Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Secret Deal
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Under the shade of the green forest, the two men stood facing each other.
Whenever the sparse wind swirled, the sunlight leaking through moved slowly. Ian noticed that, though no one was visible around, Gail's advisors and guards were concealing their presence.
“Lord Ian. First, let me convey my gratitude for saving me back then. No one else could stand against Wesley, yet you managed it. Truly praiseworthy.”
It wasn't because it was Gail, or because he was needed. It was simply something only Ian could do. In a situation watched by countless eyes, he had merely done what was expected.
‘His tone has softened considerably, though. It means he fully grasps his own predicament.’
He hadn't observed him for long, but ordinarily, there was an inherent arrogance and commanding presence about him.
Yet now, every word was as cautious as if he were walking on thin ice. With Wesley gone and his position drastically narrowed by the curse, it was perhaps inevitable. A single misstep now could end him completely.
“Do you have business with me?”
“Lord Ian. I remember that night. Do you?”
He meant the night Ian had entered Gail's palace. That was essentially the origin of everything unfolding now. Ian bowed his head and paused briefly. Truth be told, he had little need for Gail at the moment.
“If Your Highness remembers it, then so do I.”
A Gail who could no longer check Marib could simply vanish into the annals of history. Why would Ian carry someone defeated in the balance of power?
“I especially remember you deeming Marib unfit to be emperor.”
He drew closer slowly, lowering his voice. It was as though from this point on, not even the wind could carry his words beyond them.
“Wesley's curse is real. But it doesn't threaten Bariel—it's a trial laid solely upon me. I will never, ever yield to Marib. Death would be preferable.”
His demeanor suggested the mere thought was horrifying. In that low growl, Ian sensed killing intent. And suddenly, he recalled that this was the man who had 'rebelled' in the past timeline.
‘He has form. If he can't turn this situation around, rebellion isn't off the table.’
It would serve as the spark. A circumstantial trigger forcing him into the grave act of treason.
He had been laying groundwork—targeting all of Bratz, recruiting nobles, and more—so he might very well ignite it before everything unraveled.
“Just as you informed me of Wesley's forbidden necromancy, allow me to share something valuable in return.”
Gail snapped his fingers lightly, urging focus on his words. It signaled the start of negotiations. Gail, backed into a corner; Ian, weighing his paths. The wind rose again. Their secret deal drowned in the fierce rustling.
Swish.
“Before this fiasco erupted, Marib sent someone to acquire truth serum. Right after the day you entered his palace and swore your oath.”
Ian arched an eyebrow and nodded. He had put on quite the performance with that oath, yet it seemed he hadn't severed the deep-seated distrust in Marib's heart.
“Who do you suppose he meant to use it on?”
“…Me, I presume.”
“It doesn't seem like my speculation alone.”
“I concur.”
He had boldly declared his intent to play double agent, after all. Perhaps it was only natural. Gail smirked at Ian's crisp response. With that, what each needed from the other was clear.
‘…Get involved in truth serum production?’
“You've gained a foothold in the Magic Department, and you're a major supplier of Luron Stones. It shouldn't be difficult at all.”
It was true. And if things didn't go as planned, he could simply cast a spell to nullify its effects. A slight risk, but factoring in the time for fresh production, it was manageable.
“The only ones who have to drink truth serum in front of Marib are 'us' two anyway. Lord Ian, you made it clear you don't follow Marib. This stands to benefit us both, doesn't it?”
“But Your Highness, 'we' two won't be standing before Prince Marib simultaneously.”
Ian smiled back just as brightly. He was indirectly pointing out that the pretext for aiding Gail was far too flimsy. But Gail pressed on smoothly, as if he'd anticipated the response.
“That won't happen, but should I face a purge, no one will be left to oppose Marib. Not even Father. You hardly seem the sort to bow forever to someone unfit for the throne. Do you think you could defy him then?”
Dealing with Gail first would be simple. But if that allowed Marib to seize absolute power, the future could grow perilous. After all, the one Ian truly backed was one of the twin princes.
Nothing would be more awkward than his misguided choice upending the throne.
‘Best to take out both Gail and Marib at once.’
“I'll reveal Marib's secret—the one I hold.”
“……!”
Gail seemed to instinctively grasp exactly what Ian wanted. He was drawing him in with utmost care, yet certainty. Ian's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he smiled and furrowed his brow.
“A secret?”
“No hard proof yet, so I haven't disclosed it, but the investigation has been underway for some time. I suspect it'll pique your interest.”
Rustle.
Gail drew a small piece of paper from his inner pocket. Unfolding its many layers revealed a fine white powder, akin to flour. Ian eyed him quizzically. What was this about?
