Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 129

‘It seems Wesley suspects I have someone within the Magic Department who’s in contact with me.’

It was understandable, given that he had successfully led the magic power confirmation ceremony. However, it was unlikely that Ian, who had just come from the border, had built a network. If so, it couldn’t be overlooked that he might be connected to Marib.

‘Therefore, before making a choice, I should ask His Highness Marib. To see if there is anyone else planted as eyes and ears besides me, as Wesley suspects. Mini, prepare to send a letter immediately.’

Snap!

As Ian snapped his fingers and gave the order, Mini quickly gathered a pen and paper from the study. Romandro, who had been listening quietly, was horrified and moved closer to Ian.

‘Then, what do you plan to do?’

‘If His Highness has someone planted, entering that department would be the way to draw less suspicion from each other.’

‘No, it’s better to pretend you don’t know and go separately!’

‘How can we push people into one department? Rather, if we go to the same place, all eyes will be on me in that department.’

There was also the possibility that the opponent might approach a spy in the same department to monitor and check Ian. However, that was a very distant possibility, and first, it was important to confirm whether Marib was using anyone other than Ian.

‘I don’t know if His Highness will tell me the truth, but it seems right that she gave me these choices to test me.’

In fact, he intuitively knew that Marib had no other options, but it seemed good to send a letter to explain why he was going to a department other than the Magic Stone Management Department.

‘So, you’re saying that if there is a minion of His Highness Marib, you’ll go there…’

‘If not, I’ll go to the Magic Operations Department.’

‘Isn’t that a place with a lot of hard work and high fatigue?’

‘But it’s probably the only department where loyalty to the captain is higher than to Minister Wesley. Isn’t that how it usually is with field positions?’

No matter how many superiors there were, there was no one as trustworthy as the captain who struggled and overcame hardships together in the field. Moreover, judging from what he had seen in passing, he could predict that the atmosphere of the department itself would be quite good.

‘The Magic Support Department isn’t bad either, but it’s like sticking your head into a lion’s mouth.’

Especially if they were mostly involved in the malfunction of the magic circle, it would be quite difficult for Ian to operate. How could he do anything else while being watched and restricted by those who were monitoring him all day?

‘The moderately balanced Magic Operations Department is better. This is all a plan based on the assumption that His Highness Marib has no spies.’

Swish, swish.

Ian wrote the letter in a fluent style, and soon, he received a reply from Marib in the afternoon. It stated that there was no one in the Magic Department who could help Ian.

* * *

Knock knock.

‘Come in.’

‘Minister Wesley, Baron Ian Hielo has sent a request to join a department.’

At the aide’s report, Wesley turned her head. It was expected that he would join, but she was very curious about which department he would enter.

‘Which department?’

‘The Magic Operations Department, they say.’

‘Haha. The Magic Operations Department?’

Look at this, Wesley crossed her arms and chewed her lip. It was the place where Nakina, who had acted suspiciously during the magic power confirmation ceremony, was located, and the captain there, Hale, was a very difficult person to deal with. He was a stubborn man who adhered to principles, and there were often minor conflicts between Wesley and him.

‘This is really a headache. Annoying.’

‘Could it be that he has a connection with Nakina?’

‘If so, he wouldn’t have gone to the same department.’

‘Then, a traitor from somewhere else…’

It felt like everything was getting more and more tangled without a clear answer. Since she couldn’t see a perfectly clear result, Wesley suddenly remembered what Gail had said.

‘Ian fixed it.’

Ian, that nobody from the border, had fixed the magic circle in a short moment. If that was true, wouldn’t everything be clear without this messy power struggle? But Wesley couldn’t bring herself to admit it.

‘No way. There’s no way he could do something I can’t…’

This was a problem for her, setting aside Gail. Wasn’t Wesley the youngest minister in the history of the Empire? That meant her magical abilities were second to none, but with Ian’s appearance, everything could disappear into the annals of history.

‘Ian definitely, definitely has a helper.’

At the sight of her superior muttering as if half her soul had left her body, the aide sighed softly. Wesley suddenly turned to her aide and asked.

‘When did he say he would enter the palace?’

‘He didn’t specify, but it seems he plans to send the Baron’s escort knight to the Imperial Palace training grounds soon.’

‘Escort knight? The red-haired one?’

‘Yes. He said he would enter the palace on a free training day during the week, so he asked to send a message before then. If you allow it, Minister, he said he would take care of his business at the training grounds, then formally greet the members of the department, and start work the next day.’

Wesley’s brow furrowed. It was as if he knew the entire process of joining the department. From here to the Imperial Palace training grounds, every single movement was concise and efficient.

‘Anyway, Romandro.’

She didn’t like that he was sticking so close and helping with everything. She jumped up, grabbed her coat, and left the office.

Thud!

The Magic Support Department wasn’t far from the office.

When Wesley roughly opened the door, the mages who were buried in paperwork flinched and raised their heads.

‘Minister? W-what brings you here?’

It was their first day back at work after being utterly humiliated by the magic circle malfunction during the magic power confirmation ceremony. The tense atmosphere clearly showed how nervous they were. Wesley clicked her tongue inwardly and then gave an order.

‘Prepare to welcome Baron Ian Hielo.’

‘H-he’s joining? Where?’

Their expressions were strange. It was an expression made by the mix of wanting him not to come to the Magic Support Department and, conversely, wanting him to come. They had a grand plan to properly harass him and work him to death if he came.

