Chapter 285

On a night illuminated by moonlight, a small carriage racing through the streets came to a halt in the middle of the main road.

Long shadows stretched across the polished stones. The only sign of life was the distant, staggering footsteps of a vagrant.

Ian adjusted the lantern light and gave instructions.

“We’ll walk from here.”

“I’ll prepare, sir.”

“This is no ordinary gypsy, so be on your guard.”

While it would be ideal if they could persuade her to come along willingly, given the nature of gypsies, that was clearly going to be difficult. In that case, they had no choice but to use force to detain her.

Her existence would give Bariel an advantage in its relationship with Timothy, and by extension, the Kingdom of Burgos. Ian nodded lightly as he surveyed the alley.

“This area and that one are particularly maze-like. Block them off completely with barriers.”

“Yes, Lord Ian. Don’t worry.”

As their superior repeatedly emphasized caution, the subordinates became even more focused. They checked the map one last time before melting into their assigned alleys, disappearing. Their determination was clear – not even a mouse would be allowed to pass without Ian’s orders.

“Let’s go. Ian, the moon is beautiful tonight.”

In contrast, Beric was as carefree as if he were out for an evening stroll. He even started humming as he took the lead. He was trying to pinpoint the exact location based on his fragmented memories.

“Beric, are you sure it was the night of the half moon? Why is it so quiet? I don’t see anyone.”

“Come on, I told you it’s right. Sir Romandro, how do you live not trusting people like this?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust people, it’s you that…”

“Shh.”

The two stopped abruptly at Ian’s sudden signal.

Ian’s gaze fell on the space between two buildings. There was a pile of objects of indeterminate purpose. Covered with cloth, its boundaries were difficult to discern in the darkness.

Romandro, squinting, noticed something wriggling beside it.

“Gasp.”

A faintly glimmering crystal ball. It was the one they had seen in the park! Romandro fidgeted nervously, whispering incessantly to Ian.

“It’s her. It’s the same gypsy we saw with His Highness. The crystal ball is so distinctive, it left an impression.”

“What are you all doing there? You’re not expecting a legless old woman to come to you, are you?”

Ian nodded, gripping the lantern with his left hand. It was a signal. They had found the gypsy; everyone should be on alert.

Beric squatted in front of her, giggling.

“Granny, hello. Have you been waiting long?”

“Waiting? It’s just that you’ve come on my night.”

“Judging by how you’re talking, you’re really fine. See, Sir Romandro? I told you I didn’t cause an accident.”

Instead of replying, Romandro politely tipped his hat and nodded. Seeing this, the gypsy savored an exclamation of great interest.

“Hmm. Aren’t you the gentleman I saw in the park before?”

“We meet again.”

“Why are you being so formal? What’s different between the gentleman from that day and me now?”

Isn’t there a saying that the first meeting is by chance, the second is by fate, and the third is by destiny? Moreover, gypsies are worshippers of fate. She instinctively knew that meeting Romandro again was no ordinary occurrence.

“Interesting. Very interesting.”

“Granny. The really interesting one is who I brought separately. Fortunately or not, Ian also wanted to meet you.”

The gypsy’s gaze traveled slowly from bottom to top. Luxurious leather shoes, neat trouser cuffs and coat, gently swaying golden hair. And the moment she met Ian’s absinthe eyes.

Swoosh.

The gypsy unconsciously hunched her body and moved. Very slowly, and languidly. As if in a trance, barely aware she was moving. She tried to crawl out on her arms, approaching Ian.

Is this how a blind ant feels when it finds something sweet? If after circling and circling, it finds something sticky and sweet right in front of it, wouldn’t it want to burrow into it, swim in it, lose itself in it?

The gypsy savored the joy rising deep in her chest as she reached out her hand.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh my, oh my goodness.”

“Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic.”

“Yes, yes. In all my life, I’ve never seen someone like you. Even the King of Burgos doesn’t have such a flavor. How can this be? That good-for-nothing ruffian has actually done something praiseworthy.”

Good-for-nothing ruffian? Beric, who had been quietly insulted out of nowhere, tried to add something, but Romandro quickly stopped him.

The gypsy was showing tremendous interest in Ian. This should be enough for things to proceed smoothly. They couldn’t afford to provoke her unnecessarily. Romandro, covering Beric’s mouth, stepped back five paces.

