Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 112

“Alright! If you’re ready, let’s get going!”

“Did we forget anything? What about water and food?”

“We’ve loaded another carriage full. The further up we go, the more snow there will be. We won’t be able to go fast, so we need to keep moving constantly, except at night.”

“Right. We can’t be late. Let’s go.”

Romandro tightened his coat and urged the coachmen. As expected of the mayor, the personnel he prepared in just a few hours were quite high-quality. The coachmen looked sturdy, and the horses were so glossy that it was clear they had been well taken care of.

It was a silent bribe, hoping they would look favorably upon his situation.

“Ian. Hasha isn’t coming?”

“Hasha? Who’s Hasha?”

“You saw him earlier. The dog.”

“…Dog?”

Romandro tilted his head at Beric’s words. Come to think of it, he had only seen Hasha sharing a meal with Beric, not actually talking. Ian instructed them to close the back door of the carriage and added,

“I’ll explain the details on the way. There are too many eyes and ears here.”

“Ah. Okay. Let’s do that.”

“There he comes.”

Beric chuckled as he saw Hasha running down the hill in the distance. He was panting, with a family photo in his mouth, wondering if he was late.

“He’s here. Let’s go now.”

“Understood. Coachmen, get on!”

“The first carriage will move out slowly!”

Hasha barely managed to get into the open carriage door and snuggled into Ian’s arms. The carriage procession slowly moved out of the still-unsettled town. Residents gathered on both sides, waving lightly.

Clatter, clatter!

“Be careful on your way!”

“Goodbye, noble sir!”

“Oh my, please go in!”

The mayor also followed alongside, bowing deeply until the end. Ian sent a warning glance to be discreet and closed the curtain.

Thud!

Romandro sat opposite Hasha, unable to hide his nervousness.

“Are you afraid of animals?”

“No? It’s not that.”

“Then why is your neck so stiff?”

Romandro swallowed hard and just kept chuckling. Even if he wasn’t scared, he seemed uncomfortable. Hasha tucked his panting tongue in and then greeted them gracefully.

-Nice to meet you. I am Hasha and Tokuntai [a title or name, possibly of a clan or lineage].

“…I, I’m sorry. Honestly, I thought you were using magic and I was hearing things. You know, those with heightened senses sometimes act like they’re crazy, no, I’m sorry. Ahem.”

Romandro confessed as soon as he heard Hasha’s voice. Then, he paused and grabbed Hasha’s paw. Just like Ian had done.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Romandro, an advisor to the Imperial Palace.”

Inside the moving carriage, Ian shared what had happened overnight. The tragedy of the Astanians, which began with Wesley’s atrocities, the massacre of the villagers, and the mysterious bandit group.

Romandro frowned as he listened.

“Necromancy? The Magic Department did gather necromancers from various races a few years ago.”

“Was that an official decision?”

“As far as I know. I think it was approved at the general meeting. Either way, there was no reason to object in name.”

Undead legions created through necromancy were very useful in war. It was a morally controversial issue, but it wasn’t a problem. Of course, there were political reasons behind it.

‘If a force strong enough to unify the conflict zones emerges, it will be a threat to Bariel. Pretending to seek peace while maintaining balance is much more advantageous for maintaining overall control. I don’t know what Wesley was thinking when he proceeded with this, but from the Empire’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad move.’

Ian continued to ponder.

But, after all, Wesley was a mage before he was a politician. As someone who revered mystical power, he should know better than anyone how dangerous it is to break taboos.

‘Why would he go so far?’

It wasn’t a rebellion, at least not yet.

There was no mention of undead involvement in the history Ian remembered. As Ian’s brow furrowed slightly while he speculated, Hasha rested his chin on his knee.

There was still plenty of time before they reached the capital.

It was too early to shake off the fatigue of the previous night.

Ian understood Hasha’s meaning and simply stroked his head.

* * *

Clatter.

The movement of the carriage became smoother. Ian, who had been dozing upright, sensed the change and opened his eyes. The road had changed. Inside the warm carriage, Romandro, Beric, and Hasha were leaning against each other, fast asleep.

‘The road is paved.’

Pulling back the curtain, Ian couldn’t help but gasp. He felt something rising from his chest. Bariel’s capital, the center, was showing its majesty in the distance.

Although he was looking down from a fairly high altitude, it was so vast and prosperous that he couldn’t see the end. It was incomparable to Bratz, which was a border region.

‘It was late spring when I crossed the Great Desert, so four seasons have passed since I returned.’

It was truly strange. Only four seasons had passed for Ian, but the world’s time had moved backward by about 100 years.

He gazed at the cityscape and recalled his life in the Imperial Palace. It was a tragic end, but he couldn’t say that all three years were unhappy. The smile that appeared on his lips was proof of that.

“…Ian?”

“Beric. Look over there. That’s the capital.”

“Wow! Finally!”

At the mention of the capital, Beric shook off his drowsiness and got up. The journey, which had been non-stop during the day for ten days, except at night, had finally reached its end.

“We’re here? Oh! Right, we’ll arrive in a couple of hours.”

Romandro also pressed his face against the window, his hair still messy. He would soon see his wife and child. His excitement was palpable.

“Coachman! Let’s go a little faster! I’m dying of restlessness!”

At Beric’s request, the coachman cracked the whip loudly. Ian, too, was a little more excited than usual.

Wasn’t it the hometown where he was born, grew up, and died, a place filled with the meaning of his life? He found the Imperial Palace among the numerous buildings at once.

‘The Imperial Palace.’

