Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 156

‘Next item on the agenda. I hear there’s only one person nominated for the next Minister of Magic.’ The conference hall was filled with the Prime Minister and ministers from each department. The sound of papers being shuffled echoed through the room. There were countless letters of support for Ian from the mages, along with urgent requests to stabilize the Magic Department. The Prime Minister lightly grasped his gavel, looking around the room. ‘Additionally, there’s a report that Baron Ian Hielo’s donation has been fully paid.’ ‘There are no issues with his qualifications.’ ‘Let’s hear only two opinions, for and against.’ ‘Is there any reason to oppose? We can’t keep the Minister’s position vacant, and above all, the mages’ support is so strong.’ Cough, cough. The ministers cleared their throats, glancing at each other. In a situation where Marib’s and Gale’s factions were intertwined, both sides wanted Ian’s appointment. Unable to reveal their true intentions, they were just testing the waters. Among them, a very small number of Dylana’s close aides also remained silent, adding their approval. Bang! Bang! ‘Very well. Then let’s proceed immediately. Those who approve of Baron Ian Hielo’s appointment as Minister of Magic, please raise your hands.’ Swish. The hands slowly went up. The Prime Minister frowned, slightly surprised. Everyone, regardless of their faction, had cast a vote in favor. Marib’s and Gale’s sides looked at each other suspiciously, remaining silent. ‘Are there no opposing votes?’ ‘…It seems there are none.’ ‘This is unprecedented. To pass a conference without a single objection. Is this really correct? If anyone made a mistake, please speak up now.’ However, everyone remained silent, maintaining their stance. They believed that approving Ian as Minister of Magic would undoubtedly benefit their respective lords. The Prime Minister let out a short ‘huh’ and banged the gavel. Bang! Bang! Bang! ‘I will pass the motion for Baron Ian Hielo’s appointment as Minister of Magic. It will be delivered to His Majesty the Emperor this afternoon, and considering the gravity of the matter, we will proceed to announce it as quickly as possible.’ ‘Very well.’ ‘No objections.’ The ministers all agreed unanimously. And the more they thought about it, the more amazing it seemed. It was the position of Minister, after all. Even if the Magic Department was a merit-based department, Ian had only entered the palace through the New Year’s party. It was only the time when the snow was melting and spring was about to arrive… ‘Most of the ministers here have been eating government rice for 10 years, no, almost 20 years.’ He was rewriting history in many ways. Following the first noble mage, he was the youngest minister, and the first to be appointed without a single opposing vote. The ministers shook their heads involuntarily, lowering their gaze to the documents. It was clear that a truly enormous rising star was emerging in the Imperial Palace. * * * Squeak! Ian, who was writing documents, paused. Beric, who was lying on the sofa, peeked his head out, and at the same time, the members of the Magic Operations Department also stopped what they were doing and turned around. Tommy stood at the door, panting with an excited expression. Everyone, sensing the meaning, slowly stood up. ‘…Did it come?’ ‘It, it came! No, it has arrived! It’s a golden carriage!’ ‘Yes! That’s it! Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the higher-ups handle things so quickly. Good, good. Congratulations, Minister Ian.’ Nakina clenched her fist and shouted with joy. Beric also danced an unknown dance merrily, hovering behind Ian, and Hale offered a handshake as a greeting. ‘Congratulations.’ ‘It’s all thanks to everyone. Thank you all.’ When Ian went outside, the mages who had heard the news had already gathered in small groups. They bowed in respect and parted like the sea, making way for Ian. ‘Baron Ian Hielo, kneel before His Majesty the Emperor’s words.’ It was Chielonia, the Imperial Palace administrator. The old woman who had come to deliver his lord appointment when he was in the borderlands, and Molin’s colleague. She had an expression that showed she couldn’t understand this absurd situation. How long had it been since he became a lord, and now he was a minister? And of the Magic Department, which held the fate of the empire? ‘It’s been a while, Administrator. Every time I see you, you bring me good news. It’s an honor.’ As Ian knelt on one knee, the mages also prostrated themselves, following him. The woman swallowed a sigh of bewilderment, maintaining her dignified voice. ‘It is truly regrettable that the position of Minister of Magic is vacant due to an unfortunate incident. Therefore, to rectify this, I, as the Emperor of Bariel, hereby declare. Baron Ian Hielo. Based on the support of the Magic Department and the unanimous approval of the General Assembly, I appoint you as the new Minister of Magic.’ ‘What did she just say? Unanimous approval?’ ‘Did she say there was unanimous approval at the General Assembly?’ ‘What on earth has he been doing behind the scenes? Ian, that guy.’ ‘Unbelievable. There’s no force checking the Magic Department.’ The mages flinched, wondering if they had misheard. Didn’t this mean that he had garnered support by uniting Marib, Gale, and even a third force? It also meant that the status of the Magic Department, which had been shaken by the Wesley incident, was still intact. ‘No, it could be said to be even more than that.’ Before, there was at least Marib’s check, but now? Perhaps even the agenda that went up to His Majesty the Emperor would not have yielded such a result. The mages repeatedly glanced at his golden hair, which swayed in the breeze, and marveled. So, this was the power of someone who had crossed the Great Desert alone and survived. ‘This concludes His Majesty the Emperor’s message. Baron Ian Hielo is now the 18th Minister of Magic, and has inherited its authority. Dedicate yourself to the Bariel Empire and His Majesty.’ ‘Of course.’ ‘Congratulations. Hmm, then I’ll be on my way.’ Ian bowed his head as he received the appointment letter from Chielonia, and she left the Magic Department’s garden in the carriage without any regrets. One by one, the mages approached Ian and offered their congratulations. ‘Congratulations, Minister Ian.’ ‘Congratulations. We look forward to working with you.’ ‘Yes. Thank you. Everyone, please return to your posts and finish your work.’ Ian smiled lightly, encouraging the mages. Usually, there should be an inauguration ceremony and a party to match, but because of the situation, he ended up buried in piles of documents, enjoying his honor. Squeak. ‘Ian, congrats, congrats! Should we ask Vivianna to throw a party today? Beef is so cheap these days!’ ‘Beric, it’s still too early for you to have beef.’ ‘Why? I’m protecting you, my master, 24/7.’ ‘Oh, really? I thought you were here because there was no one in the training grounds and the Astanans in the mansion were making you uncomfortable.’ Well, it was somewhat similar. He had been kicked out of the training grounds by the caretaker for emptying the rice pot alone, and the amount of meat coming out of the mansion had decreased as the number of guests increased. Mini had even put a lock on the warehouse. Thud! Ian tossed the pile of documents at Beric, gesturing with his head. As if telling him not to just lie around but to use his strength. ‘We’re moving to the Minister’s office. All the things here.’ ‘The Minister’s office! Is the sofa there more comfortable?’ ‘If Wesley had good taste.’ ‘Let’s go! Let’s go!’ Beric showed his enthusiasm, easily lifting the heavy box. Although he kept going back and forth on the left and right of the hallway because he didn’t know the way. ‘And I have a request for the Magic Operations Department.’ ‘Please speak comfortably, Minister.’ ‘…Thank you. Go to the archives and bring out all the Level 1 classified documents that were previously inaccessible. Forbidden magic is fine, and anything related to necromancy is fine too. Don’t discriminate against the list, and bring everything with access restrictions to the Minister’s office.’ ‘Should we bring them in document form?’ ‘Yes. And I grant permission to the heads of each department to view Level 1 and other classified security documents.’ ‘Yes. Understood.’ The Minister’s first order. And the viewing of classified documents. This would breathe new life into the stalled investigation. ‘Also, I believe the department closest to the Minister’s office is the Magic Support Department.’ ‘That’s correct.’ ‘Change offices.’ This meant that with the change of Minister, the power line of the department had also changed. Everyone had guessed as much, so the Magic Support Department had already packed their moving boxes. They might be coming this way with piles of luggage by now. ‘Alright, let’s move. There’s a lot to do.’ Hale flicked his hand, putting out his cigarette. With the inauguration of the new Minister, the Magic Department building was noisy and chaotic all day. It was only when the afternoon sun was setting that it finally regained some stability. Squeak! Thud! ‘Last one!’ ‘Yes. Good job.’ Beric rotated his shoulders, putting down the box. There was no space to step, as everything was packed tightly. But he squeezed himself onto the sofa, making a space for himself. ‘Wow. I don’t know about anything else, but Wesley, that guy, seems to have had good taste. The sofa is really soft and comfortable.’ Rustle. Ian chuckled, slowly scanning the documents. It would take quite a while to check them all. So, it was more efficient to selectively check the information for now. ‘Ah, this is…’ He found an eye-catching title among them. Dylana had said that once you knew the truth, you couldn’t go back. Ian paused for a moment, but then turned the page without hesitation. -…Around three o’clock in the morning on the full moon of 00/00. The labor pains of the concubine Dylana began. Soon, all the lights in the Imperial Palace were turned on, and His Majesty the Emperor also coughed and headed to the delivery room. It was a detailed report written in a chronicle style. The testimonies of the midwives and doctors who assisted during the postpartum period were the main focus. -…The labor pains continued, but there was no sign of the child coming out, and Dylana repeatedly lost and regained consciousness. Around sunrise, at the doctor’s insistence, Dylana’s abdomen was eventually cut open. ‘……?’ -At the same time, a divine revelation was given. ‘The one born later will kill the one born first.’, ‘If the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line will be cut off.’ Ian frowned. The former revelation was treated as a public secret, but he had never heard of the latter. If the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line will be cut off? ‘So that’s why they were overprotective of Arsen.’ …The imperial line. It was a very ambiguous phrase. If it meant the imperial family name, ‘Verosion’ had continued until the time of Emperor Ian, and if it meant bloodline, it had already become faint after repeated collateral lines over 100 years. He himself was an emperor who had come from the outside. -When the abdomen was cut open, the cause of the difficult birth was revealed. One child was holding the other child’s neck, so the doctor took out the child who was being held first and opened his airway. Then, Arsen was named, and the one who attacked his brother was given the name Jin. Ian pondered over the sentence, picturing the situation. He was a sinner from the moment he was born. And that’s why he was growing up as a sinner. ‘Really, this is……’ ‘Why? Is there something interesting?’ Beric spoke, but Ian was so focused that he couldn’t hear him. He continued to turn the pages, getting closer to the truth of the Imperial Palace. Swish. And then, he found what Wesley was presumed to have received. A report on forbidden necromancy. ‘There’s quite a lot, indeed.’ ‘Iaaaann. Is there something interesting?’ ‘Ah, yes. That’s right.’ At Beric’s whining, Ian lightly tapped the documents. Meaning that it was about to get interesting.