Chapter 201

“…Mother?”

Philea was sitting there blankly. Her hair was damp with sweat and tears, sticking to her cheeks, and her palms were soaked in blood.

Nersarn, who had followed in from behind, rushed over in surprise.

“Philea!”

The process of the warriors discovering and subduing the intruder wasn’t very long. In that short time, what on earth had happened?

Philea looked up at Ian, tears streaming down. She knew it wasn’t her fault, but she feared what impact this would have on Ian.

“Ian, I-“

“Are you all right?”

Ian knelt on one knee in front of her. Upon close examination of her complexion, her lip was torn. Either Gale or Arsen had struck Philea’s cheek.

Realizing this, Nersarn didn’t hide his brutal aura. His sharp jaw became even more prominent, and veins bulged on his temples. He glared at the two princes and stood up. His lover, whom he cherished like a wildflower, fearing she might fly away with a single breeze, yet they dared…

“Wait, just a moment.”

Philea grabbed Ian and Nersarn with both hands. What had just happened was so shocking that she had no time to feel the pain of her wound.

“I can’t understand it, but His Highness Arsen ordered me to cut his face. Like His Highness Jin’s scar.”

Nersarn frowned as if it was unpleasant, but Ian quickly examined Arsen. It wasn’t an ordinary scar. Wasn’t it a mark symbolizing the next emperor? The child was slowly getting up, grasping the table.

‘It’s not there.’

Fortunately, his face was clean. His earlobe was slightly torn from Gale’s attack just now, but his smooth face remained intact.

“Ah, I tried not to, but my mind turned white, and I couldn’t refuse. If I had been a little later, I don’t know. Ian. Ian, I’m sorry.”

Philea trembled and grabbed Ian’s arm. Her gaze was vivid, hoping this wouldn’t cause problems for him.

“Please don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. And mother. Your son is the Minister of Magic of the great Bariel Empire. Even a prince can’t treat you recklessly. Hold your head high.”

My mind turned white, and I couldn’t refuse. Ian mulled over Philea’s words as he stood up.

He had thought Arsen’s intrusion into Gale’s residence was with the help of an accomplice. But Philea’s testimony sounded as if Arsen had used some ability.

‘Arsen was already in the room. Even though one can’t enter the residence without going through where the guards are stationed.’

Slap!

Just then, a slapping sound erupted, and Ian’s thoughts abruptly stopped. Gale had struck Arsen’s cheek. The child, who had barely gotten up staggering, tumbled back again.

“Gasp! Your, Your Highness!”

“Your Highness Gale! You mustn’t!”

The guards, unable to bear it, rushed over in surprise, but Gale grabbed Arsen’s hair, paying no heed. He may be a convict, but what did it matter?

Yank!

“I thought you were arrogant and insolent, but I believed you knew your place. Now I see that’s not the case either. Inside you, sewage is not only rotten but overflowing.”

“Your Highness! Let go!”

“This is the last warning! You mustn’t!”

“Please don’t do this! I beg you!”

Arsen’s body shook from Gale’s rough grip. The guards had no choice but to draw their swords and shout. Putting aside right and wrong, Arsen was the one closest to being the next heir. They couldn’t let him be beaten like that by the rebel Gale.

Arsen, his hair grabbed, giggled and narrowed his eyes.

“You should know your place, brother. You, who lived in Mariv’s shadow all your life! Even if you can’t escape that and die soon! Who are you lecturing!”

Slap!

Clang!

As Gale struck his cheek again, the guards thrust their swords forward. That was it. Gale released Arsen’s hair and sat on the edge of the bed. The sudden movement caused pain in his neck and lower back.

“Hehe, heh…”

“Yo-Your Highness, are you all right?”

“Call the doctor! The doctor!”

As Gale rummaged through the table looking for a cigarette, a warrior approached and handed him a rolled leaf. What he needed now was a sedative, but no one recognized it. Because Arsen, with blood on his lips, had let out a scream.

“The kid has gone mad. If he’s the emperor, I’m the emperor’s grandpa.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Who cares? They don’t understand Cheonrye anyway.”

“Look, look at him. Seems like he’s lost his mind. He keeps grinning.”

“Did the kid hit Lady Philea? Tsk, damn, I want to smash his head. Only learned bad things.”

The warriors rambled in Cheonrye. Those so-called princes of the great Bariel Empire were all in that state, so honestly, it was disappointing.

Nersarn signaled them to restrain themselves with his eyes but didn’t actively stop them. He, too, was upset by Philea’s wound.

“Your Highness Arsen.”

“…”

Ian approached Arsen, waving away the smoke from the leaf. The child blinked and stared up at him intently.

“Is it true that you laid hands on my mother?”

“Yes. She spoke insolently despite being a commoner, so I did that.”

What’s the problem? Arsen grinned, but Ian’s gaze was cold. He had seen the malice hidden behind the child’s innocence several times.

‘Arsen has an ability. Judging from the fact that he hasn’t revealed it until now, it’s not a card that’s entirely beneficial to him. But if we leave it, it will definitely become troublesome, so let’s get rid of it.’

“No one stands alone in the world. Your Highness Arsen. You’ve made a mistake.”

Swish.

