Chapter 277

Beric regained consciousness late that afternoon, as the day was waning. He suddenly sat bolt upright as if struck by lightning, causing Romandro to spill the tea he was drinking.

“Oh my, you startled me.”

“What? What’s going on with me?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? You just woke up after passing out, you fool. Are you feeling alright? Anything hurting? The doctor came by and said fortunately there’s no infection.”

There wasn’t anything particularly painful, but he couldn’t remember a thing. He was sure he’d been on a winning streak, pushing forward in the rankings, and he’d crushed that bastard Hamp, and with Xiao…

“Ah. Xiao!”

His mind flashed, bringing back fragmentary memories. Xiao getting beaten by him, that dirty old geezer Jeirutt, the non-stop duels, Ian’s encouragement, and so on.

Beric felt his body and muttered with a serious expression.

“Damn. I think Xiao spiked my water.”

“You’re, you’re still not fully awake, I see.”

“This feels exactly like the morning after getting completely wasted.”

“Usually, we call that getting knocked out cold after taking a hit to a vital spot.”

Knocked out cold from one hit? Him? Beric blinked in disbelief. No way! Honestly, if there was one thing he was confident about, it was his ability to take a hit!

As Beric tried to get up, kicking off the blanket, Romandro pushed him back down by the chest.

“Today’s schedule is over. You’ll be fighting to your heart’s content starting tomorrow, so take care of your body. As time goes on, you’ll be facing more skilled opponents. They’re all people who’ve climbed up by stepping on others, just like you.”

“Did I win?”

“Yes. You won.”

It was a decision victory, but a win is a win.

Unlike Beric, Xiaoshi will only have a couple more duels to determine his final ranking, while Beric will be pushing for the top over the course of nearly two weeks.

Beric flopped back down and asked:

“Is Xiao badly hurt?”

“He’s been beaten to a pulp.”

Beric hugged his pillow and groaned as if something didn’t sit right with him.

Romandro, who was preparing medicine, glanced at him knowingly. Surely, this was the first time Beric had shown such a reaction after fighting someone?

While Captain Jeirutt’s methods might be arbitrary and questionable, they seemed incredibly effective. They had drawn out emotions no one thought Beric possessed. He recalled what Ian had told him.

‘Beric’s skills are excellent. He’s more than qualified for the Imperial Guard, so Captain Jeirutt will likely continue to test him. After all, they can’t keep a dangerous Atan tribesman close to the Emperor. But if Beric keeps showing this side of himself like today, he’ll gain acceptance eventually. It’ll be tough, but that’s how everyone has to live, and Beric will come to realize this someday too.’

His voice had been calm but slightly regretful, as if he knew everything. Romandro handed over lukewarm water and medicine, then stood up.

“Take this quickly and get some more sleep. The doctor said your wounds are fine, but you’re severely fatigued. Keep in mind you have a long schedule ahead, and I’ll have food ready when you wake up.”

“…Do you dislike me for beating up Xiao?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? You really haven’t come to your senses yet.”

“Then why are you being so kind? It’s creeping me out, like you’ll never see me again.”

“Canceled! Canceled! Get your own damn food.”

“Uwaaah. Sorry. Sir Romandro, I’m sorry.”

Beric slid off the bed and grabbed Romandro’s trouser cuffs. He playfully let himself be dragged along with Romandro’s steps. Then, smacking his lips, he cautiously asked:

“Is Ian okay too?”

“Yeah. Now let go of this!”

“Yes! I want beef!”

Reassured that everything was fine, Beric lay back on the bed contentedly. Romandro pretended not to hear, but it was okay. Even if he acted like this, he wasn’t stingy with food. In fact, since Ian covered all food expenses, he didn’t have the authority to refuse anyway.

“Just take your medicine properly!”

“Okie-dokie. Look, I’m taking my medicine!”

Creeak!

Bang!

Though Beric gulped down the water, the door closed firmly.

Romandro let out a small sigh as he walked towards the room where Xiaoshi was lying. Since it was after work hours, the corridor was quite deserted.

“Romandro.”

“Your Highness. Why are you out here?”

“I heard the doctor was examining him.”

Jin was sitting on the corridor window sill, looking outside. The sunset was so red that it tinted his silver hair pink. Jin nodded, as if asking after Beric’s condition.

“That guy’s sturdy body is his greatest asset, so he’s fine. I saw him waking up in the middle. He should have no problem with tomorrow’s duels.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

“You’re worried about Xiao, aren’t you?”

