Chapter 116
Chapter 116
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Man in the Separate Palace
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Creak.
Prince Marib opened the side table drawer and took out his glasses. He beckoned to his aide, who brought over the documents. The man waiting like a shadow placed a leather-bound report in front of them.
“Do you know about mana stones?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Ahem—!”
Ian nodded politely while seated properly, but Romandro, whose leg had gone numb, choked and made a fuss. It seemed Ian was trying to keep quiet about mana stones, yet the word had just come straight from the prince’s mouth.
“Oh dear, Romandro.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
As Marib frowned, the aide approached and handed over a handkerchief. He then carefully suggested they step outside. Coughing and spitting in front of the prince—such a reckless act.
“Lord Romandro. Why don’t you step out for some fresh air?”
“Yes, of course. Ahem. Excuse me.”
Romandro rose from his seat, glancing worriedly at Ian. He wondered if Ian could handle it alone without him, but it was needless concern. Ian showed no agitation, simply continuing to gaze at Marib’s face.
Creak.
Once Romandro was gone, Marib put on his glasses and gestured. It was permission to look over the documents.
“When the Magic Department assigns departments, they’ll likely ask your preference first.”
Ian flipped through the pages and smiled inwardly. The very first page was densely packed with information and an illustration of the advanced Luron mana stone. If Romandro had been there, it wouldn’t have ended with just choking.
“The Mana Stone Management Division in the Magic Department is always short on staff. Mages are only interested in their magic training and mental pursuits; they have little enthusiasm for secondary research like mana stones.”
“It’s probably the same context as swordsmen preferring to swing their blades over studying weapons.”
“Seeing Lord Ian, you seem to have deep talent for scholarly pursuits.”
It was an order to join the Mana Stone Management Division.
Ian smiled brightly and nodded. He’d need to weigh the overall situation, but in front of the prince, he had no choice but to agree.
“Yes, Your Highness. My learning is lacking, so I always feel a thirst for knowledge.”
Moreover, this was quite a substantial gain, regardless of anything else.
To provide information on mana stones that had only lingered as faint, scattered memories! Judging by the report’s thickness, it was clearly copied straight from the Magic Department’s records.
“That’s fortunate. If you’re assigned to the Mana Stone Management Division and reveal mana stone deposits, I’ll actively support your tribute gold matter. Especially focusing on that Luron on the first page.”
It wasn’t an offer of 10,000 gold coins—it was a promise to help. Likely meaning he’d reconvene the council and overturn the decision...
Ian was momentarily speechless, his mouth slightly agape. Setting aside the unreasonable proposal, it was to gauge Marib’s intentions.
He already knew Gail wanted the Luron mana stones. It made sense, given his base was the Magic Department. But seeing even the unrelated Marib get involved suggested deeper political maneuvers.
‘And Luron deposits mean Bratz, right? There are others, of course, but Bratz is definitely one of the major ones.’
What then, if discovered? What were his plans after that?
If the intent was to monopolize Luron before Gail, things might simplify. But conversely...
‘If it’s to destroy all the Lurons so Gail can’t use them?’
It would make Marib just as troublesome for Ian as Gail. Bratz’s mines aside, the Lurons Ian had brought could vanish in an instant.
Ian first bowed his head, signaling his acceptance of the command.
“Thank you for your words. I’ll do my utmost.”
Marib smiled contentedly and removed his glasses. From experience, those who didn’t question the ‘why’ behind orders usually handled things well. Marib, now curious himself, continued questioning.
“But, Lord Ian, are you always so agreeable? We’ve only just met, yet you’re so positively responsive—it’s almost suspicious.”
Ian met Marib’s blue eyes. Fitting for a prince, his expression was hard to read, but a subtle playfulness seeped through. It was a question that would have seemed gravely menacing from anyone else.
Ian immediately lowered his gaze and replied.
“Since Romandro came down to the border, I’ve considered myself to have met you, my lord.”
They hadn’t met in person until now, but he’d received the prince’s orders over a long period. Marib laughed aloud and tapped the sofa armrest.
“Indeed. That’s right. I hear it’s trendy these days to paint with pigments mixed with mana stone powder. Maybe I’ll sponsor some for the artists under my patronage.”
Marib added the words to lighten the mood. The report mentioned truth serum, but interpreting it politically was entirely up to Ian’s insight. Understanding it proved his ability; ignorance meant simply following orders.
“Then, let’s end it here. Hmm, seems Romandro’s been carted off to the infirmary, so no need to stop by—just leave the palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“In the future, deliver any messages directly to my aide, not through Romandro.”
It meant he couldn’t fully trust they were in the same boat yet, but he acknowledged they were facing the same direction. Ian placed a hand on his chest and bowed once more.
“It was an honor to meet you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Creak.
As soon as Ian exited the reception room, his eyes met Romandro’s, who was pacing at the end of the corridor. Romandro rushed over silently and grabbed Ian’s arm.
“I-It’s over?”
“Why didn’t you come back in? Let’s go.”
“No, it felt awkward to re-enter. But shouldn’t I at least greet him?”