Ian turned and looked at Gale. Sitting on the edge of the bed, rolling and smoking the leaf, he exhaled the smoke. The two gazes interlocked. Ian subtly twitched his left eyebrow, signaling.

“Ha.”

Gale let out a low laugh. He had immediately understood what Ian wanted. To kill Arsen, that the only one who could deal with Arsen without repercussions in this situation was Gale, him.

“…Sir Ian. Didn’t you issue an order prohibiting outsiders from entering my residence?”

“That is correct.”

“There are those dying because I’m alive. As the one in charge of handling the chaos in the palace, it’s to eliminate all those conspiring. But I have no idea why Arsen is here.”

Gale skillfully pointed out the justification. It was their fault for starting it first. His actions implied that the responsibility for the upcoming tragedy lay entirely with Arsen.

Ian played along and slightly bowed his head.

“I don’t know either, but…”

Clang!

Gale snatched the sword from the guard standing beside him. The warriors watched with a whistle inwardly, and the guards stepped back, only glancing nervously. The intention was clear.

“Arsen, even if you die here, no one will know the reason.”

Swish.

Gale pointed the sword. His physical condition was a mess, but killing a young child was a piece of cake. The tip of the blade followed the child’s chin down to his neck.

“Sir Ian.”

Gale suddenly called out to Ian and stopped. He needed to confirm what would come to him if he killed Arsen here.

First, what he needed most was a postponement of the revocation of the imperial family name. Even if he couldn’t stay in the palace, it was important to at least live outside. If he lived, another opportunity would come.

“Your Highness Gale Berosion, Second Prince. Ask me.”

Ian called out his full name, understanding his intention. He was quick-witted to the point of being unpleasant. Gale laughed irritably and gripped the sword.

If you kill, you live.

If you want to live, kill.

Swish.

“Sir Ian.”

At that moment. Arsen lightly pushed away the blade with his fingertips. Blood spurted from the child’s index and middle fingers.

“Right now, the rebel is trying to kill me, the 4th Prince, but why is there no stance to protect me at all? I am a body that Bariel cannot do without.”

“You, Your Highness?”

Ian questioned as if he truly didn’t know. In what way? Even if that bastard wasn’t there, it wouldn’t be a problem for Bariel’s centuries of glory. Rather, the future Jin would forge would shine even brighter.

Zing. Zing.

“…!”

“…!”

As Arsen sighed, his blue eyes turned golden. Philea, Nersarn, and even the mere guards knew of that change in his eyes.

“I am the body destined to become the first mage emperor.”

Beyond surprise, it was shocking.

Gale unknowingly staggered back. Nersarn’s arm tightly embracing Philea also tensed. They couldn’t understand how the situation was unfolding.

“So killing me is killing the Bariel Empire. Ian, you know, right? The depth of the boundless glory a single mage brings.”

Of course he knew. Wasn’t it solely because he was a mage that a lowborn bastard from the frontier had risen to this position? But a prince in the line of succession being a mage. It was a qualification to ascend to the throne, putting everything else aside.

The power of a god that surpassed everything, as Ian had been in his previous life.

Arsen burst into laughter, constantly giggling.

“Sir Ian, you said I made a mistake? Well. I think the mistake is yours. To side with the dull Jin, leaving me like this. Tsk tsk.”

Everyone turned to Ian. Even Gale couldn’t hide his startled expression. He had watched Arsen since birth until now, but he had never guessed that he possessed the qualities of a mage.

“…Is this an illusion?”

“Brother Gale, have you forgotten the blessing of the imperial family? Mind control magic and such don’t work. If you try to kill me, I will also… Cough!”

Arsen, who had been speaking well, coughed up blood. The clumps of blood he spat out soaked the floor in an instant. In pain, Arsen widened his bloodshot eyes and screamed.

Click!

“Your Highness! Are you alri- gasp! Are you all right?”

“Your Highness Arsen! Your Highness!”

The medical staff rushed in, summoned by the guards.

With Gale holding a sword and Arsen collapsing while spitting blood, the guards who didn’t know the situation subdued Gale and pressed him onto the bed.

Clang!

Gale’s sword clattered to the floor.

Swallowing a painful groan, he stared desolately at the door Arsen had left through. If Arsen was truly a mage, no matter what he or Mariv did, they couldn’t have taken the throne. Gale buried his face in the bed as the guards pressed down, wondering what fate was to be so cruel.

“Sir Ian.”

Nersarn cautiously called out to Ian. Asking what they should do now.

“…The first emperor mage.”

“Sir Ian?”

“Haha! Hahaha!”

Nersarn flinched. Ian was laughing. It was a sincere laugh that was too absurd.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

In front of the true first emperor mage, he dared to mention that position.

A few warriors grabbed the door frame and asked urgently.

“Shall we chase after him? If he goes out like that, won’t it really cause problems?”

Ian shook his head. If Arsen had decided to build the image of an emperor mage, there was a high possibility his close aides were also aware of this situation. If something happened to Arsen, it would be a misstep for Ian. Rather, it was fortunate he didn’t die at Gale’s hands.

‘The first mage from the imperial family. Both propositions are wrong. History told me. That I was the first.’

Based on the history Ian knew, it couldn’t be. If what Arsen had shown just now was mana in many ways…

‘It means he’s not a person of the imperial family.’