Chapter 263

Chapter 263

‘You are the empire’s blessing. The first noble mage! Pleased to meet you. I am Naum Ovia. Please call me Naum.’

When the original Ian was fifteen, Naum was the first person he met and exchanged names with upon entering the imperial palace. It was a summer day meeting that everyone considered a blessing without doubt, and thus couldn’t predict how it would sway both of their lives.

‘I’ll call you Ian comfortably too. You don’t know how long the Ministry of Magic has been waiting. It’s been years since we had a new colleague! You haven’t seen all of the Ministry of Magic yet, right? Let me introduce you.’

Like his short, soft brown hair, his smile was also gentle. As Naum moved, the mages averted their gaze, pretending to be busy. Most of them were from commoner backgrounds, having experienced the depths of hardship. Their persistent gazes were mixed with antipathy towards nobility itself, concern that class distinctions might form in the previously egalitarian Ministry of Magic, and wariness that Ian might harm the department by asserting his noble identity.

Naum waved his hand at them with a smile.

‘You’re all dying to meet Ian, aren’t you? Sorry, but I’m in charge, so step back and get to work. Greet him at the induction ceremony.’

Ian had never seen someone so naturally jovial as Naum before. Among nobles who were always lofty, pure, and measuring dignity, it felt like entering a new world. Of course, it was a natural sentiment since the Ministry of Magic was an unfamiliar place to him.

Anyway, was that why? Following him came naturally. Not just on the path through the Ministry of Magic, but also on the path of life.

Naum was undeniably a trustworthy colleague, an excellent teacher, and an indispensable friend. The difference in years was merely a concept. Certainly.

‘Naum. I’m deeply grateful to you.’

In a modest study inside the Ministry of Magic’s annex. Ian and Naum enjoyed visiting there to read whenever they had time. Ian, who had turned his gaze from the book to the window, suddenly said so. It was the season when the fresh summer leaves were turning to autumn colors.

‘For what?’

‘...’

For what? Can one count them one by one?

As it was an endless answer, Ian remained silent. Naum also observed the changing seasons.

‘Ian, do you know? This window is the largest in the Ministry of Magic annex.’

‘Why?’

‘When the annex was first built, this space originally didn’t exist. But the ancestor in charge of construction felt it was a shame and created it anew. Since it wasn’t in the original plan, they replaced the wall with a window, they say.’

‘Was his name Timothy?’

‘Yes. You saw it when you came to our house last time, right?’

Naum smiled proudly.

Timothy, they said, was an immigrant from the Kingdom of Burgos. The Bariel Empire citizenship certificate he received upon naturalization was preciously kept by Naum’s family. To commemorate the gratitude for allowing them to live as citizens of Bariel, not the declining Kingdom of Burgos.

‘Timothy probably didn’t know. That you and I would cherish this place so much in the future.’

‘It’s not like we only use this study.’

‘Hmm. Is that so? But there are things we can only do here.’

Ian pretended not to know and slightly turned his head.

Did he notice that I always came here when things were tough? Just as Naum was about to turn the page with a silent smile, footsteps loudly echoed from somewhere.

Tap tap tap!

This was the innermost space in the annex, where people rarely came. As it was unusual, Ian and Naum simultaneously looked towards the door.

The door opened roughly, and a cold wind rushed in. Pages fluttering, a mage’s flushed face, and a heart strangely pounding hard.

‘Ian, Naum! Damn, how long have I been looking for you!’

‘What’s wrong?’

‘His Majesty the Emperor has passed away.’

Ian had an intuition that he would never forget that moment. He felt with all five senses what a turning point in life was.

‘Ian. You’re being mentioned as the next emperor.’

‘...’

‘Did you expect it?’

It would be a lie to say he hadn’t expected it. In fact, he had guessed from the moment he entered the palace. The emperor was on his last legs, there was no heir, and Ian was a collateral bloodline of the imperial family and a sacred mage.

“Then do you agree?”

“...As far as I know, not all the official appraisal reports have been submitted yet.”

And the other was Ian.

