Deus’s question was met with Ian pulling a stack of papers from his robe and tossing it over.
“What is this?”
“Read it, and you’ll find out.”
Deus read the beginning of the bait Ian had thrown and took a deep breath, then asked Ian,
“Did you write this?”
“Do you think there’s anyone else in this empire who could come up with something like that?”
“Me? Hmm… Even for me, it’s a very detailed proposal.”
“How do you like it?”
Deus read through the stack of papers—no, the proposal—meticulously once again.
[Alector: Imperial Tax System Innovation Plan (Draft)]
As he read each page, Deus’s eyes filled with excitement.
“The notorious Third Prince came up with this idea? Adrian would faint if he knew.”
“Would you like to work with me to bring this proposal to life?”
Deus hesitated to accept Ian’s offer. While the proposal ignited his research passion, Deus was acutely aware of the practical limitations of pursuing magical engineering.
“You know how hard it is to obtain mana stones in this empire, right? The items in your proposal require at least high-grade mana stones.”
“Deus, don’t worry about the budget. Your job is to bring the ideas on that paper to life through magical engineering. Leave the rest to me.”
Deus felt his resolve waver at Ian’s confident expression. His mind told him to focus on elemental magic, but his heart urged him to walk the path of magical engineering.
“There’s no need to force yourself. If you truly dislike it, I can entrust it to someone else.”
Ian pushed the fish that had bitten the bait. Pulling too hard might make the fish escape with the bait.
Huu.
After a small sigh, Deus made up his mind and looked at Ian with determined eyes.
“I want to change the empire with magical engineering under Your Highness’s guidance.”
The thought of someone else developing this proposal was enough to make Deus uncomfortable. Ian was thrilled to hear Deus’s willingness, but it was essential to ensure he was genuinely committed.
“Deus, you must understand what it means to work with me on this proposal, right?”
“Your Highness, I am the Master’s top apprentice. If I were just a smart fool, I wouldn’t have earned that title.”
Ian wanted to drive the point home with a direct statement. There could be no misunderstandings about this.
“Helping someone as far from the throne as I am means you’ll be walking a thorny path.”
“If you were the same person I knew before, I wouldn’t have agreed to join you.”
Ian’s heart momentarily sank, but he kept a straight face and waited for Deus to continue.
“But after reading this proposal, I’m convinced. It seems like there will be a lot of interesting events if I join you.”
“Don’t worry. You won’t regret choosing me over my brothers.”
“This proposal isn’t the end, is it?”
Ian felt a chill run down his spine at Deus’s last question. The look in Deus’s eyes hinted at a ‘madness’ for magical engineering.
***
Viscount Helington was anxious.
The ‘Internal Affairs Meeting’ scheduled for tomorrow was already known among the nobles, but the Third Prince, who would typically have sought him out multiple times to ease his anxiety, had not contacted him at all.
‘Surely he hasn’t figured it out?’
That damned brat had brought up such a strange opinion at the last internal affairs meeting, earning him sharp glares from Duke Blake.
Every time he thought of Duke Blake’s menacing gaze, Helington’s arms broke out in goosebumps. If the Third Prince acted out again, Duke Blake would undoubtedly punish him. Helington couldn’t bear the creeping sense of fear and the anxiety of waiting idly.
“Is anyone there?”
“Yes, Viscount. Did you call?”
“I must see the Third Prince.”
As Viscount Helington hurriedly prepared, another attendant brought him the news he had been anxiously awaiting.
“Viscount, the Third Prince has sent word that he must see you today.”
“He said he must see me today?”
“Yes, the attendant who brought the message said the prince seemed desperate to find you.”
Hearing this, the Viscount’s mind was immediately put at ease.
‘I knew it!’
Seeing the Third Prince seek him out the day before the internal affairs meeting, Viscount Helington sighed in relief.
He had been procuring alcohol for the prince since he was a child. Even after the prince reached adulthood, he had often brought him drinks and snacks that suited his tastes.
‘Didn’t I go to the northern mountains to get that liquor he read about in a book? I’ll have to give him a stern talking to avoid another incident like last time.’
“Bring the Dragonian Whiskey.”
“Viscount!? Are you really taking that liquor?”
“It’s the least I can bring to ensure the Third Prince seeks me out more often.”
Dragonian Whiskey.
This liquor was so strong that even a dragon would get drunk from one sip. But it was famous for another reason: no matter how much money you had, you couldn’t buy it. Only those who passed the brewer’s test could have the opportunity to purchase it.
“Handle it carefully. If a single drop spills due to your mistake, remember your blood will be spilled alongside it.”
Watching the attendant nervously wrap the Dragonian Whiskey in a cloth, Viscount Helington thought it was too precious to end up in the hands of a scoundrel like the Third Prince. But one taste would ensure the prince couldn’t resist seeking him out again.
Meanwhile, Ian was waiting for Viscount Helington while looking out the window. If he came right away, it would mean he was desperate to meet him. Moreover, tomorrow was the ‘Internal Affairs Meeting’ that Viscount Helington had asked for advance notice about.
Not long after Ian started waiting, Tom brought the news he wanted to hear.
