Chapter 219
Chapter 219
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 219
Chapter Title: One Step Back
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The evening of the day when Prince Marib's execution ceremony had taken place.
Dillaina stood at the parlor door, having freshly adjusted her dress. Her heavier-than-usual makeup and ornate jewelry seemed to somewhat mask her subdued presence.
The attendants glanced furtively at Dillaina standing before the door. Listening to the ministers' voices leaking from inside, she stared resolutely at the door alone. Whether he would hear or not was something the subordinates could never know.
'This is it, for real.'
Marib's death was not just a signal. It was the intersection of goals for everyone in the palace, allies and enemies alike. Having passed that point, now each had to go their separate ways.
The destination was singular: the throne.
Whoever arrived first would win, so even the slightest gap or carelessness would be fatal.
"Mother."
Arsen, by her side. Noticing his mother's tension, he soothed her softly. Dillaina nodded as if she had quickly composed herself.
"Announce me."
"Lady Dillaina has arrived!"
"Lady Dillaina has arrived!"
Creak.
In the relatively dim corridor, as the door slowly opened, the ministers' chatter quieted, and only the bright light spilled out. Dillaina stepped forward with an exceedingly stiff expression.
"Lady Dillaina. Please come in."
"We've been waiting."
"Prince Arsen is with you as well. This is an honor."
Men in formal attire were scattered freely around the parlor. The gazes wandering the room all poured onto Dillaina and Arsen. Eyes full of loyalty, as if greeting the next emperor, the future master of Bariel.
Dillaina held her chin high and walked to the center, sitting on the sofa. Her voluminous dress rustled, creating a beautiful silhouette.
"Some faces I saw earlier, some new."
Dillaina scanned the ministers. Then, Duke Haiman, sitting nearby, beckoned a few closer for introductions.
"This is someone assisting with business in the House of Haiman. I thought he might be of help to Lady Dillaina and Prince Arsen, so I ordered him to enter the palace."
Central nobles centered around Haiman, high-ranking officials from each department, and renowned wealthy figures from society—all gathered in one place. For Dillaina, or more precisely, for Arsen.
"I've heard rumors that Lord Ian will present an indictment to Haiman. From what I gathered, preparations are already complete, just waiting for the trial of the former Prince Marib."
Though he said "gathered," no one truly believed it came from afar. Haiman's wealth permeated everywhere like water. Like the air one breathes without realizing. It was reasonable to assume he had people planted even in the Magic Department.
"And the contents of the indictment?"
"As you know, the core is the charge of treason through collusion with Prince Gail. There might be some minor ones besides, but they're unimportant."
"Duke. Does it include the disturbance in Chetur District?"
"Hmm, Lord Ian seems to think I'm the owner there. He'll try to make an issue out of even the smallest thing."
Haiman deftly deflected, not admitting it directly. Bonds tied by greed always required vigilance. Just as he had planted people, who knew if Ian hadn't done the same?
"The Judiciary lacks talent..."
Someone muttered that. Meaning Arsen's faction had little presence there. There were a few from the Judiciary among those gathered, but none with enough authority to block an indictment. The law was a realm of fairness, so even the palace appointed overseers carefully.
"If it's accepted, won't the Grand Council convene and a trial date be set immediately? Prince Arsen's Mana Confirmation Ritual is in a few days—how about blocking it until then?"
"I agree. Once the Magic Department officially recognizes His Highness's mana, there's nothing to fear. We could even pressure the Judiciary side."
"No need to go to trial. With a majority, we can cut it off in the Grand Council."
If only Arsen could awaken as a mage, the next emperor was as good as decided. The foolish retainers clinging to Jin would fall away, and the Judiciary Minister would tilt toward Arsen for his reappointment next year.
The nobles turned to Arsen and asked cautiously.
"Your Highness, are you feeling alright?"
"We were greatly worried hearing you were attacked by Prince Gail."
In truth, rumors abounded, but no one had seen it firsthand. Only the Magic Department's preparation for the Mana Confirmation Ritual proved it wasn't mere clouds.
How strange, wasn't it? Those opposing Arsen were the ones bolstering his position.
"Your Highness, if it's not too rude, could you show us your mana? It's the imperial family's first blessing. Grant us this honor."
One noble pleaded as if his tongue were coated in honey. Everyone had been watching each other, but with him stepping forward, they brightened.
Seeing it directly would solidify their conviction to side with Arsen. They subtly fell silent, awaiting his response.
"I too wish to grant this honor, but as you know, the Mana Confirmation Ritual shines with the oracle's light according to one's power. To preserve that once-in-a-lifetime day, I'm being strict with myself—please understand."
"...Of course, Your Highness."
A clear refusal. But with no choice, the noble just smiled and bowed his head repeatedly. Then, an administrative official livened the mood by tossing out a new topic.
