Chapter 72. Gail Moves

Meanwhile, as soon as Ciellonia completed her mission of delivering the message to the emperor, she headed straight for the office of the Second Prince, Gail. Despite the sunlight pouring in through the large windows, his office strangely always felt cold.

"Did you just confine Mollin and the others in the underground prison?"

"Yes. It was confirmed that they are merely being detained without any torture or special treatment."

Gail crossed his arms and tapped his fingertips lightly, a habit he only displayed when deeply thinking. His sharp eyes, reminiscent of his mother, turned toward Ciellonia's back, toward Wesley, who was reading a report.

"Seemed well-versed in the palace etiquette?"

"Yes. As soon as I mentioned Your Highness, his expression changed instantly. Even Roman, the advisor, seemed unaware."

At that moment, Wesley, who had been walking around reading documents, turned her head sharply. Her beautiful black hair and red lips were as perfect as ever.

"It's certain. He must have had some connection with Marib."

"Don't jump to conclusions. Wesley."

"Still, it doesn't make sense. A child who lived in a brothel due to poverty and received only a short period of education managed to cross the desert. He must have barely learned the basics, yet he knows palace etiquette."

Wesley's words made sense from start to finish.

"From the beginning, it was clear that Marib recommended Ian as a lord. How many people are there who would pay money to curry favor with Marib? Despite all that, Ian was chosen."

"He is a magic user, isn't he?"

"Even so, it's excessive."

Marib, the recognized successor to the throne, had so many people trying to win his favor that they could circle Bariel. Appointing a lord was an opportunity for a complete reversal of status, and if Marib had wanted to, he could have chosen someone with much more influence.

"It's also because the territory is on the border. There are many restrictions due to its unique characteristics."

Wesley threw the report to Ciellonia, who was standing cautiously. Despite the significant age difference, Wesley was the Minister of Magic, and Ciellonia was just one of many administrators, making their status clear.

"Anyway, good work. You can leave now."

"…Thank you, Your Highness."

Ciellonia bowed respectfully and left Gail's quarters. Wesley, with a pipe in her mouth, muttered,

"Ian, should we kill him?"

Gail smiled and propped his chin, knowing she wasn't joking, which made it even funnier.

"How?"

"He will come to the New Year's appointment ceremony. Once he joins the Ministry of Magic, there will be many opportunities and many ways to do it."

The smoke from her pipe filled the room. Gail took the pipe from her mouth. Wesley continued in a slightly irritated tone,

"It bothers me that he suddenly interferes with our plans. Anyway, if he can't pay the 10,000 gold tribute, he will become a slave of the Ministry of Magic. I wish we could get rid of him before that happens."

Wesley embraced Gail's neck and whispered. Her dangerous smile continued, but Gail turned his head away without moving.

"No matter how you think about it, you don't fit the role of Minister of Magic."

"Me?"

Gail meant it literally, but Wesley seemed to misunderstand, thinking he meant she would be better suited as the Empress.

"If Your Highness says so, then it must be true."

Gail smiled bitterly, looking out the window. Wesley was perfect as a woman but was far from a suitable political ally. How could a Minister of Magic so easily suggest killing Ian, especially when the number of mages was dwindling?

If she truly cared about the revival and development of magic, she would have tried to persuade Ian and find a way to work with him.

"Gail, look at me."

Does this beautiful woman not realize that an Empress is also a political ally to the Emperor? Even if Gail overthrew Marib and took the throne, he couldn't be sure Wesley would be by his side.

Gail shook off her seductive touch and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"To my brother."

"Marib, Your Highness?"

Gail, fastening his cuffs, looked at Wesley intently.

Again. That look, as if testing him. Wesley maintained her composure and smiled.

"Why did Ian not kill Mollin and just leave him there?"

"…Well, he's an administrator, and if Mollin were to die, it could complicate things. We might have to send another investigation team, and it hasn't been long since Captain Erica's incident."

"Hmm. Yes, that's true."

Gail didn't ask any more questions. He simply judged that Wesley's understanding of the situation only went that far. There was no second chance, no shared opinions.

Wesley followed Gail out.

"Why else?"

"Why else? I was just asking because I don't know."

Tsk.

Gail kissed Wesley lightly on the cheek and turned away without hesitation. His subordinates followed him like shadows, while the woman stood there, looking bewildered.

She was also the head of the Ministry of Magic, a position she earned despite being born a commoner, leaving her name in the annals of history. Yet, in front of Gail, she always felt infinitely small.

"Damn…"

Her curse was too soft to reach even Gail's feet, let alone the attendant following him. An invisible aura of disturbance filled the air.

Clack clack!

"Your Highness, where shall we go?"

"To Marib's palace."

"Understood."

Gail replied briefly, and his subordinates ran ahead to clear the path, ensuring his steps didn't falter.

'Ian kept Mollin alive because of Marib.'

