A horrible sll of ashes. Gale frowned and barely opened his eyes. Faint smoke was rising next to him. It was an incense that calms the mind and body, but to Gale, it was unspeakably revolting.
Clang!
Oh my. Your Highness Gale!
Hearing the commotion from the bedroom, the attendant rushed in. As soon as Gale ca to his senses, he asked while holding his forehead, How many days have passed?
Not long, sir. A full day has passed. I will contact the infirmary. Please dont overexert yourself
Despite the attendants dissuasion, Gale got out of bed. Then he naturally waved his hand to find the sword that should be placed on the table. However, he touched nothing. Only then did Gale realize that he was lying in an unfamiliar bedroom.
Creak.
Making a fuss as soon as you wake up, Gale.
Mariv
Have you given the title of brother to your lover?
Mariv laughed brightly. It was a very cheerful smile that he had never seen before. As always, the mont one of them smiles is the worst situation for the other. Gale sighed, Ha, ha, while running his hand through his hair.
Lover, you say. Thats an overstatent.
Right, right. You even kissed in front of everyone, but you may not be lovers. I cant understand debauchery, but I thought you would deeply understand it.
Gale clenched his teeth in annoyance. He had given a proper excuse. He was always on edge, ready to pounce on any gap. Gale first played dumb.
What happened to Minister Wesleigh?
The personnel conference ended successfully. Everyone couldnt focus while you were having a lovers quarrel outside, but it sohow wrapped up well.
Please refrain from using that damn word lovers quarrel.'
So, Wesleigh is no longer the minister. Currently, the position of minister in the Ministry of Magic is vacant, and each departnt is continuing the investigation of this incident, including new personnel reorganization. Gale, you have no idea how long weve been waiting for you to wake up.
Mariv slowly approached Gale and fiddled with his collar. Tap tap, he straightened the collar neatly and raised his eyebrows as if telling him to speak up.
What curse did Wesleigh put on you?
He looks excited. Very excited.
Gale swatted Marivs hand away, but he grabbed the collar again, unperturbed. He had never approached so blatantly before. Gale guessed that Mariv was fully convinced of his victory.
Right now, the imperial palace is in an uproar because of that. Why you tried to oust Wesleigh, whether it led Wesleigh to use forbidden magic, and what curse she poured on you while she was dying.
If even one secret hidden beneath the surface is revealed, I will imdiately cut off your head. Mariv lightly stroked his brothers cheek and smiled brightly again.
It would be best to quickly confess the truth. If its a curse that threatens the existence of the imperial family, your life should be used to break that curse.
Gale faced Mariv with a calm gaze. They clearly had the sa eyes within the sa family, yet one was cold and the other was hot. Mariv stepped back slightly and straightened the fallen incense.
Co imdiately when His Majesty the Emperor summons you. Take care of yourself.
Creak.
Mariv left the bedroom with his neatly tied hair fluttering. It was a very dignified and confident step, as if the throne had fallen before him.
Gales assistant, who was standing at the door, bowed and saw him off, then entered the bedroom. Gale just sighed and snapped his fingers.
Cigarette.
The assistant imdiately lit a cigarette and handed it over. After taking a deep drag, he exhaled smoke along with an order.
Bow down.
Thud! Thud!
At the sa ti, the assistant prostrated himself and banged his forehead on the floor. There was not a monts hesitation in punishing himself. As an assistant, sloppy work was a disgrace, and if there was no sincerity in the punishnt, his head would be cut off.
I apologize. Your Highness!
Thud!
He wailed and continued to bang his head. The attendants lowered their heads as if they couldnt bear to watch, but Gale clearly took in the sight. Soon, his head cracked and blood flowed down his nose and chin.
It must have been with the help of her assistant that led her to escape.
Gale could only rember that the assistant was always by Wesleighs side, but he couldnt recall his face. Thats how insignificant his presence was, and he wasnt soone to pay attention to. But to cause such a big incident
His corpse was found in Your Highnesss bedroom. It seems he used forbidden magic along with Wesleigh. So, the Ministry of Magic is currently investigating and controlling the situation, which is why you were brought here.
Gale threw a dry cloth to his subordinate who was prostrating and reporting. It ant to wipe the blood and to forgive and stop the punishnt.
Whats the atmosphere in the Ministry of Magic?
Gale asked while getting dressed by the attendant. He had to be very alert. With one montary mistake, he was pushed to the edge of a cliff, so if he showed even a little more gap here, it would be his downfall.
Its a bit peculiar.
Peculiar? Gale nodded his head and told him to report without interruption. The assistant pressed the cloth to his forehead and reported word for word. It was sothing he had repeated dozens or hundreds of tis in his mind while Gale was lying down.
Its because the Ministry of Magic is in a position to be investigated while also conducting the investigation. Trying to harm Your Highness is a clear rebellion and a felony. However, because the ans was forbidden magic, other departnts couldnt even proceed with the investigation.
With each exhale of cigarette smoke, Gale felt his mind clearing. Then the situation was as clear as water.
The factions will be completely divided.
Yes. Its divided into the Magic Support Departnt, which was directly under Wesleigh, and all other departnts except him. With the minister position also vacant, a power struggle between the magicians is expected.
Gale tapped his chin as if lost in thought. Since Mariv knew he was awake, being summoned and questioned was imminent.
Not many people know about the forbidden magic?
Yes. They are currently searching through ancient docunts to grasp the situation. But Your Highness. That
The assistant carefully continued. As if it was too unseemly to even say out loud.
Is the curse real?
