official response to the Imperial Defense Department. A few harsh words about the child’s age wouldn’t cause any trouble. Arena wasn’t expecting a reply anyway; without waiting for one, she left the office.

Bang!

The door slammed shut as if it might break, and the tense atmosphere finally eased a bit. Sharto rested his chin on his hand, scowling deeply, while the officers nervously glanced at Crony.

“Crony.”

“Yes, Minister?”

“What are you going to do about this?”

Huh? They’d thrown the ball first, and the other side had caught it. Now it was their turn, a clear prompt to come up with a good move. It was practically a warning.

“…Leave it to me.”

“You trust her? Hm? Don’t let me see that insolent brat mouthing off in front of me again.”

“Of course.”

“Tch. Just my luck.”

Sharto carelessly spilled some tea onto the floor, then pushed off the sofa and stood up.

The attendants hurriedly cleared the table. Everything, including the paper Arena had handed over, was tossed straight into the trash.