Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Narrow Escape from Death
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Prince Marib showed no surprise at Gail's sudden visit. He had anticipated it, so his response was merely composed, though far from welcoming.
"What is it? You couldn't have gotten lost."
"Would any fool tell a servant to announce himself and then claim he wandered in by mistake?"
Marib, who had kept his eyes on the documents, finally lifted his head. As always, Gail's blue eyes gleamed like a beast's. The servant standing behind him, who had announced Gail's arrival, flinched with hunched shoulders.
"I'm busy. Get to the point."
"Have you decided what to do with Ian and Lord Molin?"
"That's an amusing question. What does it have to do with me, what happens to Ian?"
Without permission, Gail leaned back and sprawled on the sofa. He crossed his legs arrogantly and glared at his half-brother.
"Even the lowliest clerk knows you've decided to back that baseborn child. Don't pretend otherwise in such a boring way."
Otherwise, there'd be no reason to toss a lordship at Ian. Dozens, hundreds groveled for the same, farting flattery to get it. To shove them aside for some kid he'd never even seen and grant him a title?
"So?"
"When that guy comes to the capital, it would be best if Molin and his entourage accompany him safely."
"Your words are awfully crude. It sounds like a threat to my ears."
"No way. You must want to hear it that way. Once Ian goes through the title conferment ceremony, he'll be under the Magic Department. You know what that means."
"Ah. I know. It means he'll be under your lover Wesley, right?"
It was a warning that if Molin and his group died on the way up, Ian would vanish without a trace too. Of course, it was a utterly useless warning if Marib didn't see Ian as fully his own man.
Marib removed his glasses and lightly pressed the bridge of his nose. A amused smile spread across his face.
"I'm a bit surprised. That you'd care so much about Molin and his group, Gail. Honestly, I hadn't given it much thought, but now I'm intrigued."
He's gotta die, Marib decided the moment he thought it. Truth be told, he hadn't paid it any mind. He was swamped with work, and Molin and his group weren't important figures in the palace. But if Gail was pushing like this, that changed things.
"You'd better drop it."
"Why?"
"I just came from Father's palace."
Gail had detoured to the Emperor's palace first. That word—Father—made Marib frown reflexively. Whenever the Emperor and Gail met, without exception, something unpleasant happened to Marib.
'Like right now.'
"You know there's a discussion about appointing a Grand Chief Justice at the New Year's assembly."
Of course. If the Magic Department and parts of the Administration were Gail's base, the Judiciary and Legislature backed Marib. The Grand Chief Justice was the head of the Judiciary and, excluding the imperial family, the fourth most powerful position in the palace.
"I have no idea what you're getting at."
"I'm not sure if you've seen the list of potions the Magic Department developed this time. There's one called Truth Serum, extracted from abilities commonly seen in gypsies. Drink it, and you'll only speak the truth."
Marib, who had been sitting until now, finally stood up.
"Gail, you bastard..."
"I asked if it could be used as a demonstration at the Grand Chief Justice confirmation hearing, and he said it was a great idea. There are so many slimy liars out there; it'd be a sight to see them recite oaths and vows of fidelity."
Distinguishing truth from lies wasn't the issue. The problem was that the Magic Department made it. Who knew if it would force truth, lies, or whatever the maker wanted?
Ideally, it was a potion the Empire desperately needed, but the timing was off. At least clean out any impure intentions from the Magic Department first.
"You've got your eye on Lord Hailot for Grand Chief Justice, but if you want that, have Molin and his group attend the New Year's assembly. Otherwise, you'll have to find someone else."
"Gail. What you're doing is setting the Empire back. Do you really not see that?"
"Yes. I don't. Fire is dangerous, but necessary in its uses. Truth Serum is the same. There'll be chaos at first, but over time, its value will solidify. And Lord Hailot will probably be at the center of that chaos."
As Gail's lips curled up, Marib felt an urge to hurl everything within reach. Worse than the other provocations was the Magic Department's involvement. It was so singular and independent that there was no way to check them.
'Even if they make the potion worthless trash, there's no way to verify it. Damn it. Gail, that prick, always meddling...'
Marib and Gail's expressions were always inversely proportional. When one smiled, the other's face twisted. Marib swallowed a sigh while maintaining his composure.
"You think that'll pass?"
"Some ministers will object strongly. For various reasons."
Some, like Marib, pointing out fundamental flaws; others opposing to hide their own dirty secrets.
"But the overall decision on checking the Judiciary will come from the Administration. Father's opinion matters most."
As much as he hated to admit it, the Emperor's heart always leaned toward Gail over Marib. A imbalance of love carried over from their mothers.
"Ridiculous. That potion—won't it trouble you the most if someone drinks it?"
"Me? Hm. You think so? I figured you'd be the one in a bind."
