Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 241

The Lusweena delegation was guided to the reception room furthest from the main building of the Imperial Palace. It was an unannounced visit from the start, and it was also intended to conceal the turmoil within the Imperial Palace as much as possible.

The Prime Minister, leading his aides, hurried down the corridor.

“Was the representative of the delegation named Eldert?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. He is the cousin and closest aide to Eripone, the current 12th King of Lusweena. He is said to be currently serving as the King’s advisor. Before becoming an advisor, he held a professorship in urban engineering at Lusweena National University.”

“…A professorship? He looked young.”

The Prime Minister recalled the man he had briefly seen during the break and was impressed. The fact that the King’s close aide had come meant that they did not take Haiman’s request for help lightly. Indeed, if they had thought so, they would not have come directly to the Imperial Palace.

The Prime Minister frowned as he entered the arched doorway. The attendants standing on either side of the reception room noticed his presence and signaled inside.

Squeak.

“The Prime Minister is here.”

As the doors opened to the sides, those who had been drinking tea on the sofa stood up at the same time.

The delegation, excluding the guards, consisted of five people. Among them, Eldert, the representative, was the last to put down his teacup. He was a man with long, turquoise hair, slanted eyes, and a soft mouth that contrasted with them.

“Oh, Prime Minister.”

“You’ve been waiting long.”

“Not at all. I am grateful that you have provided such a secluded reception room. It seems to relieve the fatigue of the journey.”

Eldert’s polite greeting made the aides flinch. Wasn’t he indirectly saying that they had been given the innermost, deserted part of the Imperial Palace?

Moreover, quite a bit of time had passed as they were trying to clean up the mess from the chaotic Grand Assembly. Normally, the delegation should have been assigned accommodations to rest, not left in the reception room. Yet, they had been left unattended in the reception room all this time. Rather than relieving their fatigue, it would be more accurate to say it had accumulated.

Regardless of the relationship between the Empire and the Kingdom, this was clearly a mistake, or rather, a blunder by the Imperial Palace.

‘Oh, my, look at this?’

But what could they do? It was impossible for the Emperor to personally step forward for a sudden visit, and he was unable to do so now. Welcoming foreign delegations was usually under Marib’s jurisdiction, but he was dead. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs? All those with the status to greet the delegation were tied up in the Grand Assembly.

“Everything in the Imperial Palace is the best. Whatever it may be, it is enough to relieve your fatigue. Please, sit down.”

They were trying to exploit the cracks in the Empire using Haiman as an excuse, yet they dared to sharpen their tongues? The Prime Minister responded with a smile, as if to say that even this treatment was too good for them. The aides and the delegation’s subordinates sensed the chilling atmosphere and held their breaths.

“So, what brings you all the way from distant Lusweena? I heard you were looking for Duke Haiman.”

Although they were neighboring countries, the Prime Minister deliberately added the word ‘distant.’ This was not just to create distance or to gain the upper hand. There was no example in the world where neighboring countries had a good relationship.

“We heard that Duke Haiman was in the Imperial Palace, so we wished to see him. Please, do not read too much into it.”

The wars, conflicts, and the resulting hatred, anger, and disgust that arose to gain even a little more of the drawn boundary line. Of course, Bariel was an Empire, and they were a Kingdom, so the side that had been winning throughout history was naturally Bariel.

However, Lusweena had a thriving self-sufficiency centered on fertile land, and the legitimacy of the royal family was as perfect as could be compared to other countries. It was a clear example of how distinct their national character was.

“Then?”

“It is not much, but we have heard that there is some turmoil in the Imperial Palace. Our King was concerned that His Majesty the Emperor might be worried, so he sent a small gift.”

At Eldert’s signal, his subordinate took out a small box. It was full of black gems and rare medicinal herbs that were only found in Lusweena.

The Prime Minister stroked his beard and carefully examined Eldert. The gems were one thing, but what was the meaning of the medicinal herbs? It seemed they knew that the Emperor’s condition was outwardly critical. Then, the freeze? Did Haiman not know about that?

“If it is acceptable, please allow us the honor of presenting this directly to His Majesty.”

“Unfortunately, that is not possible. His Majesty’s duties are too heavy, and he cannot spare time for unscheduled meetings. I will be sure to convey King Eripone’s sincerity.”

The Prime Minister shook his head to indicate his refusal. Then, the aides carefully took the box out of the reception room.

Was there another matter? The Prime Minister asked with a look, and Eldert only smiled.

“It is a pity, but I am truly grateful that you will do so.”

“It is late tonight, so please rest well. The horses must be tired, so I will have new ones prepared.”

One night. It meant that they were only allowed one night. The delegation’s lips stiffened at the blatant treatment.

However, this was, after all, an unbalanced diplomacy. And it was a unilateral visit, so there was nothing they could do. And above all, for the Prime Minister…

‘I should have them put in the innermost room of the annex. I need to make sure they keep their mouths shut until they leave the palace. Why did they have to come today, tsk.’

It was the day the monster Arsen incident occurred. A day that would be completely erased from Bariel’s history.

If outsiders stayed in the palace, they could not predict the variables. For the sake of appearances, just one day. No, ten hours until morning. That was the maximum courtesy they could offer.

At that moment, Eldert casually said,

“Thank you for your words, but we will leave the palace with Duke Haiman. I heard he is in the main building.”

The Prime Minister, who was about to turn away, stopped and looked back at him.

“…With Duke Haiman?”

