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At the same time, inside the conference hall.
Carrion explained his newly proposed policies to the Emperor, the ministers, and the head of The Nine.
Grand Duke Ervin stood among the ministers.
The Emperor examined the proposal and asked,
"So, this is a system where the descendants of Archmages who have rendered distinguished service inherit the position of Archmage? Without a separate selection process."
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
Carrion bowed his head briefly in response.
The Emperor asked as if he were hearing it for the first time, but he had already approved this policy through Duke Havel.
However, considering the backlash from other mages, the Emperor pretended to deliberate again, lowering his gaze to the documents.
Meanwhile, Carrion recalled what he had heard from the Emperor's close secretary when he entered the Imperial Palace.
"Poison was found in Her Majesty the Empress's food."
'If poison was found in the food, Riel would be the first suspect, but could this be Iana's plan?'
Carrion had only been told by Iana to spread rumors about Riel; he had not heard anything else.
'Or maybe Riel is really plotting to become the Empress.'
As he was lost in thought.
Carrion noticed Duke Havel whispering to a guard from his ducal estate.
He could tell instinctively.
'The situation inside the Imperial Palace is rapidly changing.'
The Emperor raised his head and asked the head of The Nine.
"What does the head of The Nine think? It seems like a system that would boost the morale of the Archmages fighting in the north?"
"How could there be any objection? They will fight even harder for Your Majesty's grace."
The head of The Nine bowed deeply with a smile on his face.
With this policy, The Nine's family could continue the lineage of Archmages for generations, regardless of the size of their magical power.
The Emperor gave a loud order.
"Good. Implement this policy immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Carrion and the head of The Nine answered simultaneously.
"Then, with that, today's meeting will be—"
It was then that the Emperor was about to rise from his throne. Duke Havel raised his hand.
"Your Majesty, I heard that there was an unsavory incident in the Imperial Palace today."
At Duke Havel's words, the Emperor sat back down and asked irritably.
"So?"
The conference hall fell silent at the Emperor's sharp reaction.
But the experienced Duke Havel continued without showing any signs of intimidation.
"If another poisoning attempt has occurred in the Imperial Palace, shouldn't we investigate thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable?"
"..."
"Especially since such a thing has happened to Her Most Noble Majesty the Empress."
As Duke Havel pushed strongly, the Emperor nodded with a suspicious look.
"Very well. Do so."
"As the matter is serious, how about forming an investigation team again this time?"
Duke Havel suggested as if he had been waiting for this.
"The Emperor's investigation team?"
After saying that, the Emperor's gaze turned to Carrion.
He seemed to be reminded of the time he went to Ervin as part of the Emperor's investigation team.
Seeing this, Carrion could read the situation.
'Riel and Duke Havel are trying to use me as part of the Emperor's investigation team. Because they think I'm on their side...'
Charles, who had been listening quietly from behind, spoke up.
"I also agree with His Grace, Duke Havel's opinion. How about deciding on the head of the investigation team here?"
"Grand Duke Ervin, who do you think is the right person?"
The ministers stirred as the Emperor asked Charles for his opinion first, rather than Duke Havel.
As if the second-in-command had shifted from Duke Havel to Grand Duke Ervin.
"Your Majesty, I have been staying in the north for a long time and have not yet accurately grasped the situation in the capital. Therefore..."
"..."
"I think it would be best for His Grace, Duke Havel, who first suggested this idea, to recommend someone."
Charles passed the choice to Duke Havel.
Duke Havel looked at Charles with suspicious eyes.
"Then, let Duke Havel recommend the head of the investigation team."
At the Emperor's command, Duke Havel looked at Carrion.
"He has previously achieved results as the head of the investigation team..."
"..."
"I recommend Count Dietrian."
All eyes in the conference hall were fixed on Carrion.
It was an atmosphere where he would naturally become the head of the investigation team.
Only then did Carrion suddenly realize.
'Iana, that's why you told me to spread rumors about Riel. To prevent me from siding with Duke Havel.'
