Chapter 928

The meeting wrapped up quickly. In reality, it wasn’t much of a discussion—more like a status report from the Magic Department.

Faced with a non-human monster, the other ministers had no choice but to fully defer to Minister Arena’s judgment. Even the Emperor himself.

“…Understood. The Magic Department will send urgent notices to all nations and check for any abnormalities in the rift. Prepare for an emergency, but be careful not to spread panic or rumors among the empire’s citizens.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And regarding the weapons of the Dera tribe…”

“The Imperial Defense Department will handle that,” Freddy volunteered, raising his hand lightly. Since it involved arming soldiers, it fell under their jurisdiction.

The Emperor nodded approvingly. The Magic Department couldn’t take on everything alone.

“Also, since Crony, who was considered for the next Imperial Defense Minister, has passed away, submit a new list of candidates. I will review and appoint one.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will handle it promptly.”

“Are the troops in the north returning?”

“Yes. The northern minority tribes and mages are cooperating, so except for a minimal force left behind, all soldiers are returning to the center.”

“Good. There’s a saying that crisis is opportunity. Though the underground god has appeared after a hundred years, we have a history of victory. And we have time to prepare. The entire palace must be united…”

The Emperor’s words trailed off as he paused, seemingly out of breath.

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. If something were to happen to the Emperor in this situation, it would be a true national crisis. With no crown prince, a power vacuum could spark civil war.

“Well, at least Minister Arena is holding firm… but who can say what might happen?”

They silently prayed the Emperor would stay safe until the situation calmed.

Finally finishing his words, the Emperor slowly rose, signaling the end of the meeting, and with the help of attendants, struggled to walk.

“Ah, Ian Hadel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor gestured for Ian to follow him briefly. Ian glanced at Arena’s expression before quietly standing and trailing behind the Emperor.

Thud.

As the grand hall doors closed, the atmosphere shifted as if entering a different world. The Emperor dismissed all attendants except one, motioning for the rest to step back. Struggling to walk, he turned to Ian.

“You’ve worked hard. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”

“Ian, do not waver.”

“…”

The unexpected words made Ian look up at the Emperor’s face, but he was still focused straight ahead. Ian felt as if the Emperor was speaking more to himself than to him.

“We can’t predict what tricks the underground god will try, but one thing is clear: the late Emperor’s warning was meant for this very crisis.”

Honestly, if the Emperor hadn’t heard from his father and grandfather, there’d be no reason to keep Ian close. Ian was talented enough to be a contender for the throne, and since the underground god had even mentioned his name, there was clearly some connection. Keeping such a person in the palace was risky.

If Ian’s power was truly needed, he could have been kept outside the palace, under strict surveillance and with suppressive forces nearby.

“There are many cowards in the palace. The more they have, the more they worry—that’s human nature.”

But the Emperor knew Ian was a blessing from the gods. According to the late Emperor’s warning, the underground god was targeting Ian to disrupt that blessing.

“Ian, those who don’t recognize you as a divine blessing will continue to doubt and second-guess you. They may even hurt you sometimes. But do not waver. Stay sharp and hold firm belief in your own worth.”

For now, with Ian by Arena’s side and the underground god’s intentions unclear, most opinions would remain neutral.

But as the Magic Department’s power grows, or if the underground god’s influence leaks beyond Gaia again, more will question Ian’s existence.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember.”

“I’m sorry. In such turbulent times, the Emperor can only manage to walk…”

The Emperor’s voice faltered. Despite Ian being a divine blessing, relying on a small child for reassurance was a bitter reality.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor nodded toward the grand hall.

“If anything happens, come to me anytime, Ian.”

“Yes. I will do my best for Your Majesty. Ian Hadel will do anything for Bariel.”

The Emperor gently placed his hand on the child’s head and looked down at him before slowly heading back to the main palace.

Once the attendants trailing behind disappeared around the corner, Ian hurried back the way he came. He was relieved—he had worried the Emperor might misunderstand him, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

Bang!

In the distance, the grand hall doors opened. The ministers who had finished their business were leaving one by one. Ian exchanged brief, polite glances, but the ministers hurried past awkwardly, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

‘So this is it,’ Ian thought. ‘This is what Your Majesty meant? And this is just the beginning.’

He sensed they weren’t just disliking him—they were afraid. As the Emperor said, those with much to lose were wary of someone like Ian, whose potential they couldn’t predict.

Squeak.

“What are you doing, Ian? You’re back so soon. What did you talk about?”

At the exit, Ako, Minister Arena, and Hale appeared. Ako had documents tucked between her bandaged arms, and Arena had her arm draped over Hale’s shoulder.

But Hale’s expression was strange—dark and troubled, as if caught in an awkward situation. Ian tilted his head in confusion and approached.

---

Right after the Emperor and Ian left the grand hall, the ministers swarmed Arena.

She frowned and held up her hand to keep them at a distance.

“What is this? Everyone?”

“Minister Arena, now that no one else is here, be honest with us. That way, we can cooperate more smoothly.”

“So, what exactly do you mean?”

“Ian Hadel—is he really not dangerous?”

Arena furrowed her brows, glancing around nervously. Beyond the crowd of ministers, Freddy stood with his arms crossed, watching her. Just as she was about to speak—

“You can’t say anything, can you?”