Wesley's words were, of course, half-right.

If Mollin were to die while the Kylar were involved, the matter would become much more serious in the capital. It could even lead to the dispatch of regular troops instead of an investigation team.

So, Gail had left the decision to Marib. A choice that showed a perfect understanding of the power dynamics between Marib and Gail, and a clear direction in his strategy.

In any case, Mollin's life was in Marib's hands, and Gail found his life invaluable. There were few people he had recruited from the administration, and experienced veterans like Mollin were rare.

Neigh!

The carriage moved with the horse's loud neigh. Gail, who had been quietly pondering while looking at the sky, opened the window and gave an order.

"…Wait. Change direction."

"Excuse me?"

"Instead of going to Marib, we need to go to my father."

"Your Majesty's palace?"

"Yes. Hurry."

Following their master's instructions, the horses slowly turned the corner and retraced their steps. Their heads were now fixed on the east, toward the Emperor's quarters, instead of the north, toward Marib's palace.

* * *

The mansion was bustling from dawn.

It was the day when Kakan and the other fifty-five warriors were returning to the Great Desert. Though they could always meet again if they wished, it wasn't an easy thing, and everyone was reluctant to part.

"When will we see you again?"

"Thank you for everything."

"Um, this…"

"I've packed some dried meat and water. Please be careful on your journey."

"Kakan! What will you bring for the Kusile seal?"

The front gate of the mansion was as chaotic as a market. Ian was also preparing to accompany them to the border. He was checking the final items, such as gifts, tribute money, and food, when he noticed Hana, whose eyes were particularly red.

"…Safe travels."

"I'll be back."

The two held hands lightly, a deep affection evident in their touch. Ian, unable to help himself, turned his head and pretended not to notice.

Beric, seeing this, scratched his ear.

"What are you looking at?"

"Beric, come here."

"Look at that? Hah-!"

"Beric! Shut up, you insensitive fool!"

Smack!

Beric's head was hit by Roman. Ian also glared, warning him. Beric, rubbing the back of his head, grumbled.

"My head is a punching bag, damn it."

"It seems there were more people he grew close to than I thought."

"Even in passing, bonds are formed. The Kylar don't stay in one place for long."

A relationship that formed in the heat of summer and ended in the fall.

Ian nodded, pondering for a moment. It wasn't a bad phenomenon. The best way to strengthen the alliance with the Kylar or achieve cultural integration was through marriage.

'…Was my judgment too political?'

Ian restrained himself, looking at the sobbing Hana.

'Ian-sama. Your choices will change someone's life, so listen to the voices beneath the words. Don't just confirm the issues that come up; feel them with your heart.'

Suddenly, Naum's advice before the regression came to mind. Naum, the only friend and mentor who stayed by the emperor's side until the end. Ian clenched his teeth and turned away.

"Ian-sama, everything is ready."

"Alright. Let's go."

"Open the main gate!"

"Let's go! Back to our Great Desert!"

"Yay!"

"Stay well!"

"Hey, see you in Kylar!"

The Kylar remaining in the mansion waved heartily, including Nersarn. Kakan walked out of the mansion with a dignified posture, and the residents of the territory came out to see them off.

"Thank you! Be careful on your journey!"

"Thank you so much for everything!"

"We would have been in trouble without you, really!"

Swish!

Wildflowers and fallen leaves danced in the wind. The gula plants swayed in a row, creating a magnificent scene.

Kakan watched as a child approached and handed him a bouquet of flowers. It was the same child who had fallen and cried at his feet when they first entered Brats. The child had remembered that brief encounter.

"T-Thank you."

The child's hands were trembling. Kakan took the bouquet and was about to leave when he paused and turned back.

"Demosh."

He didn't look at the child's face. Kusile moved again. The journey to the border would be quick.

And soon, the real farewell came.

"Here we are, Sir Ian."

"Kakan, thank you for your hard work."

This was the place where Ian had been sold as a peace offering. Two massive rocks marking the border and a small, abandoned shrine.

"We will start the Merelop case as soon as we return to Kylar."

"I appreciate that."

"Go to the capital and do well. If not, this day will be our last."

"I will do my best. Here are the gula seeds and the tribute money."

Kakan looked at Ian for a moment and took only the gula seeds. The bouquet of flowers was still in his right hand.

"Short-handed. That's fine."

"Ah."

"Let's go! To Kylar!"

"Demosh!"

"Demosh! Safe travels!"

The warriors' chants echoed, and Beric also shouted loudly. They ran powerfully into the desert and disappeared. Their movements were faster than the wind and lighter than the sand. Ian and Beric watched their backs for a long time.

"…Let's go back."

"Sure. What should we do when we get back?"

"What else?"

Ian smiled, and Beric, also smiling, took the reins.

There's only one thing to do. The gula cultivation work and…

'The Merelop brewing work.'