Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 148

The Ministry of Magic was in unprecedented chaos. For the first time, both the Minister and aide positions were vacant simultaneously. This situation, stemming from a disgraceful incident, put the entire Ministry in a precarious position. Naturally, the voices of the division heads in the conference room grew louder.

“Mind your words.”

“No, how can you exclude the Magic Support Division from the investigation team!”

“I didn’t say we would exclude it. I said we would form the investigation team mainly with other divisions.”

“Isn’t that the same thing? When such an incident occurs, it’s the Magic Support Division’s role to deploy personnel. This is an overreach of authority by other divisions!”

“Then, is it appropriate for Minister Wesley’s direct division, which tried to harm Gale, to continue the investigation? You all should shut your mouths and stay quiet.”

“If you were serving the Minister, you should have served him properly! What was the head of the Magic Support Division doing until this happened?”

“Ha! We are wizards! We are one family!”

“Watch your mouth! Wesley is practically a traitor!”

Bang! Thud!

The sound of files hitting the table echoed from all directions. Only Hale, the head of the Magic Operations Division, sniffled and rummaged through his pockets. The meeting was dragging on, so he thought he should have a smoke.

Creak!

At that moment, the door opened, cutting through the commotion. It was Ian. The division heads were in a personnel meeting at the time and had not witnessed the scene, and among those who had, only Ian had confronted Wesley. Therefore, he had returned from attending the Emperor’s emergency meeting as the representative of the Ministry of Magic.

“Ian, you’re here?”

“Yes. I’m a bit late.”

“No, you’ve worked hard.”

Hale pulled out a chair as if to tell him to sit and patted the backrest. Behind him, Tommy and Nakina were also being dragged along, looking half-dazed. It was clear that as fierce an argument had taken place here as at the Emperor’s emergency meeting.

“There’s blood on your sleeve.”

“Ah, it’s alright. It’s not mine.”

Ian answered Hale’s question with a light smile. Everyone was watching them whisper, not missing a single moment. They all had expressions that showed they were dying to know what kind of punishment would be handed down to the Ministry of Magic.

“Ian, what did they all say?”

“Tell us in detail. Don’t leave anything out.”

“Why did they only call one newbie who just came in, honestly.”

“They don’t trust the other wizards, I guess.”

“Thanks to Minister Wesley, our position has become very, very great! Damn it!”

The heads of each division couldn’t hold back and threw out a word each, but Ian sat down and straightened his clothes thoroughly.

“Don’t stall!”

“Do I look like I’m stalling on purpose?”

At someone’s question, Ian frowned slightly. The atmosphere froze instantly. Everyone thought that a serious punishment had been handed down and shut their mouths.

‘Interesting.’

Except for Hale, who realized it was Ian’s trick. He chuckled and chewed on his cigarette. He didn’t know what the youngest was thinking, but he had playfully flicked his fingers under the table.

“His Highness Gale has woken up. Did you know?”

“What? He’s regained consciousness?”

“Is there no major injury?”

“Yes. He seemed to have no problem moving around.”

“Then, the, the curse? Did they say it was actually cast?”

As everyone asked anxiously, Ian just nodded with a serious expression. Various exclamations burst out from the surroundings. What they had feared and worried about had become a reality.

“Without a doubt, this is a crisis for the very existence of the Ministry of Magic.”

“What about the forbidden magic-related materials?”

“Ian, keep talking. If possible, include even the trivial details.”

This was the reason why Ian was being overly serious.

Currently, Ian was the only one conveying the Imperial Family’s intentions, and he was also the only one related to the rising power, Marib. The imbalance of information would naturally translate to power, and this was a step closer to the position of the next Minister.

“It’s not a matter of the Ministry of Magic’s existence, but of Bariel’s existence. Therefore, the Imperial Family wanted to confirm the truth through the Truth Serum with His Highness Gale, so they ordered that all currently stored items be discarded and new ones be made and brought up.”

At his words, everyone’s gaze turned to the relevant division heads. A woman with many freckles blinked in surprise.

“Uh, by when?”

