Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: I Swear
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“Whether it’s sincerity or youthful bravado, huh.”
A strange smile played on Gail’s lips. Did he think he knew what they’d fed him under the name of truth serum? Beyond its power to force the truth, it was one of the reasons high-ranking officials were so deeply wary. They couldn’t predict what the inscrutable Magic Department might do to their bodies.
“It’s sincere. And true.”
“Let’s hear it, then. Those who swear an oath always have something they desire.”
It was an invitation to persuade him. Ian placed his hand on the box lid and carefully chose his words. From here on, he had to speak exactly as he’d formulated in his mind, without a single deviation. With the high likelihood that Gail would use the truth serum, it was best to erect as much of a protective barrier as possible against any nuances that could twist against him.
“I became a lord with Prince Marib’s help, but I am not his man. Of course, there are instructions I received in exchange. You’ve probably guessed as much, Your Highness.”
“That’s not just me—even the Magic Department clerks know it.”
“Prince Marib wanted me to join the Mana Stone Management Division.”
Mana Stone Management Division? Gail’s brow furrowed slightly. It was a small clue, but enough to discern Marib’s intentions.
“You were looking into the truth serum.”
“I know it’s currently the hot topic in the palace.”
“But you didn’t go to the Mana Stone Management Division. Why? Did you judge it was easy enough to access?”
“That’s exactly right.”
Ian nodded and slowly extended the box. Gail’s eyes gleamed with unmistakable curiosity despite his suspicion. He nodded in permission, and Ian opened the lid.
Swish.
“I trust you know what this is.”
“…Luron?”
What Gail had seen until now were mostly powders. He’d glimpsed grains no bigger than a fingernail at most, but a whole chunk like this was a first. How many kilograms was that thing?
“According to the records, the Magic Department currently holds about ten kilograms of Luron Stone in storage. A single dose of truth serum requires roughly ten grams of Luron, so on the surface, it seems like plenty.”
But the issue was that research was still ongoing. They’d already used about five kilograms in experiments so far, and they expected to need another kilogram to refine it further.
‘On top of that, Luron is a high-grade mana stone with extreme rarity. It’s useful not just for truth serum but elsewhere too. A few more rounds of research, and it’ll run out for sure.’
Having ten kilograms left didn’t mean they were comfortable. That was why they’d been so obsessively targeting Bratz territory, suspected to be a deposit site.
Gail lifted the Luron chunk and muttered as he held it up to the ceiling light.
“…So it was in Bratz after all.”
Gail’s blue eyes flickered. A faint possibility hadn’t just appeared—it had rolled right to his feet.
“The deposits in Hielo Territory have all been mined out and are now under central management.”
Ian deliberately emphasized “Hielo.” As if to say its lord had changed long ago. It was also a signal not to look elsewhere but to focus on him, right in front.
Gail toyed endlessly with the Luron Stone, chuckling. Things were unfolding most amusingly.
“That’s just a tiny fraction.”
“I admit it. Frankly, I’m quite shocked.”
“If it’s what Your Highness desires, I’ll trade the Luron Stone with the Magic Department. At market rates. That way, you can easily dismiss nonsense about wasting precious mana stones.”
It was one of the opposition’s main arguments.
How could they consume such a rare high-grade mana stone in a one-time drink? It was typically used as an auxiliary tool for magic, so backlash against drinking it away was natural.
“You plan to pay for the trade with tribute funds?”
“There are so many places to spend once you’re in the capital.”
When tossed casually, it deserved a casual reply. Ian smiled, and Gail fixed his gaze on the violet-glowing Luron Stone. Beautiful—nay, utterly mystical.
“So, what do you want?”
Now spill your true intentions, Gail asked languidly, leaning back against the sofa.
“Raise me as the next Magic Department Minister.”
“……!”
Shock after shock, from one to ten. He was starting to wonder what thoughts swirled in that small head. Gail’s mouth fell slightly open before he burst into laughter.
“Ah! Ahahaha! You’re mad!”
Even supplying large quantities of rare high-grade mana stones—demanding the Magic Department Minister position in return? Wasn’t that too exorbitant? Minister of the Magic Department, no less! He had to be completely insane.
Gail didn’t hold back his hearty laughter, and Ian patiently waited for him to catch his breath.
“Securing Luron would make things easier, true—but only that far. It just plugs the nonsense about wasting mana stones. Ian, are you getting ahead of yourself?”
“Supplying Luron is merely my goodwill toward you, Your Highness.”
“Oh? Then what else?”
It was the tone of soothing a child, plain for anyone to hear. Ian stared straight at him, wiping the laughter from Gail’s face entirely.
“I will pass the truth serum agenda.”
“…The joke’s getting old and losing its fun.”
“It’ll be fun when it becomes reality.”
“How? A mere viscount, a low noble like you.”