“Ian Hielo, you say?”

“That’s right.”

“My! You must have a real name, mustn’t you? That too is a tremendous secret. Tell it to me. Hmm? Then I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

His real name, that would be Ian Verocion.

But Ian just smiled gently and knelt on one knee in front of her. As he matched her gaze more closely, the gypsy felt a thrill running down to her nonexistent legs.

“Gypsy. What is your name?”

“I have none. I am the one who eats secrets.”

“I see. Then, do you perhaps know? That the King of Burgos is looking for you.”

“Is it only the King of Burgos? In this world, there are countless who want to cut open my belly. There are thousands of voices in here.”

…Do we need to cut open her belly? Ian hesitated momentarily at the gypsy’s words. Noticing this, the old woman added playfully.

“You want to cut open my belly too, it seems. But remember why I’m still alive.”

If she were to die, thousands of voices would burst out and deafen the ears, and stale thoughts would drive one mad.

Instead of returning to their owners, the secrets would spread into the world, creating chaos. Though he couldn’t know the details, Ian understood the principles of the world.

“There’s no need to remember. Things that tempt one to harm oneself are poisonous.”

“Correct principle! Hahaha!”

“Let me ask one thing. If I want to know someone’s secret, is there no way? You ‘eat’ secrets to make them disappear, so does that mean they’re gone forever once you do?”

The old woman gestured for him to come closer. As Ian carefully leaned in, she grasped his sleeve and whispered.

This was something special, told only to those with particularly delicious secrets.

“Old ones are digested and disappear. Smaller ones vanish even faster. Even I can’t help it, but I can recall what remains. But doing so leaves me empty and in pain. If you can give me a secret to replace it, no, an even richer secret, I’ll help you.”

“…You’re quite a hungry one.”

“That’s not for you to say. Those with many secrets are inevitably deficient. What are you lacking? And thus, what are you trying to fill?”

Ian fell silent at the gypsy’s question.

What Ian lacked, or rather, what he wanted to fill – it was formless like the gypsy’s secrets, more essential, and at the same time, definite.

But…

“It’s a secret.”

“Ahaha! My mouth is watering, it’s watering.”

He couldn’t tell the gypsy. After all, everything said from now on would be used as currency in their trade.

As Ian smiled gently and replied, the old woman burst into laughter that almost made her convulse. It seemed as if the moonlight was brightly settling on the empty street.

Ian gestured for Romandro to step back further. It was time to trade secrets.

“Well then, let me tell you one more thing before we begin.”

The gypsy meaningfully rubbed her crystal ball. Following her hand movements, the universe inside the ball moved in a spiral. As if human fates were intertwining and swirling.

“When I recall and spit out a secret, its owner can speak it aloud, so they’ll realize the secret has leaked. Also, it’s not as intact as when I first ate it. The longer the time has passed, only the form remains. If you’re still okay with that, let’s try exchanging. Your secret for one in my belly.”

The moment Ian nodded, indicating he would agree to the trade, he suddenly realized. Why the King of Burgos was searching for the gypsy.

‘If a secret is leaked, the person involved becomes aware. Is that why the King of Burgos is searching so desperately? To find out to whom it was leaked, and bury it completely? Or perhaps to deal with it before it leaks? It would be better to hear everything I can first, then make an overall guess.’

“Why do you look like that?”

“I’m amazed you’ve lived so long.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Honestly, when he had only heard Jin’s account, he thought the secrets were completely incinerated. But if it worked like this, wasn’t her very existence precarious?

The gypsy giggled and hugged her crystal ball.

“What nonsense. Of course, when you eat something, it takes time to digest. If it’s solid and large, it takes even longer. After that, it’s true that it disappears completely from the world. I didn’t lie. And do you think I make this offer to just anyone?”

It meant that Ian’s secret was that tempting. A secret large enough to fill her stomach after emptying it out.

Ian carefully drew out a secret from the corner of his mind. Something he had forgotten at some point because it had been there for so long.

“…I’m hiding a lot from those I’m with.”

“I can see the bottom of the secret you’re willing to give. Even if you just cut off the top, it won’t fill my stomach, so please reveal everything.”

