Chapter 273

Timothy glanced at Ian, who was deep in thought. Something seemed to be filling his mind, but there was no way to know what. Ian’s gaze was locked tight.

If not a pheasant, a chicken would do – perhaps he could guess through Romandro, Ian’s right-hand man? Timothy looked back, but Romandro also seemed to know nothing.

The wind seeped through the inexplicable silence. Timothy gazed at the garden where he was sitting and added:

“…If the construction of the Ministry of Magic annex is almost certain to proceed, I will bring a contract related to this for Prince Jin’s heir appointment ceremony. It will be one of the congratulatory gifts Burgos can offer.”

“There’s no need for that. The details need to be discussed again.”

“Didn’t you say you would build it here? Since the site is the same, the detailed specifications shouldn’t be much different, should they?”

He meant that the discussions had already been concluded during Minister Wesley’s time.

The Imperial Palace was the current identity of Bariel and its future legacy. As with the civil war recovery meetings, even building a single structure required discussions among numerous officials.

Even if the minister had changed, the site was the same, and the building to be erected was also the same. The estimate for magic stones needed for construction had already been perfectly prepared by Wesley.

The overall aesthetics shouldn’t be marred, the distinction between the main building and the annex should be clear, and the standardized number of floors, area, and exterior decorations were certain. Even if discussed again, it wouldn’t be much different from before. So what was there to discuss?

Ian shook his head while sipping his tea.

“Haven’t our positions changed? Especially, the minister has changed. As you wondered, I have no intention of simply continuing Wesley’s legacy.”

Especially because of the condition of dispatching mages, they couldn’t contract under the same conditions as before. The Ministry of Magic was suffering from severe manpower shortage due to the Arsen incident and the execution of traitors. Moreover, with Akorella’s sick leave, the breaking point seemed to be becoming increasingly visible.

It was only because Ian was standing firm as the central pillar that things were holding together; if more people left, it could affect the work itself.

“Are you saying you’ll change the conditions?”

“Given how high-quality Burgos’ magic stones are, I think it’s right to pay the proper price.”

It was a statement that rather than bringing in magic stones at a cheap price in exchange for providing mages, he would prefer to keep the mages and pay the full price. Money is good, sure. But what’s even better are mages with divine power.

Timothy stroked his chin, looking quite disappointed.

“…I’ll report back after returning home first. To be honest, I didn’t expect to have this conversation today. It doesn’t seem like something I can speak about carelessly.”

“Of course, I understand. We have the appointment ceremony, so there’s no need to rush.”

It might not meet expectations, but isn’t it something that the deal itself is being opened? After Wesley died like that, he had thought it was completely canceled and felt regretful. He couldn’t dare ask about the status of the deal using a criminal’s death as an excuse to the Imperial Palace, and there was no opportunity due to all the commotion.

Timothy asked again, as if checking before reporting to the king:

“There won’t be any changes to the construction of the Ministry of Magic annex itself, right?”

“No. It’s already been discussed in the grand council, and as long as I have the will, there won’t be any problems.”

Since it was being funded by the payment Ian would receive for the Luron stones, none of the palace officials, including Quintana, would be able to easily oppose it.

“You’re amazing. Is it because you’re a mage?”

Timothy muttered, constantly suppressing his admiration. Although not comparable to the Empire, he too was at the center of politics in a kingdom. He knew how remarkable it was to be confident about the absence of checks in the process of expanding power.

Ian smiled questioningly, as if wondering what on earth he was talking about.

“Just because one is a mage doesn’t mean everything goes as they wish. Former Minister Wesley was also a mage.”

It was something obtained through a complex, fierce process and sacrifice. If not, wouldn’t it have already been approved at Wesley’s level?

Timothy realized his slip of the tongue and hastily apologized.

“I apologize.”

“I know that’s not what you meant.”

“…I think of them as beings that lead the development of the community. Honestly, I’m quite disappointed. The Kingdom of Burgos was waiting for the dispatch of mages.”

What they have in abundance are gypsies and sorcerers. From a layman’s perspective, they too are extraordinary individuals, but compared to mages, their limitations were clear.

Someone who occasionally hits the truth?

Someone who can control corpses with sorcery?

What use are those? Magicians fly through the sky, walk on water, and touch flames. Timothy strongly expressed how desperate they were, trying to elicit support.

“You seem to hold magic in high regard.”

“Any country would think the same, without exception. Being chosen by the gods, how could it not be important and enviable?”

“You never know. Delegate Timothy might have a talent for magic as well.”

“I know that it usually manifests from childhood. If it were my child, that might be different.”

Ian carefully examined Timothy’s face. It was a very small part of him. The appearance that had been passed down to Naum after a hundred years.

But that’s why it’s even more intense. That’s why it’s even deeper. In this place where Naum doesn’t exist, the meaning held by that small part is nostalgia itself.

“…Anyway, I’ll think about it a bit.”

When Ian said this, Romandro’s eyes, who was standing behind, widened. Why on earth? Ian wasn’t one to show a soft attitude to Timothy’s simple plea?

“If the King of Burgos comes in person, that is.”

Ah, that’s more like it. Romandro let out a relieved sigh. Timothy awkwardly picked up his teacup and remained silent, and Ian didn’t push either.

For a king of a country to personally attend the heir’s appointment ceremony. That’s tantamount to declaring that they are completely under Bariel.

