“Your Highness.”
Xiaoshi’s voice was a soft whisper.
Jin, who had been dozing with his chin propped on the desk, straightened his posture as if nothing had happened. Footsteps could be heard approaching from far outside. Soon the door opened, and the Pri Minister and Ministers entered together.
Ian and Romandro were among them. Had they returned late yesterday? While Ian seed fine, Romandro’s complexion was seriously concerning.
“Your Highness, thank you for attending the eting at such an early hour.”
“Why such formalities for what is my duty? Withdraw them and be seated.”
eting Jin’s eyes, Ian bowed with his hand on his chest. It was a plain, unembellished greeting. So dry that it was hard to believe this was the sa person who had been laughing and chatting in the sa place just yesterday – no, re hours ago.
Jin responded with a simple nod. Everyone looked particularly exhausted, having rushed over at the break of dawn.
“With such an early start, it will surely be a productive day.”
“How diligent you are. I was planning to go back to sleep.”
“Using one day as if it were two. How dedicated. Haha.”
“Co now, everyone be quiet. You’ve all heard the ssage. Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the main point. Your Highness, we shall begin.”
Taang! Tang!
Rustle. Rustle rustle.
As the Pri Minister struck his gavel, the sound of papers being turned echoed quietly. The first to speak was the Minister of Imperial Defense, who had received and forwarded the garrison’s report to the Pri Minister.
“The focus of this eting is that while the garrison reports signs of an unknown battle, Clifford claims no knowledge of it, correct?”
“That’s right.”
They repeated the sa conversation Ian and Romandro had at the Ministry of Magic, assuming either a garrison error or Clifford’s deception.
Standing at the back listening, Romandro glanced at the back of Ian’s head with an expression of admiration. Everything matched Ian’s predictions precisely, without deviation. Finding nothing particularly new, Romandro showed his attention by drawing aningless lines in his notebook.
“Then, wouldn’t this be Burgos’s sche?”
“The tribute brought from Burgos was the finest of the finest. They might have planned this to reclaim it.”
“However-“
Jin, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand to speak. The middle-aged and elderly ministers stopped their discussion and turned to the Crown Prince.
“However, for Burgos, this would be neither the best nor second-best choice. Creating a disturbance within Bariel territory would imdiately give us cause.”
Expressionless, Romandro exhaled sharply while vigorously drawing circles. That’s it, Prince Jin. Exactly that! The little child’s thoughts had grown so deep without notice.
While Romandro was inwardly clapping, Ian also tapped the docunts with his fingertips. His posture showed he wasn’t missing a single word of Jin’s statent.
“There’s logic to that. It would certainly be burdenso for Burgos, with losses outweighing gains.”
“Then who on earth…”
Silence fell over the eting hall. Not Burgos, not Ruswena, not local bandits. If we’re talking about forces capable of handling such matters against Bariel, there’s only one place – here, the Imperial Palace.
When the Pri Minister realized this, he looked around with trembling pupils. So officials seed to have reached the sa conclusion, their examining gazes particularly laden with wariness.
The silence stretched quite long. Xiaoshi, who had been listening attentively, approached Jin and whispered sothing.
“Hm?”
What was said couldn’t be heard. But judging by his deeply furrowed brows, it wasn’t pleasant news.
“W-why do you look concerned, Your Highness?”
“It’s nothing. Everyone, don’t mind and continue the discussion.”
Even told to continue, they couldn’t easily speak up. Wasn’t this assumption close to conspiracy theory? Why would anyone in the Imperial Palace, having just successfully completed the appointnt ceremony, try to disrupt international relations? Who would…
‘Crown Prince Jin has moved from the Ministry of Magic to another location.’
Rustle. Everyone examined Ian with the whites of their eyes. Since there had clearly been an unspoken signal in the relationship between the two, if soone were capable of this, wouldn’t Ian be likely? Of course, it was re suspicion without a shred of evidence, but thoughts inevitably turned that way.
One of the ministers carefully broached the subject.
“…Lord Ian. What are your thoughts?”
“Please add your input. You’ve been so quiet, haha. Must have had so good drinks yesterday.”
The tone subtly probed at Philea and Nersarn’s engagent ceremony. Since she’d gained a barbarian Cheonrye tribe stepfather, rumors were circulating among the nobles. However, given who they were dealing with, they were only whispering cautiously.
The Pri Minister frowned as if saying to exercise restraint, but how could such silent reproach reach them? Ian put down his pen and answered.
“Yes. Being inexperienced with alcohol, I didn’t expect this. The heat still seems to linger, as my spirits haven’t quite cleared.”
A warning not to grate on his nerves with nonsense while he’s not fully sober. Though the minister who’d been openly rebuked stiffened his expression, what could he do? Pushing further would only hurt himself.
Ian checked the schedule Romandro handed him.
“Either way, we should form and dispatch an investigation team. Before Clifford crosses the border. The Imperial Defense Departnt can handle the garrison side, while the Ministry of Magic will et with Clifford.”
“They’ll likely leave Bariel territory tomorrow or the day after. Shall we hurry?”
“As it happens, today is my holiday, so my schedule is empty. I’ll take so mages and go.”
“How-“
Jin started to ask in surprise but stopped himself. He rembered the black moon that had appeared in the sky during the civil war. Though it had been troubleso, there was no faster thod of long-distance travel.
“Your Highness. I have sothing to ask.”
“…Granted.”
When Ian turned to Jin, the child flinched as he responded. This was their first exchange since the eting began.