The act of hiding itself was a secret, but savoring each thread of it was a meal for her. She couldn’t just taste the side dishes knowing there was a feast. The gypsy gestured for him to wait.

“A hungry person can only be kind. I’ll give you a little first. Now, what did you say you wanted? The Kings of Burgos?”

“First, let’s start with the ‘dead’ former king’s secrets.”

To ensure no one would notice his trade with the gypsy, he first asked for the secrets of the dead. She flicked her finger lightly, as if doing him a favor.

Rustle.

The crystal ball glowed. At the same time, she pulled back her robe. There was a gap on the side of one cheek. It looked like gills, just as Jin had described.

The old woman grinned, then tilted her head slightly and brought forth a secret. The gap on the side of her cheek moved slightly. That, it seemed, was the mouth that spewed out secrets.

“The previous… king and queen of Burgos… hated each other. It was so extraordinary that they would… imagine each other’s death at all times. It began…”

The voice was faint and thin, making it difficult to understand. Ian frowned and leaned in closer, but there were still significant gaps. Being secrets from a previous generation, it was clear that more than half had already melted away.

‘When checking past records, it was difficult to find any special mention of the relationship between the king and queen. Outwardly, they must have managed to keep up appearances.’

“It started from the birth of the current king. He was an intelligent, flawless child, but… strangely, problems arose as the child grew. As time passed, the king and queen each had children with different lovers, and they… secretly infiltrated various parts of Burgos. Their identities are as follows…”

The hidden royal bloodlines of Burgos. Ian listened intently to every word the gypsy uttered, as if engraving it in his mind. Is this what the current king wants to know? To find his siblings hiding their fangs somewhere?

Rustle.

The gypsy suddenly looked up at the sky. Her pale eyes seemed to shake uncontrollably. Like those in the crystal ball. Like the universe itself.

“The King of Burgos knows this. And in exchange, he told me.”

The gypsy moved close to Ian and merely flapped her gills. Now it’s your turn to pay the price.

Ian drew out a secret hidden deep within.

“…I am not Ian Hielo. I am Ian Verocion from Bariel a hundred years in the future.”

“It was he who drove a wedge between the king and queen. The hatred between them was fanned by him.”

“…I was the Emperor.”

“He says he is living his second life.”

