Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Arsen and Jin
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Mana pulsed from the stairs leading to the second floor. It seemed a protective barrier had been cast for security, given that the entire imperial family was gathered there. The noisy clamor of the first floor, now fully transformed into a social venue, gradually faded away.
Tap.
"This way."
Ian followed the chief steward familiarly. Though the layout differed slightly here and there, the deeper he went, the more he got a feel for it. At the end of the dimly lit long corridor stood knights in the uniforms of the Imperial Palace Guard.
"We have brought Viscount Ian Hielo at His Majesty's command."
They all exuded an extraordinary aura—sturdy and resolute, men who lived and died for honor.
"Pleased to meet you, Viscount Ian Hielo. I am Beols, Third Captain of the Imperial Palace Guard. If it's not too much trouble, may we conduct a body search?"
"As you wish."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
When Ian lightly raised his arms, the guard captain ran his hands over Ian's waist and legs before bowing his head. It was only natural to endure this much when coming face-to-face with such exalted personages.
"Please, enter."
Creak.
At the captain's permission, the massive door swung open. The imperial family members, who had been lounging freely on sofas and whispering among themselves, all turned their heads at once. They must be the collateral branches, not the direct line.
"Oh, he's here."
"Your Highness, Viscount Ian Hielo has arrived."
"He's even more intriguing up close."
Curious gazes poured down simultaneously. Ian smiled as he approached the emperor and offered greetings in accordance with etiquette. The moment he raised his head, he came face-to-face with the emperor and the key figures.
'These are the core of the current Variel Empire's power—and the keys to the future.'
At the emperor's side, closely attending him, was the silver-haired woman, Dillaina. Then Marib and Gail, followed by the young princes Arsen and Jin.
In the unpredictable imperial palace, perfectly grasping them was essential to gauging his path forward.
"Jin, take a look at that. He must have struggled with the mana earlier. He's all sweaty, isn't he?"
Arsen whispered and giggled to his younger brother Jin, who gazed down at Ian impassively. As Romandro had said, distinguishing the two didn't seem all that difficult. They looked identical, like mirror images, but their temperaments were polar opposites.
"Viscount Ian Hielo. I bestow my blessing upon you once more. The display you gave today will serve as an example to the nobles."
The emperor slowly beckoned him closer.
Ian knelt and extended his body toward him, and the emperor personally handed him a glass of wine.
"This is the greatest honor of my life. For Your Majesty, I will do my utmost in the Magic Department as well."
"Music to my ears."
The chief steward seated Ian on a sofa, and Marib took the lead in speaking. Come to think of it, this was the first time seeing the two princes together. Ian stepped back mentally and observed the overall atmosphere.
"Viscount Ian Hielo has already proven his abilities from the border. He will surely achieve results in the Magic Department as well. Isn't that right, Gail?"
Marib's question was laced with amusement. It was because Ian's mana had exceeded expectations. Retaining authority over his placement without it being snatched by Wesley was already half a victory. Gail shrugged nonchalantly with a smirk, feigning indifference.
"Why ask me? The Magic Department's affairs are for Minister Wesley to handle."
It was a stance that drew a firm line. Everyone knew Gail and Wesley were lovers, but no one dared mention it openly because of exactly that.
What could anyone say when the parties themselves played dumb?
"Viscount Ian Hielo. If you join the Magic Department, which division are you considering?"
When Dillaina asked casually, Marib and Gail's brows furrowed in unison. It was tantamount to tossing out a topic to probe each other's intentions.
Marib wanted Ian in the Mana Stone Management Division, while Gail opposed whatever division Marib wanted.
'The Magic Support Division?'
Gail gauged inwardly while watching Marib's expression. He hadn't anticipated the Mana Stone focus, so he assumed Ian would be placed in the central force of the Support Division.
"My own opinion is just that—an opinion. I will follow Minister Wesley's decision. As the head of the Magic Department, he surely knows the best place for me."
Ian deferred vaguely, leaving room for maneuver. Naturally, he couldn't predict what Gail's side might do if he mentioned the Mana Stone Management Division here.
"I see. A wise choice."
"You're too kind."
And above all, Ian had no intention of going to the Mana Stone Management Division. If he had, he wouldn't have pushed himself so hard in the mana confirmation ritual. Knowing one of the twin princes would be the next emperor, he had decided he couldn't stick with Marib to the end.
'Going to the Mana Stone Management Division would distance me from the center of power. That would make it hard to prepare for the future. I'll go to another division for now, inform Marib of Gail's counterproposal and call it a ploy, and show Gail that I'll accept his counterproposal while distancing myself from Marib.'
