Chapter 242
Chapter 242
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 242
Chapter Title: Ruswena Delegation
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The Ruswena delegation was escorted to the reception room farthest from the main imperial palace building. It was an unannounced visit from the start, and the intent was to hide the chaos within the palace as much as possible.
The Prime Minister led his aides across the corridor with hurried steps.
“The representative of the delegation is named Eldert, correct?”
“Yes. He is the cousin and closest confidant of the current twelfth king of Ruswena, King Eriponi. He currently serves as the king’s advisor. Before that, he held a professorship in urban engineering at Ruswena National University.”
“…A professorship? He looks young for that.”
The Prime Minister recalled the brief glimpse he had caught of him during the break and marveled. The fact that the king’s confidant had come meant they were not taking Haiman’s request for help lightly. Of course, if they had, they wouldn’t have come directly to the imperial palace like this.
The Prime Minister narrowed his pale eyes and entered through the arched double doors. The attendants standing on either side of the reception room noticed his presence and signaled inside.
Creeeak.
“The Prime Minister has arrived.”
As the doors swung open to both sides, the people who had been drinking tea on the sofas stood up simultaneously.
Excluding the escorts, the delegation numbered five in total. Among them, the representative Eldert was the last to set down his teacup. He was a man with long teal hair, slitted eyes, and soft lips that contrasted sharply.
“Oh, Prime Minister.”
“You’ve kept you waiting.”
“Not at all. We’re grateful to have been given such a serene reception room. It feels like our travel fatigue is already easing.”
The aides flinched at Eldert’s polite flattery. Wasn’t he indirectly pointing out that they had been given the innermost, deserted part of the palace?
Moreover, quite some time had passed while sorting out the mess of the Grand Council. Under normal circumstances, the delegation should have been assigned quarters to rest by now, not left waiting in a reception room without any hospitality. Far from easing, their fatigue should have been piling up.
Setting aside the relations between empire and kingdom, this was unmistakably a blunder on the palace’s part.
‘Goodness, look at this?’
But what could be done? With such a sudden visit, the emperor couldn’t appear personally, and certainly not now. Handling foreign delegations had normally been Prince Marib’s domain, but he was dead. The Foreign Affairs Department? Everyone of sufficient rank was tied up at the Grand Council.
“Everything in the imperial palace is the finest. Whatever it may be, it’s more than enough to relieve your fatigue. Please, sit.”
They dared to probe the empire’s rift using Haiman as an excuse, sharpening their tongues like that? Treating them to this much was already overly generous, and the Prime Minister responded with a smile of his own. The aides and delegation subordinates sensed the chilling atmosphere and fell silent.
“So. What brings you all the way from distant Ruswena? I hear you’re looking for Duke Haiman.”
Though they were immediate neighbors, the Prime Minister deliberately added “distant.” It wasn’t mere rhetoric for distance or intimidation. No bordering nations in the world ever got along well.
“We heard Duke Haiman had entered the palace and wished to meet him. Please don’t read too much into it.”
Wars and conflicts erupted to claim even a sliver more of the jagged borderlines, sowing hatred, anger, and loathing. Of course, as an empire versus a kingdom, Bariel had held the upper hand throughout history.
However, Ruswena was self-sufficient with fertile soil at its core, and its royal lineage was impeccably maintained—perhaps more perfectly than any other nation. It was a stark example of their distinct national character.
“Then?”
“Nothing else, but we’ve heard of the various disturbances in the palace. Fearing it might trouble His Imperial Majesty, our king has sent a modest gift.”
At Eldert’s glance, one of his subordinates pulled out a small box. It was filled with black jewels unique to Ruswena and rare medicinal herbs.
The Prime Minister stroked his beard and scrutinized Eldert closely. The jewels were one thing, but what did the herbs signify? They seemed aware that the emperor’s condition was publicly dire. What about the freeze? Did Haiman not know that far?
“If possible, grant us the honor of presenting it to His Majesty directly.”
“Regrettably, that won’t be possible. His Majesty’s duties are overwhelming, leaving no time for unpromised meetings. I will be sure to convey King Eriponi’s sincerity.”
The Prime Minister shook his head in refusal. His aides then carefully carried the box out of the reception room.
Did they have another matter? The Prime Minister asked with a glance, but Eldert merely smiled.
“We’re disappointed, but thank you all the same.”
“It’s late tonight, so rest well. The horses must be worn out—see that fresh ones are prepared.”
One night. Exactly one night was permitted. At the overt hospitality, the delegation’s lips stiffened.
But this was inherently imbalanced diplomacy, and with their one-sided visit, there was no helping it. And above all, for the Prime Minister...
‘I’ll assign them the innermost room in the detached palace. Make sure their mouths are sealed tight until they leave the palace. Of all days, they had to come today. Tsk.’
It was the day of the monster Arsen incident. A day to be erased completely from Bariel’s history.
Having outsiders reside in the palace introduced unpredictable variables. For the sake of face, exactly one day. No, ten hours until morning. That was the utmost courtesy he could extend.
At that moment, Eldert casually remarked.
“We appreciate it, but we’ll be leaving the palace with Duke Haiman. I hear he’s in the main building.”
The Prime Minister, turning to leave, paused and looked back.
