Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 230

The grand main gate of the Imperial Palace was opened wider and taller than usual. Normally, only the first set of gates needed to be opened for people and carriages, but for something as large and delicate as the Light of the Oracle, the second set had to be opened as well.

“Clear the way! You’ll get hurt!”

“Slowly, move it more slowly.”

“Goodness, the Carbo Temple’s [a major temple] is much bigger than the others.”

“Wasn’t it smaller than this during the New Year’s celebration?”

“It’s Carbo. Carbo. It’s a temple that’s been with us since the founding of the nation. It lives up to its name. Keep pushing it as it is! Mage, the left side is leaning. Apply the force evenly.”

Screech!

Covered in several layers of thick cloth and secured with ropes, it entered the palace as if crawling. White-robed priests surrounded and protected it. Despite the arduous journey, it was spotless, without a speck of dust. It was hard to believe there were people under the veils, as they moved so uniformly.

“Looks like priests. From Carbo, they say?”

“If it’s the Carbo Temple, isn’t that where Lady Delilah’s family is from?”

“I’d like to ask for a prayer. Will they be staying in the center for long?”

“Lucky you. You get to see the procession of priests.”

The imperial citizens who had stepped aside whispered excitedly. It was indeed a rare sight. Most temples were located in remote areas, and unless there was a special event like a war or disaster, they were sacred places that were impossible to approach.

Squeak.

“Alright, those waiting to enter the palace, step back and wait.”

“Please step back. Please wait!”

“Oh, scratch that about being lucky. It’s ruined, ruined! If I had known, I would have come earlier.”

“How long do we have to wait?”

“Until the Magic Department takes over the Light of the Oracle. They’ll be here soon, so don’t worry. It won’t be long.”

Thump! Squeak!

The gatekeepers said this and completely closed the main gate. Then, they checked the identities of the priests one by one and made an entry list.

The same went for Delilah’s subordinates and the mages. They handed over their identification cards with weary gestures, announcing their return.

Tap tap!

At that moment, the sound of horses’ hooves was heard from afar. Sure enough, it was the Magic Department’s flag. The blond boy at the front skillfully pulled the reins and looked down.

Tap!

“Lord Ian.”

“…I’m sorry.”

The mages who had approached whispered quietly. They had tried to make him arrive as late as possible, after the competition, but they had failed.

There was a limit to how much they could damage the carriage wheels, and more importantly, what if the Light of the Oracle was broken in the process? Delilah’s subordinates had also been gritting their teeth.

“It’s alright. You’ve worked hard. It must have been difficult to come all the way from the rocky mountain. All the mages who went out to support, go in and rest. We’ll move it from now on.”

Ian patted their shoulders as if to say it was no problem. Then, the cart that had been floating about three centimeters in the air slowly touched the ground. It was a measure to make pulling the cart easier and to prevent shaking and impact.

“Lord Ian. How much should we raise it? Should we keep it at three centimeters?”

“Yes. It’s dangerous to lift it too high. Focus your power simultaneously from all four sides.”

Buzz. Buzz.

At Ian’s command, the mages moved in perfect order.

A priest approached him. Like Avidel and Macael, his fingertips were not visible, but his bent back suggested his age.

“Greetings. I am Lily, the High Priest of the Carbo Temple. It is a pleasure to meet you. May the blessings of the gods be with you.”

“Greetings. I am Ian Hieroy, the Minister of the Magic Department. It must have been a difficult journey. May the blessings of the gods be with you.”

Ian placed his hand on his chest, and the High Priest bowed her head lightly. At the same time, the priests standing behind him also bowed.

“But, while the cart carrying the Light of the Oracle is understandable, why don’t you have carriages?”

“While waiting in the rocky mountain, we tried to move by carriage, but all of their wheels broke. If it weren’t for the quick help of Lady Delilah and the Magic Department, we would have been in a real predicament. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It’s our duty since we requested it. Avidel and Macael, who arrived earlier, are currently waiting at the Magic Department. Before that, who is the priest who received the oracle here?”

Two oracles were said to have been given between Avidel and Macael. One of them was guarding the temple, and the other was said to have come with them, so he must be among them.

The High Priest asked in confusion.

“Why do you ask that?”

“There is something to confirm with Avidel, Macael, and that person. High Priest, you must also be present. The rest of the priests can rest in the prepared quarters.”

…It was strange, but there was no need to hide it. The High Priest glanced back, and the person standing in the center stepped forward.

“I am Ranco. I received the oracle before Priest Macael. It was about the earthquake in the nearby village.”

“Nice to meet you. Well, let’s move, as we don’t have much time.”

He didn’t know what was going on. Why hadn’t Avidel and Macael come to greet them? There were many things to ask, but the High Priest and Ranco decided to follow Ian for now.

“Load the priests’ luggage onto the cart and move it to the Magic Department.”

“Please get into the carriage. Priests, this way.”

“Welcome. Please come in.”

Except for the mages in charge of the Light of the Oracle, others welcomed the priests. They had to quickly clear the area so that the Imperial Palace gate could be opened again and the imperial citizens could come and go. Everyone was busy organizing the scene.

Tap tap!

Neigh!

Splendid carriages were rushing towards them. Judging by the loud cracking of the whip, the owner inside the carriage was clearly urging the coachman.

“It looks like Lady Delilah.”

“It does. They are very diligent too.”

As Romandro whispered in embarrassment, Ian just smiled. The Magic Department was naturally in charge of the Imperial Palace’s entry security, so they could find out quickly, but what about them?