Faint, unconscious screams could be heard through the door crack. Though he had lost consciousness, it was an instinctive sound of pain.

Unlike Beric, Xiaoshi’s body couldn’t receive healing from mages. He had no choice but to endure everything on his own.

“But Your Highness, weren’t you with Lord Ian?”

“Ah, Lord Ian is…”

Jin smiled awkwardly. He had gone to report on the first day of talent selection at the grand council, but he still hadn’t returned.

Romandro clicked his pocket watch in confusion. It was well past the time he should have finished and come back. Such a delay meant the meeting was running long, and there was a high probability that Ian was holding the Imperial Guard and Imperial Defense Department accountable.

“Your Highness. I think I should go meet him.”

“Do so. Don’t worry, both Beric and Xiao are safe.”

Jin, who had been pitter-pattering behind Romandro, paused slightly and asked:

“But, does Lord Ian seem angry?”

“Pardon? What did he say?”

“It’s not that, just a feeling.”

“Well-“

Romandro knelt down to meet Jin’s eyes.

“Beric and Xiao are currently the closest protectors of Your Highness, aren’t they? Regardless of the intention, for something done without consultation, the results are not good. A gap has formed in Your Highness’s safety.”

Moreover, if the two of them advanced to the top ranks and stood out in their respective departments, it would surely be a great help to Jin in the future. But now they’ve been nipped in the bud, alas.

Microscopically, this might be seen as a simple injury to bodyguards, but macroscopically, it could be viewed as a check on Ian and an obstruction of imperial authority.

“Don’t worry. If it’s Lord Ian, he’ll surely handle it well. The same goes for Beric. He’ll win all his remaining matches for Your Highness’s sake.”

“What do I have to worry about? I’m just curious if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“In that case, I should hurry even more to bring Lord Ian back. I have something to report as well. The replies to Your Highness’s inauguration ceremony invitations sent to various countries have arrived at the central office. They say they’re checking for any issues, so you should be able to receive them by tonight.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. You can review them with Lord Ian.”

As Jin nodded with a smile, Romandro signaled the attendants to escort His Highness and headed towards the entrance of the Ministry of Magic. Though they were the usual group that always followed him, Jin felt oddly awkward. Because there was no one walking beside him.

“I’ll take a walk before the sun sets completely and then return.”

The doctor hadn’t come out yet. He didn’t want to see Xiao suffering through treatment, and he thought Xiao wouldn’t want to be seen either.

But why was there no response?

Jin turned around quizzically.

“……”

The attendants were simply waiting for Jin’s steps with their heads bowed low. If it were Xiaoshi, he would have given some sort of response like “As you wish” or “That is not advisable.” Jin felt awkward and grabbed the end of his sleeve as he turned back towards the garden.

Tap tap tap.

Perhaps because the big event of talent selection was in progress, there were hardly any people in the Ministry of Magic. Most departments would probably have a similar atmosphere. Jin slowly strolled, feeling the silence.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

At that moment, he saw someone standing in the distance.

‘A mage?’

The robe was indeed from the Ministry of Magic, but he couldn’t see the face. As Jin approached, the mage bowed to the child and greeted him.

“Your Highness, are you taking a walk?”

“Indeed. And you? Ah.”

“Do you remember me? I mentioned my name a couple of times before…”

It was clearly a mage he had seen in passing a few times. But he couldn’t recall the name. Since the mage said he had told him before, it was awkward to ask again.

As Jin was pondering what to say, the mage cautiously suggested:

“I was just about to leave work. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I walk with you?”

“There is only one path, how could I refuse? Let’s walk together.”

“It’s an honor, Your Highness. Actually, I’ve been wanting to hear Your Highness’s words like this at least once.”

“I always want to hear from you all. I still have much to learn, so don’t hesitate to approach me.”

The attendants were following behind, and they were walking within the Ministry of Magic. Having a brief conversation with a single mage was nothing out of the ordinary. It was as natural as having a meal.

Jin walked with the mage, carrying only the discomfort of not knowing his name. It was a trivial event that wouldn’t even remain in his memory.

Surely.

***

Outside the imperial palace, the atmosphere was festive due to the talent selection. Those who failed the test consoled each other, while those who passed celebrated among themselves. Orders for alcohol and meat poured in like a flood.

