Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 221

It was while Ian and Romandro were refining the details of their plan that news arrived from outside.

“Sir Ian, a messenger bird has arrived from outside the palace. It concerns the person in charge at Ericse that you inquired about. Shall I bring it in?”

“Bring it in.”

It was a report from the subordinate who had gone to Ericse’s mansion. Ian unfolded the neatly folded note and read it. Romandro, also curious, craned his neck from behind.

“What does it say? Was it really a carriage accident?”

“Yes, it was. According to the servants at Ericse’s mansion, there was an accident on the way to work this morning, and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, his life is not in danger, but it seems he won’t be able to come to work until tomorrow. It was a major accident, enough to make a carriage wheel fall off.”

“Tsk, tsk! How could they drag an innocent person into this, honestly.”

“It’s Centra Hospital. They say they will go there to check on Ericse’s condition directly before returning.”

Ian neatly folded the note and placed it on the table. If this was the case, even if the accusation was somehow filed, it would take time for it to be brought before the Grand Council. This was because it was Ericse’s role to review whether the accusation was appropriate and then bring it to the Grand Council.

Even if the employee Romandro suspected didn’t steal it in the middle, it might be difficult to hold a Grand Council before the magic confirmation ceremony. That was if Haiman’s family’s plan went as they intended.

“Haiman and Arsen’s side will try to avoid the trial. Because they have no chance of winning. So, they’re planning to cut it off at the Grand Council so that the trial itself doesn’t even happen.”

“Actually, everyone in the Imperial Palace is waiting for that. There’s nothing more important right now than whether or not Prince Arsen is a mage.”

In other words, Ian needed to convene the Grand Council before the magic confirmation ceremony. It wasn’t mandatory, but it was better if it made the process easier.

He tapped the edge of the note with his finger, then rang the summoning bell.

“Sir Ian, did you call?”

“Gather the mages, focusing on Captain Hale.”

“Yes? Ah, I understand.”

Focusing on Captain Hale meant gathering those who were mainly in field positions, right? Instead of adding an explanation, Ian took out the official seal. Then, Romandro cleared the desk and placed the writing instruments.

“Are you going to send an official letter? What will you say?”

“It would be good to inform the Minister of Justice of the current situation and make it public.”

“What if Haiman has already taken measures there too?”

“I don’t think so. If they had control over the top, they wouldn’t have resorted to such petty tricks. They wouldn’t have been afraid of going to trial either. The Justice Department of Bariel is exceptionally fair, so I assume Haiman’s influence hasn’t reached there.”

“Y-yes. Well, if they had pulled in the higher-ups, they wouldn’t have needed to go through so much trouble. But telling Captain Hale to deliver the official letter seems like a waste of manpower.”

“Captain Hale will be performing a different role.”

Scribble, scribble.

Ian filled the paper with neat handwriting. And just as he was about to stamp the official seal of the Magic Department at the end, new news came from outside.

“Sir Ian, um, I heard that both the Minister and Deputy Minister of Justice didn’t come to work today.”

Thud.

The seal stopped in mid-air. How could both the Minister and Deputy Minister not come to work? As Ian frowned and put down the seal, the attendant bowed deeply and stammered.

“W-well, the Minister went to Count Davion’s party yesterday and couldn’t get up due to a hangover. And the Deputy Minister went out to the outskirts on business and got a bad stomachache, so he can’t move at all. If it’s an urgent official letter, they say they’ll gather the people in charge of each department to handle it. How should I tell them?”

Unlike Ian, who was laughing in disbelief, Romandro was shocked and just gaped. Wasn’t this a deliberate attempt to empty the Justice Department? Romandro turned to Ian in a panic.

“Is, is this even possible? Huh?”

“If they can stop it, what can’t they do?”

“Should we tell them to gather the people in charge of each department?”

“No. It’s fine. Seeing how things are going, that doesn’t seem easy either.”

Ian burned the official letter he was writing and took out a new piece of paper. Then, he scribbled something lightly and handed it to the attendant.

“Tie this to a messenger bird and send it to Centra Hospital. There will be another reply, so always wait at the window.”

“Yes, Sir Ian.”

As the attendant left, Ian changed into lighter outerwear. As if preparing to go out. Ian looked at Romandro’s expression and asked.

“Sir Romandro, you should go and rest now.”

“My duty is until the accusation is filed, so I will help until the end. B-but, what exactly are you going to do?”

“I’m going to do it myself.”

“Huh?”

Romandro paused at Ian’s firm answer. For the Minister to move himself to file an accusation. Where else would there be such a farce? Romandro shook his head and firmly resisted.

“Th-then no, absolutely not! I’ll go with you!”

“You look tired.”

“Am I getting in your way?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“Then let’s do it until the end! I’m still full of energy!”

As Romandro shouted, clenching his fist, Ian smiled as he fastened his buttons.

“Then, um, prepare protective gear.”

“…Protective gear? Why is that?”

Romandro paused, feeling uneasy, but Ian just smiled. Sometimes, responding to petty tricks with petty measures wasn’t so bad.

A few hours later,

Tap tap!

Knock knock!

“Sir Ian! There’s a message from Centra Hospital!”

Ian immediately got up as if he had been waiting. Then, he woke Romandro, who was half-sprawled on the back of the sofa. He was drooling in his sleep, and he looked at Ian with hazy eyes.

“Hmph, I, I wasn’t sleeping. Ian.”

“I understand. Let’s get going.”

Ian put on his leather gloves and walked out of the office. The mages, including Captain Hale, who were waiting, stood up at the same time to greet him. They looked completely clueless. As Ian gestured, Hale chewed on his cigar and leaned closer.

