Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 159

The Start of the Clash

In the majestic conference hall, Gail was the center of attention, and not just because he was the day’s protagonist. He was far too relaxed, unlike someone facing judgment. He held Melanie possessively by the waist, practically exuding charm.

‘Lady Melanie Haiman. It’s been a while.’

‘Oh, hello. It has been a while. It’s been since the New Year’s party, hasn’t it? Father sometimes mentions you when he’s sorting through letters.’

‘But what brings you here today?’

‘I came because it’s an important meeting for His Highness Gail.’

‘Oh? Ah, ahaha! I see. Hmm, hmm.’

The Haiman family. A powerful family that controlled Bariel’s economy. Partly due to their mixed royal blood from another country, their status was unmatched by ordinary nobles. There was even a saying, ‘The Haimans, between royalty and nobility.’ The fact that banks were as revered as temples was proof of their influence.

‘Your Highness Gail, the atmosphere in the conference hall is quite heavy. I should have dressed more formally.’

‘No. It suits you perfectly. There’s nothing to worry about.’

‘I’m glad you say so.’

While everyone else wore monochrome uniforms, Melanie’s dress was vibrant, like spring itself. It was bright and sparkling, and each piece of her jewelry was captivating.

Ian realized it was a simple but effective tactic by Gail. He made sure everyone entering the conference hall noticed Melanie’s presence.

‘Gail has captured the heart of the Haiman family’s daughter. That means the Haiman family supports Gail.’

Not just any noble, but a Haiman. It made sense why he had been so busy and reclusive. Everyone in the conference hall was watching them.

Then, Gail put his arm around Melanie’s shoulder and glanced back. When his eyes met Ian’s, he grinned and winked, then mouthed.

‘How is it?’

It seemed like he was saying that. Ian simply lowered his head slightly without reacting. Gail just shrugged and turned his head forward.

‘His Highness Gail is really something, seriously.’

‘It wasn’t that long ago he was all over Wesley.’

‘That’s reckless. Watch your tongue.’

‘…My apologies, Minister.’

Ian silenced his subordinates and waited for the meeting to begin. Soon, Marib and his followers entered and easily spotted Gail and Melanie in the front. Marib stopped and let out a dumbfounded laugh.

‘…Gail. Seriously.’

‘Good morning, brother.’

Gail let go of Melanie and approached to greet him. Instead of shaking hands, Marib slightly turned his head and muttered with a contemptuous voice.

‘A leopard can’t change its spots, you haven’t changed. Well, I guess that’s who you learned from.’

He was referring to Gail’s birth mother, who was from a humble local noble family. A woman who had risen to the highest position possible through her beauty. A woman the Emperor couldn’t forget, often calling out her name in his sleep.

Gail’s jaw tightened at Marib’s blatant insult.

Clench.

Gail grabbed Marib’s arm as he tried to pass by, smiling sweetly. His lips were smiling, but his gaze was icy.

‘Say that in front of Father.’

‘You should tell him yourself. You’ll be kicked out of the palace soon anyway, so you can ease His Majesty’s worries. Say, “Father, don’t worry about me, my leeching bloodline is still alive and well, so I have no worries about making a living.”‘

Thwack!

Marib lightly brushed off his hand and walked forward. Melanie, amidst the chaotic atmosphere, stood tall and looked at Gail.

‘If he dies, Bariel will fall? The Emperor and I will die too? There’s a limit to nonsense. Gail, today is the last day you live under the name of the Imperial Family.’

Marib looked at Ian, as if to confirm that everything was prepared. Ian nodded, and soon, the Emperor’s appearance marked the beginning of a trial, or rather, a judgment.

‘His Majesty the Emperor is entering!’

‘Everyone, rise!’

The Emperor, supported by Dilaina, ascended to the highest platform. Every time he was seen, his complexion was ashen, and it was a wonder he could even move. Humans were helpless against the passage of time, but an unseen hand was targeting his life, so it was only natural.

‘Let us begin.’

‘Minister of Magic, Baron Ian Hielo, please come forward.’

Thump, thump, thump!

As the Speaker’s gavel rang out powerfully, Ian stepped forward, holding a prepared vial on a cushion.

‘I am Ian Hielo, the newly appointed Minister of Magic. By order of the Imperial Family, I have disposed of all previous Sildam potions and created a new one.’

The clear, transparent liquid in the glass vial reflected the yellowish light of the conference hall. The nobles leaned forward with interest, looking down at it. If commercialized, it would surely become an essential part of their daily lives, a significant magic potion.

‘As a result of conducting research in various directions due to the mass supply of Luron stone, we have resolved several side effects. Including the hemoptysis [coughing up blood] that was frequently mentioned.’

‘Was the Luron supply managed by Sir Ian Hielo?’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

Marib deliberately pointed it out. It was to strengthen Ian’s power, but also to imply that Ian would be fully responsible if any problems arose.

The Speaker called Gail forward.

‘Your Highness Gail. I will ask you in the name of His Majesty.’

‘I will answer faithfully with a respectful heart.’

The Speaker adjusted his glasses and paused for a moment.

‘Your Highness Gail, you have been cursed by the former Minister of Magic, Wesley. Is that correct?’

‘That is correct.’

‘Therefore, starting with your death, the shadow of death will fall upon many of Bariel’s citizens, and this curse also means the decline and destruction of Bariel, is that correct?’

‘That is correct.’

Gail raised his hand and swore. Those who believed his words wholeheartedly let out pitiful sighs, while the opposition scoffed again.

‘Finally, is it also true that the curse of death has been placed on First Prince Marib and His Majesty the Emperor?’

