Chapter 296

The palace gatekeepers were playing cards with strips of dried meat hanging from their mouths. Even during shift changes, such conduct would normally be unthinkable.

But who cared? Bariel was celebrating, and cheers could be heard even from atop the walls. In a world drunk on wine and laughter, weren’t they citizens of the empire before being gatekeepers?

“Did you see Clifford earlier?”

“Yeah. They were killer. How can human bodies move so lightly? It wasn’t even dancing – more like acrobatics.”

“I thought it’d be just a show parade, but they didn’t stop even when entering the palace. Damn, they’re overflowing with energy.”

Above all, entry was restricted except for foreign guests. Something about ensuring smooth palace operations. In other words, they were bored.

“Dammit! Who shuffled these cards?”

“I fold. Can’t even wipe my ass with this hand.”

A gatekeeper who’d given up on the game leaned against the outer wall, clicking his tongue. Soap bubbles and flower petals rained down among the crowds moving like ant colonies.

It was such a peaceful, warm scene that a cold beer would make it perfect.

“Hm?”

If not for that single horse cutting through the crowd. What madman would bring out a horse on a day like this? The already crowded streets became even more chaotic.

Just as the gatekeeper was about to signal the soldiers below, he noticed the horse’s head was fixed toward the castle gate.

“Open the gaaaate!”

“Beric?”

His hair was a mess from being jostled around, and he looked extremely tense, probably worried the horse might cause an accident. Beric looked up and shouted again.

“I said open iiiit!”

“Wait a moment!”

The gatekeeper immediately went down to check if there were any notices from the Ministry of Magic. No matter how well-known someone was, entry was impossible without authorization.

Fortunately or unfortunately, at the bottom of the record sheet was the Ministry of Magic’s note: “Beric Return Transit Authorization.”

“Ah, Clifford left this when they passed earlier. Beric, wait. I’ll open the side gate.”

Click

While a carriage might need more, the side gate was enough for one person and a horse.

Beric entered the palace like he was fleeing something, frantically dusting off his clothes. Up close, he looked even more disheveled.

“Why aren’t you with Lord Ian? And why come through the civilian road?”

“Errand. They said only royal people can walk on the main road, right?”

“…That rule’s suspended during festivals.”

“Ah. Shit.”

Beric rolled his eyes as he realized he’d made things harder for himself. Following Ian’s orders, he’d traced Clifford’s carriage tracks around the outskirts but found nothing special.

And now the return journey had been difficult too. Suddenly he felt starving.

“Where’s Ian?”

“Well, the Clifford carriages didn’t seem to be heading to the main palace. Must be some issue. They went to their temporary residence palace, so Lord Ian probably went there too. The mages were escorting them.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Beric!”

The gatekeeper grabbed Beric as he was about to mount his horse and whispered:

“Hey, any chance you could get some of that tribute wine from Clifford?”

“Wine? What wine?”

“I heard their country’s wine is super sweet, and His Highness probably won’t drink it… Surely they’ll give some out as rewards? If you get any, share a bit with me. I’ll pay you well.”

Beric felt his hungry stomach respond.

Meat and wine!

The path to heaven wasn’t complicated. That’s all he needed. Beric waved his hand casually and urged his horse on. His destination was Clifford’s detached palace, where wine, meat, and Ian awaited.

Clip-clop!

Neigh!

Carriages were gathered haphazardly in front of the detached palace. It was quite different from how Ruswena’s carriages had been neatly lined up, but Beric wouldn’t know that. He just walked among the people unloading and moving cargo, looking around.

“Please make way for a moment.”

“Just move the silk boxes directly without unpacking.”

“Make sure to check the dye barrels’ bottoms aren’t leaking! That stuff’s a real headache if it spills. This way, unload this way!”

Palace officials in charge of tribute gifts were moving about, but none were familiar faces. Not a single mage in sight. Just as Beric was about to turn back, thinking he’d taken a wrong turn:

“Don’t go that way. Lady May said not to approach while the prince is resting.”

“Ah. So that’s where it is. What about these?”

“Bring them along. That storehouse over there is empty.”

The prince they mentioned – was it that stinky prince?

Beric rolled his eyes and poked his head into the corridor. Several guards were firmly stationed in front of the quarters. They turned their heads at Beric’s presence.

“Are you a palace official? What business do you have?”

“We-welcome! Yes, yes. This is Bariel, right?”

“…? Thank you.”

What’s with him? Is he slow? Though his status seemed legitimate since he was in the palace…

As the guards grew wary, Beric walked past with an awkward smile.

That smell. If I could just get one good whiff, I’m sure I’d figure it out. It’s driving me crazy.

Beric glanced furtively at the detached palace’s wall. While he wasn’t sure if this place was like others, buildings usually had at least one garden, big or small. If he went that way, couldn’t he somehow make it look accidental?

They’d just arrived here too, so they wouldn’t know the layout. How would they know if he’d taken a wrong turn or climbed over the wall?

Hmm. Good. I’ll sneak in super secretly, just take a sniff, and leave.

After confirming no one was around, Beric jumped onto the wall. Light movements and quiet footsteps. Everything was perfect. He curled his body as much as possible and crept along the wall.

Rustle

After moving a bit, bushes came into view. It was the garden attached to the annex. Though it was more like a private backyard than a garden. It seemed designed to be enclosed for privacy, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom.

Let’s see, where might the wine prince be? Huh?

Beric stopped, hiding his face behind tree branches. Someone was curled up and lying face-down in the middle of the lawn.

Never mind the luxurious fabric – above all, that orange hair he’d seen in Romandro’s portrait. The exposed nape was tanned.

That must be the wine country prince. He was holding a lush, glossy orange tail to his chest.

