Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Light of the Oracle
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“Minister Wesley. The main body of the Light of the Oracle has arrived. Please take a moment to inspect it.”
Wesley, who had been looking down at Ian with displeasure, turned his gaze to the back. The mages who had been snickering around him did the same. They hurriedly moved to prepare for receiving the main body.
“You stay here.”
Ian just nodded, meaning no need for further words, and Wesley furrowed his brow even more before heading outside.
A glossy black velvet curtain separated the outside from this place. With the music and the growing murmur of the crowd, it was clear they were thoroughly enjoying the social festivities.
“Ian. You just smiled, didn’t you?”
“Hm? Me?”
As Berik glanced around the now-deserted surroundings, he realized the floor was covered in countless magic circles. Were they not to be stepped on? He cautiously lifted his toes, but Ian walked over them without a care.
“What if you smudge them?”
“Magic circles don’t erase easily just from stepping on them. Unless you cover them with something else. The Light of the Oracle’s main body will probably… be set up right around here.”
Ian muttered while examining the magic circles. It was the part where complex formulas written in flying script and circular curves overlapped in a jumble.
“Think Wesley’s up to something? I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“He’s already done it. The Magic Department wants my mana to look worthless.”
First, to humiliate the arrogant bastard, and second, to give external justification for assigning Ian to a lower division.
“Since I’m seen as Prince Marib’s man, putting me in a core division would naturally be burdensome for them.”
“Isn’t the minister in charge there? Can’t he just do as he pleases? Who’d say anything? Does that mean I’d have to watch and do menial tasks?”
It was an independent, unparalleled division, but ultimately just one cog in the massive gears of the imperial palace. There were too many hurdles to rolling Ian to the bottom without justification.
“Do you know what kind of nitpick they’d find for mistreating a noble graced by His Majesty the Emperor without cause? The nobles wouldn’t take it lightly either. No matter the origins, a lack of respect for the titled would surely draw checks.”
Especially since the intent was clearly to give not even a sliver of opening to Marib.
“So, no worries then?”
“Not quite.”
“Argh, my head hurts.”
“Berik, I appreciate you worrying in my stead, but no need. The answer’s already set.”
Ian spotted a suspicious magic circle and muttered.
It was a formula slightly different from the activation incantation he remembered for the Light of the Oracle. There were still many people coming and going around. They were busy and not paying attention, but opening his mana would draw their focus immediately.
“Looking down from above is easy, but looking up from below is hard.”
The Mana Stone Management Division that Marib wanted had relatively low preference, making it not hard to access. So, securing the high ground first to widen his choices was key.
Meaning, right here, he’d imprint his presence as much as possible.
‘And above all, being a commoner origin, rumors will spread among the nobles.’
He needed to show it clearly.
That though a bastard, he had the qualifications to be a noble like them. And furthermore, that he possessed abilities nobler and more precious than theirs.
‘To hold the center between Marib and Gail, a third force is needed.’
Of course, it could be the Fourth or Fifth Princes as imperial candidates, but for now, the power of the crowd was perfect. The pillars of Bariel, bound under the name of ‘nobles.’
Swoosh.
After confirming the flawed magic circle formula, Ian beckoned Berik over.
“Berik. Lend me a finger.”
“A finger?”
As if telling him to bite it and draw some blood, Berik crunched down on his index finger. Ian squatted and pointed to the part to cover.
“Cover here and here.”
“Man, if I knew, I’d have brought something useful!”
“Yes. My oversight.”
“Yeah. Meat side dishes for a week.”
Ian nodded, and Berik gleefully rubbed at one side of the magic circle. It was just a small section the size of a finger joint, so it didn’t stand out much.
Whirrr.
It was while Ian was visually final-checking the magic circle. From behind came the soft sound of wheels rolling. Berik turned casually and froze, mouth agape.
“Ian, that’s…….”
“The Light of the Oracle.”
The Light of the Oracle resembled a massive harp made of gold. Its softly curving lines, sturdy base supporting the floor, and intricate decorative carvings made it look like a heavenly instrument bestowed by the gods.
“But without strings to make sound. Instead of strings, do you see the faint light falling?”
At Ian’s explanation, Berik just widened his eyes and peered. Mages and officials crowded around, unable to get close.
“No. I don’t see it.”
“Look later. It’ll be quite the sight.”
The New Year’s Gala. The most important imperial banquet of the year, providing dazzling spectacles. For the imperial family and nobles at that. It had to show light as beautiful as the pollen scattering across all Bariel.
“Ian Hielo Viscount.”
“Yes. Minister Wesley.”
At Wesley’s call, Ian slowly approached. The Light of the Oracle was placed in the center of the magic circle, ready for activation. Berik’s small bloodstain was hidden under its base.
“Do you know how?”
“You never taught me, so of course not.”
“When the Magic Department activates the Light of the Oracle, you place your hand on this surface and release your mana. Remember that the venue’s atmosphere will change based on the wavelength and intensity.”
Ian clicked his tongue inwardly. Even with intent to sabotage, giving such a sloppy explanation. Ian just nodded deeply in acknowledgment.