The Imperial Palace of 100 years ago was still solemn, magnificent, and as solid as if it were supporting the center of the world.

“We’re passing through the city walls!”

“Wow!”

As they passed under the massive city walls, Hasha and Beric leaned out of the window, looking up. The incredibly tall gate was opening and closing automatically.

Romandro puffed out his chest and explained everything to the group, one by one.

“That’s the power of magic. Things that humans can never do. Thanks to that, life in the capital is more prosperous. That’s why the capital collects a little more tax than other territories.”

“That’s amazing.”

It was like the reaction of a child seeing new things. Among the carriages entering in a line, there were many people like Beric and Hasha who were leaning out. It seemed that they were all entering the capital for the first time.

“Sir Romandro! They’re asking for your ID!”

“Oh, right. Here it is!”

“Thank you.”

Romandro’s advisor ID made the entry process quite simple. They entered the city much faster than the other people waiting, and the carriage’s speed increased again.

“Beric, do you see that road over there?”

“Where, where? The golden road?”

“That’s a road only for the Imperial Family, so be careful not to enter it. And over there is the skyway where messenger birds fly.”

“Wow! A line of light is shining in the sky!”

“That’s a skyway made with magic. Likewise, be careful not to throw things when you go to high places.”

“Do you think I’m a kid?”

“You’re worse than a kid, that’s why I’m saying it. Beric, do you remember what I said while we were coming up?”

“Yes. Don’t pick up anything with your hands except bread when you eat.”

“Also, in the capital, it’s customary to greet each other with a smile when you make eye contact. And when you ask or talk to someone, it’s good to start with a greeting. Like ‘Dear’ or ‘Good morning.'”

“Oh, that’s so strict.”

“It’s an etiquette that those with some reputation must follow, although it’s not required for commoners. If Ian receives the title of Baron, you, as his escort, must also maintain your dignity.”

Beric had to listen to Romandro’s crash course in etiquette all the way up. He frowned as if his ears were oozing pus, but Romandro’s nagging showed no signs of stopping.

“Are we going straight to the Imperial Palace?”

Romandro, who had been firing off words, paused at Ian’s question. Then, he looked out the window and shouted to the coachman.

“Coachman! Turn towards the mansion!”

According to the rules, he should submit a report to his superior as soon as he entered the capital, but after traveling the rough winter road for nearly fifteen days, everyone was in bad shape.

Not only their physical condition but also their attire and cleanliness were not up to the standards of the Imperial Palace.

“It’s a good thing we arrived in the morning. Let’s wash up, take a breather, and go in the afternoon.”

“I think that’s a good idea too. You should see your wife as well.”

“Hehe. It’s not really that, ahem.”

At Ian’s words, Romandro’s knees began to tremble. How long had it been since he had seen his wife, whom he had dreamed of and longed for! Romandro’s mansion was located in a high-end residential area, not far from the Imperial Palace.

“From here on, let’s be especially mindful of our behavior. It’s where the Imperial Palace officials live.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Okay~!”

“Okay, you rascal!”

“…I understand.”

Romandro glared as if he would give him a knuckle sandwich, and Beric reluctantly corrected his answer. His expression clearly showed that he was really annoyed, but there was nothing he could do.

Squeak!

“We’ve arrived, Sir Romandro.”

“Okay, okay. Good work.”

Romandro quickly got out of the carriage and entered the yard. It wasn’t big, but it was moderately spacious, a perfect mansion for a newlywed couple.

“Vivianna!”

Romandro’s voice cracked as he called his wife’s name. There was a rustling sound from inside, and then a servant came out to greet him.

“Oh my goodness! Sir Romandro! You’re back!”

“Oh, yes. Where’s Vivianna?”

“She’s inside. Just a moment! Madam! Sir Romandro is here! Please come out!”

At the servant’s call, a woman who looked to be in her thirties rushed out, holding her swollen belly carefully.

“Honey!”

“Vivianna!”

The wife was delighted and hugged her husband’s neck. Romandro gently patted his weeping wife’s back and sobbed along with her.

“Ian! Should we unload the luggage?”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

While the subordinates were organizing the carriage, Romandro and his wife continued to whisper sweet nothings to each other while embracing. When their emotions had calmed down, Romandro wiped his eyes and called Ian and Beric.

“Ian! Beric! Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Vivianna.”

“Hello, dear Baron and escort knight. I’m Vivianna. I’ve heard a lot about you in the letters. Thank you for being kind to my husband.”

As the wife extended her hand, Ian kissed the back of her hand and nodded.

“You’re welcome. I’m the one who received a lot of help from Sir Romandro.”

“Please come inside! I’ve heard you’ll be staying at the mansion for a while, so I’ve prepared the rooms.”

“Thank you, Madam. Oh, and we have one more member in our group.”

“Oh my! A dog! He’s so handsome.”

“I should tell you about our fifteen-day journey, Madam.”

“Please come inside. Mini! Bring some warm tea.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Romandro was about to guide the two inside when he gestured to the subordinates who were about to unload the document boxes.

“You’ve all worked hard. Go home and rest well, and wait for my call.”

“Sir Romandro! What should we do with these?”

“Oh. Leave them as they are. We have to go to the Imperial Palace in the afternoon anyway.”

“Understood. You’ve worked hard.”

“You’ve worked hard!”

Romandro smiled and went inside, as if urging his subordinates to go home quickly. He thought he had half a day to spare until the afternoon.

He had completely forgotten that the regular Imperial Palace social gathering, attended by Marib and Prince Gale, was being held today.