Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Neutral Forces
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Ian and the captains from each division gathered around a massive round table. Outside, the roars and screams continued nonstop. Things were so urgent that Ian just did a quick headcount by eye.
Without even taking a seat, they leaned their upper bodies over the table and turned to Acorella. She brought over a glass box filled with gray powder and dumped it onto the table.
Swaaaah.
It was mana stone powder as fine as sand grains. It reacted to mana like a magnet and had the ability to remember shapes.
"Anyone, just pour in some mana. We're in a hurry here."
As Acorella tapped the powder and spoke, someone infused it with mana. The mana stone powder began clumping together on its own, soon forming a perfect model of the entire imperial palace. A three-dimensional blueprint, giving the sensation of looking down on the palace from a god's-eye view.
Swaaaah!
Acorella didn't stop there. She sprinkled yellow and black powder over it. The powders twisted and merged like they'd been granted life, crawling over the blueprint. They visualized the real-time positions of Marib and Gail's forces by resonating with their mana.
"Why yellow and black?"
"Yeah, yellow heads, black heads."
Acorella answered her colleague's question without hesitation. Princes or whatever, she had no respect for the ones who'd turned the palace into this mess. Her colleague started to protest but just bit their lip instead.
"Combat is breaking out continuously centered around the First Palace. It doesn't look like it'll end until one of the princes from each faction dies."
Among the countless grains of powder, Marib and Gail were surely still alive. Ian scanned the overall situation and muttered.
"No. The princes won't kill each other."
"What? Aren't they causing all this chaos right now just to kill each other?"
"It's a purge of their forces. If one of them—Marib or Gail—dies and claims victory, they can't convince Bariel."
"Bariel meaning..."
"Me. You all. And the imperial citizens."
Ian meant the core of the third faction not participating in the battle. "You all" referred to the talents in the palace excluding those cores. "Imperial citizens" meant the faith and support of the people.
"After formally referring it to an imperial palace trial and gaining 'everyone's acknowledgment' that the opponent committed treason. Only then will executing them serve as absolution for this situation."
It didn't matter what the truth was. The victor would be justice and righteousness, while the loser's words would just sound like excuses.
"For recorded legitimacy, then."
"S-So what do we do? What should we be doing?"
The captains all turned to Ian. He stared down at the mana stone grains writhing grotesquely and muttered. Each one represented a person, a life—but soon they'd be corpses.
"...Do you all remember the 'Mage's Oath'?"
The Mage's Oath. It referred to the words of the sage inscribed in the great grimoire passed down for a thousand years. Anyone who researched or pursued magic had no choice but to memorize it. Acorella pushed up her glasses and recited first.
"To a mage, mana is another sense beyond the five senses. You will see truth, hear the words of the soul, and speak divinity."
Hail, who had been chewing on his cigarette, took up the oath.
"Smell the burning greed and be wary, taste the longing. Remember that the fire burning within you is a flame, and do not let it be extinguished by external winds."
The captains exchanged glances and slowly synchronized their breaths. The sage's words lived on through the mages even after eons.
"And so, let the inner flame burn eternally. It is the light that illuminates the world—"
'And it will warm you.'
Naum had recited it too. It lingered in Ian's memories, as if the voice echoed in his ear. How strange. By history's account, the mages of this era should have joined Gail's rebellion and been buried in obscurity.
But right now, they seemed no different from Naum. No different from the mages who had supported Ian.
'Difference in leadership.'
He felt its importance anew. Ian drew a line in front of the Magic Department on the round table blueprint.
"The Magic Department remains neutral and uninvolved in this incident."
"Agreed. Why should we get mixed up in a dogfight?"
"Acorella, self-control? Huh?"
"Ahh, whatever! Mana stones were supposed to come in today, but now it's all ruined because of the lockdown."
The captains ignored Acorella and turned away. No wonder she seemed more pissed off than usual—legends stayed true to form.
"Expand the barrier as much as possible and make room for everyone seeking safety."
"Even forces from Marib or Gail's side?"
"If they cause any disturbance inside, we'll crush them without mercy. There must be some who don't even know the Magic Department exists amid the chaos. Leave that to Nakina and Tommy. I hear they're experienced with disaster relief."
Hail nodded vigorously in agreement.
"The Magic Support Division handles the barrier. Hail, confirm His Majesty's position. It'd be good to find out where the Imperial Palace Guard is too. If nothing's wrong, they'll be with His Majesty. Ah, Guard Captain Riama has betrayed us and gone over to Marib."
"Then we just need to find Jayrot or Beols. They're exceptional sword-mages, so no issues there."
"And..."
Ian tapped the table with his fingers. Arsen and Jin's palaces already had Marib and Gail's forces breaking in.
'Marib will try to kill Arsen and Jin too. Since Dillaina's allied with Gail and won't recognize the emperor's authority. Above all, from Marib's position, it's right to cut them off at the root when trouble arises.'