“Everyone, final preparations!”
“Yes, Minister.”
Zing. Zzzing.
Wesley turned his back, meaning nothing more to say. Mages one by one opened their mana, infusing it into the floor’s magic circles.
The magic circles sparkled like lights turning on.
Berik watched with sparkling eyes, full of wonder.
‘The gold shines even brighter!’
Wind arose from the mana flow in the enclosed space. The velvet curtains shook slightly, and the crowd’s expectant murmurs grew louder. Along with the orchestra’s quickening performance.
“You, are you Viscount Ian’s guard? Step back.”
“Huh? Ian?”
“Go on. Berik. It’s fine.”
It was the moment Ian lightly waved for him not to worry. A mage passing by bit his lip hard and turned back.
“Excuse me.”
She was a woman with short-cropped pink hair like a man’s. Ian recognized her immediately. Nakina from the Magic Department, who had received merits from the Roxan Battle right after him earlier.
‘Hail, Tommy, Nakina. Only one woman’s name among the three.’
“What is it?”
She glanced around nervously, sighed deeply inwardly, and quickly recited the mana confirmation method Wesley hadn’t mentioned.
“Are you right-handed?”
“Yes.”
“Then grip the large handle with your left hand and release mana with your right. It’s important to place your whole palm on the surface, and for a beautiful, natural illusion, your hand movements must be smooth too.”
“Nakina!”
“Got it! Coming!”
The one calling her was another man who’d received Roxan Battle merits. Nakina passed Ian while watching the surroundings—specifically Wesley—thankfully without entering Wesley’s view, though some mages noticed.
“Nakina. I told you not to get involved in serious matters.”
“No, but still…….”
There’s a line to not let an oblivious person play the fool. Not knowing Wesley had tampered with the magic circle, Nakina grumbled irritably.
“Feels like shoving food down a kid’s throat. Pisses me off.”
“You’re always like that.”
“Whatever, let’s go down. I don’t wanna watch this.”
“Sounds good. Long time for a beer?”
“Hail’s buying?”
They chose cracking open beer barrels in the lively back alleys over watching the dubious mana confirmation ritual after leaving the palace. Ian noted the three names as he watched them go.
‘Roxan Battle. Hail, Tommy, Nakina.’
Ian had observed the mana confirmation ritual countless times in the past. Of course he knew the method, but their kindness left an impression.
Swaaah.
Then, light poured brightly beside Ian. The velvet curtain parting the venue had been drawn back. The relaxed atmosphere was visible at a glance.
“Oh! It’s Viscount Ian Hielo!”
“Finally starting, huh.”
“Must be tough running two shifts a day. Haha.”
“No. Think about it. What’s hard for someone scraping by in the back alleys?”
“First time seeing this mana confirmation ritual. Looking forward to it!”
“But sis, no matter how you look, he’s handsome, right? Honestly, does being commoner-born matter that much looks-wise?”
“Shh! Enough reckless talk.”
All sorts of noisy voices filled the air. Sneers, contempt, curiosity, goodwill all mixed into a massive invisible wall. Between the platform where Ian stood and the nobles watching him.
‘Ian! You got this!’
Romandro raising both fists in the back was visible too. Raising his gaze a bit more, he confirmed the emperor and imperial family watching Ian. Gail and Marib’s eyes especially burned, but Ian ignored them and approached the Light of the Oracle.
“I am Magic Department Minister Wesley.”
Wesley hid the cold chill she’d shown Ian, smiling befitting a minister. Her gaze sought the second-floor Gail. Whether it reached, only Gail would know.
“Everyone knows how vital magic is to upholding the great empire of Bariel. Yet, we’ve lamented the lack of new talent these past years. But on this last day of the year, it seems a new blessing descends upon the Magic Department, nay, upon Bariel. I am truly delighted.”
Wesley smiled, curving her eyes. The Magic Department received especially ample budget among divisions. Where did it come from? The nobles’ taxes, of course.
“The mana Viscount Ian Hielo will show is sworn to be used gloriously for the great empire of Bariel henceforth.”
Clap clap clap.
As Wesley clapped and stepped aside, the nobles reflexively followed. Not cheers, but a habit ingrained in their bodies.
‘Hmm.’
Ian’s expression didn’t change. Amid the nobles’ piercing gazes, he gripped the Light of the Oracle without a tremor.
Tap.
The moment a sneer tugged at Wesley’s lips at his hesitation. Ian naturally leaned on the Light of the Oracle with one shoulder, posing as if about to play a stringless harp.
‘Like this, right?’
His body moved familiarly from long-ago memories as both emperor and mage.
Ziiing. Zzzing.
“Ooooh. My god.”
“Look at that. His eye color changed!”
Simultaneously, his mana opened. Green eyes turned golden, winds swirled around. Ian placed his right hand on the light’s surface and gently rubbed.
Swaaah!
Flash!
“Ah…….”
Following Ian’s touch, thousands of colors danced. As if seeing heavenly music with the eyes, the nobles’ minds went blank.