“We’re going to the Justice Department.”

“The Justice Department, how…”

“We’re going to get Ericse’s seal. Get it, and then go to Centra Hospital. Get the accusation approved there and come back.”

Hale didn’t know what was going on, but he answered that he understood. And he instructed the mages behind him.

“Follow Sir Ian. We’re going to the Justice Department.”

“We’re going to the Justice Department! Let’s go, everyone!”

Dozens of mages, their robes fluttering, ran down the building’s stairs. Ian, at the forefront, looked west without a hint of hesitation. It was the direction where the Justice Department was located.

* * *

It was past noon, but the Justice Department was unusually quiet. It was as if a plague had struck, with more than half of the staff absent. Especially since even high-ranking officials like the Minister had all taken leave. It was a situation that could be called a complete work paralysis.

“Anyone would think it’s a holiday today.”

“I know, right? How can all the higher-ups be like this at the same time? The Deputy Minister too. I worked overtime yesterday because he told me to report by today, but he didn’t even show up.”

“Still, it’s nice that the superiors aren’t here.”

“Yeah. And it’s so great that they’re all gone. If only one or two were gone, we’d be working overtime again today to cover for them, right?”

The staff chatted, dividing the work among themselves within the limits of what they could handle. There was also less work coming in from outside today.

While peacefully sipping tea and flipping through documents, someone made a curious sound.

“Huh? What’s that over there?”

“Why? What is it?”

“It looks like the Magic Department’s flag. A group of carriages is entering the Justice Department.”

At the employee’s words, others also got up and looked down at the window. The horses’ heads were turned towards the building where the reception desks were mainly located within the Justice Department.

“Leave it alone. It’s not our business.”

“Hmm. I guess so?”

“Ignore it, ignore it. Let’s just get through today quietly. It’s almost time to go home.”

There were three hours left until the end of the day. At the manager’s instruction, the staff just shrugged and returned to their seats. They didn’t know what was happening in the building on the opposite side of the Justice Department.

Squeak!

Neigh!

The guards were flustered and stepped back as the group of carriages arrived in front of the reception building. The mages looked as determined as if they were going to fight.

“What, what is going on?”

Ian, helped out of the carriage by the mages, took out a letter from his pocket. It had Ericse’s handwritten signature on it.

“I’m here to file an accusation from the Magic Department, but I heard that the person in charge, Ericse, didn’t come in today due to an accident. It’s an urgent matter, so I contacted the hospital, and they said they would gladly process it if I brought the seal. So, I’ve come to get it.”

The guards couldn’t distinguish Ericse’s handwritten signature. They were always standing here, just guarding the entrance. The guards hesitated and looked at the mages.

“But why are so many of you here?”

“Is it something that the Minister has to explain, bringing his subordinates? My time is as precious as yours, so move aside.”

Tap tap!

It was the moment the guards lowered their spears and turned their bodies. The reception desk staff inside, surprised, rushed out and then looked at the situation in confusion.

“Th-that’s him! Ian!”

It was the employee who had asked Romandro for identification in the morning. The woman who was pointed out bit her lip tightly and shouted in a sharp voice.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to get Ericse’s seal at his request.”

“You expect us to believe that now?”

“It’s not the Emperor’s seal, just a work seal, so why are you so on edge? Here’s Ericse’s handwritten signature. If there’s anyone who can verify it, let them verify it.”

Ian held the letter between his index and middle fingers and shook it lightly.

However, the staff just bit their lips and exchanged glances. They showed their determination to block them no matter what, without even checking if it was real or fake.

Hale finally understood the meaning of the order.

‘This is a blast from the past.’

And he lightly loosened his hands and feet. It was a noble Imperial Palace, but sometimes there were frequent physical clashes to enforce opinions. Not everyone followed the principles and rules. Of course, most of them happened during meetings.

“It’s not possible. It’s almost closing time.”

“It’s just a matter of taking the seal.”

“We absolutely cannot do that unless Ericse himself comes! What are you all doing?”

Clack!

It seemed that Haiman had given them a lot of money, enough for them to be willing to quit their jobs. The staff linked their arms together tightly and firmly blocked the entrance.

“Y-you, you scoundrels! Hey! Do you think you can cover the sky with your palm? How can your work be so simple, ignorant, and messed up?”

Romandro was furious and pointed his finger, but they just snorted.

“If it’s not possible, then it’s not possible!”

Hale sighed inwardly as he rolled up his sleeves.

If they used magic, Ian alone could subdue them. But the reason he brought his colleagues was to deny any unilateral violence caused by magic later. The mages, including Hale, realized this and lightly loosened their bodies.

“Alright.”

Ian clicked his pocket watch.

“Ten minutes from now.”

“Understood.”

“Push.”

Ian gestured briefly, giving the signal. Then, with Hale in the lead, the mages rushed forward. Romandro just hesitated, flinching.

Thud!

Tap tap!

“Yaaah!”

“Ugh! Ugh!”

“Get out of the way! Get out of the way!”

“What are you saying, why don’t you get lost? I said it’s not possible!”

“Stick together! Don’t let go of your arms! Hold on!”

While the mages and the Justice Department reception staff were tangled up, Ian watched from behind.

And Romandro, who was standing awkwardly next to him. As Ian raised an eyebrow, Romandro closed his eyes and ran, feeling forced to do so.

“Y-you, you guys! Let’s get some work done!”

Thud!

He was immediately thrown back by the fierce physical fight, but Romandro got up again and shouted.

“G-get out of the wayyy!”