Chapter 137
Chapter 137
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: To Gail First
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ian returned to the Magic Department. Perhaps due to the aftermath of the entrance ceremony, the main building itself was quiet, with hardly any signs of life. There was a hundred-year time difference, but almost nothing had changed. Except for the fact that a garden had been built where the annex used to be, allowing more sunlight to enter.
Tap.
There would surely be differences in the information.
The depth of knowledge permitted only to a select few in the upper echelons inside and outside the Magic Department was bound to vary. Before meeting Gail, Ian intended to check if there was any information beyond the public knowledge regarding mana stones and necromancy.
‘Luron won’t arrive at the palace until after sunset.’
Ian confirmed voices coming from within the Magic Support Division. A few were on duty, keeping watch. They took off their robes, spinning their quills irritably nonstop. It was due to an abrupt order from above.
“Gather the necromancers? Suddenly?”
“Yeah, some of them might have left the palace. They won’t complain if there’s no prior notice?”
“The funny thing is, they can’t say a word to Lord Wesley. They only pick on easy targets like us.”
“Always discriminating against foreigners, ignoring us, ugh. I’m already tired. You do it.”
“Yeah, get lost. No way. Not doing it.”
“Whatever, hurry up and send the telegram magic. Lord Wesley looked urgent. We’ll get chewed out top to bottom if not.”
“Handle ten at a time from the top of the list.”
“Ah, what did that guy’s face look like? I can’t remember.”
At someone’s words, they all stretched lazily and activated the telegram magic. Rather than sending sentences like letters, it transmitted the situation through prearranged colored lights.
Zing.
An orange light appeared in the mages’ hands, then faded faintly like ink in water. The light would have gone to the recipient the mage was picturing.
‘Orange light for recall signal. Basic enough. But Wesley ordered the necromancers gathered?’
It was certainly due to the letter from Karenna’s mayor. Romandro had been told at least three days, but if unlucky, he might have to confront Wesley right away.
The routes from the border to the center were all the same. Pinpoint the date, and it wouldn’t be hard to figure out Ian had passed through Karenna at that time.
‘I need to hurry.’
As Ian moved toward the archive, everywhere was astonishingly quiet. And suddenly, it reminded him of that day he had been dragged down from the throne.
‘That day was as peaceful as today.’
The warm scent of sunlight, the cool breeze, and the soft, low chirping of birds. The storm that would decide his fate had come more quietly than expected, and by the time he realized, the water was already up to his chin.
‘The moment fate changes is an instant. It just takes a long time for it to approach me. Wesley, you might feel the same. You think everything is in upheaval, but in truth, didn’t it start from the moment I awoke in Bratz territory? Or perhaps from my previous life before that.’
Slide!
Ian entered the archive and looked around. A vast space stretching endlessly. Black boxes, their purposes incomprehensible to ordinary people, were stacked without gaps.
“Ian Hielo Viscount?”
“Hello.”
“Didn’t you just have your entrance ceremony today?”
The mage organizing the archive recognized Ian and greeted him. But Ian had no time to spare.
“Yes. Captain Hail and the others have all gone home, and I returned to get a grasp on the work.”
“I don’t know how this will sound, but ahem, you’re surprisingly diligent for a noble. First time in the archive? Do you know how to use it?”
Instead of answering, Ian placed his palm on the wall. He released his mana without hesitation. The responding light guided him to where the materials he wanted were.
Zing!
“Excuse me. I’m a bit busy.”
“Huh? Oh, uh....”
He nodded awkwardly, watching Ian’s back. Rumors said he had solid mana despite having Prince Marib as his backer, and it wasn’t exaggeration.
Magic relied on spell formations and rituals, but the foundation was the mage’s concentration creating ‘imagery.’
Picturing the target as concretely as possible. If it blurred, not only would it fail to activate properly, but it could cause problems in the wrong place.
‘No wonder the Magic Support Division is in an uproar.’
If a monster rookie like that joined, the internal hierarchy could shake up big time. Maybe that’s why Minister Wesley was keeping a special eye on him.
“Jealous. Tsk. Life’s so unfair.”
Handsome, half-noble blood, granted a territory by the Emperor, and good at mana too? The staffer flopped behind the sofa, grumbling complaints nonstop.
* * *
Clatter clatter!
Around sunset. Romandro clutched a small box containing Luron to his chest. Whenever the carriage jolted hard, he flinched unnecessarily, checking if the Luron was intact. It was a mana stone, just a rock, but so valuable he couldn’t help it.
“Going further in?”
“Yes. To the entrance of Second Prince Gail’s palace.”
“Understood.”
The coachman slowed down, as it was his first time deep inside the palace. Whenever Romandro entered, it was always to the administrative offices or Marib’s office.
Whinny!
“We’ve arrived, Lord Romandro.”
“Ah, yes. Park the carriage over there. Don’t want anyone seeing.”