It was Acorella, the head of the Magic Stone Management Division.

“The sooner the better, of course. But I told them that I need at least fifteen days, so it should be fine if it’s done within that time.”

At Ian’s words, she barely let out a trembling sigh. Given the situation, she had been worried that they might ask her to make it within a day or two. At that moment, one of the division heads who had been whispering raised his hand and asked Ian a question.

“What other sanctions are being imposed on the Ministry of Magic?”

“There are no special orders. We have to investigate the forbidden magic. Only after His Highness Gale’s curse is identified will related matters be brought up again. It seems that the independent and unique authority we have enjoyed so far will be greatly reduced.”

“Then, how about we hurry and elect the next Minister in this gap?”

“Yes. Even if it’s temporary, that would be good. Everyone is confused, but we need to unite more than ever at times like this!”

“It’s easier to express our opinions if there’s a representative. I agree!”

“Instead, let’s exclude the Magic Support Division, which was Wesley’s direct division. If a Minister from the Magic Support Division comes out in this situation, it’s the same as supporting Wesley.”

The wizards’ eyes turned to the head of the Magic Support Division and his members, who just bit their lips. They were angry, but they had no words to refute. The division heads just looked at each other and coughed awkwardly.

“Jean, the head of the Magic Research Division, has the will to register as a candidate.”

“I have no will.”

“The Magic Stone Management Division also abstains.”

“Is it okay if it’s not the head?”

“Why? Are you going to come out?”

“If there’s no problem. Even the Research Division, which usually only flips through books, is coming out as a candidate, so I’m gaining confidence.”

“Ha! Look at the way that guy talks. Hey! Educate your subordinates properly! If I become the Minister, you’ll be demoted immediately.”

“Hahaha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard today.”

The conference room became noisy again. The chatter of those who wanted to register as candidates, those who were checking them, and those who were not interested all mixed together, creating a din. Hale belonged to the latter group.

“Shall we go eat after this?”

“Head Hale, aren’t you registering as a candidate?”

“Uh. I’m not. I hate stamping things. I can’t communicate with the high-ranking people in the Imperial Palace. I don’t want to do it.”

Tommy and Nakina seemed to feel the same way. They shared cigarettes and stared blankly at Ian.

“Are you going to do it?”

“Our youngest seems to want to do it.”

“It must have been worth it after fighting Wesley.”

“Ah, he’s talented. Really. I admit it, I admit it.”

“…Is it okay if I do it?”

In fact, he didn’t need permission. No matter what they said, he was going to do it. He was just asking out of courtesy. But Hale replied indifferently, as if it didn’t matter at all.

“Do it.”

Permission was given immediately. Ian turned to Tommy and Nakina. Both of them nodded at the same time. As if asking why he was asking such a thing. It was the opposite atmosphere from the other divisions, where shouts and screams were going back and forth.

“Yeah. If you want to do it, do it.”

“If you become the Minister, give our division some budget. No, damn it, the equipment is too poor when we’re working in the field.”

“Oh, that’s good. But if the youngest becomes the Minister, what should we call him? Youngest Sir?”

“Minister, you idiot.”

“Ah. Huh! Then I won’t have any juniors?”

“That’s right. You’re probably going to be the eternal youngest.”

“Th, then I’m against it!”

Tommy jumped up, but Nakina kicked him in the shin, forcing him to sit back down. Hale flicked his eyebrows, telling him to register as a candidate quickly.

Swoosh.

“Ian Hiel, from the Magic Operations Division. I am registering as a candidate.”

As Ian declared, standing up from his seat, the murmuring stopped abruptly. They had expected it, but it was an atmosphere that showed that what was coming had finally arrived. The division heads looked at each other and asked the Magic Operations Division.

“Not Head Hale, but you, Ian Hiel?”

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

“There’s no problem. There’s no problem, but…”

Jean, who had registered as a candidate first, stroked his beard and pretended to ponder. Those who were exchanging glances with him were the heads of other divisions who had abstained. It was clear that they had already built their own forces and were firmly aiming for the position of the next Minister.

