anwhile, Chielonia, having completed his mission to deliver the Imperial Decree, imdiately sought out the office of the 2nd Prince, Gale. Sunlight stread through the panoramic windows, yet, strangely, his office always felt cold.
"You simply locked Mollin and his party in the dungeon?"
"Yes. There was no ntion of torture, only that they were being detained and left unattended without any special treatnt," Chielonia confird.
Gale crossed his arms, tapping his fingertips—a habit that surfaced when he was deep in thought. His sharp gaze, a mirror image of his mother’s, shifted to a point behind Chielonia. It landed on Wesley, who was reading the report.
"He seed well-versed in Imperial Court Etiquette?"
"Yes. The mont Your Highness’s na was ntioned, his expression changed instantly. Even Romandro, his advisor, seed unaware, you see."
Just then, Wesley, who had been pacing while reading the docunts, whipped his head around. His beautiful black hair and red lips were, as always, perfect.
"It seems clear. He must have had so connection with Mariv."
"Don’t jump to conclusions, Wesley."
"It’s the only explanation that makes sense. A poor child who lived in a brothel, sent across the desert after a short period of education. He would have barely learned the basics, let alone Imperial Court Etiquette."
Wesley’s argunt was logical from start to finish.
"It was obvious from the start, when Mariv recomnded Ian as Lord. There are countless people lining up to bribe Mariv, hoping to gain his favor. Yet, he chose soone nad Ian, over all of them."
"Wasn’t he said to be a magic user?"
"Even so, it’s excessive."
Mariv was the Empire’s acknowledged heir apparent. The line of people trying to curry favor with him was long enough to circle Bariel.
Especially since a Lord’s appointnt was a chance to overturn one’s social standing, Mariv could have easily given the position to soone far more influential, had he wished.
"The fact that it’s a border territory also plays a large role. It has so many unique characteristics that there are many restrictions."
Chielonia carefully added his agreent. Wesley tossed the report towards him. Despite the considerable age difference, Wesley was the head of the Magic Departnt, while Chielonia was just one of many administrators. The difference in their status was clear.
"Anyway, well done. You may leave."
"...I’ll take my leave then."
Chielonia bowed respectfully and left Gale’s residence. Wesley, with a pipe in her mouth, muttered,
"Shall we kill Ian?"
At her words, Gale chuckled, propping his chin on his hand. It was amusing precisely because he knew she was serious.
"How?"
"When he cos up for the New Year’s Lord appointnt ceremony, he’ll be under the jurisdiction of the Magic Departnt. There will be plenty of opportunities, and plenty of thods."
Smoke puffed out, filling the room. Gale took the pipe from her mouth. Wesley continued, her tone slightly irritated.
"I don’t like how he’s suddenly appeared out of nowhere, interfering with our plans. He’ll beco a slave of the Magic Departnt anyway if he can’t repay the 10,000 nyip contribution, but I’d prefer to cut him off before then."
Wesley wrapped her arms around Gale’s neck, whispering. A dangerous smile followed, but Gale remained motionless, turning his head away.
"The more I think about it, the less you seem suited to be the head of the Magic Departnt."
"?"
Gale ant his words literally, but Wesley seed to misinterpret them, taking it to an that she was more suited to be Gale’s Empress than the head of the Magic Departnt.
"If Your Highness says so, then it must be true."
Gale stared out the window, a bitter smile on his face. Wesley was perfect as a woman, but as a partner in governing the nation, she was utterly lacking. How could the head of the Magic Departnt so easily suggest killing Ian?
Especially at a ti when the number of mages was dwindling.
If she truly cared about the revival and developnt of magic, she would have tried to persuade Gale to find another way, even if he had suggested killing Ian. That was the proper attitude for the head of the Magic Departnt.
"Gale. Look at ."
Did this beautiful woman not understand that the Empress was also the Emperor’s political partner? Even if Gale were to overthrow Mariv and take the throne, he couldn’t be certain that Wesley would be by his side.
Gale pushed away the woman’s seductive touch and stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"To my brother."
"You an His Highness Mariv?"
Gale fastened his cuffs and stared intently at Wesley.
There it was again. That look that sotis seed to test him. Wesley managed her expression, keeping her smile in place.
"Why didn’t Ian kill Mollin and leave him alive?"
"...Well, he’s an administrator of the Imperial Court, and if things went wrong, it would be troubleso if we had to send another investigation team. It hasn’t been long since the incident with Commander Erica and that whole ss."
"Hmm. Yes, I suppose so."
Gale didn’t ask further. He simply concluded that Wesley’s understanding of the situation was limited. There were no second chances, no shared opinions.
Wesley followed Gale out.
"Or is there another reason?"
"Another reason? I asked because I didn’t know."
Smack.
Gale gave Wesley a farewell kiss and turned away without hesitation. His subordinates followed him like shadows, leaving the woman standing there, bewildered.
She, too, was the publicly acclaid head of the Magic Departnt. She had been born a commoner, seized both wealth and power, and made her mark on history. Yet, in front of Gale, she always felt infinitely small.
"Fucking..."
She spat out a quiet curse, but it didn’t even reach Gale’s feet, let alone the attendants following him. It dissipated, lost in the swirling, unseen aura around him.
Clip-clop!
"Your Highness, where shall I take you?"
"To Mariv’s palace."
"Understood."
