Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 232

D-Day

The sun rose on that day.

Ian sat slumped on the sofa, looking tired, as attendants fussed over him. They smoothed his hair, fastened his buttons, and finally pinned the Magic Department Minister’s badge, awarded by the Imperial Family, to his chest. As an attendant brought a leather glove on a gold tray, a sound was heard from outside.

“Lord Ian. Are you ready?”

It was Vivianna. She, too, was dressed in a more formal dress than usual. It was an important event for the Imperial Palace, but also a day that could be someone’s last.

The opposing side thought it would be Ian, but Ian’s close aides believed it would be Arsen.

“Vivianna, are you joining us? I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

“No, if I can stand behind Lord Ian, I must go. And Lord Romandro seems to be having a hard time, so I think it would be more comforting for him if I were by his side.”

They would be on the defensive. The forces supporting Jin were noticeably dwindling compared to those supporting Arsen.

So, Vivianna wanted to fill as many seats as possible, even if she couldn’t go inside due to the danger.

“Is Lord Ian alright? It seems like the side effects of Commander Acorella’s stamina potion are slowly showing. You look tired, and I heard that once you fall asleep, you sleep for days…”

“I can still manage. How about Jin’s condition?”

“He’s finished.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

Ian firmly put on his gloves. When he went outside, Jin, Siao Shi, and Romandro were waiting for him with the mages. Ian reached out to Jin, and the child silently took his hand.

“Did you have a good dream?”

“…Yes. Lord Ian, how about you?”

“I also had a very good dream.”

Last night, Jin had dreamt of Arsen again, and Ian hadn’t slept. But the two smiled at each other, as if to imply that luck was on their side today.

Tap tap!

“The magic circle?”

“It’s finished. The Minister can check it one last time. I’ve instructed the guards at the main gate to inform us when the attendees for the magic confirmation ceremony arrive, and I’ve requested troop deployment from the Imperial Guard just in case. There was no reply.”

Unlike what Ian had done, this magic confirmation ceremony was to be held in the Magic Department’s conference hall. There were no additional events such as the New Year’s party, and it was a gathering entirely under the jurisdiction of the Magic Department.

And above all, the Magic Department was much more useful than the Imperial Palace’s main building because there were many things to prepare for unexpected situations.

Screech.

“A little more to the right, right! Good!”

“What about this curtain? Should we close it?”

“Is the wine ready? Make sure there are enough glasses.”

“Please lend me a hand. Here, hold it here!”

The light of the oracle, now unveiled, was truly beautiful. Although it was in the shape of a harp, the densely packed jewels beneath the milky white curves made it look like a piece of art. It was worthy of Carbo’s reputation, who had shared in the glory of the founding of the nation.

“Lord Ian.”

“High Priest.”

High Priest Lily, who had been moving among the mages, recognized Ian and approached him. She sighed, her hunched back heaving greatly.

“As you instructed, the preparations are complete, but I’m not sure if this is the right path.”

“There is no right path. There are only paths that each of us must take. High Priest, you just need to watch from behind and then choose.”

The High Priest was more inclined to accept the suspicion rather than the claim that Arsen was a demon. She would help with the verification process, but decide what to do based on the results. In the back, Avidel and Macael could be seen placing their hands on the light of the oracle and praying.

“Lord Ian. Quintana from the Administrative Department has arrived.”

“Five carriages have just passed through the main gate. It’s the central nobles Leontis, Phileto, and Delma from the Ministry of Culture.”

It was early, but everyone was in a hurry, as it was a day they had all been waiting for.

Ian asked Romandro to greet the guests and went up to the platform. Under the light of the oracle, the huge magic circle drawn by the mages was glowing.

“Everything is fine, Lord Ian.”

“Good. You drew it well.”

His manner of examining each formula with his fingertips was cautious. The mages simply watched around him, as if they were checking homework. When a smile appeared on his lips, the mages also smiled with relief.

“Bring the orchestra. We shall begin the festival.”

* * *

Several hours later.

The hall, filled with rich melodies, was packed with people. Some of them were uninvited, but the Magic Department didn’t stop them. The more people, the more enjoyable the festival, right?

“So this is what the Magic Department looks like. Actually, it’s my first time here. Oh my goodness. It’s beautiful. And the flower petals keep falling.”

“I heard that there are rooms in the Magic Department where it constantly snows and rains. It doesn’t seem like an exaggeration.”

“By the way, I don’t see Minister Ian.”

“You know, I thought I misheard. That Prince Arsen is a demon, it doesn’t make sense. But because it’s such a serious statement, I can’t help but wonder if it might be true.”

“I heard that opinions are divided even within the Magic Department. Minister Ian hasn’t shown any clear stance since the tournament.”

“They declared that one of them would die. There will be a lot to see today.”

The nobles and officials whispered, covering their mouths, and looked around. It was no different from the party halls they had enjoyed their whole lives, but there was a sharp tension in the air.

Today, now, soon.

The future of Bariel would be decided.

“Lady Dilaina and Prince Arsen are entering!”

“Duke Hyman is entering!”

Screech.

As the door slowly opened, the surroundings became quiet in an instant. It was as if time had stopped. If it weren’t for the slow music of the orchestra, everyone would have thought so.

Dilaina, Arsen, and Duke Hyman entered the hall together. Behind them were their supporters, each taking their place.

“Oh, welcome, Prince Arsen.”

“Lady Dilaina. How have you been?”

