Chapter 932

“Indeed, the number of monster attacks has sharply declined.”

The grand conference hall.

The ministers exchanged satisfied smiles as they reviewed the report submitted by the Ministry of Magic. A few years ago, when the monster outbreaks were at their peak, the borderlands near Bariel and even foreign territories suffered heavy damage. Yet, as time passed, the monsters had steadily diminished. Relieved that there was no longer a need to live in fear, the ministers praised Arena.

“The Ministry of Magic has truly done a remarkable job.”

“Yes, thanks to their efforts. If things continue like this, we can restore Gaia’s peace once more.”

“In that case, how about lifting the restricted zones in the southern regions? There’s a gold mine there, and the economic losses have been significant.”

“Let’s see… In the past six months, there have only been three monster attacks. What do you think?”

“I’m in favor.”

“Me too. I agree.”

“Arena Minister, what’s your opinion?”

The emperor’s seat remained empty. Arena glanced briefly at the vacant throne before joining the ministers in their vote.

“I share the same view. From now on, the Imperial Defense Department should take the lead. The monsters that have appeared recently have all been low-level, so the Ministry of Magic will only intervene in emergencies.”

At Arena’s words, the wizards standing nearby quietly cheered inwardly. Finally, they wouldn’t have to run around everywhere! With the Ministry’s involvement in managing the dimensional rifts reduced, they could return to their normal lives.

While the wizards forced smiles to maintain their composure, Minister Freddy of the Imperial Defense Department rubbed his chin thoughtfully. After a moment, he reluctantly responded.

“Yes, we will proceed accordingly.”

Ten years ago, when the Imperial Defense Department’s minister, deputy minister, and even the likely successor Crony all died in quick succession, the department plunged into chaos. It was a national crisis-level turmoil. Factions formed naturally, and ambition led to bitter infighting.

The only saving grace was that the Ministry of Magic controlled the palace at the time, so the conflict remained contained within their own sphere.

“Minister Freddy, do you have anything further to add?”

Arena asked pointedly.

She had long suspected Freddy’s ambitions for the ministerial post, and she also knew that even if he attained it, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish much. The North and Astana, the Imperial Defense Department and the Ministry of Magic—each held tightly to secrets that needed to be concealed. The already chaotic Imperial Defense Department had no capacity to challenge the Ministry.

“No, Minister Arena.”

Still, Freddy was relatively clever. Upon becoming minister, he didn’t overstep but kept a low profile, avoiding displeasing Arena. Thanks to that, he had managed to keep his position.

The balance of power was delicate. Aside from the monster outbreaks, the palace was more peaceful and stable than ever.

“Then, let’s conclude today’s meeting.”

“Agreed. Thank you all for your hard work.”

“Yes, everyone, well done.”

The ministers rose and left the hall, but Arena remained seated, flipping through documents. The wizards exchanged puzzled glances, and Ian was the first to take a seat opposite her.

“Please, sit down too.”

Arena’s refusal to leave meant there was something they needed to discuss privately.

Aside from the heads of each department, Ian was the only wizard present, but no one objected. He had been attending the grand conference regularly for years as the portal manager—since ten years ago, in fact.

Moreover, though no one said it aloud, everyone was quietly considering Ian as a potential future minister. Of course, that was a long way off.

“Remember the incident when the Imperial Defense Department tried to seize Idgal?”

“How could I forget?”

It was the time they conspired with a northern minority tribe to betray the Ministry of Magic.

But conflicting testimonies from the minority tribe and Astana, combined with a surge in monster activity, caused the matter to fizzle out. The Imperial Defense Department wasn’t dangerous enough to warrant serious concern.

“Now that monster management has shifted to the Imperial Defense Department, they might start acting up.”

“Minister, are you sure it’s appropriate to say that?”

“What’s the harm? No one’s listening. What, are you going to tattle on me?”

“No, I just mean we should keep some decorum.”

“The one with ink stains all over his face lectures me on decorum?”

Clearing his throat, the wizard wiped his face awkwardly.

“Anyway, I’ve received some new information.”

“Information?”

“The Black Order.”

Ian was the quickest to react. The Black Order was the name on the business card found at Crony’s mansion ten years ago—the same group that had been with Idgal.

“The Black Order? Now, all of a sudden?”

“Exactly. Back then, we were too busy to investigate, and with Crony’s death, it was pushed aside. But recently, while trading magic stones with a caravan passing through Hawan, I overheard something.”

If the information came through magic stone trade, Arco must know as well. The wizards nodded eagerly, waiting for Arena to continue.

“Crony and the Black Order were closely connected.”

“Really?”

They had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed was surprising. How had they managed to stay hidden all this time?

Arena explained.

“Maybe because of what happened to Crony, the Black Order disappeared, changed their name, and completely wiped their identities. The caravan leader who tipped me off recognized some of their members’ faces. We still need to verify this.”

A wizard cautiously raised a hand, eyes flicking toward Ian.

“Minister, do we really need to pursue the Black Order? Crony is dead, and the matter is closed.”

The question was whether it was worth the trouble to dig into the Black Order. Other wizards nodded in agreement.

“True, it’s over. But the Black Order gave Crony information. How else would he have known about the clues to Idgal’s burial site? They might have been the source. We need to confirm who we’re dealing with, right?”

“That’s true, but—”

“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s not over yet, kids.”

Arena smiled and folded her arms. Many of Crony’s faction remained within the Imperial Defense Department. Though reorganized, people are people.

