ETHTKE chapter 60

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“Come to think of it, I heard that the former head of the department suddenly resigned… is that true?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

When I casually brought up the rumor I had heard from Reggie, the person in charge quickly confirmed it.

“What was the reason? ‘Suddenly’ resigning doesn’t really make sense, does it?”

Though there wasn’t a particular need to press the issue, I couldn’t help but ask, driven by a growing sense of unease.

Whenever something happened out of the blue, especially in contrast to the original plot, suspicion was the natural response.

And if it was something that didn’t add up, it was usually tied to Baek Yigang.

“Haha… a lot of people ask, but I can only give one answer: He resigned of his own will.”

“I see.”

It was the same dull response I had heard elsewhere.

I hadn’t expected to hear the real reason anyway, so I wasn’t disappointed.

“See you next time!”

The person in charge, now done with their task, hurried off with a busy look.

“Yeah, right. ‘Of his own will’? This is totally someone’s M.O., right? Threaten someone, then act like your hands are clean, pretending nothing happened…!”

…Baek Yigang.

Something smells off. It’s like the stench of dark secrets burning over a hot candle.

I had already been curious about why the head had invited me to the Imperial Magic Department’s meeting.

But now, if they just disappear like this, I’ll never get my answers.

I can’t stand being left in the dark. It’s so frustrating I could scream.

“Guess I’ll just have to ask him directly.”

I made my way to Baek Yigang’s office.

The scene that greeted me was much the same as when I had left in the morning.

By the way, where’s Asel? I was wondering why he wasn’t guarding me when…

“Cheong Dowoon, you’re here.”

He was sitting at my desk, handling my work for me.

Wait, isn’t Asel supposed to be a warrior?

Why is he doing administrative work?

When he tried to stand up, I shook my head.

Since you’re already there, you might as well keep going.

Grabbing both the sword and the pen wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“Baek Yigang.”

Ignoring Asel, I walked straight over to Baek Yigang and called out to him abruptly.

He was moving his hand lazily, casting a bored glance at me.

“Did you have a hand in Cedric, the head of the Magic Department, leaving?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you mean, ‘no’? Don’t lie to me… what?”

“I did it.”

Wait, what?

I was about to accuse him, but Baek Yigang just admitted it.

Is this really how it’s going to go?

“Is there a problem?”

The sheer brazenness of Baek Yigang’s response was so extreme that it almost seemed natural.

I could only stare at him in shock.

How is this something to be so confident about…?

Why do I feel like the bad guy now?!

“Why…?”

“That old man had been saying for a while that he wanted to rest. As his lord, I simply granted his wish.”

His reasoning sounded plausible. But that was exactly the problem with Baek Yigang.

When he puts it like that, it’s hard to dig for the real reason.

Well then!

“Let me meet Cedric.”

“Why would I?”

Of course, his cold response came back.

He didn’t seem interested at all, but I wasn’t going to back down that easily.

“Since you were involved, at least do this much.”

“Why are you trying to shift the responsibility of someone’s resignation onto me?”

He stared at me with a look of annoyance, as if he was the one who had been wronged.

Ugh, he’s really making me feel like the villain here!

“Just do it! I know you had a hand in it!”

“You’re quite the skeptic.”

As I gritted my teeth, Baek Yigang chuckled. He seemed to have this weird enjoyment whenever I got upset.

His tastes are… peculiar.

“Fine, it’s not difficult. Philip.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll send a letter.”

“Tell him to pack up and come to the palace tomorrow. Escort him yourself, discreetly.”

“By your command.”

Philip dropped everything and ran out of the office.

But the way he looked so relieved, like he was finally escaping from this stifling place…

I’ll just pretend I didn’t notice.

Anyway, see?

This casual handling of people coming and going… it’s not his first time doing this!

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“Your Highness.”

A small but clear voice pierced through the darkness.

At the sound of his confidant, Piel slowly raised his heavy head.

“The search for Cedric, the former head of the Magic Department, has been challenging. We’ve sent people everywhere, but there’s been no progress, so I must reluctantly report.”

The confidant’s voice trembled slightly, as if out of guilt for not fulfilling his orders.

