Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: A Silent Response
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“Argh! Are you messing with me right now?”
Romandro, who had returned after stamping the indictment, waved his hands around while laughing. As if he’d heard the most outrageous joke. Living as long as he had, he’d never come across a word combination this insane. A prince as a monster? A demon, no less?
“Puhaha! Bro, seriously. Don’t say that stuff outside. You’ll get hauled off for insulting the imperial family! Even a minister won’t get a pass. Of course. Instead of that, let me clock out. My shoulders and knees are killing me now that night’s fallen. I already sent Captain Hail ahead, and once we wrap this up!”
Ta-da! Romandro’s eyes sparkled as he shoved the final report forward. But Ian showed no sign of approving it. He just calmly sipped his tea with a gentle smile. Romandro’s lips slowly turned downward.
“…In the world, no way, my god, that can’t be?”
“Arsen is a monster.”
Romandro unconsciously covered his mouth with both hands. A chill stiffened the back of his neck from the shock. He instinctively glanced around, fearing someone might overhear. The office held only Ian and himself.
“It’s certain based on the circumstances. The demon that Roberside supposedly dealt with last was named Arsen. It seems he borrowed that name.”
Ian explained everything that had happened to Romandro. From the oracle’s voice sounding different to Dillaina’s visit, in detail. With each revelation, Romandro’s mouth gaped wider until it could fit a fist.
“I-if it’s true, if that’s really true, we can’t just sit here? We need to rush over and chop his head off. A demon? A demon infiltrated for Bariel’s downfall!”
Romandro fussed cautiously through gritted teeth. It was enough to drive him mad and make him jump. Such an ill omen for the great Bariel Empire! Unlike his outburst, Ian calmly replaced the pen nib.
“Of course, that’s what we’ll do. But not right now. Isn’t Arsen’s position at the palace at its peak? Circumstances alone won’t bring him down.”
Jin’s dream supposedly fabricated by Roberside? A priest’s memory from ten years ago? The vague claim that the god’s voice was different? None could be seen with one’s own eyes. It was far short of enough to topple Arsen.
“Then wh-what, what do we do?”
Clocking out was the least of his concerns. Romandro pulled a chair over and sat beside Ian, peering at what he was reviewing. Documents from the palace archives on temples, oracles, and monsters.
“I have an idea in mind, but I’m checking if it’s feasible.”
“You’re going through all this alone?”
“If I had time, sure, but unfortunately, I don’t. Dillaina’s attendants left the palace with the mages. They’ll arrive here as early as tomorrow, or by the day after at latest.”
Ian smiled and handed Romandro some documents. A sign to review them together. With a traitor in the Magic Department, he couldn’t casually request assistance.
“Got it. Where do I start?”
“From here to here. Pull out anything that seems even slightly connected to Arsen and pass it over.”
Romandro rubbed his eyelids and nodded vigorously. One more sleepless night wouldn’t kill him. Yeah! For Bariel, it was worth the sacrifice. His eyes watered a bit, but without complaint, he sat beside Ian and flipped through the papers.
Rustle.
“Ian. Listen to this. Does this apply to Prince Arsen too?”
- Monsters capable of physical growth can also develop innate abilities and acquire them postnatally.
Ian took the paper from Romandro. If this was true, then now was indeed the perfect time. Best to cut it off before it grew bigger. As he set the paper down, Ian’s attention caught on “postnatal acquisition.”
“Come to think of it…”
“Come to think of? What?”
“At the New Year’s banquet. Arsen was fascinated by my mana orb. He even touched it. It could’ve been an act, but according to the real prince, he was still excited back at his chambers.”
Had he touched a mage’s mana then, memorized it, and imitated it? Ian tapped the paper with his fingertips. Little by little, the stage for Arsen was taking shape.
“…Lord Romandro?”
“Don’t call me that. It scares me a little every time you do.”
“About the rumors using Prince Gail. Let’s push them harder. If Arsen’s true nature leaks, it’ll crack the situation I’ve predicted. Especially uncertain how the Hyman side will react. So, if possible, expose him before then.”
“Not easy, but I’ll try.”
“Good.”
The two refocused on the documents. As time grew later, Romandro ground his teeth to fend off sleep. One of the princes was a demon. Sent to devour Bariel! He couldn’t sleep. He still couldn’t quite believe it, but since Ian said so, he was trying to accept it. Ian had never been wrong before.
Knock knock.
“It’s Vivianna. I brought fresh tea in case it got cold.”
“Have some.”
But Romandro had pulled an all-nighter the previous day too. Just as his head lolled back unwittingly, footsteps approached from outside. Startled, he jerked upright.
Creeeak.
Vivianna peeked in worriedly, tray in hand. Jin stuck right to her side, peering in too. Ian set down his pen in surprise. At this hour piercing the dawn—hadn’t they slept?
“Your Highness?”
“You were still here, so I worried it might bother you. You don’t seem able to sleep. Shall we have some tea good for restful sleep together… Lord Romandro! What’s wrong with your face?”
“Vivi! Sniff, I fought with the judiciary folks today.”
“Oh my goodness.”
Seizing the moment, Romandro rushed over and buried himself in Vivi’s embrace. To wash away all his grievances with his lover’s comforting pats. While the two clung tightly, Jin fidgeted and looked at Ian.
“Lord Ian.”
