The initial candidate registration included a total of seven individuals, including Chang and Ian. Among them, three were not departnt heads.
The challenge from the departnt heads was lower than expected, likely because taking over imdiately after Minister Wesley was a daunting task in itself. Not only was her capability remarkable, but dealing with the aftermath of her actions was a problem in and of itself.
The current flow is like a storm. Charging in recklessly will only result in being torn apart. Lets wait for an opportunity and aim for a later ti.
Such was the sentint of the departnt heads. Of course, there were quite a few who had no interest at all, like Hale. Anyway, even if the Ministry of Magic were to select the next minister internally, they would still need to obtain approval from the imperial court in the end.
No one knew when or how the situation might change.
Well then, lets conclude the candidate registration for now, and well schedule the election for next week. The proceedings will be conducted fairly by the departnt heads who havent registered as candidates, united together. I swear on the honor of a mage.
There will be simple procedures in between, including mana verification, so keep that in mind. Well notify the candidates separately and share the results as well.
How about we adjourn for now? Since His Highness Gale has regained consciousness without issue, it would be good to rest a bit and reconvene to discuss counterasures.
While Ian attended the ergency eting, the mages endured an equally arduous ti. It was evident from the slouched postures of Tommy and Nakina. Ian nodded, signaling his agreent.
Very well. For the mages currently conducting on-site investigations and those verifying the forbidden magic books, please have each departnt rotate shifts. Also, any communication from the imperial palace will go through , so keep the ergency summoning magic open at all tis.
Chang pursed his lips. The sight of a young and inexperienced fellow taking the lead like this was irkso. If they had been present at the scene, they could have subdued Wesley without issue. They might have even succeeded before His Highness Gale was cursed. While there are no hypotheticals in the past, the human mind is always brimming with them.
And Departnt Head Akorella.
Hm? Why do you say that!? Minister Ian!
Are you crazy? Youve lost it, Akorella!
At Ians call, Akorellas eyes sparkled as she responded. Despite the other departnt heads requests for her to maintain decorum, she didnt budge an inch. She was also a force to be reckoned with in a different sense, and Ian thought as much with a grin.
Departnt Head Akorella, please have a word with for a mont. I have sothing to discuss with you regarding the delivery of Luron stones.
Great! Absolutely wonderful!
Well then, ha, well be taking our leave first.
Chang, you should also et with us briefly.
Ahem. Good work. If anything cos up, issue the summoning order imdiately.
All the mages rose in unison and exited the eting room. Only Akorella, her subordinates, and the Magic Operations Departnt remained in the empty space.
Ian turned to Hale and asked.
Departnt Head, if youre hungry, you can go ahead first.
Its fine. Lets eat together. Were family, after all.
Despite his words, Hales intention was to assist Ian during his negotiations with the Mana Stone Managent Departnt. Judging from Akorellas reaction, it seed she was already halfway won over.
Unable to contain her excitent, Akorella pressed close to Ian. Her crimson eyes sparkled dangerously.
So, where are the Luron stones now? Since you ntioned relying on sir Romandros residence, are they there?
No. They are being stored elsewhere.
Lets go! Right now!
Uh, Departnt Head Akorella. But can you receive a delivery of 80 kilograms all at once?
Huh? What do you an by that?
Ian lightly perched on the table and counted on his fingers, as if telling them to listen carefully to what he was about to say.
As you said, 80 kilograms of Luron stones exceed the Ministry of Magics budget for several years, making it an extrely high-priced item. Given the Ministry of Magics current situation, its not ideal to carry it over to the next year for purchase.
Now that the imperial court had realized that the mages abilities could sway the existence of Variel, disciplinary asures would undoubtedly be imposed under the pretext of keeping them in check. Among them, the most basic would be budget cuts. Akorella reacted with astonishnt and vehence.
Ah, no, that cant be! I was incredibly excited earlier! I havent been able to conduct any other research due to the truth serum research! Those higher-ups tell us to use each grain sparingly, but honestly, is that even a valid statent? Lets use a chunk of it for once! Please!
Calm down. So, Id like to make a proposal. Ill deliver the entire 80 kilograms at once, at a slightly lower price than the market rate, and we can arrange for the paynt to be made over an extended period.
While it would be spread over a long ti, given the enormous sum, 10,000 gold coins would be no issue right away. Akorella heaved deep breaths, trying to quell her excitent.
Really?
Thats right.
As expected of Minister Ian.
Slap!
She extended her hand with satisfaction. Tommy and Nakina gave sympathetic looks to Akorellas subordinates. Since the state of their departnt head was far from ideal, it was unimaginable how difficult it must be for those under her.
But there will be sothing for to do in return, right?
Ian grasped Akorellas hand and smiled.
I understand that while all departnts in the Ministry of Magic are intricately connected, there are specific departnts that frequently collaborate with each other.
Indeed. Especially for other departnts in need of mana stones, we are very, very important to them! Ahahaha!
Mana stones were used more extensively than one might think. They could be embedded in place of lacking parts of defensive formations to enhance security, and they were used in magical tools and potions that supplented depleted mana, among other things. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say they were used in every aspect except for magic formations.
Given the nature of mages who preferred magical training, the Mana Stone Managent Departnt had low recognition, but its influence was by no ans inferior.
After all, there are no unnecessary departnts in the Ministry of Magic.
Akorella, please inform them. If I beco the minister, there will be no budget cuts for the Ministry of Magic, and we can push for the comrcialization of the truth serum.
