Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 153

With Wesley’s power, which was said to make even a flying bird fall, gone, Seilo, the head of the Magic Support Department, was also in a precarious situation.

No, it would have been a relief if he were just in a precarious situation. The Imperial Palace seemed to view the Magic Support Department as part of the same group as the major criminal Wesley, and the other magic departments, preoccupied with the ministerial position, ignored and ostracized them.

Tap, tap!

Thus, they were trying to lie low as much as possible and wait for an opportunity to turn the situation around once a minister was elected, but out of the blue, a summons came. And it was from Ian, who was currently enjoying the Emperor’s trust.

Screech!

‘Huff, huff…’

‘Twenty-one minutes and thirty-four seconds.’

‘You really came in thirty minutes? Did you use a portal?’

‘How could he use a portal alone? You’ve worked hard. You’re an office worker, so it must have been a while since you ran like that.’

Seilo, panting heavily, looked around the Magic Operations Department office. All five department heads, including Hale, were already gathered. Ian put down his teacup and gestured for him to sit.

‘Your sincerity is admirable. Please, have a seat, Head Seilo.’

He noticed Ian’s gaze drop to his neck. He hadn’t even realized that his collar was flipped up from rushing. Seilo glanced at Hale, who was lounging and smoking, and sat opposite him.

‘Wh-what’s going on?’

‘Haha. Indeed. What could be the matter? Having Head Seilo rush here in the early morning, it must be something significant.’

Ian smiled gently. The Magic Support Department was in no position to be testing the waters, but he found it quite amusing that they were still observing formalities. Seilo’s face flushed red as he realized the meaning, and he barely managed to hide it by gulping down his tea.

‘It’s not about anything else, but since the election for the Minister of Magic is currently underway, I wanted to ask about the Magic Support Department’s stance. You haven’t registered as a candidate, so I assume you have other intentions.’

They hadn’t not registered; they couldn’t. Didn’t Ian see it with his own eyes at the meeting? The Support Department, which was deeply involved with Wesley, was entirely excluded to consider public opinion.

Seilo bit his lower lip and swallowed hard.

‘Oh, right, Ian. Don’t ask about that. After our meeting, all the members of the Magic Support Department were summoned by the Imperial Guard.’

‘Oh dear. Did that happen?’

‘They must be too busy being investigated to have any intentions. Isn’t that right, Seilo?’

Acorella smiled brightly and nodded. Her freckled cheeks were flushed, indicating she was quite flustered. She put her arm around Seilo’s shoulder and exaggeratedly comforted him.

‘But don’t worry. It’s because there’s no one to represent us in the Imperial Palace right now that we’re getting hit so hard. Once a minister is appointed, it’ll be fine. We’ve gathered here, and we called you, didn’t we?’

‘Hey, I’ve never benefited from your proposals.’

‘That’s in the past, and besides, the proposal isn’t from me, it’s from Ian! Ahaha!’

Thwack! Thwack!

Acorella laughed ostentatiously and thumped Seilo’s shoulder. All the proposals she had made to other departments so far had been related to magic stone experiments, so it was commonplace for them to collapse after three nights of struggling.

‘Head Seilo. I know very well that the Magic Support Department is not involved in this Wesley incident.’

Ian quietly laid the groundwork while sipping his tea. Suddenly, Seilo realized that unlike Acorella and Hale, who looked disheveled, Ian looked neat and tidy. Surely, as the center of the Magic Department’s recovery, he should be the most out of it.

Is it the value of being a noble? Or is it his good looks?

‘Head Seilo?’

‘…I’m listening.’

‘I believe you, but I want to say that I don’t know if the Imperial Palace will believe you. There are divided opinions even among the magicians who are part of the same group, which is only natural.’

That’s not all. What if the Imperial Palace decides to get rid of the Magic Support Department entirely to keep the Magic Department in check? And at the same time, what if they check past work records and find any problems?

Regardless of Wesley, Seilo would not be able to avoid punishment.

‘As you know, I am currently receiving reports on the internal affairs of the Magic Department due to the Imperial Palace. I will make sure to convey the innocence of the Magic Support Department to the Imperial Palace. I can do that much without any problems.’

Seilo immediately understood Ian’s intention. He meant that he would persuade Prince Marib, his backer, to show leniency to the Magic Support Department. He stammered and cautiously offered a rebuttal.

‘E-even if His Highness Marib agrees, the direct victim is His Highness Gail. How he will react…’

‘His Highness Gail is not a problem either.’

At those words, Acorella and Hale also turned to look at Ian. It was understandable for Prince Marib, as he was Ian’s patron, but why Prince Gail?

However, instead of revealing his secret deal with Gail, Ian vaguely glossed over it.

‘Because it would be a misstep for His Highness Gail.’

‘A misstep? Hmm. I see.’

Hale, who had been puffing on his cigarette in the back, exhaled smoke at Ian’s words. If Marib gained power, Gail’s position would definitely narrow.

In that situation, there was no reason to go after the Magic Support Department. He would rather be as lenient as possible. An enemy’s enemy is an ally. He would absorb those who had been cut off from the Magic Department and had nowhere else to go into his forces.

‘Right. We don’t need to worry about His Highness Gail. Seilo.’

Even if that wasn’t the case, if Ian became the Minister of Magic, his power and Prince Marib’s authority would be enough to cover it. Hale flicked his cigarette, and Seilo frowned. He clearly didn’t understand.

‘What do you mean?’

‘If you don’t understand, just shut up and nod. That’s how you’ll survive.’

