Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 147

Under the deep green shade, the two men stood facing each other.

Whenever the wind fluttered, the sunlight that filtered through moved slowly. Ian could tell that although there was no one visible around, Gale’s aides and guards were hiding their presence.

“Sir Ian, first, I thank you for saving me that day. No one could stand against Wesley, but you did it. It is truly commendable.”

It wasn’t because it was Gale, or because he needed Gale, that he had saved him. It was simply something only he could do. In a situation where many were watching, Ian had done what was only natural.

‘However, his tone has become quite gentle. It means he is properly aware of his situation.’

Although he hadn’t known him for long, he usually had an arrogant and confident air about him.

But now, every word he spoke was cautious, as if he were walking on thin ice. With Wesley gone and his position threatened by the curse, it was only natural. Now, just one mistake could mean the end for him.

“Do you have something to ask me?”

“Sir Ian, I remember that night. Do you remember it as well?”

He was referring to the night he had visited Gale’s palace. That day was the beginning of all the current events. Ian bowed his head and paused for a moment. Honestly, he didn’t really need Gale right now.

“If Your Highness remembers it, then I shall remember it as well.”

Gale, who couldn’t keep Marib in check, could simply disappear into history. Why would Ian take along someone who had lost in the balance of power?

“I especially remember that you do not consider Marib fit to be Emperor.”

He approached slowly, lowering his voice. It was as if the words he was about to say should never leak out, even on the wind.

“Wesley’s curse is real. But this is not a threat to Bariel, but a trial only for me. I will never, ever lose to Marib. I would rather die.”

His attitude was as if the thought alone was terrible. From his low growling voice, Ian felt a murderous intent. And suddenly, he realized that he was the one who had ‘caused’ a rebellion in the past.

‘He has a history. If he can’t overcome this situation, he might even resort to rebellion.’

It was a kind of trigger. A situational trigger that would force him to commit the serious crime of rebellion.

He had been working behind the scenes, targeting the former Bratz [a noble faction] and recruiting nobles, so he might cause trouble before everything fell apart.

“Just as you told me about Wesley’s forbidden necromancy, I will tell you something good as well.”

Gale lightly snapped his fingers, telling him to focus on his words. It was a sign to start a deal. Gale, with nowhere to retreat, and Ian, contemplating which path to take. The wind blew again. The secret deal was buried in the loud noise.

Swoosh.

“Before the current incident, Marib used someone to get his hands on the Truth Serum. It was around the day after you entered Marib’s palace and swore your oath.”

Ian furrowed his brow and nodded. He had sworn an oath while acting diligently, but it seemed he hadn’t been able to cut through the deep distrust in Marib’s heart.

“Who do you think he was going to use it on?”

“…You think it was me.”

“It doesn’t seem like it’s just my thought.”

“I agree.”

Since he had openly declared that he would act as a double agent, it was perhaps only natural. Gale grinned at Ian’s straightforward answer. Then, it was clear what each of them needed right now.

‘…To be involved in the manufacturing of the Truth Serum?’

“You not only have a foothold in the Magic Department, but you are also a major supplier of Luron Stone [a magical mineral]. It seems it wouldn’t be a difficult task.”

That was true. Moreover, if necessary, he could even cast a spell to make it ineffective. It would take a little time, but considering the time it would take to manufacture it anew, it was definitely not a problem.

“After all, aren’t ‘we’ the only two who have to drink the Truth Serum in front of Marib? Sir Ian, you clearly said you wouldn’t follow Marib. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for both of us to do this? Isn’t that right?”

“But Your Highness, ‘we’ two will not stand before His Highness Marib at the same time.”

Ian also smiled back. He was indirectly saying that the justification for helping Gale was too weak. But he continued naturally, as if he had expected that response.

“It is unlikely, but if I am purged, then there will be no one who can stand against Marib. Not even my father. You don’t seem like the type to bow down for life under someone who is not fit to be Emperor. Do you think you will be able to go against Marib then?”

It was easy to deal with Gale first. But if Marib were to completely seize power because of this, the future could become difficult. Because the one Ian truly wanted to support was one of the twin princes.

If the Emperor’s seat were to be changed due to his wrong choice, there would be nothing more troublesome.

‘It would be best to get rid of both Gale and Marib at the same time.’

“I will tell you a secret about Marib that I hold.”

“……!”

Gale seemed to instinctively know what the other person wanted. He was very carefully, but surely, drawing Ian in. Ian, slightly surprised, frowned with a smile.

“A secret?”

“I haven’t been able to reveal it yet because I don’t have proof, but the investigation has been going on for quite some time. I believe it will be very tempting.”

Rustle.

Gale took out a small piece of paper from his inner pocket. When he unfolded the many layers, a white, fine powder appeared inside, similar to flour. Ian looked at Gale with a questioning gaze. What was he doing now?

“Do you know what this is?”

