Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 116

‘He was waiting for me.’

That thought struck Ian the moment he faced Gale. Even if it was near the Magic Department, they couldn’t have met unless they were watching his every move. It was clear that he had been under surveillance since the social gathering.

“I am Ian. It is an honor to meet you.”

“Oh ho, so you know me?”

“Just as His Highness Gale knows me, so do I know him.”

As he lightly bowed his head, the wind blew even more fiercely. The sound of fallen leaves crunching echoed with Gale’s slow approach.

“But, how did you end up here? The exit is in the opposite direction.”

Gale murmured, carefully examining Ian from head to toe. A small pebble thrown into his calmly progressing grand plan. That was Ian. Small, yet the ripples he created never ceased, continuing to make waves.

“Why? Did Marib tell you this was the way out?”

Ian kept his head lowered, observing Gale’s fingertips. Unlike Marib, his hands were rough, with quite a few calluses.

“No, I got lost.”

“For someone who’s lost, your steps were quite certain. As if you’ve been here before.”

He must have been watching Ian closely. He might be able to avoid surveillance outside, but within the palace, especially near the Magic Department, it seemed impossible. He would have to be extremely careful with his actions.

“I apologize. This is my first time entering the palace today.”

“Is that so? Then let me ask you. What do you think of this scenery?”

“…Pardon?”

Gale circled Ian lightly. In that instant, the lights of the Magic Department’s main building began to turn on one by one. It was a signal announcing the complete night.

“In my opinion, it would be wonderful if all these trees were cleared away and a splendid ivory building was erected.”

“Ah.”

Ian paused at the mention of a splendid ivory building. The image of the Magic Department’s detached palace naturally came to mind. Gale grinned slyly, observing Ian’s expression.

“But, your master insists that the trees can never be cut down, which is quite frustrating, considering his personality.”

Fragmented pieces of information tangled in Ian’s mind. 100 years ago, a time when the Magic Department’s detached palace had not yet been built. Taking Gale’s words as a clue…

‘Marib and Gale are in conflict over the construction of the Magic Department’s detached palace!’

Gale would naturally be in favor of construction for the sake of the Magic Department, while Marib, worried about the expansion of the already threatening Magic Department’s power, would be on the side of absolute opposition.

“Do you think so too?”

It was a question asking if he shared Marib’s position. What an absurd situation. Ian unconsciously swallowed a hollow laugh as he answered.

“Your Highness, I do not know what you mean, but my only master is His Majesty the Emperor. The path I must take is only for the glory of Bariel. If cutting down trees means a better tomorrow, then it should be done.”

Except for knights who swore their loyalty, everyone in Bariel had to serve the Emperor as their master. Marib and Gale were no exception. Of course, Ian knew best that this was impossible.

“Hmm. I thought a newcomer from the borderlands would have rough edges in his speech, but it seems you’re surprisingly well-suited for aristocratic games.”

It was unclear whether it was an insult or a compliment, but considering Gale’s tone, it seemed to lean more towards the latter.

It was because Ian had created a kind of opening by mentioning the Emperor. That he wasn’t entirely with Marib. Gale willingly took the bait.

“Ian, I have high expectations for you.”

Whether that opening was a stepping stone for him to act as a spy in the Magic Department was unknown, but that wasn’t important right now.

“I expect you to discern the essence of things well. Remember that you are Ian before you are a lord, and a mage before you are Ian.”

Leaving aside the personnel of the Magic Department, the number of mages in the world was as small as dust. For the sake of progress, they had no choice but to rely on each other, and if Ian sided with Marib, he would be ostracized for life. It was a kind of warning.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Good. We’ll meet again.”

He clearly wanted to talk more, but the place and time were not right. Gale turned his back and disappeared like the wind.

“Ha.”

Left alone, Ian rubbed his forehead as if dumbfounded.

To stop Gale’s rebellion and reduce his power, he should naturally side with Marib, who opposed the construction of the detached palace, but in this situation, he would inevitably have to support Gale.

‘If the detached palace is built, Naum’s magic might manifest.’

Swoosh.

Buzz. Buzz.

Just in case, Ian released his magic power. The power of magic rising differently from the wind. In the darkness, his golden eyes shone like stars, but he couldn’t feel anything.

“Ian!”

Then, Romandro’s call came from the entrance. He came running hastily with a lantern, looking around.

“Ian! Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I just saw His Highness Gale’s carriage leaving the back of the Magic Department. It would be troublesome if you ran into him, so let’s hurry out. It’s better to explore during the day.”

“Ah, I already met him.”

“Mwooo?!”

Romandro froze like a stone at Ian’s calm confession. His mouth just gaped, clearly flustered, not knowing how to react. Ian took the lantern from his hand and led the way.

“Let’s go out now. It seems we’ll have to go to the commercial district tomorrow. I didn’t expect it to get this late.”

“Wait! What, what did he say?”

“There was nothing particularly important. Let’s leave the palace first.”

At Ian’s urging, Romandro rushed to the carriage. As soon as he squeezed inside, he closed the curtain and whispered.

Tap!

