Tweller drained the remainder of his liquor in a single gulp, letting out a sigh heavy with lament.

Here sat Emperor Jin Verocion, steadfast in his position, flanked by retainers who offered him nothing but absolute loyalty. How, then, could Ian’s Bariel have tilted so drastically, as if the nation’s fate had simply expired? What in the world had transpired in Bariel over those hundred years?

“Lord Ian. A century is a long time in human terms, but in the grand annals of history, it is but a fleeting moment. I cannot shake the feeling that the empire’s decline following Emperor Jin’s reign was too sudden. How did it happen?”

Ian shook his head lightly, as if he could only offer conjectures.

“It is difficult to say. Everything is organically connected, so I cannot point to a single moment and say, ‘This is where it went wrong.’ The battle with the Atan tribe in the Northern Region, the subsequent loss of the Imperial Guard’s elite forces, the fall of Aguiar, the escape of Rutherford, and the currently empty Imperial Palace… they all form parts of that history.”

He paused, turning his gaze to Jin. As he had said before, Ian’s existence here was proof that Jin’s history existed, and Jin’s present was the foundation that formed Ian’s future.

“However, there is one certainty. The gods have judged that my being here, with all of you right now, is the ‘opportune moment.'”

“I concur with that sentiment. Without Lord Ian, we would have faced countless hardships.”

“Amidst the colossal danger of the Arsen crisis, you were a single, guiding lantern. I feel I am beginning to understand the divine will.”

“Lord Ian. Was this war not present in your timeline? It seems Bariel’s collapse was largely due to the Shadow of the God based in Toolun.”

“There were traces of shadows burrowing into the Imperial Palace, much like Arsen. Without such influence, Bariel could not have fallen so completely in such a short span of a hundred years.”

Ian raised a hand, signaling for calm.

“My intervention has likely altered parts of the timeline. However, history is still flowing within a massive framework. The annihilation of the Atan tribe in the North and the religious war with Toolun are matters already recorded in history. Furthermore, the new religion originating from Toolun was already exerting massive influence across all of Gaia, excluding Bariel.”

“…In other words, the influence of the Underground God will completely encroach upon Gaia in a hundred years. Even if it didn’t directly enter Bariel, there must have been negative repercussions in some form.”

“Yes, I share that opinion.”

Minister Tweller stroked his white beard repeatedly, letting out a deep groan as if wrestling with a thought. Empty liquor bottles already lined the table before him, yet his complexion remained unchanged.

“In my thoughts, Lord Ian…”

“Please, speak freely.”

“Since the clash with Toolun is recorded as a historical event, surely the gods desire something beyond just that?”

“What’s he yapping about? Can someone say it in plain human speech? We’ve got some blockheads here, you know.”

Beric, who had been chewing on a piece of beef jerky, interjected. Tweller shot him a brief, pitying glance.

“I mean to say that since the clash with Toolun already happened in the original history, that alone cannot be the turning point to save Bariel. However, since there is something more Lord Ian can do afterwards, I suspect that is why the gods guided him here.”

“Ah, you should have just said that from the start. Ian, do you have any guesses?”

“No, I don’t. I think I won’t know until I face it.”

“Right, right. Let’s just go then. Go and—!”

Thud!

Beric slammed his glass down roughly and took a sharp breath. An unconcealable rage radiated from his ragged exhalation.

“We just have to beat the shit out of this Underground God, right?”

If they did that, there would be no problems in the Bariel of a hundred years hence, and Ian wouldn’t be oppressed and killed by Crony. The solution was incredibly concise and clear. The only problem was that there was another problem.

“Lord Ian. I understand that purging the Underground God is the divine will, your will, and ultimately the great cause for Bariel. But if that happens… what becomes of you?”

Jin, who had been listening in silence until now, asked the question. This was not an inquiry about ‘Ian Verocion.’ It was a question regarding ‘Ian Hielo.’

Just as there was Jin’s Bariel, he knew well there was Ian’s Bariel. It was a given that Ian would leave someday. But before that—what of Ian Hielo?

“Ian Hielo was an existence that did not originally exist in history.”

“What are you talking about? Look at how much you’ve done here.”

“Beric, it is the truth. The surname Hielo was familiar, yes, but that was all. In the era I lived in, the existence of Ian Hielo was nowhere to be found.”

Beric’s pupils trembled and dilated. What did that mean? Did it mean that Ian’s traces would be wiped clean from this world someday?

Beric was struck dumb, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly. Jeirutt watched him with concern, his thoughts racing.

So that is why he had no hesitation in revealing the truth.

The reason Ian had revealed the shocking fact that he was an Emperor from 100 years in the future was likely because he was certain his existence would eventually vanish.

Jin seemed to have expected this, but the shock was evidently too great for Beric, who sat frozen, blinking rapidly.

“Did King Damon not also say he is living his life a second time?”

“That is correct, Minister Tweller.”

“Is there a connection?”

“I traveled back through time by divine will, but Damon is clearly connected to the Underground God. If we wish to uncover the truth, we have no choice but to capture Rutherford.”

“Hmm. I see. I roughly understand.”

Slide.

Jin quietly pushed a piece of paper and a pen forward. Contrary to the questioning look in his eyes, Ian reflexively grabbed the pen.

“Why this, Your Majesty?”

“Write down the signatures of Duke Hilon and all those who conspired with Crony at the time. Also, record the institutional flaws and the political situation of the Imperial Palace as you remember them.”