“…With Duke Haiman?”
“Yes. As you know, the duchess is a member of Ruswena’s royal family. We have a letter from the king to deliver, so that would be best. We’re already grateful for the time given on such short notice; we can’t impose further.”
He was momentarily speechless. Their immediate departure was welcome, but with Haiman? Revealing the duke’s whereabouts would give clues about the palace situation.
Refuse? Haiman had vanished from the palace, prompting official inquiries and an excuse for a larger delegation.
Either way, it was awkward.
“Prime Minister?”
“…Duke Haiman is currently detained on charges of imperial insult and causing a disturbance. You must know of Prince Marib and Second Prince Gail’s rebellion.”
From the extra editions to Ian’s announcements via magic amplifiers across the central region. Any place aware of the Bariel Empire’s existence—neighboring kingdoms included—would have heard.
“The trial date for that is soon to be pronounced. He likely won’t be leaving the palace for a while. The delegation should rest and return alone.”
“Ahh. Is that so?”
Eldert let out a surprised exclamation with exaggerated shock. Even as the king’s son-in-law, he was still a Bariel duke. Entangled in rebellion charges and facing trial left no recourse. Especially when the emperor wouldn’t even meet them—how could negotiations proceed?
With a flick of his robes, the Prime Minister left the reception room, signaling they should rest.
Bang!
As the door closed, Eldert swept back his long hair and sank into the sofa. His subordinates loosened their neckties and sighed.
“We’re too late, it seems.”
“If the trial’s set, the situation must have swung toward the Fifth Prince. What a mess. What do we tell the king?”
“We should’ve come a bit earlier.”
They sought not to save Haiman himself, but his family’s vast wealth. If the clan was exterminated for rebellion, the assets would revert to Bariel. Their goal was to smuggle the duchess—or the duke himself—into exile, transferring the fortune to Ruswena beforehand.
Haiman seemed to hope they’d bring an army leveraging his wife’s royal blood, but that was impossible. Frankly, the king preferred Haiman to die without legal entanglements.
“Rebellion charges could implicate the duchess too. Hmm.”
If she survived alone, coaxing her return would allow absorbing the Haiman fortune—the perfect plan. They could dip into Bariel’s economic dominance without lifting a finger.
“Lord Eldert. What now?”
“Let me think for a moment.”
He tossed back his silken hair and stared into space. But something felt off, didn’t it?
“…Do you remember the main gate?”
“The main gate? Yes, yes. Carriages, people—quite a crowd for the late hour.”
“The palace gates are restricted at night. So why were they gathered there? Doesn’t it seem natural they’d been waiting all along?”
“You mean since daytime? Why?”
“Who knows. Maybe the palace gates wouldn’t open?”
His subordinates shrugged at Eldert’s speculation. The imperial palace gates closed? More likely a blockade.
“And the usual delegation reception room is on the main building floor. Even if we came quietly, this feels unusually special.”
Something had happened in the palace. Or was happening. Eldert sipped his remaining tea, suspecting as much. Too many uneasy loose ends to leave tomorrow.
“Now. Everyone, finish your tea without leaving any.”
“Gasp. That’s...”
“Lord Eldert. Can’t just one of us sacrifice?”
“No. Everyone drinks.”
“Oh man, this is insane.”
Eldert chuckled as he sprinkled fine black powder into his subordinates’ teacups. It was powder excellent for causing stomach upset.
* * *
Ziiing. Ziiing.
Ian’s fingertips twitched.
His eyelids slowly lifted.
His hazy gaze wandered, but after a few blinks, his vision cleared.
It was Hail. He was chewing an unlit mana cigarette and infusing it with mana. To aid Ian’s recovery, the mages had taken turns injecting mana without fail.
“…Hail.”
Was that really his voice? Doubting himself, Ian wiggled his fingers a few times. Hail, who had been lost in concentration, jumped up and shouted outside. His voice boomed like thunder tearing the sky.
“Ian’s awakeee!!”
“Ian’s awake?!”
The door burst open.
Bang! Thud!
Crash! Clang!
“Hey, call the doctor!”
“Hail Captain, you couldn’t hold out and lit another mana cigarette!”
“No, I was just holding it.”
“Ian. Are you feeling better? Do you recognize me?”
“Outta the way. Move. Ian!”
He couldn’t tell who was who. The wave of voices made Ian’s head throb. Frowning, he finally muttered.
“Everyone, quiet down...”
“Gasp. Sorry.”
“Shut up, all of you!!”
“You’re the loudest, asshole.”
Ian let out a faint sigh and requested water. His upper body was propped up, and lukewarm water trickled into his mouth bit by bit. Now he could speak more easily.
“Can you sit up?”
“…Not yet.”
Ian pressed his forehead and fell silent for a moment. The mages waited patiently for his stability, quieting down with him.
A few minutes later, Ian raised his head and asked.
“…The Young Master?”
“He’s sleeping. It’s dawn.”
He vaguely recalled saying something in his sleep, but couldn’t remember. Lying back down, he wiggled his hand. What did it mean?
Hesitantly, Hail slipped the mana cigarette between his fingers in the meantime. Ian immediately flicked it away and replied.
“Gather up everything that happened while I was out and summarize it.”