Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Chetur District 3
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“Haa, haa….”
“Ugh, I’m gonna die.”
“Die? From what? We survived, didn’t we?”
“Everyone okay? No injuries?”
The drenched Royal Guard members were all on their knees, panting heavily. As dawn broke and the rain intensified, they shook their heads like dogs, sighing in relief at still being alive.
In front of them lay the fallen armored legion. A few who still had strength left dragged the enemy knights out onto the ground.
“This one’s dead.”
“Here too. Dead.”
“Ah, damn it. This is ridiculous, seriously.”
It was the drawback of the mana stone armor. It boasted near-absolute attack and defense in battle, but the moment it shattered, ordinary people couldn’t withstand a sword-mage’s strike and died.
The Royal Guard members kicked aside the shattered armor fragments with their feet as they focused on checking for survivors.
“This one’s alive, but bleeding heavily.”
“Move him! By the way, why’s support taking so damn long?”
“Usually, they show up right after you say that.”
“Yeah. They always arrive after everything’s wrapped up. That’s their style.”
“I hear hooves. Coming now. No exceptions, huh.”
Clop clop. They sensed a group approaching from afar. The Royal Guard members joked lightly and waved toward them.
“Iaaan! Ian!”
“Lord Romandro. Over here.”
Romandro, riding together with Veols. He waved his handkerchief vigorously to signal Ian that he had arrived. Captain Jairut wrung out the water from his soaked jacket and grumbled.
“Veols, why’d you take so long?”
“Sorry. The rain was so bad the roads flooded. Had to take a detour. Everyone okay?”
After Riama’s death, only Veols and Jairut were left to lead the Royal Guard. Though unlikely, Veols’s face darkened with worry at the thought. Seeing Jairut unscathed, he handed over a mana cigarette.
“Riama was always the one flying around in spars.”
“She was young. Tsk. And no intel either.”
“Manageable?”
“Even five of our guys couldn’t take one down.”
Jairut and Veols immediately shared details of the nighttime battle upon meeting—tactics used, formations, and more. All to respond effectively if the armored legion appeared again.
“Move the wounded over here!”
“Can you walk?”
“It hurts. Go slow, just a bit.”
Next came the emergency transport wagons, carrying off the injured in a line. Though on their side, only Barsabe qualified; the rest were mostly enemy survivors. Saving them firmly to extract testimony was the next task.
“Captain. And Minister Ian.”
Barsabe, limping with support, called out to the two. Dawn’s light was fully breaking. The sky was still gray, but the afternoon promised blazing sun.
“Most of the pursuers seem to have been drawn from District 3. Check there.”
“Got it.”
“Captain. Thank you for coming.”
“……”
Jairut clamped his mouth shut and turned away. He waved over his shoulder, urging her to hurry.
“If I hear about another body turning up, you’re in for it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get going.”
Barsabe bowed to Ian as well and boarded the wagon. The urgent cases left Chetur District first.
Ian signaled Romandro, Jairut, and Veols to step aside for a talk. They moved away from the chaotic cleanup site and lit cigarettes.
“Advisor Romandro, care for one?”
“No, thanks. My wife’s expecting.”
“Minister Ian?”
“I’m good too. More importantly, any guesses on what happens once the sun’s fully up?”
“Guesses? Haiman, you mean?”
“They attacked despite us declaring ourselves the Imperial Palace Guard. Clear violation of the National Security Law. The [Mailly Daily] incident, ties to Prince Gail—nothing good for House Haiman overall.”
Aside from Arsen being a mana user, that is. Though even that would be useless in a few days. Ian glanced at Veols.
‘Jairut’s negative on Haiman after Barsabe’s incident and the night fight. Veols is the issue.’
Veols had received the emperor’s decree directly. Whether Jin or Arsen, he’d aim for the fitting successor without bias. A true neutral bystander was one thing, but help for Arsen under the guise of balance would complicate matters. Reading Ian’s calm yet suspicious gaze, perhaps, Veols stubbed out his cigarette and added.
“My priority is His Majesty’s safety, then the Imperial Palace Guard. Jairut’s will is mine, so don’t look at me like that.”
Ian smiled and beckoned them closer.
“Workers will swarm in soon. Roads are flooded, so Veols, station men to block the route you came through.”
