Chapter 273 – What Only Ian Knows
Timothy glanced at Ian, who was deep in thought. Something seemed to be filling his mind, but there was no way to know what. Ian’s gaze was locked tight.
If not a pheasant, a chicken would do – perhaps he could guess through Romandro, Ian’s right-hand man? Timothy looked back, but Romandro also seemed to know nothing.
The wind seeped through the inexplicable silence. Timothy gazed at the garden where he was sitting and added:
“...If the construction of the Ministry of Magic annex is almost certain to proceed, I will bring a contract related to this for Prince Jin’s heir appointment ceremony. It will be one of the congratulatory gifts Burgos can offer.”
“There’s no need for that. The details need to be discussed again.”
“Didn’t you say you would build it here? Since the site is the same, the detailed specifications shouldn’t be much different, should they?”
He meant that the discussions had already been concluded during Minister Wesley’s time.
The Imperial Palace was the current identity of Bariel and its future legacy. As with the civil war recovery meetings, even building a single structure required discussions among numerous officials.
Even if the minister had changed, the site was the same, and the building to be erected was also the same. The estimate for magic stones needed for construction had already been perfectly prepared by Wesley.
The overall aesthetics shouldn’t be marred, the distinction between the main building and the annex should be clear, and the standardized number of floors, area, and exterior decorations were certain. Even if discussed again, it wouldn’t be much different from before. So what was there to discuss?
Ian shook his head while sipping his tea.
“Haven’t our positions changed? Especially, the minister has changed. As you wondered, I have no intention of simply continuing Wesley’s legacy.”
Especially because of the condition of dispatching mages, they couldn’t contract under the same conditions as before. The Ministry of Magic was suffering from severe manpower shortage due to the Arsen incident and the execution of traitors. Moreover, with Akorella’s sick leave, the breaking point seemed to be becoming increasingly visible.
It was only because Ian was standing firm as the central pillar that things were holding together; if more people left, it could affect the work itself.
“Are you saying you’ll change the conditions?”
“Given how high-quality Burgos’ magic stones are, I think it’s right to pay the proper price.”
It was a statement that rather than bringing in magic stones at a cheap price in exchange for providing mages, he would prefer to keep the mages and pay the full price. Money is good, sure. But what’s even better are mages with divine power.
Timothy stroked his chin, looking quite disappointed.
“...I’ll report back after returning home first. To be honest, I didn’t expect to have this conversation today. It doesn’t seem like something I can speak about carelessly.”
“Of course, I understand. We have the appointment ceremony, so there’s no need to rush.”
It might not meet expectations, but isn’t it something that the deal itself is being opened? After Wesley died like that, he had thought it was completely canceled and felt regretful. He couldn’t dare ask about the status of the deal using a criminal’s death as an excuse to the Imperial Palace, and there was no opportunity due to all the commotion.
Timothy asked again, as if checking before reporting to the king:
“There won’t be any changes to the construction of the Ministry of Magic annex itself, right?”
“No. It’s already been discussed in the grand council, and as long as I have the will, there won’t be any problems.”
Since it was being funded by the payment Ian would receive for the Luron stones, none of the palace officials, including Quintana, would be able to easily oppose it.
“You’re amazing. Is it because you’re a mage?”
Timothy muttered, constantly suppressing his admiration. Although not comparable to the Empire, he too was at the center of politics in a kingdom. He knew how remarkable it was to be confident about the absence of checks in the process of expanding power.
Ian smiled questioningly, as if wondering what on earth he was talking about.
“Just because one is a mage doesn’t mean everything goes as they wish. Former Minister Wesley was also a mage.”
It was something obtained through a complex, fierce process and sacrifice. If not, wouldn’t it have already been approved at Wesley’s level?
Timothy realized his slip of the tongue and hastily apologized.
“I apologize.”
“I know that’s not what you meant.”
So he really is a true friend! And one who stays together in the Imperial Palace! Timothy seemed newly shocked, blinking his eyes and coughing awkwardly.
“He seemed quite belligerent. Rumors are spreading on the streets. I heard the Imperial Guard and Imperial Defense Department are selecting talents, is he perhaps preparing for that?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“If I may be so bold, I thought as much. I couldn’t possibly think of him as someone who eats a government salary...”
So he’ll be one who eats it in the future, ahem. Timothy usually wouldn’t bring up such a topic, but Beric was an exception. He was just curious how such an unruly colt had made it to the Imperial Palace.
While Ian and Timothy were naturally engaging in casual conversation, Jin’s carriage arrived at the Ministry of Magic.
Creak!
Tap!
“Your Highness, you’ll fall.”
“If I fall, you catch me, Xiao.”
Thanks to Timothy’s visit, the scholarly discussion ended early. Jin happily tried to climb the Ministry of Magic stairs, but upon hearing they were in the garden, he changed direction. In the distance, Ian and Timothy could be seen.
“Your Highness.”
When his eyes met Ian’s, Jin stopped running and started walking slowly. He had been scolded with a look to maintain his dignity.
Nevertheless, a bit faster than usual and with a broad smile, he entered the garden. Timothy stood up abruptly, placing his hand on his chest in greeting.
“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Timothy Ovia from the Kingdom of Burgos, whom you met the other day.”
“Yes. Right. When we met last time, the situation was what it was, so we couldn’t talk in depth. Please, sit down.”
Ian pulled out a chair for Jin, smiling slightly. The child seemed to be in quite a good mood. The scholarly discussion must have been quite uninteresting.
They sat down in the sunlight and continued their conversation. Public matters had already been concluded with Ian. Most of the conversation was about what Jin had learned in the scholarly discussion and Timothy’s praise for it.
“By the way, Timothy. Do you have a family?”
“I have a son, Your Highness.”
“...You have a son?”
“Yes. He’s five years old now.”
Ian, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise. Romandro’s face was completely shocked. He has a family! And a five-year-old son at that! To make him wander outside for months! The King of Burgos seems quite unreasonable.
But Ian was surprised for an entirely different reason. Naum’s boastful words seemed to echo in his ears.
‘Sir Timothy came over to Bariel and established the foundation of the family alone. Isn’t that amazing? There are plenty of people who ruin perfectly good families. Ah, of course, he said the person he met then helped a lot.’
As Ian remembered, Timothy had naturalized alone. Without family, by himself. What on earth happened?
Romandro kept expressing sympathetic exclamations.
“Your wife must feel lonely. Five years old, that’s such a cute age. Oh, by the way, I don’t have children yet, but my wife is pregnant. Everyone around me says that around five years old, that’s when they’re really like angels.”
“It can’t be helped. This is the nature of my work.”
“Oh my, still...”
So he ‘still’ has a wife too. Is it an illness? An accident? Or if not, some kind of incident? With such fragmentary information, it’s hard to make inferences. So, Ian’s words could only be fragmentary as well. He tried to add calmly:
“...When you return, spend a lot of time with your family.”
Humans are beings who live on memories. Spend time together and be happy enough so that losing two people won’t be too hard.
Timothy looked surprised at Ian’s advice, but soon showed a full smile. Although they hadn’t met for long, it seemed like the first time. Seeing Timothy smile like that.
“I should do that. When I return, I’ll be with them constantly until I have to leave as a delegate again. There’s so much I couldn’t do for them.”