Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 202

D-7

‘Arsen!’

Dilaina, aghast, embraced Arsen. The unconscious child’s body swayed limply. She wiped the blood from his face with the back of her hand, sobbing continuously. His whole body was cold and stiff, like that of someone near death.

‘How, how could this happen? How could this happen to Arsen? Huh?’

The doctor wiped away cold sweat at the mother’s wailing. He didn’t know the reason, but Arsen had gone to see Gail and had been harmed as a result. The guards reported that Gail had grabbed and thrown Arsen.

‘Gail did this?’

‘Lady Dilaina, please step aside for a moment.’

‘Th-this, ugh! Gail, that bastard!’

‘What are you doing? Escort Lady Dilaina away!’

‘This way, this way, please come this way, Lady Dilaina.’

The attendants barely managed to support Dilaina and pull her away from Arsen. Ever since she had entered the palace, she had been living cautiously, watching the grown princes. To protect her son, she had clung to life by the Emperor’s side.

And yet, in the end, Marib and Gail were harming her sons. Gail was harming Arsen, and Marib was harming Jin…

It was then.

Thud!

‘Your Highness Arsen!’

‘Is His Highness alright?’

‘Lady Dilaina, I heard the news. Is it true?’

‘Oh dear, oh dear, what could there be to harm in that small body? Tsk tsk. His Highness Gail is so cruel.’

The officials rushed in, creating a commotion. They assessed the situation, looking at Arsen lying on the bed and Dilaina slumped on the floor.

‘Lady Dilaina. Is it, is it true?’

‘…Yes. It’s true.’

Dilaina’s affirmation was about Gail harming Arsen, but the officials understood it differently. They took it as confirmation that Arsen was indeed a mana user, putting an end to all doubts.

‘It’s a joyous occasion! A joyous occasion! We’re saved now!’

‘…What?’

‘We must not miss this opportunity. Let’s execute His Highness Gail immediately. As a traitor, he attacked His Highness Arsen, a mana user and a strong successor. Isn’t this like two rebellions?’

‘That’s right! He has rebelled against Bariel twice!’

‘I agree! Let’s kill him right away.’

‘I heard that Sir Ian has stationed barbarians. It will be difficult to break through with force, so we must use justification. Sir Ian won’t be easily defeated either.’

‘Wait a minute. What are you all…’

Dilaina paused, confused. Arsen was a mana user? She had always been by his side, but she had never noticed any signs. She wished someone would explain it clearly, but the officials were too excited, only talking about plans to behead Gail.

‘By the way, didn’t the Magic Department send a healing mage? His Highness Arsen has fainted, this is not right.’

‘They seem too busy covering for their own dogs. What was it called? That magic swordsman, Beric, came half-dead and took all the healing mages.’

‘There’s talk that he was colluding with Haiman outside.’

‘That’s right. I heard they issued an arrest warrant.’

Creak.

‘Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department is here!’

‘Eek!’

The officials, who had been gossiping about Ian, were startled and covered their mouths. Could he have heard them? The attendant had announced his arrival, but he was a mage. He was someone who could make his voice heard throughout Bariel from his seat, so anything was possible.

‘S-Sir Ian.’

‘Why are you all gathered here?’

‘Well, that is, we were worried because we heard His Highness Arsen had collapsed. Ahem.’

There were familiar faces mixed in. Just a few days ago, they had sworn loyalty to Jin, and now they were worried about Arsen’s well-being. Ian chuckled and stepped inside. The doctor recognized Ian and stood up to greet him.

‘Ah, Sir Ian.’

‘What is His Highness’s condition?’

‘In my opinion, there is no major problem. He did cough up blood, but, well, I’m not sure. It would be best to continue testing him over time. He seems a bit fatigued.’

He coughed up blood, but there was no physical problem? Then it was definitely an abnormal reaction.

Ian nodded, and the healing mages split to either side and examined Arsen. They muttered as they checked his pulse with their fingertips.

‘If the body cannot withstand the mana, it can cause bleeding. Sir Ian, you experienced that before.’

After confronting Marib, Ian had also coughed up blood. What Arsen had shown was merely an ‘opening,’ but it was entirely possible given the child’s frail body.

‘I would like to infuse mana into his body to examine him more closely. Lady Dilaina. Please allow it.’

‘H-healing mages?’

Ian frowned at the officials’ question from behind. It was a silent warning not to add any nonsense. No matter how much he was against Arsen, he had to do his job as the Minister of the Magic Department.

‘I, I allow it.’

As Dilaina nodded, the healing mages exchanged glances with Ian. It was a sign that they would carry out Ian’s orders.

‘Infuse mana and see how he reacts.’

Those who possessed mana would react in some way. It was the same for magic swordsmen as well as mages. Just as Ian had released mana to uncover Beric’s identity, the healing mages would do the same this time.

Buzz. Buzz.

It was the moment the two were about to infuse mana into Arsen.

Thwack!

With his eyes closed, Arsen snatched the mage’s wrist. It was a movement like sleepwalking. The only difference was that his physical reaction was surprisingly fast.

‘…Mother.’

‘Arsen, Arsen! Are you awake?’

The child squeezed out a voice and called for his mother. Dilaina pushed the mage away and embraced Arsen. His gaze seemed lifeless. Arsen stared blankly at the ceiling and muttered.

‘Sir Ian colluded when Gail tried to harm me. Please remove him. I’m scared, Mother.’

‘…Sir Ian!’

As soon as she heard those words, Dilaina glared at Ian with narrowed eyes. She looked ready to pounce, but Ian remained indifferent.

