Bwooo—
Bwoo—
“Hurry! The palace gates are about to open!”
“Goodness, let’s get a move on! We’re going to miss it!”
“To deploy immediately after his coronation. Such incredible decisiveness! That’s our Emperor for you. Hahaha!”
“Doesn’t it make you excited for Bariel’s future?”
“Blessings to His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Blessings! May boundless glory be with Bariel!”
The area in front of the Imperial Palace was chaotic, swarming with a sea of people. It seemed as if everyone in the capital had poured into the streets. Soldiers linked arms to secure a path for the procession, while the people pushed forward, eager to get even a little closer.
Above the palace gate, a mage observing the situation clicked his tongue.
“Wow, how are they supposed to get through that?”
“I know, right? This is no joke. They’ll be exhausted before they even get going.”
“Sir Ian! We can’t delay any longer! The crowd is growing by the second. Forget the deployment, we can’t guarantee the safety of the citizens at this rate.”
“Understood. I will relay the message.”
The mage signaled, and Ian nodded.
The preparations were more or less complete. The soldiers were on standby for deployment, the baggage carts were piled high with munitions and supplies, and even the Emperor’s chariot was ready.
“Sir Ian. The Imperial Defense Force is ready.”
“Yes, Minister Tweller. You’ve worked hard.”
“How can you say such a thing when we are only just beginning?”
“The Imperial Royal Guard is also on standby.”
“Sir Xiaoshi! Please position all soldiers under your command at the front!”
“Yes, understood.”
Maxim Tweller and Xiaoshi of the Imperial Defense Force also looked incredibly busy. Ian left them to their work and entered the main palace, where he found the representatives of the delegations lined up. They all recognized him and cleared a path.
Knock, knock.
“Minister Ian Hielo.”
“Enter.”
Creeak.
Inside, a final meeting of the leaders was taking place. The King of Clifford, King Hasha of Astana, Prime Minister Shatima of Hawan, and the Emperor of Bariel, Jin. They all looked at Ian in unison, sensing that the time had come.
“Your Majesty. All preparations are complete.”
“Yes. I understand. Let us confirm our alliance one last time. Astana—”
Hasha bowed his head, paying his respects.
“Bariel will advance to the north, and you will march with us. We will rendezvous with the main Astana army at the border.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have already sent a carrier pigeon, so they will be waiting.”
“Clifford.”
“Your command, Your Majesty.”
“You will also deploy with Bariel, but you are to return to your country midway, gather your army, and enter a state of war. You will be in charge of the Hawan and Ruswenan front and prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.”
“I will obey your command.”
With Bariel’s forces moving north, the south would inevitably become vulnerable. By entrusting it to Clifford, they could secure their rear to some extent.
“It will be smoother if Prime Minister Shatima survives, but it will be a struggle otherwise. Clifford is to share all battle situations with Bariel so that we may assist one another.”
If Shatima’s rebellion succeeded, they could pressure Ruswena from two sides. But if it failed, Clifford would have to handle both nations alone, at least until Bariel had dealt with Burgos and returned.
Shatima lightly pushed back the cloth that was tightly wrapped around her head and spoke. “Your Majesty, please do not worry. Hawan will also join Clifford in holding back Ruswena. I will make it so.”
“Your spirit is strong, and that is good to hear.”
As Jin said this, he glanced at the King of Clifford, a silent warning not to be careless and trust her blindly. It was safer to consider Hawan a card not currently in their hand. There was no telling what disaster might befall them if they gambled on the success of Shatima’s rebellion.
Jin lightly tossed a rolled-up scroll toward Shatima.
Thump.
“This is a direct order bearing the Emperor’s seal. Shatima, your return to your country is by order of the Emperor of Bariel. Remember that the investigation team accompanying you also belongs to Bariel.”
He was referring to Erica. Shatima bowed her head low, received the scroll with both hands, and held it to her chest, bowing deeply.
“Then, let us all rise.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The final meeting was adjourned. The participants, each bearing their own mission, wished each other good fortune with a nod. The kings and Shatima withdrew first, and Ian waited as Jin finished adjusting his armor. With his wrists tightly bound and a lavish decorative sash tied over his golden armor, he looked so formidable that it seemed no spear or arrow could leave a single scratch.
“Is the Ministry of Magic alright?”
He had heard about yesterday’s commotion. Ian immediately understood that the question was not about the Ministry of Magic as a whole, but about the mages from Ruswena.
“Yes. Even if they are not, on a day like today, they have no choice but to be.”
“If they wish it, you may entrust them with the delivery of the Ruswenan delegation’s heads. What’s important is that they find a way to ease their minds.”
Rage. The feeling of being wronged, angry, and resentful. If there was a way to soothe it, they shouldn’t be picky about the method. At Jin’s consolation, Ian gave a short shake of his head.
“No. Yesterday, two of the mages from Ruswena drank Akorella’s Oblivion Potion.”
“The Oblivion Potion?”
“Yes. It is not yet a finished product, so I was hesitant. I was concerned about side effects with the deployment so close, but they were in such great distress that I could not bring myself to stop them. I apologize.”
“Akorella is truly remarkable, to have created such a thing.”
“For the past night, they have been unable to remember about an hour before and after the incident. As such, those who do remember are hesitant to speak of yesterday’s events. So please entrust the delegation’s bodies to another department.”
Jin raised an eyebrow. The existence of an Oblivion Potion was surprising enough, but the fact that the mages had used it was a shock, making him realize anew just how difficult it must have been for them.
Just then, a presence was heard from outside.