‘He said he’s going to the Magic Operations Department, so inform them as well.’

‘Ah, yes, yes. Understood.’

‘…Keep your heads straight.’

It was the first new recruit in years, but he was no ordinary person. Moreover, he had Marib dangling behind him. At Wesley’s warning, everyone’s eyes flashed and they nodded.

‘Of course. Don’t worry.’

‘I’m very excited. Hahaha!’

‘Ridiculous… Get to work.’

‘Ah, yes, yes.’

Squeak!

Bang!

At Wesley’s scolding, the mages buried their noses in their paperwork again. As soon as their superior left, they all sighed in relief and looked at each other.

‘A new recruit is coming.’

‘I know. It’s been a long time. How many years has it been?’

‘We should give him a proper welcome. And check if the light of the oracle was real or not.’

They were suspicious that the power of magic might have been amplified due to the malfunction of the magic circle. The mages began to move busily again, preparing to welcome the new recruit.

‘Did you hear? Baron Hielo is going to the Magic Operations Department.’

‘What? Really? Then, are they really being abandoned? He did a great job in the Loxan battle, so I thought he would finally settle down this time.’

‘I don’t think so? Minister Wesley gave him the right to choose, and Baron Ian chose it himself.’

‘Anyway, the Magic Operations Department will be in trouble. Suddenly having to take care of Ian. They’ll be completely out of favor with Minister Wesley.’

‘Hey, think about it. This might be an opportunity. If you just manage to control Baron Ian well instead of Minister Wesley, isn’t it a chance to score points?’

‘Shhh. Watch your mouth! Even if he’s a nobody, he’s still a noble. Hahaha!’

The rumor that Ian would join the Magic Operations Department spread quickly. Although the Magic Department was already small, it was such a high-profile issue that there was no one in the Imperial Palace who didn’t know about it.

‘Huh?’

Except for the Magic Operations Department, who were the parties involved.

Hale, the captain of the Magic Operations Department, who was eating at the cafeteria, dropped his spoon and turned around. When those who were chattering saw Hale’s eyes, they quickly moved away.

‘What is this nonsense? Nakina, did you hear that?’

‘Just now. It’s so loud everywhere, I could hear it well.’

‘So you didn’t know either.’

Tomi, who was burying his face in his plate, asked Hale.

‘Is there a problem? They say a new recruit is coming.’

‘No. There isn’t.’

‘Then let’s eat.’

At Tomi’s words, Hale sniffed and picked up his spoon again.

Well, does it matter? They just had to keep working as they were. The three ignored the stinging gazes on the back of their heads and continued to shovel food into their mouths.

* * *

‘Ian! Iaaaan!’

‘You’re loud, Beric.’

‘Hurry up and get ready. Why are you so slow?’

Ian looked at Beric, who was whining while hanging on the doorknob, in disbelief. Today was the Imperial Palace’s free training day, and also the day of Ian’s welcoming ceremony at the Magic Department. It was funny that the one who was usually the slowest to get ready was now urging him on.

‘Are you that excited?’

‘They say there are a lot of guys like the Cheonryeo tribe [a reference to a powerful warrior tribe]?’

‘Yes. Today, your nose will probably be crushed.’

Ian muttered as he fastened his cuffs. The free training day was literally a day when the training grounds were open. It was a day when those who could enter the Imperial Palace gathered to gauge each other’s skills and build friendships, a kind of break.

‘What do I do when I get there?’

‘It’s not difficult. When you get there, everyone will either be talking or training. You just have to politely greet the person you want and then request a duel.’

Normally, a swordsman who was famous outside the palace would meet a patron and get help to enter the Imperial Palace, but Ian and Beric had already built that relationship over a long time.

‘You should be honored, you know. Do you think you get the chance to compete with the Imperial Palace knights often?’

‘Sir Romandro. Ha, this is ridiculous. Watch carefully. The knights will be honored. Where else would they get such a crushing experience?’

‘You’re the one who’s going to be crushed. Tsk tsk. Should I call a doctor in advance…’

Whether he knew of Romandro’s worries or not, Beric puffed out his chest and stroked his sword, self-absorbed. Ian, who had finished preparing, turned to him and asked.

‘You’re not taking another sword.’

‘Why? I don’t want to!’

The mysterious black sword that exploded when it absorbed energy. Ian frowned slightly and advised.

‘There will be almost half magic swordsmen there, wouldn’t it be a problem if something happened to your sword?’

‘Are you worried that my sword will break?’

‘Your neck bone.’

‘Ah. If that’s the case, it’s okay! Everyone will be fighting with their own weapons, so I can’t be the only one using a wooden practice sword. Right? Right, master?’

‘…Do as you please.’

Beric swung his sword around excitedly and ran around, while Romandro was disgusted and tried to stop him. Outside, the coachman honked, saying that the carriage was ready.

‘Let’s go. Ah, and Sir Romandro.’

‘Hmm?’

Ian smiled as he reached out his hand to him. Romandro, who unknowingly took his hand, could only smile, not knowing why.

‘This is the last greeting. It’s said that good luck is given when you shake hands with a magic operator, but when I come back from the palace, I’ll already be a mage.’

‘Ah, that’s right! Let’s do it one more time!’

‘Of course.’

‘Me too, shake my hand too!’

‘Okay. Put that sword away.’

The three held hands tightly, sharing good luck. Not knowing what was about to happen.