Chapter 170

Chapter 170

Ian and the chiefs of each department gathered around a giant round table. Outside, roars and screams continued to be heard. As the situation was extremely urgent, Ian only checked with a glance to see if everyone had gathered.

Without even time to sit, they leaned their upper bodies on the round table and looked at Akorella. She brought a glass box containing gray powder and poured it onto the table.

Swish.

It was mana stone powder as soft as fine sand particles. It reacted to mana like magnetism and had the ability to remember shapes.

“Someone pour mana into it. We’re in a hurry.”

As Akorella spoke while tapping the powder, someone blew mana into it. The mana stone powder began to clump together on its own, soon forming the entire Imperial Palace. A three-dimensional blueprint, as if looking down at the palace from a god’s perspective.

Swish!

Akorella didn’t stop there and sprinkled yellow and black powder. As if given life, they tangled and clumped together, roaming the blueprint. It showed Mariv and Gale’s forces in real-time by sensing them with mana.

“Why yellow and black?”

“Hmm, yellow head, black head.”

Akorella answered a colleague’s question without hesitation. It was an attitude that there was no respect for those who had messed up the palace like this, whether they were princes or whatever. The colleague bit his lip, about to refute.

“Currently, battles are continuously taking place centered around the First Imperial Palace. It seems it won’t end until one of the princes of each force dies.”

Among the countless powder particles, Mariv and Gale were also certainly alive. Ian muttered while scanning the overall situation.

“No. The princes won’t kill each other.”

“What? Aren’t they making this fuss trying to kill each other right now?”

“It’s a process to drive out the other’s forces. If they gain victory through the death of either Mariv or Gale, they won’t be able to persuade Bariel.”

“When you say Bariel...”

“Me. You all. And the citizens of the Empire.”

It meant Ian, the core of the third force that did not participate in the battle. You all, referring to the talented individuals of the palace, excluding the core members. The citizens, meaning the faith and support of the people.

“After officially referring it to the palace court and receiving ‘everyone’s acknowledgment’ that the other party committed treason. Only then, executing them will become the indulgence for the current situation.”

It didn’t matter what the truth was. The victor would be justice and righteousness, so whatever the defeated said would be a protest.

“For the legitimacy that will be recorded.”

“Then, then what do we do? What should we do?”

The chiefs all turned to Ian. Ian muttered while continuously looking down at the terribly wriggling mana stone particles. Each of those represented a person and a life, but soon they would turn into corpses.

“...Does everyone remember the ‘Mage’s Oath’?”

The Mage’s Oath. It referred to the words of the sage written in the Great Grimoire that had been passed down for a thousand years. Those who studied and coveted magic had no choice but to memorize it. Akorella was the first to recite, pushing up her glasses.

“To a mage, mana is another sense that transcends the five senses. See the truth, listen to what the soul speaks, and speak of the divine.”

Hale, who had been chewing tobacco, took up the oath.

“Smell the burning of greed and be cautious, taste the longing. Remember that what burns within you is a flame, and don’t let it be extinguished by the external wind.”

The chiefs exchanged glances and slowly synchronized their breaths. The sage’s words were still alive through the mages, transcending immeasurable time.

“Thus, let the inner flame burn eternally. It is the light that illuminates the world—”

‘And it will keep you warm.’

Naum was the same. As if he continued to live in Ian’s memories, his voice seemed to echo in his ears. Isn’t it truly strange? The mages of this era, according to history, should have been those who participated in Gale’s treason and were purged.

However, right now, they didn’t seem different from Naum. They were no different from the mages who had supported Ian.

‘The difference in leadership.’

The importance was newly felt. Ian drew a line in front of the blueprint of the Ministry of Magic on the round table.

“The Ministry of Magic will maintain neutrality without getting involved in the current situation.”

“Come on! Let’s hurry, it’s hectic from the morning!”

“Akorella. You seem excited.”

They couldn’t understand why the portals were being created. If it was to inform that this place was a safe zone in the palace, they could have shot up flames with less mana. However, the mages followed him, thinking that the minister had his intentions.

As the conference room door opened, everyone gathered in the lobby looked at them.

“Minister Ian, what should we do now? The princes have surely gone mad. His Majesty the Emperor is also missing, and even the seal is rolling around in that mess!”

“This is a disgrace to Bariel. How could His Excellency Mariv and His Highness Gale do such a thing?”

“They, they say each other committed treason, who, who is the real one?”

“Does that matter? Right now? In this situation?!”

“Don’t say that, and please allow us to leave. If we stay here like this, I think something terrible will happen.”

Everyone loudly expressed their anxiety. They instinctively knew. Here in the palace, moments of the world turning upside down were unfolding. Ian lightly raised his hand to stop the commotion.

“Since even the Department of Imperial Defense has joined the battle, there is no way to stop the danger inside the palace from leaking outside. Therefore, the palace entrances will be strongly sealed. Calm down and stay here. The mages will guarantee your safety, so trust and wait. Romandro!”

Romandro was talking with colleagues he had worked with in the administrative department. About the current situation and the whereabouts of His Majesty the Emperor.

“We will bring Prince Arsen and Jin.”

“Ah, that, I just heard that Jeirutt is not in the palace because he’s on duty. Last night, Captain Beors would have guarded His Majesty the Emperor’s quarters.”

Ian nodded at Hale. Things had become easier. They only needed to detect the mana of one person, Beors. Ian reassured him and made a request.

“I entrust this place to you. We’ll be back soon.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Well, be safe.”

Romandro glared at Beric. It meant to get his act together and escort Ian well. Beric smiled brightly and raised his sword.

“Of course! I support Ian!”

At Beric’s resounding voice, the officials’ eyes widened. The mages as well. Hale laughed and flicked his cigarette.

“Ah, yes. Our minister, we support him.”

“Minister Ian. We also support you. The more the situation is like this, the more we need to gather strength and will together. If you need my name, use it. I am Ashbuster of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!”

“I am Wyvern!”

“Mabe! Wellington Mabe!”

The officials shouted their names and declared that they would unite their will with Ian. Beric excitedly waved his sword, and the mages placed their hands on their chests.

Ian passed through the defensive barrier without answering, and Beric immediately followed.

“Bye! We’ll be back!”

“Nakina, Tommy! Guide the nearby people to the safe zone.”

“Okay. Let’s go!”

Zing! Zing!

Nakina and Tommy soared into the sky once again. The two freely roamed the sky, guiding fleeing people toward the Ministry of Magic, and the mages created portals according to Ian’s orders.

Swish!

It would be appropriate to say that the sky was being split. A wound appeared in the blue sky. As if the night hidden in the bright daylight had been drawn out. A black space where only darkness existed.

“Wow, Ian. Look at that! A black crescent moon has risen!”

“That is the skeleton of the portal.”

Beric exclaimed in admiration and beheaded a soldier rushing at them. Blood spurted, and a scream rang out. Ian and Beric ran toward the palaces of Arsen and Jin.