Holy shit, what the fuck? Weird taste. Wearing an animal tail. Even the neighborhood kids wouldn’t dress up like that. Tsk tsk.

While festival-goers wore all sorts of costumes, he hadn’t expected the high-and-mighty wine country prince to do the same. Is this what they mean when they say people are all the same?

Beric watched the prince intently while sniffing. But somehow he wasn’t moving at all. As Beric watched mindlessly, he suddenly recalled the conversation between Ian and the delegation chief.

Crap! Right! They said he was sick – did he die? I should get Ian-

Rustle

Just then, fox ears slowly rose up.

Twitch twitch, moving naturally as if reading the wind. At the same time, the tail drew a gentle arc as it tapped against the ground.

Beric realized something was off and was shocked.

What the fuck…

The prince’s eyes gleaming in the sunlight were definitely those of a beast.

Beric crept back along the wall as silently as he’d come.

***

“And then this and that happened! Now do you understand?!”

BANG!

Beric pounded the wall satisfyingly as he spilled everything he’d experienced. His tightly clenched fist looked quite determined.

But he was met with Romandro’s slanted eyes, Xiaoshi’s blank expression, Jin’s awkward smile, and Ian just sipping his tea.

Xiaoshi approached again to sniff him.

“…No smell of drugs either.”

“That’s fortunate. If he’d caused trouble during the appointment ceremony, he’d be dismissed from the Imperial Guard without warning. If it’s not alcohol or drugs, did he get heatstroke? Though it’s not that hot yet.”

As Romandro muttered while examining Beric carefully, Beric clutched his head and shook it back and forth.

“Aaaagh! No, I’m totally fine! Completely sane! The wine country prince’s ears went boing, tail went whoosh! His tail was swishing like this!”

Beric recreated the prone position he’d witnessed. Romandro closed his eyes, saying he couldn’t bear to watch, while Xiaoshi crouched down to carefully examine Beric’s pupils, just in case.

“…His pupils are normal too.”

“Xiao, you gonna keep treating me like I’m crazy?”

When Beric bared his teeth and growled, Ian set down his teacup with a sound.

Tak

“You mean he’s one of the beast-folk?”

“What’re you talking about? I don’t know about that, I’m just saying he had fox ears and a tail!”

“That’s what we call beast-folk.”

Beast-folk.

It referred to races with bestial physical characteristics, not something commonly seen in daily life. This was mainly because their different appearance led to social ostracism. If they had magical power too, they were often treated as monsters and met miserable ends.

“Ian, no need to listen to this heat-addled fool.”

Romandro firmly denied it with a wave of his hand. And for good reason – they weren’t talking about some random passerby, but Prince Noah himself. First in line to succeed Clifford’s throne.

“I’m totally sane!”

“While I’ve never seen him myself, there are records of Prince Noah visiting Bariel when he was young. No, not just Bariel – being first in succession, Prince Noah handles regional diplomacy. If he had beast-folk traits, of course there would be rumors!”

“Have you ever seen beast-folk yourself, Lord Romandro?”

“Me? Hmm. No, I haven’t.”

Though he’d traveled all around the border regions as a reconstruction specialist, he’d never met one directly. He’d only confirmed their existence through hearsay.

But Ian didn’t dismiss Beric’s words as completely preposterous.

So it hasn’t been revealed yet.

A race that had faded due to persecution – that’s what everyone thought. But through future research results and social phenomenon analysis, this would be proven a false belief.

They hadn’t faded away. They had simply blended into society while hiding their existence.

You could call it racial evolution for survival. Though they were no different from humans, their appearance alone brought threats to their lives. Some beast-folk evolved to manifest their traits only in specific situations. If what Beric saw is true…

He must be a beast-folk in the process of evolution.

Could the Clifford royal family itself be beast-folk? It would be understandable if they deliberately hid it, as being beast-folk could bring quite disadvantageous positions in international diplomacy.

“If Beric didn’t drink-“

“Yeah yeah. I seriously didn’t drink a drop.”

“And didn’t take drugs-“

“Ugh, what’s that? I’m totally clean and proper!”

“Then it seems worth investigating.”

Beric eagerly responded to each of Ian’s statements. He clenched his fist in celebration at having his words believed.

Then he stuck his tongue out at Romandro and Xiaoshi, wiggling his bottom too. Romandro smacked his behind hard, telling him to stay still.

“But how? We can’t drag out a sick prince, and barging in wouldn’t be proper either. Just going by this guy’s word seems a bit… I don’t see any way.”

In response to Romandro’s concern, Ian set down his teacup.

“Why wouldn’t there be a way? This is the imperial palace, after all.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

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

MBSE Chapter 287 - Forgotten Page

MBSE Chapter 288 - The Guests are Coming

MBSE Chapter 289 - Young Lion Cub

MBSE Chapter 290 - A Queen's Provocation

MBSE Chapter 291 - A Peculiar Taste

MBSE Chapter 292 - Things to Endure

MBSE Chapter 293 - A Private Talk with Jeirutt

MBSE Chapter 294 - The Carriages Stop

MBSE Chapter 295 - Pointy Ears

MBSE Chapter 296 - And Then, This and That Happened

MBSE Chapter 297 - Examination

MBSE 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

🔒85MBSE Chapter 327 - Secret Contract

🔒85MBSE Chapter 328 - Discovering Ian

🔒85MBSE Chapter 329 - To Meet the King

🔒85MBSE Chapter 330 - Entering Clifford

🔒85MBSE Chapter 331 - Those Who Hold Idgal

🔒85MBSE Chapter 332 - On the Brink of Explosion

🔒85MBSE Chapter 333 - The Mages' Grand Council

🔒85MBSE Chapter 334 - Magic Amplification Drug