Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Proof Amid the Chaos
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Wesley was, objectively speaking, truly a remarkable figure.
No one knew her real name or age, and that fact suggested she had come from the very bottom of the bottom. Yet in the end, she had claimed the glory of being the youngest minister, the honor of leading the Magic Department, and the position of lover to 2nd Prince Gail, the empire's second most powerful man. There were few in the empire who had risen as far as she had.
“What, no way…. Ian, even so, that’s a bit much, isn’t it? Minister Wesley trying to turn His Highness Gail into an undead?”
Romandro made a face like he simply couldn’t believe Ian’s words. Even in his own home, he lowered his voice secretly, afraid someone might overhear.
“But given the current situation, I can’t come up with any other hypothesis. It seems she was trying to find a workaround because of the imperial palace’s blessing.”
“Th-the imperial palace’s blessing? You mean the imperial family is immune to mind-control magic?”
Romandro’s eyes widened again in surprise. They seemed to spend all day together, so where did Ian pick up these things? He let out a light sigh, thinking mages really were different.
“That’s right. Undead produce similar results to mind-control magic. You can manipulate the target at will, after all. But the ritual itself is different, and if you go deeper, it’s closer to shamanism than magic.”
“Sorry, but I’m a complete layman when it comes to that.”
“Magic requires mana, but shamanism doesn’t care if you have mana or not. It draws mysterious power from bloodlines, personal training, or various objects.”
Hasha was a prime example. He had no mana, but he carried the bloodline of a shaman passed down through his family for generations, and he had created undead using his own secret techniques. The more Ian explained, the more he felt like he was unraveling Wesley’s hidden intentions.
“So, if someone wants to manipulate a member of the imperial family, they’d have to find a method that doesn’t rely on mana. It’s clear that Wesley was the one trying to turn a living person into an undead, and the only motive she could have for that is Gail, right?”
“Hoh, what if His Highness Gail ordered Wesley to do it?”
That was certainly a possibility. Since he was plotting rebellion, he’d naturally target the emperor or Prince Marib. But….
“No. It’s more likely that Gail doesn’t know.”
It was the historical record that necromancy hadn’t been used in the rebellion that gave Ian this certainty. If Gail had known, he would have used it without hesitation. History would have changed completely.
“So, what do you plan to do now? Minister Wesley is a great asset to His Highness Gail, which means she’s a threat to Prince Marib, so this seems like a huge opportunity.”
“I think the same.”
“Cut Wesley out….”
Romandro clamped his mouth shut with his hand. It was too burdensome a word to even speak aloud, but Ian smiled brightly and responded lightly.
“We’ll have to cut her out.”
The Magic Department was rotten right now. If the top changed, the bottom would follow. That meant a better future for Bariel. Plus, it would effectively thwart Gail’s rebellion, which relied on the Magic Department’s backing.
‘But there’s a catch. Wesley is currently Gail’s greatest strength. Can Gail easily eliminate her? He might use the excuse of love to persuade her in some other way and keep her by his side.’
To take down Gail, use Wesley. To take down Wesley, use Gail. That was the situation. So, give Gail one choice.
‘If the Magic Department functions fine without Wesley, and the rebellion poses no problem… then he can cut her out. In other words, I need a mage to replace her.’
Among the people Ian knew in the Magic Department, was there anyone suitable? No. Captain Hail from the Magic Operations Division seemed reliable, but it wasn’t certain yet, and since he’d clashed with Wesley, he probably didn’t get along with Gail either.
‘Then I’ll have to do it. In terms of mana strength, I’m probably the only one who can rival her.’
The tangled threads in Ian’s mind began to unravel one by one. As silence fell and the child’s eyes kept shining, Romandro just watched quietly from the side.
“Ian, what are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Oh, Lord Romandro. Hurry up and go upstairs to say goodbye to Lady Vivianna.”
“To Vivianna? Why?”
“You won’t be able to come home for a while.”
Romandro’s face froze in shock at the bolt-from-the-blue declaration.
“Why, why not?”
“If the letter from Karenna’s mayor reached Wesley, she’ll immediately know we’re aware of the undead matter. It’s only a matter of time. At most, three days.”
“That means….”
“She’ll definitely try to eliminate us.”
Thud! It felt like his heart had dropped. Then they should run— no, where could he run with his pregnant wife?
“W-we should ask Prince Marib for help!”
“No. I’ll tell His Highness myself at the right time later.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course. That’s what we have to do.”
Even as Ian gave instructions to Romandro, he kept lightly snapping his fingertips. It was a habit that emerged when sorting through complex thoughts.
“Oh, before entering the palace, pick up some of the Luron mana stones we stored away. One piece should do. And as requested, after handling business at the administrative office, come to where I am.”
“Where? The Magic Department?”
“No. To His Highness Gail’s palace.”
“What? You’re serious?”
“Dead serious. And do you happen to know when the high-ranking appointments are happening this New Year?”
“Mm. Let me think.”
Romandro checked the calendar and rummaged through his memory. It wasn’t far off—the conference where the emperor and key figures gathered to reorganize the nation’s personnel. Then, appointment ceremonies would follow in the days after.