“Yes. I’ll wait.”
Romandro scanned for presences around before entering Gail’s palace. He spotted guards watching him from afar. But before that....
“Lord Romandro. Over here.”
“Oh, Ian. I was just coming back from the administrative offices—”
“Wesley received the letter from Karenna’s mayor.”
“Gasp! Right. How did you know? Did he come looking?”
“It’s circulating in the Magic Department. The Luron?”
“Right here. Shall we go in now?”
Ian nodded after confirming the faintly glowing Luron in the box. Romandro ignored the guards’ piercing stares as best he could and whispered quietly.
“Oh, and I checked at the administrative offices—it matches what I said. The high official appointment ceremony is exactly a week away. Meetings are usually a day or two before, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes. Thank you, Lord Romandro.”
“I’ll wait in the carriage until you come out.”
“Got it. I’ll be quick.”
Ian patted his shoulder lightly to say not to worry. Then he approached the guard, handed over his ID, and requested an audience.
“From the Magic Department, Ian Hielo Viscount. I’d like to see Second Prince Gail.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but it’s urgent.”
“If no appointment, it’ll be difficult.”
“Is dealing with visitors part of your duties too?”
“...My apologies.”
At Ian’s firm point, the guard slightly bowed and went inside.
Normally, a viscount showing up unannounced for an audience would be absurd. But Ian knew he was a considerable thorn in Gail’s side. He’d come in person, so they wouldn’t turn him away outright, just make him wait.
Soon, the chamberlain appeared to guide him.
“Viscount Ian Hielo. This way.”
Swish.
Perhaps because the sun had set, the palace was much dimmer than expected. Much like Gail’s hair. Even if contrived, Marib’s palace felt bright and warm, while Gail’s residence exuded the opposite aura.
Knock knock.
“Viscount Ian Hielo requests an audience, Your Highness.”
“Let him in.”
The chamberlain, having obtained permission, opened the door and nodded to Ian. As Ian entered, Gail, in casual attire, lay on the bed welcoming him. Contrary to the decadent atmosphere, piles of disorganized documents flanked the bed.
“Ian, I didn’t expect you to come see me like this. Here to share your impressions of joining the Magic Department? Or did Marib send you with a message? Urgent business, you say—now I’m intrigued.”
It was a light tone full of playfulness. At Gail’s chin gesture, Ian finally sat on the sofa and set down the box. Gail’s sharp eyes turned to it.
“I hope it’s a gift.”
“You’re right. It will surely be a gift to you, Your Highness Gail.”
Gail continued reading documents, flashing a meaningful smile. A gift for him, second in the empire. Ordinary things wouldn’t satisfy.
“I’ve personally given you my precious time, so live up to the hype.”
Ian took a breath and chose his words carefully. Given he hadn’t come down from the bed, it was clear he hadn’t heard any report from Wesley.
“Your Highness Gail. I have something I must boldly ask.”
“I permit it.”
“Have you heard anything about performing necromancy on the living?”
At Ian’s question, Gail looked up from the documents. His slowly rising head held no emotion but curiosity.
“I don’t follow.”
Necromancy was for the dead—on a living target? Seeing Gail’s brow furrow, Ian continued.
“The reason I came so urgently is to report something to you, Your Highness. As you know, a few years ago, the Magic Department invited necromancers for research.”
Gail, intrigued, set the documents aside and stood. His long robe slowly swept the floor with his movement.
“Minister Wesley secretly ordered the necromancers to conduct classified research. The gist is applying necromancy to the living, and by my guess, the subject is you, Your Highness.”
“I said live up to expectations, but this is the opposite. How do you know of Wesley’s secret research? I’m not merciful—if there’s any slip in your words, I kill on the spot.”
It was a very calm warning. Monotonous, flat tone like everyday talk. But as if to prove it no bluff, his gaze fell straight on Ian.
“I have a research associate as witness, and I saw the commotion with my own eyes. You know the small town of Karenna.”
Ian summarized the Karenna incident as briefly as possible for Gail. Gail’s brow furrowed deeper.
‘Wesley conducted separate research behind my back? That Wesley? Daring to?’
Unexpected. And honestly, a bit surprising. He thought Wesley just obeyed orders meekly, but as minister, he’d started something on his own.
“It seems it arose while seeking ways to evade the palace’s blessing.”
“What grounds make me the subject?”
“The fact that you were unaware of it is the proof.”
It made sense. If Ian came in person to bait him, it was worth investigating.
Gail questioned suspiciously. Then why was this man doing this? Why come tell him personally? If Wesley cast a ritual on him, wouldn’t Marib benefit?
‘Maybe a scheme to drive a wedge between me and Wesley.’
But Ian read his thoughts and added immediately.
“To say it first, Prince Marib knows nothing of this. You can use truth serum on me the moment I leave, I swear boldly.”
And he offered the box.
The real negotiation started now.