He didn’t qualify to even attend the meetings. Yet here he was, declaring it so boldly—what a bluff.
“The entire department except the Magic Department is up in arms over this issue, and you’ll handle it? So appoint you as Minister?”
“Not appoint—raise me. Dismiss Minister Wesley at next week’s personnel meeting. Internal power struggles will erupt in the Magic Department, and after that, I’ll handle the rest.”
Arrogant. But born of clear confidence.
Gail propped his chin silently, glaring at Ian. The boy met his gaze without a flicker of fear.
“Handle it yourself?”
“Is there any department that runs more on merit than the Magic Department?”
Gail suddenly recalled Ian from the mana confirmation ritual. The mana that had captivated not just the nobles but the imperial family. Wesley’s flustered expression lingered especially vividly.
“Did you tamper with the magic circle at the mana confirmation ritual?”
“Yes.”
“…How?”
“Magic isn’t something you can explain in words. My apologies, Your Highness.”
No matter how much you tell him, he won’t get it—so don’t ask. Ian just smiled, complicating Gail’s thoughts further.
‘Maybe Ian’s mana surpasses even Wesley’s. If so, even if Wesley doesn’t fall this time, Ian will catch up eventually.’
Reasons to sideline Wesley were piling up, one by one. Especially if the necromancy target was Gail himself, as Ian claimed—better to wrap it up swiftly without quibbling.
But…
“Wesley adores and loyally serves me out of devotion. What will you offer for your loyalty? You know what becoming head of the Magic Department means.”
He’d become Gail’s complete limb. Gail acknowledged Ian’s potential matched Wesley’s, but questioned if his mindset matched her loyalty.
“Your Highness Gail, I…”
Ian finally said it.
“I don’t believe Prince Marib is emperor material.”
“…Ha!”
“So use me without reservation.”
Ian wasn’t lying. The next emperor would be either Arsen or Jin. At the blunt words, Gail snapped his fingers, and a subordinate emerged from the shadows.
“You called, Your Highness?”
“Bring the truth serum.”
“As you command.”
Swish.
Even as the subordinate moved, Gail kept his eyes locked on Ian. Any hint of faltering, and he’d devour him.
“What if I reject everything you’ve said here?”
“Forgive my presumption, but I’ll go straight to Prince Marib like this. I’ll report that Minister Wesley is using forbidden necromancy against you, Your Highness Gail.”
Marib would kill Wesley on the spot without hesitation. For daring to target imperial blood. It’d be like cutting off Gail’s arms and legs without giving him any countermeasures.
Shing.
Gail pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and drew his sword. He slowly brought the blade near Ian’s nape.
“Ian, you survived the desert like this.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“What about this case? You must’ve thought of this too. Tell me. Right now, I can’t think of anything but killing you.”
Ian calmly gazed at the blade. The dim bedroom light glinted faintly along its sharp edge.
“Never crossed my mind. You’re wise enough to judge properly, Your Highness Gail.”
“Sweet-talker.”
Whether Ian lived or died, Wesley’s misdeeds would reach Marib somehow. Handing Marib the execution sword was worse than taking Ian aboard.
Swish.
The sword tip slowly traced up from his neck to his lips. As if to rip his mouth open. A warning: one push, and you’re dead.
“Your Highness, the truth serum.”
At his subordinate’s approach from behind, Gail tossed the sword to the floor. The clear liquid in the crystal vial. Gail personally uncorked and shook it.
“If Wesley falls, the minister seat will stay vacant, triggering another meeting. Building support in the Magic Department during that time is all on you.”
“I’m confident.”
It would cause a massive stir. The Magic Department Minister could drop birds from the sky. From the moment of dismissal, every mage in the department would clash fiercely. The division producing the next minister—like the current Magic Support Division—would reap power’s benefits. In that chaos, Ian, or his faction, had to firmly establish presence.
“Concise answers—I like that.”
Thud.
Gail set the truth serum on the table. Go on, drink, he gestured with a grin. A dangerously smiling man.
“Drink up. What, afraid it’s poisoned?”
“Not at all. As I said, I believe I’ll be of help to you, Your Highness Gail.”
“I haven’t tried it myself, so I’m curious about the taste. Describe it in detail.”
Ian cautiously drank the truth serum. His throat burned like fire, and his heart pounded wildly. Heat surged, no different from strong liquor.
“Ah—”
At Gail’s prompt, Ian slowly opened his mouth. Suddenly, black blood gushed out. No pain, but startling nonetheless.
“No need to panic. It’s normal.”
“…No wonder the other ministers refuse so stubbornly.”
“Haha! Yeah, it doesn’t look great.”
Gail leaned close and questioned Ian.
“Lord Ian, is there any lie in what you told me?”
As Ian raised his hand to wipe the blood, an answer spilled out unbidden.
“I swear, not a single one.”