Some nobles quickly moved to greet Arsen. They were no different from ants smelling honey, and Romandro, who was guarding the door, clicked his tongue and frowned.

Buzz. Buzz.

At that moment, a small vibration rang in everyone’s ears. It was the ringing that was heard whenever the Magic Department used magical tools to announce something. The crowd immediately looked up at the platform and saw Ian, who was shining more brightly than usual.

“I am Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Department. I would like to thank those who have taken the time to attend. I earnestly hope for the birth of an Imperial mage, which may be the first in Bariel’s history, and I will now begin the magic confirmation ceremony.”

Ian smiled as he looked directly at Arsen. It was an ironic smile, wishing that he would be a mage. As he gracefully gestured towards the stage stairs, Arsen’s head naturally turned.

“Prince Arsen, the protagonist of today. Please come up.”

“Before that, Lord Ian. Isn’t there something to address?”

It was a provocation to repeat the statement he had made at the tournament.

“You called me a demon and insulted my father, the Emperor. Not only that, but it’s an indelible disgrace to my mother. You have not only tarnished the honor of the Imperial Family but have torn it to shreds.”

Insulting the Imperial Family.

“And you even said you would kill me.”

Attempting to kill the Imperial Family.

“Your despicable attitude of trying to seize power by using my cursed younger brother, Jin, as a shield is excessive. If I prove that I have the qualifications of a mage, can you kill yourself?”

The crowd held their breath and looked back and forth between Ian and Arsen.

Sharp gazes that did not yield an inch. Ian was the first to smile.

“…Everyone, listen. I will state it officially once again. Arsen is the brother of the last demon to die in Bariel, and he is an evil being who will lead the country down the path of decline. He can use the power of brainwashing and has a power similar to magic, so he is skilled at deceiving humans.”

Gasps erupted from all over. He had openly thrown down the gauntlet, and now there was no turning back.

“He is the one who manipulated Prince Jin’s oracle, and he is the one who stole the maternal love from Lady Dilaina.”

“Lord Ian! That’s rude!”

“If it is not true, I will kill myself. But if it is revealed that Arsen is a demon, I will kill him myself.”

Hyman, Dilaina, and the ministers exchanged glances and nodded. It was what they had hoped for. An opportunity had come to defeat a bigwig like the Minister of the Magic Department without much effort. And he had walked into it himself.

Dilaina grabbed Arsen’s shoulder and proposed.

“Good. I hope you keep your word with honor. But before that! I cannot trust the magic circle you created. How can I know what tricks you used to make Arsen look like a demon?”

“The magic circle was drawn by everyone in the Magic Department.”

“They are your followers!”

Anxiety flashed across the faces of the mages who did not deeply follow Ian. What if Ian failed? Wouldn’t their heads also fall for following Ian?

“What do you want?”

“The magic circle is meant to activate the light of the oracle with even the minimum amount of magic. Is that correct?”

“That is correct, under normal circumstances.”

“But the one drawn this time must be a modified one.”

It was information that Ian had given at the tournament. With the help of the priests, it would show a different reaction if a demon’s presence was present.

“That is correct.”

“How do you prove that the modification is purely to identify demons? Remove the magic circle and hold the ceremony with only the light of the oracle.”

“If there is no amplification function, a very insignificant light will come out. Is that how you want to start the first Imperial mage?”

“Insignificant light? No matter how faint it is, it is the first light that originated from the Imperial Family. It will be more brilliant than anything else. If you refuse, I will assume that you have placed other devices in the magic circle.”

Dilaina raised her chin. It was a gesture that showed she had no intention of backing down. Ian was silent for a moment, and the more he did, the louder the nobles’ murmuring grew.

“Why isn’t Lord Ian answering?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Oh my. This is something.”

“Lady Dilaina’s request is justified. Yes. The Carbo Temple is still trustworthy. The light of the oracle itself is pure, isn’t it?”

Clap!

Ian snapped his fingers to ask for silence and then pointed to the stairs again. It was a firm gesture, as if he would no longer tolerate any refusal.

“…Very well. As you wish.”

Screech! Screech!

The mages and priests pushed the light of the oracle back. When it was about three steps away from the magic circle, Arsen walked slowly, parting the nobles. The crowd parted to avoid the young prince.

“Make way. It’s a stage for me.”

Arsen whispered to Ian as he placed his hand on the light of the oracle.

There was no unusual reaction when he touched it with his bare hand. The nobles guessed that Arsen was not a demon after all and exchanged glances.

“As you wish.”

Even Ian went down, leaving Arsen alone on the stage. The child confidently raised his fingertips into the air.

And-

Buzz. Buzz.

As mages usually did, he emitted magic power, shining his eyes.

A long, beautiful stream of light. The orchestra, which had been keeping the silence, also began to play, and streams of light spread in all directions to the intense melody. The crowd was amazed and covered their mouths.

“Didn’t they say there was no amplification device?”

“It’s amazing! Amazing!”

“Wow. That’s incredible. I heard that’s what the power of magic means. Isn’t it comparable to Lord Ian? It’s the blessing of Bariel!”

It was as splendid and beautiful as Ian’s time without the magic circle. With even flower petals scattering from the ceiling, it was as if heaven itself had been moved.

Arsen looked at Ian with joy. Look at this, this performance will be the last one you hear, he didn’t hide his pleasure.

“Huh…?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Look at that.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t something strange?”

At that moment, someone muttered in confusion. It was the moment when Ian, who was looking at Arsen from below, smiled.

“…Prince Arsen, he has no shadow.”