Carrion's gaze turned to Charles. Charles smiled meaningfully as if he had read his thoughts.
At that moment, the Emperor said in a loud voice.
"I appoint Count Dietrian as the head of the investigation team for this case."
✦ ✦ ✦
About an hour later. After the meeting, Carrion headed to the Emperor's office.
There, he received a report from the secretary, along with the Emperor, about what had happened at the Empress Palace.
"Her Majesty the Empress looked at the soup and said it seemed spoiled. Upon closer inspection, the soup had a very slight purple hue and a subtle sour smell."
"So?"
The Emperor asked.
"Upon confirmation, it was Seulanka, which is used to dissolve marble."
'Dissolve marble?'
Carrion looked surprised.
'That's the chemical that damaged the Goddess of Pain.'
"Seulanka can also become a deadly poison that melts organs if it enters the human body."
Carrion's face grew increasingly stern at the secretary's report.
The Emperor, who had been watching his changing expression, asked with a suspicious look.
"Count Dietrian, what is it?"
"No, there is something that comes to mind, but I will tell you after accurate confirmation."
"..."
"I am afraid that I might instill a biased opinion in Your Majesty before the investigation."
"Very well. Secretary, you may leave."
At the Emperor's command, the secretary quietly left the room.
Only Carrion and the Emperor remained in the office.
The Emperor, with a thoughtful face, slowly opened his mouth.
"Carrion, speak."
"What are you referring to?"
"Whether this attack is for the Empress, or a warning to me for a coup."
The Emperor pretended to be calm on the outside, but he seemed afraid of being attacked like the Crown Prince.
"That's what the investigation will..."
"Investigate thoroughly, without missing a single one. From Grand Duke Ervin to Duke Havel, everyone!"
"..."
"If you fail to investigate properly, you will not be able to save your own life. Do you understand?"
"..."
Carrion was frightened by the Emperor's crazed eyes and could not readily answer.
"Answer me. Count Dietrian."
The Emperor urged him to answer as if spitting out the words.
"I will follow Your Majesty's command with my life on the line."
Carrion knelt on one knee and bowed his head as if swearing an oath.
His shadowed face was fiercely distorted.
'Iana, I won't let you get away with involving me in this.'
✦ ✦ ✦
About an hour had passed. Iana was standing in front of the Imperial Palace with her escort knights.
She recalled what Charles had told her secretly when he visited her before leaving for the outer castle of the capital.
"Count Dietrian has become the head of the investigation team."
Iana smiled wryly.
At that moment, she made eye contact with Carrion, who was walking out of the Imperial Palace entrance.
He was very angry.
"Iana Archmage, would you like to talk to me for a moment?"
"Of course."
Carrion gestured towards her quarters in the annex.
The two of them did not say a word until they reached the quarters.
Creak-.
Even after entering the room, Carrion thoroughly searched the front of the door, the inside of the room, and even the bathroom.
After confirming that no one was there, Carrion cornered Iana against the wall.
"Iana, this is your doing, isn't it?"
"That's right."
She answered readily.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
Carrion frowned deeply.
"If I had told you, Carrion, you would have compared me and Riel again."
"..."
"Wondering who would be more beneficial to you."
"Are you really saying that now!"
"Don't be mistaken. Even if you side with Riel now, you will eventually be exiled."
Carrion suppressed his anger, unlike himself, and asked soothingly.
"It seems you used Seulanka to catch Riel, but don't you know that you'll be caught up in it too, Iana?"
"..."
"It was you, Iana, who damaged the Goddess of Pain with Seulanka."
"I did it on purpose. To make the attack that was going to Her Majesty the Empress come to me."
Carrion's face contorted at Iana's light answer.
"Iana, why are you risking your life for the Empress, who has nothing to do with you? Did Grand Duke Ervin tell you to do that?"
Carrion questioned in an agitated voice.
At that moment, resentment and anger filled Iana's heart.
She opened her mouth in a trembling voice.
"Because I know better than anyone. How Riel is trying to kill Her Majesty the Empress."
"..."
"Because I was the one who suffered the same way."
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