Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 197

Disturbance

Clatter.

Delilah carefully placed the teacup down. It was the moment Ian’s voice, announcing the opening of the gates, faded from her ears.

The servants bowed their heads, watching Delilah and Arsen. Arsen’s name had not been mentioned in the process of restoring the Imperial Palace.

‘How blatant,’

‘Indeed.’

Duke Hyman muttered, raising his eyebrows, and Delilah responded through clenched teeth, filled with anger. This was a matter of honor, setting aside the succession. If Jin was mentioned like that, it would raise questions about what Arsen was doing at that time.

Arsen sipped his tea, comforting his mother.

‘It can’t be helped. It happened within Sir Ian’s authority. It’s not like we didn’t expect it.’

‘If it had opened just a little later, each media outlet would have raised questions about the Ministry of Magic’s rebellion. It’s a shame.’

The position was clear, and immediately after, entry to the Imperial Palace was granted. Since they could see and hear directly, fabricated rumors would be pushed aside.

Hyman stroked his beard and smiled bitterly, and Arsen smiled along.

‘It’s not too late. Please continue as planned.’

‘Your Highness, everyone nearby heard Ian’s speech. Wouldn’t it be wise to refrain? Since it’s obvious that the slander is slander, it could backfire.’

Under the pretext of disrupting the empire’s order, Ian could find fault with them. But Arsen nodded as if to say not to worry.

‘There are several media outlets supported by Hyman, aren’t there? Not right away, but after watching the timing, spread the word in the back alleys.’

Fabricated rumors have no power on their own. The real purpose was to use them to incite and brainwash.

‘No matter how absurd the words are, if repeated, people will believe them. They will deny it at first, but then they will doubt, and doubt is based on a certain degree of belief. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for us if even one more person harbors resentment towards Ian?’

It was difficult to trace the source of rumors in the back alleys. It was a risk worth taking, and the butterfly effect it could create was limitless. It was advantageous not to stop the incitement.

‘If you repeat it, you will believe it.’

Arsen knew the power of the sentence. Hadn’t his frail brother shown it through his entire life? Arsen smiled and warned Hyman.

‘And remember, we don’t have as much time as you think.’

He had just received information that Marib had entered the interrogation room. The process from interrogation to trial depended entirely on those involved. If they rushed it, they could put Marib on trial as early as tomorrow.

If that happened, Gale’s execution would be swift. And then it would be Hyman’s turn, as he was involved with Gale.

‘Yes, Your Highness, I understand.’

Hyman lowered his eyes, which had no whites, and answered.

When they returned after receiving orders from the Grand Council, the atmosphere between Delilah and Arsen had changed subtly. She, who had been constantly chattering, had chosen silence, and Arsen had begun to give instructions.

‘Well, this is better. It means the prince we’re pushing isn’t foolish.’

They glanced at the clock. By now, the gates would be crowded with people. It was better to wait for it to become less crowded before leaving the palace.

‘And, you know, wouldn’t it be good to have some ventilation? I mean, especially Duke Hyman, it seems like it would be easier for him to breathe.’

‘Hmm. I think so too.’

Kill Gale.

Hyman immediately understood Arsen’s meaning. He was living proof of their collusion, and since Ian had claimed to protect him, the intention was to relieve the pressure by killing him.

Hyman agreed, but frowned, unable to see a way.

‘However, I heard that there are always two mages on standby next to Gale. The security is also tight. Although the self-inflicted wound is deep, it’s quite severe. I suspect Ian has something in mind.’

It would take considerable effort to stop the two mages and kill Gale. But how could they create a path now, especially in the chaotic Imperial Palace with so many eyes watching?

Arsen also rested his chin on his hand and muttered.

‘If it weren’t for those two mages, things might be a little easier.’

‘Do you have a plan in mind?’

‘Yes, well. Anything.’

Arsen’s words were meaningful, but no one questioned him. Delilah was staring blankly into the air, and Duke Hyman had something more pressing.

Swoosh.

Hyman placed the documents his aide had brought on the table. It was in front of Arsen, not Delilah. The child skillfully flipped through the papers with his small hands.

‘Once the Imperial Palace’s operations are normalized, a bill to check the Hyman family will be formally proposed. This is a list we have prepared, anticipating it. The most likely is multiple taxation, and then restrictions on foreign trade.’

Since Hyman held the purse strings, they wouldn’t be able to overthrow him immediately. Instead, they would slowly get a foot in the door, push his back, and then break his arm and press him to the ground. This pile of documents was the trajectory of the attack Hyman had anticipated.

Clatter.

‘Aren’t you already paying double the taxes compared to other nobles, Duke?’

‘You are aware.’

Once for being a noble, and again for being in the financial business. Arsen clicked his tongue as if he was truly sorry.

‘Since the Imperial Palace is being polished with the Duke’s taxes, of course, I know. Hmm. I understand. I will discuss this with my mother and trusted officials.’

It was Arsen’s role to prevent all sorts of regulations from being imposed on Hyman. They were already on the same boat.

‘Oh, Mother.’

‘Yes?’

At Arsen’s call, Delilah turned her head. Her reaction was so quick that it was hard to believe she had been spacing out.

‘Let’s ask for help from your family too.’

‘From Carbo?’

‘Yes, wasn’t that where my and Jin’s oracle began? I believe something will surely be said about this matter as well.’

‘Ah, yes. I’ll contact them.’

Knock knock.