Knock, knock.
“Minister Ian Hielo.”
“What is it?”
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
Right before deployment? Who on earth? Ian blinked for a moment, but Jin immediately knew who it was.
“Let them in. It must be Romandro’s consideration,” he ordered, answering for the puzzled Ian.
A moment later, the door opened, and Philea, her voluminous golden hair tied back, entered cautiously. Next to her were Roel, Viviana, and Vivi.
“Mother.”
“Ian.”
Though Philea called out to Ian first, she glanced at Jin, mindful not to act improperly in the Emperor’s palace. But Jin just nodded as if to say it was alright, and Philea, her eyes welling up, threw her arms around Ian.
“Ian. You’re leaving today, and I don’t know when I’ll see you again, so I came. I know you’re busy, I’m sorry.”
“No. I am the one who is sorry. I haven’t had a moment’s peace since the coronation.”
“I know, I know. You were so wonderful, my Ian.”
Has he gotten thinner? Philea’s moist eyes took in every feature of her son’s face. This child, whose mere existence she was so grateful for, so proud of. “Come back safely this time, too. Alright?”
Ian smiled faintly and placed his hand over Philea’s. This time, it was Jin who answered for him.
“Lady Philea, do not worry. I will bring Sir Ian back safely.”
“Your Majesty, I am so grateful I do not know what to do. My husband was unable to attend the coronation, but he is sincerely celebrating Bariel’s great fortune. He also showed his will to help Hielo against the dangers from Ruswena or Hawan. I was wondering how best to convey this, so thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
The central army would be marching north, but the eastern and southern borders would be protected by the frontier territories like Hielo, serving as the empire’s shields. Jin smiled thinly and pressed a kiss to the back of Philea’s hand.
“How admirable. There are many ways and forms of protecting one’s country. You, fulfill your duty and protect the pride of the people of Bariel.”
It was an order to continue maintaining their friendly relations with Tianli. Philea suddenly remembered the young Jin and smiled sadly. He had become someone so far away, but he was still a precious person to her.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please, Your Majesty, return safely as well. Everyone in the empire will be waiting.”
As if reading her emotions, Jin, instead of replying, brought her hand to his lips once more. If he had to name the women who were as precious to him as a mother, it would be Quintana and Philea.
This time, Ian added, “Yes, Mother. I will safely attend to His Majesty.”
“I know. I will pray. Roel, do you have anything to say to your brother?”
Roel looked up at Ian with a placid expression, then gestured for him to lean in. Whisper, whisper. The child spoke of something to Ian, his gaze fixed on a point somewhere in the empty air.
“……?”
Just as Ian tilted his head and looked back at the child, Minister Tweller’s call came from outside. “Your Majesty.”
The time had truly come. They could delay no longer, and they all left the Emperor’s palace together.
Neigh! Hiiing!
It was a chariot drawn by four white horses. The armed Maxim Tweller, Xiaoshi, and the members of the Ministry of Magic were waiting next to it for Jin. Officials from other departments had also all come out to see him off.
“Your Majesty! Please, take care of yourself, and return in victory!” the Prime Minister said earnestly, his thin hands clasped together. Jin just nodded as if it were a matter of course.
Thump!
“We are going. Deploy!”
“Deploy!”
“Open the palace gates!”
“His Majesty the Emperor is departing!”
Bwooo— Bwoo—
Thump! Thump!
The cavalrymen carrying the flag of Bariel moved first, and Jin’s chariot followed, slowly advancing. Ian sent a silent hand signal to the mages, ordering them to form an escort.
Squeeze!
“Ian!”
Just then, Romandro grabbed Ian’s arm. His eyes were glistening with tears, and he sniffled. “You have to come back. If that Beric brat doesn’t listen, give him a beating yourself, attend to His Majesty well, and give that Rutherford bastard everything he deserves. And then, let’s have another delicious dinner. At my house.”
Romandro would be the one to protect the Ministry of Magic alone. Ian gave him a light hug and said, “I’m counting on you to protect the Imperial Palace.”
“Yeah! Of course!”
Zzzing! Zing!
Fwoosh!
Ian gave one last nod, then soared into the sky. The other mages were with him. Romandro waved a white handkerchief vigorously, seeing them off.
“Farewell—!”
Lady Chloe passed in front of him, riding a horse mixed in with the supply wagons. She was participating in the war as the supervisor of the munitions supplied by the Davion family. She tried her best to look straight ahead with a calm expression, but she couldn’t hide her nervousness.
“My, my, so Lady Chloe is really going.”
“She’s incredible in many ways.”
“Huh? Hey, isn’t that the dragon?”
“Dragon! You have a safe trip, too! By the way, Romandro, what’s its name again? There were a lot of words.”
Sniff! Romandro just wiped his nose at the question from the other officials.
“Peri Pomonas Rae Dragon—”
“Huh?”
“—is what Ian, no, our Minister, newly named him, but, ugh! Just call him Kkyu.”
“Oh, yeah. Kkyu is better. Better than Peri Popomans something-or-other.”
“I know, right? Sir Ian’s naming sense is surprisingly bad.”
While everyone was chattering, Romandro just wiped his tears and continued to wave his handkerchief. Just when he thought he had gotten his emotions under control—
“Ro-mandro!”
“Sob! Beric! Waaah! Beric!”
“You look super ugly when you cry!”
In the distance, wasn’t that Beric in his uniform, flashing a V-sign and smiling? Romandro, tears streaming down his face, held up a fist.
“Shut up! Don’t cause any trouble, and you make sure you come back alive, too!”