Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 135

Objectively speaking, Wesley was truly remarkable.

No one knew her real name or age, which suggested she came from the lowest of the low. Yet, she had achieved the glory of being the youngest minister, the honor of leading the Magic Department, and even the position of being the lover of the Second Prince Gale, the second most powerful figure in the Empire. Few in the Empire had risen as high as she had.

‘Well, no way… Ian, even so, isn’t that a bit much? Minister Wesley trying to turn His Highness Gale into an undead?’

Romandro, upon hearing Ian’s words, wore an expression of utter disbelief. Even in his own home, he lowered his voice as if afraid someone might overhear.

‘But given the current situation, I can’t come up with any other hypothesis. I suspect she’s trying to find a bypass due to the Imperial blessing.’

‘If you’re talking about the Imperial blessing, are you saying that mind control magic doesn’t work on the Imperial family?’

Romandro’s eyes widened again. It seemed like they were together all day, but where did Ian pick up such things? He lightly sighed, thinking that mages were indeed different.

‘That’s right. The undead are similar to mind control magic in their result. You can control the target as you please. But the spell itself is different, and if you go deeper, it’s closer to sorcery than magic.’

‘I’m sorry, but I’m a layman in that area.’

‘Magic requires magical power, but sorcery doesn’t. It’s about using mystical power through lineage, personal training, or various objects.’

Hasha was a prime example. She didn’t have magical power, but she had the lineage of a sorcerer passed down through her family, and she created the undead with her own secret methods. The more Ian explained, the more he felt like he was deciphering Wesley’s hidden intentions.

‘So, if someone wants to control a member of the Imperial family, they have to find a method other than magic. It’s clear that Wesley is the one who tried to turn a living person into an undead, and the only motive she has is Gale, isn’t it?’

‘W-What if His Highness Gale ordered Wesley to do it?’

That was certainly a possibility. As someone harboring a rebellion, he would naturally be targeting the Emperor or Marib. But…

‘No. It’s more likely that Gale doesn’t know.’

The historical record that necromancy wasn’t used in the rebellion gave Ian certainty. If Gale had known, he would have tried to use necromancy without a shred of doubt. History would have certainly changed.

‘Then, what are you planning to do now? Minister Wesley is a great strength to His Highness Gale, which is a threat to His Highness Marib, so it seems like a great opportunity.’

‘I think the same way.’

‘Wesley…’

Romandro covered his mouth with a thud. It was a word too burdensome to even say out loud, but Ian smiled brightly and lightly countered.

‘We have to cut her off.’

The current Magic Department was rotten. If the top changed, the bottom would change as well. This meant a better future for Bariel. Also, it would be possible to effectively stop Gale, who was trying to start a rebellion with the Magic Department behind him.

‘But there’s still something that bothers me. Wesley is clearly Gale’s greatest strength right now. But can Gale easily dispose of her? Using the pretext of love, he might even try to appease her and keep her by his side.’

To get rid of Gale, they had to use Wesley, and to get rid of Wesley, they had to use Gale. Then, they just had to give Gale one option.

‘If the Magic Department is fine without Wesley, and even the rebellion is not a problem… then he can cut off Wesley. In other words, we need a mage to replace her.’

Among the people Ian knew in the current Magic Department, was there anyone suitable? No. A man named Hale from the Magic Operations Department seemed reliable, but it was still uncertain, and since he seemed to be at odds with Wesley, he would definitely not get along with Gale either.

‘Then I have to do it. Considering the strength of magical power, I’m the only one who can match her.’

The tangled threads in Ian’s mind began to unravel one by one. As he remained silent and his eyes continued to shine, Romandro could only watch him from the side.

‘Ian, what are you thinking so deeply about?’

‘Ah, Romandro, please hurry and go up to greet Mrs. Vivianna.’

‘Vivianna? Why?’

‘Because it seems like you won’t be able to come home for a while.’

Romandro wore a shocked expression at the sudden declaration.

‘Wh-Why?’

‘If Wesley received the letter from the mayor of Karenna, she’ll immediately know that we know about the undead. It’s only a matter of time. I estimate three days at most.’

‘That means…’

‘She will definitely try to eliminate us.’

Thump! It felt like his heart was falling. Then they should run away immediately, but no. Where could he run with his pregnant wife?

‘W-We have to ask His Highness Marib for help!’

‘No. I will tell His Highness myself at the right opportunity later.’

‘Is that okay?’

‘Of course. It has to be that way.’

Even as Ian gave instructions to Romandro, he kept lightly flicking his fingertips. It was a habit he had when organizing complex thoughts.

‘Oh, and before you go to the palace, please bring some of the Luron magic stones you left with me. One lump should be enough. And as I asked, after you finish your work at the Administrative Department, please come to where I am.’

‘Where? The Magic Department?’

‘No. His Highness Gale’s palace.’

‘What? Are you serious?’

‘I’m serious. And by any chance, do you know when the high-ranking officials’ appointments for the New Year will be?’

‘Hmm. Just a moment.’

Romandro looked at the calendar and searched his memory. Not too far from now, a meeting would be held where the Emperor and other key figures would gather to reorganize the country’s personnel. And based on the results, the appointment ceremony would follow within a few days.

‘I expect it to be next week.’

‘The timing is perfect.’

