Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Hasya, See You Again
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-In the village of Danil near Karenna, the Astana fugitive Biyas and his grandson Hasya were discovered. They were persuaded but ultimately disposed of. The villagers also confirmed the bodies, and in preparation for any potential investigation team from the imperial palace, poison with food poisoning components was poured into the well.
It matches Hasya's testimony. Ian confirmed the names of those involved in the tragic incident that occurred in Danil.
-Bareto.
He is Wesley's aide. It seems he led the matter along with a few members of the Magic Support Division.
'Not many people are connected. Mostly mages from the Magic Support Division who handled necromancy research. That means they knew it absolutely could not leak outside.'
Ian then turned to the research report titled [Limits of Necromancy]. It was a study that had been ongoing for several years already, but there was hardly any progress. There seemed to be some success with animals, but there were no proper cases of success with the 'forbidden necromancy cast on the living' that Wesley wanted.
-The results of using necromancy on the living are as follows. The subject's body rapidly decays, or even if intact, it cannot endure long before the ego collapses and control is lost, making it no different from using necromancy on the dead. (P.S.) It is possible to transfer the soul of a bound target to another body. However, this expands into the realm of forbidden magic rather than necromancy, and must be researched accordingly.
Ian frowned. It fit his current situation perfectly. Wasn't Naoomi's soul, transcending time and space through forbidden magic, now residing in the body of the unrelated 'bastard Ian'?
-But even if the soul is transferred, it is unconfirmed whether the original abilities and ego are also transferred. Especially if the target is a different race or mana user (mage, sword-mage, etc.), the results cannot be predicted.
The one who submitted the report seemed unaware that Wesley's target was Gail. As Ian examined each sentence one by one, his finger suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
When a soul is transferred via forbidden magic, whether the abilities are also transferred is unknown? Ian had believed the mana he had been using was his own. He had learned that magic resonates with the soul, not the body.
But he realized that was merely a theoretical academic view, and it had not been proven whether it applied to forbidden magic as well.
'Then there are two possibilities. Even after the soul transfer, abilities can be used, or—'
...The bastard Ian was originally a mana user.
He rubbed his eyebrows as if slightly surprised. And slowly, very slowly, he recalled the moment he opened his eyes in the backyard of the Bratz count's residence. Clearly, in the beginning, he could only open his mana, right?
'Yes. If it resonates with the soul, I should have been able to use all the magic I knew from the start. But as time passed, as I opened my mana more and more, the limits grew, reaching this point...'
"Ian, are you deaf? Romandro's been knocking nonstop!"
It was at that moment. Berik's deeply furrowed face came into view. He was half-lying on the desk, snapping his fingers as if telling him to snap out of it.
"Minister Ian?"
"Ah, Lord Romandro."
"Uh, if you're busy, should we come back later?"
"No. Not at all."
Ian smiled brightly and closed the documents. Berik was yelling from inside to come in, but since Ian didn't respond, he had just kept knocking.
Romandro looked around the messy minister's office with feigned shock. Truly fortunate that he wasn't his superior.
"What brings you here?"
"Nothing else, but... we got word from the residence. They found a mercenary band to escort Hasya and the Astana people back to their homeland."
He could use informal speech with a viscount due to their closeness, but the minister position was apparently a line he couldn't cross. Romandro awkwardly used formal speech, and Berik snickered mockingly.
"Why's he talking like that? Came... here? Haha!"
"Sh, shut up, you punk."
"Lord Romandro, speak as you usually do when it's just us. If you talk like that, it's hard for me to grasp the content."
Ahem, Romandro cleared his throat awkwardly and cooled his flushed face.
"If it's a mercenary band, are they trustworthy?"
"That's what worried me... too. Mercenaries are such rough types, aren't they? But these are people Vivianna knew from when she worked on-site, so they're reliable."
"Then it'll be safer than a merchant group in many ways. Is it the main commission or a side one?"
"Of course a side one. They're heading to the edge of the continent to hunt monsters, and Astana's on the route, so they accepted the request."
"Good. When's the departure?"
"That's the thing, it's a bit urgent. As early as tomorrow, or no later than three days. I know you're busy since taking office, but wouldn't it be good to make time to say goodbye to Hasya?"
Come to think of it, it had already been several days since he last went to the residence. Ian nodded as he picked up his jacket.
"What about you, Lord Romandro?"
"Me? I'm heading there now."
"Let's go together. Berik, are you staying here?"
"Huh? Why me?"
Ian gave a look urging him to hurry. Anyway, since he had risen to minister, the urgent fire was out. Until the new truth serum was made and Gail's curse reached the tribunal.
'Make the truth serum work in my favor.'
It might soon work in Gail's favor too, but for now, keeping Gail alive was the same as securing a safe zone for Ian as well.
Creak.
"Minister Ian. Are you leaving? No beer?"
"Exactly, everyone else maybe not, but we have to drink!"
"Can't end the day just sorting documents!"
"Quiet down, you lot. Geez, we drink beer every day."
"Days like this are when it's free! Say something, Captain Hail!"
"...Minister Ian. Are you really clocking out?"