At Ians words, everyone flinched. Not only the mbers of the Mana Stone Managent Departnt but also Hale, Tommy, and Nakina. Wasnt the truth serum agenda sothing that all departnts except the Ministry of Magic had vehently opposed?
Yet he claid he could push it through?
Ian, are you serious?
This is a matter that has been fully discussed with His Highness.
He didnt specify which prince. However, most of them were aware that Ian and Mariv were in cahoots.
Indeed, it was Marivs faction that had strongly opposed the truth serum, so if Ian becos the minister, it might beco possible. However, the entire Ministry of Magic would be tinted with Marivs colors.
Akorella didnt care. On the contrary, if one considered it carefully, it was only natural. With His Highness Gale even being cursed, if they continued to support him, they would be cleaned up together.
The Ministry of Magic ultimately belonged to the imperial palace. Power shifts were inevitable, and that was the natural flow of history.
I dont mind either way. As long as I can continue my research.
If the truth serum is comrcialized, additional inco can also be guaranteed for the mages. Furthermore, it will restore the shaken prestige of the Ministry of Magic due to the Wesley incident. This applies not only to the relevant departnts but to everyone.
Moreover, the mages support for Gale was largely influenced by Wesley. Without her, there was no reason for it to be Gale specifically.
Okay! I understand!
Snap!
Akorella excitedly snapped her fingers repeatedly. Then she shook her body from head to toe as if experiencing a shudder.
If I vote for you, my research will prosper! Is that it?
More or less.
Got it. Then, before the mana verification, Ill contact the other departnts and spread the word. Ill even arrange etings. There are nurous fools who secretly received aphrodisiacs from us! I have it all recorded in the ledger! Ahahaha!
If they dont vote, shell expose it! Since they received it secretly from their lovers, where would they have used it? It might cause quite a stir. Watching Akorellas sinister laughter, Ian realized he had unexpectedly drawn a dangerous individual to his side.
Indeed, one should never carelessly provoke those obsessed with sothing.
Thats a pleasant thing to hear.
Hale, you have a very capable junior!
If he becos the minister, he wont be a junior anymore.
Akorella then offered a handshake to Hale as well. The sa went for the subordinates of the two departnts standing guard in the back. Although they were colleagues who had shared joys and sorrows, it felt strange to form an alliance like this.
Among the other candidates, there wont be anyone else backed by His Highness.
And not just Mariv, but both Mariv and Gale simultaneously.
Honestly, Ian didnt find it difficult to secure the ministers position. The real issue was what would happen after becoming the minister, after establishing a separate residence for the Ministry of Magic in a stable situation.
Since the investigation into forbidden magic is underway, well definitely find clues related to Naums magic.
In a way, Wesleys misdeeds were a boon for Ian. Not only did they lead to a rise in his status, but they also allowed him to uncover various clues.
Suddenly, Ian recalled Naums last words.
-Sir Ian. Its alright. There are always, always opportunities. The gods do not give us problems without answers.
If he went back, could he et Naum while he was still alive? Or would he return after everything had ended? In that case, would it an he had found the right answers?
What if he couldnt go back?
Ian.
His thoughts stretched endlessly, but they were easily interrupted by Departnt Head Hales call. Ian imdiately composed himself and turned to face him.
Yes. Departnt Head.
It seems you have a visitor.
A visitor?
Following Departnt Head Hales gaze, Ian turned his head. Through the slightly open gap, a round face peeked in. It was Romandro. He smiled awkwardly and cautiously called out to Ian.
Um, are you all very busy? The office was completely empty when I went there.
No. Were all finished here.
I see. Then lets wrap things up here. Ian. Ill be waiting for your contact. Ill, heheheh. Ill kill everything that gets in the way.
Akorella let out an evil laugh and signaled to her subordinates. They bid a casual farewell and left the eting room. Romandro glanced at her retreating figure and wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.
Are all mages like that?
That one seems to be a bit unusual. But what brings you here? Arent you busy?
After Wesleys incident, Romandro had also spent a hectic day. The upheaval in the imperial palace ant the administrative departnt was also in disarray. He had barely managed to find a mont amidst the nonstop work.
I received a ssage from Vivianna. She said a vagrant ca to the residence, handed over these items, and demanded compensation.
He grinned at Departnt Head Hale and greeted him, then whispered to Ian. What Romandro was holding was a crumpled piece of paper and a compass connected to a mana brooch. It was what Berik had taken with him.
It seems Berik has left the capital.
Im not sure about that. The vagrant apparently ca from a nearby slum. Anyway, Vivianna imdiately sent soone to deliver it to the administrative departnt. Take a look.
Swish.
While he wasnt the type to get beaten and killed sowhere, it was indeed worriso that this was the only contact after a week. As Ian unfolded the paper, Romandro also stretched his neck to read it together.
-Iann. Coto . Foundtea trapd!
This is
Was it written with charcoal lying around? Putting aside the sloppy handwriting and poor spelling, it was too faded to decipher. Romandro scratched his chin and muttered.
Could it be written by Hasha?
Romandro. Hasha is a dog.
Ah, right. Indeed.
Its more likely that he drew it as instructed by Hasha.
What will you do? Will you go and fetch him?
At Romandros question, Ian checked the compass. Sothing must have happened that prevented Berik from coming alone, prompting him to contact them like this.
Ian smiled faintly and nodded.
I happen to have so ti.
Reviews
All reviews (0)