Episode 999

The Ministry of Magic’s annex was silent. Moonlight spilled gently through the large window, casting a pale glow. Ian moved naturally across the room and stepped into the innermost archive. The bookshelves were packed tight, leaving no gaps. He traced the titles with his fingertips and spoke softly.

“Everyone’s worried about you.”

Naum, who had been leaning against the window, staring blankly into space, shifted his gaze slightly. Perhaps it was the moonlight, but his complexion looked unusually pale. His eyes seemed damp, as if on the verge of tears.

Though Ian’s eyes scanned the shelves, his full attention was fixed on Naum.

“Is something wrong, hyung?”

His tone was casual and light, just like when he was Ian Hadel.

Normally, Naum would have scolded him for speaking so informally, but this time he only smiled—a quiet, knowing smile, as if it didn’t matter that no one else was around to see or hear.

“No, nothing.”

“You sure? Or did you really run away somewhere?”

The wizards must have searched the annex thoroughly. Since they hadn’t found him, Naum must have stopped by somewhere before coming back.

Naum turned his head and pressed his forehead against the window. Ian couldn’t guess what thoughts were running through his mind.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yeah?”

Ian moved closer and perched on the windowsill beside him. Naum’s voice was so tender, so fragile, it made Ian worry.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For finding me in the end.”

What did he mean? Everyone at the Ministry was still searching for him. Ian smiled, following Naum’s lead.

“When I was trapped in that endless time, meeting Your Majesty again was the only thing that kept me going through that long death.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, hyung.”

“I’m just glad you’re whole, and that you kept your name. Because the one you are now is truly… Ian Verosion.”

Naum grasped Ian’s hand and, without hesitation, slipped a red gemstone into his palm.

Ian turned the gem over thoughtfully, nodding slowly. It seemed Naum’s strange behavior was connected to this.

“Here… is the time we stopped.”

Ian hesitated. Somewhere deep in his chest, something stirred—like a dormant flame unfurling its petals.

He stared quietly at the gem. His heart began to race.

“…What exactly is this?”

“I don’t know the full story, but I think it was passed to Cleaford during the reign of Emperor Jin, by Empress Eirin.”

Naum spoke gently, urging him to listen. Everything Ian desired was contained within.

Startled, Ian’s grip loosened, and several books tumbled to the floor. Neither he nor Naum paid them any mind.

“I’m a little scared.”

He had tried so hard to recall the ties from his past life, but now, standing before this secret door, his heart trembled. He wasn’t sure what frightened him—only that hesitation made him smile awkwardly.

“It’s natural to be afraid,” Naum said softly, taking Ian’s hand along with the gem.

“It hurts to realize something precious is out of reach. But Your Majesty—no—”

Naum squeezed his hands reassuringly.

“Your Majesty.”

The golden wizard, the master of Bariel, the Emperor. This is a trace of the past that must reach you.

A faint hum filled the air.

Light leaked from Naum’s grasp. Ian added his own strength, and soon the brooch began to glow with a deep red light.

[…Is this a residence?]

[It’s a place where officials from the capital are… dispatched to work. It’s neat… and feels like home.]

A rush of unfamiliar voices came through, distorted and torn, making it hard to understand. But Naum urged him to keep listening, not to lose focus.

Naum’s golden eyes and Ian’s alike shone in the darkness, their hair fluttering in an unseen breeze. As warmth slowly spread, Ian’s gaze settled.

[Ah—]

[Is there a way to keep previous recordings from being erased? I don’t want Ian’s voice to disappear.]

[Who ate my snack…! Come out while I’m still being nice!]

[Why are you talking to me? Beric’s right there.]

[Beric! You stole my stuff!]

[Who, me? Got proof?]

[Everyone, quiet! We’re recording right now! Damn it!]

A crackle.

Ian’s eyes widened. Though the voices were new, somehow he recognized them. Yet the names caught in his throat, refusing to come out. His lips parted slightly.

[Ah—again, again. Ian, are you well? This is the Ministry of Magic.]

[Ian… aaah!]

[Beric, keep the order!]

[…First, uh, yes yes.]

[Ch-chk…]

His heart pounded wildly. And then, memories hidden in time began to surface.

[Sir Ian.]

Alongside the pale-eyed figure he’d met in the void—

[It’s me, Jin.]

Everything came back.

The child who clung to him, bleeding, trembling from wounds deeper than those on his face.

The moment they held hands and ascended to the main palace, the eyes full of hope.

Whispered conversations pressed against the corner of a document.

The time they sank into the abyss, the gaze they shared through the angel’s image.

Ah, yes. Jin Verosion. Jin Verosion. Jin Verosion… My family, my closest friend, my sovereign across time. Tears welled up and spilled from Ian’s eyes.

[It’s spring here. Still a bit cold, but soon the flowers will bloom.]

It is the same here, Your Majesty.

[So much has happened. I suppose the same is true for you? I’m not certain, but I imagine so.]

That is correct. Your Majesty’s foresight of my future is exactly right.

[I never realized how painful it is to send greetings from only one side. How have you been? Have you achieved what you wished? Are you smiling? Are you happy to have met your Bariel?]

