Chapter 174
Chapter 174
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Little by Little
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A moment later, Siaoshi noticed that the area around Ian had cleared out and entered the conference room. He was standing there with the mages, papers in hand, gazing at the mana stone dust on the round table.
He had no idea which speck among the countless grains was Marib or Gail, but it was enough to gauge the overall situation. Ian tapped two spots on the tightly rolled paper.
"Beol's mana was felt here and here."
"That's right. The physical distance is quite significant for movement in such a short time. Even for a sword-mage serving His Majesty, it would be a strain."
"If His Majesty the Emperor uses a secret passage, it would be hard for us to detect. We should announce that the Magic Department is a neutral zone and wait for him to come."
"Ian, do you have some idea?"
"I told Romandro to fetch the documents from Wesley's time. Confirming those should give us a clearer picture. What about Berik? Is he preparing well?"
"He's down at the restaurant eating. Marib's forces are swarming the area, so it seems like he'll need some time to get ready."
Marib's forces—truly a laughable notion. Even the lowliest beast in Bariel stood beneath the Emperor. For these guards to step up and cause chaos—what an utterly reckless affair.
Ian chuckled softly and set down the papers. Acorella, who had been tidying the mana stone dust, noticed Siaoshi's presence and gave him a look.
"Minister. Hey, your subordinate's here."
"Siaoshi?"
"...I have something to report."
Siaoshi bowed his head calmly and glanced at the mages. His eyes questioned whether they could hear this.
"Oh dear, we need to check the barrier!"
"Yeah, I was just thinking the same. Mm-hm."
The mages bustled out noisily. They didn't know Siaoshi was a slave and simply saw him as Ian's right-hand man. Berik's constant challenges to spar had influenced that too.
"What is it?"
Ian crossed his arms and turned to Siaoshi. The man was so taciturn that it was impossible to guess what he might say.
"Last night, I think I saw Prince Arsen in Prince Gail's quarters."
...It was beyond doubt—utterly shocking. Ian uncrossed his arms and furrowed his brow. Why would Arsen be in Gail's quarters? No, more than that—how?
"Tell me in detail."
"In the darkness of the corridor, I saw glowing blue eyes. I thought it was the subject's child and passed by, but upon reflection, it was definitely Prince Arsen."
"...Prince Jin and Prince Arsen look identical. How can you be so sure it was Prince Arsen?"
"By instinct—"
Siaoshi hesitated. It had been a brief glimpse, but that moment was etched into his mind, unforgettable. A cold, murderous chill, like it wasn't the gaze of the living. Or the shiver of facing a superior predator. Words tangled, refusing to form properly.
Would Ian understand?
He continued anyway.
"—I knew it."
"......"
Tap, tap. Ian drummed his fingertips rhythmically on the chair's leather. His eyes stared into space, lost in thought, their green hue unusually deep.
"...Believe me."
"Yes. I believe you."
Siaoshi flinched at the too-swift reply. Ian looked up at him, smiling as if to ask why he was so surprised.
"Though Prince Jin and Prince Arsen are mirror images, their temperaments differ, so everyone in the palace could easily tell them apart. If you sensed it was Prince Arsen, then it was."
To be precise, the one who smiled brightly and was lively was considered Arsen, while the calm and quiet one was Jin.
"What puzzles me is how—and why—Prince Arsen was in Prince Gail's quarters that night."
Ian said this while glancing at the mana stone dust map. The palace was so vast that Gail's and Arsen's quarters weren't entirely remote from each other.
But for a child to visit Gail's quarters that night, without any mount or conveyance—it defied common sense no matter how he thought about it.
"The guards were dismissed to welcome you, so somehow entering isn't impossible. But there are too many parts that don't add up."
At Ian's mutter, Siaoshi lowered his eyes. If only he'd grabbed the child then and checked. Confirmed if it was Arsen and brought even more useful information to his master.
"Siaoshi."
At Ian's call, he raised his gaze.
"For the time being, take good care of the twin princes, especially keep an eye on Prince Arsen. There's a lot that's suspicious about him."
"I will keep that in mind."
Even the oracle was like that.
The later-born shall harm the first-born.
If the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line will end.
'The latter I can somewhat guess.'
In Ian's view, Jin was currently the firm heir apparent, closest to the throne. Naturally, if Jin died, the imperial line would end.
"...And Prince Arsen?"
"He said the coming and going of people was uncomfortable and went inside."
Ian stood and led the way. He thought it might be necessary to separate Jin and Arsen a bit from now on.
"Inside, where?"
* * *
"If it hurts, please tell me right away."
"...It's fine."