Gail's brazen reply left Marib speechless. With Wesley, the head of the Magic Department, in his pocket, it was natural confidence.
"Anyway, think it over carefully."
"Stop pretending to give me options. Whether you kill Molin or not, Hailot will have to drink that intent-laden Truth Serum at the hearing."
If that's the case, better to just kill Molin. He had some time on the potion issue to find a way.
Gail donned his overcoat and smirked.
"This is why you and I are so different."
"...What?"
"You'd do it. Regardless of who Hailot is, if you want it, you'd make it happen."
Hailot was exceptionally capable in duties, reputation, and achievements. Breaking him for revenge didn't add up, especially considering Bariel's future.
"I don't like your way of thinking. Everything handed to you from birth—you don't even know the value of people or anything else."
"Shut up! What do you know?!"
Marib couldn't hold back and yelled at Gail's words. Handed everything from birth? What nonsense—that bastard with his loose mouth...
"Then I'll take my leave. Hope I don't hear bad news."
Bang.
Gail left Marib's office. At the same time, an aide slipped in cautiously, but Marib sat with his head in his hands.
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
"...I'm fine."
From Gail's behavior, if Molin died, he could dispatch an additional investigation team. Grinding his teeth, Marib gave the order.
"Convene the Grand Council immediately."
"Yes, understood."
The aide placed letters from the border on the desk corner and left. Piles of reports steadily coming up from Romandro. Repeated inquiries on Molin's disposition, but Marib could only reply 'hold.'
'Damn it.'
Deep wrinkles etched into Marib's smooth brow. He wanted to shove a sword into Gail's neck right then.
* * *
"Why? Still worried about Molin? Stuck underground, I keep forgetting he's even around."
At Romandro's words, Ian shook his head—no. He was just gauging what it meant that they couldn't decide on a single administrator's fate.
'Clearly, some ploy from Gail's side led to the hold order. Unexpected. In other words, Gail's moving to save Molin?'
Was Molin that important? Hard to say. He handled Bratz, but now seemed pushed out even in Administration. Loyal, but too aged for effective duties.
Either Molin had hidden value, or Gail properly looked after his own, or...
'It's Bratz?'
Why Bratz among all the borders? Ian realized something he'd overlooked. He'd assumed covert work for troop placements in other borders too. But no way to know.
'No reaction from Merelrof either.'
The guest from the center was Romandro after a long time. While Ian pondered, they arrived at the parlor where Lady Rien was.
"Madam?"
"Oh, done already?"
She was half-reclining on the sofa, face bored to the point of fidgeting. Her hair slightly disheveled— from the position, or the Count's doing?
"No. Still moving them."
"This'll take all night."
"If you wish, I could show you around the territory."
"Then my husband would throw another fit, so I'll politely decline."
The madam blew on her nails and muttered her grand future plan.
"Better start counting days from today. In a month, I'll meet what I've been waiting for."
"A month from now? What do you mean?"
"Oh, dear."
Lady Rien greeted her husband with a bright, casual smile.
The Merelrof Count eyed Ian and his wife suspiciously in turn. A young man her age was irksome enough, and Ian was objectively handsome. Perfect conditions to set the Count on edge.
"In a month, Gula cultivation will be possible. That's what I meant. Done? I can't wait anymore; I'm exhausted."
A month from now. Right when the hallucinogenic sleep aid's side effects would kick in. The day the Count would stop breathing in his sleep. Ian caught her intent but feigned ignorance with a nod.
"Seemed far off earlier."
"Ah, Lord Ian. It's not that, but we got word from Haiman Bank here in Merelrof."
"Yes. Speak."
"With bandits rampant in other regions lately, and winter making the mountains tough to cross—you might not know."
"So?"
Eh? This setup felt fishy. Romandro snorted, ready to rebuke.
"Our check paper ran out, so could we delay the payment date by one day?"
"No, Count. This is problematic. The contract ink's not even dry."
"Then what? Come to our territory and cart off the rest in wagons?"
Remaining 2,500 gold coins. They'd slaved for 1,000; 2,500 more? Romandro flinched, but Ian stepped forward.
"But Count. This is clearly a contract breach. We expected payment by check, as specified? Agreed to pay the rest that way."
"Ahem. That's why I'm asking permission."
"We don't want a losing deal."
The Merelrof Count scowled at Ian's words. He'd hoped to slip it by, but Ian was tougher than expected. He turned to his wife.
"Madam. Instead of that, pawn those jewels you're wearing. Necklace, earrings, ring. That should cover it."
At the Count's abrupt order, the madam barely stifled a hollow laugh. What could she do? If he said take them off, she did. She removed her jewelry one by one and placed it on the table.
'Hm?'
Then, a ring caught Ian's eye. On her left index finger... the gem looked awfully familiar.
'That, amber? Or...'
The same gem as the necklace from his flowerpot?
He approached closely and picked up the ring.