Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Opening the Castle Gates
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The wind surged even farther, higher into the sky.
Everyone reflexively reached out their hands. They could guess that all the doubts of recent days were contained in those white papers fluttering like petals, falling like the first snow.
The castle gates slowly opened, but no one paid it any mind as they each read the extra edition.
Creeeak.
“Vivianna!”
“Lord Ian!”
The gates, which had been firmly shut, were now wide open. She had never in her life felt the origin point of the wind, but this time was different.
This wind—this wind that had pierced straight through the carriage—had started from the imperial palace. Precisely from Ian and his Magic Department.
“The gates are open!”
“Prince Marib and 2nd Prince Gail caused a rebellion?”
“What happens if this is true?”
“What do you mean what happens? Both princes get beheaded. Tsk tsk.”
“Aren’t they supposed to be sensible people? How did this...”
“Come to think of it, the Central Nobility entered the palace the day before the closure. If they were involved in the clash, they won’t get off unscathed either.”
“Wait, the family we do business with entered the palace that day too!”
“The gates are open, I said! Everyone line up!”
Ian glanced at the gatekeeper amid the chaotic scene, signaling to let the carriage through first. Five o’clock in the afternoon. Everything was going according to plan. Vivianna being alone was the only unexpected part.
“Make way! We’re letting the carriage through!”
Clang! Clang!
The gatekeepers raised their spears to clear the path. The carriage barely squeezed through the gap and entered the palace. Ian supported Vivianna as she descended and asked,
“Vivianna, are you all right?”
“Yes, yes. I’m not hurt anywhere. Is Lord Ian okay? What about my husband? They said Berik is safe, but I was so worried...”
“Romandro is unharmed as well. He’s coming over from the secondary palace, so you’ll see him soon.”
“Phew. Thank goodness, thank goodness.”
She pressed her hand to her chest and let out a sigh of relief. Ian frowned at the bloodstains on the carriage wheel.
“What happened?”
“Ah! Lord Berik!”
Vivianna cried out while wiping sweat from her chin. The last she had seen of him was horrific. If he weren’t a Sword-Mage, he would have died long ago. Her heart sank as she clutched Ian’s sleeve.
“[Mailly Daily] was printing the extras when men in black armor attacked. B, Barsabe, was it? The knight who came to the mansion for the ring keepsake. He helped us, but I don’t know if he’s... alive. Lord Berik too, he...”
He might be dead. Vivianna bit her lip to hold back the tears welling up.
Men in black armor. Ian immediately realized they were remnants of the Haiman family.
‘I thought the armor couldn’t move.’
That is, if sound judgment was possible.
With the conspiring 2nd Prince Gail still alive and the duke in a precarious situation on multiple fronts, dragging out the armor to target Ian’s subordinate? It was a self-destructive blunder, not something Duke Haiman would do.
‘Moreover, with the gates closed, no separate orders from Duke Haiman could have come through. It must be a pre-existing command carried out without reading the situation.’
It had been a mistake to assume Berik alone could handle any small fry that showed up. Ian kissed the back of her hand.
“Vivianna.”
It was a greeting filled with gratitude and apology. Contrary to her claim of being unharmed, there was a long gash. Ian embraced and soothed her.
“You did well.”
“I’m glad I could help. Am I not a person of Bariel too? And someday, I’ll work for the imperial palace again.”
Vivianna smiled brightly and smoothed her hair. Romandro would surely worry if he saw. She wanted to appear as unaffected as possible.
“Excuse me, Minister Ian Hielo? Is that you?”
“It is.”
“I’m the president of [Mailly Daily], the one that printed the extras! Here’s my card, but everything’s so hectic. Ahaha! Um, madam?”
At the man’s glance asking her to introduce herself, Vivianna let out a small exclamation. She had come, so now it was time to go.
“There were various circumstances. But even so, [Mailly Daily] printed the extras very quickly. How about, as praise for that, giving you exclusive rights to report on the three days’ events inside the palace?”
Vivianna smiled a bit awkwardly. It was likely the best choice she could make in those circumstances. Ian nodded readily with a smile.
“I’ll issue an advisory not to deal with other press outlets at the palace. There’s a lot to clean up right now, so stand by.”
“Yes! Thank you! Thank you!”
“Vivianna! Vivi!”
Clop clop!
As the man bowed deeply, Romandro’s shout came from behind. He hurried over on his short legs and hugged his wife tightly.
“Oh, Vivi. I missed you!”
“Are you all right? You look pale.”
“I’ve been working day and night. What about you, Vivi? Our baby?”
“She’s fine. I missed you so much.”
The couple rubbed noses, confirming each other’s love and breath.
Ian turned away from the pair. The palace guards saluted sharply, awaiting his orders.
“To the Magic Amplifier.”
“To the Magic Amplifier!”
“Call the healing mages from 2nd Prince Gail’s residence and bring horses. We’re heading out.”
“Yes! Please wait a moment!”
It was the amplification Magic Amplifier Ian had used to announce the end of the situation from the Magic Department. Outside the wide-open gates, the crowd gathered like clouds stared inward.
The gates are open, so can we go in now? Will the people inside come out? Prince Marib and 2nd Prince Gail clashed—is that real? The murmurs blended together, but each doubt was clear.
“Set it to carry as far as possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
The mage who brought the Magic Amplifier carefully adjusted dozens of dials. It wouldn’t reach the central areas everywhere, but it would reach every ear nearby.
Among them would be dying Sword-Mages and those who had fled in black armor.
