Chapter 221

‘Damn it.’

The mage paced around the room, constantly biting his nails.

No matter how he thought about it, he hadn’t done anything to make Romandro suspicious, yet it was inexplicable why Romandro, who had gone all the way to the reception desk, suddenly turned back at the last moment.

‘Sure, honestly, the reception staff could have been like that. If one were perceptive, the chaotic yet refined atmosphere could have been noticeable.’

But why, why hadn’t he trusted even the mages? He wouldn’t even ride in the carriage, and when he met a colleague while walking, didn’t he just take Xiaoshi and leave in a hurry, as if fleeing? The two mages were left at a loss, unsure if they should return to their department, and could only ponder for a long time.

“Ugh, really.”

If he had known this would happen, he should have watched more carefully! Or he should have taken care of business inside the carriage on the way. To be suspected before doing anything, isn’t it frustrating enough to drive one mad?

Looking so indifferent, yet his intuition is so…

Creak.

“Lord Ian.”

At that moment, the door opened and Ian entered. The mage stood at attention, barely holding back his tense breath. Romandro must have said something was strange.

Would they use the truth potion then?

Or?

The mage desperately tried to read Ian’s expression.

“I hear you escorted Romandro to the judiciary.”

But Ian spoke calmly as he sat down in a chair. He even gestured for the mage to sit as well. The mage hesitated at the unexpectedly gentle tone. He pulled up a chair, managing to give a response.

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“You’ve worked hard. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet, not yet.”

“The duck meat was quite good today. After your report, hurry to the dining hall. If you’re late, the chef won’t be pleased.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

When Ian brought up this unexpected topic, the mage’s eyes widened. Is he using the word ‘report’ now instead of interrogation? Does that mean Ian doesn’t suspect him? He felt his mind racing. If he played his cards right, he might be able to get through this without any issues.

‘No, in fact, there was nothing wrong with the escort.’

From a third-party perspective, it was as if Romandro alone had overreacted based on his assumptions. There’s no law saying I have to die, the mage thought, hiding a smile as he replied that he understood.

“But Romandro said that the attitude of the judiciary staff was strange. Did you observe this together?”

“Yes. I escorted him to the reception desk.”

“Report in detail.”

Ian said this as he lightly grasped his pen. He rubbed his brow with that hand as if utterly confused, causing a faint red mark to appear on his fine skin. Ian muttered while writing something on the document.

“From what I hear, there was no physical coercion, and the staff member was also from the imperial palace. There was nothing problematic, yet I wonder why Romandro judged it that way. He says he just felt it intuitively, oh my.”

“I-Is that so?”

The mage moistened his dry lips and quickly continued.

“To be honest, I don’t understand why Lord Romandro felt that way either. Latris, who went with me, probably feels the same. He ran out of the judiciary as if being chased by something. Until we met Lady Quintana’s carriage midway, he kept glancing around nervously. When we got in the carriage, he even said there was no room and that he’d go ahead.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“I think it might have been due to accumulated fatigue. That judiciary staff, I know them well. They’re mechanical due to their heavy workload, but they’re kind and decent.”

Ian nodded repeatedly while scribbling with his pen. He even responded occasionally, making the mage feel increasingly at ease.

“Asking for identification and such might have been a bit insulting for them. How about trying to have a good conversation again while bringing the indictment?”

Clack.

With those words, Ian put down his pen. At his elegant yet firm gesture, the mage’s words caught in his throat. Ian just smiled gently.

“I asked for the basis of Romandro’s judgment. It’s not for you to decide whether that judgment is right or wrong.”

“Ah, I-I apologize.”

The mage unconsciously bit the inside of his cheek. He should have just said he didn’t know and left it at that.

Ian tapped his pen several times, then stood up. As the mage rose with him, he smiled and gestured.

“Stay seated. It’s unfortunate. Today’s meal was truly delicious.”

As soon as those words fell, the door burst open. Soldiers rushed in carrying magic-sealing stone shackles. Before the mage could resist, they quickly restrained him and pinned him down on the bed.

“Lord Ian! Lord Ian! Why are you doing this?”

“Stay still.”

“Mmph! Mmph!”

Bang!

Ian glanced briefly at the restrained mage, then left the room without hesitation.

Romandro, who had been pacing in the office, approached with a start.

“What did he say?”

“He’s definitely suspicious, so it would be appropriate to proceed with a formal interrogation. Please do it discreetly, without any problems.”

To the question about the circumstances, he answered without the slightest hesitation. If he knew nothing, he would have reconsidered and pondered Romandro’s behavior before giving an answer.

But he didn’t. It was evidence that he knew from the beginning, and also testimony assuming that Romandro’s judgment was erroneous.

“Oh, goodness.”

Romandro pressed his forehead with both hands. It was true that there were Hayman’s pawns even in the Ministry of Magic. It would be fierce enough if they fought with one heart and mind, but this division was truly fatal.

