“There is? Huh? There is?”
Then shouldn’t you share that wisdom with everyone right now?
As Romandro whispered excitedly, Ian raised a hand to cover his mouth. He could feel the eyes of everyone in the conference hall slowly gathering on them.
“There is, but it is of no use right now.”
“Why not?”
“It is a method for Bariel to consolidate power, just as Rutherford did within Burgos. Unlike Rutherford, who seeks to unleash Burgos’s internal chaos outward through war, Bariel’s method would be to install a pro-Bariel figure as king, one who would bear the internal chaos as it is. If we did that, the intertwined internal conflicts would leave no room for an external war. However, it would make the civil strife far more severe, and there would be no guarantee that we could reap all the secondary benefits from this Clifford-Burgos war.”
Above all, the problem was that there were few influential figures on the Burgos side who belonged to the pro-Bariel faction. The Burgos royal palace was already filled with Damon’s cronies; the war had been launched on that very foundation. The only person the imperial palace could possibly support was Timothy, but he had already been purged, lost everything, and been naturalized. He couldn’t return to Burgos, and even if he did, it would be difficult.
And I don’t want him to.
Timothy should not have any more ties to Burgos. Only by settling down in Bariel could there be any hope for Naum’s future, couldn’t there?
“Then wh-what do we do?”
“It is a bit difficult, but for now—”
A hardline response was the correct course of action. A defeated nation, and an aggressor nation that started the war at that, showing such insolence and holding their heads high in the imperial palace was unacceptable. Not to the imperial court, and not to Ian. Even if the enemy united through war, protecting Bariel’s dignity came first. Nothing was more important.
“We have no choice but to cut them down to protect the honor of the imperial house and overwhelm the Burgos side.”
So, it’s war again. A look of utter dismay flashed across Romandro’s face. He was a reconstruction expert, after all. While his work mainly involved sites of natural disasters, he had, on rare occasions, traveled with Viviana through war-torn regions. The Clifford-Burgos war had been less of a burden on his heart since it was another country’s affair, but now it seemed Bariel was taking the lead in initiating one itself—and against a western nation where mysterious forces had gathered.
“Ian, His Highness the Crown Prince has publicly announced your dispatch to Clifford, and a certain number of personnel from the Ministry of Magic will accompany you.”
“…I will not be mobilizing many people.”
“That’s what you think! Anyway, and now you say war? Of course, I don’t doubt Bariel’s military might, but to secure a certain victory with no bloodshed, wouldn’t the presence of the Ministry of Magic be necessary?”
“Over there, do you see Minister Tweller’s expression?”
“Maxim Tweller?”
At Ian’s slight nod, Romandro shifted his eyes just enough to meet his gaze.
The Minister of Imperial Defense, Maxim Tweller, was seated not far from Jin. He was wrinkling his nose in satisfaction, as if he could already smell the prelude to the coming war. They were men who lived by drinking blood and grew stronger through screams of agony. And if this was a war led by the Empire, not just one between foreign nations, it was like a lavishly prepared banquet set just for them.
“The Minister of Imperial Defense will surely be pleased. They are the ones who get promoted through war. The Minister’s prestige will rise as well.”
“That’s true, but what I’m looking at is his eyes.”
“Hmm? His eyes?”
“The eyes of one who has truly harbored a deep-seated grudge.”
What about his eyes? At Ian’s words, Romandro focused on Tweller’s expression.
“He is a man who has waited his entire life for a moment like this. Even without mages, he will display his full capabilities on the battlefield. The existence of Rutherford is a concern, but the opponent is a defeated nation. If mages try to intervene in this war as well, Minister Tweller will find a way to cut them off.”
As if sensing Ian and Romandro’s gazes, Maxim Tweller looked toward Ian and cocked an eyebrow. A faint smile touched his lips. He placed a hard, dry hand on his chest in a gesture of reverence, as if to say he was truly glad that the Ministry of Magic was going to Clifford and the Imperial Defense was going to Burgos.
Romandro returned the gesture with an awkward smile.
“Yes. I suppose so. The Ministry of Magic’s contributions were already significant in the Clifford-Burgos war, so this time, no matter what, the Imperial Defense will want to take the lead. Good heavens.”
“For now, it seems best to respect the imperial court’s opinion and follow their lead. Let’s just watch.”
Jin whispered back and forth with the Prime Minister and nodded several times. Once, as if in understanding, another, as if in permission, and finally, as if everything was finished.
Vania watched him, her chin held high and stiff. The fate of the delegation that had accompanied her, and by extension, the fate of Burgos, would be decided by the command of that young Crown Prince. No matter what happened, the grand scheme of things would not escape Rutherford’s grasp, but to fear the impending ordeal was an unavoidable human instinct.
Bang! Bang!
The Prime Minister authoritatively struck the gavel, bringing order to the noisy conference hall.
“Lead Envoy Vania of Burgos.”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“As the delegation of Burgos, you are maintaining your position of not accepting Bariel’s negotiation proposal. Is that correct?”
“It is not that we will not accept it—”
“Bariel has made it clear that there will be no compromise on the proposal. It would be wise for you to recognize your position. I do not know what you desire, but do not insult the imperial conference hall by harboring other intentions. I will say this one last time.”
BANG!
The Prime Minister shouted, his voice unusually loud. His hand struck the gavel with such force that the officials struggled not to flinch, staring straight ahead.
“Can the Burgos delegation not comply with Bariel’s proposal?”
Vania took a moment to catch her breath, then swallowed a sigh as if the inevitable had arrived.
