Chapter 966

“This way! Hurry!”

“Damn it, move aside!”

“Hot water, coming through!”

The imperial physicians rushed in, urgently checking the emperor’s condition. They placed fingers beneath his nose, pressed their ears to his chest, then gently shook his body, trying to rouse him.

“Your Majesty, can you hear me?”

“Ah… ah… cough…”

“Bring a towel! Your Majesty, I’m going to turn your head to the side. Don’t swallow the blood—keep spitting it out. You must stay conscious! Everyone, massage His Majesty’s arms and legs!”

“Yes, sir!”

Though the emperor had chronic ailments, no one had expected such a sudden deterioration. As the attendants massaged his limbs, the doctors hurriedly administered injections.

“Your Majesty! Don’t lose consciousness! Stay with us!”

“Please, Your Majesty!”

But as his breathing grew labored and his limbs trembled, everyone could only cling to hope, pleading silently. How could human hands hold back the tide of death?

Amid the chaos, Ian and the mages entered through the half-open door of the chamber.

“Ian!”

Ian’s heart sank at the sight of the emperor’s pale, almost blackened face—far worse than anything he’d seen before. It was clear to all that the end was near.

“Step aside.”

Ian placed his hand on the emperor’s forehead, channeling his magic. The other mages did the same, including those specializing in healing magic, all laying hands on the emperor’s body as warm light radiated from them.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

But the energy didn’t build up—it was like pouring water into a cracked pot. A creeping anxiety gripped them, as if their power would run dry at any moment.

The doctors slipped between the mages, continuing their treatment, sweat dripping from everyone’s jaws.

“Damn…”

“Your Majesty? Please, stay with us.”

“…Huff.”

Finally, one mage reached his limit and withdrew his hand, having poured out all his magical energy. One by one, others followed, gasping for breath as they stepped back.

“Haa… haa…”

But Ian did not let go. The old emperor’s eyelids fluttered weakly, and with faded eyes, he looked up at the young man.

“Your Majesty. It’s alright. I will see this through.”

The emperor faintly smiled—was it gratitude? Relief? He barely lifted a skeletal hand and placed it on the back of Ian’s hand, signaling him to stop. For a brief moment, his eyes gleamed sharply.

“Ian. Remember what I told you.”

To be lucid, even briefly, in the face of death—that was the last mercy the emperor would receive.

As the light faded from his eyes and his breath slowed—

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Ian clenched his lips and cast a freezing spell. Everyone watched helplessly. If they delayed even a few seconds, the emperor’s breath would cease forever.

“…Your Majesty?”

“Your Majesty! Please!”

The attendants wailed, clutching at his feet, their faces drowned in despair.

Ian gently lowered the emperor’s cooling hand and turned away, relief washing over his face. The attendants, the three captains, and the palace guards all looked stunned.

“Everyone, lower your voices. His Majesty has not yet passed.”

“Huh?”

The tear-streaked attendants looked up in confusion. The mages glanced at the sleeping emperor, then realized the freezing spell had been cast.

“When did Ian learn freezing magic?”

“No idea. Maybe the emperor gave him a hint.”

“That brooch from earlier, right?”

The mages exchanged glances, eyes fixed on Ian. Freezing the emperor—such an act would be considered sacrilegious if not for the emperor’s own command.

The doctors cautiously approached to check the emperor’s condition, while the attendants stood frozen in bewilderment.

“Not passed away yet?”

“Let me ask first—what happened?”

Ian slowly scanned the room, then his gaze settled on a man whose expression didn’t quite fit the moment. It wasn’t sadness, but fear. Not surprise, but trembling.

“We were washing His Majesty’s body when he suddenly convulsed, had seizures, and coughed up blood, then collapsed like this…”

The palace guard captain answered quietly.

Ian’s eyes never left the suspicious attendant. Everyone noticed the sharp, relentless intensity in Ian’s gaze.

“Who was washing His Majesty’s body?”

“The attendants in charge.”

“So, who exactly?”

Ian’s sharp tone demanded a name.

The captain hesitated, eyes darting briefly. Ian’s behavior almost suggested he suspected foul play.

“Me, and these friends here.”

The attendant pointed to the line of men standing beside him, including the suspicious one. Ian stepped forward and asked,

“…Is your name Soif?”

The man who had been coming and going from the emperor’s chamber, carrying a strange scent.

A sly smile.

Soif said nothing but smiled, clearly affirming. His malice was unmistakable, and Ian clenched his teeth in frustration. Drawing his sword from the captain’s belt, he swung it at Soif.

Ssshh!

“Ian!”

“…!”

Swish!