“Probably next week.”
“The timing is perfect.”
“With the truth serum issue, I’m not sure how things will play out. I’ll look into the details. The departments are in fierce turf wars these days… Ugh, it’s been rough.”
“That’s good for us.”
“Hm? Why?”
“Because the one who wins amid the chaos proves their ability.”
Ian dusted off his hands lightly and stood up. It was time to move.
“I’ll stop by the Magic Department, then head to His Highness Gail’s palace. See you after sunset.”
“Al-alright. But what about this guy?”
“Kraaah.”
Berik, blissfully passed out, scratched his chin. They needed someone to protect Vivianna and Mini against Wesley, but how could a guard be so lacking in vigilance…?
“Let him sleep. Even he’s probably never slept this soundly in his life. Right now, acting before Wesley does is key, so let’s move.”
“R-right, got it.”
Swish.
Ian tucked the letter into his bosom and hurriedly prepared to go out again. Romandro did the same. They split into separate carriages but exchanged glances promising to meet inside the imperial palace.
“Oh my, where to for you gentlemen?”
“We’re going separately. To the Magic Department.”
“We’re heading to the commercial district.”
“Ah, yes. Understood!”
The two carriages raced straight ahead before splitting at a fork. Ian toward the palace, Romandro toward the Luron mana stone hideout.
Neigh!
Clop clop!
Romandro kept looking back at Ian’s carriage growing distant, worried. Ian, meanwhile, kept his head held high, busily calculating moves in his mind.
“Whew.”
This was why the imperial palace was such a mess. Romandro vowed—once again—to retire someday and move to the countryside with Vivianna.
“But where the heck did Hasha go?”
* * *
Meanwhile, Hasha was sprinting mercilessly through a muddy back alley where snow had melted into slush. He’d only meant to take a quick lap around the neighborhood to clear his frustrated mind, so how had it come to this?
Sniff! Sniff sniff!
The familiar scent of his homeland wafted to his nose. One gust of wind and it might vanish, tightening his chest. Hasha kept moving his four legs busily, following the faint lingering traces.
‘It’s an Astana scent!’
More precisely, the smell of spices mainly used in Astana. The tangy yet sweetly cloying aroma was one he hadn’t encountered in ages, but it was vividly etched in his memory.
Thud!
If it was someone from his homeland, and if heaven helped and they were from the same faction, they might take him all the way to Astana. Astana mainly practiced necromancy, but some factions worshiped various shamanic arts and preserved them traditionally. Even if it wasn’t his original body, he might find a way back to being human.
It all stemmed from a faint hope sparked by that fleeting whiff of spices.
‘Around here? No. Deeper in! Slow down a bit! Countryman!’
“Oh my, what’s this dog….”
“Get outta there, you mutt!”
“Hey, why’s it charging like crazy all of a sudden?”
Hasha used his small body to pursue the scent as quickly and closely as possible. He shoved through piles of crates, leaped between old men drinking on the roadside, and didn’t fear stepping into cold puddles.
Thud!
And before long, he was so close that it felt like he was immersed in the smell itself. Hasha concealed his presence as much as possible and looked around. The dank, filthy, dark alley had no signs of life.
“Hahaha! And then?”
“Don’t even ask. The second I grabbed his collar, he started bawling. First time I’ve seen a grown man cry like that.”
“Such a braggart. Getting worse every day. Hm. Pathetic.”
“No, really!”
Just then, the sound of rough-looking men coming out of a building reached him. They seemed to be on a break from some work inside, holding what looked like mana cigarettes.
“Hm? What’s that?”
They looked dangerous at a glance—scarred skin here and there, unkempt hair, and eyes that seemed half-mad.
“A dog?”
“Yeah, a dog.”
Hasha froze in place, unable to find an opening to turn back. His throat bobbed as he swallowed in panic, but they just took him for an ordinary dog and puffed on their cigarettes.
“What’re you looking at, mutt!”
“Should I just eat you? Kahahaha!”
“Ah, that makes me hungry for real. When’s Master Pakenus coming back? Gotta settle our pay before we can hit the tavern. Ahh, seriously.”
Pakenus? Hasha’s ears perked up.
He’d heard the name somewhere before. Pretending to just sniff the ground uncomprehendingly, he kept watching them out of the corner of his white eyes.
“That’s right, this time the goods are pretty lucrative, yeah? What was it? Uh, uh, unde….”
“Undead, you idiot! How many times do I gotta tell you?”
“Yeah. Anyway, that thing’ll fetch a lot of money, right?”
“Gasp!”
Hasha let out an involuntary gasp. Pakenus—it clicked. The slave traders in Karenna who’d used his ritual to make and sell undead! Their group was called Pakenus!
“Gasp?”
“That sound you just made?”
“No, I didn’t say anything.”
Huff! Huff!
The men flicked their cigarette ash and slowly turned their heads. The only thing here was a white dog?
Hasha drooled as much as he could, making an ‘I know nothing’ face. Damn.