“I thought the meeting was over, but I must have been mistaken.”
The Prime Minister muttered this while removing his outer coat, as Crown Prince Jin, Imperial Guard Captain Jeirutt, and the Minister of Imperial Defense gathered in his office.
The Minister laid a report on the desk showing the organized military forces ready to send to the border. Everything had been done swiftly, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Given the sensitive matter of a three-nation alliance, it seemed the Defense Department had been continuously preparing accordingly.
Jeirutt asked while looking at it:
“Prime Minister. What do you plan to do about Idgal?”
“I remember we discussed this during the meeting. Track it down and investigate.”
“And after that?”
At Jeirutt’s question, Imperial Defense Minister Volv let out a snicker. Having risen to a temporary position after the civil war, he had secured his place without issue and was working to restore his standing. Of course, his position had been weakening since letting Melania escape.
Nevertheless, he could be certain. That this was an unparalleled opportunity for the Imperial Defense Department.
“You ask needless questions, Captain Jeirutt. Naturally it will be used to its full value for the development of the great empire of Bariel. What answer did you want to hear?”
“Volv.”
His conduct was a bit rough. When the Prime Minister called his name to tell him to restrain himself, Volv nodded and stepped back.
“I cannot understand excluding mages from this expedition. Please reconsider.”
“What do you mean? Jeirutt. I clearly gave the Ministry of Magic permission to join the expedition.”
“Not permission, but rather you gave them a choice.”
If the Ministry of Magic accompanied the Imperial Defense Department on the expedition, the imperial palace would use that gap to interfere with the Idgal investigation. This was a clear gesture of checking their power.
To prevent this, the Ministry of Magic would have to stay behind, but then the Imperial Defense Department going alone would monopolize the benefits depending on the incident’s outcome.
Looking at it either way, power would concentrate in the imperial palace.
“I don’t understand why the Imperial Guard speaks this way. Captain Jeirutt, weren’t you the one who personally moved to check Lord Ian? Ah, why? Is Idgal’s involvement making things difficult?”
“I speak because magic swordsmen are also among the missing. If there are problems, we urgently need those who can share magical power.”
“That’s exactly it. Won’t the mages accompany out of concern for their superior? The conversation keeps going in circles.”
“Since you ordered investigation of Idgal, the mages won’t be able to move easily! That’s what I’m trying to say!”
Barsabe and Beric are with them. Though Beric might be Ian’s man, he still wears an Imperial Guard badge.
Volv circled around Jeirutt with arms crossed. As they faced off openly hostile, Jin watched them while rubbing his forehead. The Prime Minister began reading Volv’s report as if he had expected this.
“…Captain Jeirutt.”
“Yes, Minister Volv.”
“The Imperial Guard’s duty is to protect His Majesty the Emperor. So why are you trying to privately meddle in the Imperial Defense Department’s decisions? Idgal threatens magic users, so this risks losing elite forces if handled wrongly. This time, trust and leave it to our Imperial Defense Department.”
Volv smiled while patting Jeirutt’s shoulder. Though on the surface he smoothly claimed they couldn’t lose precious forces, his true intentions were clear. He aimed to raise the Imperial Defense Department’s standing through this opportunity.
If they rescued Ian and the mages, their position would rise accordingly, and even if they were already dead, no path to advancement could match the outbreak of war.
Jeirutt knocked away Volv’s hand and hardened his expression.
This bastard…
He was one of those in the imperial palace who wanted Idgal. His aim was to leap up as Bariel’s key military force in place of the otherwise insurmountable Imperial Guard.
The Prime Minister put down his pen and asked Jin:
“Does Your Highness share this opinion? If so, I will follow it. But as I said before, there will never be a better time than now for the imperial palace to exert influence over Idgal.”
The three men’s gazes suddenly turned to Jin. The representative of the imperial palace. The only one the Prime Minister, wielding the Emperor’s authority, would lower himself to follow.
