Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 146

“If I die, a death curse will befall my father, the most supreme and absolute being of Bariel [the name of the kingdom], and my beloved-”

Everyone grimaced and frowned as Gale uttered ‘beloved.’ No matter how they thought about it, it was an adjective that didn’t suit him at all. The moment they realized the subject was Marib, everyone began to stir.

“My brother, Marib, will also be cursed with death.”

“Gale!”

Clang!

Marib slammed the table without realizing it and jumped up. There was a limit to his trickery. To lie so blatantly was the ultimate deception. The opposing factions, dumbfounded, joined in.

“Your Highness Gale, are you making any sense right now?”

“Oh, watch your words! It’s His Highness Gale!”

“No, isn’t it true? He says that if he dies, the Emperor and His Highness Marib will be cursed, which clearly shows his intention to harm them!”

“That’s right! He’s hiding the real curse!”

“It must be a curse that would cause trouble if it were known, that’s why he’s saying that. Your Majesty, there’s nothing more to see. Please order him to leave the palace immediately!”

“What are you talking about! What if something happens to His Highness Gale after he leaves the palace? And if the curse is activated, will you take responsibility?”

“This is a serious matter that concerns not only the Emperor and His Highness Marib, but the very existence of Bariel! How can you so easily dismiss it as a lie? You don’t want to believe it, do you?”

“Then do you believe that what he said is true? That such a heavy curse can be placed just because of two people’s blood? Do you believe it?”

“We can ask a mage! Sir Ian!”

Ian, who had been quietly observing, was called out. The heated factions stopped shouting and turned to look at Ian. He was looking straight ahead with a rather indifferent expression.

“I’ll ask Sir Ian. Do you think that forbidden magic, that is, Minister Wesley and his aide, could cast a curse that could determine the fate of Bariel? Do you think His Highness’s curse is actually true?”

Say no! A minister, one of Marib’s faction, urged him with his eyes. But Ian’s answer was as calm as ever.

“It’s possible.”

Murmurs arose. At Ian’s concise answer, Gale’s faction put their heads together and whispered something. They probably guessed that Gale’s testimony was false. But whatever the truth, Gale’s testimony was clearly the only chance to turn the tide.

“Forbidden magic is a general term for all abilities that deviate from the principles of nature and fate. It allows a mage’s soul to touch areas that even the gods cannot easily touch, such as life and space-time. In particular, former Minister Wesley was a talented mage who rose to the youngest court count, so I don’t think it’s impossible.”

“No, are you saying that one mage can determine the fate of Bariel? Does that make any sense?”

“You might say that if you don’t know what happens to those who use forbidden magic. They fall into the abyss. Commonly known as hell.”

Hell. A space where one is consumed by eternal torment, endlessly cutting themselves for countless eons.

“And to be precise, there were two mages. Those who inherited the will of God fell into hell. So, I believe it’s a possible curse.”

Marib’s faction swallowed hard and looked at Gale. Wasn’t the person who had endured that terrible curse standing right there? Even if what he had just testified was a lie, it was clear that another curse was sprouting within him.

“Then, let’s have Gale use the Truth Serum.”

It was Marib’s voice that broke the silence.

He regained his composure and sat back down. A lie to escape the moment would only tie his own feet. Marib smiled and scanned Gale up and down.

“What do you think? We can find out right away whether the curse Gale received is true or not.”

“That’s a good idea!”

“Y-yes! The Truth Serum was something the Magic Department was pushing so hard, wasn’t it? They say it’s very effective?”

“Please order it right now, Your Majesty!”

“If His Highness Gale’s testimony is false, he should be stripped of his imperial surname! It’s the same as threatening the safety of Bariel, Your Majesty, and His Highness Marib!”

“You’re all being reckless! Watch your mouths! You’re already assuming that His Highness Gale has testified falsely! This is an insult to the imperial family!”

The Emperor slowly raised his hand. It was a sign for everyone to stop and be quiet. It was a meager, withered hand, but it had enough authority.

“…Gale, do you agree to use the Truth Serum?”

It was a question from the Emperor, his father. It was a kind of opportunity, a chance to quickly correct himself and apologize if he had lied.

But Gale put his hand on his chest and declared.

“I agree.”

“See! Our Highness doesn’t tell lies! I’ve clearly seen those who insulted His Highness Gale here! Let’s see how this plays out!”

“Haha, you’re truly amazing, Your Highness Gale! What on earth are you plotting?”

“Tsk, tsk, blasphemous!”

An agreement without a moment’s hesitation. If the curse was a lie, he couldn’t have acted like that. If they brought the Truth Serum from the Magic Department and poured it on him right now, he would be exposed.

One of the ministers bowed his head to Marib and whispered.

“Your Highness, what do you think His Highness Gale’s intentions are? He’s so confident, maybe it’s true.”

“It’s not the truth, it’s cleverness.”

“…Yes?”

Marib explained to the minister, who raised his eyebrows, asking what he meant.

“He’s confident that he won’t get caught even if he uses it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have so confidently said he would use the Truth Serum.”

The biggest problem with the Truth Serum was trust. They said it would make you tell the truth, but the biggest concern was that it could be manipulated according to the Magic Department’s intentions.