Ian had helped Jin until now; it was time for the reverse. They would completely exterminate the sprouts of future sedition.

If it were up to his heart, Jin would have preferred to annihilate the families involved so that an existence like Crony could never be born, but doing so might impact Ian’s existence. After all, the two shared blood.

“Your Majesty. The current Bariel is ideally solid and prosperous. The Imperial Family need only watch over the future while pouring all its strength into repelling the Underground God. That alone is sufficient.”

“…For now, I shall keep a close eye on the Hilon family.”

“Yes. If that is your will, please just monitor them.”

Having crossed the hurdle of Aguiar’s fall, everyone now had a new direction. To stop the Underground God, win the war, and completely seize hegemony over Gaia. Burgos was merely a part of the process; the true target to be wary of was Toolun up north.

Tweller pledged victory as a warrior, and Jin harbored the resolve of power as an Emperor. The problem was…

“Beric?”

Jeirutt snapped his fingers in front of Beric’s eyes, but Beric remained unresponsive, his spirit seemingly having left his body. He looked as if he were deep in thought, or perhaps he had fainted with his eyes open.

Beric slowly raised his gaze to look at Ian, then bit his lower lip.

“…Ian.”

“Yes, Beric.”

“You said you definitely met God.”

“My existence right now is the proof.”

Good. Beric clamped his mouth shut and nodded vigorously. If there was a God, surely there was a method. A way for Ian and them to walk the same timeline. If there wasn’t, he would beat the God until one was made. Fuck it.

“Minister Ian.”

Pour.

Jeirutt left the brooding Beric behind and tilted a liquor bottle. Ian’s empty glass was filled to the brim once more.

“You have suffered greatly. It is a matter of the distant past now, but I wish to sincerely apologize for misunderstanding you.”

It was an apology for checking Ian over a decade ago, fearing he might manipulate the sole remaining Prince.

Ian shook his head and instead praised him.

“You did well. At that time, the Ministry of Magic’s power was absolute, and His Majesty was too young; the balance could have easily collapsed. I will speak frankly. If you hadn’t kept me in check, I would have been the one worried.”

Fearing that the Empire’s flaws began there, he might have drastically purged the Imperial Palace. The checks against Ian meant that those by Jin’s side, like the Prime Minister and Jeirutt, were trustworthy. Ian had actually welcomed it.

“Balance. Yes, it is important.”

While Ian and Jeirutt lightly clinked glasses, Jin muttered with his arms crossed. No matter how much he thought about it, he could see no room for collapse in the current Imperial Family.

Then the answer was one.

The Underground God. That must be the root of everything. The fundamental cause that bound Ian, oppressed him, and stole his laughter.

“We will reorganize the army in Aguiar for about two days and await contact from Barsabe. Do not stop searching the buried wall sections. We will recover the remains of every missing soldier.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We shall obey your command.”

“Once preparations are complete, we move south to examine the movements of the Burgos Royalists in detail, conquer the capital Calamat, and then march straight for Toolun. It would be best to send a carrier pigeon to the Imperial Palace to investigate the situation on the Toolun side.”

“Your Majesty. I beg your pardon, but I believe it would be wise to also monitor the situation in eastern Bariel, toward Ruswena and Hawan. Once we move up to Toolun, we will be separated from Bariel by a considerable distance. If something happens, it will be difficult to respond immediately.”

“Do you think that necessary even with Clifford there?”

“Of course. It is a nation’s own soldiers who protect it. Clifford is an ally, but ultimately, they will move for their own sake. To fully protect Bariel, we have no choice but to remain vigilant ourselves.”

“Since the pursuit team is also searching for the Ruswena mages, you may wait briefly and make a decision then. What do you think, Lord Ian?”

At Tweller’s question, Ian expressed his agreement.

“Yes. For now, it would be best to focus on completely securing Aguiar and catching our breath before moving on to the next step.”

“Understood. We shall do so. Tonight, I will grant liquor and meat to the soldiers to encourage them and relieve their fatigue.”

“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”

“And, Lord Ian—”

A faint scent of alcohol wafted from Tweller’s sigh.

“I am sorry.”

“What are you speaking of?”

“Regardless of what the Underground God did, I speak of my responsibility for the future as the Minister of Imperial Defense. This is an apology for that. I have no choice but to be more resolved than now and set my will straight. That is my apology to you.”

Minister, Emperor—setting aside titles, it was respect shown human to human. How did that small child endure and survive to become such a great existence?

When Tweller placed a hand on his chest and offered the Imperial salute, Ian responded with a smile and a bow.

“Our Lord Ian. Oh my, you suffered so much because of that bug-like son of a bitch. What are we to do?”

“Akorella!”

A slightly tipsy Akorella wrapped her arms around Ian’s shoulders and rubbed her head against him as if heartbroken, while Hale slapped the back of her hand repeatedly, trying to pry her off.

“Right, Ian-ah. If I happen to see that bastard Crony, I’ll scold him properly. The more I chew on it, the crazier he seems, doesn’t he?”

“That’s right, that’s right! Whatever our puppy Beric says is right!”

“Ako, are you drunk?”

“Hah, I’m drunk on sorrow, you bastard.”

Ian simply smiled and patted Akorella’s back. And Hale, who was nearby; Beric, who came running; and Jin, who approached slowly. He lightly tapped all their backs and embraced them.

It was warm, and familiar. Ian realized this was similar to the warmth Crony had given him, but he soon shook his head to deny it.

…No. This is warmer.

It was a gift the gods had permitted him.