Neigh!

Thud!

As soon as the carriage stopped, Delilah grabbed the hem of her dress and quickly got out. All the priests were wearing the same clothes and covering their faces, but she somehow recognized the High Priest and greeted her happily.

“Lily!”

“Oh, Lady Delilah!”

“It’s good to see you. It’s been a while. Thank you for coming.”

Delilah forgot her dignity and lightly hugged the High Priest. Lily was the one who had directly taken care of Delilah’s postpartum care, and furthermore, she was someone who held a piece of her childhood memories.

Although the relationship between the Carbo Temple and her family was not the same as before, it could not be denied that their roots were the same.

“Where is the Light of the Oracle?”

“It has been safely handed over to the Magic Department, Lady Delilah. But why are you so thin?”

“I’ve been a bit busy. Arsen!”

“Oh, Prince Arsen. You look very dignified. The gods will be pleased to see you. I am truly happy to see you like this.”

Delilah pulled Arsen to her side and had him greet the High Priest. The High Priest simply bowed her head, but Arsen smiled and offered her a handshake.

“Nice to meet you. I am Arsen.”

He did it as if to show off. Now that the rumor that he was a demon had spread to the ends of the Imperial Palace, the child wanted to prove his innocence by contacting the High Priest. The officials who followed him out of the carriage watched the scene, inwardly exclaiming.

“I am sorry, Your Highness. As a priest, I cannot touch others’ bodies carelessly. Please accept it in your heart.”

The High Priest lightly refused, but that was it.

Arsen’s attitude, as if there was nothing to hide, solidified the officials’ belief once again. If he were a demon, wouldn’t it be a very dangerous provocation? There was clearly no darkness in Arsen.

“Is that so? That’s a shame.”

Arsen shrugged and approached the Light of the Oracle. Then, he smiled brightly and placed his hand on the object.

Nothing happened. Since it was the most sacred object in the temple, a demon should have shown an abnormal reaction.

But the surroundings were quiet. Even the wind was blowing gently, making the whole world peaceful.

“Is this the Light of the Oracle? It’s much bigger than I thought. The one Lord Ian used must have been just a toy. Don’t you think so?”

The child asked, looking directly at Ian, but Ian did not answer. Rather, it would be correct to say that he ignored him. He was not free enough to respond to a petty provocation. To be precise, it would be a petty provocation from a ‘demon’.

“Ian.”

Delilah, who had been quietly watching, called out in a sharp voice. She was already upset by the absurd rumors. But now, he was openly ignoring Arsen?

“Yes, Lady Delilah.”

“I heard the rumors circulating in the Imperial Palace.”

“There are many unfounded rumors in the Imperial Palace. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Delilah just let out a hollow laugh and didn’t continue. She couldn’t bring herself to say that Arsen was a demon in front of the priests. Just uttering it was shameful and insulting.

She whispered closely to Ian.

“I want to behead you right now, but I will hold back for the sake of the guests who have come from afar. Now that the Light of the Oracle has arrived, we can no longer postpone the magic confirmation ceremony. It would be best to hold it soon. So, may you die under the weight of the words you have spoken.”

“I have no ill feelings towards Lady Delilah. Rather, I am worried. I wonder if you can endure knowing the true nature of Prince Arsen.”

“You-!”

The High Priest was silent, looking around as if she didn’t understand what was going on. It wasn’t just Ian and Delilah. Even the mages and unfamiliar officials were all emitting sharp energy.

‘Why?’

If Prince Arsen was a magic user, wouldn’t that be a blessing for the empire? She had expected flower petals to flutter like a festival right away.

But everything was so cold that it was a miracle they weren’t freezing to death. It was none other than Arsen who broke the ice.

“Now that the Light of the Oracle has arrived, we can proceed with the magic confirmation ceremony right away. I’m ready anytime. What do you say?”

Arsen smiled brightly and spoke to Ian again. Ian looked down at him. His blue eyes were particularly shiny.

“We are drawing a magic circle under the Light of the Oracle. It’s impossible today, but if we proceed, it will be possible by tomorrow morning. Prince Arsen?”

The title ‘Prince’ ended with a question. It was a nuance that questioned whether he was truly of the imperial bloodline. But the child, without any sign of displeasure, continued to smile and stare intently into Ian’s eyes.

‘Now, where…’

He was about to try using his abilities. Ian did not avoid his gaze, remaining calm. As the strange silence between the two grew longer, their respective subordinates rolled their eyes in confusion.

“Then, excuse me. We will notify you of the detailed schedule this afternoon. What are you all doing? Why aren’t you moving?”

Ian turned his head away as if it was a waste of time. Then, Arsen’s brow furrowed instantly. Something felt strange, didn’t it?

Tap!

Arsen grabbed Ian’s arm. Everyone was surprised and stopped at the sudden action. Ian was the same. He was about to angrily shake off his hand, but he stopped when he realized that Arsen’s complexion was strange.

“…”

“What are you doing?”

“You…?”

Was it because he was a mage, and a powerful one at that, holding a ministerial position, that it didn’t work?

But the feeling was different. It was a strange sense of powerlessness where he couldn’t even attempt it. Arsen stared blankly at him and then gave a strange smile.

“What are you?”

Wasn’t it the same feeling as when he used it on a member of the imperial family?

Ian bent down deeply and whispered to Arsen. It was a very small voice, so that only the two of them could hear.

“…Then what are you, anyway?”