‘His Highness Gail was determined to attack, so it was difficult. That’s why I issued a no-entry order, isn’t it? I don’t know why you entered, so if you give me an answer, I will have something to say as well.’

Wasn’t he trying to kill Gail in his residence? From Gail’s perspective, he was just trying to kill someone who was trying to kill him, so there was no problem at all. And it was Arsen who violated the safety guidelines, so Ian was not responsible for this incident either.

‘No, even so, His Highness Gail went too far! This cannot be overlooked, so I request his immediate execution!’

‘That’s right. His violent nature is a disgrace to the Imperial Family!’

‘Sir Ian, remove the stationed barbarians, no, the Cheonryeo tribe [a powerful warrior tribe], and execute Gail immediately.’

The officials seized the opportunity and pressured Ian. They were rushing at him with bloodshot eyes, a pathetic sight. They were foolish enough to believe that the power of the majority would prevail without considering the consequences. Awakening them was a simple matter of refusal.

‘I refuse.’

‘Yes? Why?’

‘Are you perhaps defending His Highness Gail?’

Ian took out his pocket watch and checked the time. It had only been three or four hours since the city gates had opened. While Beric was being torn apart and Arsen was slipping through the cracks, countless people had passed through the gates.

‘The closed city gates have just opened. The people of the Empire, who were worried about what might happen to the Imperial Palace and Bariel, are finally entering with relief. And in the midst of this, you want to execute His Highness Gail? Do you think that makes sense?’

‘No, even so…’

‘No matter what, what is not right is not right. As the situation is what it is, all procedures must be respected. And above all, isn’t His Highness Marib’s trial scheduled for four days from now? His execution will take place at the same time, so you want to execute His Highness Gail first? That’s a sloppy job.’

If they still wanted to do it, then so be it. But he would oppose it, and this would eventually become a flaw in their administration. That was what Ian was saying.

‘And in a week, we will hold a simple mana verification ceremony. Lady Dilaina. Please be aware of this and take good care of His Highness Arsen.’

‘A week from now?’

‘Since he claims to be a mana user, it is the duty of the Magic Department. I have requested the Light of the Oracle [a magical artifact used for verification]. We will proceed simply as soon as it arrives.’

As soon as he heard the words ‘Light of the Oracle,’ Arsen frowned. He snuggled into his mother and whined with a mix of tears.

‘Mother. I don’t want to do it.’

‘Arsen?’

‘My body hurts when I use mana. That’s why I haven’t told anyone until now. That mage said it too, that you cough up blood if your physical abilities can’t keep up. I’m sure I’ll cough up blood again and be embarrassed.’

Look at that? Ian raised his eyebrows slightly and looked down at Arsen. It would be beneficial for him to prove he was a mana user and establish his position, so why was he acting like this?

‘Unlike the New Year’s party, only a few people will attend. The Light of the Oracle reacts even to a very small amount of power, so there is no need to think it is too much.’

He was caught. The more Arsen tried to avoid it, the more Ian would push him. When the priest arrived with the Light of the Oracle, the twisted fate of Jin would be corrected.

Ian made sure that Arsen could not escape.

‘Or Your Highness, did you perhaps use trickery with lies?’

‘How rude and insolent! Sir Ian!’

‘Watch your words! He is a mana user, Your Highness!’

‘Impersonating a mana user is a serious crime of blasphemy, fraud, and, given Your Highness’s status, a deception of Bariel. Your Highness, it’s not too late, so if you have anything to say, please do so. I will listen to you personally.’

It was a mockery disguised as kindness. Arsen clamped his mouth shut and glared at Ian. Dilaina also frowned as if she found it insulting.

‘Your Highness?’

He was sure it wasn’t mana. Even if it was mana, Arsen was someone who would disappear from history, so there was nothing to fear. Either way, Ian had nothing to worry about.

Instead of answering, Arsen hid in his mother’s arms, and Dilaina stepped forward to dismiss Ian.

‘Please leave for now. Arsen’s condition is not good, so it is best for him to rest. Take your mages with you as well.’

Since Ian’s intentions were unclear, she couldn’t even trust the healing mages. It was a firm order to leave, and the mages bowed and left the room. Ian did the same. He looked at the officials again and warned them.

‘It’s in a week, Your Highness.’

So take good care of yourself. Ian said goodbye and disappeared. The officials also moved to the next reception room to discuss countermeasures.

The bedroom was quiet in an instant. Arsen asked while still in Dilaina’s arms.

‘Mother. Were you surprised?’

‘A little.’

‘Actually, I didn’t know until recently either. I didn’t try to hide it. I was worried that it might be a burden to you.’

If he was a mana user, it would immediately turn the tide, so why would he think that way? Dilaina stroked the back of the child’s head, puzzled, and Arsen added.

‘Look. Now that I’m a mana user, Sir Ian’s attitude is much sharper, isn’t it? And His Highness Gail tried to kill me too. Mother. I’m scared.’

‘It’s okay, Arsen. I’ll protect you.’

‘What if His Highness Gail comes to kill me?’

What if? What if he comes here? Arsen’s voice echoed strongly in Dilaina’s head. She couldn’t hold back her tears as she felt a surge of pity.

‘It’s okay. Your mother, your mother will take care of it. I’ll make sure Gail can’t hurt you, I’ll take care of it.’

Dilaina whispered as she hugged Arsen. Unlike the affectionate expression of the mother, there was no light in Arsen’s eyes. He was trying to gauge the week that Ian had warned about.

‘A week…’

If it was the closest temple, it wouldn’t take that long, so why did he say a week? Arsen tapped his fingernails and frowned. If things continued like this, things would become a little difficult.