To prevent potential internal confusion, and to avoid alerting those who would be weeded out in the future, Ian decided to hide the two mages.

“Process those two as being on a business trip.”

“Ah, I see. How many do you think are in the Ministry of Magic?”

“I can’t know. Not until I see with my own eyes.”

“That’s the problem. It’s fatal that we can’t identify them immediately. With several major issues ahead of us, don’t we lack the physical leeway?”

Typically, it’s not easy to find traitors. Unless they’re caught red-handed like today. Either infiltrating the other side to obtain clues, or the traitor revealing their identity as a result of their betrayal. It would be one of the two.

“If we try to find what’s hidden, that’s the case. But if we make them walk out on their own, it’s relatively easy. We just have to wait.”

“What do you mean…”

“Shall we borrow Hayman’s name for a moment?”

It was a kind of entrapment investigation. Creating a trap by impersonating the opponent, and defining and punishing those who approach as traitors. Romandro shook his head, thinking it wouldn’t be easy.

“We severely lack information about Hayman’s internal affairs. The traitors already have communication networks with them, so we’d be discovered immediately. It’s not easy.”

Ian smiled as if agreeing. His expression suggested he had already considered this as well.

“You’re right. A trap should not be known as a trap. Then, it would be good to borrow the name of someone who opposes us but is neither Hayman nor Arsen.”

“Is there such a person in the imperial palace…”

Romandro was about to say there couldn’t be. Then, realizing something, he hesitated. Unable to speak, he kept clapping his hands and exclaimed.

“Ah!”

“It’s His Highness Gale.”

“Gale! I, I was just about to say that!”

Ian rummaged through the reports piled on the desk. There were many opinions that Hayman would request help from the neighboring country, Ruswena. Supporting this, there was also a report that Hayman’s knight had recently crossed the border into Ruswena.

“Let’s spread this rumor.”

He took out chess pieces one by one and placed them on the table.

“Based on the circumstances, it’s certain that Ruswena is trying to intervene in Bariel using Hayman’s request as an excuse. Their justification is that Hayman’s wife is royalty from Ruswena, in other words, family. Do you understand up to this point?”

Clack.

Romandro nodded, pulling the black queen forward. Pieces were crowded in front of and behind the queen.

“Then, how should Bariel respond to Ruswena?”

Clack.

“While it would be possible to pressure them politically and economically, considering that His Majesty is bedridden and the imperial palace is in turmoil over the succession, it seems that persuasion would be better than a hardline approach.”

“Everything you’re saying now, it’s all hypothetical, right?”

“Of course. But it’s a hypothesis with a high possibility of realization.”

Romandro pondered, holding his chin, then fiddled with the white king. Should he place it here, or there? Using Gale for persuasion?

Ian took the king from his hand and moved it forward.

“Although Hayman’s wife is royalty from Ruswena, she’s not in the current king’s direct line. And the fact that the king is a woman also plays a part.”

“…Prince Gale is trying to survive by using these things?”

“It’s not very different from the methods he usually employed.”

“W-Well, that’s true.”

Wesley, Melania, and now even the king of Ruswena. Hasn’t Gale always survived like this? Romandro awkwardly scratched his head. Whether his fate is good or bad, it’s hard to tell.

“If we spread a rumor that Gale will seek asylum in Ruswena, many will react. The same goes for the Ministry of Magic. Since Ruswena doesn’t have many mages, he could receive treatment equivalent to a minister there.”

Ian moved five or six chess pieces to the opposite side simultaneously. The board instantly became chaotically disorganized.

“Of course, going to another country following one’s beliefs is their choice. Neither I nor Bariel can stop them, but-“

Here, an important turning point will arise. A very important turning point that can distinguish traitors.

“After hearing all this, do you think I, and Hayman, will sit idle?”

If Gale goes to another country and gathers strength, it would be threatening to Ian, especially to Jin. The same goes for Hayman. Since the connection between Ruswena and Bariel would no longer be unique, his position would diminish. Ian and Hayman would try to prevent this by any means necessary.

“Gale will gather forces to check Ian Hiello and Hayman. He’ll collect internal information on his enemies. This is the key.”

The background is all set up. The reason for the actors’ movements is also appropriate. If the trap operates based on this script, the defectors will flock to hear it. If they step in, they’ll meet their death on the rotating blade. Ian moved the pieces into checkmate.

“Meanwhile, we just need to do our job. If we find clues from interrogating the two mages, that would be even better.”

“But doesn’t this entirely depend on Prince Gale’s help? And what if he really changes his mind?”

It would be troublesome if Gale, knowing there’s a way to survive, actually seeks asylum in Ruswena. Ian drew up his magic and created light at his fingertips.

“We don’t need much help from the prince. He’ll be confined in the palace now and when the rumors spread. And if it’s about asylum…”

Zing. Zing.

“We’ll set his death in stone.”

“Set it in stone?”

“With the power of magic.”

Ian lightly flicked his hand, extinguishing the light.

As if it were Gale’s breath.