Ian smiled. He wanted to tell them that, thanks to their help, he had returned to the throne, that his stopped time was flowing again here. All because of them—truly, because of them.

[I hope your Bariel remains whole.]

Ian nodded. He would, as they asked, lead his Bariel with care. For his beloved ones, he vowed to make it so.

[You know, Sir Ian, since you left, we’ve been working harder every day. Knowing that each day we spend now will one day be the foundation for you, we can’t waste a single moment. A hundred years brings infinite variables, but know this: Sir Ian, we still remember you.]

I’m sorry. I forgot you for a while.

[Because we remember you, and for you… we will keep doing our best. Just as Sir Ian saved my Bariel, I want to save yours too.]

That is more than enough. It is more than I deserve.

The reason I stand here now as Ian Verosion is all thanks to you—from Philia and Hana who protected me at the manor, to Romandro who handed me over to the Ministry at the funeral, the Barsabe family who became my guardians, Siaoshi who stayed as my support in Enrow, and even Beric who fought for me…

[…Sir Ian.]

Jin’s voice faltered slightly. After a long pause, he added one more thing.

[I miss you. So much.]

Ian couldn’t hold back and bowed his head. Naum gently held him. The longing he’d forgotten was stirring wildly inside, and it was only natural to be afraid. Ian instinctively guarded himself against this sorrow.

[Someday, we’ll meet again, right?]

We will meet again, Your Majesty.

[Iaaaan! Just wait for me!]

[Beric, keep the order!]

[After the Emperor, it’s obviously my turn, right?]

[No, it’s mine! You blockhead!]

[Unbelievable. Akorella only acts like this at times like these—]

[Shut up! Your Highness, you haven’t finished speaking yet! And I’m the minister, you uneducated fool!]

[I’m the captain, you know?!]

[Akorella, your voice is the loudest here.]

[Oh, is that so? Haha.]

“Ha ha, minister, enough with the laughs. Why don’t you come over here and finish reviewing the documents?”

“Huh? No way. I have to record this too.”

“Do it last, at the end! We have to do this properly, don’t we, Captain Hale?”

“Ian! Iaaaan! I can’t handle being minister! At this rate, I won’t live to see another day! Youth really is the key to stamina…”

“Your Majesty, are you finished? Let me just double-check. Since the mana stone is low-grade, it’s tough to engrave new records without erasing the old ones.”

“Ian! Guess what? I finally bought a farm! Haha! I’m going to raise a hundred cows!”

“That’ll only last a hundred days. Let’s send it back north, okay? It’s not worth the cost.”

“Oh? Romandro, are you busy? We’re recording this for Ian here.”

“Whoa, really?”

“Huh? Crying again? Romandro’s crying again!”

“That guy cries every day. I saw him clutching Ian’s report and tearing up.”

“You too? Me too.”

“What’s with that guy? These people!”

“Huh? Crying? Waaah—”

Bam! Crash! Clatter!

“Ugh, so noisy. This isn’t all being recorded, is it?”

“Looks like it is…”

“Stop slacking off and please go do your work!”

“Huh? What’s going on? Isn’t that Ian’s mana stone?”

“That’s right. The Empress gave it to him. Want to say thanks?”

“Wow, no way. Is it really going to Ian?”

“Who knows? But we’re keeping it just in case.”

“We can’t have other things getting recorded on this. Hans!”

“Yes, yes! Right away!”

“Your Majesty, the tournament is about to start. Shall we move together?”

“Oh, hello Ian! I’m Hans! And here’s Nakina too. Captain Hale is over there, smoking a pipe…”

“We’re all doing well, Ian.”

“So—”

“So—”

Crackle.

“Ian, take care of yourself too.”

“I’ll be waiting for the day we meet again.”

Buzz! Whirr!

The glow of the mana stone gradually dimmed. Ian kept pouring his magic into it, as if determined not to miss a single drop. Just a little more, just a little more…

But that was as far as it went. The moment the mana stone dropped with a soft thud onto Ian’s palm—

Bang!

Crackle, crackle!

“Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you here?”

“No way. You’re not telling me His Highness disappeared too?”

“Don’t say such unlucky things. I’ll kill you.”

“I heard the steward went to the annex. Hey, over there!”

With a rush, the mages who had been searching for Ian and Naum burst through the annex door. Seeing the two, their faces lit up as if they’d finally found what they were looking for, and they rushed forward.

“Ah, really! Where have you been?”

“The minister’s here too!”

“Huh? Here? I thought no one was in the annex earlier.”

“Who found them? Doing a half-assed job but still getting it right.”

Then Romandro and Beric peeked their heads in.

Ian, clutching the mana stone tightly, approached them and wordlessly pulled everyone into a warm embrace.

“…Your Highness?”

“This is nice, isn’t it? Hehe.”

“Me too! Me too!”

Since it was the day before the coronation, the mages figured Ian’s heart must be unsettled, and they gladly returned his embrace.

In the arms of those he cherished, Ian buried his face for a long while. Right now, this was all he could do.