“Your Highness, Viscount Helington is here.”
“Let him in.”
As Viscount Helington entered, Ian’s eyes caught the sight of the luxurious liquor bottle in his arms.
“What’s that?”
In response to Ian’s question, Viscount Helington raised his shoulders and said proudly,
“Your Highness, this is Dragonian Whiskey.”
“Dragonian Whiskey?”
Ian remained calm as he had never heard of it before, but Tom, who had heard of it, exclaimed in surprise.
“Is that really Dragonian Whiskey?”
“What’s so surprising about that liquor?”
“It’s known that you can’t buy it with money alone.”
“Really?”
Combining Tom’s reaction and his own knowledge, Ian decided to play along to reel in the fish.
“It seems only you, Viscount Helington, truly think of me in this vast palace.”
“I knew Your Highness would appreciate it.”
With tears in his eyes, Viscount Helington quickly set up the drinking table. His actions reminded Ian of Director Park hosting drinks for the executive director.
Once everything was prepared, Viscount Helington subtly signaled to Tom. In the past, Tom would have left without a word, but this time he looked at Ian. When Ian nodded slightly, Tom left the room, closing the door behind him.
“Your Highness, please have a drink.”
“Very well, let’s have a taste.”
Being part of the planning team had given Ian opportunities to taste expensive liquors. Even so, the liquor Viscount Helington brought was exceptional. Despite its high alcohol content, its fruity aroma enveloped his nose, mouth, and throat.
“Haaah.”
“This fine liquor shouldn’t be enjoyed alone. Have a drink, Viscount.”
“If Your Highness offers, I won’t refuse.”
Seeing the Third Prince pour him a drink, the Viscount was convinced that the prince’s earlier behavior was just a mistake from drinking too much the previous day.
After a few drinks, Ian’s face turned red, and he started his task of reeling in the fish.
“Viscount, didn’t you say we should discuss the internal affairs meeting?”
The Viscount clinked glasses and responded naturally.
“Yes, Your Highness. If there is anything I can do to help, it would be my pleasure.”
“That’s why I like you, Viscount.”
“This Viscount Helington once went to the northern mountains for Your Highness.”
‘Northern mountains?’
It was an unfamiliar term, but Ian laughed along.
“Because you’re the kind of person who would bring me such a fine drink, I’ll share something with you.”
Viscount Helington swallowed nervously at Ian’s secretive tone.
“You heard the strange rumors in the palace after my proposal at the last internal affairs meeting, right?”
Viscount Helington hit his chest, seemingly outraged.
“I heard about it too. I should have captured those scoundrels and brought them to you!”
Wanting to say ‘because you ordered it,’ Ian held back and continued his prepared lines.
“That’s right. That’s why I came up with something called the ‘Detector.’”
“What is a Detector?”
“It’s a magical device that sorts incoming goods.”
“How does that help quash the rumors?”
“That’s, well, something you don’t need to worry about.”
Seeing Ian’s sudden change of attitude, Viscount Helington pulled out a small pouch from his robe.
Clink.
It was a pouch that seemed quite heavy.
“Your Highness, I’ve prepared this to console you from the worries caused by those ignorant commoners.”
‘Giving it so openly?’
Opening the pouch, Ian saw it filled with gold coins he had never seen before. Ian praised the original Ian for stashing away such emergency funds.
“Hmph, it seems only you think of me in this entire palace.”
“So, what exactly is this Detector?”
“With the Detector, you can see what’s inside a cart from a guard post.”
“Is it like a transparency or detection spell?”
“Correct, but it doesn’t require a mage.”
Viscount Helington’s voice trembled as he asked,
“You mean it’s possible without a mage?”
Ian nodded quietly, and Viscount Helington spoke with a trembling voice.
“Could you perhaps show it to me?”
“Oh, Viscount. I’ll show it to you after tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Your Highness, considering the nature of such a device, shouldn’t it be stored in the safest place? I have a very secure safe at my residence.”
“Hmm… Viscount, don’t worry. I’ve hidden it in the safest place.”
Deciding it was better not to arouse suspicion by probing further, Viscount Helington shifted gears by drinking more.
As Ian’s eyes began to close, Viscount Helington asked in a subtle voice,
“Your Highness, where do you think is the safest place?”
“Ummm… bed…”
“Bed?”
Finally hearing the information he wanted, Viscount Helington called for Tom.
“Did you call, Viscount?”
“The prince seems quite drunk. Please take him to bed. I’ll clean up here.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Ian was carried out on Tom’s back, a faint, undetectable smile appeared on his face.
***
In the early dawn, before the sun rose, a shadowy figure crept into Ian’s room, scanning the surroundings.
It seemed strange that there were no guards, but considering the Third Prince’s notorious behavior, it made sense. The figure carefully opened the door and entered.
“Snoooore… wheeze…”
Confirming that the Third Prince was deeply asleep from drinking, the figure cautiously inspected under the bed.
“Huh?!”
The black-clad figure let out a startled gasp upon making eye contact with another shadowy figure, and only the sound of the Third Prince’s snoring quietly filled the room.
Cliche Novel 