Episode 895

“Meeting in progress? No entry?”

Romandro muttered in confusion as he stared at the closed door. Since when did the mages hold meetings? More importantly, what was with the note taped below?

“Strike if disturbed, huh? Those mages really have no fear.”

Who in the royal palace would even mention a strike? If you didn’t want to work here, you left. There were plenty lining up for a spot, and disobedience meant grueling punishment.

But mages were rare and powerful, so for them to casually throw around a word like “strike” was bold, to say the least.

Bang!

Romandro swung the door open, and all the mages’ eyes immediately turned to him. They were gathered around a round table, with Ian Hadel at the center.

Startled at first, they quickly recognized Romandro and jeered.

“Whoa, no knock? What a lack of manners.”

“Since when do you knock when entering the office?”

“Romandro, didn’t you see the sign? We’re on strike.”

“Better to hit me than that. Ian, it’s quitting time.”

Already? Ian checked his watch and began gathering his scattered belongings.

The mages only licked their lips in disappointment but didn’t complain. They exchanged nervous glances, clearly uneasy.

What’s with this weird vibe? Romandro asked gently, picking up the child’s bag.

“Is something wrong?”

“Oh, there was an incident with Kyu at Enerjes today. Ian was just about to file an important report. Since he’s done, he’s heading home.”

Ian calmly said this and gave the mages a subtle look. If Romandro found out Ian had been locked in the garden and bullied from day one, it would break his heart. The silent signal was to keep it quiet.

The mages caught on and nonchalantly returned to their seats.

“Ah, when will we ever get to leave?”

“Ian, what time will you come tomorrow?”

“Right after school. About the same time as today.”

“Good. What’s on the agenda?”

“Garden maintenance duties.”

“Don’t forget to wear long pants.”

No shorts allowed—they’d be rolling around on the grass together.

Unaware of the mages’ true intentions, Ian nodded solemnly. Whatever it was, it sounded like hard labor.

“Well then, I’ll head out first.”

“Take care, youngest.”

“I’m leaving too.”

“Fine, go or don’t.”

Ian bowed politely and left the office. Sighs and murmurs filled the room as the mages slumped in their chairs.

“Ian Hadel… something’s up, isn’t there?”

“Yeah. According to the kid, someone’s trying to hurt him.”

Actually, Ian hadn’t said that outright. Not knowing who sided with Crony, he kept things simple: he’d been bullied at school, and Kyu had stood up for him.

But the sharp mages easily read between the lines.

“Man, is it only the unlucky who become mages? We thought we had it rough, but Ian Hadel’s story tops it.”

“Right? I thought nobles had smooth lives. But at five years old? What the hell.”

“Hey, wasn’t there someone related to Ian Hadel?”

“From the Imperial Defense Department?”

“Yeah, Crony Alpart or something?”

“Probably.”

“Suspicious.”

Hmm. They snorted instead of answering.

But silence often meant agreement. After all, a mere five-year-old wouldn’t have made enemies.

“An orphan from a ridiculously wealthy family.”

“Sounds like trouble.”

A dark hand reaching for the family fortune.

The mages munched on Ian’s leftover snacks as they talked about Crony.

“Lately, there’s been a lot of gossip.”

“Soon he’ll bypass the deputy minister and rise higher. No idea what he’s done to earn that, though. There hasn’t even been a war recently.”

“Seems like he’s got strong influence inside the Imperial Defense Department. They’re just itching for a war. They want someone to stir things up and push their agenda.”

“Oh? The minister’s here.”

Arena was walking down the corridor beside the office. She suddenly burst in, scanning the room for Ian Hadel.

“He just left. Should I call him back?”

“No, no. It’s nothing like that.”

“Where are you headed?”

“The Imperial Defense Department.”

The mages exchanged curious looks. They’d just been talking about Crony.

Arena placed her hands on her hips, pleased.

“By any chance, is anyone going on a business trip to the north?”

“The north?”

“……”

“……”

A trip north?

Anywhere else would be fine, but the north was different. If a mage had to go, it’d be to the borderlands—harsh, with not a decent tavern in sight. The few that existed watered down their beer. Even with double pay, it wasn’t a popular destination.

The mages thought for a moment, then suddenly busied themselves and left.

“Ugh, so much work all of a sudden.”

“Let’s get it done. We might end up buried in the palace.”

“Sit down, you lot.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With Arena’s command, they returned to their seats, though she frowned, clearly displeased.

“It’s not confirmed yet, but you know the Imperial Defense Department is sending reinforcements north, right?”

“So they’re really going?”

“They want to go. We even got a support request because of it.”

“What?”

“Crazy warmongers.”

As the mages erupted in protest, Arena clapped her hands sharply to regain order.

“Quiet! Anyway, I’m on my way to approve it, but it looks like they’ll be persistent. We should pick someone in advance.”

“Why send someone on a trip when we’re desperate for help? And to the north? Ridiculous.”

“Crony wants to take Ian Hadel with him.”

“What?”

The mages who had been grumbling suddenly froze. Take Ian Hadel? To the north? The little kid?

“Ian Hadel is one of us now. The more cards we have to play, the better. So… well, the north has fresh air, right? Highly recommended for those who smoke cigars.”

