Chapter 42

Ivailo sat at the head of the national council chamber, surrounded by high-ranking officials. With the Emperor’s health recently declining, Ivailo was in charge of handling state affairs. He looked over a document placed on the desk and frowned.

 

“How are the preparations for the upcoming Hunting Festival?”

 

The minister seated to his right opened his mouth.

 

“All invitations have been delivered to the noble households, and the young heirs of each family will be attending.”

 

“And the temple?”

 

“We’ve already received cooperation from the Zernon Temple as well. The campsite, personnel, and supplies are all perfectly prepared.”

 

The minister glanced at Ivailo hesitantly before continuing.

 

“But… we still haven’t received the mana stones from the Baimery Trading Company yet…”

 

Ivailo had told Lilithia Baimery to bring the stones and attend the meeting. He looked around the hall, but she was nowhere to be seen. It seemed she had withdrawn, likely unable to obtain the top-grade mana stones as she had promised.

 

“Well then… the deputy head of Baimery Trading didn’t attend the meeting either…”

 

“If she couldn’t get the stones, how could she possibly show her face here?”

 

No one had believed that a mere merchant could procure stones even the Imperial family struggled to obtain.

 

‘Just as expected.’

 

Ivailo almost chuckled, but forced himself to suppress the laugh, pressing his fingers against his forehead.

 

“To erect a barrier over the entire Spruce Forest for the Hunting Festival, the mana stone supply is essential. Without it, we have a serious problem.”

 

“A grave issue indeed.”

 

“At this rate, we should order the imprisoned merchant Gorthu to obtain the stones…”

 

One of the ministers raised his voice loudly.

 

“Did you not hear? The merchant Gorthu was found dead!”

 

“How was I supposed to know that! A few days ago the court mages caused a fuss saying they needed mana stones urgently—I’ve barely had a moment to breathe!”

 

“If it troubled you that much, Count Paez, you should’ve sent an early cooperation letter to the Mage Tower yourself!”

 

“How am I supposed to handle that on top of everything else! If you can say that, then Marquis Jaquess should’ve contacted them beforehand!”

 

As the officials’ voices escalated, Ivailo’s brows twisted tightly.

 

“Enough.”

 

He spoke, but his voice failed to rise above the shouting.

 

“I said enough.”

 

Ivailo’s sharp aura flooded the room. Only then did the ministers freeze and fall silent.

 

“All of this is my fault. I foolishly believed the deputy of Baimery Trading when she bragged she could supply top-grade mana stones.”

 

The officials, who had just been arguing, jolted to their feet with startled expressions.

 

“How can this possibly be Your Highness’s fault!”

 

“Please don’t say such things!”

 

“If I hadn’t believed her words, the Hunting Festival wouldn’t be facing trouble like this.”

 

Ivailo sighed heavily, his expression clouded with regret.

 

“The fault lies with the Baimery deputy who deceived Your Highness! Not with you.”

 

“She must have approached you with ulterior motives from the start, pretending she could obtain stones even the Mage Tower finds difficult to acquire.”

 

“But I should’ve kept my wits about me. My impatience led to this… I feel deeply uneasy.”

 

Ivailo rubbed his face with one hand.

 

“Please don’t blame yourself, Your Highness.”

 

“This entire event is falling apart because of Baimery Trading and their false promises.”

 

“We should imprison the deputy immediately!”

 

“Imprison? We should tear her apart on the spot!”

 

Their tones grew increasingly heated. Ivailo frowned and shook his head slightly.

 

“That seems… excessive…”

 

“Your Highness is far too kind! To prevent this from happening again, we must act firmly!”

 

“He is right!”

 

Ivailo exhaled a weary breath.

 

“…Since you all insist, I will do as you say.”

 

“A wise decision, Your Highness!”

 

“For disrupting a national event with deceit, the deputy of Baimery Trading will be held responsible. Arrest Lilithia Baimery at once.”

 

“Relay the order to the Knight Commander! Bring Lilithia Baimery immediately!”

 

Just as a guard moved to leave with the order, the chamber doors swung open—and Freyer entered.

 

“It seems my dear brother lets the ministers sway him far too easily.”

 

 

***

 

 

Freyer gazed emotionlessly around the hall. Deep lines appeared between Ivailo’s brows, and the ministers stiffened.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“How dare the Second Prince speak so rudely to the exalted Crown Prince?!”

 

Freyer’s eyes sharpened.

 

“So Count Paez thinks it’s acceptable to speak to the Emperor’s son like that?”

 

The confident count’s face drained of color.

 

“…I…”

 

Count Paez looked to Ivailo for support. Ivailo responded firmly.

 

“Count Paez, your words were out of line.”

 

“I—I’m sorry… Second Prince.”

 

The count bowed his head in disappointment. Ivailo then shot Freyer a cold look.

