Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 227

D-2

“Are you still here?”

“I’m sorry. There’s an order not to let anyone in.”

“Ha, why are you suddenly like this? It’s driving me crazy.”

“Where’s Romandro? Where is Romandro?”

The sun was high in the sky, and it was getting late. The mages, each clutching their reports, paced in front of the office. Just yesterday, they had been coming and going every hour, but now they had no idea why Ian had forbidden entry.

Vivianna, guarding the door, smiled apologetically.

“They’re both inside. If you give them to me, I’ll pass them on.”

“Can’t we see him for just a moment? The Ministry of Justice is in an uproar. Haiman and his close aides have indicated they won’t attend the Grand Assembly regarding the filed accusation.”

“It might fall slightly short of a majority. Then, even if the meeting is held, they won’t be able to pass a resolution. You know that.”

“What on earth are they doing inside?”

“Well, I’m not sure either…”

The mages almost sobbed as they grabbed her sleeve. They were doing their best to run around other departments, urging them to attend the Grand Assembly, but if Ian and Romandro, the heads, didn’t step up, it would be as good as nothing.

“H-hey, are they perhaps sick?”

“Yeah! They’ve been so busy these past few days!”

Ian had been working like a workaholic, not eating or sleeping. But in just one day, he had hidden himself away like this. And Romandro had joined him! If the people in charge were like this, what were the subordinates supposed to do?

“They’re not sick. Actually, I went in earlier, and I got scolded too.”

“Ah…”

Vivianna replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck, and the mages had no choice but to step back. Ian was one thing, but if even the devoted Romandro was not budging, there was nothing they could do. They checked their watches and kept biting their lips.

“The deadline for the reply is six o’clock, so we’ll come back later. Please, ma’am. Please, do ask them.”

“Yes. Good work.”

“Please, just tell them we want to see them for a moment.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Vivianna smiled and waved lightly. The mages reluctantly turned away, muttering in frustration.

“I can’t understand why they’re acting like this with such a big event ahead.”

“I know. It seems like the light of the oracle arrived earlier than expected. I heard all the guys on duty that day went to support the Stone Mountain.”

“They rode in the same carriage as Lady Delilah’s subordinates.”

“That night? Ugh. Just hearing about it is uncomfortable.”

“If Prince Arsen is a mage, it’s obvious that Ian is the most troubled, so he must have a lot on his mind. Let’s understand.”

“But how can he just stop working?”

“I know, right? Prince Gail’s side is also acting strange these days.”

“Prince Gail? Why?”

“Don’t you know? The rumor that he’s defecting to Luswena has spread like wildfire.”

“How can he when he’s under house arrest?”

Tap tap!

As the mages disappeared around the corner, the murmuring also subsided. Vivianna took a deep breath and let her hand fall with a thud. Then, she opened the tightly closed office door and stepped inside.

Squeak.

Clatter!

“Romandro, please give me the book you were looking at earlier.”

“This one?”

“There’s some ancient language here. How do you read this?”

“…k. a. r. v. o. It means the Carbo Temple.”

The office was filled with stacks of documents, leaving no room to step. Ian and Romandro, with their shirt sleeves rolled up, had been spending almost a full day searching for information without sleep. Avidiel and Macael, the priests, were also there, having taken off their robes to help the two.

“Ian, it seems like there are continuous calls regarding the Grand Assembly. The mages are having a hard time.”

Vivianna said, clearing the empty potion bottles from the table. They were specially made by Captain Acorella. They were a kind of stimulant that could boost physical strength for up to three days without any problems, but after four days, the side effects would be unbearable, with twice the fatigue.

He had drunk two bottles at once, so Vivianna couldn’t hide her worried expression.

“Did Haiman’s side say they wouldn’t come to the Grand Assembly?”

“They said they couldn’t make it as a group and refused to attend. It seems the mages are struggling to reach a majority, but there’s a limit. Everyone is anxious.”

Anxious. Ian smiled, seemingly pleased with Vivianna’s words. The emotion at the end of it was satisfaction.

“What time did they say the deadline for the reply was?”

“Six o’clock.”

“Then, tell them exactly at six o’clock. That I will attend the Grand Assembly as scheduled. It doesn’t matter whether we reach a majority or not, but don’t tell the mages that.”

Ian’s actions were intentional. It was partly because he physically didn’t have time due to looking at the data, but the main purpose was to create chaos in the entire Magic Department.

When everyone is united and running forward, they can’t have personal thoughts. But, in such a chaotic atmosphere, if they feel a crisis due to the absence of the person in charge?

They will show two sides. Some will grit their teeth to save the Magic Department until the end, and others will turn their eyes to find their own way to survive.

“Philia, no. Did you give a heads up to my mother?”

At Ian’s question, Vivianna nodded. To strengthen the security around Gail, but to move the warriors to hidden places and relax the guard.

It was to help the bats that had come to hear the rumors easily approach Gail. Of course, they wouldn’t let them make direct contact.

“Yes. They said they would be on high alert on their side as well.”

“Good. What about the support that went to Stone Mountain?”

“A messenger bird came, saying they’ve come down from Stone Mountain. Unless it rains, they should arrive by tomorrow afternoon.”

Ian kept nodding. As if everything was going according to plan. Vivianna, who had been fiddling with the empty bottles, couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked.