The doctor knelt and examined Jin's wound. Wiping away the smeared blood revealed its depth even more. Fortunately, it had missed his eyes and mouth, but the scar would likely remain. The doctor sighed involuntarily and disinfected the open area.
"...Mother?"
"Lady Dillaina is resting. She just fainted from the shock. I'm more worried about Your Highness's injury."
Jin closed his eyes in silence. Did these people know he had been abandoned by his mother and brother? There were no secrets in the palace, so once things settled, everyone would surely know.
'Then how should I live?'
It was still vivid. The last warmth of his mother's hand slipping from his. The bond was broken; even if mended, it could never return to before. Like the scar on his face, the mark would remain on their relationship.
"The wound is diagonal, so the bandage might feel uncomfortable. But please bear with it for now. If it gets infected, it'll hurt more and be harder to heal."
The doctor finished with clean cloth and stood. Then those who could use healing magic approached, bathing him in warm energy.
Ziiing. Ziiing.
"This will ease the pain. Since Your Highness is still young and not in good condition, we'll monitor and infuse mana accordingly."
"Magic is your domain, so do as you see fit."
The mages smiled warmly at Jin's gentle words. Ahh. While the grown princes were causing a ruckus outside, this young prince endured without a whimper of pain—how composed.
"Please wait a moment. I'll fetch some clothes."
"And Lord Ian?"
"The Minister seems to be handling some business right now. Shall I call him?"
"No need. Just curious."
"He'll be here soon."
The mage bowed, noticing Jin's ruined clothes. Sitting on the bed's edge, Jin closed his eyes and slowly swung his legs.
'When I see Lord Ian, first I'll thank him. For helping me survive like this. For embracing me without hesitation—truly grateful. And for saving Mother too—'
Creeeak.
He was a prince, but before that, a child. Since opening his eyes, unbearable events had come one after another. Amid the jumble of thoughts, Jin missed the approaching presence.
Tap.
Footsteps drawing near. With eyes closed, Jin turned his head. Had the mage returned?
"Jin."
His eyes snapped open at the familiar voice. Arsen had approached right up to his face, peering in. Jin froze, holding his breath.
"Jin. How's the wound? Does it hurt?"
"...Arsen."
"Brother Marib went too far."
Arsen's eyes reddened as he touched his brother's wound. Jin winced from the sting, and Arsen fussed even more in surprise.
"Sorry. Does it hurt a lot?"
"......"
Jin averted his gaze and didn't answer. It had always been hard to face him, but now it was incomparable. He had no idea what expression to wear.
"Jin. Are you mad about what happened earlier?"
"......"
"So I told you in advance. Your role would be important. You know how complicated the palace is right now? We just met the crisis too soon."
Arsen hugged Jin and whispered softly. Jin, staring into space, muttered.
"You want me to die."
Arsen's hand, patting his back, stopped.
"Because of the oracle, you hope I die before you do."
Arsen, gazing steadily at Jin, curved his lips. Then, as if unable to hold back, he burst into loud laughter.
"Jin! What are you saying? Someone might think I issued the oracle. I'm the one living in fear of death. Your existence has doomed me to that fate from birth."
"Liar. You—"
"Mother's choice was her own will. Don't take it out on me."
Jin's eyes widened at Arsen's words. Blaming him for Mother abandoning you? As if saying Arsen was discarded simply for being himself, yet raising his voice at Jin.
Tears welled up unbidden.
"You got lucky Lord Ian appeared, and the armored ones came. Because of you, Mother and I nearly died."
Each of Arsen's words burned like poison in Jin's veins. Jin didn't realize it was anger.
"Be more careful from now on, okay? I know you can't help hating me, but you can't abandon Mother too."
Jin bit his lip. He wanted to retort, but Arsen's lifelong barbs choked him.
Then, a shadow entered the door. Facing Jin, Arsen just giggled and rubbed his cheek against his brother's shoulder.
Swish.
It was Ian. Leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching them. Jin's heart pounded.
"Jin, promise me. We're family."
"......"
Ian's comfort—telling him his tears were precious and to hold them back—erased Arsen's whispers. More precious than their screams, his breath was invaluable; the shock made it easy to recall Ian's voice.
"I, I—"
Ian touched his own lips.
Don't cry, smile.
The tears of the precious weigh heavy enough to fill heaven and earth.
"I—"
Ian nodded.
Your worth is for me to recognize, so trust and follow your heart. Follow it, and you'll stand alone, whole.
"I don't want to."
"...What?"
Arsen stopped rubbing and lifted his head. Jin glared at him, eyes brimming but not spilling.
"I don't want to die. Arsen, don't make me take responsibility for your fate anymore."