“Tell me what he said!”

“He didn’t mention you, Sir Romandro, so you don’t have to worry.”

Was he hit right on the mark?

He had properly pushed Erica and Molin under Marib’s orders, so as a family man, he was naturally afraid of retaliation. Romandro cleared his throat with a cough, trailing off his words.

“Do you think I’m curious because of that?”

“About that garden, is the construction of the detached palace underway?”

“Huh? Ah, so he talked about that. The proposal has been around for quite a while. The Magic Department has so few people, why do they keep wanting to expand the detached palace? If they’re going to do that, they should expand the dormitories for the palace staff!”

“His Highness Marib is against it, right?”

“Of course. The trees in the garden are old. It’s not officially recorded, but they’ve been left as they are because it’s said they’re blessed by fairies.”

It was one of many reasons for opposition. They couldn’t push out trees blessed by fairies for the sake of the Magic Department’s expansion, which wasn’t even urgent. Of course, the Magic Department claimed it was just a rumor, but they couldn’t prove it.

“Was it proposed last year or the year before… Anyway, it’s been quite a while. Actually, there are many other things that His Highness Marib and His Highness Gale are privately struggling over. If you were to count them all, you wouldn’t have enough fingers and toes. Tsk.”

Romandro kept opening and closing the curtain, checking where they were. After a long silence, he let out a sigh of relief as they completely left the palace, completely relaxing.

“Hah. I survived another day.”

“…How did you commute all this time?”

“I’m more of a field worker, so I don’t come in often unless I have to report. Every time I come, I feel like I’m suffocating!”

Romandro chuckled, loosening his outer garment comfortably. It wasn’t just about physical strength, there were so many things to worry about. As they got closer to the mansion, Romandro’s face began to light up.

Squeak.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Oh! Good work! Vivianna!”

Following Romandro, who jumped out hastily, Ian turned the carriage and entered the mansion. In the distance, Hasha was running to greet Ian. And…

Thump thump!

“You mutt! Get him!”

-Ian! Iaaaan!

Hasha immediately hugged Ian, trembling. He thought they were coming to greet him, but it seemed not.

Berik was brandishing a skewer, fuming with anger.

“Ian! That Hasha, he’s a very bad mutt!”

-I am a person!

“If you’re a person, you should eat your own food, why are you stealing others’!”

“Alright, alright. That’s enough. Let’s go inside.”

“Ian! Punish him!”

“Hasha, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find a way to go to Astana today. It’s partly because work ended too late, but more importantly, I think we need to watch the situation at the mansion for a while.”

He knew that Gale was watching Ian in the palace, so he had to carefully check if that was the case outside as well. Besides, Hasha was evidence of the evil deeds committed by Wesley. If his existence was discovered, it could be quite dangerous.

-I understand, so please do something about that ignorant thing!

Snap. Berik’s eyes rolled back at the word ‘ignorant’. Amidst the noisy commotion, they entered the mansion. Vivianna, who was taking their coats, asked curiously.

“You’re going to the shopping district tomorrow?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Then, may I join you? It would be nice to go shopping together while you’re out.”

He was about to ask her anyway. It was a familiar street, but there were changes after 100 years, and more importantly, he had to choose an outfit to wear to the New Year’s Eve party.

“I would be grateful. I don’t know the trends in the center, so I would appreciate it if you could choose suitable attire for me.”

“Leave it to me! You have such an elegant figure, you’ll look great in anything. Has the schedule for the New Year’s Eve party been released?”

At the madam’s words, Ian took out a small note that he had tucked between the magic stone reports. The New Year’s Eve party was in four days, and the investiture ceremony and magic confirmation ceremony that Ian had to attend were scheduled one week later.

The madam, who was looking at the note with him, nodded.

“It might be a bit tight to get the outfits made. There are usually a lot of orders during the New Year. I’ll introduce you to a tailor I often go to.”

“Me too? Me too?”

Berik interjected, his eyes sparkling. He seemed excited at the thought of wearing custom-made clothes for the first time, after only wearing clothes covered in dirt.

“Alright. Let’s rest early today and move early tomorrow. Including the tailor, and also, let’s get the sword commissioned to the blacksmith.”

“Yay! Great! I’m so happy!”

At that moment, Hasha, who had come down to the floor, sniffed. It seemed like a familiar scent was passing by from outside.

“Hasha? What’s wrong?”

-No. Since I became a dog, my nose has become too sensitive, and sometimes it feels like the smells are mixing in a dizzying way. Don’t worry about it.

Ian stared down at Hasha and then looked out the window. Only the nearby buildings with their lights on were visible outside. Ian muttered to Berik, who was jumping around happily.

“Berik, it makes me happy to see you so cheerful. Did you take a long nap earlier?”

“Huh? Uh-huh. I feel very refreshed!”

“Then, stand guard tonight.”

“Huh?”

Why did it turn out like that?

Berik stopped jumping around and turned to look at Ian, but Ian’s gaze was still fixed on the window. He smiled brightly and drove the point home again.

“Just until sunrise. Okay? I’m counting on you.”