Gale replied curtly, and his subordinates rushed ahead to clear the path, ensuring his steps wouldn’t be hindered.
’Ian is keeping Mollin alive because of Mariv.’
Wesley’s words were, of course, half true.
With the Cheonryeo tribe involved, Mollin’s death would significantly escalate the gravity of the situation for the central governnt. It could even warrant the dispatch of the regular army, not just an investigation team.
That’s why he handed the decision over to Mariv. A choice that showed he fully understood the power dynamic between Mariv and Gale, and that he had chosen his side.
In any case, Mollin’s life was in Mariv’s hands, and to Gale, that life was quite valuable. There were few individuals recruited by the administrative branch, and seasoned veterans like Mollin were rare.
Neigh!
With a loud whinny, the carriage began to move. Gale, who had been silently contemplating the sky, opened the window and gave a command.
"...Wait. Change of course."
"Pardon?"
"We’re not going to Mariv. We’re going to see my father."
"You an His Majesty the Emperor’s palace?"
"Yes. Hurry."
At their master’s orders, the horses slowly turned the corner, retracing their path. Their heads were now fixed towards the Emperor’s residence in the east, instead of Mariv’s palace in the north.
The mansion was bustling since dawn.
It was the day Kakan and fifty-five warriors were returning to the Great Desert. Although they could always et if they wished, it wasn’t an easy task, and everyone struggled to hide their sadness.
"When will we see you again?"
"Thank you for everything."
"Here, this..."
"We packed dried at and water. Please have a safe trip back."
"Kakan! What should we submit for the Kusile seal?"
The mansion’s front gate was as chaotic as a marketplace. Ian was also preparing to accompany them to the border region. He was making final checks on gifts, rewards, and food when he noticed Haena, her eyes particularly red, in a corner.
"...Goodbye."
"I’ll co again."
The fingertips of the two n and won lightly clasped. Affection dripped from them, making their feelings clear. Ian, without realizing it, turned his head away, pretending not to see.
Berik, seeing this, picked at his ear.
"What are you looking at?"
"Beric. Co here."
"Oh, look at him! Hae-!"
"Berik! Shut up, you clueless idiot!"
Thwack!
It was Romandro who struck Beric’s head. Ian followed up with a warning glare. Beric, feeling wronged, rubbed the back of his head and grumbled.
"My head’s a punching bag, dammit."
"It seems many have grown attached."
"Even fleeting monts can create bonds, and the Cheonryeo people have spent a season with us, haven’t they?"
A bond that arrived with the scorching sumr and departed with the autumn.
Ian nodded thoughtfully. It wasn’t a bad developnt. To further strengthen the alliance with the Cheonryeo tribe, or to achieve cultural integration, the best thing was ’marriage’.
...Was that too political a judgnt?
Ian, seeing Hana constantly on the verge of tears, restrained himself.
’Ian. Because your choices will change soone’s life, listen to the voice beneath the words. You must not only review the proposals that co to you, but also feel them directly with your heart.’
Suddenly, he recalled Naum’s advice from before the regression. Naum, his only friend and ntor, the mage who had tried to stay by the dying Emperor’s side until the very end. Ian clenched his jaw, turning his head away.
"Lord Ian. Preparations are complete."
"Good. Let’s depart."
"Open the main gate!"
"Let’s go back! To our Great Desert!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Farewell!"
"See you all in Cheonryeo!"
The Cheonryeo people remaining in the mansion waved their hands, laughing heartily. Nersaren was among them. Kakan walked out of the mansion with a dignified posture. The villagers, having heard the news, ca out to see them off.
"Thank you! Have a safe journey!"
"We were so grateful for your help!"
"We don’t know what we would have done without you!"
Whoosh!
Wildflowers and fallen leaves flew in all directions. Even the Gula, swaying in a line with the wind, created a magnificent sight.
Kakan, moving to the front, looked down at the child handing him a bouquet of flowers. It was the sa child who had fallen and cried at his feet when he first entered Bratz. The child rembered that brief encounter.
"Th-thank you."
The child’s hand trembled slightly. Kakan took the bouquet and was about to leave, but he hesitated, turning his body back.
"Demusha."
He deliberately avoided looking at the child’s face. The Kusile moved again. The border region was not far.
And soon, it was ti for the real farewell.
"This is far enough, Lord Ian."
"Kakan. Thank you for your efforts."
It was the place where Ian had been sold as a peace offering. Two massive rocks marking the border. And a small, abandoned shrine.
"I will begin work on the reloph matter as soon as I return to Cheonryeo."
"I would be grateful for that."
"I hope you do well in the capital. Otherwise, this day will be our last."
"I will do my best. This is Gula and the reward money."
Kakan looked at Ian for a mont, then took only the Gula seeds. In his right hand, the bouquet of flowers swayed conspicuously.
"My hands are full. That’s enough."
"Ah."
"Let’s go! To Cheonryeo!"
"Demusha!"
"Demusha! Farewell!"
Berik shouted loudly in response to the warriors’ cries. They dashed into the desert with force and disappeared. Movent faster than the wind and lighter than sand. Ian and Beric watched their backs for a long ti.
"...Let’s go back too."
"Alright. What should we do when we get back?"
"What do you think?"
Beric laughed at Ian’s smile and grabbed the reins.
What they would do was already decided. Gula cultivation, and...
’Dealing with the reloff.’
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