Navigate to Other Chapters

MBSE Chapter 01 - Emperor's End

MBSE Chapter 02 - The Bastard of House Bratz

MBSE Chapter 03 - The Marquis Estate

MBSE Chapter 04 - Shackles

MBSE Chapter 05 - Plans

MBSE Chapter 06 - A Stroll

MBSE Chapter 07 - Illiterate

MBSE Chapter 08 - Intentions

MBSE Chapter 09 - The Second Luncheon

MBSE Chapter 10 - The Brooch

MBSE Chapter 11 - Alcohol and Water

MBSE Chapter 12 - The Proposal

MBSE Chapter 13 - The Flower Pot

MBSE Chapter 14 - The Training Ground

MBSE Chapter 15 - Beric

MBSE Chapter 16 - The Mage Knight

MBSE Chapter 17 - Enemy

MBSE Chapter 18 - Preparation

MBSE Chapter 19 - Informant

MBSE Chapter 20 - The Door

MBSE Chapter 21 - Diamond

MBSE Chapter 22 - The Tutor

MBSE Chapter 23 - The Warrior

MBSE Chapter 24 - Nersarn

MBSE Chapter 25 - Proof

MBSE Chapter 26

MBSE Chapter 27

MBSE Chapter 28

MBSE Chapter 29

MBSE Chapter 30

MBSE Chapter 31

MBSE Chapter 32

MBSE Chapter 33

MBSE Chapter 34

MBSE Chapter 35

MBSE Chapter 36

MBSE Chapter 37

MBSE Chapter 38

MBSE Chapter 39

MBSE Chapter 40

MBSE Chapter 41

MBSE Chapter 42

MBSE Chapter 43

MBSE Chapter 44

MBSE Chapter 45

MBSE Chapter 46

MBSE Chapter 47

MBSE Chapter 48

MBSE Chapter 49

MBSE Chapter 50

MBSE Chapter 51

MBSE Chapter 52

MBSE Chapter 53

MBSE Chapter 54

MBSE Chapter 55

MBSE Chapter 56

MBSE Chapter 57

MBSE Chapter 58

MBSE Chapter 59

MBSE Chapter 60

MBSE Chapter 61

MBSE Chapter 62

MBSE Chapter 63

MBSE Chapter 64

MBSE Chapter 65

MBSE Chapter 66

MBSE Chapter 67

MBSE Chapter 68

MBSE Chapter 69

MBSE Chapter 70

MBSE Chapter 71

MBSE Chapter 72

MBSE Chapter 73

MBSE Chapter 74

MBSE Chapter 75

MBSE Chapter 76

MBSE Chapter 77

MBSE Chapter 78

MBSE Chapter 79

MBSE Chapter 80

MBSE Chapter 81

MBSE Chapter 82

MBSE Chapter 82

MBSE Chapter 83

MBSE Chapter 83

MBSE Chapter 84

MBSE Chapter 85

MBSE Chapter 86

MBSE Chapter 87

MBSE Chapter 88

MBSE Chapter 89

MBSE Chapter 90

MBSE Chapter 91

MBSE Chapter 92

MBSE Chapter 93

MBSE Chapter 94

MBSE Chapter 95

MBSE Chapter 96

MBSE Chapter 97

MBSE Chapter 98

MBSE Chapter 99

MBSE Chapter 100

MBSE Chapter 101

MBSE Chapter 102

MBSE Chapter 103

MBSE Chapter 104

MBSE Chapter 105

MBSE Chapter 106

MBSE Chapter 107

MBSE Chapter 108

MBSE Chapter 109

MBSE Chapter 110

MBSE Chapter 111

MBSE Chapter 112

MBSE Chapter 113

MBSE Chapter 114

MBSE Chapter 115

MBSE Chapter 116

MBSE Chapter 117

MBSE Chapter 118

MBSE Chapter 119

MBSE Chapter 120

MBSE Chapter 121

MBSE Chapter 122

MBSE Chapter 123

MBSE Chapter 124

MBSE Chapter 125 - The First Noble Mage

MBSE Chapter 126 - Arsen and Jin

MBSE Chapter 127 - The Hidden Oracle

MBSE Chapter 128 - The Morning Guest

MBSE Chapter 129 - Behind the Scenes

MBSE Chapter 130 - New Magician, New Swordsman

MBSE Chapter 131 - Imperial Palace Training Grounds

MBSE Chapter 132 - Meeting a Worthy Opponent

MBSE Chapter 133 - Joining Ceremony

MBSE Chapter 134 - The Mayor's Letter

MBSE Chapter 135 - Love is Crazy

MBSE Chapter 136 - Proving in the Midst of Chaos

MBSE Chapter 137 - To Gale First

MBSE Chapter 138 - I Swear

MBSE Chapter 139 - I Swear Again