Freddy cut in abruptly.

“I understand. The rift, dormant for over a hundred years, suddenly awakened the moment Ian Hadel made contact. It’s hard to say there’s no connection. And we’re not even sure if Ian has the power to stop the underground god.”

Arena spun her pen and stared at him. His intentions were obvious.

‘That bastard,’ she thought. ‘He’s eyeing the Imperial Defense Minister position. Using Crony’s death to turn Ian into an enemy, rally internal unity, and use the “Astana-friendly shield” to check the Magic Department.’

‘It’s all written on his face.’

Instead of replying, Arena clicked her tongue and began organizing her papers, signaling it was time to leave. Ako poked Hale’s side, and though he looked annoyed, he gathered the documents.

“Uh, Minister Arena, please answer us.”

“Let’s talk for a moment!”

Just as Arena was about to leave, she stopped abruptly and spun around. Damn it, she had to say something.

“Ian Hadel is not dangerous. At least, not while I’m here.”

Her confident declaration as Magic Minister promised she would take responsibility for any reckless or dangerous actions Ian might take. The ministers sighed in relief.

“And Ian Hadel is an asset to Bariel, not a threat. Did you all hear what was said in the meeting?”

“Well, it’s hard to speak openly with the person right in front of you.”

“He’s only five years old. What’s there to fear?”

“He’s a mage! And one with strange powers!”

“As soon as we have more details, we’ll share them immediately. For now, please avoid any business trips.”

Arena nodded toward the door, signaling them to leave. She was tired of being surrounded by these nagging old men.

The ministers voiced their concerns about Ian one last time before filing out, with Freddy reluctantly following.

“Shall we go too?” Ako asked.

Arena didn’t move. She waited until the room was empty before speaking.

“Hale.”

“Yes?”

“How about joining the Magic Department?”

Hale hesitated at the sudden proposal. Arena pulled out a cigarette and handed it to him, then put one in her own mouth. Seeing Ako repeatedly signaling for one, she gave one to her as well.

Fssshhh.

The three cigarettes slowly burned down. Arena was the first to speak, raising her eyebrows as she explained.

“Did you see Freddy’s eyes? The bastard’s scrambling to grab any scrap he can from the Ministry of Magic.”

“I couldn’t tell much—his eyes are so deadpan.”

“Ako, just keep smoking and stay out of it.”

The power struggles between departments were a long-standing tradition in the palace. Right now, the Ministry of Magic had the upper hand, but over time, the other departments would pick fights just to wrest control back.

“He’s definitely going to dig into you over the shield you put up in Astana. That’s the only excuse the Imperial Defense Department has to make noise. And honestly, the Astana shield is a pretty serious issue.”

“Isn’t that exactly why they sent him? To handle things without getting the Ministry involved?”

“They didn’t say to block our own side.”

By protecting the enemy the Bariel Empire was attacking, it was as if he’d sided with the enemy. It was a matter they could sink their teeth into and tear apart.

“The Imperial Defense Department will be coming after you hard. Can you handle that? Just as an individual.”

This wasn’t a fight of fists, but politics. His mercenary background wouldn’t help much.

“But you can’t just leave Bariel either, right?”

He was bound by contract to Enerjes, and after moving around so much, he wanted to settle down somewhere—Bariel was supposed to be that place. Leaving again wasn’t an option.

Arena flicked the ash off her cigarette and added,

“So, join the Ministry of Magic. Then I can cover for you in all sorts of ways. Ian can’t go back to Enerjes for now, so no classes to worry about. I’ll talk to the principal and smooth things over.”

If Hale joined the Ministry, Arena could protect and support him. They’d also need to silence the Astana side, but that could be handled by the mages still stationed up north.

Her eyes asked what he thought, but Hale hesitated, unsure.

“I’ll think about it.”

“If you think too long, you’ll miss your chance. Our pay’s good, too. We get the most money in the palace. Right, Ako?”

“Yes. But I don’t have time to spend it—ugh!”

Ping! Arena suddenly jumped up and swatted Ako’s cigarette away. She really was no help.

“Anyway, give me your answer by the end of today. Let’s go.”

The three of them left the conference hall. Soon, they spotted Ian standing alone in the distance. Arena draped her arm over Hale’s shoulder and called out cheerfully.

“What are you doing, Ian? You’re here already? What did you talk about?”

“Oh, just some small talk while walking.”

“Is that so? Hey, Ian, I’ve got good news. Want to hear it?”

Arena smiled brightly and squeezed Hale’s shoulder.

“Hale, you’re going to work with the Ministry of Magic.”

“When did I—ugh?”

Before Hale could protest, Ian came running over, clinging to Hale’s waist and looking up at him with sparkling, joyful eyes.

“Really? Professor, you’re joining the Ministry too?”

“Well, not exactly—”

“Wow, that’s amazing! Please keep teaching me lots from now on.”

“Ian, you’re the senior here. Hale, you have to show him respect.”

“What does that matter? Once a teacher, always a teacher!”

Ian beamed up at Hale. Hale groaned, carefully choosing his words. But the answer was already clear. In the face of those shining, hopeful eyes, there was only one thing he could say.

“…Alright, Ian. I’m counting on you.”