Episode 915
“Hey, what’s going on here?”
At the Bariel army camp, a sudden commotion had drawn envoys from the smaller northern tribes, arriving one by one to find out what was happening. But—
Clack.
Where Bariel soldiers would normally have welcomed them without hesitation, they suddenly brandished their spears, their expressions sharp and hostile.
“…?!”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’? Do we owe you any report?”
Their tone was openly antagonistic.
Still, their eyes held no real malice—it was clearly a bluff. The envoys stepped back cautiously, exchanging puzzled glances as they scanned the Bariel camp.
“Our great empire Bariel has mages. If you don’t surrender quickly, all the northern tribes will be wiped out. Go tell your leaders to hurry.”
The message was carefully veiled: mages have arrived, so we can no longer meet with you as before. Hurry and inform your chiefs to act accordingly.
“Good grief.”
The envoys caught on and, resigned, turned sharply away.
Bariel soldiers kept their spears trained on the retreating envoys until the very end. They glanced nervously behind them.
“Phew—”
A brown-haired man, smoking a cigarette, sat perched on a rock, watching them. He must be one of the mages, having seemingly dropped from the sky, but why wasn’t he returning to the tent? Instead, he was surveying the camp from every angle.
To the soldiers who were growing uneasy, Hale waved his cigarette casually.
“Ignore me. I have no intention of interfering with soldiers risking their lives for their country.”
“Sir, we wouldn’t dare—”
“Really, it’s fine. I’m not affiliated with the palace.”
He spoke as if they could drop formalities.
Though relaxed and easygoing, the soldiers could feel the sharpness in his gaze as he scrutinized both them and the northern side.
‘They’re on edge.’
Since the mages arrived, Crony and his men had ordered the soldiers to stay alert. It would be a serious problem if news leaked that multiple talks had taken place with the smaller tribes under friendly terms.
‘They can’t report that the war is being handled through negotiation rather than force. That’s why they’re covering it up so clumsily.’
Hale flicked the ash from his cigarette into the wind. The soldiers’ boots were unpolished, the ground showed no signs of battle, and their faces bore no trace of fear or tension. It was clear there hadn’t been a single clash since arriving in the north.
‘Are they trying to drag this out?’
This likely meant Crony hadn’t yet found any trace of Idgal. And that meant the smaller tribes held the crucial clues.
‘Though probably not all of them.’
If the entire tribe had access to Idgal, they would have already raised their voices against Bariel.
Hale frowned slightly as he sorted through his thoughts. His gaze fixed on the tent where Ian, Ako, and Crony’s men had gone.
“Why is it so quiet?”
His top priority was Ian’s safety. Though Ako was nearby, he couldn’t leave Ian’s side for long. As he casually approached the tent, one of Crony’s men raised a hand to stop him.
“Please wait.”
“Still not ready?”
Apparently, only palace personnel were allowed inside. Hale paused, then plopped down beside the tent and pulled out a fresh cigarette.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting for the client.”
“Then why here?”
“They won’t let me in.”
Hale blew smoke in the soldier’s face as if to say, ‘Got a problem with that?’
The soldier opened his mouth to reply but thought better of it and turned away. Despite appearances, he was a mage—not someone to provoke lightly.
“Nice view here.”
Hale didn’t care. He noticed envoys from the tribes entering another camp far off. He tilted his head in confusion.
“But which camp is that?”
Why were all the envoys heading over there? Frowning, Hale studied the flags.
‘…Astana?’
Meanwhile, the envoys who had gathered at Astana reported back to their chiefs, all with the same news: it seemed the palace had sent mages, and since then, Bariel’s attitude had changed.
“If they’re palace mages, aren’t they hostile to the Imperial Defense Department?”
“Is there any department that’s friendly to the Defense Department?”
“Then what happens now? With mages here, talks won’t be free, and we won’t even be able to bring up money.”
“They call it mutual aid funds.”
“Ugh! Is that what matters right now?!”
“Calm down, everyone. Just because mages have arrived doesn’t mean anything will change. Crony’s side will handle things and send them back. Mages don’t leave the palace that easily.”
“Exactly. Whatever’s going on, they’ll just take one look and turn around.”
“Good grief, what a mess this is.”
“This is why we should’ve gotten the money first before moving!”
Amid the noisy chiefs, Astana’s representative quietly sighed in relief. At least the arrival of the mages had bought them some time.
‘Wait a minute.’
The representative’s attention snapped to the part about Crony and the mages being hostile to each other. That was the key. If they could avoid turning Bariel hostile but still take down Crony, the mages who had just dropped from the sky might be the answer.
‘That’s right. This could work!’
Using the mages meant Astana could carry out the king’s orders without risk, and the chances of success were far higher than if Astana acted alone. They were powerful, absolute, and most importantly, ‘allies.’
“Representative of Astana, why do your eyes look so unusual?”