“But this is private property—no grounds.”
“Say it’s flood damage from the night storm, risk of collapse. Emergency disaster measures. They’ll know mixing crowds hinders the search.”
Made sense. Jairut and Veols nodded, while Romandro eyed Ian in wonder. Hadn’t he just explained this last night?
Knowledge and wisdom differed. Applying it instantly was impressive; Romandro cleared his throat, praying inwardly his child would take after Ian.
“Romandro?”
“Y-yes? Oh, yes!”
“Tired, I know, but push on and search District 3. File a formal complaint against House Haiman via the palace, secure the captured.”
“Back in custody a day after release.”
“Even for Haiman, this is spiraling. Need to convene the Grand Council soon.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll relay it.”
It was time for generational change, not mere checks—essential now. House Haiman’s tangled issues meant their fall affected Bariel too. Better to offload from a sinking ship.
‘Come to think of it, compared to my past life, House Haiman’s walking a whole new path.’
In his emperor days, House Haiman thrived. Their banks dotted the markets; Bariel’s economy hinged on them.
‘…Something nagging.’
If Haiman fell unlike original history, what of future Bariel? Would Serro filling the void be good or bad?
History was a mighty current. No matter the thrashing, it flowed down unchanged, like pins God wouldn’t pull.
“Ian, sir. Let’s go.”
Romandro snapped Ian from his thoughts. Meanwhile, bodies and armor debris were cleared; the street was clean. They’d search warehouses and buildings around District 3 first.
Clop clop!
“Bring the manager! Cross-check for unreported items, pull out anything suspicious!”
“People in this warehouse!”
“We were just working overtime all night.”
“We don’t know what’s happening. Really.”
“We’re with Co & Co. Not Haiman.”
“Haiman funds us, though…”
Those who stayed overnight in Chetur District were dragged out one by one. IDs checked, even families sent to guards for brief questioning.
“Speaking of, no sign of the Chetur Guard captain. Disturbance this big.”
Veols muttered, flipping through documents secured from the District 3 checkpoint. Aside from guards at bodies, regular soldiers aided searches, but no captain.
“Sorry. Captain left for personal reasons. Message sent; he’ll arrive soon.”
Ian, rifling reports beside him, clicked his tongue. Same as the Karenna bandits. Never saw a responsible head in place during crises. Scientific, almost.
Tweet!
A distant hand whistle pierced the air—signal for suspicious items. Ian and Veols bolted from the office.
Clop clop!
Rain stopped, but streets remained soaked. Wooden crates stacked on wet roads—all from dubious warehouses.
“What’s all this?”
“Oh, from the ‘Co & Co’ warehouse. Uh, these are iron, copper, tin for smiths; these unmarked ones are off-books trades.”
“And?”
“These pitch-black ones—exact armor color, right? Matte finish, reacted to mana test. Checked for anomalies.”
Creak.
A Royal Guard opened a crate. Coal-like at a glance. Fist-sized rounds piled up. Ian picked one, examined it.
“Hmm.”
“Any idea?”
Matte black mana stone. He had guesses, but wasn’t an expert. Research needed. He closed the lid, nodded at Romandro.
“Send to Captain Acorella.”
“Oh god, she’ll faint from joy again. Might not wake this time.”
“New discovery? Profound implications.”
Shouts from inner warehouse—more finds. New mana stones uncovered in Haiman warehouses via seizure. Ian tossed a stone to Romandro.
“Haiman might contact before our complaint. Seize everything! Mysterious raw stones here belong to the palace!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Alright, move.”
“Detail a few for transport, rest to next warehouse. Focus District 3, but cover all by day’s end.”
Snap!
Guards saluted and scattered at Ian’s words. Romandro sorted stones for Acorella, then suggested to Ian. Soaked, no rest, mana unopened.
“Why not take the raw stones back yourself? Desk reports waiting; nap comfy, then work.”
“You want me to?”
“Yes. Check on Berik too. Greet Prince Jin. I’ll handle here.”
Ian’s eyes twinkled mischievously at Romandro’s prodding. As he moved to refuse, a messenger bird swooped to his shoulder—from the Magic Department.
“…Then I’ll take the stones. Handle things well and return, Romandro.”
“What is it?”
Ian shook the note lightly. Crooked, a cow doodle. Berik was awake.