“No. We cannot.”
“What insolence! This is utterly disrespectful!”
“Since you have not accepted the proposal, you will bear the consequences! Your Highness, you must immediately execute them and send a warning to Burgos!”
“Yes! That’s right! How dare they, in this place!”
“It’s obvious what they’re up to. We must show them immediately what a swift death looks like! It’s for the best! Let’s take this chance to conquer all of Burgos’s territory and annihilate them!”
“Everyone, be silent!”
CRASH! BANG! BANG!
The Prime Minister brought the gavel down furiously, as if it were the head of an enemy.
Clifford was also in an uproar. They had agreed to transfer the right to indemnity to Bariel, but if Burgos acted this way, what would become of Clifford’s position?
Damon looked up at the ceiling with languid eyes, his face an unreadable, ambiguous mask.
“In the name of the Prime Minister of the Bariel Empire, I command. Listen, the Burgos delegation currently present in the imperial palace. The delegation has shown no willingness to cooperate for amicable negotiations between Burgos and Bariel. This is equivalent to an insult to Bariel, and thus, we will no longer recognize those present as a delegation.”
Shing!
At the Prime Minister’s command, the soldiers who had been waiting outside stormed in, fully armed. Since the ones who had entered as delegates had been stripped of their status, their future treatment was obvious. They would be held responsible for publicly declaring their allegiance to Rutherford, a man involved in the imperial rebellion, and would be treated accordingly.
Is Burgos going the same way as Ruswena? The King of Clifford watched the situation with bated breath as the Burgos delegation was instantly surrounded by soldiers.
“Vania, in particular. You have publicly declared that you serve Rutherford, who aided the imperial rebellion, as your master, and you have insulted a minister of the Empire by associating him with Rutherford. Furthermore, the suspicion of you being present when Queen Eripony of Ruswena caused her trouble has not yet been cleared. You will not leave this palace on your own two feet. The rest of you from Burgos, listen as well!”
Sharp spears and swords approached as if to pierce their throats, but not a single one of them showed any sign of retreat.
Ian read the unnatural flow of the air. A normal person, no matter how powerful their backing, would show at least a little fear, but there was none. It was as if they believed they would not die.
“One moment.”
Ian, who had been silent, raised his hand and slowly stood up. Jin and the imperial officials turned to look at Ian in surprise.
“Is there a problem, Minister Ian?”
“Yes. Not a problem, but a suspicion.”
Ian slowly approached Vania.
Under his gaze, which seemed to peer into the depths of her soul, Vania instinctively lowered her eyes. She felt that if their eyes met, her inner thoughts would be exposed. Seeing that small nod, Ian grew more certain and tilted his head.
“There is something more to what these people are hiding. They are inducing a war, inviting their own deaths. Your Highness. If you would be so kind, please permit the mages to briefly interrogate them.”
“Was that not already done when they entered the main gate?”
“Yes, Prime Minister. But it was only three or four mages interrogating dozens of people—and important figures from three different countries, Clifford, Burgos, and Ruswena, one after another. This is a plea I make just in case, so I ask you to please consider it.”
“Hmm.”
The Prime Minister glanced at Jin, asking what he should do. A conclusion had already been reached regarding Ian’s dispatch, but he looked worried that Jin might be swayed again.
“If you say ‘just in case,’ what do you mean?”
But Jin only asked impassively. This was not the boy who had been tearfully bickering with Ian just a little while ago.
“My apologies, but I will only know that after an investigation. For example…”
Ian elegantly brought his fingertips to Vania’s chin and lifted it slightly. He then meticulously examined the inside of her lips.
“To see if she is hiding something under her tongue, like King Damon—”
“Let go! This is disrespectful!”
“You are no longer the lead envoy of Burgos. How can you speak of disrespect?”
Vania roughly slapped Ian’s hand away, but Ian simply responded with a smile. Thanks to his leather gloves, he wasn’t even scratched.
“Or perhaps their hidden intentions differ from one another.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It is a method commonly used by Burgos. In the beginning, before the war broke out, the Burgos delegation that entered Clifford was unaware of their fate to die. That is why they could afford to be so relaxed even in a dire situation. Looking at these people now, I am reminded of that time.”
As Ian spoke calmly, the eyes of several Burgos delegates trembled minutely. Ian snapped his fingers and gave an order to the mages.
“Investigate the reception room where the Burgos delegation was staying.”
“Yes, Sir Ian.”
“And these people will be temporarily taken to the Ministry of Magic. Would that be alright, Your Highness?”
“Your Highness. No, it should not be. Did you not hear the testimony that Sir Ian is connected to Rutherford? It is right to eliminate any risk factors. Bring them to the imperial court.”
“Still, for this kind of investigation, mages are the most suitable…”
“Your Highness. It cannot be. Leaving trust aside, it is something that cannot be allowed from a public standpoint.”
The moment Ian’s question was asked, officials flocked to Jin’s side and whispered to him.
After deep consideration, Jin waved his hand, dismissing the petty squabble.
“Only Vania will be investigated by the imperial court. The rest will be investigated by the Ministry of Magic. However, I will have imperial personnel observe the process.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Then for now, the negotiations will be suspended, I suppose. Both Ruswena and Burgos had failed to reach an agreement, and everything had fallen apart.
The only one who had secured his own share in this hall was the King of Clifford. He hurriedly scanned the remaining text and then signed his name at the very bottom.
THUMP!
The royal seal of Clifford was stamped as well, red and distinct.