The real power line was definitely different. He hadn't even taken a few steps from the minister's office before passing the Magic Operations Division office. Ian straightened his collar with a smile.
"Next time. Got something urgent."
"Aw, too bad. Anything to delegate?"
"Tell Captain Acorella to send detailed real-time reports on the newly manufactured truth serum. Also, gather and organize all personnel records of the mages who handled necromancy in the Magic Support Division."
Nakina nodded, scribbling with her pen at Ian's orders.
"And have a dinner party today. Put it on my tab."
At those words, Tommy dropped the documents he was holding. Nakina did the same, dropping her pen and freezing with sparkling eyes.
"Have a safe trip, Minister!"
"Wooo! Awesome! Let's get the special set today!"
"Thank you! Hope you won't be shocked by the receipt tomorrow! Love you!"
"Wrap up today's work in an hour."
"Captain! You know your stuff!"
As the three cheered in unison noisily, Ian smiled and headed to the entrance. The mages he passed all bowed their heads in greeting.
Swipe.
"Minister. Good day."
"Good work."
"Yes. Good work."
Romandro smiled proudly behind him for no reason. Ian, who had inherited the position of Wesley, the fourth in the imperial palace hierarchy, was his close friend! He kept bragging inwardly nonstop.
* * *
"Mini. Doesn't this much food seem sufficient?"
"It is, but there are so many people."
"Food expenses are included in the payment, so no worries. Tell them to grab an extra set of clothes each. The winds get fiercer crossing the border."
Romandro's residence was utter chaos. It was the atmosphere created by Vivianna and Mini running around busily to prepare Hasya and the Astana people for their long journey. Ian smiled as he listened to the noise from downstairs through the door crack.
Knock knock.
"Wonder if I can come in, or not?"
"Come in."
"Ian, what are you doing? Downstairs is almost ready."
Berik had his mouth stuffed full of food. Judging by the handprint on his shoulder, he must have gotten smacked while stealing lunches from the Astana people.
"I was writing a letter to send via Hielo."
"To the border?"
"Yes. If you have anything you want to say, tell me. I can add it."
It was a letter to Hielo—more precisely, to Ian's birth mother, Philia. To ask about the possibility that the bastard Ian was originally a mana user, and various things related.
'It seemed like the first time seeing golden eyes when buying the potted plant in the park, but who knows. Maybe there were unusual behaviors from childhood.'
Ian flicked the ink dripping from the pen tip. Feeling the intense gaze beside him, he unwittingly turned his head.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"I'm agonizing over who to send it to."
Berik was lying on the bed with a serious expression. He had no family, no friends he met casually. Ian was probably the first real connection he had made.
"If you have nothing to send, you don't have to."
"I want to, but I don't know who or what to send."
"Haina's fine, Lord Nersarn's fine, Kakkan's fine too. Replies will be slow, but aren't all the warriors in the Great Desert your friends?"
It was then.
-Ian, are you inside?
"Hasya."
-Preparations are done. We're about to depart.
Hasya's call came. Ian set down his pen and went outside. The bustling house was now emptily quiet. All the luggage had been moved to the garden.
-Ian, parting like this makes my nose tingle with regret.
"Hasya, don't cry."
Ian smiled as he personally wiped the dog's moist eyes. Though they hadn't known each other long, the regret showed they were truly family.
-I'll return to Astana, stabilize the faction, and obtain a new body. Then I'll come meet you again, Ian.
"That's something to look forward to."
-Truly grateful. So grateful.
"Hasya! Me? Say goodbye to me too."
At Berik's words, Hasya chuckled lowly and embraced him similarly. If Berik hadn't hugged back hard enough to crush, it would have been a truly touching farewell.
-Oh, take out the brooch.
"If you want, take it with you. Use it as emergency funds if problems arise. If things go well, send it back when you return to Astana."
The mana stone brooch hanging from the dog's neck. Hasya grinned gratefully, and then wails of sobbing erupted.
"Oh dear, go safely! Sniff."
"Master. Stop crying. People will think someone died."
"No, it's just regretful. Sniff! Hasya! Hasya!"
It was Romandro. His eyes were swollen puffy, and he kept sniffling nonstop. Hasya ran over laughing, and he knelt down, offering another tearful farewell.
"Go~! Well! Hasya! It was so nice meeting you!"
-I owe you much. Romandro, always stay healthy, and may your wife have a smooth delivery. I'll pray to the great nature in Astana for you.
Hasya lightly shook off the fur dampened by Romandro's tears. He bid final goodbyes to Vivianna and Mini as well, then hopped onto the mercenary band's carriage.
-See you again.
"Yes. See you again."
"Ughhh. Sniff! Hic! Hasya!"
"Ah, Lord Romandro. Your snot's gross."
"Hic!"
Neigh!
The mercenaries bowed to Vivianna, then drove the horses, and soon the carriages departed from Romandro's residence one by one in order. Hands of the Astana people waved from the windows. They all clutched the joy of returning home.
Clop clop!
Hasya showed his face at the window until the end, and Ian stayed in place until they became dots.
With this, all who were leaving had departed.
Now, it was time to handle the remaining matters.