The youth pondered while looking at Jeirutt and Volv.
Everything is based on the assumption that the imperial family can perfectly control Idgal.
It must not flow to other countries, nor even be grasped by other departments within the imperial palace. It must be held solely, purely, and completely by the Emperor alone, but everything was uncertain right now.
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“The priority is Minister Ian’s safe return.”
“Of course, Your Highness. What other weapon does Bariel have that compares?”
Volv placed his hand on his chest to show agreement. Simultaneously, Jin and Jeirutt’s brows furrowed. But Jin just stroked the edge of the sofa with his fingertips as he continued.
“And we need a definitive investigation of Idgal. Prime Minister, I’m concerned that imperial personnel intervention might inefficiently lower Ministry of Magic morale. According to Lord Ian’s message, paths seem to have opened to Burgos and Ruswena too, so I think this will become a speed battle.”
The Prime Minister’s gaze darkened. He clearly disapproved of the young Crown Prince making preliminary remarks. Though this was the perfect timing, the Crown Prince was making a regrettable choice due to past affection. But the Prime Minister just removed his glasses and nodded for him to continue without interrupting.
“Lord Ian’s life or death…”
Suddenly, Jin’s words caught in his throat. He had only thought about it vaguely, but actually trying to speak it made his chest tighten.
What if Ian was dead? If he could never again see the one who guided him both kindly and strictly, what would he be stepping back for?
As Jin didn’t continue, Jeirutt tilted his head curiously.
“Your Highness. Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. Well, I think it wouldn’t be too late to deploy personnel to the Ministry of Magic after confirming Lord Ian’s status. Instead, if Idgal has been distributed to neighboring countries, this will become a full-scale power struggle. Therefore-“
Jin looked at Imperial Defense Minister Volv. Though unsatisfactory, they needed to throw a piece of meat to placate someone baring their fangs at the Ministry of Magic while eyeing Idgal.
“It seems good to confirm the progress of this situation and examine new possibilities for the Imperial Defense Department.”
Volv placed his hand on his chest and bowed with satisfaction. With increased manpower, budget, and various authorities, he could press down Captain Jeirutt’s stiff pride.
The Prime Minister briefly rubbed his eyelids. Then came a small sigh.
Though unintended, that sigh made Jin’s heart sink. With Ian gone, the Prime Minister was filling his vacant position. If any opposing angles formed, it would be truly awkward.
Jin suddenly realized how young and powerless a Crown Prince he still was. That’s why he couldn’t even feel relieved at the compromise the Prime Minister offered.
“I understand. If that is Your Highness’s will, I will announce the delay of imperial personnel deployment to the Ministry of Magic. Instead, I will order them to verify Idgal’s distribution status in Burgos and Ruswena.”
“From what I know, Idgal is made through alchemy. There shouldn’t be many.”
“I think so too. Though little is known, alchemy doesn’t progress easily. If Burgos and Ruswena possess Idgal, I will also send stern warning messages. Your Highness, please approve.”
“…Yes. Let’s do that.”
The conversation seemed to be wrapping up. For Jin, just maintaining the status quo while Ian was gone was helpful.
He had preserved the Ministry of Magic’s independence in his own way, and Minister Volv could hope for a better position. It was a strange situation where satisfaction circulated without real gain. The Prime Minister adjusted his glasses and asked Jeirutt:
“Captain Jeirutt. You? Do you have anything more to say?”
Though they shared the same position as mages regarding Idgal’s existence, they were directly subordinate to the Emperor. Their position was somewhat different, so they had no choice but to unconditionally support Jin’s opinion on this. For he was the future Emperor, their lord to serve. Just as Jeirutt was about to shake his head.
Knock knock
“Prime Minister!”
Commotion came from outside. The door opened before permission from inside. Though the Prime Minister frowned, he could tell this was no ordinary matter from his aide’s urgent expression.
“What is it?”
“A message, a message has arrived!”
“What? From Clifford?”
