Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 136

Ian returned to the Magic Department. Perhaps due to the aftermath of the induction ceremony, the main building was quiet, with few signs of life. Despite a century of difference, little had changed. The only exception was the garden in place of where the annex used to be, allowing more sunlight to enter.

Tap.

There would certainly be differences in the information.

The depth of what was permitted to the few at the top within and outside the Magic Department would inevitably vary. Before meeting Gale, Ian intended to check if there was any information about mana stones and necromancy beyond what was publicly known.

‘It seems Ruron won’t arrive at the palace until after sunset.’

Ian noticed voices coming from within the Magic Support Department. It seemed a few were on duty, guarding their posts. They were taking off their robes, constantly twirling their pens with annoyed expressions. It was because of the sudden orders from above.

‘Summon the necromancers? Suddenly?’

‘Right, some of them must have left the palace. If they’re told to gather without notice, they’ll throw a fit, won’t they?’

‘The funny thing is, they can’t say a word to Minister Wesley. They only act like this to us, who are easy targets.’

‘Is it because we’re foreigners that they discriminate against us, or are they just ignoring us? Ugh. I’m already tired. You do it.’

‘Go away. No, I won’t.’

‘Enough, just send the telegram magic quickly. Minister Wesley seemed urgent. If things go wrong, we’ll get it from both sides.’

‘Assign ten people each, in order from the top.’

‘Ah, what does that guy look like again? I can’t remember.’

At someone’s words, everyone stretched and activated the telegram magic. Instead of sending sentences like letters, they were sending colored lights according to pre-determined signals to convey the situation.

Ziiing.

Orange light appeared in the hands of the mages, then faded away as if diluted in water. The light would have reached the person the mage was thinking of.

‘The return signal is orange, basic. But, Wesley told them to gather the necromancers?’

The letter from the Karenna market must have been sent. He had told Romandro it would be at least three days, but if he was unlucky, he might have to fight Wesley right away.

The paths from the border to the center were all similar. If the date was specified, it wouldn’t be difficult to know that Ian had passed through Karenna at that time.

‘I need to hurry.’

As Ian moved towards the archives, the surroundings were surprisingly quiet. And suddenly, it reminded Ian of the day he was dragged down from the throne.

‘That day was so peaceful, just like today.’

The cozy smell of sunlight, the cool breeze, and the soft chirping of birds. The storm that determined fate had arrived more quietly than expected, and when he realized it, he felt like the water was up to his chin.

‘The moment fate changes is fleeting. It just takes a long time for it to reach me. Wesley, you might feel the same way. You might think everything is a cataclysm, but if you think about it, isn’t it all starting from the moment I woke up in the Bratz territory? Or even from my previous life.’

Clatter!

Ian entered the archives and looked around. An endless, vast space. Black boxes that an ordinary person wouldn’t know the purpose of were stacked without any gaps.

‘Lord Ian Hielo?’

‘Hello.’

‘You had your induction ceremony today, right?’

A mage who was organizing the archives recognized Ian and greeted him. But Ian didn’t have time to spare.

‘Yes. Commander Hale and the others have all gone home, and I’ve returned to get a grasp of my duties.’

‘I don’t know how this will sound, but, uh, you’re quite diligent for a noble. Is this your first time in the archives? Do you know how to look for things?’

Instead of answering, Ian placed his palm on the wall. And without hesitation, he released his mana. The responding light guided him to where the information he wanted was located.

Ziiing!

‘Excuse me. I’m a bit busy.’

‘Oh? Oh, okay…’

He awkwardly nodded, watching Ian’s back. He had heard that he had Prince Marib as his backer and that his mana was quite usable, but it wasn’t an exaggerated rumor.

Magic was important in terms of spell formations and formulas, but the basis was the ‘visualization’ caused by the mage’s concentration, wasn’t it?

To imagine an object as concretely as possible. If that became blurry, it wouldn’t work properly, and if things went wrong, it could cause problems in unexpected places.

‘No wonder everyone in the Magic Support Department is in an uproar.’

If a monster rookie came in, the hierarchy within the department could be greatly shaken. Was that why Minister Wesley was particularly wary of him?

‘I’m jealous. Tsk. Life is unfair.’

He was handsome, half-noble by blood, had received a territory from the Emperor, and was good at using mana? The employee flopped onto the back of the sofa, constantly complaining with annoyance.

* * *

Tap tap!

As the sun was setting, Romandro was holding a small box containing Ruron in his arms. Every time the carriage shook, he flinched, checking if Ruron was okay. Even though it was a mana stone, it was still just a rock, but it was so valuable that he couldn’t help it.

‘Shall we go further in?’

‘Yes. Go to His Highness Gale’s palace entrance.’

‘Yes, I understand.’

The coachman slowed down, as it was almost his first time inside the palace. When Romandro entered the palace, he always went to the administrative office or Marib’s office.

Heeing!

‘We have arrived, Lord Romandro.’

‘Ah, right. You can park the carriage far away. It’s a bit awkward if someone sees it.’

‘Yes. I’ll be waiting.’

Romandro checked if there were any signs of people around and entered Gale’s palace. He could see the guards watching him from afar. But before that…

‘Lord Romandro. Over here.’