‘Everyone wants to hold the reins of power to feel secure.’

Chaos never truly disappears. The palace’s peace was largely because everyone’s attention was focused outward on the monsters.

But now that the Imperial Defense Department is taking over this responsibility, and if the monsters vanish completely, the palace will become noisy again in many ways.

‘Especially with the emperor’s condition.’

Fortunately, the emperor still clings to life, but his grip is fragile. An aged ruler ready to depart whenever the gods call.

What will happen to the palace then? The turmoil will be far more complex, dirty, and chaotic than the recent uproar in the Imperial Defense Department.

“What do you mean it’s not over?”

“There are things like that. And why do we prepare? Because we prepare in advance. Enough said. Now, who’s going to investigate the Black Order? Luckily, the caravan leader and the suspects are all currently in central Bariel.”

Ah, just when the wizards thought their workload would ease with the monster duties handed off, this bombshell dropped. As the wizards exchanged wary looks and held their tongues, Ian volunteered.

“I’ll do it.”

“See? I keep saying it, and they keep pushing Ian forward.”

“Excuse me? We didn’t say anything.”

“No volunteers, so the youngest one’s just trying to read the room!”

“Is Ian the type to hesitate?”

“True, true.”

Arena, who had been about to slam her hand on the desk, sat back down. Ian continued calmly.

“I was the one who found the Black Order’s business card, so I’ll handle this. Also, if we need to enter Crony’s mansion again, I have no procedural issues.”

Since the death of Crony’s father, Rato Alphat, the mansion had remained empty. The heavy taxes had piled up as debts, and no one had claimed inheritance.

Ian had declined once but still retained the right to claim it. In other words, he had legitimate grounds to enter the mansion.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“No problem.”

The wizards silently rejoiced. Better to deal with monsters than to snoop around, gather information, and sneak about in secret—that was truly detestable.

But Ian’s thoughts were different.

‘The minister is right. To keep the Imperial Defense Department in check, it’s best to uncover all of Crony’s past mistakes. And who knows? Maybe I’ll find clues about my parents’ deaths.’

Crony was recorded as a fallen soldier, resting in people’s memories. To reveal his true nature and set the record straight, it was crucial to uncover the evidence buried over the years.

‘And above all, the remnants still clearly remain.’

Crony’s loyal followers who once threatened His Majesty the Emperor.

No one from the emperor’s inner circle had been ousted. The moment Crony died, they’d all gone quiet and gone into hiding. Maybe if we dig into the Black Order, we might find some clues about that.

“Alright, so this meeting is really over now, right?”

As the mages cracked their necks and shoulders, getting ready to stand, Arena clasped her hands together and shot a sharp glance around.

“Nope. There’s one more thing.”

“W-what? One more?”

Great. The monsters have quieted down, but why does the magic department keep piling on more work? Reluctantly, the mages sat back down.

“Wh-what is it? You’re scaring us.”

“It’s very important.”

“Don’t get all serious on us for no reason.”

Arena stayed silent for a long moment, then whispered in a low voice.

“Romandro.”

“Huh?”

“Hasn’t Romandro been acting a little… off lately?”

Suddenly? Everyone, including Ian, raised their eyebrows in confusion. They’d been so busy they hadn’t really noticed.

“Well, I guess he’s put on some weight?”

“Now that you mention it, he’s been away from his desk a lot. Always trying to get out. And he’s the type who hates moving around.”

“I thought he got along well with the administration?”

Arena’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“I think he’s trying to transfer departments.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know! You just said it yourself! He’s been hanging out with the administration a lot! Last time he told me he was taking a half-day off, but he went to the administration instead.”

“No way.”

“Nope. I’m sure of it. Romandro’s got something else on his mind.”

Romandro was one of the magic department’s key staff—not a mage himself, but without him, a lot of work would fall apart.

The mages exchanged glances.

“Shall we get up?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

“Hey! This is really important!”

“No, it’s not. You’ve got a sixth sense for this stuff.”

“Right, Ian?”

Ian just smiled faintly, unsure, and started organizing his papers.

A moment later, the mages filed out. As they left, Arena kept muttering anxiously about Romandro’s possible transfer.

“Ungrateful bastards… ‘sixth sense’ my ass…”

creak

Irritated, Arena opened the minister’s office door—and came face to face with a familiar figure. Romandro stood there awkwardly, clutching some documents. Ian, who had been following behind, froze in surprise.

“Ah, Minister.”

“Ro-Romandro?”

Romandro held a white envelope in his hand. Arena’s face went pale, and Romandro scratched his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring this up so suddenly.”

“Wait! Romandro, what’s wrong? Is something the matter? Or have you been working too hard? I’m serious—this is a terrible idea.”

“Huh?”

“No, no, absolutely not.”

Arena crossed her arms in an X, firmly refusing. Romandro looked visibly flustered.

“Why not? I have the right to choose too, you know.”

“You do. But you’ll regret it. I’ve heard things. It’s not as good as you think.”

“Minister!”

As the tension between them thickened, Ian quietly slipped the envelope from Romandro’s hand. After a quick glance inside, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Minister.”

“Yeah! Ian, burn that thing! Right now!”

“This is a wedding invitation.”

“Rip it up—wait, what?”

“A wedding invitation.”

The white envelope was decorated with delicate illustrations. Romandro’s face fell, his lips pouting in disappointment.