Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Truth Serum
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“If I die, a curse of death will fall upon my father, Bariel’s supreme sovereign and very essence itself, and upon my beloved—”
As Gail shouted “beloved,” everyone recoiled in disgust, furrowing their brows. No matter how they thought about it, the adjective didn’t suit him at all. And the moment they realized the subject was Marib, the room erupted in murmurs.
“My brother, Marib, as well.”
“Gail!”
Bam!
Marib unwittingly slammed the table and shot to his feet. There was a limit to such tricks. Telling such blatant lies was deception among deceptions. Even the opposition forces joined in, dumbfounded.
“Prince Gail, does that even make sense?”
“Watch your words! It’s Prince Gail!”
“No, doesn’t it? He says if he dies, a curse will fall on His Majesty the Emperor and Prince Marib. It’s clearly a ploy to protect himself!”
“Exactly! He’s hiding the real curse!”
“It must be a curse that would cause him trouble if revealed, so he’s spinning it this way. Your Majesty, there’s no need to hesitate. Order his expulsion from the palace at once!”
“What nonsense is that? If he’s expelled and something happens to Prince Gail? If the curse activates then, will you take responsibility?”
“This concerns not only Your Majesty and Prince Marib, but the very survival of all Bariel! How can you dismiss it so lightly as a lie? Surely you don’t wish to believe it that badly?”
“And you believe it’s true? That such a grave curse could be cast over mere blood ties to two people? Do you really believe that?”
“Just ask a mage! Lord Ian!”
Ian, who had been quietly observing, was called out. The heated factions fell silent, turning to him in unison. He gazed straight ahead with a remarkably composed expression.
“I’ll ask Lord Ian. Do you believe that Forbidden Magic—Wesley the Minister and his aide—could cast a curse that decides Bariel’s fate? Do you see Prince Gail’s curse as truly real?”
Say no! One of Marib’s faction ministers urged with his eyes, barking silently. But Ian’s response was utterly serene.
“It’s possible.”
The room buzzed. At Ian’s curt answer, Gail’s faction huddled together, whispering. They probably suspected Gail’s testimony was false too. But regardless of the truth, his words were clearly the only chance to turn the tide.
“Forbidden Magic encompasses all abilities that defy the laws of nature and fate. It makes possible what even the gods cannot easily touch—life, space-time—through the mage’s soul. In particular, former Minister Wesley was a mage of such talent that he rose to Court Count at the youngest age, so I don’t see it as impossible.”
“No, one mage deciding Bariel’s fate? Does that even make sense?”
“You might say that if you don’t know what happens to those who use Forbidden Magic. They fall into the Abyss. Commonly called hell.”
Hell. A realm of eternal torment where one devours oneself across eons.
“And to be precise, there were two mages. Those who inherited the gods’ will fell into hell. I see it as a curse entirely possible.”
Marib’s faction swallowed hard, glancing at Gail. Wasn’t the man who had endured that horrifying curse standing right there? Even if his testimony was false, something else was clearly festering inside him.
“Then let’s use Truth Serum on Gail.”
Marib’s voice broke the silence.
He sat back down, regaining his composure. Dodging the moment with lies would only snare his own ankle. Marib smirked, scanning Gail up and down.
“How about it? We’ll know right away if the curse on Gail is true or not.”
“That’s a great idea!”
“Y-yes! Didn’t the Magic Department push Truth Serum so hard? It’s supposed to be highly effective, right?”
“Order it now, Your Majesty!”
“If Prince Gail’s testimony is false, we must strip him of the imperial surname! Threatening with the safety of Bariel, Your Majesty, and Prince Marib is no different!”
“You’re all too hasty! Mind your tongues! You’re already assuming Prince Gail lied! That’s lese-majeste!”
The Emperor slowly raised his hand. A signal to stop and be quiet. His frail, withered hand lacked grandeur, but its authority was unquestionable.
“…Gail, do you consent to using Truth Serum?”
A question from Emperor and father. A chance, in a way—if he had lied, to correct it now and beg forgiveness.
But Gail placed a hand on his chest and declared firmly.
“I consent.”
“See? Our prince doesn’t spew lies! I’ve noted everyone who insulted Prince Gail here! Just wait and see!”
“Hah, truly impressive, Prince Gail! What’s your game?”
“You insolent—!”
Unwavering permission. If the curse was fake, he couldn’t act so boldly. Pouring Truth Serum from the Magic Department would expose him instantly.
One minister bowed to Marib and whispered.
“Your Highness, what do you make of Prince Gail’s intentions? He’s so confident, maybe it’s true.”
“Not true. Clever, that’s all.”
