Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Dismissal
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“Why is it so noisy outside?”
“I’ll check.”
“If it’s any disturbance, tell me which department the ringleader belongs to.”
“Yes, yes. Understood, Lord Paal.”
Prince Marib’s aide scolded the servant. This was an important meeting, yet noise was leaking through the door cracks. Noticing Prince Marib’s gaze from the high dais, he bowed his head. Since this was the meeting where the Magic Department’s dismissal was anticipated, there absolutely could be no issues.
“Silence, please. We will now begin the personnel Grand Council of Imperial Year 1,101. All rise and swear fealty to His Majesty.”
Everyone seated at the Prime Minister’s cue stood and placed hands over their hearts. Prince Marib and 2nd Prince Gail, seated closest to the Emperor, did the same. The Emperor, seated at the highest position, merely looked down with dignified poise.
“The purpose of this personnel council is to contribute to the Bariel Empire’s proper development by selecting the right talents, as sworn before the gods.”
“We swear.”
“We swear.”
It was laughable. They spoke of seeking impartiality, yet weren’t their hearts filled with selfish motives? Those with voting rights led the oath, followed by those below with only advisory rights.
“Then let us begin. First, the Judiciary. Current Minister Castesro, step forward.”
The incumbent minister needed to actively assert what he had done for Bariel over the past year and what achievements he had made. It could be for reappointment, but as a salary recipient, it was also for honor.
“Next, I will call the five candidates for the position of Judiciary Minister. In Bariel script order. Rise in sequence and introduce yourselves.”
The frontrunner had already laid the groundwork through backchannel work before the meeting. The other candidates were mere placeholders, building experience for the future. Prince Marib watched the proceedings with a stern expression.
“Your Highness.”
It was then. Aide Paal, who had gone behind the dais, called to him. Prince Marib tilted only his head, keeping his gaze fixed.
“Mages outside are erecting a magic defense barrier.”
“A defense barrier? Aren’t all the captains inside the meeting?”
“Mysterious smoke from the north is heading this way. Outside, those trying to halt the meeting are clashing with those wanting to continue.”
Prince Marib frowned. He had no idea what was happening. In that moment, the Prime Minister announced it was the Magic Department’s turn.
“Next is the Magic Department. Minister Wesley is absent, but with no registered successor candidate, reappointment is…”
“I object.”
Cutting off the Prime Minister was 2nd Prince Gail. As if he had been waiting, he raised his hand and stood. Whispers instantly rippled through the hall.
“No way, right?”
“Really? 2nd Prince Gail and Minister Wesley?”
“Shh, quiet.”
The moment they witnessed with their own eyes what they had only heard in rumors. Everyone in the hall focused on Gail. The Emperor did the same.
‘Your Highness. If the Minister falls and an opportunity comes to me as well.’
Prince Marib recalled Ian’s words from the night before. He had been skeptical, suspecting hidden intentions. But was there better news for him than Wesley’s actual dismissal?
“I oppose Minister Wesley’s reappointment.”
“Oh! Heavens!”
“2nd Prince Gail, what do you mean by that?”
“Your Highness! Minister Wesley of the Magic Department! That Wesley!”
“Look, pause the meeting for a moment.”
“That cannot be done. It’s a perfectly valid statement.”
“Silence, everyone!”
Bam!
As the Prime Minister slammed the gavel, the commotion abruptly stopped. Being ejected in such a situation would be a disaster. Gail slowly glanced at his brother, Prince Marib.
‘You wanted this, didn’t you, Marib?’
It almost seemed like that’s what he was saying. Prince Marib let out an exclamation with a flushed face. As Ian had said, something must have gone wrong between them. It was the only way to explain Gail’s attitude—cutting it off before it became a greater poison.
“2nd Prince Gail, please continue.”
“Minister Wesley has led the Magic Department for quite some time. He is capable, but he dismisses ongoing issues as trivial and shows no will to improve.”
Excessive budget allocations. Opaque processes. Nepotistic appointments. Widespread overreach, and more. As Gail pointed them out one by one, faces filled with shock. As if no one could fathom why Gail was doing this.
And wasn’t he the primary beneficiary of all that corruption?
“Thus, I believe opposing Wesley’s reappointment and elevating a new minister would benefit the Magic Department. What do those with voting rights think?”
Murmurs swelled again at Gail’s question.
“If Wesley falls, what about the backlash? Will the witch stay quiet?”
“Yeah, if even we didn’t know, Wesley probably didn’t either.”
“Hey, don’t you see? Wesley not showing up—what does that mean?”
“Has 2nd Prince Gail already made his move?”
“Heavens, how did this…”
“There must be someone lined up for next Magic Minister.”
“Looks like 2nd Prince Gail wants direct control of the Magic Department. Oh dear.”
Chaos boiled among Gail’s faction—precisely, those who had leaned on the Magic Department. They followed Gail, but Wesley was their clear link to him.
“Brother. Say a word.”