The more Ian’s presence and status increased, the more the existing division heads had to be nervous. There was nothing more terrible than serving a newbie as their superior.

“Please speak.”

“Baron Ian Hiel. You are clearly a noble who received a territory from His Majesty the Emperor. Also, you have done your part while our division heads were absent.”

Ian nodded slowly, as if he was listening attentively. The groundwork laid before pointing out a problem was not something to be used carelessly. But the man didn’t seem to know that.

“This is to acknowledge that among those who were on the scene, excluding the division heads, you clearly have the ability.”

He was subtly emphasizing that Ian could not have stepped forward if the division heads had been present.

Hale wrinkled his nose and looked at those who were exchanging glances with Jean. He was amazed at how he had managed to build a power base even in the midst of that chaos, with his great social skills.

Ian just shrugged his shoulders and replied.

“I still don’t see what the problem is.”

“But Ian. Doesn’t your status have an expiration date? I think I heard it was one year.”

“Expiration date? What do you mean?”

“Ah. There are quite a few who don’t know. Ian Hiel is the illegitimate son of the former Count Bratz. Everyone knows that he was beheaded for treason. By reporting his father’s crime, you helped the Emperor suppress the traitor, so you must receive both reward and punishment.”

The reward was the new surname Hiel and the position of lord, and the punishment was a contribution of 10,000 gold coins. And that was within one year.

“If you fail to contribute 10,000 gold coins within a year, you will be stripped of your title and become a slave of the Imperial Palace. Where, have you prepared a way to live? If not, many will be in trouble. Even a wizard who is a slave has never heard of a Minister who is a slave. There is no disgrace like this.”

“Yes! If that happens, it will be a disgrace to the Ministry of Magic.”

“A Minister of the Ministry of Magic who is a slave?”

“My friend, it’s a problem even to be a candidate for Minister. How ridiculous will the Ministry of Magic look in the future?”

Those who heard of Ian’s situation for the first time stirred violently. Hale, Tommy, and Nakina also sighed inwardly and looked back at Ian.

‘Ian?’

But there was no agitation on his face. Rather, he seemed to be enjoying the situation, with a faint smile on his face.

“Ian Hiel, is everything Jean said true?”

“It’s all true.”

“Then I will refuse your candidacy.”

“Yes! I also refuse!”

“I assure you, there is no problem with preparing the contribution money.”

“Don’t lie! You are still relying on a man named Romandro from the Administrative Department!”

“You seem to be quite interested in me, Head Jean.”

At Ian’s composed reply, he frowned in disbelief. Ian turned to Acorella, the head of the Magic Stone Management Division, and asked.

“I ask you. What is the current market price of Luron Stone?”

“Lu, Luron Stone? I haven’t checked today’s price.”

“It’s okay if it’s approximate. I’ll ask again. How much would about 80 kilograms of Luron Stone be worth?”

“I can’t calculate it right away, but, um, it would probably far exceed the Ministry of Magic’s budget for several years.”

Acorella tilted her head as if asking why he was asking that. Then, suddenly, she shouted excitedly. Her quiet voice was gone, replaced by the cry of a scientist obsessed with magic stones.

“No way! Does that mean you have that much Luron Stone!?”

“A Luron deposit has been discovered in the Hiel territory. I will officially supply it to the Ministry of Magic and settle the contribution money immediately. If this is the case, there will be no problem.”

“Th, that’s a lie!”

Ian laughed at Jean’s one-dimensional denial.

“Why would I do that? I will settle the contribution money within today or tomorrow. Then, I am a noble who received a territory from His Majesty the Emperor, and I am the only wizard who was active on the scene, so I am fully qualified. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course! If it’s 80 kilograms of Luron Stone, I’ll gladly cast a vote for you!”

“Head Acorella, calm down.”

“Calm down? How can I calm down now!?”

Acorella’s eyes rolled back in her head as she screamed like crazy, and Ian just nodded. As you can see, there is no problem, so he meant to put his name on the candidate list.

“I! I support you!!”

“Head Acorella!”

He had already secured one vote.