“But is there a reason you have to attend the Grand Assembly? If it’s to instill a sense of crisis in the Magic Department, it might be better not to go at all. After all, if you gather below a majority, no resolution can be passed.”

“That’s true, but the people gathered at the meeting are those who are not involved with the Haiman family.”

As time went on, the forces gathering on Arsen’s side became larger. To be precise, it was more accurate to say that the forces of the Jin were scattering.

The fact that the light of the oracle was approaching, the lukewarm response of the Magic Department, and even Gail’s defection, all combined to make Jin’s position like a fallen leaf clinging to the end of autumn.

“I’m going to see their faces in person. And I’m planning to give them a gift that matches their beliefs.”

Clatter.

Ian only said that much and focused on looking at the documents again. It meant that he would unofficially reveal Arsen’s identity. Vivianna felt the storm’s vortex approaching her and patted her chest.

“Vivi? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’ve just been feeling a bit off lately.”

“Go in and rest, please. Set up a siesta.”

“Stay here. I’ll bring you a meal.”

“Hah, really.”

Was it because her due date was approaching? Vivianna just told them not to worry and took the tray with the bottles out.

Then, the mages, unable to wait, came running back and crowded in front of the office again. Vivianna pretended not to see them and quickly turned and left the hallway.

* * *

Clatter clatter!

Neigh!

In the quiet night of the imperial palace,

Two carriages sped and arrived at the Grand Assembly hall. It was the Prime Minister himself who had convened it to review the accusations, but the surroundings were unusually deserted. Romandro clicked his tongue and firmly held the documents under his arm.

“Well, look at this.”

“It’s peaceful, isn’t it?”

“This is too much. Even if it’s the Prime Minister who’s holding it, isn’t this the same as openly ignoring it? Tsk, tsk!”

There didn’t seem to be even twenty carriages parked. It was an attendance that didn’t match the name of the Grand Assembly.

Ian, with his robe fluttering, slowly stepped onto the stairs. The door to the Grand Assembly hall wasn’t even closed, and the chattering of a few guards was the first thing they heard.

“Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department?”

“Please come inside.”

Squeak.

The guide opened the door wider. The creaking sound was particularly funny. The Prime Minister, sitting in the center, frowned as he greeted Ian.

“Minister Ian. You’ve arrived.”

“I apologize for being late.”

He was late because he had to sneak out to avoid the mages blocking the office door.

Ian carefully looked at those seated in the hall. The three commanders, Beols and Jaylot, as well as Quintana and Ericse, and so on. Including all the familiar faces, there were less than thirty people.

“Is there any point in holding this meeting? Haiman’s side said they absolutely, absolutely couldn’t make it during the day, so we held it at night, but they still didn’t attend. And look now. There are more empty seats than occupied ones.”

Someone expressed their dissatisfaction. In this situation, why did they insist on holding the meeting instead of canceling it, making them come and go?

As Ian sat down, Romandro distributed the prepared reports. It seemed like there were too many left over compared to what they had prepared.

“We don’t have a majority, so a resolution is impossible, Minister Ian.”

“Yes. But despite that, you all attended here. Those who uphold principles and beliefs should receive appropriate compensation, so I had no choice but to proceed with the meeting without canceling it.”

“What does that mean?”

The Prime Minister frowned, twirling his beard. He seemed eager to quickly end this meaningless meeting and go home, regardless of compensation or anything else.

But Ian gestured as if to ask them to check the report.

Clatter.

Quintana was the first to read the report. After a moment of silence, she let out a dumbfounded laugh. The paper contained the claim that Arsen was a demon. It was the first time she had ever felt that a report was such a waste of paper.

“…You’re crazy, Minister Ian.”

“Minister Ian. Is this perhaps a joke?”

“It’s a bad joke. Now I understand why people are leaving Prince Jin and turning to Prince Arsen. No. How can the Minister of the Magic Department be so absurd?”

“No matter how much you’re on the defensive, what’s not true is not true. You’ve crossed the line, Minister Ian. Prime Minister. You must immediately execute him for insulting the Imperial Family!”

Soon, a fierce reaction erupted. Starting with the fairy tale book, there was not a single logical piece of evidence to support the claim.

They looked at Ian with horrified eyes, as if they were looking at a truly madman. In fact, it was a situation that felt like more than just horror, it was fear.

“I’m serious.”

“I’ll leave first. My time is precious.”

“Sit down, Quintana. If you pass over the present because your time is precious, there may be no Bariel tomorrow.”

Ian stood up from his seat. And he spoke, making eye contact with each person.

“I told you. It’s a kind of compensation. Just knowing in advance that Arsen is a demon has changed your futures.”

“Minister Ian, please.”

“You said there’s no visible evidence. Don’t worry. On the day of the mana confirmation ceremony, you will not only see it with your own eyes but also feel it with all five senses. So, first, calm down and listen to my proposal.”

Ian gestured for them to sit down. Quintana tapped the table with the report, then openly sighed. But it was worth a shot. She crossed her arms and shouted from her seat.

“So? What are you proposing?”

“To be precise, it’s not a proposal but a request for cooperation.”

He muttered, turning to the last page of the report.

“On the day of the mana confirmation ceremony, I will kill Arsen.”