"By the way, have you heard? Word from the Carbo Temple—they say the oracle's light has safely departed, and a new oracle has come down."
A new oracle!
Those hearing it for the first time buzzed in surprise, and Arsen's pupils dilated. As the boy looked at Dillaina, she shook her head as if unaware too.
'His maternal relatives should have known—how could she not?'
The boy's brow furrowed in irritation. Hadn't his edge over Jin come entirely from the oracle? That meant Jin could also advance the situation with one.
Unaware of Arsen's concern, the administrative official laughed loudly and continued.
"It tells Prince Jin he cannot defy fate, so to die by his own hand. Haha!"
"Oh! Is that true? That's welcome news for once."
"I read the note myself. As expected of Carbo, with us since the founding. They don't cling to bloodlines, only truth."
Heaven aids, earth aids—this great undertaking. As the parlor exhaled in relief, only Dillaina and Arsen remained silent.
"Lady Dillaina?"
At Duke Haiman's call, Dillaina snapped back to attention. Though he had left her, what oracle could come to a mere ten-year-old boy! She wanted to cry out, but from Dillaina's lips came the opposite—a chilling blessing.
"It seems the gods are watching over Bariel."
Meanwhile, Arsen didn't relax his expression, merely twitching his crossed arms. Looking deep in thought, Haiman quietly observed him.
"Is it confirmed for Jin?"
"Yes? Ah, yes. It's for the cursed one, mentioning fate, so everyone assumes it's Jin."
"Is that so?"
"Why do you ask?"
"No. It's right to think it's Jin. It has to be. Then, shall we return to discussing the indictment? In my view, as suggested earlier, it's best to drag it out a bit so the Grand Council convenes after the Mana Confirmation Ritual. Four days—should be plenty."
Confidence that the ritual would go smoothly. Some nodded to Arsen's view, adding,
"Honestly, we just need to keep the acceptance seal from being stamped."
Until the seal or envelope was done, it wasn't finalized—so they were throwing themselves to block it. Closer to protest than armed struggle.
"True, but it's different from before. The palace atmosphere is sharp now. We must pass it quietly, without giving cause for blame."
"It's an indictment for treason. If caught, we'll be implicated and provide pretext."
"I hear the handler there is Erics."
"Hmm. Erics, eh. Who is he?"
"Ah, then leave it to me. I have a suitable cousin. Finding someone is easy."
For the greater cause, what need for straight paths or byways? Blocking at any cost was key. Having rolled in noble society, business, and politics, their minds turned sharply to such matters.
"Good. Then from tomorrow—no, from midnight onward, we start immediately."
"Lady Dillaina."
The clock hands would soon herald the next day. Haiman, wrapping up the settling situation, called Dillaina. She raised her wine glass, and soon all in the room followed suit.
"For Bariel's glory."
"For Bariel's glory."
Clink—clang!
They sipped their wine simultaneously. Their glistening lips curved like crescent moons.
* * *
"What's wrong?"
"Show your ID. Didn't I request it?"
Romandro raised his hand, signaling not to approach. Not some nameless pawnshop attendant—why this sense of unease? This was the palace. The Judiciary, where the emperor's dignified command resided, Bariel's law enforced!
Everyone stared at Romandro with strange looks. Among them were the two accompanying mages.
"Your ID, here."
The staffer pulled out her ID from her pocket with a look of absurdity. It was unmistakably a palace employee ID, no matter how you looked. Arms crossed at her waist, she scolded Romandro displeasedly.
"Can't you see I'm busy? We were going to accommodate you from the Magic Department, but this is too much."
"......"
Romandro inwardly groaned as he handed over his ID. Even after she returned it, she didn't lower her hand.
"Won't you accept the indictment?"
"Lord Romandro. What's wrong?"
"Tired? Hurry and process it so we can go."
The mages watching quietly urged Romandro. Yawning widely, as if saying only he was sensitively overreacting to this situation. Romandro ignored the glaring eyes and stepped back hesitantly.
"When's Erics coming?"
"Contact came—he had a carriage accident this morning. Not seriously injured, I think, but not sure."
"Is that so? Then I'll come back later."
"Lord Romandro!"
As one mage grabbed him, Xiaoshi reflexively swatted it away. He too had sensed something off, whatever it was. Ignoring the baffled mage, Xiaoshi whispered to Romandro.
"Draw the sword?"
"Are you mad? Absolutely, absolutely not."
He'd only felt suspicion—no actual threat. If Xiaoshi drew here, they'd look the strange ones.
Romandro wildly shook his head side to side, stopping Xiaoshi. Fortunately, he was not like Berik, who wouldn't get it.
"Then what do we do?"
Romandro glanced around and gripped the doorknob to exit. Ian had assigned Xiaoshi. So, perhaps he anticipated this? Whatever it was, best to return to the Magic Department.
Romandro gritted his teeth and whispered ventriloquist-style.
"Run, let's bolt."