This wasn’t going to end in just one day. As days went by, people from the provinces who heard the news would come up and fill the empty spaces. It was an evening filled with the endless laughter of innkeepers on the verge of breathlessness.

But only outside the imperial palace.

‘This is maddening.’

The main hall of the imperial palace where the grand council was being held was like a different world, covered in a thick layer of thin ice. More than a few were breathing carefully, afraid that even the sound of swallowing might be heard.

They looked at the Prime Minister, then at Captain Jeirutt, then scanned the Imperial Defense Department officers. But ultimately, their eyes always landed on Ian Hielo, sitting to the right of the Prime Minister. The boy minister.

Tok. Tok tok.

Ian tapped the desk leisurely while looking down at the report. His coldly closed lips showed no sign of opening. Instead, he only extended the long silence, furrowing his brow from time to time.

“W-why is he acting like this? On such a good day.”

“I know. The number of participants is far higher than expected, and it’s been a successful start in many ways. I just can’t understand.”

“Shh. He can hear everything. Be quiet.”

“Didn’t you hear? They say the Imperial Guard and Imperial Defense Department pitted Ian’s two bodyguards against each other.”

“What? That mage-knight and the former slave?”

“They’re His Highness’s bodyguards now. Why on earth did they do that?”

“If Captain Jeirutt did it, there must be a reason, but, ahem. It is rather awkward.”

Whisper whisper, the officials secretly shared information, trying to grasp the situation. But the more they did so, the more they realized there was nothing they could do.

Ian lowered the report he had been reading in a low voice.

“…Captain Jeirutt.”

“Yes, Minister.”

Ian finally spoke. Everyone perked up their ears and focused.

“I heard there was a dispute over the win-loss decision in the second promotion battle held by the Imperial Guard. Please explain this in detail. For reference, the controversy was reported not by insiders, but by spectators, so you’ll need to provide a convincing explanation.”

The sound of pens writing could be heard simultaneously from various corners. Since Ian’s mood didn’t seem good at all, the response needed to be precise without any margin for error.

“Also, Acting Minister of the Imperial Defense Department.”

“Y-yes, Minister of Magic.”

“I hear that the Imperial Defense Department added opinions regarding the creation of the tournament brackets. This is clearly the authority of the management department. Please explain how this came about.”

“W-well, that-“

“And the management department, please transparently disclose the criteria for creating the brackets and explain the matches that took place today.”

Ah. Damn it. The officials maintained their expressions while inwardly despairing. It didn’t look like he was going to end this easily. Other officials glanced at, or rather glared at, Jeirutt and the officers, pressuring them. As if to say, why did you have to step up unnecessarily and cause this mess?

Jeirutt stroked his beard and flipped through the papers awkwardly.

“…May I speak first?”

“Do so, and then we’ll discuss the problems together and debate solutions. Since it’s the first day, we need to identify as many issues as possible. To make the two-week test perfect, you see. The individuals selected during this period are the strength of the imperial palace, and thus the cornerstone of the empire.”

Creeak.

At that moment, the firmly closed door opened. The officials naturally turned their heads. They desperately hoped it would be their aides. Please, let some urgent matter have come up so they could leave early!

“Excuse me-“

‘Oh god, shit.’

‘It’s Ian’s aide.’

But the protagonist was Romandro. He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck at the sudden flood of gazes.

“Lord Ian. I have something urgent to report.”

“…!”

“…!”

Good heavens! Everyone gaped, trying to confirm if they had heard correctly. Ian frowned at Romandro. It seemed like he was asking if it was truly urgent, given that the meeting wasn’t over yet.

“What is it?”

“The replies to His Highness Jin’s inauguration ceremony invitations have arrived.”

“……”

Ian briefly scanned the officials. They quickly managed their expressions and lowered their eyes.

“Prime Minister.”

“Hmm?”

“Regarding the agenda items, let’s have Captain Jeirutt and each officer report individually and circulate it.”

“Let’s do that! We’ll conclude today’s meeting here.”

Bang! Bang bang!

As the Prime Minister readily agreed, the sound of breath catching could be heard from around the room. We’re saved! The meeting is finally over!

As Ian stood up first and left the conference room, sighs of relief burst out simultaneously. And then came the reproachful glares directed at Jeirutt.

Jeirutt raised both hands to indicate that he acknowledged his mistake. But he didn’t regret it. And he wouldn’t in the future either. Of course, he hadn’t informed the officials who weren’t in Jin’s inner circle.