Would Gail have the capacity to protect the twin princes and Dillaina? No. He'd be too busy saving his own skin. Watching the mana stone powder tangle in a terrifying mess, Ian swallowed a sigh.
"...Berik."
No helping it.
"Here! Berik, here!!"
Ian pressed his temples and called for Berik. As if he'd been waiting, Berik poked his head through the door crack. His eyes sparkled brighter than stars. He clearly wanted to dive into the chaos outside. After all, puddles of fresh blood awaited.
"...Prepare an escort. We're going to get Arsen and Jin."
"Yesss! That's it! Let's go!"
"I told you to show restraint."
"How do you fight if you hold back? Huh? Come on, hurry! I'll clear a killer path. Of course! The Minister's judgment is spot on, as always."
He swung his sword around wildly, clowning about. Was it really okay to entrust the escort to this guy? No—the mages stood first, shaking their heads and rising to block Ian from leaving.
"The Minister's going personally?"
"Isn't it dangerous? Let us go instead."
"Exactly. If anything happens to you, it'll be a real problem. Not just for the Magic Department, but the whole palace."
Ian donned his overcoat and turned to them. A faint smile flickered across his face.
"Is there anyone here who can go to the palace and return safer than me?"
It was double-layered. Asking if anyone had stronger mana than him, and if anyone had his political standing. Even in the thick of bloodbath, no one would dare harm the Magic Department Minister who'd declared neutrality.
"Killing those who've declared neutrality would shatter the justification that they rose up to stop treason. A mage might just get caught in the crossfire by bad luck. But I'm the Minister, so it'd blow up big time."
"A walking high-interest bank, huh?"
"Oh. Berik. Nice analogy."
"Hehe. I hang around books all day too!"
Ian chuckled and patted Berik's shoulder. While straightening his clothes, he looked each captain in the eye and urged them not to forget their duties.
"Everyone except the barrier team, generate and maintain portals. High up, so everyone in the palace can see."
"Understood."
"We'll carry out the orders."
"Come on, let's hustle! Rough morning, huh!"
"Acorella, why do you look so excited?"
No one knew why the portals. If it was just to signal this as a safe zone, they could've shot up fireworks with less mana. But the mages figured the Minister had his reasons and followed.
As the meeting room door opened, the people gathered in the lobby all stared at them.
"Minister Ian, what now? The princes have clearly lost their minds. His Majesty's missing, and the imperial seal's rolling around in that mess!"
"This is Bariel's shame. How could Prince Marib and Prince Gail do this?"
"Th-They're calling each other traitors. Who's the real one?"
"Does that matter? Right now? In this situation?!"
"Don't fight it, just let us in. Staying out here feels like real trouble's coming."
They all voiced their anxiety noisily. Instinct told them the palace was undergoing a world-shaking upheaval. Ian raised a hand lightly to quiet them.
"With the Imperial Defense Department joining the fight, if danger leaks inside the palace, we can't stop it. So we'll strongly seal the palace entrances. Calm down and stay here—the mages will guarantee your safety. Trust us and wait. Romandro!"
Romandro had been talking with colleagues from the Administrative Department about the incident and His Majesty's whereabouts.
"I'll bring Princes Arsen and Jin."
"Ah, I-I just heard. Jayrot's on duty elsewhere, so he's not in the palace. Last night, Captain Beols was guarding His Majesty's chambers."
Ian nodded to Hail. Things got simpler. They just needed to sense Beols's mana. Ian patted Romandro reassuringly.
"I'm leaving this place to you. Be back soon."
"Ah, y-yes. S-Stay safe."
Romandro shot Berik a glare. Meaning: stay sharp and escort Ian properly. Berik grinned and raised his sword high.
"Of course! Ian for the win!"
Berik's booming voice made the officials' eyes go wide. The mages too. Hail laughed and flicked his cigarette.
"Ahh, yeah. Our Minister, we support you."
"Minister Ian, we support you too. In times like this, we need to unite our strength and will. Use my name if you need it. Foreign Affairs, Esybuster!"
"I'm Wyvern!"
"Mabe! Wellinger Mabe!"
The officials shouted their names and pledged allegiance to Ian. Berik waved his sword excitedly, and the mages placed hands over their hearts.
Ian said nothing and passed through the barrier, with Berik right behind.
"Bye! Be back soon!"
"Nakina, Tommy! Guide nearby people to the safe zone."
"Okay. Let's go!"
Ziiing! Ziiing!
Nakina and Tommy soared into the sky again. They freely navigated the airspace, herding fleeing people toward the Magic Department, while the mages created portals as Ian ordered.
Swaaaaah—!
It was like the sky itself was being rent. A gash appeared in the blue sky, as if dragging the hidden night of broad daylight into view. A black void existing only in darkness.
"Whoa, Ian, look at that! A black crescent moon!"
"That's the portal framework."
Berik marveled as he sliced a charging soldier's throat. Blood spurted, screams rang out. Ian and Berik raced toward the palaces of Arsen and Jin.