Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Your Mom
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‘There’s a way to lift the curse.’
No need to shout loudly or gesture for attention. At Ian’s quiet words, everyone in the chamber turned to him.
Nakina felt for the first time the atmosphere come alive and stir. Like a massive energy swimming this way and that according to Ian’s intent.
“Ian Hielo, Minister. You say you can lift the curse? It was created by burning two mages’ souls. Is that even possible?”
Ian looked calmly toward the noble who cried out, as if to say what was there to be surprised about.
“There are no other options. It will be possible, and we’ll make it so. We can’t just leave Prince Gail like this, can we? This concerns the fate of Bariel and the imperial family, so the Magic Department will do its utmost to resolve it.”
His firm response carried full conviction. There would be only one path: lifting the curse, no matter what.
Gail unconsciously smirked and swept his hair back. Not even knowing what his real curse was, yet playing quite an amusing hand.
“That’s most gracious of you.”
“Prince Gail. It is my duty.”
Ian placed a hand on his chest and saluted. He seemed at ease even in this sudden situation, having achieved everything he wanted today. He had replaced the curse with a protective barrier, and he hadn’t announced House Haiman’s support, had he? He had successfully loosened the noose tightening around him from Marib’s grasp.
“Lord Ian Hielo. Then report. How exactly do you plan to lift Prince Gail’s curse?”
The Prime Minister gestured lightly, urging him on. The Emperor and Dillaina watched Ian as well. It was hard to believe that Bariel’s future hinged on this small, beautiful boy.
“First, I must inform you that the curse on Prince Gail is Forbidden Magic. There will be many trials and errors.”
Ian snapped his fingers, creating a small orb of mana. The surroundings brightened instantly, casting deep shadows over his features.
“The curse is this shadow. Magic’s yang and yin, two sides of the same coin that cannot be separated, operating by the same mechanism.”
The caster’s mana, the incantation, the target, and the result it summons. A curse, after all, was merely a subset of magic.
“What will you do to eliminate the shadow?”
“To eliminate the shadow? Shine an even stronger light on it—”
“Exactly. Neutralizing the Forbidden Magic cast by Wesley and his aide with an even greater power.”
Even ordinary Wesley was beyond enduring, let alone the Forbidden Magic from two mages. Even Ian couldn’t handle that. No, precisely speaking, not even the entire Magic Department could be certain. As the mages murmured, the audience buzzed with unease.
“Or, there’s covering the shadow with another shadow. But setting that aside... I must ask, Prince Gail.”
“Anything.”
“Did Wesley attach any conditions? If it’s a conditional curse, fulfilling them can resolve it.”
‘Gail, you shall ― thus ― forever.’
Gail suddenly recalled her final voice. Days and nights had passed relentlessly, yet each memory remained vivid. He shook his head flatly.
“...No.”
“Understood. Fortunately, Wesley was a mage. If she’d been a shaman, I wouldn’t have dared attempt it.”
Ian stepped forward before the Emperor and bowed in protocol. He dared to implore: hear my opinion, Your Majesty.
“Your Majesty. For this matter, decree it an absolute imperial secret not to leak outside the palace. It must not reach the people of the Bariel Empire, nor neighboring nations.”
There were plenty waiting for Bariel to decline. If word spread that Gail’s life was tied to his, it would breed chaos. From assassinations on a small scale to war on a large one. The Emperor nodded deeply in agreement.
“Additionally, the Magic Department will apply and adapt conventional curse-resolution methods to find a path. For smooth investigation, grant the Magic Department full control and command authority over this matter.”
Having taken office mid-crisis, authority was fragmented. The palace guard present at the scene, the Administrative Department holding prior records and approving documents in place of the Magic Minister, and so on.
Dillaina hid her face with her fan, barely concealing her profound embarrassment.
‘He’s no ordinary fellow. Are all mages like this? Wesley too—like a beast.’
It was the moment the Magic Department’s prestige, which had waned, fully revived. Reminding everyone of what they’d tacitly forgotten: without them, Bariel wouldn’t exist. The Emperor had no reason or excuse to refuse.
“Your words are wise. From this moment, all command over the Wesley incident is delegated to the Magic Department Minister, Ian Hielo. All who hear my decree shall cooperate with the Magic Department, follow their orders, and swiftly conclude this matter.”
At the Emperor’s command, all seated rose and placed hands on their chests. At the same time, the Emperor coughed violently and doubled over. Dillaina cried out in alarm, supporting his arm.
“Your Majesty!”
“...That’s enough for today.”
“That would be best. Prime Minister!”
At Dillaina’s call, the Prime Minister slammed his staff down. Signaling the end of the meeting. The Emperor departed with his retainers’ aid, and the chamber instantly became pandemonium.
“Prince Gail!”
It was then. Melania gathered her voluminous dress skirts and rushed to Gail. Her tearful eyes seemed utterly pure in that moment.
Smack! Crash!
“Oh my, heavens.”
Melania staggered as if she’d stepped on her dress, knocking over and shattering the Truth Serum vial on the table. Marib’s lips tightened in disbelief.
