Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: It's a Curse
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A horrific smell of ash. Gail grimaced and barely opened his eyes. Faint smoke rose beside him. It was an incense meant to soothe body and mind, but to Gail, it was utterly repulsive.
Ching!
"Oh my. Your Highness Gail!"
At the commotion from the bedroom, an attendant came rushing in. Why was he carrying on like this right after regaining consciousness? While the attendant tidied the floor, Gail pressed his forehead and asked,
"How many days has it been?"
"It hasn't been long, Your Highness. Just a full day has passed. I'll contact the medical office. Please don't push yourself..."
Despite the attendant's pleas, Gail got out of bed. He then casually swung his hand toward the sword that should be on the desk. But nothing was there. Only then did Gail realize he was lying in an unfamiliar bedroom.
Creak.
"Causing a ruckus the moment you wake up, Gail."
"Marib..."
"Have you given the title of 'brother' to your lover?"
Marib laughed refreshingly. It was a brilliantly bright smile unlike any Gail had seen before. As always, the moment one of them smiled, it meant the worst for the other. Gail ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh.
"A lover? You're exaggerating."
"Yes, yes. Even though you kissed in front of everyone, it might not be a lover. I can't understand debauchery, but I knew you could comprehend it deeply."
Crunch. Gail ground his molars in irritation. He'd given them the perfect opening. He'd always been on edge, waiting for the slightest slip. Gail first played it cool.
"What happened to Minister Wesley?"
"The personnel council concluded successfully. While you were out there fighting with your lover, no one could focus, but it wrapped up well enough."
"...Spare me that damned word 'lover fight.'"
"Anyway, Wesley is no longer minister. The Magic Department minister position is vacant, and each division is continuing investigations into the incident along with new personnel reshuffles. Gail, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to wake up."
Marib slowly approached Gail and straightened his collar. Pat, pat. He smoothed it out neatly, twitching his eyebrows as if urging him to speak.
"What curse did Wesley cast on you?"
"......"
He looks thrilled. Absolutely thrilled.
Gail swatted Marib's hand away, but he ignored it and grabbed the collar again. He'd never approached so boldly before. Gail surmised that Marib was completely confident in his victory.
"The palace is in an uproar over it right now. Why you tried to oust Wesley, why he used Forbidden Magic because of it, and what curse he poured onto you as he was dying."
The moment even one secret submerged beneath the surface emerges, I'll sever your neck on the spot. Marib lightly caressed his brother's cheek and smiled radiantly again.
"You'd better confess the truth quickly. If it's a curse tied to the imperial family's survival, then naturally, your life must end it."
"......"
Gail met Marib's gaze with calm eyes. Clearly the same blue irises, yet one was cold and the other hot. Marib stepped back slightly and righted the fallen incense stick.
"When His Majesty the Emperor summons you, come at once. Take care of your recovery."
Creak.
Marib left the bedroom, his neatly tied hair swaying. His steps were proud and assured, as if the throne had already fallen into his lap.
Gail's adjutant, standing at the door, bowed to see him off before entering. Gail sighed and crooked a finger.
"...Mana Cigarette."
The adjutant immediately lit one and handed it over. Gail took a deep drag and exhaled smoke with his command.
"Park."
Thud! Thud!
At the same instant, the adjutant prostrated himself and slammed his forehead against the floor. There was no hesitation in self-flagellating. As an adjutant, sloppy handling was shameful, and insincere punishment would cost his head.
"Forgive me, Your Highness!"
Thud!
He wailed and kept smashing his head. The attendants bowed their heads, unable to watch, but Gail took in the sight clearly. Soon his forehead split, blood trickling down his nose and chin.
"...Wesley's escape must have been thanks to that overlooked adjutant of hers."
Gail only remembered that the adjutant had always stayed by Wesley's side; he couldn't recall the face. The presence was that faint, not worth noticing. Yet to cause such a disaster.
"The man's body was found in Your Highness's bedroom. It seems he performed Forbidden Magic with Wesley. The Magic Department is investigating and containing it now, so he was brought here."
Gail tossed a dry cloth to his prostrated subordinate. It meant wipe the blood and stop the punishment—a sign of forgiveness.
"...What's the mood in the Magic Department?"
Gail asked while properly dressing. He needed to stay sharp. One moment's blunder had pushed him to the cliff's edge; showing any more weakness here meant the abyss.
"It's a bit peculiar."
Peculiar? Gail nodded for him to continue without pause. The adjutant pressed the cloth to his forehead and reported methodically. It was what he'd repeated in his mind dozens, hundreds of times while Gail lay unconscious.
"The Magic Department is under investigation but also conducting it simultaneously. Attempting to harm Your Highness is clear treason and a grave crime. But since the method was Forbidden Magic, other departments can't even investigate."
With each exhale of Mana Cigarette smoke, Gail felt his mind clear. Then the situation was crystal clear.
"The factions must be completely split."
"Yes. It's divided into the Magic Support Division, which was Wesley's direct subordinates, and all other divisions excluding them. With the minister position vacant, infighting among the mages is expected."
Tap, tap. Gail drummed his chin as if deep in thought. Marib now knew he was awake, so a summons and hearing were imminent.
