Chapter 279

“I believe you’ll understand what I’m about to say well.”

At Ian’s words, Xiaoshi recalled.

When he first wrote down his name, when he understood what the nobles were saying behind their fans, when he could distinguish the seals of different departments, and so on. Each instance had broadened his horizons and allowed him to see the world in more detail.

Lying in bed, looking at Ian, he instinctively knew. Once again, his world was about to expand.

“An ideal imperial palace should have a strong emperor at its center, with a consistent distance between the powerful officials. But look at this place now. Is there even one thing that matches what I just described?”

The Emperor was bedridden, out of sight, and Ian stood at the center of all power. That power was overflowing, to the point where it wouldn’t be strange if it engulfed someone. Even if that someone were Jin.

“As time passes, forces trying to keep me in check will band together. But you, while being by His Highness’s side on my orders, call me your master. You’re a dangerous figure to be cut off before even Beric.”

“...I understand.”

“So, Xiao. The time for you to choose is approaching.”

Though he had already regained his freedom in status, Xiaoshi still seemed to stand between shadow and sunlight. Even when he resolved to move forward, he felt as if the shadow kept following him. He had overlooked that as time passed, the shadow grew longer. He needed to gather his strength and take a big step.

Ian crossed his legs and instructed:

“If you want to be by His Highness Jin’s side of your own will, it would be better to erase me from yourself. This is close to advice. His Highness Jin cares for you greatly, so having you around would be better in many ways. He’s a lonely person, isn’t he?”

Xiaoshi raised his upper body. Ian’s words were flowing like water. Too natural, yet seemingly slipping through his fingers, unable to grasp.

Xiaoshi asked, as if tracing remnants. Ian was right in front of him, yet it felt like he wasn’t there.

“...Why are you saying this?”

“Because the things that will happen in the future are issues that can’t be proven, stopped, or confronted.”

No matter how much one claims it’s for Jin’s sake, Ian will ultimately be kept in check. Once a flow is created, no one can stop it until new political results emerge.

Then should one confront it?

In Jin’s Bariel, with whom? For what purpose?

“What should I do?”

“Nothing. Or anything.”

“...I don’t understand why you’re telling me this.”

“There’s no need to think deeply about it. I know you, and you’re someone close to His Highness, that’s all. Also, I wanted you to know that your first attempt to step out on your own was thwarted because of the situation, not because of you.”

At least someone who could be safely kept by Jin’s side. That’s what Ian thought of Xiaoshi.

Isn’t Jin a bit special compared to other emperors? He has parents, yet doesn’t, and the same goes for his power. Currently, if there’s anyone who can support Jin, it’s only Ian, but...

‘It would be truly precarious if he’s left alone after the Ministry of Magic annex is built. Romandro is loyal to Bariel, but he has a precious family too. Beric is out of the question. In many ways, it’s hard to find someone as suitable as Xiaoshi.’

“...Is it Captain Jeirutt? The one trying to check you, Master?”

“It’s likely, but I’m not certain yet.”

At least, he hoped that those checking forces were truly thinking of the imperial palace and Jin’s wellbeing. If they did, it would naturally distribute Jin’s weight, currently focused on him, to others.

Ian nodded once and smiled.

“Everything I’ve said is based on the premise that you want to be by His Highness Jin’s side. You have time to think.”

The same goes for Ian. At least until the outline of the checking forces becomes clear and the Ministry of Magic annex is built, he will stand firmly in front of Jin.

Probably, the reaction of the opposition will become clear starting from the point of construction.

“Master.”

You’re calling me master again. Ian smiled as if scolding, but Xiaoshi didn’t notice.

“...I wasn’t frustrated.”

“Is that so?”

“I entered the selection because I wanted to find my usefulness as a human, not as a slave.”

A slave has value just by existing. Because they have a definite price. But a human? They had to prove their existence and increase their value while living on their own.

This was why Xiaoshi continued the duels despite his reluctance. If he won, and everyone wanted him, it would be the first time he stood in the world as a human.

So, he wanted to show Ian. That he was enjoying the freedom Ian had spoken of.

“But you just told me again. There are many ways to show my value, so I’m not frustrated.”

“As I said, it’s premised on your choice.”