“Yes. As you know, the Duke’s wife is a member of the Lusweena royal family. Since the King has a letter to deliver, it would be best. We are grateful that you have made time for us despite our sudden visit, but we cannot cause any trouble.”

For a moment, he was speechless. It was welcome for them to leave immediately, but with Haiman? If they were told of the Duke’s whereabouts, it would give them clues about the situation in the Imperial Palace.

If they were not told? Haiman had disappeared from the Imperial Palace, so they would question this and officially raise the issue, giving them an excuse for a larger delegation visit.

Either way, it was a bit difficult.

“Prime Minister?”

“…Duke Haiman is currently detained for insulting the Imperial Family and causing a disturbance. You must know about Marib and Prince Gail’s rebellion.”

From the extra edition to the matters that Ian had announced in the center of the city with magic tools. This was something that would have been heard not only by neighboring kingdoms but also by anyone who knew of the existence of the Bariel Empire.

“His trial date will be announced soon. I do not think he will be able to leave the palace for the time being. The delegation should rest and return alone.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Eldert exclaimed with a surprised look. No matter how much he was the son-in-law of the royal family, he was still a Duke of Bariel. If he was involved in a rebellion and was on trial, there was no way out. Above all, if the Emperor would not meet him, how could they negotiate?

The Prime Minister, meaning for them to rest, flapped his coat and left the reception room.

Thud!

As the door closed, Eldert swept back his long hair and leaned back on the sofa. His subordinates loosened their ties and sighed.

“It seems we are late.”

“If the trial date has been set, it seems the political situation is leaning towards the Fifth Prince. This is a problem. What should we tell the King?”

“We should have come a little earlier.”

They wanted the vast wealth of Haiman’s family more than saving Haiman himself. If they were to be destroyed for treason, all their assets would be returned to Bariel, so their goal was to have the Duke or Duchess defect to Lusweena before that happened and take all the assets with them.

Haiman seemed to want them to bring in an army, using the fact that his wife was a member of the royal family, but that was impossible. To be honest, the King rather wanted Haiman to die ‘without any legal issues.’

“If it’s treason, there’s a high chance the Duchess will be involved as well. Hmm.”

If the Duchess was left alone, the best plan was to persuade her to return home and absorb the assets of the Haiman family. That way, they could get a piece of the economic control of the Bariel Empire without lifting a finger.

“Eldert, what should we do?”

“Wait, let me think for a moment.”

He swept his silken hair back and stared into space. But, wasn’t something strange?

“…Do you remember the front gate?”

“The front gate? Yes, yes. Well, there were quite a few people and carriages, considering it was late.”

“The Imperial Palace’s entry is naturally restricted at night. But why were they gathered in front? Isn’t it natural to see this as a continuous wait?”

“Are you saying they were there since the day? Why?”

“I don’t know. Well, maybe the Imperial Palace gate wasn’t open?”

Eldert’s guess made his subordinates shrug. It was the Imperial Palace, not some other place, so there was no way the front gate wouldn’t open. It would be more understandable if it was a blockade.

“And the reception room for delegations is usually on the main building floor. Even if we came without notice, this seems like a rather special case.”

Something had happened, or was happening, in the Imperial Palace. Eldert guessed as much and sipped the remaining tea. There were too many unsettling things to leave tomorrow.

“Alright. Everyone, finish your tea.”

“Huh. That…”

“Eldert, can’t we just sacrifice one person?”

“No. Everyone drink.”

“Oh, I’m going crazy.”

Eldert smiled as he sprinkled fine black powder, which he had prepared in advance, into his subordinates’ teacups. It was a powder that was very effective in causing stomachaches.

* * *

Buzz. Buzz.

Ian’s fingertips twitched.

And his eyelids slowly opened.

His vision was blurry and wandered around, but after a few blinks, he regained clear sight.

Hale was there. He was biting an unlit cigarette and infusing it with magic. To help Ian recover, the mages took turns injecting magic without exception.

“…Hale.”

Did a voice come out? Ian questioned himself and wiggled his fingers a few times. Then, Hale, who had been out of it, jumped up and shouted outside. It was a sound so loud it was like thunder.

“Sir Ian has woken up!!”

“Did Sir Ian wake up?”

Bang!

Thud! Bang!

Clatter! Thump!

“Hey, call the doctor!”

“Captain Hale, you couldn’t wait and lit another cigarette!”

“No, I was just holding it.”

“Sir Ian. Are you feeling better? Do you recognize me?”

“Oh, get out of the way. Get out of the way. Sir Ian!”

He couldn’t tell who was who. Ian’s head was ringing from the wave of voices. He frowned and barely mumbled.

“Everyone, please be quiet…”

“Hup. I’m sorry.”

“Shut up, all of you shut up!!”

“You’re the loudest, you jerk.”

Ian let out a faint sigh and asked for water. His upper body was raised, and lukewarm water slowly flowed into his mouth. Then, he was able to speak a little more easily.

“Can you get up?”

“…Not yet.”

Ian touched his forehead and was silent for a moment. The mages all waited for him to stabilize, and they became quiet together.

After a few minutes, Ian raised his head and asked,

“…Where is Prince Jin?”

“The Prince is sleeping. It’s dawn.”

He seemed to have said something in his sleep, but he couldn’t remember. He lay back down on the bed and wiggled his hand. What did it mean?

Hesitantly, Hale put a cigarette in his mouth, and Ian immediately dropped it and retorted.

“Get me a summary of what happened while I was asleep.”