‘I don’t know how things will turn out due to the Siltham potion issue. I’ll look into that as well. The power struggles between each department are getting worse… ugh, it’s been like that lately.’

‘It’s a good thing for us.’

‘Hmm? Why?’

‘Because the one who wins in chaos proves their ability.’

Ian lightly dusted off his hands and stood up. It was a sign that it was time to move.

‘I’ll stop by the Magic Department and then go to His Highness Gale’s palace. I’ll see you after sunset.’

‘O-Okay. But what about this guy?’

‘Kuh-uh-uh.’

Beric, who had fallen into a deep sleep, scratched his chin. They needed someone to protect Vivianna and Mini against Wesley, but how could a guard be so careless?

‘Leave him be. It’s probably one of the few times he’s been hit so hard in his life. Right now, the key is to act before Wesley does, so let’s move.’

‘Ah, okay.’

Swoosh.

Ian put the letter in his pocket and hurried to prepare for his outing again. Romandro did the same. They shared a look, agreeing to meet in the Imperial Palace, and then got into separate carriages.

‘Oh my, where shall I take you two?’

‘We’re going separately. Let’s go to the Magic Department.’

‘We’re going to the commercial district.’

‘Ah, yes. Understood!’

The two carriages sped off in a straight line, then split at a fork in the road. Ian was heading to the palace, and Romandro was heading to the hiding place of the Luron magic stones.

Neigh!

Clatter, clatter!

Romandro kept looking back at Ian’s carriage, which was getting further and further away, with worry. Ian, on the other hand, kept his head held high, busy calculating numbers in his head.

‘Sigh.’

That’s why the Imperial Palace is so chaotic. Romandro vowed, again and again, that he would retire and go down to the countryside with Vivianna someday.

‘But where did Hasha go?’

* * *

Meanwhile, Hasha was running wildly through the slushy back alleys where the snow had melted. She had only meant to take a walk around the neighborhood to clear her head, but how did it come to this?

Woof! Woof, woof!

The familiar scent of her hometown wafted through the air. It felt like it would disappear with a single gust of wind, making her heart clench. Hasha continued to move her four paws busily, following the faint traces that remained.

‘It’s the scent of an Astanian!’

More precisely, it was the scent of spices mainly used in Astana. The unique sour and sweet smell was something she hadn’t smelled in a long time, but it was clearly etched in Hasha’s memory.

Thump!

If they were from the same region, and if the heavens helped, they might take her to Astana. Although necromancy was the main practice in Astana, a small number of factions traditionally worshiped and preserved various sorceries. Even if she wasn’t in her original body, she might find a way to return to being human.

Everything was a hope born from the faint smell of spices that had passed by.

‘Is it around here? No. I have to go further in! Please go a little slower! Fellow countryman!’

‘Oh my, a dog…’

‘Get lost, you mutt!’

‘Oh my, why is it suddenly running and barking like that?’

Hasha used her small body to chase the scent as quickly and closely as possible. She pushed through piles of boxes, jumped into the midst of old men drinking on the street, and didn’t fear stepping into cold puddles.

Thump!

And then, she was so close that she felt like she was inside the scent, rather than chasing it. Hasha hid her presence as much as possible and looked around. There was no sign of anyone in the damp, dirty, and dark alley.

‘Hahaha! So?’

‘Don’t even mention it, as soon as I grabbed his collar, he started crying. It was the first time I’d ever seen a person cry like that.’

‘You’re exaggerating. It gets better every day. Hmm. It does.’

‘No, it’s true, I tell you?’

At that moment, the sound of rowdy men coming out of a building was heard. Judging by the cigarettes in their hands, it seemed like they were taking a break from whatever they were doing inside.

‘Hmm? What’s that?’

They looked rough and unusual at first glance. Their skin was scarred, their hair was unkempt, and their half-crazed eyes looked dangerous.

‘A dog?’

‘Yeah, it’s a dog.’

Hasha couldn’t find a chance to turn back and froze on the spot. She was so flustered that she felt like she was swallowing hard, but they just puffed on their cigarettes, thinking of Hasha as an ordinary dog.

‘What are you looking at, you mutt!’

‘I feel like grabbing it and eating it. Hahaha!’

‘Ah, now that you mention it, I’m really hungry? When is Pakens coming back? He needs to settle our pay so we can go to the pub. Ah. Really.’

Pakens? Hasha’s ears perked up.

It was a name she had heard somewhere before. She just sniffed the ground, pretending not to understand, but she kept watching them with the whites of her eyes.

‘So, this time the goods are quite lucrative, right? What was it called? Uh, uh, un…’

‘Undead, you idiot! You can’t understand even after hearing it so many times.’

‘Right. Anyway, with that, we’ll get a lot of money, right?’

‘Gasp!’

Hasha couldn’t help but let out a gasp. Pakens, she remembered. The slave traders in Karenna who made and sold undead using her sorcery! The name of the slave trader was Pakens!

‘Gasp?’

‘Was that you who made that sound?’

‘No, I didn’t say anything?’

Huff, huff! Huff!

The men slowly turned their heads, flicking their cigarette ashes. The only thing there was a white dog?

Hasha drooled as much as possible, putting on an expression that said, ‘I don’t know anything.’ Damn it.