No one knows?
Even though I was right next to Your Highness at the ti, I couldnt hear it. I think my mind was clouded by Wesleighs dark energy.
No one, no one knows what Wesleighs curse is? Gale unknowingly smiled, delighted. He quickly racked his brain and got up from his seat.
Wheres Ian?
Pardon? Ian?
Yes. I desperately need him right now.
Ian has been attending an ergency eting for half a day and hasnt been able to co out.
Gale frowned while being dressed by the attendant. Could it be that Mariv noticed Ian knew about Wesleighs necromancy? And did he get caught trying to deceive Mariv?
It would be troubleso if Ian was thrown away by Mariv. Among the weapons currently in his hands, there was nothing as certain and useful as Ian.
The assistant sensed his intentions and imdiately added.
Wasnt Ian the only one who didnt confront Wesleigh? Because of that, he is participating in the eting as a representative of the Ministry of Magic at the scene, so you dont have to worry.
He was the one who stopped Wesleigh, who was the head of the Ministry of Magic. Putting aside the captains who werent there, it ant he had the strongest magical power among the magicians at the scene.
Even more so, I need Ian.
It felt as if the balance was slowly tilting towards Ians side. Just a few days ago, Ian was in a position to entrust his forces to Gale, but now wasnt it Gale who was in a hurry?
Is Father at the eting?
Its a continuous ergency eting. Depending on his physical condition, he repeatedly enters and exits to keep his seat. The sa goes for other officials.
Mariv seed to have co out in the middle to take a break. Gale quickly put on his uniform and sheathed his sword at his waist.
Lets go. Everyone must be waiting for .
***
No, do you call that a proper statent now?
Where are you raising your voice? When you look into it, arent they all valid points? From the sudden discussion of forr Minister Wesleighs dismissal, sothing was strange. Clearly, the discord between His Highness Gale and forr Minister Wesleigh is the beginning of this!
That is His Highnesss personal life. Its not even a topic for discussion. What we need to investigate is why Wesleigh used forbidden magic!
Thats exactly related to His Highness, Im telling you! Ah, really. Youre so frustrating. It sounds like youre trying to cut off the tail, but please say sothing that makes sense!
Frustrating? Have you finished talking?
Have you finished? Have you finished!?
Bang bang bang!
The chaotic ergency eting room. The papers were the only things not flying around, as Marivs faction and Gales faction were practically at war. Who knows how many hours this fight has been going on? The Pri Minister wearily hit the gavel, demanding silence.
Please, everyone, stop.
Exhausted to the limit. After finishing the long journey of the personnel eting, now it was an ergency eting. The Emperor, sitting at the head of the table, had closed his mouth at so point and was just observing.
Sir Ian!
Then, a minister called out to Ian. Ian, who was sitting upright, nodded and stood up from his seat.
Testify again.
How many tis has it been?
He was repeating like a parrot that what Wesleigh used was indeed forbidden magic and his testimony from the scene where he confronted him. In addition, he declared the Ministry of Magics position that it had nothing to do with this incident.
Ian thought that if he were the Emperor, he would have dismissed all the ministers spouting nonsense, and parted his lips to testify.
But then.
Creak.
I announce. His Highness Prince Gale has arrived.
Prince Gale?
Soone said he woke up, but is he already able to move?
Quickly, quickly bring him in!
The eting room welcod a new atmosphere with Gales appearance. Ian, who had awkwardly stood up, sat down and swallowed a sigh.
Wesleigh did deal a big blow. His forces have fallen so much in just a day.
There was no need to weigh between the 1st Prince and the 2nd Prince. At this rate, it was clear that Marivs influence would be stronger than Gales in appointing the next minister of the Ministry of Magic.
There is one way for Gale, though
No need to tell him. In the early stages of the battle, he thought Gale might be necessary to keep Mariv in check, but there was no reason to push him recklessly after receiving the forbidden curse.
Your Highness Gale! Are you alright?
Ahem, Your Highness. We were really worried.
Your Highness, now that youve co, please tell us. Is it true that you were cursed by Wesleigh?
What, you! He just arrived!
Whether he just arrived or arrived earlier, what difference does it make? To be honest, Im worried about being in the sa place as His Majesty the Emperor. Who knows what kind of curse it is!
Marivs faction fiercely argued. Even if the words were excessive, they were all true, so Gales faction just looked at the prince and remained silent.
Swish.
Curse, yes. It can be seen as a curse.
Gale slowly stepped forward and looked at Mariv. Mariv just smirked as if telling him to go ahead and say it. But Ian could sense a strange confidence in Gales tone
No way.
Curse! You heard it now, right? His Highness Gale admitted it! Its a curse! You must imdiately order him to leave the palace!
Gale, who was carefully observing the boiling atmosphere of the eting room, put his hand on his chest and knelt on one knee before his father, the Emperor.
Father. I have been cursed.
Gale. Speak up.
I have always only desired the glory of Bariel and believed that proper developnt is the only reason for my life. I have no other aning than that.
Gale spoke in a very appealing voice, unlike his usual self.
So, Wesleigh said this to . Your death will be the beginning, and the shadow of death will fall upon countless imperial citizens of Bariel. Thus, it will head down the path of decline, which is the destruction of Bariel.'
Mariv, who was quietly listening, removed his chin from his hand and opened his eyes wide. Ian also let out a hollow laugh inwardly.
Thats a lie. But its the best move for now.
Also, he said this.
Gale looked up at his brother Mariv as if telling him to listen carefully. This ti, it was Gale who was smiling.
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