“Ah…”

What on earth was going on? The mages exchanged bewildered glances.

“They’ve lost it. Completely nuts.”

“A five-year-old going there? Seriously insane.”

“If it can’t be helped, there are plenty of mages who can go instead. Minister, please find some replacements. No, you must.”

If the Ministry of Magic had to send someone, it made sense for them to go instead of Ian.

Arena gave a wry smile. She wished a mage would just fall from the sky already. Then a sudden thought struck her.

“Oh? I heard a new magic teacher is coming to Enerjes. A mercenary mage, they say?”

“To Enerjes? Could it be that person?”

“Who?”

“You know, the one always smoking cigars.”

“Oh, that guy?”

Arena rested her chin on her hand, pondering. The mage community was small; they could read each other like a book. That guy was slow-tempered but had incredible magical power. He hated being tied down and wandered around a lot…

“Well then, let’s try to lure him here.”

“Ian Hadel would like that too. After all, the professor would be his senior, so classes would be easier. Yeah, everyone would be happy—”

Boom!

The mages’ chatter abruptly stopped at the sudden loud noise. Arena looked outside and asked,

“What now? Another explosion?”

“Uh… I’ll check it out.”

Tap tap tap!

“Minister! Someone’s here from Joy Department Store!”

“What?”

An employee rushed in, flustered. Arena rolled up her sleeves, ready to unleash magic at a moment’s notice.

“Is this one of our clients?”

“No, but have you heard of Dr. Seokseok?”

“Dr. Seokseok? That madman?”

There were rumors of a researcher obsessed with magic stones. Owner of a magic stone shop, some said he was a mage; others whispered he’d sold his soul to a demon.

Still, his expertise in magic stone research sometimes surpassed the Ministry’s, so they occasionally requested his cooperation.

“Madman, huh? That’s embarrassing to hear!”

Clack.

A woman with pink hair appeared, lugging two bags as big as herself. Now they knew where the explosion came from—faint smoke swirled around Ako.

“Are you crazy? Bringing that into the palace?”

“Who, me? Watch your tone.”

“I’m Arena, Minister of Magic.”

“Oh! Pleased to meet you. I’m Ako, running a small shop at Joy Department Store.”

Ako gave a cheeky bow.

In truth, they both already knew. Not just the wild rumors about each other, but their irritable tempers as well. Still, they pretended not to know, just to have an excuse to speak informally—just once. Both of them.

“So, I heard Ian Hadel joined the department?” Aco dropped her bag with a thud and got straight to the point.

“And?”

“Well… I want to join too. Is that possible?”

Ziiing, ziiing.

At that moment, Aco’s orange eyes shifted to a golden hue—a kind of certification, a mark of qualification.

Excited murmurs rippled through the gathered mages. “Crazy! This is huge!” they whispered, craning their necks to get a better look. Arena’s eyes gleamed with a hungry intensity.

“Last time we offered her a spot, she ignored us completely. Now all of a sudden? What changed her mind?”

“Ian Hadel—”

Aco winked slyly.

“He seduced me♡”

“…”

“…”

Arena and the mages wore the same expression: this place is already a mess, and now we’re getting another lunatic.

Arena spun on her heel, resolute.

“…I refuse.”

“What?! Why?!”

“For the safety of the palace and the magic department.”

“No way! You were begging her to come before!”

Ignoring the firm refusal, Aco followed Arena into the magic department. The mages quickly called over a staff member.

“Please set up another desk in the office.”

“Ah, understood.”

It was a smooth, natural response.

Yeah. Better to have a human hand than a cat’s paw. Ah, I can’t wait for tomorrow—rolling around on the lawn with Ian.

---

It had been an unusually long day. Ian and Barsabe fell asleep with their heads resting against each other.

Romandro and Captain Herchi quietly watched the children’s faces. Every time the carriage jolted, they steadied their chins to keep them from waking.

“There was some commotion at the palace today, wasn’t there?”

“Ah, Captain Herchi, you heard about it too.”

“We’re monitoring every move of the Imperial Defense Department.”

Given the department’s critical role—any betrayal would be catastrophic—and the mutual distrust between factions, it was only natural.

Herchi whispered as quietly as possible.

“Everyone must know by now there’s some kind of issue between Ian Hadel and Lord Crony.”

“Yes, it’s complicated.”

“But that’s outside the palace. Soon, there will be a storm brewing within these walls.”

Romandro gently stroked Ian’s hair. The tense standoff between the Emperor, the magic department, and the Imperial Defense Department was about to shift dramatically—starting with this northern expedition.

‘If the Imperial Defense Department’s influence breaks here, Crony will fall too, easing Ian’s burden.’

The child could finally live a peaceful childhood, free from danger.

But if, on the other hand, the Imperial Defense Department survives this chaos?

‘Then Ian Hadel’s future will be weighed down even more.’

Though the magic department and the palace guard were central powers, the Imperial Defense Department was no less formidable.

Could Ian do anything about it? No. A mere five-year-old had no place in palace intrigue—and no one would let him get involved.

‘Oh dear. How will this all turn out?’

“…Ugh.”

Whether aware of the situation or not, Ian murmured softly in his sleep, shaking his head. He leaned against Barsabe’s shoulder, mouth slightly open.