As Jin answered hurriedly, Ian added while flipping through documents. On the surface, he looked no different from usual, but Romandro and some other officials knew. That Ian was continuously lost in silent contemplation. Usually, he would have told Jin what to say before he answered like that.

The Minister of Culture continued his report, watching the two carefully.

“House Hayman conducted separate art appraisals annually. We plan to proceed based on that instead of official appraisal reports. But because there are so many, it’s taking a long time.”

“I object. We can’t trust House Hayman’s appraisals. Some might have been intentionally undervalued to evade taxes, and others inflated for profit.”

“Well, that... The appraiser in question worked for the imperial palace until two years ago. We thought there wouldn’t be an issue with trustworthiness, but.”

“Then it would be easier to appraise the appraisal reports rather than the artworks themselves. What do you think, Your Highness?”

Ian turned his head to the side to ask Jin’s opinion. Jin, who had been staring blankly at him, startled and turned his head.

“Oh, I think that’s right.”

“Then, that would be best.”

What’s this?

Quintana tilted her head, fiddling with a dry cigarette. His Highness Jin’s attitude was clearly strange. Wasn’t he usually the one who would look at Ian with sparkling eyes and follow his every move?

But now he seems uncomfortable, and there’s an awkward feeling.

As if he’s suffering alone...

‘Lord Ian is definitely different too.’

Wasn’t his perception usually extraordinary? It’s wrong from the start that he hasn’t noticed Jin’s obviously different attitude.

“Very well. Let’s handle the matter of appraisals that way. Next item.”

Bang bang!

The Prime Minister tapped his gavel without delay, leading the meeting. Dealing with relatively less important matters quickly would help reduce the meeting time even a little.

If Ian and Jin continue in this state, the meeting might go on until the next day.

“It’s about the distribution of authority over magic sealing stones. An agenda from the Ministry of Magic. Hmm, regarding the total known quantity, they propose 50% for His Majesty the Emperor, 30% for other imperial family members, and 20% for the Ministry of Magic.”

As the Prime Minister recited, Jin startled and looked down at the documents. The same was true for officials from other departments. Weren’t magic sealing stones the only means to check mages?

It was a way to bring those close to divine power down to human level, yet they’re handing over more than half the authority to the imperial family. This was something even Wesleigh, who had close ties with Gale, couldn’t do.

“Are these ratios correct? Minister Ian Hielo?”

“Yes. As Minister of Magic, I felt many things while experiencing the civil war. First, a comprehensive inventory and definite management of magic sealing stones is necessary, and balanced relationships are always needed for absolute power. For the wellbeing of the imperial family and an unwavering center, I believe this is appropriate. Currently, besides His Majesty, Your Highness Jin is the only imperial family member, so it would be right to give Your Highness Jin 30% authority over magic sealing stones.”

Jin’s eyes grew wider and wider. It was no different from handing over a knife with the sharp part towards the Ministry of Magic.

“Hmm. What about Idgal?”

“...The Ministry of Magic is conducting its own investigation. It seems we’ll settle on tracking and eliminating it as the way to reduce confusion.”

“I see. Your Highness Jin. What is your opinion?”

“Me?”

Arsen’s whispers, Hayman’s instigation, and Ian knowing about passages only the imperial family should know. While his mind was confused and complicated, surprisingly, he felt like it was clearing up. Jin nodded dazedly.

“...I agree.”

Ian, facing him, raised his eyebrows and smiled. As if asking what’s wrong. He had finally noticed Jin’s strangeness. Jin smiled to indicate it was nothing.

Quintana watched the two quietly, then slipped the cigarette back into her pocket. It seemed this needed to be looked into more deeply.