MBSE Chapter 140 - Dogs are Best at Finding People

MBSE Chapter 141 - Love and War

MBSE Chapter 142 - Black Smoke

MBSE Chapter 143 - Fall from Grace

MBSE Chapter 144 - Forbidden Magic

MBSE Chapter 145 - Ashes

MBSE Chapter 146 - It Really is a Curse

MBSE Chapter 147 - Truth Serum

MBSE Chapter 148 - A Secret Deal

MBSE Chapter 149 - Candidate Registration for the Next Minister

MBSE Chapter 150 - A Sloppy Letter

MBSE Chapter 151 - Fakens Slave Caravan

MBSE Chapter 152 - Illegal Slaves

MBSE Chapter 153 - Whole Pig Party

MBSE Chapter 154 - Between Threat and Negotiation

MBSE Chapter 155 - Balance Through Checks

MBSE Chapter 156

MBSE Chapter 157

MBSE Chapter 158

MBSE Chapter 159

MBSE Chapter 160

MBSE Chapter 161 - Mother

MBSE Chapter 162 - Because You are like a Wildflower

MBSE Chapter 163 - Proving the Truth

MBSE Chapter 164 - Signal Flare

MBSE Chapter 165 - Xiaoshi

MBSE Chapter 166 - Assassination Attempt

MBSE Chapter 167 - The Emperor's Seal

MBSE Chapter 168 - That Night

MBSE Chapter 169 - A Mess

MBSE Chapter 170 - Neutral Forces

MBSE Chapter 171 - Spreading Spark

MBSE Chapter 172 - The Fate of the Twins

MBSE Chapter 173 - Jin, A Precious Child

MBSE Chapter 174 - Moving Forward, Bit by Bit

MBSE Chapter 175 - Variable

MBSE Chapter 176 - Mana-Sealing Stone

MBSE Chapter 177 - The Black Moon

MBSE Chapter 178 - Dark Side of the Moon

MBSE Chapter 179 - The Third Imperial Palace, Now

MBSE Chapter 180 - Surrender

MBSE Chapter 181 - Angel's Eyes

MBSE Chapter 182 - The Day Ends

MBSE Chapter 183 - Emergency Meeting

MBSE Chapter 184 - The Next Emperor

MBSE Chapter 185 - The Chronicle of Roberside

MBSE Chapter 186

MBSE Chapter 187

MBSE Chapter 188

MBSE Chapter 189

MBSE Chapter 190 - The Grand Council Meeting

MBSE Chapter 191 - Restricting Parental Rights

MBSE Chapter 192 - Blood That Taints the Truth

MBSE Chapter 193

MBSE Chapter 194 - Trust

MBSE Chapter 195 - Merry Daily

MBSE Chapter 196 - Extra! Extra!

MBSE Chapter 197 - Opening the City Gates

MBSE Chapter 198 - Amidst the Commotions

MBSE Chapter 199 - The Atan, Tribe of Blood

MBSE Chapter 200 - Wound Me Too

MBSE Chapter 201 - The Emperor Mage

MBSE Chapter 202 - For the Sake of Position

MBSE Chapter 203 - D-7

MBSE Chapter 204 - Rainy Days

MBSE Chapter 205 - D-6

MBSE Chapter 206 - Imperial Guard

MBSE Chapter 207 - Breaking the Black Armor

MBSE Chapter 208 - Chatur Zone 3

MBSE Chapter 209 - Premium Grade A+++

MBSE Chapter 210 - D-5

MBSE Chapter 211 - The Trial Begins

MBSE Chapter 212 - The Defense

MBSE Chapter 213 - The Verdict

MBSE Chapter 214 - The One Who Was the First Prince

MBSE Chapter 215 - In the Greenhouse

MBSE Chapter 216 - I Object

MBSE Chapter 217 - A New Prophecy

MBSE Chapter 218 - D-4

MBSE Chapter 219 - One Step Back

MBSE Chapter 220 - One Body, One Mind

MBSE Chapter 221 - A Trap Script

MBSE Chapter 222 - Push

MBSE Chapter 223 - Stamp Thud

MBSE Chapter 224 - D-3

MBSE Chapter 225 - The Voice of God

MBSE Chapter 226 - Little Devil

MBSE Chapter 227 - A Silent Response

MBSE Chapter 228 - D-2

MBSE Chapter 229 - The Demon's Whisperer

MBSE Chapter 230 - D-1

MBSE Chapter 231 - What are You?

