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.”
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