Chapter 978

Krony, who had been gazing out the window, sensed someone’s presence and stood up. Knowing in advance that an important guest was coming, he had taken extra care with his attire, more than usual.

Soon, Captain Merni was led inside, whistling as he looked around.

“Oh ho, this is impressive. It’s like the imperial palace’s administrative office.”

The towering stacks of documents nearly as tall as a person, the busy lawyers, and the key figures from the palace all gathered in one place—it was quite the scene.

Krony extended his hand to Merni.

“Captain Merni, it’s an honor to meet you like this.”

“Honor? No, the honor’s mine,” Merni replied with a broad grin, clasping both of Krony’s hands warmly. His reaction was far friendlier than expected. Krony signaled one of his subordinates to bring tea and gestured toward the sofa.

“I heard you moved your residence to Captain Freddy’s estate, but I didn’t expect the atmosphere to be like this.”

Outside, soldiers and guards maintained strict vigilance, while inside it felt like a command center had been set up.

Merni’s eyes roamed the room with interest. Judging by Krony’s demeanor, it seemed mental manipulation wouldn’t be necessary with him.

“Thankfully, I have many allies supporting me.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Thanks to that, the palace atmosphere has been quite strange lately.”

With Ian and Krony completely split into two factions, work had practically ground to a halt, and tension hung thick both inside and outside the palace. Since Ian had filed a lawsuit against Krony, public opinion was rife with speculation that something disastrous might happen once the trial date arrived.

“It’d be better if family could get along peacefully, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s true. Ten years have created quite a distance between my uncle and me.”

“I imagine you’re aware that Krony will soon be summoned to the palace?”

Since Ian had filed the complaint, it was only natural that Krony would be called in for questioning.

But with soldiers stationed at his residence, no one could approach lightly. Once enough evidence was gathered, a mage would likely come in person to escort him.

“If the palace calls, I’ll go. But once inside, it’s impossible to overcome the injustice, so I’m being as cautious as possible, waiting for the right moment.”

Merni raised an eyebrow and pulled out a cigarette. Just as suspected, sweeping the conflict between Ian and Krony under the rug was simply unrealistic.

“I’ll be straightforward, Lord Krony.”

Merni cut to the chase.

“Honestly, I don’t care who becomes the next emperor. I’m planning to leave the palace guard.”

It was an unexpected statement. But the clarity of his intent made negotiations easier. Krony nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“That’s a shame. Someone as talented as Captain Merni leaving the palace.”

“After spending so long there, I finally realized what I truly want.”

Merni favored the frail, elderly emperor who couldn’t walk alone. Though a mere figurehead, the world remained peacefully calm, and he didn’t have to shoulder any grand responsibilities. Everyone respected him simply because he was close to the emperor. Those were golden days.

“I want to retire to the frontier and live a peaceful life.”

But the emperor had changed. Whether it would be Ian or Krony, the new ruler would lead a very different life from the puppet emperor before—possibly even going to war.

Yet, that was a minor issue. The real problem was that the emperor would finally stand fully as emperor. The power held by the three captains would never be the same again.

“I see.”

Krony immediately grasped Merni’s meaning. The frontier? A peaceful life? Both required land and wealth. Merni was essentially asking for a fief in the frontier. If that was promised, he would help Krony seize power.

‘…Not bad.’

The frontier was far from the center, making it a reasonable request. Compared to the advantages Merni could bring, it was a small price.

Merni was one of the three captains of the palace guard. Among humans, excluding mages, he ranked third in strength. He had easy access to the emperor and strong ties to Herchi, Ian’s right hand.

‘Giving him a piece of frontier land would gain me so much more.’

Without hesitation, Krony decided to shake his hand.

“Someone as valuable as Captain Merni surely has a place to go. There must be somewhere fitting for your wishes.”

“Is that so?”

Merni smiled and asked back.

“Your words give me strength, Lord Krony.”

Only then did Krony understand why Merni had come to him instead of Ian. Ian, after all, claimed legitimacy. Being of a collateral branch and having the late emperor pass the throne to Ian made it natural for Merni to support Ian.

‘Helping Ian succeed won’t earn me enough to grant a fief.’

But backing Krony was a different story. Krony was opening a new imperial lineage and would be treated as a founding hero. Granting a fief in the process was a natural reward.

“One thing I should warn you about, Lord Krony.”