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Extra!MBSE Chapter 197 - Opening the City GatesMBSE Chapter 198 - Amidst the CommotionsMBSE Chapter 199 - The Atan, Tribe of BloodMBSE Chapter 200 - Wound Me TooMBSE Chapter 201 - The Emperor MageMBSE Chapter 202 - For the Sake of PositionMBSE Chapter 203 - D-7MBSE Chapter 204 - Rainy DaysMBSE Chapter 205 - D-6MBSE Chapter 206 - Imperial GuardMBSE Chapter 207 - Breaking the Black ArmorMBSE Chapter 208 - Chatur Zone 3MBSE Chapter 209 - Premium Grade A+++MBSE Chapter 210 - D-5MBSE Chapter 211 - The Trial BeginsMBSE Chapter 212 - The DefenseMBSE Chapter 213 - The VerdictMBSE Chapter 214 - The One Who Was the First PrinceMBSE Chapter 215 - In the GreenhouseMBSE Chapter 216 - I ObjectMBSE Chapter 217 - A New ProphecyMBSE Chapter 218 - D-4MBSE Chapter 219 - One Step BackMBSE Chapter 220 - One Body, One MindMBSE Chapter 221 - A Trap ScriptMBSE Chapter 222 - PushMBSE Chapter 223 - Stamp ThudMBSE Chapter 224 - D-3MBSE Chapter 225 - The Voice of GodMBSE Chapter 226 - Little DevilMBSE Chapter 227 - A Silent ResponseMBSE Chapter 228 - D-2MBSE Chapter 229 - The Demon's WhispererMBSE Chapter 230 - D-1MBSE Chapter 231 - What are You?MBSE Chapter 232 - Of Royal BloodMBSE Chapter 233 - D-DayMBSE Chapter 234 - The Owner of the VoiceMBSE Chapter 235 - The LastMBSE Chapter 236 - Consider it an HonorMBSE Chapter 237 - Leaving BehindMBSE Chapter 238 - Without IanMBSE Chapter 239 - Three Hours AgoMBSE Chapter 240 - WhisperingMBSE Chapter 241 - Calling NamesMBSE Chapter 242 - Ruswena DelegationMBSE Chapter 243 - Purge While on BedMBSE Chapter 244 - This is the BloodwindMBSE Chapter 245 - Central NobilityMBSE Chapter 246 - A Secret for RuswenaMBSE Chapter 247 - Melania's PleaMBSE Chapter 248 - Jin's RequestMBSE Chapter 249 - Pat-pat and Bicker-backerMBSE Chapter 250 - Opposition Noble's SignaturesMBSE Chapter 251 - Leaving the PalaceMBSE Chapter 252 - Mud PitMBSE Chapter 253 - RumorsMBSE Chapter 254 - PillarsMBSE Chapter 255 - Caught in a TrapMBSE Chapter 256 - The Trial of the Seven Families BeginMBSE Chapter 257 - Jin's BarielMBSE Chapter 258 - The VerdictMBSE Chapter 259 - Side Effects of the Mana Amplification StoneMBSE Chapter 260 - Before Preparing the Appointment CeremonyMBSE Chapter 261 - Introduction of Three Countries' FiguresMBSE Chapter 262 - The Reason for Remembering TimothyMBSE Chapter 263 - Each Person's ThoughtsMBSE Chapter 264 - A Side Branch????70MBSE Chapter 265 - Emancipation????75MBSE Chapter 266 - The First Secret Inspection????75MBSE Chapter 267 - Secret Eater????75MBSE Chapter 268 - Pretending to Know????75MBSE Chapter 269 - Each Other's Well-being????75MBSE Chapter 270 - Underground Brawl????75MBSE Chapter 271 - The Best Banquet????75MBSE Chapter 272 - The King's Circumstances????75MBSE Chapter 273 - What Only Ian Knows????75MBSE Chapter 274 - Selection Exam????80MBSE Chapter 275 - Who Rigged the Tournament Bracket?????80MBSE Chapter 276 - Each Other's Purpose????80MBSE Chapter 277 - Criticism????80MBSE Chapter 278 - Their Own Reasons????85MBSE Chapter 279 - A Different World????80MBSE Chapter 280 - Head-on????80MBSE Chapter 281 - Beric Goes Forth????80MBSE Chapter 282 - After Victory????85MBSE Chapter 283 - The Award Ceremony????85MBSE Chapter 284 - The Half Moon Rises????85MBSE Chapter 285 - Time to Trade Secrets????85MBSE Chapter 286 - Damon Runkvis????85MBSE Chapter 287 - Forgotten Page????85MBSE Chapter 288 - The Guests are Coming????85MBSE Chapter 289 - Young Lion Cub