 

“Your words were out of line as well. This is not a place for you. Leave.”

 

“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be allowed, yes. But today is different.”

 

Freyer shrugged, stepping slowly toward the head of the table.

 

“……”

 

“There’s something Your Highness failed to mention. It was thanks to Lady Lilithia Baimery that you learned the stones Gorthu was selling were counterfeit.”

 

“……?”

 

“She did?”

 

“The ministers seem to be hearing this for the first time. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

 

“……”

 

Ivailo’s expression twisted at Freyer’s mocking tone.

 

“And there’s another detail not quite matching what I know.”

 

“?”

 

“I was informed that the deputy of Baimery Trading has already supplied the mana stones to the palace.”

 

“The mages claim they never received them, and I’ve not been notified either.”

 

“So I’m mistaken?”

 

“I know you’re fond of her, but this is not—”

 

A commotion erupted outside the chamber.

 

“I must see His Highness the Crown Prince!”

 

“We are in a meeting—please wait—!”

 

Then the doors burst open and a court mage rushed inside, his long beard flying.

 

“I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness for my rudeness, but I came to express my gratitude!”

 

A minister questioned him.

 

“What is the meaning of this?”

 

“Well, you see. Haha…”

 

The mage pulled out a box from his robes and opened it. Inside lay a pristine, top-grade mana stone.

 

“I’ve never seen a stone of this quality in my entire career! I’ll head to the Hunting Festival grounds immediately to ensure the event does not get delayed!”

 

He placed a hand over his heart, overwhelmed with emotion.

 

“And to think the palace even sent multiple high-grade stones as well… We are truly grateful.”

 

Ivailo’s hardened face twitched.

 

“…Think nothing of it. It was only right.”

 

“Then I shall take my leave!”

 

The mage hurried out. Count Paez turned to Ivailo.

 

“Y–Your Highness… what does this mean?”

 

“……”

 

“What else could it mean? His Highness nearly arrested an innocent person without even checking the facts.”

 

Freyer tilted his head, eyes on Ivailo.

 

“Isn’t that right, brother?”

 

“Freyer. This is a state meeting. Know your place.”

 

“Ah, yes. A state meeting. Forgive me—I momentarily forgot after seeing how Your Highness and the ministers were so quick to make decisions.”

 

Freyer swept his gaze around the room with a smirk.

 

“State affairs are running beautifully, I see.”

 

 

***

 

 

That night, black as pitch, Ivailo traveled to the northern mages’ hidden refuge. With a blade infused with aura, he struck the rock.

 

KWANG—

 

With a tremendous sound and a cloud of dust, a large hole opened. A concealment barrier had been hiding the entrance.

 

Ivailo clenched his teeth and strode into the cave, where several mages sat in a circle.

 

“What brings His Highness the Crown Prince to such a humble place?”

 

The mage seated at the highest chair asked.

 

“If you had handed over the stones as promised, I wouldn’t have had to suffer this humiliation.”

 

“You seem greatly angered over the stones.”

 

During the Northern Subjugation, the prince had shown interest in the synthetic mana stones—wanting to use them to kill the thorn in his side. But it hadn’t been the right time to reveal them, so the Tower had rejected him.

 

As planned, they publicly introduced the stones at the recent auction.

 

‘We crafted a fake merchant for money flow… What a waste. Tch.’

 

Even if dragged to prison, Gorthu would say nothing—they had cast a spell ensuring his death if he tried to speak of the Tower.

 

“This mana stone is fake!”

 

What exactly had that woman known when she shouted that? He didn’t care. Their tracks were covered. He only regretted not selling it privately.

 

“Bring me the Tower Master.”

 

“You may speak to me, the Vice Tower Master.”

 

The crown prince’s barely restrained anger was amusing. Ivailo slammed both hands down on the table.

 

“I’ve done everything you asked. I approved your auction. And this is how you treat me?”

 

The Vice Tower Master smirked.

 

“It wasn’t intentional.”

 

“You dare say you’re not afraid of me?”

 

“If we do not fear Your Highness… who else would we fear?”

 

With an arrogant smile, he folded his arms.

 

“You must be disappointed you couldn’t kill the Second Prince.”

 

“……”

 

Ivailo glared down at him.

 

“Let me offer you something interesting.”

 

“You dare propose something after humiliating me?”

 

“Once you hear it, you’ll be tempted.”

 

“If it’s nonsense, I’ll cut off your head.”

 

“We’ll give you a useful tool—if you’ll quench our thirst.”

 

“A tool?”

 

The Vice Tower Master waved one arm. The two mages beside him immediately rose.

 

“Open it.”

 

KUKUKUNG—

 

The table shook violently as the floor trembled. Startled, Ivailo stepped back. The table split open, revealing stone stairs leading underground.

 

The Vice Tower Master smiled leisurely.

 

“Come. I have something to show you.”