The aide shook his head while catching his breath.
“No. The border guards found dead messenger birds and sent them straight to the capital. They found two, but the others still…”
“What do you mean, dead messenger birds?”
“I don’t know the details.”
Jeirutt, who had been listening quietly, rubbed his forehead. He suddenly recalled the magical anomaly detected at the border. But he couldn’t know if that had caused problems with the messenger birds’ magic stones. They needed mages to confirm.
“Both birds had the same message written… Lord Ian has suffered terrible internal injuries and is hovering between life and death.”
“…What?”
“The other mages are also in poor condition…”
Jin stood up with shocked eyes. What was this person saying? Hovering between life and death? That Ian?
Volv muttered while gauging how Ian’s death would change the political situation.
“The reason?”
“It’s not written.”
“Prime Minister. We’ll depart immediately. Clifford has clearly created problems. For them to write in the messenger birds that he’s hovering between life and death, he might already be dead by now-“
Let’s go. This is war. This was an opportunity laid out perfectly for the Imperial Defense Department.
“Volv! Hold your tongue!”
Just as Jin shouted angrily, something alien appeared outside the window. A black moon rising in the blue sky.
***
“Coming back after so long, the lab’s state is killer.”
Akorella muttered while running her fingertips over her dust-covered laboratory. Hale and several other mages following her in asked:
“Is your condition alright? What brings you here?”
“What? I came because they said all mages should gather. But looking at it now, it’s like a funeral home atmosphere. Heard Ian went missing after crossing to Clifford? Is that why you’re all trembling like wet dogs?”
“Akorella, you-“
“Hahaha! Just kidding! Ah, I’m just happy to see everyone after so long! Lighten up.”
She just grinned while leaning against the lab bench. While Hale and the other mages facing her were serious.
If they went down to Clifford, the imperial palace would use that gap to interfere with the Idgal investigation, but they couldn’t just sit still when their superior and colleagues had disappeared.
“There’s no problem at all.”
“What do you mean no problem. Are you not understanding because you’re sick?”
As Hale muttered while putting a cigarette in his mouth, Akorella snatched it away and threw it.
“No! I came back completely smart!”
“She’s crazy. Totally crazy.”
“We can just open a portal and go. Done in a day.”
“If that was possible, we’d have already-“
As Hale tried to say something, Akorella spread her coat while dancing. Just as the mages thought she had truly lost her mind, mysterious potions appeared from inside her coat.
“What could this beee?”
“…What is it?”
“Magic amplification drug! My life’s masterpiece with absolutely no side effects! Kyaaah! I was literally dying of excitement wanting to show this!”
The mages stepped back hesitantly. The claim of a side effect-free magic amplification drug was surprising enough, but researching it while sick was even more astounding.
“Everyone take one shot of this and open a portal. Then it’s possible.”
“Akorella. It’s not that we don’t trust you, but you should rest when you’re sick. Okay?”
“I tested it myself and verified it! Wow, you don’t believe me. Hey you. Come here. I’ll give it to you gently.”
“H-Hale-nim. Please save me.”
Everyone showed disbelief. As Akorella scratched her head like deflating, word came from outside. The same as what the Prime Minister and Jin had heard-
“Big trouble! They say messenger birds were found at the border! And, Lord Ian…”
News that Ian and their colleagues were hovering between life and death. The mages stirred with undisguised dismay.
Akorella kept shaking the potion with arms crossed, and finally Hale made the first decision.
“Bring the syringe.”
“Okay! My first customer!”
“Akorella. Really, are you in your right mind?”
“Of course. I guarantee it. But it won’t be enough to open a portal with just you. Anyone else want a shot?”
Swish
“Me too, I’ll take it too.”
“Yes. We can’t just stay like this.”
“We should hurry before the imperial palace has time to interfere.”
“Please give me one too, Lady Akorella.”
When Akorella looked around asking, the mages raised their hands one by one. Everyone there, willingly.
Story Arcs