“Yes. I will choose.”

Xiaoshi replied firmly.

“I have chosen.”

Romandro offered congratulations to Jin.

“Your Highness, congratulations. If the King of Ruswena comes in person, it will add significance to your appointment ceremony.”

“How, how strange. I didn’t expect this at all.”

“Well, Your Highness is now the only prince, aren’t you? It’s better to move early and establish connections for the future. If the King of Ruswena comes, the scale will be enormous. We’ll need to prepare more thoroughly than we thought.”

Unlike the excited Romandro, Ian was just staring at the letter. He nodded to the attendant to open the remaining ones.

Swoosh.

The attendant ran his fingertip along the edge of the paper once before handing it to Ian. As Ian quickly read through the letter, his brow furrowed gradually, and even a sardonic smile appeared.

“Why, why do you look like that? Ian?”

“This has become interesting.”

As expected, Clipoford had decided to send 1st Prince Noah to visit.

The problem was Burgos.

“The king from Burgos is also coming, it says. Ambassador Timothy will accompany him.”

“From Burgos too? This is truly a festival! Your Highness, this is an unprecedented festival of grand unity!”

As Romandro rejoiced sincerely, Jin also smiled slightly in response.

But why did Lord Ian’s expression look so unfavorable? Prince Noah is also a successor, so if you think about it, all the leaders of each country are gathering to congratulate Jin on his appointment.

“Lord Ian. Will you show me the letter?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Jin received the letter, wanting to find out for himself rather than asking Ian why he looked that way.

But he couldn’t understand at all. Only the neat and elegant handwriting caught his eye, and content-wise, there was nothing particularly alarming to be seen.

“Your Highness. Do you remember why I wanted to gather the leaders of each country in Bariel?”

Ian, sensing Jin’s intention, asked gently. The reason he had said it would be good if the king came personally instead of an envoy?

“It’s not an emperor’s coronation, but a prince’s appointment ceremony. A king personally attending would lower their national prestige. Isn’t it because they have no choice but to acknowledge being under Bariel’s sphere of influence?”

“That’s correct.”

But on the other hand, it was because the current political situation in the imperial palace was chaotic. They must know that the palace had been locked down several times through civil unrest and the Arsen incident.

It would be very troublesome if the countries surrounding Bariel on all sides harbored ill intentions. Ian wanted to prevent this by conducting solid diplomacy face-to-face and demonstrating that the imperial palace was still strong.

“It’s not easy for the three kingdoms of Ruswena, Clipoford, and Burgos to gather in one place. Even two countries sharing a border might be understandable, but this... With our diplomats stationed in each country watching, how could they casually meet?”

“If the three countries formed an alliance, it would be somewhat burdensome even for Bariel. Maintaining an appropriate distance from each other is-“

As Romandro was agreeing and adding an explanation for Jin, he realized it himself while explaining.

Ah, they’re using Jin’s appointment ceremony as an opportunity to gather all three countries at once.

“Their schedules overlap almost exactly, staying around the day of the appointment ceremony. Normally, if they were mindful of Bariel, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Even though he had given the invitation directly to the kings, it was a move made on the calculation that it wouldn’t be accepted anyway.

“We’ll have to keep a closer eye on the King of Burgos, though.”

“Why the King of Burgos?”

“There’s a matter related to the gypsies.”

“Ah. I heard. The one I saw in the park?”

“There’s a possibility.”

Burgos, right. Burgos was still somewhat uncertain, but Ruswena accepting simultaneously?

“It seems they have some secret communication among themselves. Just as we try to show the imperial palace’s strength, they are coming to see its gaps.”

But if such a thing existed, they could have done it secretly as they’ve always done. Showing themselves directly and giving such indications was a signal that they wanted to move to a different phase than before.

After all, with the Emperor bedridden and the only successor being a ten-year-old child, they must have thought there wouldn’t be a better opportunity. The most likely scenario was a surprise alliance of the three countries.

“Then what should we do?”

When Jin asked in a somewhat worried tone, Ian smiled slightly.

It’s actually a good thing. Even if they come to take advantage of the situation, the imperial palace is the one creating that situation.

“Your Highness, on the day of the appointment ceremony, you just need to smile more brightly than anyone else.”

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