Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: The Day the Curse is Revealed
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Unlike the pleasant atmosphere of other departments, the entrance to the Mana Stone Management Division felt different from the very air. Damp walls plastered with haphazard powders and dust, glowing mana stone storage units in the darkness—this place, which preserved heat and cold as they were, evoked the image of a back alley in the marketplace.
"Turn down the heat a bit."
"That's weird. The critical point is much lower, isn't it?"
"Just turn down the heat, like I said?"
Boom!
With every step, bizarre noises echoed from all directions. Traces of research crushing, grinding, and boiling mana stones. Occasional explosions rang out, but no one paid them much mind. They simply shielded their flasks with their bodies to protect their research from interruption.
"Heh heh heh... Lustrous, so lustrous."
Ian leaned against the door, watching Acorella's back. A space completely cut off from the outside. Only the faint purple light from the Luron Stone illuminated her face. She looked the very picture of madness. One of Acorella's subordinates knocked on the door to announce their presence.
Knock knock.
"Captain Acorella."
"Why!! I told you not to bother me when I'm researching!"
"Minister Ian is here."
"Oh? Really?"
Her shift in demeanor was so swift it was almost frightening. She removed her goggles and gloves as she approached Ian.
"What brings you here, Minister? I sent up the report as ordered. Ah, no. Never mind that. Perfect timing, actually. Come over here. When we gradually increase the pressure on the Luron Stone at cryogenic temperatures, the bubbles change much more actively. But since we've only been collecting it as powder, how were we supposed to know? I mean, these bubbles are essentially the core of the mana stone—"
"Captain Acorella."
Ian calmed the excited woman who was rambling on. He set a report an inch thick on the desk and smiled brightly.
"That's what I came to ask about. In the future, please write reports that are easier to understand. From what I roughly gathered, it can eliminate the side effects mentioned in the Truth Serum."
"Exactly. It made people vomit blood, which was a huge negative for public rollout. We were agonizing over it for commercialization, but it seems we've solved it."
Indeed, it was money and will that changed the world. With chunks of Luron Stone incoming, research had become far smoother. Ian continued flipping through the report and asked,
"No issues with the efficacy?"
"It'll depend on how much Luron Stone is used. Originally, it only activated at the moment of vomiting blood, but now that we've fixed the side effect, we might be able to adjust it by time intervals. Since we're focusing on commercialization, we'll coordinate with other departments on that."
Boom!
Another explosion echoed from the end of the corridor. Clearly, someone's research had failed. Ian nodded in understanding and tapped the table.
"And this is just a hunch-based question."
"Yes, yes! Ask away! I don't know what it is, but starting like that usually means you're right. It's probably just a hunch."
As Acorella's eyes sparkled, her subordinate clutched his forehead as if he couldn't take it anymore and left the lab. Now alone with her, Ian crossed his arms and smiled.
"There was no mention in the report about neutralizing the Truth Serum. Are you planning a separate report?"
"Oho! Ian, you're sharp."
The Truth Serum research was proceeding with commercialization in mind. Being commercial meant relying on market choice, and the easiest path to that was targeting the counterproduct.
For example, if spears sold well, shields would too; if poison sold well, antidotes would see high demand. The same went for Truth Serum. There would surely be explosive demand for neutralization methods.
"The Magic Department has no intention of officially researching neutralization. But other countries or shady apothecaries in the marketplace might. Grasping countermeasures in advance is the way to maximize long-term profits."
"I don't really care about those petty calculations. I'm just curious about the spear that pierces anything and the shield that blocks anything. We did find a few glitches that neutralize it after ingestion. I was going to compile those separately."
"Those are classified."
"Of course. Don't worry about our folks. They hardly ever go out, since they're just focused on research."
Boom!
Another explosion, this time with acrid smoke rising. Ian frowned. Was this really okay? But Acorella casually rummaged through a drawer. Dust fell from the stacked parchments.
"Eh, I put it here... where'd it go? Anyway, I'll compile at least a rough version by today."
"I'll be in the minister's office for a while, so bring it directly."
"Got it. Understood. Minister Ian, loyalty, loyalty!"
Not only had he supplied massive Luron Stones, but he also clicked with her on research matters. Acorella thought Wesley's replacement by Ian as minister was truly a stroke of luck and saluted playfully.
"Keep up the good work."
As Ian exited the Mana Stone Management Division, he kept waving his hand through the air. No wonder mages called this place a 'den.' It hadn't been like this 100 years from now—clearly, the leader's personality shaped the department's vibe.
'This side seems mostly ready.'
"Welcome back, Minister."
"Someone from the Administration just left."
"From the Administration?"
As Ian returned, Tommy scurried after him and set down a pile of documents. What was that about? Berik, lounging on the sofa munching on gulla, grimaced in disgust.