When he gestured for him to smell it, Ian lowered his head. The moment his nose got close, he was able to recall a memory that had been etched in his mind.

It was the sleeping hallucinogen that Lady Rien of Merelov had brought from Hawan. A kind of drug and poison that caused death by apnea while sleeping.

“This is a new type of sleeping hallucinogen that is being distributed mainly by merchants from foreign countries. If you smell it closely, you can tell that the scent is unique.”

Gale naturally assumed that Ian wouldn’t know. That was because he hadn’t received any reports about the Merelov incident. Ian looked up at him, feeling speechless.

‘Why is this coming out here?’

He had it too. In the attic of Romandro’s house, the one that Lady Rien had given him as a gift to use in the center, was still stored in a box.

“Your Highness, what on earth……”

“Have you lost the flow of the conversation?”

Gale chuckled softly. It was as if he didn’t know whether he didn’t understand or didn’t want to. But Ian stammered, and without realizing it, he uttered ‘that’ word.

“Are you saying that this is related to Marib?”

“Marib, that’s a nice title to hear.”

“Please answer me.”

“Yes. From a certain point, my father’s health rapidly deteriorated. In fact, for an old man, it might be due to the passage of time, but I only felt something was wrong a few months ago.”

It was only after the concubine, Dilaina, who took care of his sleeping arrangements, made a fuss and raided the imperial pharmacy that Gale realized it.

Then he found out belatedly. That his father was constantly gasping in his sleep, calling out his birth mother’s name, and even seeing hallucinations often while awake.

‘Family hallucination.’

Come to think of it, Beric had a similar experience. Although he had fainted as soon as he smelled it, he had clearly seen the apparition of his family.

Ian leaned against the tree and shook his head without realizing it. It was an unexpected story. For Ian himself, and for both Gale and Marib.

“I will make a clear offer. If you get involved in the manufacturing of the Truth Serum, and if I get another chance, I will share everything I have investigated so far with you. This means that we will hold the knife against Marib together.”

Ian quickly turned his mind and glared at Gale.

At this point, it was clear that he was a formidable man. Even if Ian refused now, Gale would surely target Marib directly with rebellion or evidence fabrication.

That was also a clear rebellion. A storm of blood would rage in the imperial palace, and there was a possibility that a number of things could go wrong that would be outside of Ian’s calculations.

“…I cannot believe you, Your Highness.”

“Is that so?”

Gale chuckled and took out a cigarette. He exhaled the smoke with all his might and held out both hands to the side.

“In what sense?”

Yes. That was exactly what he meant. The prejudice of rebellion and that unrestrained attitude. If someone were to harm the Emperor, it would surely be Gale, not Marib. Their personalities were so different.

“Whether you know it or not, my father cherishes me more than Marib. This is my foundation and my strength, so how could I do such a thing? Perhaps the only one who would laugh if my father died in the imperial palace would be Marib.”

Because he would become the next Emperor.

But for Dilaina, who was relying on the current Emperor’s power, and the twin princes, and Gale, it was clearly a bad thing.

‘That’s right. The others would rather leave the palace and live as if they were dead if there was no Emperor. So as not to offend Marib.’

Ian swept his complicated hair back and sighed. Then Gale offered him a cigarette as if inviting him to smoke.

“And I am someone who smokes cigarettes, but stays away from drugs.”

“I decline. I am someone who stays away from cigarettes as well.”

“Is that so? You will live a long life. If you ride the right line, that is.”

Ian suddenly recalled Gale causing a ruckus at the nobles’ drug party. At that time, he had solidified his power by killing all the slaves, and it was as if he had announced his position on drugs.

‘If it comes to this, I must be very careful. Gale is one thing, but Marib must not grow out of control.’

There was only one way.

‘The only way is to deal with both of them at once. Get what I need and cut off what I need to cut off.’

Ian slowly raised his head and looked up at Gale. The two, their eyes meeting, smiled and fell silent. Their eyes clearly showed that they were aware of each other’s true intentions.

“Your Highness, but, everything you have said so far, can I really believe it? If it were all a lie, there would be no way for me to know.”

“I knew you would say that.”

Gale snapped his fingers with a cigarette in his mouth. Then, Gale’s subordinate, who had been hiding in the shadows of the tree, approached very discreetly.

Just for a moment, he wondered what trick he was up to.

Ian recognized the familiar potion in his hand.

“…Isn’t that the Truth Serum?”

“Sir Ian, you have already experienced it, so you know how accurate it is. This time, it is my turn to drink it.”

He poured the Truth Serum into his mouth without hesitation. Then, he raised one eyebrow, telling Ian to ask him a question. Ian glanced at the empty bottle and then opened his mouth.

“Your Highness, is everything you have said to me, I swear, the truth?”

Blood trickled down Gale’s lips. He roughly wiped it away with the back of his hand and smiled bitterly. The cigarette smoke became thicker, filling the surroundings.

“Yes. I swear, it is my truth.”