Whiiiir.
Ian whispered slowly into the Magic Amplifier.
[I am the Magic Department Minister, Ian Hielo.]
The clear, elegant voice spread through the Magic Amplifier into the surroundings. Those chattering here and there froze in silence for a moment. They were startled by the unfamiliar sensation of it speaking directly into their ears.
“M, magic?”
“Shh! Be quiet, let’s hear what he says!”
“It’s like it’s ringing inside my eardrum.”
Those guarding street stalls with no flies around, children running through empty streets, drunks sprawled out, those living daily life in their homes—all near the palace could hear Ian’s voice.
[Three days ago, First Prince Marib and 2nd Prince Gail clashed, throwing the palace into chaos. The list of involved officials and Central Nobility is not short, so His Majesty the Emperor was deeply saddened. The palace is the heart of Bariel, and thus the heart of the world. Those who disturb it shall not die peacefully.]
“It’s true, yeah. Those big-headed princes caused a huge mess.”
“Quiet!”
[The Magic Department, by order of His Majesty the Emperor and the True Prince, subdued the two princes and secured the palace’s safety.]
“Who’s the True Prince?”
“One of the twin princes, isn’t he? Still a kid, I thought. Tsk.”
[Restricting palace access was to handle this effectively, so His Majesty’s imperial subjects, return to your daily lives with peace of mind. Palace access is now permitted. Those entering, maintain order. And—]
Ian paused. Those wondering what came next fell silent. Then came a cold, chilling voice.
[Those who oppose the palace’s will, hear this.]
Those who seek to harm Bariel shall never crawl out from the bottom of hell.
[Offer your necks for forgiveness. Otherwise, you will be eradicated, and I will show you what true death is. Hide if you can breathe. Thus prove there is no place in Bariel beyond His Majesty’s gaze.]
Be it nobles grasping the empire’s purse strings or noble imperial blood—no exceptions. Those who defy authority will die. It was also for the safety of the imperial subjects. Ian knew countless nations ruined by civil war.
[Conversely, those who bring glory to the palace shall have glory in their lives as well. Shine your own fate. This was Magic Department Minister, Ian Hielo.]
At Ian’s gesture to cut the connection, the Magic Amplifier’s light faded. The gatekeepers orderly managed the crowd and began processing entries.
Ian looked around and pulled his robe hood over his head. The horses were ready, but where were the healing mages?
“The healing mages?”
“They’re on their way.”
“Then I’ll go ahead. Tell them to come to [Mailly Daily].”
Several mages and guards followed, grabbing their horses’ reins. Romandro, holding Vivianna’s hand tightly, asked,
“Lord Ian! What about me?”
“You stay here and handle things with Vivianna. We’re going to fetch Berik—those without mana won’t be much help. Hurry the healing mages out.”
“Ah, understood. Be careful! And tell that guy Berik if he dies, I’ll kill him myself!”
Neigh!
Instead of replying, Ian spurred his horse’s flank hard and soon passed through the gates. With the closure lifted, unlike when Berik had gone out, no eyes focused on him. Guided by his escorts, Ian galloped toward [Mailly Daily].
Clop clop!
“This way!”
“Make way! Clear the path!”
“Hey, what’s with that reckless riding?”
How far had they gone? As they entered an alley, the stench of blood hit them. The horse’s pace slowed. Aside from the clopping hooves, nothing could be heard.
“There, gasp!”
A pool of blood filled the space in front of the building. Buildings were smashed everywhere, yet not a sign of life.
Ian dismounted and approached the fallen Berik.
“Berik.”
“......”
Even calling it gruesome was too mild. His left arm was crushed beyond shape, his leg bent unnaturally beyond the joint. All skin scraped off, soaked in blood, impossible to tell where wounds began or ended.
Horrified, a guard covered his mouth and held a finger under Berik’s nose.
“H-he’s not breathing.”
“Move.”
Ian shoved him aside and pressed his ear to Berik’s chest. Berik’s tightly shut eyelids were torn.
“L-Lord Ian.”
“Everyone shut up. Don’t even breathe.”
The outside noise drowned it out. He’d hear the heartbeat. Definitely, he would.
Ian unleashed his mana, pouring it into him. Thump thump—something pounded. Ian realized it was his own heart.
“Berik.”
“......”
“Berik.”
Ziiing. Ziiing.
Zing.
Ian lightly gripped and shook Berik’s jaw. All the while, he poured endless mana. The guy who survived having his guts turned inside out in the desert wouldn’t die like this.
“Berik.”
Sweat dripped down the bridge of Ian’s nose. Dizziness rose, but he didn’t stop. A sweat drop left a faint mark on Berik’s neck.
“Berik.”
“......”
Twitch—his eyelids moved slightly. Startled, Ian focused again on the chest. Thump thump, thump. A different heartbeat rhythm came.
“Come to your senses.”
“...Hurts.”
“Yeah. You’re talking, opening your eyes.”
“Ian, it really hurts.”
“It’s okay. Hold on.”
Ziiing.
The other mages joined, channeling mana into Berik. With eyes closed, Berik muttered,
“...Annoying. I lost.”
“You’re alive, that’s what matters. Remember what the Cheonryeo said? If you don’t die, you haven’t lost. You’re alive, so you’ll win someday.”
“Right? Ugh, but I’m hungry.”
“You did well.”
“...Beef.”
“Yeah.”
Finally qualified to eat beef, Berik smirked. With those words, he passed out again and didn’t regain consciousness for a long time.