"They checked if Truth Serum production was progressing well. They said the date is set and asked if there were any delays. They mentioned writing a separate reply just in case."
It was like a judgment. A trial to determine if the curse Second Prince Gail testified to was true or not. The results that day would decide which way the palace's torrents swirled.
He could guess the path roughly, but since it was a torrent, he couldn't perfectly trace its course. Who could predict where a water droplet would splash?
"Tell them no issues."
"Yes, understood."
'Gail survives by the skin of his teeth and gains an untouchable shield for the time being.'
His death was Bariel's death, after all. It would come to light eventually, but until then, even Marib couldn't easily harm him.
'Then how will Marib respond? He's the one trying to push Gail off, while Gail clings on. Would he just watch him crawl back from the brink?'
Absolutely not.
It was a chance Marib would never get again. To not let it slip, he'd use every means to shove Gail off. To keep him from climbing back up, straight into the abyss.
'And the one with the biggest repercussions among them...'
Ian bit his lip unconsciously. It was irreverent and shocking, something he feared even thinking about, but not entirely unrealistic.
"Ian, your face looks bad again."
Berik, who had been watching him, chimed in. Lately, he seemed lost in deep thought alone more often. Ian smiled brightly, and Berik clenched his fist, ranting.
"We're just trying to eat and survive, right? Don't work! He gave it half-assed anyway."
"There's a standard to eating and surviving. Berik, if you plan to live off gulla alone, then sure."
"...Then can Ian work a little harder?"
"Oh, right, did you smell it?"
Ian had Berik sniff the drug Gail had given him. In the borderlands, just getting close made him pass out into hallucinations, so if it was the same, the reaction should match. At Ian's words, Berik sniffed.
"I missed dinner passing out."
"It's the same stuff. Hallucinations too?"
"Yeah. But weaker than before."
"Even the same drug varies wildly by maker and method. The key is they're the same type."
Ian spun his pen with his fingers and nodded. What connection did the caravan distributing this drug have with Marib?
'I sent a letter to Hielo and hinted to the Merelrofs too. Asked Lady Rien to investigate where that drug she gave came from.'
But it would take time. Plus, Lady Rien had just gotten her hands on the drug; slim chance she was tied to the core forces. She hadn't done much outside under the count's strict watch back then. Right now, getting the data Gail hoarded was the fastest, surest way.
'A lead on the caravan is Marib's Achilles' heel.'
Better to think after the meeting. His response would vary by the outcome—specifically, Marib's actions.
Swish.
Ian gazed out the window, estimating where the messenger bird to Hielo might be flying. Thanks to the garden in place of an annex, sunlight poured in unimpeded.
* * *
And finally, that day arrived.
"You're not allowed in the palace today? Why?"
"The delivery deadline is today."
"I don't know the details. Orders came to restrict outsiders as much as possible until sunset."
The palace atmosphere was tense. Like warriors before battle—fierce, solemn, on edge. Guards minimized entries and exits just in case, and every palace worker on the payroll gathered before the conference hall.
"Magic Department."
"The Magic Department has arrived."
"Ian Hielo, the minister, right?"
"Ah, that's the new minister."
Ian led the way in his uniform, cape billowing. Acorella and Magic Operations Division members followed. The murmurs around them didn't stop until they reached the conference hall.
"They've newly manufactured Truth Serum."
"Really? Ha ha, well then."
At someone's words, the clustered groups wore strange expressions. As if it meant the end for Second Prince Gail. Made by the Magic Department minister backed by Marib's power, the outcome was obvious.
"But we haven't seen Second Prince Gail around lately."
"Must be because of the curse. He's avoiding going out."
Ian glanced their way unconsciously. He was quite curious himself. Of course, with public eyes and Marib watching, they couldn't meet alone, and even messages went unanswered.
'I swapped the Truth Serum and sent neutralization methods just in case, but no reply.'
Was he mad? Well, Ian wouldn't stop him if so. Then it happened. The sound of a galloping carriage boomed behind Ian. So vigorous it shook the ground.
"Ah."
The flag on the carriage bore the Hyman house crest. Ian, the Magic Department, and staff from various departments all stopped to look down at it.
Neigh!
The man who dismounted lightly was Gail. He brushed back his hair with a leisurely smile. At his sudden appearance, everyone bowed in respect.
"Second Prince Gail, please take my hand."
Then came a woman's voice. Melania, the youngest daughter of House Hyman. Gail naturally took her hand and soon wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Be careful, Melania."
"With Your Highness holding me, there's no need."
Everyone sensed the unusual chemistry between them. As Gail ascended the stairs, his eyes met Ian's, and he subtly waggled his eyebrows.
'You've been busy with that.'
One of the ropes Gail could grab before falling off the cliff.
Ian let out a scoffing chuckle, meeting his gaze. As if to say, impressive.