It was the moment Arsen was satisfied and took his mother’s hand. There was a sound from outside, and then Hyman’s subordinate rushed in.

‘Um, Duke. We’ve received a message from outside.’

He whispered something in the Duke’s ear. Hyman, who had been listening calmly, frowned, then looked at his subordinate as if he couldn’t believe it, and his neck turned red with rising heat.

Slap!

‘Oh my.’

He slapped his subordinate’s cheek without hesitation.

Delilah covered her mouth slightly, showing surprise, but that was all. What was so unusual about an owner hitting his subordinate? It was more surprising that he had not kept his composure in front of Delilah and Arsen.

‘How are you managing your underlings!’

‘I apologize.’

His huge pupils, without whites, seemed to have grown even larger. Arsen picked up a cookie and asked Hyman.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘…It’s nothing. I have committed a discourtesy, excuse me.’

‘Duke, you need to tell us so we can help. Aren’t we on the same side? We’ve told you everything. It’s a little disappointing if you act like this.’

They had also shared that Jin’s parental rights had been revoked. It was something that would become public knowledge anyway, but sharing even the smallest things was the cornerstone of a true alliance.

Hyman put his hand on his waist and paced in front of the window.

‘Duke.’

‘…Outside, my subordinate caused an accident.’

‘What do you mean by an accident?’

‘It seems Ian sent people to print extra editions, and in the process of stopping them, my subordinates used magic stone armor.’

It was understandable why he had slapped him on the spot. He had caused a huge accident, and Arsen whistled inwardly.

‘Was the opponent a mage? I don’t think they would have used it on a civilian. It’s a shame about the judgment, but well, it’s better to assume there were circumstances.’

‘They say he’s a magic swordsman.’

‘A magic swordsman? With red hair?’

‘Do you know him?’

‘He’s Sir Ian’s closest aide. A magic swordsman, what happened? Did he die?’

‘He came back half-dead. If they were going to kill him, they should have done it properly. Tsk! They say the mages are all trying to save him now. There’s another magic swordsman, but-‘

‘Wait, the mages are all trying to save him?’

Arsen interrupted Hyman and asked again.

The mages were all trying to save him, which meant the healing mages were also there.

‘……!’

‘Duke, it would be best to leave the palace quickly.’

Gale’s residence was empty. Arsen realized this and stood up, then supported his mother and bowed. With the last words of seeing each other again soon, they parted ways.

Flick.

Hyman lit a cigarette and turned to his subordinate. Blood was flowing from the cheek torn by the ring.

‘So, what happened to the blue-haired swordsman?’

‘That is……’

Only Hyman’s people were in the room, but the subordinate approached again and whispered. In the Imperial Palace, even the ears on the portraits had their roles. It was very cautious to speak so that the words would not leak out.

* * *

‘Oh my god, oh my god! Beric! You rascal, Beric!’

‘Someone this way! Warm water and clean cloths!’

‘The mages take turns injecting magic! Help with the healing magic and give it strength! Call all the doctors! We will stitch the torn wounds!’

‘The bones, the bones, are these right?’

‘Damn it, this is crazy. Check if his fingers are attached!’

‘Beric, oh, Beric……’

‘Romandro, please move. You’re in the way.’

‘Hic, please, save him. What’s wrong with our Beric?’

The mages frowned and continued to inject magic. At first, it seemed like Ian had brought back a torn corpse. It was so tattered that it was impossible to think he was alive. There was not a single place that was intact.

Romandro wiped away his tears and snot, constantly moving the warm water bowls. Vivianna was banned from approaching, fearing she would be shocked.

‘Haa, he’s alive, right?’

‘He even talked.’

‘Crazy, how can he be alive like this? He’s not human. This can’t be human.’

Zzzing. Zzzing.

The healing mages dripped with sweat as they scanned Beric’s overall injuries. The inside of Beric’s body, felt through their fingertips. His organs were all damaged.

‘Gasp! What on earth-‘

‘Seal the wounds! I don’t know if this is meaningful! We’ll stop the bleeding first. Acorella! Tell Acorella to bring all the potions with anesthetic effects!’

Ian looked at his hands, covered in blood, and turned to Beric. It was a relief that he was not dead, but it was definitely strange. He should have been buried right away, but how was Beric alive?

‘Sir Ian.’

Knock knock.

It was Jayrut, one of the three commanders. He knocked on the open door and called Ian. He glanced at the messy Beric for a moment, then asked awkwardly.

‘Do you happen to know the whereabouts of Barsabe?’

‘…I haven’t heard anything. Vivianna said she lured the armored men away. I’ve issued a search order to the Imperial Guard. If you see a black armor and a blue-haired swordsman, report it.’

She had disappeared. Both the armor and Barsabe had disappeared without a trace. Jayrut’s face darkened, and he pressed his deep frown lines.

‘Haa.’

She was the daughter of his deceased friend and a trusted subordinate. He didn’t doubt her skills, but Beric had been carried in like that. He couldn’t help but worry.

‘And Sir Ian, do you remember when I said I would look into Beric?’

When Beric and Jayrut first fought in the training ground, they both had doubts about Beric’s identity. There were too many suspicious points to call him a simple magic swordsman.

‘I’ve gathered a few things and sorted them out, but I wasn’t sure. Seeing him like this, there’s one thing that’s somewhat suspicious.’

Ian wiped the blood off his hands with a handkerchief and looked at him. As if to say, tell me quickly.

‘Do you happen to know about the Atan tribe?’