Merni flicked the ash from his cigarette and added,

“Sitting still here won’t win you the game.”

The goal was to seize the palace. No matter how much the people outside praised heroes or questioned Ian, as long as Ian held the palace tightly, the situation would remain deadlocked.

“Ian has his blade drawn and is circling you, looking for any opening.”

The Soyf emperor assassination, the Hadel family incident—dice had been cast. Yet Krony remained cautious, watching Ian’s moves from a step back.

“In my opinion, if you keep hesitating, you’ll be caught. It’s better to act first.”

“But it’s not easy. As you know, Ian has mages by his side.”

Merni snapped his fingers lightly and showed something hanging around his neck—a magic power-sealing stone. It was the magic stone allocated to the palace guard captain, evenly distributed within the palace.

“I’ll try to persuade the palace guard. Once we take down Herchi, the others will follow easily.”

“Do you think you can?”

“Those who move first win.”

Herchi would never suspect a thing. His straightforward, resolute nature made him vulnerable. He’d never imagine Merni stabbing him in the back. That was the bond between the three captains—trust and loyalty.

‘Not someone to trust.’

Krony smiled wryly as Merni grinned. Whatever Merni’s true intentions, the fact that he could be sent off to the frontier without trouble afterward was appealing.

“By the way, has the Mage Department reacted at all?”

“Mage Department…?”

Krony stroked his beard, hesitating.

“Not yet.”

“Really? The more I see, the more fascinating they are.”

No matter how much they talked about being children of the gods or having a sixth sense, they were still just men with no blood ties. How could they support Ian so tightly without a single defector? Mages were clever—they must know this is an opportunity.

“Exactly.”

Krony ground his teeth. Honestly, the current stalemate was all because of the Mage Department’s unity. If even one traitor emerged, the situation would have escalated, striking at Ian’s core long ago.

“How is there not a single one?”

Records showed the Mage Department had suffered many splits—scheming for ministerial posts, factional divides, and breeding grounds for all sorts of conspiracies. But after the demon war a hundred years ago, the atmosphere had completely changed…

‘Such a brief moment in history.’

Krony shook his head. If he couldn’t sway the mages, he’d have no choice but to eliminate them all.

“But, Lord Krony.”

“Yes, speak.”

Merni’s gleaming eyes studied Krony.

“The Mage Department says you’re connected to demons. Is that true? At least be honest with me.”

“Of course not. It’s all slander.”

Krony denied it outright. Judging by Merni’s expression, as long as it didn’t harm his interests, he didn’t really care—but…

‘How could I tell you the truth? To someone like you?’

“See? I thought so. Then we have our justification.”

“…That the Mage Department is defying the will of the gods?”

“Exactly. If that’s true, why have you stayed silent?”

If Krony’s words were true, the mages were directly denying Gaia’s justice, bestowed by the gods themselves. What better reason to bring them down?

Krony smiled awkwardly.

“Mages, after all, were chosen by the gods and have led Bariel for a long time. It’s a kind of respect.”

“Respect only leads to ruin, Lord Krony.”

But that wasn’t Krony’s true feeling.

“If you mess with a wizard, the gods themselves might just step in.”

Crony was afraid.

Hadn’t he faced the Underworld God himself?

The existence of the Underworld God meant that gods truly existed. Whether they chose not to manifest in Gaia or simply couldn’t, he wasn’t sure. But the possibility alone was enough to make him think carefully. If they dug too deep into the heart of the Magic Department, would the gods interfere?

“For now, I’ll return to the palace and secure our position. It’d be even better if Ian or the wizards left the palace. If you have any plans, I’d like to hear them.”

“There is something already in motion,” Merni said.

“What is it?”

At Merni’s words, Crony nodded toward the outside. Just then—

Boom!

A faint explosion echoed in the distance.

No one else seemed to notice, but Crony and Merni reacted instantly. They caught sight of a thin plume of smoke rising far off and paused.

“So, this plan… is unfolding unexpectedly.”

That explosion doesn’t look good. It’s hard to be certain, but it’s coming from the direction of Beric’s residence. We told them to lure him out and handle it quietly if possible, but it seems they’re making a lot of noise instead.

Meanwhile, Merni’s expression was one of intrigue.

“Hmm. Wait a moment. If this goes well, we might just be able to draw Ian, the Magic Department, and even the palace guards out of the palace.”