Despite the blade flying toward him, Soif didn’t flinch. The sword stopped just at the nape of his neck, a thin line of blood trickling down.

“You despicable bastard.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t need to. That’s just your level.”

Clack!

At that moment, the mages nearby sealed Soif’s wrists with magical shackles. Everyone in the room fell silent, unsure of what was unfolding.

Soif raised his bound hands and asked,

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Speak. Are you one from the Abyss? Or a traitor born of Gaia’s grace who dares to betray the blessings you’ve received?”

They questioned whether he was a monster or a human who had been seduced by the underground god to betray the divine.

The captain realized the situation was serious and signaled the guards. They gathered magical energy at their fingertips, ready to respond.

“Once again, what is the meaning of this?”

Soif arrogantly lifted his chin. Ian furrowed his brow. Yes, this was their way—always vile, always base.

“Senior mages.”

Ian nodded to the mages, silently requesting they take Soif to the Mage Tower for interrogation. Using truth serums, they could easily uncover who was behind this. The suspect was already tacitly decided.

“I know nothing.”

Soif raised his shackled hands calmly, voice devoid of fear.

“I know nothing, so I cannot speak. It’s unfair. I suppose I won’t even be able to mourn His Majesty’s passing.”

“…!”

Ian’s eyes widened. His mouth hung open, revealing a dark red inside. Then his tongue and mouth began to melt slowly, and he collapsed, vomiting black blood.

“Gah!”

“Ahhh!”

“Stand back! Stand back!”

The attendants screamed and retreated, while the captain and guards drew their swords, surrounding Soif. The mages erected a protective barrier around the emperor’s bed.

“A monster?”

The captain muttered. Soif only panted, eyes reddened, staring up at them.

Ian guessed Soif’s true nature. He was probably not a full monster.

“That contradicts Crony’s claim.”

Soif was clearly Crony’s subordinate. If it became known that a monster had infiltrated the emperor’s chamber and assassinated him, Crony’s heroic tale of defeating the underground god would be utterly shattered.

“Beric also said Soif’s scent didn’t match that of a monster. Definitely not the real thing.”

They would find out everything once Soif was taken to the Mage Tower. Even if his tongue was gone, there were ways.

Ian passed the guards with drawn swords and approached Soif. A stain showed on the forearm beneath his slightly rolled-up sleeve.

‘…Poison?’

Had he applied poison directly to his own body?

That would explain how he evaded palace surveillance and infiltrated the chamber. A desperate gamble that no one noticed.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Ian froze Soif in place. Soif’s eyes snapped open, frozen mid-expression. Ian ordered the guards,

“Prepare to take him to the Mage Tower for interrogation. And have the imperial physicians examine the poison on his arm to see if there’s an antidote. There might still be a sliver of hope.”

The freezing spell had been cast just before the emperor’s final breath. If they knew the cause and the cure, a miracle might still be possible. The odds were slim, but now, they had no choice but to try.

“Um, excuse me—”

“Contact the Prime Minister and inform him to handle the aftermath. The Three Commanders—more precisely, the Imperial Palace Guard—are to remain at their posts, fully aware that His Majesty the Emperor is still alive.”

The order was polite, yet carried an undeniable authority. Ian’s words bore such weight that no one dared to argue or add anything.

Swish.

As Ian left the bedroom, the mages hurried after him in a cluster. The Three Commanders, who had been watching in a daze, quickly ordered their soldiers to move, while the doctors busied themselves tending to the situation. They kept a close eye on the emperor, who lay as if asleep, wiping sweat from their brows repeatedly.

‘Of all things, to actually witness the emperor frozen like this…’

It was something they’d only read about in ancient texts. It felt as if a massive storm, one that could swallow the entire palace, had suddenly descended before them.

“Ian! Ian! Where are you going?”

Thud!

The mages chasing after Ian closed in tightly by his side. Without looking away from the front, Ian crossed the main hall of the palace.

“If possible, I want to keep this under wraps, but rumors of the emperor’s freezing will spread in no time.”

There were too many eyes and ears on the scene. Even if the Prime Minister issued a gag order to contain it, the news wouldn’t die down easily.

“Surely Crony will make a move.”

Those who believed the emperor’s freezing meant his death would start gathering under Crony’s banner one by one.

“Before that happens, I intend to nip it in the bud.”

“Nip it? How?”

Without answering, Ian leapt up and soared into the sky. The mages had no choice but to follow closely behind. Without hesitation, Ian flew out of the palace and cut straight across the center of the city. Soon, the place he arrived at was—

“Huh?”

An unexpected destination: Freddy’s mansion.