Chapter 88: A Narrow Escape

Marib showed no surprise at Gale's sudden visit. He had anticipated it, so his reaction was merely composed, albeit not particularly welcoming.

“What’s the matter? You didn’t take a wrong turn, did you?”

“Which fool would take a wrong turn and expect a servant to notice?”

Marib, who had not taken his eyes off the documents, finally looked up. As always, Gale's blue eyes were shining like those of a beast. The servant who had announced Gale's arrival shrank back.

“Are you busy? Just get to the point.”

“What have you decided to do about Ian and Mollin?”

“That’s quite amusing. What does it have to do with me how Ian handles things?”

Gale leaned back on the sofa without permission, crossing his legs arrogantly as he glared at his half-brother.

“Everyone, even the lowly clerks, knows that you’re backing that low-born. Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

Indeed, there was no way Marib would have thrown the viscount's position to Ian otherwise. Dozens, even hundreds, had been vying for it, groveling to get his attention. To award a title to someone he had never even met was absurd.

“So what?”

“It would be better if Mollin and his party accompany him to the capital.”

“Your words sound quite harsh. Are you threatening me?”

“Of course not. It seems you want to hear it that way. Once Ian is appointed, he will immediately be transferred to the Magic Department. You know what that means, don’t you?”

If Mollin and his party were to die on the way, Ian would end up in the same position without anyone noticing. However, this warning would be useless if Marib didn’t consider Ian as his own.

Marib took off his glasses and lightly pressed the bridge of his nose, then smiled as if finding the situation amusing.

“I’m quite surprised. You, Gale, caring so much about Mollin and his party. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it, but now I’m interested.”

I need to kill them, Marib decided as he spoke. He hadn’t really cared before. His work was busy, and Mollin and his party weren’t particularly important figures in the palace. But now that Gale had brought it up, things were different.

“Maybe you should reconsider.”

“Why?”

“I just came from Father’s palace.”

Gale had indeed visited the emperor’s palace first. The name 'Father.' Marib instinctively frowned. Whenever the emperor and Gale met, something unpleasant inevitably happened to Marib.

‘Just like now.’

“You must know there’s a discussion about appointing a new Chief Justice at the New Year’s gathering.”

Of course. If the Magic Department was Gale’s stronghold, the Judicial and Legislative Departments were Marib’s. The Chief Justice was the head of the Judicial Department and held the fourth most authoritative position in the palace, after the royal family.

“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“Have you seen the list of potions the Magic Department has developed recently? It’s called the Truth Potion, made by extracting the abilities commonly seen in gypsies. It makes you speak only the truth.”

Marib, who had been sitting, finally stood up.

“Gale, you...”

“Father thought it would be a good idea to use it during the Chief Justice’s confirmation hearing. There are so many who lie with their tongues like snakes. It would be quite a show when they read their oaths and pledges.”

The problem wasn’t in distinguishing truth from lies. The issue was that the department making the potion was the Magic Department. Who could guarantee that it would make people speak the truth and not just lies, or that it wouldn’t force them to declare whatever the makers wanted?

Ideally, it was a potion the empire needed, but it was premature. At least, it needed to be done after purging any impure intentions from the Magic Department.

“Sir Hailot seems to be your choice for Chief Justice. If you want that, it would be wise to have Mollin and his party attend the New Year’s gathering. Otherwise, you might have to find another candidate.”

“Gale, what you’re doing is pushing the empire backward. Can’t you see that?”

“Yes, I can’t see that. Isn’t fire dangerous, yet necessary for its uses? The Truth Potion is the same. There will be chaos at first, but over time, its value will solidify. Perhaps Sir Hailot will be standing at the beginning of that chaos.”

Gale’s smug response made Marib want to throw everything in his hands. The real issue was the involvement of the ‘Magic Department.’ Being such an independent and unique department, there was no way to check their actions.

‘Even if the potion is made to be useless, there’s no way to verify it. Damn it. Gale, you really are...’

Marib and Gale’s expressions were always inversely proportional. When one smiled, the other’s face would inevitably sour. Marib maintained his composure and sighed.

“Do you think that will pass?”

“Some ministers will strongly oppose it for various reasons.”

Some would point out the fundamental issues, while others would oppose it to hide their dark intentions.

“But the overall decision on judicial oversight will be made by the Administrative Department. That means Father’s opinion will be the most important.”

Reluctantly, Marib knew the emperor’s favor always leaned more towards Gale. A legacy of the love imbalance from their mothers.

“Ha, that’s a joke. That potion, wouldn’t you be the most troubled if you had to take it?”

“Me? Hmm. Do you think so? I assumed you would be more troubled.”

Gale’s confident reply made Marib feel his words were being blocked. Of course, Gale’s confidence was partly due to his position as the head of the Magic Department, Wesley.

“Anyway, I hope you think carefully.”

“Stop pretending to give me choices. Whether you kill Mollin or not, Hailot will still have to take the Truth Potion at the confirmation hearing.”