“Do you know what this is?”
He gestured lightly for Ian to sniff it. Ian leaned in. The moment his nose neared, a memory etched in his mind resurfaced.
It was the sleep-inducing hallucinogen that Lady Rien had imported via Hawan. A sort of narcotic poison that led to death by respiratory arrest during sleep.
“This is a new sleep hallucinogen circulating through merchant groups from abroad. Sniff closely, and you'll catch its distinctive scent.”
Gail assumed Ian wouldn't know. And rightly so—he'd received no report on the Merelrof incident. Ian looked up at him, words catching in his throat.
‘Why does this turn up here?’
He had some himself. Tucked away in a box in Romandro's attic, a gift from Lady Rien for 'useful' central applications.
“Your Highness, what…….”
“Have we lost the thread of conversation?”
Gail chuckled lowly, as if unsure whether Ian failed to comprehend or was feigning ignorance. But Ian stammered, blurting out the very words unbidden.
“Are you saying this connects to Marib?”
“Marib—a fine title indeed.”
“Please answer.”
“Indeed. From some point, Father's health deteriorated rapidly. For an elderly man, one might blame the indifference of time, but I sensed something amiss just a few months ago.”
It was only after Dillaina threw a fit over the imperial bedchambers and ransacked the palace pharmacy that Gail had caught on.
He'd learned too late: Father choking in his sleep, calling out to his birth mother, and even suffering hallucinations while awake.
‘Family hallucinations.’
Come to think of it, Berik had experienced something similar. He'd fainted upon smelling it but had clearly seen visions of family.
Ian leaned back against a tree, shaking his head unconsciously. This was idle chatter utterly beyond his expectations—for himself, for Gail, and for Marib alike.
“Here is my firm proposal: Involve yourself in truth serum production. Give me another chance, and I'll share everything I've uncovered thus far. It means we grasp the dagger's hilt against Marib together.”
Ian racked his brains swiftly, glaring at Gail.
At this juncture, a madman was still a madman. Even if Ian refused now, Gail would undoubtedly strike Marib head-on—be it through outright rebellion or fabricated evidence.
That too would be blatant treason. A storm of blood in the palace, spawning variables beyond Ian's calculations.
“…I can't bring myself to believe it, Your Highness.”
“Is that so?”
Gail let out a laugh as he produced a mana cigarette. He exhaled a heavy plume of smoke and spread his hands to the sides.
“In what sense?”
Yes, precisely that sense. The preconception of rebellion, that dissolute demeanor. If someone were plotting against the emperor, Gail fit the bill far better than Marib. Their temperaments were worlds apart.
“You may not know this, but Father favors me over Marib. That's my foundation, my power—why would I sabotage that? If Father dies in the palace, Marib would be the only one grinning.”
Because he'd ascend to the throne next.
But for Dillaina, who relied on the current emperor's faction, or the twin princes like Gail, it was undoubtedly a disaster.
‘True. The others would have to slink out of the palace and live like ghosts, careful not to irk Marib.’
Ian swept back his tangled hair with a sigh. Gail extended the mana cigarette as if offering it.
“And while I indulge in mana cigarettes, I steer clear of narcotics.”
“I'll decline. I avoid mana cigarettes as well.”
“Is that right? You'll live long, then. Provided you tread the tightrope well.”
Ian suddenly recalled Gail's rampage at the nobles' drug party. By slaughtering all the slaves, he'd solidified his power and effectively declared his stance on narcotics.
‘This calls for utmost caution. Gail is one thing, but Marib mustn't swell beyond control.’
There was one path.
‘Bind them both at once. Gain what I can, cut what must be cut.’
Ian slowly lifted his gaze to Gail. Their eyes met, and both offered sly smiles in silence. Their glances betrayed a keen awareness of each other's intentions.
“Your Highness, one thing. Can I truly trust everything you've said? If it's all lies, I have no means to detect it.”
“I figured you'd say as much.”
Gail snapped his fingers, mana cigarette still between his lips. One of his subordinates emerged stealthily from the tree shadows.
Ian wondered at the ploy for a moment.
Then he recognized the familiar potion vial in the man's hand.
“…Truth serum?”
“You've been through it already, Lord Ian—you know its precision. Now it's my turn.”
Without hesitation, he poured the truth serum into his mouth. He cocked an eyebrow at Ian, inviting questions. Ian glanced at the empty vial before speaking.
“Your Highness, everything you've told me—is it all sworn truth?”
Blood trickled from the corner of Gail's mouth. He wiped it roughly with the back of his hand and grinned wickedly. The mana cigarette smoke thickened, enveloping everything around them.
“Yes. I swear it—it's the truth.”