Everyone swallowed hard. Marib crossed his arms with a contemptuous expression, and the Emperor’s wrinkled face made it difficult to read his expression. Dilaina held the Emperor’s hand and lightly closed her eyes.

‘It is true.’

Crash!

‘Your Highness Gail, you’re going too far.’

‘Ah, the curse of destruction on Bariel-!’

‘Silence!’

It was as if someone’s angry voice had created a ripple. The commotion spread uncontrollably in all directions, and the Speaker kept banging his gavel. He ordered silence, but the atmosphere did not calm down easily. Not until Gail raised the Sildam potion.

Swoosh.

‘What’s the point of all this noise? Nothing has changed from before, has it? We’ve gathered here to face the truth, so everyone should look properly.’

‘……’

He took a sip of the Sildam potion and then raised his head as if to show off. His Adam’s apple bobbed with his breath. It was to confirm that the potion had flowed down his esophagus. Gail wiped his mouth and gestured to the Speaker.

‘…Your Highness Gail. Did you lie about anything I asked you today?’

As Gail gave a faint smile, Marib stood up without realizing it. But he couldn’t be faster than words.

‘Everything is the truth.’

Thump! Thump!

‘His Highness Gail did not lie!’

‘From now on, let us consider His Highness’s safety as Bariel’s safety and serve him strictly. Anyone who harms His Highness must be punished for treason!’

‘Good heavens, this is absurd!’

‘Your Highness Marib! How could this possibly-‘

Marib’s followers rushed to him in confusion. While they were all talking at once from the front and sides, Marib was just staring at Gail with a blank expression. He slowly got up from his seat and took off his glasses.

‘Gail.’

…That curse is real? That’s impossible.

As Marib approached Gail with murderous intent, their followers also became excited and tried to follow. But they were blocked by the Speaker’s stern warning.

‘Anyone who disrupts the atmosphere of the hall will be removed without warning and charged with contempt.’

Marib faced Gail. After glaring at him for a while, he turned to look at Ian. His voice, coming through his teeth, revealed his anger.

‘Ian, I heard the Sildam potion was definitely fine.’

‘Yes. It is fine.’

‘But, how-!’

‘Brother.’

Gail calmly interrupted him. His voice was definitely monotone, but why did it sound like he was smiling?

‘Just because it’s not the truth you wanted doesn’t mean it disappears. Or, do you perhaps want to make your wish the truth?’

A vein popped out on Marib’s temple. Seeing that, Ian approached and whispered as if to tell him to restrain himself.

‘His Majesty the Emperor is watching. It is right for you to calm down and restrain yourself. And I assure you with my life, there is no problem with the potion.’

At Ian’s words, Marib looked up at the platform. The Emperor was slowly moving his eyes, looking down at his sons’ conflict. Marib muttered without taking his eyes off the Emperor.

‘…Is that so? Then we can just check it. Is there anyone there!?’

Marib pretended to regain his composure and turned around, smiling. But there was an instinctively felt threatening atmosphere. Marib’s followers stopped in confusion.

‘Anyone, come forward and drink the potion.’

‘…Huh? Your Highness, what do you mean?’

‘Anyone, come forward.’

Those who had been fawning over him as if they would give him their liver and gall bladder all froze in embarrassment. The Sildam potion, here and now?

‘…Y-Your Highness.’

‘Sir Kailot? Why don’t you come forward? Or Norelben? What about you? Ah, that’s right. Beckerman! You drink it.’

The named individuals turned pale and just wet their lips. Wasn’t this a place where everyone in the palace, including the Emperor, was watching? And the opposing forces were glaring with their eyes wide open, ready to tear them apart. Even a saint who had nothing to hide would feel burdened.

‘Your Highness. I will drink it to prove it.’

‘No. I will exclude those related to the Magic Department.’

‘You don’t trust me.’

Ian frowned as if he was upset. As he acted, goosebumps seemed to be rising on his back. He had felt it since he was in the borderlands, but he was really not cut out for acting, nor did he have any talent for it. It seemed that the excited Marib hadn’t noticed it much.

He stood there, catching his breath as if he had lost his words for a moment.

‘…Damn it.’

Ian was the Minister of Magic and a useful person in many ways. It was a shame to lose him by getting excited like this. He realized immediately that he had made a mistake.

‘Or, brother, why don’t you drink it?’

Gail slowly swirled the potion with his hand. The half-empty liquid made a sloshing sound.

‘Since you don’t trust anyone, isn’t it best for you to drink it yourself?’

Then he raised the corners of his mouth in a grin. As if he was just waiting for Marib to drink it.

‘I also have something to ask you, brother. Do you know that Father has been ill recently? Are there any useful trading companies overseas? Things like that.’

Marib’s eyes widened at his words.

‘How about it? Will you drink it? How can you force your subordinates to do what you can’t do yourself? It makes you look pathetic.’

‘Gail……’

The two’s whispers were so quiet that only Ian could hear them. In the end, the Emperor, unable to wait for the ambiguous silence, stepped in himself.

‘Marib. Stop it.’

‘…Your Majesty.’

As the Emperor’s order fell, Marib’s expression changed quite dramatically. The opposite of the triumphant Gail.

‘…Then, may I continue with the report?’

‘Minister Ian Hielo. What report are you referring to?’

Clink.

Ian took the Sildam potion from Marib’s hand and placed it on the table. Marib watched Ian with a strange look. If you gave strength to one side, wouldn’t it be right to give strength to the other side as well?

‘About the forbidden magic curse. No matter how powerful the magic is, a curse is a curse. Just as every problem has an answer, shouldn’t there be a way to break a curse?’