Piel’s face turned cold upon hearing the fruitless update.

“That means my brother must be involved. There’s no way you wouldn’t be able to find him otherwise. Fine, then let’s hear why. The responsible party should still be with the Magic Department, no?”

“Actually, he’s retired from the world. He made it clear, three times, that he would never return to the royal court, no matter what.”

As the confidant continued, Piel’s lips twitched before he burst into laughter.

“Ahaha, haha….”

After laughing for a while, Piel groaned and got up, causing the chair he was sitting on to spin.

“Easy to say. But if someone calls, he’ll drop everything and come running. My brother would never actually get rid of someone like that.”

Piel knew Hail wouldn’t let Cedric go to waste.

No matter how old Cedric was, his abilities weren’t diminished by time.

So, Piel was certain that Hail hadn’t truly discarded Cedric.

“Hail must’ve deliberately pulled Cedric out of the Kingdom Festival preparations so he wouldn’t wear himself out. It’s so obvious, seeing how he worked the remaining staff during the entire festival. My brother has more sentiment than he lets on….”

Hail wouldn’t easily discard anyone useful. Look at Ken, a traitor, whose head is still intact.

However, Piel didn’t believe Hail kept Ken alive out of usefulness. It was likely because of Cheong Dowoon.

Since Cheong Dowoon often spoke with Ken, Hail probably thought killing Ken would change how Cheong Dowoon saw him.

For a cold-hearted man like Hail to even subconsciously consider another’s feelings… That’s quite a significant change.

“Interesting.”

Hail, who had been the least human of them all, was now acting more like one after meeting Cheong Dowoon. It was amusing.

“Keep an eye on Cedric for now. Let me know as soon as he returns. It’s been a while since he left; he should be back soon. The Kingdom Festival’s over, after all.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

As his confidant left, another subordinate quickly appeared.

Piel was pleased with the way they waited patiently for their turn, and a soft smile crossed his lips.

“So, how’s the cultivation of the Aquila coming along?”

“It’s going smoothly. A few are growing a bit slower than the others, but overall, they’re progressing without issue.”

This time, the report was much more satisfying. His previously sour mood lightened instantly.

“To think we’re investing so much time in a single plant. When can we harvest it?”

“We need to wait at least another month. That’s when the Aquila’s toxicity will reach its peak.”

“Hmm, very well. We’ll wait. Once it’s fully grown, no other poisonous plant will be able to compare.”

A sinister laugh echoed through the room as strange symbols etched on the floor sparkled under the sunlight filtering in from the window.

“Your Highness, I have a report.”

At that moment, another close aide hurriedly entered, bowing deeply.

“Hmm? Speak.”

“Cheong Dowoon is meeting with the Third Prince.”

Piel tilted his head in curiosity at the unexpected news.

“…Oh? What kind of pairing is this?”

“It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince personally arranged the meeting between the Third Prince and Cheong Dowoon.”

“Oh-ho. My brother set this up himself, did he? Now this is getting interesting… Wait.”

Piel suddenly stopped talking, his brow gradually furrowing.

“Why wasn’t I included?”

“…Pardon?”

For a brief moment, a random remark filled the dim room.

The aide, startled by the unexpected question, blurted out a response despite knowing they shouldn’t question their master.

“I mean Cheong Dowoon. He meets with everyone else, but why doesn’t he come to see me?”

Completely ignoring his aide’s slip-up, Piel’s platinum eyes flashed with irritation as he vented.

Even the Third Prince, who was all looks and no substance, got to meet him, and he regularly lingered around his eccentric older brother.

Yet, Cheong Dowoon never bothered to come see him.

“Did he forget our promise?”

He had clearly said he would return.

‘Make sure to stop by my office next time. We still have some important matters to discuss, don’t we?’

‘…Yes.’

Cheong Dowoon’s deep blue eyes, which had nodded in agreement before him, remained vividly etched in Piel’s mind.

Trusting in that promise, Piel had patiently waited, only for Cheong Dowoon to end up visiting the Third Prince’s room instead of his office.

Cheong Dowoon, you dare to ignore me? After all that I did for you.

Piel’s lips twisted viciously, veins of red standing out on his face.

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