“If the investigation confirms suspicious behavior from another country, how would Your Highness wish to handle it?”
“What do you an?”
“The garrison suspects a fierce battle. The Ministry of Magic and Imperial Defense Departnt will proceed prepared for unexpected situations, but all this will be carried out under Your Highness’s intentions.”
It was always the small sparks that ignited explosives. When friction arises with other countries, responses must be determined according to the decision-maker.
“…If possible, I desire peace. While I am guaranteed safety in the Imperial Palace, the people who make their living in those areas are fully exposed to danger. I don’t want to hear their screams.”
“Understood. I will honor your wishes deeply.”
Ian nodded while glancing at the Imperial Defense Departnt. It ant to resolve the matter as quietly as possible, honoring the Crown Prince’s wishes.
‘The Imperial Defense Departnt is a division that grows through blood.’
They hadn’t been particularly prominent within the Imperial Palace anyway. Since they were highly likely to cause trouble seeking opportunity, Ian used Jin’s voice to give warning.
Right now, dealing with the three outside nations took priority. Other ministers forced awkward laughs to diffuse the atmosphere.
“Ahem. If the garrison was mistaken, that would be the best case to resolve without incident.”
“Indeed. As for which general from the Imperial Defense Force to dispatch for the field investigation…”
“I’ll take my leave first.”
Rustle.
Ian closed the report. He’d wondered if there might be other matters he hadn’t anticipated, but everyone seed to think similarly. Thus, there was no reason for him to remain.
Moreover-
“The magic formation for transportation is quite complex. If we want to create it properly and solidly, we should start now.”
“R-right. Do so.”
“If there are any ssages to convey, please send them separately.”
Wouldn’t they be able to speak more freely without him present? As Ian stood and walked toward the door, the ministers’ gazes followed him lingeringly.
Thoom!
“Prince Jin. It seems we shouldn’t send only the Ministry of Magic, but soone from another departnt should accompany them.”
“Indeed. I agree.”
Though they didn’t directly say the Ministry of Magic was suspicious, their wariness was obvious. Jin’s gaze shifted slightly toward Xiaoshi.
‘Your Highness. Do you rember? Last ti, Lord Ian said there was still a traitor remaining in the Ministry of Magic.’
What Xiaoshi had told him earlier was about the existence of the traitor he’d forgotten. If a third party was involved, that person was likely. Ian must know this too.
Jin unconsciously fiddled with his bangs as he pondered.
“Of course. We do need soone appropriate to monitor. I’ll personally order another departnt.”
“Yes. A wise decision.”
The ministers praised the decision while rubbing their chests in relief, not knowing that Jin had selected the ‘Imperial Guard’ as that other departnt.
Sending Barsabe and Beric would look appropriate externally and shouldn’t particularly hinder Ian. Jin beckoned to Xiaoshi and whispered.
“Bring the list of mages Lord Ian selects.”
“Understood.”
The traitor remaining in the Ministry of Magic. Looking at Ian’s list should reveal who he suspects.
The Pri Minister struck his gavel asking the ministers for quiet. Though Ian’s seat was empty, the eting continued. Naturally.
***
“Ian. Should I issue the mobilization order?”
The commotion while drawing the magic formation during the civil war was still vivid. Of course, now they had more ti and energy to spare, but shouldn’t they hurry?
Ian nodded and instructed.
“Please do. Everyone will be surprised from the morning.”
“Just us though? Better than hearing it while drinking.”
Ian continued walking without response. Romandro blocked his path while holding up the report.
“Ian. That mage you ntioned earlier, it’s that traitor, right? The one we couldn’t weed out last ti.”
A single note that Geil had burned to threaten Philea.
He wondered if anyone else in the world could be that lucky. Having seen with his own eyes what beca of traitors. If God had given him a second chance at such unrepeatable luck, he should live like a shadow – why reveal his identity through commotion?
“I’m not certain yet.”
“Not certain? Don’t I know you?”
“You know the presumption of innocence principle, right?”
“Stop joking around!”
When Ian tried to pass by, Romandro moved to block him again. Judging by his firmly set mouth, he didn’t seem likely to step aside easily. Ian tilted his head and asked what he wanted.
“Shouldn’t we catch that person first, before making the magic formation? Tell Prince Jin again too, to stay away.”
“…That would be sowhat difficult.”
“Why?”
Ian finally leaned against the window. Though they’d finished the eting, it was still early morning with no one around.
“If it’s the traitor from then, you can probably guess who they’re connected to.”
“Haiman?”
“Perhaps that’s why, they seem to hold so troubleso cards.”
“How is that troubleso? It’s advantageous for us. If they’re connected to the extinct family, we can handle it more easily.”
“Lord Romandro. Do you rember? When the Clifford delegation arrived at the center, they briefly t with General Jeirutt.”
“Right. There was a report about magical anomaly detection devices from the southern border.”
“He was suspicious.”
“Huh?”
Romandro rembered. Ian and Jeirutt had had a private conversation. Ian never revealed what they discussed.
“General Jeirutt is suspicious about the circumstances of letting lania live and sending her away, then attaching shadows afterward. From what I can see, it seems that traitor heard news of lania and leaked it to Jeirutt’s side.”
So how could they address it directly? They needed to perfectly grasp and expose everything about the opponent. Ian slipped past the dumbfounded Romandro on the opposite side and instructed.
“Go call Felix first. I will personally lead the investigation team and go with them.”
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