He had to tightrope between the two with the delicacy of glassblowing. He had no idea what mess this was, but for now, it was unavoidable.
"Look here, Lord Ian."
It was then. Unable to contain his itching curiosity, Arsen spoke to Ian. When Gail and Marib glanced at him, Dillaina flinched involuntarily.
"Yes, Your Highness Arsen."
"You know me?"
"You are the fourth prince of the palace, so of course."
"That mana from earlier. Could you show it one more time?"
He looked utterly like an innocent child. While his mother fretted over his neck, Arsen seemed unable to tear himself from the fantasy.
"Hm? Just once."
"Yes. I want to see it up close too."
"Your Majesty, is that alright? Please permit it."
The other imperial children gradually gathered, chiming in. The emperor, who had been sitting still like an ornament, nodded in approval, and soon the children approached Ian with eyes sparkling.
"However, Your Highness Arsen, that mana requires the light of the oracle."
"It's fine. Go ahead and show us."
Ian glanced at Marib and Gail for final permission, then opened his palm and released his mana.
Zing. Zzing.
Arsen peered straight into the green pupils turning gold. Even imperial children were still children. Delightful squeals echoed here and there, and the subtly tense atmosphere eased a bit.
"Wow, amazing. Can I touch it?"
"Your Highness Arsen, of course."
"I am still too young to have much connection with the Magic Department. This is my first time seeing it outside of ceremonies—truly fascinating."
"Arsen."
Dillaina, unable to bear it any longer, called to him. Did he truly not know why he couldn't go to the Magic Department? Its head, Wesley, was Gail's puppet.
"Maintain decorum. Lord Ian is not a performer—refrain from further rudeness."
Only then did Arsen let out a short "Ah" as if realizing, but Ian waved it off, even extending his hand.
"No, madam. Today is a joyful day for me, so I wish to give Your Highness a happy memory as well."
If not for this excuse, when else would he get to see the twin princes' faces up close? At Ian's words, Arsen beamed happily and stuck close to him.
"Thanks for saying that!"
He truly lacked any edge—like a collateral child growing up oblivious to the throne's power struggles. Ian closely examined Arsen from forehead to chin, checking for any scars.
'No marks.'
"Kuhk!"
Then, the emperor, who had been sitting quietly, broke into a rough cough. His breathing grew ragged, as if choking, and Marib rushed over first to gently pat his father's back.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
"Hmm...."
"Escort Father inside first."
"Yes, Your Highness Marib."
The chief steward supported the emperor at Marib's command, and Dillaina soon followed at his side. Gail, meanwhile, remained seated on the sofa, casually blowing air from his fingertips, maintaining his calm pose regardless.
"Arsen, don't trouble Lord Ian—come here."
Dillaina called her son as she headed out. Arsen kicked at the ground irritably before scampering after his mother. But wasn't there one more name that should come from Dillaina's lips?
"Your Highness Jin."
Ian called to Jin, who sat quietly in the corner. Silver hair, blue eyes. The boy's face held no expression.
"Jin. Shouldn't you go as well?"
When Gail asked casually, Jin rose silently from his chair. Not that he particularly wanted to be anywhere.
"Your Highness."
Ian cautiously called to such a Jin. Ian's eyes had returned to green in the meantime.
"If it's alright, may I escort you? The corridor was a bit dark when I followed the chief steward in."
Ian had noticed that when the imperial children gathered one by one, only Jin stayed put. He had merely turned his head this way, as if he couldn't join, without budging.
"...Do as you wish."
"Thank you."
"Ian."
As Ian stood, Gail called to him. And he even tilted his head as if to say return soon. Ian bowed with a smile and soon exited the door with Jin's two attendants.
Zing. Zzing.
"See? It's brighter than a lantern."
Ian released mana as he walked with Jin. Jin pretended to look ahead but kept glancing sideways repeatedly. If Arsen was seeing mana for the first time, so was Jin.
'No skin marks that could become scars on Jin either.'
It was consideration to examine the face in detail, but it seemed to come across differently to Jin. He suddenly stopped while walking well and turned to Ian.
"Lord Ian."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"...May I touch it?"
"The mana? Of course."
Ian knelt to meet Jin's eyes and made the mana even warmer. The child's face lit up with the soft, rising warm glow.
"Ah."
So that's what Arsen saw earlier.
Jin exclaimed unwittingly and grasped the mana. A smile bloomed on the child's face at the gentle texture slipping between his fingers. The attendants, too, saw Jin's smile for the first time in ages.
'Hm?'
Ian, watching closely, froze. Arsen and Jin, mirror images. But when smiling, a dimple formed on Jin's left cheek—that's what he noticed.