Acorella pursed her lips at the blatant insult. She was afraid that if even a little laughter escaped, Seilo would storm out of the room.

‘Don’t worry, just gather the support of the Magic Support Department members for me. What do you think? It seems worth rushing here in the early morning without even realizing your collar was flipped.’

Ian patted his shoulder and asked again.

Seilo slowly looked at the department heads and Ian, then opened his mouth with difficulty. He scraped up the last of his pride that had dried up on the floor.

‘What if I refuse?’

‘Oh. If you do that—’

Ian chuckled softly, and at the same time, the sun rose from the window. The dazzlingly bright sunlight made his blonde hair even more radiant. It was a warm enough sunlight to feel the heat, but it couldn’t erase the coldness in his green eyes.

‘Perhaps no one will remember you, Head Seilo?’

It was short but clear in meaning. It implied that Seilo could disappear for treason by being involved with Wesley. Therefore, even if time passed, not a single letter of his name would remain here.

‘…I was just asking, what if I refuse. I’m just a bit curious. I won’t choose that, I’m just curious. Hmm, hmm.’

Seilo immediately corrected himself and mumbled excuses. At his appearance, Acorella couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and Hale also took out a new cigarette.

‘Ahaha! You were so pathetic just now, but it’s okay. We’ll keep it between us. You made a good choice! Hey, we’re still family. Seilo, I’d be so sad if you died. Then who would I do magic stone experiments on? Huh?’

‘It’s a relief that you’re not stubborn even if you’re stupid. Congratulations on your life extension.’

At the department heads’ words, Seilo could only clench his fists tightly. But what could he do? There was no other choice at the moment. If he refused Ian, he would have to side with Jang, but no matter who he was backed by, he couldn’t stand against Marib.

‘Then, please have our guys who were summoned by the Imperial Guard released. That way, I’ll have something to persuade the members with.’

Snap!

Ian snapped his fingers and nodded in agreement. It was important to get the votes of the Magic Support Department, but it was also important to place as many of Ian’s forces as possible inside the Magic Department building to create an atmosphere.

‘Understood. I will do my best to have them all return by the afternoon. Head Seilo, while you’re here, go over there to the corner and review some documents. The work is paralyzed, so we might have to borrow a dog’s paw.’

‘A dog, a dog’s paw?’

‘Alright, let’s get to work.’

‘What time were we supposed to receive the administrative reports?’

‘You’ll have to ask the department next door. I heard they came down separately in the middle.’

Leaving the bewildered Seilo behind, they all stretched and got up. They hadn’t even slept, but how could the morning come so mercilessly? It was the moment Acorella opened the door wide to return to her department.

Screech!

‘Aaaah! You scared me!’

She had bumped into an unfamiliar chamberlain standing right in front of the door. Everyone turned their heads towards the door at her commotion.

‘Who is it?’

‘Sir Ian Hielo. I am the chamberlain of Lady Delilah. Please spare some time. A carriage has been prepared.’

…Delilah? The only concubine currently by the Emperor’s side, and the biological mother of Arsen and Jin. Ian put down the stack of documents and picked up his coat.

‘Let’s go.’

What could be the reason she wanted to see him? He had a rough idea, but he couldn’t be sure.

‘Arsen and Jin. Delilah would want a balance between Marib and Gail for the sake of her two princes. At least until the children come of age.’

But now that things had turned out this way, if Marib took over the Magic Department and firmly grasped power, there would be no one to stop his tyranny. And if Marib ascended to the throne, the safety of Arsen and Jin could not be guaranteed either.

Delilah would rather help Gail now.

‘In that they would be in trouble if the Emperor died, Gail and Delilah are likely to be on the same boat.’

Could it be that Gail had given Delilah a heads-up in advance? That Ian was outwardly standing by Marib’s side, but was holding a knife behind his back.

‘It’s possible. It’s important to maintain power and respond now. They might even try to gather strength by bringing in Arsen and Jin.’

If not, was she calling him to check on him, as he was considered Marib’s talent? While riding in the carriage, Ian continued to make assumptions.

Neigh!

It was early in the morning, so the area around Delilah’s palace was very quiet. A chilly wind brushed past Ian’s hair, and the chamberlain bowed halfway and guided him.

‘This way.’

The chamberlain’s shoe sounds echoed particularly loudly. It was because there was no one in the hallway. Although it was early, it was too much for a concubine’s palace. They must have deliberately moved people away.

In front of the large arched door leading to the reception room, the chamberlain bowed his head.

‘Excuse me. I will inform them inside for a moment.’

Creak.

Since there was no servant to relay the message, she went in herself. As she entered the door first, Ian stood straight and looked only ahead.

How much time had passed?

Swoosh.

Ian turned his head down at the warmth he felt on his right hand. Silver hair and blue eyes. A child was holding Ian’s hand.

‘Sir Ian.’

It was an eye contact he hadn’t had in a long time. His tone was calm and somehow low. In that strange atmosphere, Ian was about to say the name ‘Jin’ without realizing it. But he stopped because of the child’s smiling face.

‘Your Highness Arsen. Good morning.’

Arsen looked at Ian with wide eyes, as if surprised. And then, as if intrigued, his eyes narrowed. Ian felt that his gaze was cunning.

‘How did you know?’

‘Know what?’

‘That I am Arsen.’

Ian’s gaze was on Arsen’s cheek. A smooth cheek without dimples. He lightly shook off his hand and smiled.

‘It’s a secret.’