Gail smiled brightly and addressed Prince Marib. Nearly half the room was his faction, after all. He had lit the fuse; now they should handle it.
Swoosh.
“Prince Marib, you may speak.”
As Prince Marib raised his hand with a peculiar expression, the room fell silent again. Looking not at the audience but at Gail, he drove the point home.
“…I too support Wesley’s dismissal.”
Instantly, cheers of agreement erupted. Those loyal to Prince Marib had heard his intent and lent their strength.
“I agree! I agree too!”
“Indeed. The Magic Department needs change.”
“I agree! Unconditionally!”
“No objections!”
“With the Minister absent, no counterarguments needed! Move on! We can accept new candidates later!”
Only the Magic Department and pro-Wesley factions fell silent amid the storm. They lacked speaking rights, and with the tide turning, wisely cutting ties with Wesley was smartest. If only she were here, they might have devised a counterplan…
“Oh dear…”
“What? Wesley dismissed now?”
“This can’t happen!”
“Be silent! Magic Department captains have no speaking rights!”
“Impossible! No! Something’s wrong!”
Especially the Magic Support Division Captain, who erupted in frenzy, was dragged away by guards. The hall turned into pandemonium in an instant. The Prime Minister slammed the gavel repeatedly to restore order, but the highly agitated crowd wouldn’t quiet easily.
Captain Hail merely stroked his beard in stunned silence.
Bam!
It was then.
A massive explosion rocked from outside. Guards moved swiftly, and the Prime Minister slammed the gavel again, demanding silence.
“2nd Prince Gail.”
Gail noticed his aide’s voice trembling. Frowning briefly, he soon bit his lip hard, glaring murderously at the aide.
“How exactly did you handle this?”
“I-I apologize, Your Highness. We definitely dealt with even Wesley’s aide, but the moment we sent the body outside the palace, it turned into wood splinters.”
“And Wesley?”
“She seems to have broken her shackles with the aide’s help.”
“You’d better prepare yourself once this is over.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
This is why mages are! Gail clicked his tongue and stood. The Prime Minister gave him a puzzled look.
“Continue the meeting. Brother will cover for me. Brother, I’ll sort out outside.”
The biggest agenda item had arisen anyway. If the outside commotion was Wesley’s doing, he had to go deal with her himself. Before she spouted nonsense from her loose lips. Gail preempted Prince Marib from leaving and turned away.
“Prince Marib, what shall we do?”
The Prime Minister asked Prince Marib’s intent in a crawling voice. With the Emperor looming behind, asking him instead revealed who truly held palace power. Prince Marib glanced at Gail’s empty seat and nodded.
“Proceed.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He had eyes and ears everywhere even if he didn’t go himself. It would be reported later. For now, finalizing Wesley’s dismissal was priority.
‘For once, Gail and I are aligned.’
They hid different intentions, but Prince Marib saw this as Gail’s misstep regardless. He had lost the key Wesley faction, exposing a major weakness to Prince Marib.
“Silence! We will continue the meeting!”
Thud thud thud!
Even if the heavens split or the building collapsed, the meeting would go on. The desperation of those on the verge of seizing power heated the air.
Bam!
Another explosion sounded, but no one paid heed this time. They desperately ignored it. Their focus was inside the hall.
* * *
Clatter clatter!
Gail rushed into the lobby escorted by his aide and guards. He unconsciously patted his waist, finding it empty. His aide, noticing, hurriedly instructed a servant.
“Bring His Highness’s sword from the meeting entry deposit!”
“Yes, understood.”
“And the bow. With mana sealing stone-tipped arrows.”
The servant dashed off at Gail’s addition. As the corridor ended, they took in the lobby scene clearly…
Zing! Zzzing!
“Damn! Magic circle! Mana’s running low!”
“Arghhh! I’m at my limit!”
“Snap out of it! Lady Wesley! Please stop!”
“Someone give me some mana!”
“Lady Wesley! You can’t enter like that!”
A translucent golden wall etched with a magic circle. A defense barrier conjured by the mages. They all pressed palms to it, squeezing out every last drop.
Dozens of mages pitted against one person.
“Please! What are you doing?!”
Wesley. It was her.
Her body blazed. As if flames roiled inside. Black smoke and scorching heat poured from her skin, felt even here.
“What are you all doing?”
“Ah, 2nd Prince Gail.”
“2nd Prince Gail!”
At his arrival, they all turned with relief. Unaware of her dismissal inside, they didn’t know how to handle Wesley. But Ian could have grasped the situation just from Gail’s absence.
“Your Highness, Lady Wesley’s condition is…”
“This is the Grand Council chamber. Inside are His Majesty and Bariel’s top officials. To try entering in that state threatens safety—nay, it’s a grave crime.”
“…Your Highness?”
Was this really Gail, Wesley’s lover, speaking? They stared in bewilderment, but Gail issued the order without a flicker.
“Kill that thing.”