Chapter 994

The rain had finally stopped. The imperial palace walls lay in ruins, every building except the main hall was damaged beyond recognition, yet the people were content simply because the rain had ceased.

Ian gently looked over the scattered, fallen figures around him. Though exhaustion was clear on their faces, faint smiles still lingered.

“Oh dear, I’m dying here. Mind if I just take a quick nap like this?”

“What are you talking about? Don’t you see those kids sleeping over there?”

“They’re not sleeping—they’re passed out.”

“Arena, may I step out for a moment? I want to check if my family is safe.”

“Go ahead. Everyone, finish your tasks and be back by evening. Remember, the cleanup is on us. We won’t be able to go home for a while, so say your goodbyes properly.”

“Geez, you say it like you actually let us go home.”

“Oh? Don’t want to go?”

“Not at all!”

The mages gave half-hearted salutes and hurried out of the palace. Not far away, a group waiting for someone called out joyfully—their families, worried, had come running first.

“Come on, hurry! Days like this don’t come often.”

“Thank you!”

“We’ll be back!”

“Shoo, shoo!” Arena gestured for them to leave quickly, and the mages smiled brightly, bowing as they went. Those who had to leave did, and those who stayed behind remained. Arena roughly twisted her hair up and asked,

“What about you, Ako?”

“I don’t have family. Hale’s out in the provinces, right?”

Hale reached for his cigarette case but hesitated—it was empty. Seeing his disappointed gesture, Ako chuckled and handed over one of her own cigarettes.

“And what about you, Minister Arena?”

“Me? Same as always.”

“Why ask? The Minister doesn’t even have a home.”

“Even without a home, maybe there’s someone to meet.”

“Do you think so? Huh? Someone who works 24/7 like you?”

Arena opened her mouth to reply but realized she had no comeback and fell silent. She stood quietly, draping an arm over Ian’s shoulder as he gazed at the ruined palace.

“So, where do we start?”

Ian Beroshion?

Arena’s playful eyes made Ian raise an eyebrow, as if demanding an explanation for his long silence. But that wasn’t important right now.

“First, we need to assess the damage. We’ll survey the palace, the central buildings, roads, and all property losses, and confirm casualties. Then, we’ll convene the Special Disaster Management Department and delegate authority accordingly.”

“Ah, sounds good.”

“Why do you keep using formal speech?”

“Then?”

Arena reached out to lightly pinch Ian’s nose but stopped herself. Should she really touch someone so noble? Ah, the good old days are gone. Now I can’t even pinch his cheek.

“There’s still a long road ahead. Stabilizing the situation comes first. Until then, I’m just a member of the Magic Department.”

No matter how urgent, there are procedures: the late emperor’s passing announcement, palace reconstruction, official successor selection through the grand assembly, the trial of Crony and his conspirators… It might take years to restore normalcy.

Ian looked at Arena steadily, as if saying, “So, enjoy the time you have left without regrets.”

“Oh, our youngest one!”

So pretty, so pretty, absolutely adorable. Arena grinned and hugged Ian tightly. The mages nearby peeked over curiously and edged closer.

“There they go again! Hey! Don’t bother Ian!”

Beric, who was getting his ankle treated, stopped and laughed loudly. But no one paid him any mind—they just kept hugging Ian.

Ian stood with a calm expression until he spotted someone running from afar.

“Iaaaan!”

“Ah.”

It was Romandro. Covered in tears and snot, his whole body was a mess, as if he’d rolled through mud. Ian waved cheerfully, and Romandro, overwhelmed with emotion, grabbed his hand.

“You’ve been through so much! Everyone’s suffered so much!”

“Then why did you only call out to Ian on your way here?”

“Did I?”

“You did. Everyone heard it, right?”

“Yeah. Iaaaan~!”

The mages playfully mimicked Romandro’s voice. Suddenly, Romandro whipped his head around—someone was calling his name desperately.

“Romandro!”

“Gah! Vivianna!”

Staff who had been guarding the emperor inside the main hall poured out in a rush. They had to climb through windows instead of the twisted doors, but they all made it out safely into the sunlight.

Vivianna, tears in her eyes, ran to Romandro and threw herself into his arms.

Thud!

“I thought I was going to die!”

“Ah, sorry, Vivianna.”

“From now on, never! Never do that again!”

Vivianna scolded him, and Romandro gave an awkward smile. They’d vowed to live and die together, but how could they? A lover’s heart wishes only for their beloved to live long and see a better world.

When Romandro hesitated to answer, Vivianna muttered, sounding annoyed.

“Really—”

Such a pain. But that’s why I love you. Vivianna grabbed Romandro by the collar and kissed him fiercely. The mages, witnessing this, gasped in horror.

“Oh my.”

They all stood dumbfounded, then hurriedly covered Ian’s eyes.

…Should I ask them to move? Ian thought briefly but gave up. It wouldn’t do any good.

Snap!

Only Arena snapped her fingers, scattering sparkling flower petals around the couple.

The mages bowed to Arena and whispered among themselves, still blocking Ian’s view completely.

“What’s this, Minister? We just barely made it back alive, and now we have to suffer through this lovey-dovey display? We should be striking lightning down on them!”

“Cut them some slack, will you? With everything going on, do you think we’re having a wedding? Let’s call it even with this.”

“Ah, true. That makes sense.”

