Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: In the Greenhouse
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Sunlight poured in through the transparent glass ceiling. Though the leaves sprouted from the same stem, each bore its own distinct color.
Ian entered the greenhouse deep within the imperial palace garden and turned around. Quintana and several officials who had followed him were seated around the table.
“The weather is truly splendid. Enough to go down in history.”
“Indeed. You’ve worked hard, Lord Ian.”
“What have I done? It’s all by His Majesty’s will.”
Even as Ian chatted idly, he scanned them carefully. They wouldn’t have come to see him without any agenda. At his gesture urging them to get to the point, they all managed awkward smiles. Quintana was the first to step forward.
“May I speak first?”
“Oh, uh, yes. Go ahead, Minister Quintana.”
Though her tone sought permission, no one could refuse and simply nodded. Quintana summoned her attendant to fetch a sheet of paper. It was a budget plan, densely packed with disorderly numbers.
“Is it true that Prince Arsen is a Mana User?”
An official listening beside her unconsciously covered his mouth. It wasn’t the sort of question Quintana would lead with, given her temperament. She always pursued her own path, regardless of the political currents.
Ian, too, asked back with a surprised expression. It didn’t seem like the right question with a budget plan laid out before them.
“Why ask such a thing, Minister Quintana?”
“If His Highness joins the Magic Department, maintenance funds for his dignity will be doubled. Moreover, the budget allocated to Prince Arsen under Lady Dillaina’s name is only granted when the prince is a minor or has no separate economic income. If he becomes part of the Magic Department, he’ll receive a stipend, so we need to recalculate everything comprehensively.”
“Hmm.”
“As you know, our finances aren’t abundant at present. This is to ease the burden on the nation even slightly, so please inform us of the Magic Department’s stance toward Prince Arsen.”
It was a plausible pretext, but only that—plausible. Ian sat on a tree stump and smiled. Wasn’t this just using the budget as an excuse to gauge the truth?
“Does the Magic Department’s stance hold much weight? Everything will proceed according to procedure.”
Is Arsen truly a Mana User? If so, what happens to Ian’s position as head of the Magic Department? And Jin, whom Ian is backing? Doubts swirled at the tip of Quintana’s tongue, but she patiently swallowed them.
“Soon, the light of the oracle will come from the Carbo Temple. At that time, the Mana Confirmation Ritual will reveal the truth for certain. The Magic Department’s official stance will be announced then. It won’t be long, so can you wait that much, Minister Quintana?”
The officials exchanged glances among themselves. Wasn’t the meaning of “reveal for certain” quite peculiar? Ian was indirectly saying there were doubts about calling Arsen a Mana User.
“And as you’ve heard, there are seized goods from the Chetur District. The Magic Department is currently analyzing their composition, and if they turn out to be Mana Stones, it’ll help our finances.”
“Ah, Chetur—you mean the place you went to with the Imperial Guard? I’ve heard rumors it’s connected to House Haiman...”
Snap!
Ian snapped his fingers as if to say they’d brought it up well. In that instant, whether it was magic or sunlight glinting off the glass panes, a sparkle flashed in the air.
“Correct. It seems connected to the black-armored troops that Second Prince Gail drew into the rebellion. We’re currently treating those captured at the scene, and once their minds recover, we’ll interrogate and gather evidence. Based on that, we’ll formally file charges against House Haiman.”
The officials unconsciously clenched their fists. Was this why they said events snowballed? The rebellion of Marib and Gail had foreshadowed the next conflict. This time, with Haiman involved, the victor would seize the throne.
“Once the charges are filed, the Grand Council will formally address the matter. House Haiman is trying to hold too much in a vessel that can’t contain it. If it shatters, it won’t just be Haiman suffering drought—the entire Variel will. So before that, I plan to gradually open waterways and disperse it here and there.”
“You mean you’re starting full-scale regulation of House Haiman? In what way?”
“Taxes are always the best, of course.”
“But House Haiman won’t sit idly by. The central nobles will band together to resist.”
Worried murmurs leaked out from various sides. Quintana lightly tapped the table, lost in thought. If Haiman lost power, they could fill the national treasury with taxes drawn from there.
“And surely Prince Arsen as well...”
Ah. Quintana roughly ruffled her hair. From her position, Jin and Arsen were both imperial princes who weren’t all that different. Yet why, just why, for what reason did she find herself leaning toward Jin more than Arsen, as she always had?
Even now, it was the same. She naturally thought of checking both House Haiman and Arsen. Ian glanced at her and continued.
“I’ve prepared a way to dissolve the central nobles’ alliance. So if you intend to join, I hope you’ll support me in the Grand Council.”
The Magic Department would lead the charge, so they just needed to lend their strength. For that, the glory they’d gain would be immense compared to their effort.
“Lord Ian, what exactly is the plan?”
“We’d like to prepare accordingly, so if you could let us know...”
“They say even paintings have ears in the imperial palace. I can’t reveal the full regulatory details here, but understand that I’m bringing this up because of the loyalty I’ve observed from you all thus far.”
Ever since the power structure between Jin and Arsen had solidified, these people hadn’t wavered once. They’d even lined up to show their support after Quintana at the trial earlier. Compared to those who flitted about like bats if Arsen was a Mana User, these were substantive allies.
‘Whether they harbor other intentions inwardly is unknown, but since what they show is this much, sharing this level of information is fine.’