"Few know about Forbidden Magic?"
"Yes. They're even digging through ancient records to figure it out. But, Your Highness... that..."
The adjutant continued cautiously, as if it was too unseemly to voice.
"Is the curse real?"
"...No one knows?"
"I was right beside Your Highness at the time, but I didn't hear it. I think my mind was clouded by Wesley's black energy."
No one, no one knows what Wesley's curse was? Gail couldn't help but smile faintly. He racked his brains and stood.
"Ian?"
"Pardon? Ian?"
"Yes. I need him badly right now."
"Ian is in an emergency meeting and hasn't come out for half a day."
Gail scowled while attendants dressed him. Had Marib noticed that Ian knew about Wesley's Necromancy? Had he been caught trying to deceive Marib?
It would be trouble if Ian got discarded by Marib. Among the weapons in Gail's grasp now, none were as reliable or useful as Ian.
The adjutant caught his intent and added quickly.
"Ian was the only one who confronted Wesley. He's representing the Magic Department from the scene in the meeting, so no need to worry."
He'd blocked the Magic Department's head, Wesley. Setting aside the absent captains, it meant he had the strongest mana among the mages present.
'All the more reason I need him. Ian.'
The scales of balance were tipping slightly toward Ian. Just days ago, Ian had been the one relying on him, but now Gail was the one pressed.
"Is Father at the meeting?"
"It's an ongoing emergency meeting. He's keeping his seat, entering and exiting based on stamina. Same for the other officials."
Marib must have slipped out midway. Gail hurriedly donned his uniform and buckled on his sword.
"Let's go. They're all waiting for me."
* * *
"No, is that what you call words?"
"Who are you raising your voice at? Strictly speaking, it's all true, isn't it? I thought something was off from the sudden discussion of dismissing former Minister Wesley. Clearly, the discord between His Highness Gail and former Minister Wesley was the start of it all!"
"That's His Highness's private life. It's not up for discussion. What we need to investigate is why Wesley used Forbidden Magic!"
"That's exactly what ties to His Highness! Argh, so frustrating. You're trying to cut off the tail—say something that makes sense!"
"Frustrating? Have you said everything?"
"You— you!?"
Thud thud thud!
Chaotic emergency meeting hall. If not for the papers flying, Marib's faction and Gail's faction were practically at war. Who knew how many hours this had dragged on. The Prime Minister struck the gavel wearily, demanding order.
"Please, everyone, enough."
Exhausted beyond measure. They'd just finished the long personnel council, and now this emergency meeting. The Emperor in the head seat had, at some point, clamped his mouth shut and merely observed.
"Lord Ian!"
Then, an official called Ian. Ian, sitting straight, nodded and rose.
"Testify again."
How many times was this?
Ian repeated like a parrot that Wesley had indeed used Forbidden Magic, recounting his on-site confrontation. He added that the Magic Department was completely uninvolved in the incident.
Ian thought that if he were Emperor, he'd have the babbling ministers thrown out, then parted his lips to testify.
But then.
Slide.
"Announcement: His Highness Gail has arrived."
"His Highness Gail?"
"He woke up and can already move?"
"Quick, bring him in!"
Gail's entrance brought a new atmosphere to the hall. Ian, awkwardly standing, sat back down and swallowed a sigh.
'Wesley landed a big blow. For his faction to weaken this much in just a day.'
No need to weigh between First and Second Prince anymore. At this momentum, Marib's influence would surely dominate the next Magic Department minister appointment over Gail.
'There is one card Gail could play...'
No need to tell him. Early on, Ian had seemed useful as a check on Marib, but no reason to push in this cursed state.
"Your Highness Gail! Are you alright?"
"Sob, Your Highness. We were so worried."
"Your Highness, now that you're here, please tell us. Did you receive Wesley's curse?"
"Hey, you! He just arrived!"
"Whether just now or earlier, who cares? Honestly, I'm worried even sharing the same space as His Majesty the Emperor. Who knows what curse it is!"
Marib's faction pressed fiercely. Even their harsh words rang true, leaving Gail's faction glancing at their prince in silence.
Swoosh.
"Curse... yes. It can be seen as a curse."
Gail stepped forward slowly, eyeing Marib. Marib smirked as if daring him to speak. But Ian sensed an inexplicable confidence in Gail's tone...
'No way.'
"Curse! You heard it! His Highness Gail admitted it! It's a curse! Order him to leave the palace at once!"
Gail surveyed the boiling hall calmly. He placed a hand on his chest and knelt on one knee to his father, the Emperor.
"Father. I have been cursed."
"...Gail. Speak."
"I have always wished only for Variel’s glory, believing proper development to be the sole purpose of my life. Nothing else holds meaning for me."
Uncharacteristically, Gail continued in a deeply earnest voice.
"Then Wesley said to me: 'Starting with your death, a shadow of death will cover countless Variel citizens. Thus heading toward decline, it will soon be Variel's downfall.'"
Marib, listening quietly, dropped his hand from his chin and widened his eyes. Ian inwardly let out a hollow laugh.
'Lies, of course. But the best move right now.'
"And he said this too."
Gail looked up at his brother Marib, as if making sure he heard well. This time, Gail was smiling.