“His Highness Marib said there’s no need to stop by—just go.”
“Good heavens. Thank the stars. Let’s hurry!”
Escaping the superior’s room felt like a breath of fresh air. Returning had seemed impossible with heavy steps, so Romandro muttered embarrassed complaints.
“So, what did he say? And what was that report?”
“Lord Romandro. You know better. In the imperial palace, even portraits have ears.”
Shh. Ian covered his mouth with a finger and smiled faintly. It was a signal he’d explain after leaving the palace.
“We can stop by the Magic Department on the way out. Better to exit before the sun fully sets, right?”
“Exactly. Guards get stricter after dark—more hassle.”
The two quickened their pace down the massive main building stairs. The space, large enough for hundreds to ascend at once, echoed only with their small footsteps.
Tap-tap!
“We’ll go through the Magic Department and then out.”
At Romandro’s words, the coachman gripped the reins tightly. The carriage carrying the two sped away from the First Prince’s palace main building. With tension released, Romandro slumped and groaned.
“Ach, facing him in person after so long—it’s exhausting.”
“You did well. By the way, Lord Romandro. Does His Highness have more princes?”
“Hm? Princes?”
At Ian’s question, Romandro wiped cold sweat and glanced back.
“There are quite a few.”
Ian let out an “Ah” upon hearing there were over a dozen, including First Prince Marib and Second Prince Gail.
“But realistically, only those two have any standing in the palace. The Third Prince fell and passed away years ago, and the Fourth and Fifth are too young.”
By succession order, those below didn’t count. The lower princes were far down the line even when of age, and lacked the caliber to surpass Marib and Gail.
“There’s one consort who alone stays by His Majesty’s side. Dillaina—she’s the birth mother of the Fourth and Fifth Princes. She has his full trust, even preparing the New Year’s banquet in his stead.”
The empress position was vacant, and the many consorts dared not enter the power struggles.
How could they fight Marib and Gail backed by an emperor flickering like a candle about to die? But Dillaina had no choice.
‘To protect her princes, her only reliable pillar is the emperor alone.’
If Marib or Gail took the throne, the other heirs would surely be purged under the guise of checks.
“His Highness Marib in particular... toward Lady Dillaina...”
“Doesn’t like her, I suppose.”
“Ignoring her is more accurate.”
Romandro looked burdened by each word, unnecessarily coughing and scanning around. Though only he and Ian were in the carriage.
‘Looks like the next emperor will come from the other princes.’
It was a corridor he’d passed daily out of habit. To unconsciously recall ingrained information, he needed a clear trigger. Like an intuitive piece, such as the current emperor’s face.
“We’ll see them all at the New Year’s banquet.”
“Unless something special comes up. It’s the empire’s most important event.”
New Year’s banquet. Even setting aside the title conferment ceremony, it was undoubtedly crucial. Ian noticed the scenery shifting in the darkness. They’d reached the Second Prince’s palace central building.
‘We’re here.’
Ian unconsciously pressed his face to the window.
“Drop me here.”
“Hm? Here?”
“If you’re spotted near the Magic Department, Lord Romandro, who knows what rumors will fly. My face isn’t known yet, so I’m fine.”
“But...”
“It’s okay. I just want to check outside briefly.”
It was a valid point. Romandro, known as Marib’s subordinate, lingering could spark rumors. The imperial palace demanded caution even in breathing.
Creak.
“Ian. If anything happens, come running.”
“What could happen in the palace? Lord Romandro.”
Ian stepped down and glanced back at him briefly.
Just in case. If he went to the annex and found Naum’s magical traces? If he could return to his original self, his original time? This might be his last with Romandro.
‘Ah. Right. I should’ve properly said goodbye to Berik.’
That was regrettable. But what could be done.
He was someone who shouldn’t be here originally.
Ian patted Romandro’s shoulder and smiled bitterly.
“Truly, thank you. And for taking good care of Berik.”
“What’s this all of a sudden? Hurry back. That brat Berik will throw another fit if you’re late.”
Ian didn’t reply to the “hurry back.” He simply left a smile and walked the familiar path. At some point, feeling his breath quicken, Ian realized he was running.
‘To the original world, and to Naum—’
He wanted to save him. Naum, Ian’s one and only teacher and friend.
A small building of ochre bricks came into view. The guards’ rest shelter for the Magic Department. Turn at that point, and the annex was right there.
Thud!
His heart pounded wildly, but his steps halted abruptly.
“...The annex is gone.”
Gone. In place of the Magic Department annex that should’ve been there stood dozens of massive ancient trees. Too unkempt for a garden, too artificially flagged for natural woods—mysterious poles dotted everywhere.
Step.
Ian walked between the trees, unable to hide his bewilderment. Moonlight poured unusually bright through shaking branches. Colorful flags fluttered in the breeze. The mystical feel lasted only a moment; Ian turned at the presence behind him.
“Ah. You must be Ian?”
Rustle.
Black hair, gray eyes. A massive, sturdy build with sharply upturned eyes giving a chilling impression. Though completely different in aura, Ian instantly recognized him as Marib’s brother.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Gail.”