Chapter 278 – Their Own Reasons
The meeting had dragged on far too long. While everyone else hurried out, Captain Jeirutt remained seated. He endured the light reproaches from those passing by, only organizing the reports he needed to handle personally afterwards.
He rummaged in his inner pocket, searching for a light to smoke his cigarette.
A lighter appeared before him. It was Quintana.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Aren’t you going home? It’s late.”
“What about you, Captain Jeirutt?”
You must have something to say. Jeirutt bit down firmly on his cigarette and exhaled smoke.
The Prime Minister hadn’t left either. They seemed to be waiting for the conference room to empty, staying in their places. Even the officials who had been throwing remarks at Jeirutt read the atmosphere and hushed as they exited.
Creeak.
Bang!
Apart from the attendants waiting outside, only the Prime Minister, Quintana, and Jeirutt remained. Jeirutt tapped his half-smoked cigarette on the ashtray and asked:
“Do you have something to ask me, Prime Minister?”
“Captain Jeirutt. How long has it been since you entered the palace? If I remember correctly, it’s been well over thirty years.”
“I entered when you were the Deputy Minister of Administration.”
Jeirutt smiled slightly. Wasn’t it such a long time ago? Back then, Barsabe’s father Petraio was also around, and Riama and Beols trained together as peers. The days of striving hard for the honor of being the Empire’s strongest and the glory of protecting the Emperor flashed by in an instant.
“Thirty years. It’s truly a long time. Jeirutt. I know you. You are a man of deep loyalty, intelligence, and strong will.”
“Please don’t scold me indirectly. I am a warrior.”
The Prime Minister smiled, furrowing his brow slightly. Ian had already shown his discomfort and warned throughout the meeting, but the Prime Minister seemed to want to give one more admonition. Quintana watched the two of them and exhaled a faint wisp of smoke.
“It hasn’t been long since the imperial palace settled down. I understand your intentions deeply, but this time it was a mistake. Why throw a stone into calm waters? Especially at a festive occasion where the imperial citizens are gathered. Beric and Xiaoshi are His Highness Jin’s right-hand men.”
They are by the side of the lonely young prince. Yet to create such discord. The Prime Minister shook his head slightly and reprimanded.
“It’s only natural that Lord Ian doesn’t hide his displeasure.”
“Prime Minister. Regarding Beric and Xiaoshi. They are not His Highness Jin’s right-hand men, but Lord Ian’s. Please see clearly where their fundamental allegiance lies.”
“Jeirutt.”
“Beols-“
Jeirutt brought up the name of Beols, one of the Three Great Captains, as if asking to hear him out. A knight who had protected the Emperor together, and a friend who had died pointlessly in the Arsen incident.
“Recently, I received a message from Beols’ mansion. They said they found a small letter he left for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’d like to ask you, Prime Minister. I really don’t understand what Beols’ intention was either.”
Swoosh.
Jeirutt took out a neatly folded letter from his breast pocket and placed it on the desk. A gesture to read it. Quintana unfolded the letter on behalf of the Prime Minister.
-Jeirutt. If this has reached your hands, I must now be living in another world. This was written the night before His Highness Arsen’s magical power confirmation ceremony. Jeirutt. I earnestly implore you, as a colleague and a friend. Please continue and complete the solemn duty entrusted to me. May only His Majesty the Emperor’s authority stand firmly at the center of the world.
Quintana paused briefly and glanced at the Prime Minister.
-No one in the imperial palace can arbitrarily increase their weight. Be it the ‘Prime Minister,’ the ‘Minister of Magic,’ or anyone else. Remember and guard this. If the horizon tilts, rocks will roll down. Those rocks will harm His Majesty the Emperor.
The Prime Minister inwardly let out a small groan.
Beols was the one who had been by the Emperor’s side when he went into stasis. He was the one who had shouldered the Emperor’s last concerns. In the Emperor’s absence, he worried about potential rebellion taking advantage of the situation.
Particularly, the Prime Minister and Ian, who didn’t carry the royal bloodline, would have been the main subjects of concern. Dilaina was, after all, a member of the royal family.
“The role of the Three Great Captains is simply to ensure His Majesty the Emperor’s safety, yet I don’t understand why Beols had such concerns and passed them on to me.”
“Um, Jeirutt.”
“Captain Jeirutt. Regardless of right or wrong, be cautious. When you focus too much on one thing, you might miss what’s beside it. I’m worried that in trying to peer into Lord Ian’s heart, you might overlook His Highness Jin’s tears.”
I’ll keep that in mind, Jeirutt nodded in response.
As the two left, Imperial Guards waiting outside entered. As if saying it was time to leave.
“Captain. Shall we depart?”
“Yes. Take good care of this. As soon as we return to the office, I’ll write up a report and distribute it.”
Jeirutt handed over the documents to his subordinates with instructions. The selection festival wasn’t over yet. He too had much work to do.
***
Romandro followed behind Ian, along with an attendant carrying a golden tray. On the tray were letters from various countries.
Responses to Jin’s inauguration ceremony invitations. They were turning their steps, having heard that Jin was with Xiaoshi.
“How are Beric and Xiaoshi’s physical conditions?”
“Hmm. Beric is fine as expected, but I’m a bit worried about Xiao. After all, he can’t receive mana except from healing mages.”
“Did they say it’s very bad?”
“Not exactly. They say he’ll struggle a bit. But from what I saw, that doctor seems quite serious. Ever since he saw Beric injured, he doesn’t seem to consider anything short of that as a real injury.”
Tap tap tap.
The attendants standing in front of Xiaoshi’s room quickly bowed as they noticed Ian and Romandro. The door opened as they announced their presence. Jin was sitting by Xiaoshi’s bedside, reading a book.
“Lord Ian.”
“Your Highness. I heard you were here and came. The replies to the inauguration ceremony invitations have arrived. Let’s read them together.”
“Ah. Yes. I was waiting for that too.”
Ian carefully examined Jin. He thought Jin would be upset seeing Xiaoshi lying there like that, but he seemed better than expected. Jin sensed Ian’s gaze and tilted his head.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing. Did everything go well? I thought you might have been uncomfortable without Xiaoshi.”
“Yes. It was fine. There are so many attendants following me.”
“...I see.”
Romandro remembered Jin’s expression as he watched the sunset by the window earlier. He seemed to be hurting more than anyone, but he never voiced it out loud. How admirable. Romandro opened the door, guiding Jin.
“Let’s go to the office, Your Highness. It would be good to review the replies and briefly discuss what happened today and what’s to come.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
Xiaoshi was lying straight, breathing evenly. Even when Beric was on the verge of death, his posture was a mess. Ian briefly looked at Xiaoshi’s torn and bruised face, then moved the book from the bed to the desk.
Swoosh.
At that small sound, Xiaoshi opened his eyes. I wonder if he was pretending to sleep from the start. If he woke up at such a faint noise, he must have regained consciousness long ago at Jin’s presence.
Ian looked towards the door. Romandro and Jin were already out of sight.
“Master.”
“Yes, Xiao. How are you feeling?”
“...I’m fine. Is everyone else alright?”
What a meaningful and concise question. Ian pondered for a moment, then pulled up a chair and sat down beside him. Xiaoshi seemed not to know why he ended up like this.
“There’s no need to worry about anything. You’re the one who got hurt the most. Xiao. Do you have any idea how you ended up facing Beric?”
“For Captain Jeirutt to test us...”
So you do know to some extent. Clever. Ian nodded in approval. Then, as if sharing a secret with Xiaoshi, he whispered softly:
“But, Xiao. There’s a slightly more important reason.”
“What is it?”
“It’s because you called me ‘Master.’”