‘Oh, Ian. I, uh, I was just coming from the administrative office-‘

‘Wesley received the letter from the Karenna market.’

‘Huh! Right. How did you know? Did they come looking for you?’

‘The word spread within the Magic Department. Where is Ruron?’

‘It’s here. Now, are you going inside?’

Ian checked the faintly glowing Ruron inside the box and nodded. Romandro tried to ignore the piercing gaze of the guards and whispered quietly.

‘Ah, and I asked the administrative office, and it was as I said. The date for the high-ranking officials’ appointment ceremony is exactly one week away. The meetings are usually held a day or two before, so it might be helpful to keep that in mind.’

‘Yes. Thank you, Lord Romandro.’

‘I’ll wait in the carriage until you come out.’

‘Okay. I’ll be back soon.’

Ian lightly patted his shoulder, meaning not to worry. Then, he approached the guard, handed over his identification, and requested an audience.

‘I am Lord Ian Hielo of the Magic Department. I would like to see His Highness Gale.’

‘Did you make an appointment?’

‘No, but it’s urgent.’

‘If you don’t have an appointment, it will be difficult.’

‘Is worrying about visitors part of your job?’

‘…My apologies.’

At Ian’s firm words, the guard slightly lowered his head and went inside.

In fact, it was absurd for a viscount to come on the same day and ask for an audience. But Ian knew that he was quite a nuisance to Gale. Since he had come this far, even if they told him to wait, they wouldn’t turn him away.

Soon after, the chamberlain appeared to guide Ian.

‘Lord Ian Hielo. This way.’

Swoosh.

Perhaps because the sun had set, the palace was much darker than he had expected. Just like Gale’s hair. Even if it was fabricated, Marib’s palace had a bright and cozy feeling, but Gale’s residence exuded the opposite energy.

Knock knock.

‘Lord Ian Hielo requests an audience, Your Highness.’

‘Let him in.’

The chamberlain, who had obtained permission, opened the door and gestured to Ian. As Ian entered, Gale, dressed in comfortable clothes, was lying on the bed, welcoming him. Unlike the dissipated atmosphere, there were piles of disorganized documents on both sides of the bed.

‘Ian, I didn’t expect you to come to me like this. Did you come to tell me your impressions of entering the Magic Department? Or did Marib ask you to deliver something? You said it was urgent, so I’m looking forward to it.’

It was a playful and light tone. Ian sat on the sofa only after Gale gestured, and placed the box down. Gale’s sharp eyes turned to the box.

‘I hope it’s a gift.’

‘That’s right. It will definitely be a gift for His Highness Gale.’

Gale continued to read the documents, wearing a meaningful smile. A gift for the second most powerful person in the Empire. It wouldn’t be easy to satisfy him.

‘Since I have personally given you my precious time, you must meet my expectations.’

Ian paused for a moment, choosing his words with a sigh. Judging by the fact that he hadn’t gotten off the bed, it was clear that he hadn’t heard any reports from Wesley.

‘Your Highness Gale. I have something I would like to ask you.’

‘I grant you permission.’

‘Have you heard of the act of performing necromancy on a living person?’

At Ian’s question, Gale took his eyes off the documents. The head that slowly lifted held no emotion other than doubt.

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

Necromancy was performed on the dead, but the target was a living person? Seeing Gale’s brow furrow, Ian continued.

‘The reason I came here so urgently is because I have something to report to you. You are aware that the Magic Department has been inviting necromancers to conduct research for several years.’

Gale put the documents aside as if he was intrigued and stood up. His long robe slowly swept the floor as he moved.

‘Minister Wesley has secretly ordered the necromancers to conduct secret research. The main point is to cast necromancy on a living person, and I suspect that the target is you, Your Highness.’

‘I told you to meet my expectations, but it’s the opposite. How did you know about Wesley’s secret research? I am not merciful, and I tend to kill those who speak ambiguously.’

It was a very calm warning. A monotonous and flat tone, as if they were having a casual conversation. But as if to show that he wasn’t speaking empty words, his gaze fell directly on Ian.

‘I have a research associate as a witness, and I have also seen the situation with my own eyes. You know the small city called Karenna, don’t you?’

Ian told Gale about what happened in Karenna as briefly as possible. Gale’s brow furrowed more and more.

‘Wesley was conducting research separately without my knowledge? That Wesley? How dare she?’

It was unexpected. And honestly, he was a bit surprised. He thought she would just do as she was told, but as a minister, she was doing her own thing.

‘It seems that this happened while she was looking for a way to avoid the Imperial blessing.’

‘What is the basis for saying that the target is me?’

‘The fact that you were unaware of the matter is the basis.’

It made sense. If Ian had come all the way here to throw bait, it was worth investigating.

Gale continued with a questioning tone. Then, why was this guy doing this? Why did he come all the way here to tell him this? If Wesley cast a spell on him, wouldn’t Marib be the beneficiary?

‘It could be a scheme to drive a wedge between me and Wesley.’

But Ian read his thoughts and immediately added.

‘I’ll tell you in advance, His Highness Marib knows nothing about this. I swear, you can use a truth serum on me as soon as I leave this place.’

And he held out the box.

The real negotiation was about to begin.