If that’s the case, it might be better to just kill Mollin. There was still some time to find a way around the potion issue.

Gale smiled as he put on his coat.

“That’s why you and I are so different.”

“...What?”

“You would do it, wouldn’t you? Regardless of who Hailot is, if you want it, you would do it.”

Hailot was an exceptionally capable and well-regarded official. Breaking him for revenge wouldn’t make sense, especially considering the future of Barial.

“I don’t like your way of thinking. Everything is given to you from birth, so you don’t know what’s precious. People, anything.”

“Shut up! What do you know!”

Marib couldn’t hold back and shouted at Gale. Given from birth? That’s nonsense. Gale talks too much...

“Anyway, I’ll be going. I hope no bad news comes your way.”

Bang.

Gale left Marib’s office. At the same time, an advisor cautiously entered, finding Marib with his head in his hands.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“...I’m fine.”

From Gale’s actions, it seemed that if Mollin were to die, an additional investigation team could be dispatched. Marib clenched his teeth and gave an order.

“Summon the council immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The advisor placed a letter from the border on the corner of the desk and left. It was a pile of reports regularly sent from Romandor. The part about Mollin’s punishment had been repeatedly mentioned, but Marib could only reply with ‘pending.’

‘Damn it.’

Marib’s smooth brow furrowed deeply. He felt like stabbing Gale right now.

* * *

“Why are you so concerned about Mollin? I often forget he’s even there since he’s always in the basement.”

Romandor’s words made Ian shake his head. He was merely trying to gauge the situation where he couldn’t decide on the punishment for the administrator.

‘Clearly, some scheme from Gale’s side must have led to the ‘pending’ order, but this is unexpected. Does it mean Gale is trying to save Mollin?’

Was Mollin that important? Ian wasn’t sure. While Mollin was in charge of Brats, he seemed to be pushed aside in the Administrative Department now. His loyalty was commendable, but his overall performance was hindered by his age.

Either Mollin had hidden value, or Gale was the type to take care of his own, or...

‘Is it something in Brats?’

Among all the borders, why specifically Brats? Ian suddenly realized something he had overlooked. He had assumed there were underground operations for troop deployment in other borders, but there was no way to confirm it.

‘There’s no response from the Merelop side.’

Romandor’s visit from the capital was the first in a long time. While Ian was deep in thought, they arrived at the reception room where Lady Rien was.

“Lady?”

“Ah, are you done?”

She was half-lying on the sofa, looking bored and restless. Her hair was slightly disheveled, either from her posture or the count’s doing.

“No, we’re still moving things.”

“This will take all night.”

“If you wish, I can show you around the estate.”

“Then our lord will probably throw a fit again. I politely decline.”

The lady blew on her nails, muttering about her future plans.

“Starting today, we should count the days. In a month, you’ll meet what you’ve been looking forward to.”

“A month? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, dear.”

Lady Rien smiled brightly, greeting her husband as if nothing was wrong.

Merelop Count scrutinized Ian and his wife with a suspicious gaze. A young man around his wife’s age and objectively handsome—conditions that would naturally make Merelop Count wary.

“In a month, the cultivation of gula will be possible. That’s what I was saying. Are you done? I’m really tired and can’t wait any longer.”

In a month. Clearly, it was the time when the side effects of the hallucinogenic sedative would kick in, the time when the count would die in his sleep. Ian understood the lady’s intention but pretended not to.

“It still seems far off.”

“Oh, Sir Ian. Actually, I just received a message from the Hyman Bank in Merelop.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Recently, there have been many bandits in other regions, and as you might know, it’s very difficult to cross the mountains in winter.”

“What’s your point?”

Hmm? This setup seemed suspicious. Romandor snorted, ready to give a sharp rebuke.

“The bank has run out of check paper and wants to delay the payment by a day.”

“No, Count. That’s problematic. The ink on the contract hasn’t even dried.”

“Then what, are you going to come to our estate and move the rest of the gold coins by cart?”

The remaining 2,500 gold coins. Moving 1,000 had been a huge effort, and now 2,500 more? Romandor flinched, and Ian stepped forward.

“But, Count, this is a clear breach of contract. We were expecting to receive the payment by check, as stated in the contract, weren’t we? You agreed to pay the rest in the agreed manner.”

“Hmm. So, I’m asking for your understanding.”

“I don’t want to make a losing deal.”

Ian’s words made Merelop Count frown. He had hoped to gloss over it, but Ian was more resolute than expected. He turned to his wife.

“Lady, don’t be like that. Put up some collateral. The necklace, earrings, and ring. That should be enough.”

Caught off guard by the count’s sudden command, the lady barely suppressed a hollow laugh. What could she do? If he insisted, she had to comply. She took off her jewelry and placed it on the table.

‘Hmm?’

Then, a ring caught Ian’s attention. It was on the lady’s left ring finger... the gemstone was very familiar.

‘Is that a moonstone? Or...’

The same gemstone as the necklace found in Ian’s flower pot?

He moved closer and picked up the ring.