A chief noticed the change in expression and asked curiously. The representative quickly composed himself.
“Unusual? Tears, perhaps?”
“…Anyway. Will you cooperate regarding Idgal or not?”
Though the mages’ sudden appearance had momentarily distracted them, the reason they had flocked to Astana’s camp was clear. The representative gestured for calm.
“Now, our Astana has no intention of breaking the northern alliance. Of course, we will cooperate. But look—mages are here right now.”
“So?”
“If the mages find out that Astana leaked information about Idgal to Crony, do you think they’ll leave us alone? I’m talking about Astana here.”
It would mean certain destruction. Then the other northern tribes would be next.
“If the mages threaten Astana, what options do we have?”
You’re not going to help, are you? You’ll just watch Astana get beaten and plan your next move.
Understanding the representative’s words, the chiefs fell silent as if their tongues were glued.
“Looks like Crony’s side is also holding back contact with us for now. Let’s wait and see.”
“Astana, we trust you.”
“Of course. How long has our northern alliance stood?”
The representative urged the chiefs to relax and offered them drinks repeatedly. They downed their cups and left for their camps. With the immediate crisis averted, the representative clasped his hands and whispered earnestly.
“Sigh. Thank you, gods.”
The timing was perfect. The mages who had dropped from the sky felt like a divine gift.
He called over a subordinate waiting by the tent entrance and gave a secret order.
“Find a way to contact the mages discreetly.”
“Without the Imperial Defense Department knowing?”
“Yes. No other tribe can find out. Can you manage that?”
Was there a way? The subordinate thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. It seemed the fate of Astana rested on this mission.
“Understood. I will try to establish contact with the mages.”
“Uncle Ian, have a drink.”
Crony personally brewed warm tea. Ian hesitated but reached for the cup. Ako gulped down her own and then immediately drank Ian’s as well. Smoke curled from the cup—was that safe? Ian’s eyes widened, but Ako nonchalantly wiped her mouth.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Not at all. But what brings the Magic Department here?”
“How’s the war situation?”
At Ako’s question, Crony raised his eyebrows, unsure how to answer.
“Seems the palace is worried.”
Otherwise, why would the Magic Department, which had flatly refused support before, now be curious about the war?
It was a loaded statement, but Ako answered calmly.
“Not just the palace. All the empire’s people who have lost family and loved ones are watching closely.”
“I see. Well, as you can see, we’re maintaining a standoff without major damage. The northern alliance’s resistance is strong, so we’re focusing on assessing their strength. The palace? Nothing unusual.”
That was as far as he would go—no more, no less.
Ako mirrored Crony’s eyebrow raise.
“Well, has there ever been a time when nothing unusual happened?”
“Oh? You seem well informed. I thought you just joined the palace.”
“Oh? Are you interested in our Magic Department? Or maybe you’re a fan?”
“…As expected of a mage. Your ideas are quite creative.”
Ian quietly watched the two trade barbs. The tension crackled visibly between them.
Kronie took a small sip of her tea, then turned her gaze toward Ian.
“So, Uncle Ian, you want me to become a joint guardian?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Did something change your mind all of a sudden? I’m certainly honored by your request, but I’m curious.”
Hadn’t he been dodging the topic ever since the Hadel estate? Why now, all of a sudden, try to tie things together as ‘family’?
Ian exchanged a quick glance with Ako before delivering his prepared answer.
“The Ministry of Magic is doing their best, but they can’t fully look after me. There aren’t enough wizards, and the workload is overwhelming. That’s why I need your care, nephew.”
“But Count Jacques is still around, isn’t he?”
“There’s a big difference between relying on someone and having your personal safety ensured. Being affiliated with the Ministry is important, but I value the Hadel name more.”
“…Is that all?”
It felt like she was asking a question she already knew the answer to. His father was dead, and it was obvious he was scheming to get the autopsy done. But then—
“Is that all? Does there have to be some other reason? A child asks for protection, and you’re questioning it? If you want, I can continue commuting to Count Jacques’s place as I do now, and the Ministry will take full responsibility for your education. Do you think we lack the ability? We just don’t have the time.”
Ako smoothly cut in, fanning the conversation along. The obituary wouldn’t be announced until a week later, right before the portal opened to return to the palace.
‘The classic drop-and-run.’
Since the Ministry had already reported the death, their job was done. Even if Kronie sensed something and sent a message to the palace—
—Kyuoooo!
The dragon would silently catch up and swallow it whole in one gulp. Even if it slipped away, it would be impossible for news to reach the capital within a week. The central authorities were already on standby, ready to proceed with the autopsy at a moment’s notice.
“Hmm.”
Kronie neatly folded the guardianship application in half and smiled—a smile full of meaning.
“Very well. I’ll consider this favorably.”
“Consider? What do you mean?”
“Is there any rush? I have things to discuss with you, Uncle Ian. So, please, take the day to rest comfortably.”