‘And above all, right now Bariel undeniably lacks external power. The Emperor is frozen, all the grown princes are dead, and the only heir is a ten-year-old child. If three countries allied to check Bariel, it would surely be troublesome. It’s right to meet the king or his followers in advance and establish countermeasures. And-‘

Ian raised an eyebrow as he observed Timothy.

‘If I meet the king directly, I might find out something.’

For now, it’s almost an impossible invitation, but if I set a small trap?

“The invitations have already been sent out. If the King graces us with his presence, the relationship between Bariel and the Kingdom of Burgos will become even more solid.”

“…I will certainly convey your message.”

“Burgos will prepare gifts, I’m sure. We will prepare with all our sincerity as well. That gypsy the King desires and that Delegate Timothy has been pursuing for so long-“

A trap saying he would find that person.

If the gypsy is found, there’s a slight possibility that the King of Burgos might come in person. It would probably be proportional to his desperation. I’m curious. I might be able to gauge the seriousness of the situation based on his reaction.

“Should we issue a wanted order across Bariel’s borders and throughout the country?”

“Th-that’s excessively kind of you.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

It really was nothing, literally. It was what the border guards did anyway.

“By the way, His Highness is a bit late, isn’t he?”

He hasn’t appeared even after finishing a cup of tea. From the main building to the Ministry of Magic, it’s more than enough distance to arrive.

“Waiting for His Highness itself is an honor, so I’ll continue to wait. But is Beric really alright? Even if the iron cage protected him, I think he must have been injured somewhere.”

“Oh, Beric?”

Ian laughed, saying not to even mention it. He seemed to have some wounds, but it was impossible to tell whether they were from this time or the last.

“He’s absolutely fine. You should have seen how eagerly he was waiting when he heard you were coming. If he hadn’t gone to the training ground, it could have been quite troublesome.”

So he really is a true friend! And one who stays together in the Imperial Palace! Timothy seemed newly shocked, blinking his eyes and coughing awkwardly.

“He seemed quite belligerent. Rumors are spreading on the streets. I heard the Imperial Guard and Imperial Defense Department are selecting talents, is he perhaps preparing for that?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If I may be so bold, I thought as much. I couldn’t possibly think of him as someone who eats a government salary…”

So he’ll be one who eats it in the future, ahem. Timothy usually wouldn’t bring up such a topic, but Beric was an exception. He was just curious how such an unruly colt had made it to the Imperial Palace.

While Ian and Timothy were naturally engaging in casual conversation, Jin’s carriage arrived at the Ministry of Magic.

Creak!

Tap!

“Your Highness, you’ll fall.”

“If I fall, you catch me, Xiao.”

Thanks to Timothy’s visit, the scholarly discussion ended early. Jin happily tried to climb the Ministry of Magic stairs, but upon hearing they were in the garden, he changed direction. In the distance, Ian and Timothy could be seen.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Your Highness.”

When his eyes met Ian’s, Jin stopped running and started walking slowly. He had been scolded with a look to maintain his dignity.

Nevertheless, a bit faster than usual and with a broad smile, he entered the garden. Timothy stood up abruptly, placing his hand on his chest in greeting.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Timothy Ovia from the Kingdom of Burgos, whom you met the other day.”

“Yes. Right. When we met last time, the situation was what it was, so we couldn’t talk in depth. Please, sit down.”

Ian pulled out a chair for Jin, smiling slightly. The child seemed to be in quite a good mood. The scholarly discussion must have been quite uninteresting.

They sat down in the sunlight and continued their conversation. Public matters had already been concluded with Ian. Most of the conversation was about what Jin had learned in the scholarly discussion and Timothy’s praise for it.

“By the way, Timothy. Do you have a family?”

“I have a son, Your Highness.”

“…You have a son?”

“Yes. He’s five years old now.”

Ian, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise. Romandro’s face was completely shocked. He has a family! And a five-year-old son at that! To make him wander outside for months! The King of Burgos seems quite unreasonable.

But Ian was surprised for an entirely different reason. Naum’s boastful words seemed to echo in his ears.

‘Sir Timothy came over to Bariel and established the foundation of the family alone. Isn’t that amazing? There are plenty of people who ruin perfectly good families. Ah, of course, he said the person he met then helped a lot.’

As Ian remembered, Timothy had naturalized alone. Without family, by himself. What on earth happened?

Romandro kept expressing sympathetic exclamations.

“Your wife must feel lonely. Five years old, that’s such a cute age. Oh, by the way, I don’t have children yet, but my wife is pregnant. Everyone around me says that around five years old, that’s when they’re really like angels.”

“It can’t be helped. This is the nature of my work.”

“Oh my, still…”

So he ‘still’ has a wife too. Is it an illness? An accident? Or if not, some kind of incident? With such fragmentary information, it’s hard to make inferences. So, Ian’s words could only be fragmentary as well. He tried to add calmly:

“…When you return, spend a lot of time with your family.”

Humans are beings who live on memories. Spend time together and be happy enough so that losing two people won’t be too hard.

Timothy looked surprised at Ian’s advice, but soon showed a full smile. Although they hadn’t met for long, it seemed like the first time. Seeing Timothy smile like that.

“I should do that. When I return, I’ll be with them constantly until I have to leave as a delegate again. There’s so much I couldn’t do for them.”