“What shall we do?”
“It’s fine. You’re not hurt?”
“I’m alright. Minister Ian. I’m so sorry.”
“...No harm done. Lady Melania. As long as you’re unhurt, that’s what matters.”
Her beaming smile was chilling. She had deliberately shattered the remaining Truth Serum to prevent any further disputes. Truly aristocratic maneuvering. Ian clicked his tongue inwardly but outwardly smiled sweetly alongside Melania.
“Lord Ian.”
“Yes. Prince Marib.”
Marib frowned as if he couldn’t bear the sight, calling Ian. His gaze had softened slightly, recognizing his earlier emotional blunder.
“Come to the palace later.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
What Marib currently lacked was the Emperor’s trust. With Ian, the Magic Department Minister, securing the Emperor’s backing, he couldn’t afford to lose him to baseless suspicion.
“Prince Marib. Until we meet again.”
“...Indeed. Lady Melania.”
Melania greeted him pointedly, and Marib reluctantly nodded. Revulsion seeped from his actions. As Marib vanished, she wiped her smile away and clutched her dress skirts.
“Prince Gail. I’ll wait in the carriage first.”
“I’ll follow shortly.”
In the back, Gail’s followers fervently discussed the incident. As Melania left, Ian organized his documents and asked.
“Do you have something to say?”
At the question, Gail lowered his voice and chuckled. Then, whispering so no one amid the clamor could hear:
“Claiming to lift my curse. It’s laughable, not even knowing the problem, yet pretending to find the answer.”
He struck where it hurt most. Knowing the curse was fake, there was no way to prove it even if they claimed to lift it verbally. Then the Magic Department would gain immense prestige as Bariel’s savior. Without cost or sacrifice.
“I’m glad I could bring even a small smile. Since Your Highness said it’s a personal curse, not knowing the problem makes it fine, doesn’t it?”
On top of that, resolving Marib’s troubles would build trust easily. At the right timing, with the right act, lift the curse.
“Keep your promise. The documents on the narcotics and caravans linked to Prince Marib. Hand them over, and I’ll accommodate Your Highness as much as possible.”
Gail took out a mana cigarette and raised an eyebrow. He looked amused.
“Of course. I’ll deliver them soon.”
“Thank you.”
“But I wonder how much help that’ll be to you.”
Gail exhaled smoke with a low laugh. As his followers called impatiently, he shot a farewell glance and turned away. With his subordinates pondering how to proceed henceforth, he disappeared.
“Minister Ian. Shall we go too?”
“Yes. Good work today.”
“No, we just sat there. At least the urgent fire’s out, so we can breathe now.”
Nakina muttered while nudging the shattered glass shards with her foot. Ian stepped out with them, mulling Gail’s words.
‘Wondering how much help the documents will be?’
Ian frowned. A nagging, troublesome hypothesis arose.
‘Though covered up, the situation remains precarious. Gail mentioning the caravan to Marib is proof. I thought it was his last card, but showing it...’
It meant all-out war. The mutual checks had tangled to the brink of explosion. For Marib and Gail alike, it was both opportunity and crisis to eliminate each other.
He sensed the start of an irreversible clash.
‘Might as well expose Marib’s documents.’
Then it wouldn’t just be Ian’s knowledge, matching Gail’s words that it wouldn’t help much. Marib too was sharpening his blade in the shadows. What would happen if Gail played that card was obvious.
Swish.
“Minister Ian. What’s wrong?”
“We need to reschedule the entire Magic Department.”
“Pardon? Why?”
Offensive magic or defensive. Best to cultivate power to hold the center amid the storm. Even if no immediate results, better than nothing.
As Ian walked on without answering.
Clack clack!
Rapid footsteps rushing toward Ian. Nakina and Tommy startled, moving to block, then hesitated. The face of the red-haired man charging in was familiar.
Zing! Boom!
“Argh!”
“Why stop midway through the barrier?”
“Because it’s Berik. Berik, is your nose okay?”
“Ow, ow! Damn! Fuck!”
He had smashed headfirst into Hail’s barrier. Berik clutched his nose, tumbling forward, and Ian noticed the letter in his hand.
“Berik. I warned you charging like that in the palace would bring trouble.”
“Don’t care, whatever. Just read this quick. It’s from Hielo, and the messenger bird was Vivianna’s, so they opened it by mistake.”
The reply was swift. Ian recognized Hanna’s neat handwriting on the envelope. She hadn’t neglected her studies.
Berik rubbed his reddened nose and added.
“And she wants to get married.”
“Married? Who?”
“Ow, shit. Nose hurts too much to talk. The, uh, Cheonryeo Tribe one.”
Married to the Cheonryeo Tribe?
Ian recalled Hanna weeping sadly as the Cheonryeo Tribe departed the border. She did seem to have someone in mind.
“Isn’t Hanna too young to marry?”
Not that he was her parent, and if she wanted, he wouldn’t stop her. At Ian’s mutter, Berik just sniffled.
“Not Hanna.”
“……?”