MBSE Chapter 232 - Of Royal Blood

MBSE Chapter 233 - D-Day

MBSE Chapter 234 - The Owner of the Voice

MBSE Chapter 235 - The Last

MBSE Chapter 236 - Consider it an Honor

MBSE Chapter 237 - Leaving Behind

MBSE Chapter 238 - Without Ian

MBSE Chapter 239 - Three Hours Ago

MBSE Chapter 240 - Whispering

MBSE Chapter 241 - Calling Names

MBSE Chapter 242 - Ruswena Delegation

MBSE Chapter 243 - Purge While on Bed

MBSE Chapter 244 - This is the Bloodwind

MBSE Chapter 245 - Central Nobility

MBSE Chapter 246 - A Secret for Ruswena

MBSE Chapter 247 - Melania's Plea

MBSE Chapter 248 - Jin's Request

MBSE Chapter 249 - Pat-pat and Bicker-backer

MBSE Chapter 250 - Opposition Noble's Signatures

MBSE Chapter 251 - Leaving the Palace

MBSE Chapter 252 - Mud Pit

MBSE Chapter 253 - Rumors

MBSE Chapter 254 - Pillars

MBSE Chapter 255 - Caught in a Trap

MBSE Chapter 256 - The Trial of the Seven Families Begin

MBSE Chapter 257 - Jin's Bariel

MBSE Chapter 258 - The Verdict

MBSE Chapter 259 - Side Effects of the Mana Amplification Stone

MBSE Chapter 260 - Before Preparing the Appointment Ceremony

MBSE Chapter 261 - Introduction of Three Countries' Figures

MBSE Chapter 262 - The Reason for Remembering Timothy

MBSE Chapter 263 - Each Person's Thoughts

MBSE Chapter 264 - A Side Branch

MBSE Chapter 265 - Emancipation

MBSE Chapter 266 - The First Secret Inspection

MBSE Chapter 267 - Secret Eater

MBSE Chapter 268 - Pretending to Know

MBSE Chapter 269 - Each Other's Well-being

MBSE Chapter 270 - Underground Brawl

MBSE Chapter 271 - The Best Banquet

MBSE Chapter 272 - The King's Circumstances

MBSE Chapter 273 - What Only Ian Knows

MBSE Chapter 274 - Selection Exam

MBSE Chapter 275 - Who Rigged the Tournament Bracket?

MBSE Chapter 276 - Each Other's Purpose

MBSE Chapter 277 - Criticism

MBSE Chapter 278 - Their Own Reasons

MBSE Chapter 279 - A Different World

MBSE Chapter 280 - Head-on

MBSE Chapter 281 - Beric Goes Forth

MBSE Chapter 282 - After Victory

MBSE Chapter 283 - The Award Ceremony

MBSE Chapter 284 - The Half Moon Rises

MBSE Chapter 285 - Time to Trade Secrets

MBSE Chapter 286 - Damon Runkvis

🔒85MBSE Chapter 287 - Forgotten Page

🔒85MBSE Chapter 288 - The Guests are Coming

🔒85MBSE Chapter 289 - Young Lion Cub

🔒85MBSE Chapter 290 - A Queen's Provocation

🔒85MBSE Chapter 291 - A Peculiar Taste

🔒85MBSE Chapter 292 - Things to Endure

🔒85MBSE Chapter 293 - A Private Talk with Jeirutt

🔒85MBSE Chapter 294 - The Carriages Stop

🔒85MBSE Chapter 295 - Pointy Ears

🔒85MBSE Chapter 296 - And Then, This and That Happened

🔒85MBSE Chapter 297 - Examination

🔒85MBSE Chapter 298 - The Fox Prince

🔒85MBSE Chapter 299 - The Variable

🔒85MBSE Chapter 300 - Inner Thoughts

🔒85MBSE Chapter 301 - Time to Change the Meaning

🔒85MBSE Chapter 302 - The Taste of Magic

🔒85MBSE Chapter 303 - Banquet of Kings

🔒85MBSE Chapter 304 - The Whereabouts of the Jewels

🔒85MBSE Chapter 305 - According to Plan

🔒85MBSE Chapter 306 - This is an Opportunity

🔒85MBSE Chapter 307 - Noah Gets Drunk

🔒85MBSE Chapter 308 - The Appointment Ceremony

🔒85MBSE Chapter 309 - Don't Look Down

🔒85MBSE Chapter 310 - Just Ten Steps Please

🔒85MBSE Chapter 311 - There are No Eternal Secrets

🔒85MBSE Chapter 312 - Who Knows?

🔒85MBSE Chapter 313 - Three Passes

🔒85MBSE Chapter 314 - A Bond Woven by Secrets

🔒85MBSE Chapter 315 - The Dilemma

🔒85MBSE Chapter 316 - Through Alenara

🔒85MBSE Chapter 317 - I Want to Go

🔒85MBSE Chapter 318 - A Small Engagement Ceremony

🔒85MBSE Chapter 319 - The Child with a Mask

🔒85MBSE Chapter 320 - Time to Return

🔒85MBSE Chapter 321 - Break of Dawn

🔒85MBSE Chapter 322 - Formation of the Investigation Team

🔒85MBSE Chapter 323 - Harboring Thorns

🔒85MBSE Chapter 324 - Before Crossing the Border

🔒85MBSE Chapter 325 - Stop

🔒85MBSE Chapter 326 - Before the Border