And Haiman would anticipate Ian’s attack anyway. Just as these people gathered in the greenhouse to discuss, those on the other side were surely doing the same.
Rustle.
“Lord Ian. Marlon Hoff Serro has come this way with Prince Jin.”
At that moment, Romandro whispered cautiously with the message. When Ian shot him a questioning look, he quietly opened his pocket watch. What they’d thought was a brief talk had already passed thirty minutes. Jin and Serro, tired of waiting, must have met up front.
“I’m worried about how House Haiman will respond. They might seize the chaos to spark another rebellion...”
“They won’t. Lady Dillaina and Prince Arsen, now allied, won’t allow it. What’s as important to an emperor’s qualifications as legitimacy? If Haiman lashes out just because they’re cornered, they’ll be discarded immediately. The duke knows that well.”
“Exactly. Besides, isn’t the reason Prince Arsen turned to Haiman simply to counter you, Lord Ian? Your great merit in quelling the rebellion, and the entire Magic Department supporting Prince Jin—it’s Haiman as a replacement.”
“But if Prince Arsen is a Mana User, his dependence on Haiman drops sharply. The balance crumbles, and now Haiman’s side feels the pinch. If they don’t secure the next power holder, they could face rebellion charges right away.”
“Then funneling domestic funds overseas seems likely. Ruswena Kingdom is their maternal relatives’ side, right?”
“Yes. Then keep an eye on banking business trends.”
“Perfect. Minister Quintana is already dealing with that side, so it fits!”
While Ian received Romandro’s report, the officials speculated on Haiman’s moves among themselves. Though few in number, they were seasoned in the imperial palace. Dividing tasks was swift and precise.
“Pardon me. I have a prior engagement.”
Ian mediated their heated discussion. The officials, who had been chattering animatedly, suddenly paused. The already warm greenhouse made their faces flush from the heat.
“Oh, of course. It was a sudden gathering, after all.”
“Do you have any urgent matters? If not, let’s meet again this evening.”
“Yes, yes. Understood. We’ve heard the Magic Department’s stance, so this is enough for now. We’ll withdraw among ourselves then. See you this evening.”
Rustle.
The officials nodded and exited the greenhouse. They must have run into Jin, as faint greetings passed back and forth.
“Ian!”
“Your Highness, you’ve waited long. My apologies.”
“No. Walking with Sia, I naturally ended up here. I met Lord Serro up front too.”
Jin ran over with a bright smile, pattering footsteps. Marlon Hoff Serro appeared slowly behind him. He removed his hat and greeted Ian.
“It’s been a while, Lord Ian.”
“Yes. I hope you’ve been well.”
“Thanks to you. I know you’ve been busy lately, so it’s an honor to see you like this.”
Serro was unchanged, save for slightly longer hair. Gentle and refined, the picture of a typical noble heir.
At Ian’s gesture, Serro handed his coat to an attendant. With Jin joining, the three men sat around the table.
“My father desperately wished to come himself, but his health didn’t permit it, so I came alone. Please forgive him.”
“Oh dear. He should recover soon.”
“Given his age, haha.”
Marlon was the eldest son of House Serro. Having no companion for a meeting that could determine the family’s fate meant he was the frontrunner for next family head.
Ian scanned him and smiled faintly. Jin, sitting beside, mimicked him. Sunlight settled into his deep dimples.
“How’s business?”
“By Variel’s grace, yes, no troubles.”
“Well, I’ve always felt it lacking compared to House Serro’s reputation. How many families have maintained their position from the center’s inception until now?”
Serro smiled wryly. Ian was right, after all. Compared to their long history, their influence in the center wasn’t deep. For nobles to extend power, they needed massive business success, entry into imperial bureaucracy for authority, or war merits. House Serro had nothing standout beyond rentals.
“I’ve heard a hint through my subordinate.”
Ian sipped his tea. With clear goals and intentions, no need to beat around the bush.
“Sanctions against House Haiman will come from the imperial palace. I’d like House Serro to take that on. Do so, and it’ll usher in the golden age of your family’s history.”
A share of the finance business Haiman dominated, elevation to duke, tax reductions, and the next emperor’s patronage.
Ian didn’t spell it out, but even the visible benefits were enormous. For those with ambition, an unmissable opportunity.
“...It might mean fighting not just Haiman, but all central nobles.”
“But the imperial palace stands behind you. It’s worth overcoming.”
“Worth it, yes. I understand. I can’t let this pass, and I’m grateful for the proposal. But first, a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why our house?”
Were there only one or two noble houses in the center? They could find others if they wanted. So for Serro, this made it all the more crucial. The reason it had to be them. Only then could he accept the offer.
“House Serro is one of the families that didn’t join the rebellion.”
“Proof that we weren’t prominent enough for Prince Gail to choose.”
Negative. Ian twitched an eyebrow and set down his tea. Then no explanation would satisfy; they’d pick it apart. Better to brush it off.
“At the New Year’s gathering, Lord Serro was the first to approach me. No other reason.”
“......”
That left him speechless, it seemed. Serro’s lips moved for a moment before he nodded.
“Understood. And I have a proposal.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“House Serro needs a safety net based on trust.”
Ian paused. He knew what was coming.
“Lord Ian, please become engaged to my sister.”
“What?”
“Pfft—!”
The startled echo came from wide-eyed Jin, while Romandro, waiting behind, spat out his tea. They exclaimed in unison.
“That’s absurd!”
“No, that’s a bit...”
<penny>