“The administrative department’s just as busy as the Magic Department.”

“Wait, Vivianna, you’re part of the Special Disaster Management Department, right?”

“Gah. Minister, more petals, please! Hurry!”

Looking at them now, they were the most pitiful people in the world. As the mages shifted gears and urged Arena on, she flicked her fingers absentmindedly, scattering more petals. The pile of flower dust grew thicker.

“Wow, flowers!”

The petals drifted on the breeze, spreading beyond the palace walls and throughout the city center. Those clearing debris and helping the wounded noticed and smiled softly. Children laughed and ran around, trying to catch the petals.

Swish.

Ian brushed away the hand of the mage still covering his eyes and asked Vivianna,

“What of His Majesty the Emperor?”

Vivianna, wiping her dirt-streaked face roughly, gave a bright smile that caught the sunlight perfectly.

“He’s safe. Thanks to us.”

If she hadn’t risked her life to protect the main hall, neither she nor the emperor could have guaranteed their survival.

Ian nodded in relief.

“I see. Then there’s still time to pay my respects.”

It would be Ian’s final gift to the emperor. Once the stasis was lifted and before his breath left him, Bariel would send word that he was unharmed, that he had inherited the emperor’s will and become Beroshion, and that now he could rest peacefully without worry.

Clap!

Arena clapped her hands to lighten the mood. A Magic Department staff member who had been running an errand came rushing in with a magical tool.

“Well then, let’s get started. First order of business: lifting the control order, right?”

Ah, Arena lightly grasped the magical tool and cleared her throat.

“Greetings, citizens of the Bariel Empire. I am Arena, Minister of the Magic Department.”

At her words, the soldiers who had been slumped down lifted their heads. Children running about, the wounded receiving treatment—all perked up, focusing on the palace’s announcement.

“First, we officially announce the lifting of the control order imposed by the Magic Department. As you have all witnessed, the evil forces that threatened the very foundation of our empire have been completely defeated. The Prime Minister and palace officials are urged to return promptly to the palace to establish the Special Disaster Management Department and assist with recovery efforts.”

In other words, hurry back while you still can. Some who left intending to side with Crony might still be out there, but if they waste time resisting, they’ll be dealt with harshly.

Arena rubbed her brow briefly, then smiled and continued.

“And to all citizens of the empire, thank you. It’s embarrassing to say, but as a mage, I couldn’t have handled the danger alone. Your faith and support made all the difference. Above all, I’m grateful that so many precious lives were spared serious harm.”

She tapped the magical tool lightly to conclude.

“The palace and Magic Department will strive to restore our former lives. Citizens, please continue to trust and follow us. Now then, let us all return to our daily lives.”

Ako leaned toward Hale and whispered,

“I did way better, didn’t I?”

“Did what?”

“Speech.”

“…”

To steer the conversation away, Hale started clapping first. The other staff and guards quickly followed suit, cheering in response, while Arena just shrugged her shoulders casually.

“All right, let’s get to work!”

“Woooh!”

Though they voiced their protests, the mages moved diligently. Clearing the large debris was something magic could handle in an instant, but they still needed the others to start digging with shovels for the work to progress, even if it was a bit tough.

“The bureaucrats’ carriages are here!”

“They’re starting to come in, one by one!”

Carriages and horses cautiously entered the palace grounds. Vivianna, wiping away her tears as she stood, turned at the call of her administrative colleagues.

“Everyone, gather up! Emergency meeting starting now!”

“Mages, please clear the debris first. Minister, this way! Since the building collapsed, we’ll hold the meeting in the back for now. We should quickly secure a building to use as headquarters.”

“What’s the nearest large mansion around here?”

“The Hollin Duke’s estate.”

“Ah, perfect. It’s spacious enough and suitable. I’ll send the official request immediately.”

“What’s on the agenda…?”

“We need to discuss reconstruction and support measures for the empire’s citizens. Minister! I said, this way, please!”

“The Prime Minister has arrived!”

The scene was chaotic, like a bustling marketplace. But since everyone here had earned their place through proven skill, order began to take shape amid the confusion.

“Should we rebuild it exactly as it was before?”

“Of course. Absolutely. Since the damage was caused by the underground god, restoring it to its original state is our top priority.”

“Still, while we’re rebuilding, shouldn’t we fix any parts that needed repair…?”

“Even if it means rebuilding and repairing, no. It must be restored exactly as it was.”

“But there’s a problem. The archive storing the architectural blueprints partially collapsed. The palace’s blueprints are top secret, so there are no copies. Plus, the archive contains thousands of years of history, so sorting through it will take the longest time.”

“Ah, um—”

Hans, who had been blending in with the administrative staff, quietly raised his hand.

“I know the blueprints.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m Hans from the administration. I recently worked on a reconstruction project and reviewed them once. I remember them well, so redrawing them won’t be a problem.”

A talent that never forgets what it’s learned—this is when a genius truly shines. Hans’s words stirred murmurs among the crowd.

Arena, arms crossed, took a step back to watch. A few mages approached and poked her side.

“Minister, why not propose expanding the Magic Department while you’re at it?”

“Expansion? I’m fine with how things are. Let’s pick the next minister first.”

“Huh?”

At the mage’s puzzled look, Arena blinked.

“I’m retiring once this crisis is over. Well, if the next minister needs me, I’ll help out before I go.”