“He must have tampered with the Truth Serum.”

“Ah……”

The minister nodded as he listened to Marib’s words.

It was certainly possible. Wesley was dead, but all the Truth Serum currently stored in the Magic Department was made according to her instructions, wasn’t it?

It was the moment when the speculation became a certainty.

“I have a proposal, Your Majesty.”

Marib asked for the Emperor’s permission and took the floor.

“All the Truth Serum currently in the Magic Department was made according to the intentions of the traitor Wesley, so it cannot be trusted. Therefore, it would be best to discard all magic potions and make a new Truth Serum fairly for Gale to use.”

“Your Highness Marib! Do you not know the amount of Luron stone used to make the current Truth Serum? You want to discard all of that?”

“Are you not worried about Gale? I’m suspicious and worried, so I believe we cannot use what’s currently made.”

On the surface, he was pretending to care about Gale’s safety, but in the end, it was a trick to uncover the truth about the curse. Gale, who had been listening quietly, added a word.

“It will take some time to make the Truth Serum.”

“If everyone in the Magic Department rolls up their sleeves, we can shorten it as much as possible.”

Gale twisted his lips. Seeing that, Marib clenched his fist, feeling a surge of joy from deep within his chest.

‘Do you think I’ll fall for your tricks?’

“Why are you trying to postpone something that can be revealed right now?”

“Gale. If your testimony is true, it shouldn’t be a problem at all unless you die right away, right? We’ll set up tight security, so don’t worry and wait. Or do you still trust Wesley?”

At Marib’s blatant taunt, the atmosphere became uncontrollably heated. Marib’s faction, saying that he must have tampered with the Truth Serum, and those who were supporting Gale for some unknown reason, started arguing.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Prime Minister, unable to watch any longer, struck the gavel again.

“Very well. I agree with this, as does His Majesty. We don’t know what Wesley might have done, so I allow the disposal of all drinkable potions and the creation of new ones.”

“What about the time?”

At someone’s question, everyone looked at Ian. All questions related to magic were only being asked through Ian. It was a scene that made one guess how the Magic Department’s unique power had been established.

“According to the report, it takes about fifteen days, but it can be shortened a bit. The details need to be discussed with the department in charge.”

“I understand. Then, let’s conclude the meeting here. It’s already been a long time. We’ll have another emergency meeting soon, so those involved in this important matter should stay and not leave the palace.”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The meeting was adjourned. If Gale hadn’t woken up, it would have been delayed even further. The ministers sighed in relief and bowed to the Emperor.

Swoosh.

“…Everyone, strive to restore the daily life of the Imperial Palace. And Gale.”

“Yes, Father.”

The Emperor silently gestured for him to follow. As they went outside, Gale’s faction also disappeared like a receding tide. It was clear that they would be continuing an emergency meeting about this important matter. The remaining members of Marib’s faction were also gathered in small groups, putting their heads together.

“Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness Marib.”

Ian approached Marib’s call and bowed his head.

“Are the heads of the department related to the Truth Serum on the list of candidates for the next Minister of Magic?”

“No. They prioritize the pursuit of wisdom over the refinement of magic, so they will not be interested in being selected as minister.”

Marib waved his hand to dismiss the people around him and gestured for Ian to come closer. Ian bent down, bringing his ear close to him.

“Then, recruit them first.”

His voice sounded quite cheerful. It was no wonder, as Wesley, who had been the wing of the Magic Department, had been broken and killed, and it was only a matter of time before Gale was dealt with. And the person he was pushing for the next minister was his subordinate. Where else could there be such a perfect situation?

“It’s possible, right?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Good. I’ll tell you the details later.”

Currently, Ian’s existence was firmly recognized in the Magic Department. He had just joined, but he had a firm grip on the prince’s connections, and above all, he was a possessor of tremendous ability, enough to oppose the former minister.

The atmosphere was not one where being recommended as minister was taken as a joke.

Swoosh.

Ian nodded and gave a short bow, and Marib encouraged him with a satisfied gesture.

As they went outside, they could see a red magic circle drawn on the building where the personnel conference had taken place. It was a sign that they were conducting an investigation into Wesley’s death and that no one should approach.

‘Marib… Did he not notice something strange?’

He recalled Marib and Gale clashing in the conference hall. It was true that Gale had lied about the curse. But what about the Truth Serum? Was it really going according to Marib’s intentions?

‘If Gale had truly tampered with the Truth Serum, he would have brought it with him and entered the meeting. Then, he would have drunk it at the same time as he testified, pushing the matter forward.’

This was all Gale’s calculation. It could be seen as using the fact that the opposing faction distrusted the Truth Serum to buy time.

Then, in the current Magic Department without Wesley, who would help him work….

“Ian.”

Whoosh.

It was when he was passing through the garden next to the Magic Department’s main building. He turned around at the voice calling him. It was the same as that day. The day he had faced Gale where the annex should have been. The wind blew coolly between the two of them.

“Did you speak with His Majesty?”

Gale tilted his head and pointed to the depths of the garden. It was a sign to talk for a moment.