“…Pardon?”
As the minister raised an eyebrow in confusion, Marib explained.
“He’s confident it won’t work on him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t so boldly agree to Truth Serum.”
The biggest issue with Truth Serum: trust. It was supposed to compel truth, but the fear was it could be manipulated per the Magic Department’s whims.
“He’s tampered with the Truth Serum for sure.”
“Ah…….”
The minister nodded at Marib’s words.
It made sense. Wesley was dead, but all Truth Serum currently held by the Magic Department was made under her orders, wasn’t it?
Suspicion turned to certainty.
“I have a proposal, Your Majesty.”
With the Emperor’s permission, Marib took the floor.
“The Truth Serum in the Magic Department was all made under the traitor Wesley’s directions, so it’s unreliable. We should discard all existing potions and make a new, fair batch for Gail.”
“Prince Marib! Do you know how many Luron Stones went into producing the current Truth Serum? Discard them all?”
“Aren’t you worried about Gail? I find it suspicious and concerning, so I can’t trust what’s already made.”
It seemed like protecting Gail’s safety, but it was a ploy to verify the curse’s truth. Gail, listening quietly, added a word.
“Making Truth Serum takes time.”
“If everyone in the Magic Department rolls up their sleeves, we can shorten it as much as possible.”
Gail twisted his lips. Seeing it, Marib clenched his fist against the thrill rising from his chest.
‘Do you think I’ll fall for your scheme?’
“Why delay something we can reveal right now?”
“Gail. If your testimony is true, it won’t matter as long as you don’t die immediately, right? We’ll tighten security, so wait without worry. Or do you still trust Wesley?”
Marib’s blatant jab ignited the room uncontrollably. Look at that, his faction crowed—clearly tampered with the Truth Serum—while others, for reasons unknown, backed Gail, sparking arguments.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The Prime Minister, fed up, slammed the gavel again.
“Very well. I agree, as does His Majesty. We don’t know what Wesley did, so discard all consumable stock and permit new production.”
“What about the timeline?”
Everyone turned to Ian at the question. All magic matters went through him. A glimpse of why the Magic Department held unrivaled power.
“Per the report, it takes about a fortnight, but we can pull it forward somewhat. Details to be coordinated with the relevant division.”
“Understood. Then we’ll end the meeting here. Time has dragged on. We’ll reconvene urgently soon, so key personnel, remain in the palace—no leaving.”
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The meeting adjourned for now. It might have dragged longer if Gail hadn’t awakened. Ministers sighed in relief, bowing to the Emperor.
Swish.
“…All of you, strive to restore normalcy to the palace. And Gail.”
“Yes, Father.”
The Emperor nodded silently, ordering him to follow. As they exited, Gail’s faction ebbed away like a receding tide. Clearly headed for their own emergency meeting on the grave matter. Marib’s remaining faction clustered in groups, heads together.
“Ian.”
“Yes, Prince Marib.”
Ian approached at the call and bowed.
“Are the captains of the Truth Serum-related divisions candidates for next Magic Department Minister?”
“No. They prioritize research over mana cultivation, so they have no interest in the minister position.”
Marib cleared the area and beckoned Ian closer. Ian bent at the waist, ear near.
“Then secure them first.”
His voice sounded quite pleased. No wonder—Wesley, the Magic Department’s wing, was broken and dead; dealing with Gail was just a matter of time. And his pick for next minister was his subordinate. What could be more perfect?
“You can do it.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Good. I’ll relay details later.”
The Magic Department now fully recognized Ian. Newcomer or not, he held the prince’s direct line and possessed skills rivaling the former minister.
Pushing him for minister wasn’t taken as a joke anymore.
Swish.
Ian nodded, leaving a brief bow. Marib encouraged him with a satisfied gesture.
Outside, a red magic circle marked the meeting hall building. A sign: investigation ongoing into Wesley’s death—do not approach.
‘Marib…. Did he not notice something off?’
Ian recalled the clashing princes. Gail had lied about the curse, true. But Truth Serum? Would things go as Marib intended?
‘If Gail truly tampered with Truth Serum, he’d have brought it himself. Drunk it on the spot with his testimony to push it through.’
All part of Gail’s calculation. Buying time by exploiting the opposition’s distrust of Truth Serum.
So in the current Magic Department without Wesley, who would help him…?
“Ian.”
Whoosh.
It was by the Magic Department main building, passing the garden. He turned at the calling voice. Just like that day. The day he met Gail where the annex should be. Wind cut coolly between them.
“Did you speak with His Majesty the Emperor?”
Gail tilted his head toward the garden’s depths. Come on, let’s talk a bit.