Ian checked the boy’s condition. Dark circles under red eyes, poor complexion. He glanced at Xiao Shi, who looked down and shook his head. Meaning he absolutely hadn’t slept.
“It’s too late, Your Highness.”
“It’s just that, a little…”
“Come here.”
Ian moved to the sofa and patted the spot beside him. Probably shaken by the shock that his brother was a monster. Looking just like him, yet a demon.
At Ian’s call, Jin scurried over and sat on the sofa. His neat fingernails were all chewed off. Ian could guess how anxious he was.
“What troubles Your Highness’s heart?”
“I-it doesn’t make sense.”
“Why a demon had to be Your Highness’s twin brother?”
Vivianna paused in comforting Romandro. What on earth were they talking about? Xiao Shi stepped back too, judging it not for his ears.
“Enough. It’s top secret for now, but it’ll come out in a few days. Prince Arsen is a monster.”
“…Pardon? Did I hear that right, pardon?”
“Vivi. Shocking, right? Me too. I’ll explain.”
To not disturb their talk, Romandro moved to the window with Vivianna. With each whisper from him, she shuddered in horror. In her stead, Xiao Shi poured water into the teacup.
Drip drip.
A fragrant floral tea. Jin held the cup with both hands and took a deep breath to calm his mind and body.
“Your Highness. Why the demon had no choice but to become your twin is quite clear.”
“Because Carbo blood flows in me?”
Then what difference from cursed blood? As Jin’s voice quavered, Ian smiled and shook his head.
“Not Marib, not Gail—because Your Highness is the future emperor.”
Jin paused with the cup to his lips. A reason he’d never imagined.
“Like the god, the demon too gauged the perfect spot. Being near the future emperor rather than princes doomed to history’s back alleys suited its wicked goals better.”
So all your past hardships prove the brilliant future ahead.
The pain, injustice, urge to give up—all signposts to a perfectly destined future. Ian patted Jin and whispered.
“So don’t be too upset. Your Highness’s fate is tied to Bariel’s. Close enough that even a demon deemed it good to burrow in.”
Jin bit his lip hard, frowning to hold back tears. But how could he stem the rising emotions? As the boy burst into tears, Ian laughed softly and wiped them.
“Don’t cry, Your Highness.”
“…I’m not.”
“…Shall I read you a book? I borrowed [Legend of Roberside], figuring you had nothing suitable. Sorry. Let’s go to bed.”
Jin nodded shortly at Ian’s suggestion. Did Arsen realize he was a demon? If he’d awakened himself, what about Mother? What should he do about Mother?
‘I’ll ask Lord Roberside.’
If he read the fairy tale and slept, Roberside would surely visit. He had to ask how to save Mother. With that resolve, Jin returned to the bedroom. Under the soft light, Ian’s golden hair glowed warmly.
“Once upon a time…”
The voice reading from beside the bed felt especially tender. Before a few pages turned, the boy drifted off unwittingly.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that hour.
“God. You who judge fate and continue lives. Your frail believer seeking wisdom and guidance is here. Please, if you hear my small plea, comfort me. I, I…”
Avidiel bowed her head in the corner, calling to the god endlessly. Makael watched her anxiously from behind.
At Ian’s urging, they’d been given the Magic Department reception room. Until the oracle’s light descended from the stone mountain—or until the other priest who’d received one arrived—they couldn’t leave.
“Avidiel.”
“Please, please…”
Tears streamed down under her veil. One side of her mind denied Ian’s reasoning, but the other had to admit it held considerable possibility.
That day, what she’d heard—was it really not an oracle? She’d lived ten years with the glory of hearing god’s will etched in her heart. If it was a monster’s instead? What should she do?
“Makael. I—!”
Avidiel curled into a ball on the floor. Her whole body felt defiled. She loathed herself for worshiping a monster’s voice as god’s, to the point of madness.
Makael patted her back comfortingly.
“It’s not certain yet. Calm down, and when everyone arrives, let’s discuss it.”
It’s not your fault, don’t worry—those words wouldn’t come out. Regardless of her position, the responsibility remained. She murmured without lifting her damp veil.
“Why didn’t the god tell me?”
“Avidiel. Please calm down.”
“That it was false, a fiend’s voice! If you pitied me even a little, you could’ve told me! But why! Why!”
Creeeak.
“He did tell you.”
Footsteps approached behind her scream. It was Ian, returning after reading to Jin. The night was so quiet her prayers echoed down the hall.
“Today, through my mouth.”
“Ten years. Too long.”
“Ten years is long by human measure. Not to a god overseeing eternity. He chose the perfect moment in the long flow, and that’s now. Believe it.”
Makael paused wiping Avidiel’s tears. Ian had flung the door wide open. Cold outside wind poured in.
“…Will you come with me to the office and seek the truth?”
About ancient demons, Roberside, temples, oracles. Anything. Even refuting Arsen wasn’t a demon was welcome. Knowledge would become wisdom, whatever it was.
“The tragedy that began at Carbo Temple.”
Time was short. If Arsen passed the mana confirmation ritual unscathed and gained absolute support, no greater obstacle existed.
“It’s not too late. There’s still a chance to stop Arsen. Managing it means bearing responsibility; refuting it means escaping it. Prayer seems less effective now.”
Rustle.
Ian lightly shook the fairy tale book and nodded toward the door.
Avidiel and Makael suddenly thought it might be the god’s response. Go, help Ian, save Bariel—a silent response.