Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 255

Though it was the hour of the dawn moon, an unprecedented crowd had gathered in front of the Imperial Palace. It was a procession of those who wished to witness the end of the seven families up close. The guards, looking down from the castle gate, felt the start of a special day’s morning.

‘It’s almost ten o’clock.’

‘Prepare yourselves.’

‘Are the nobles to be received through the side gate?’

‘Yes. Open it wide enough for the carriages.’

Even now, the end was not in sight, and when the sun rose, they would surge in like a tidal wave. The gatekeepers, along with the seven families, were also expected to be overwhelmed. Those who couldn’t enter in time would probably stick as close to the gate as possible, trying to eavesdrop on the magical device’s resonance.

At the same time they were putting on their armor, the lights were brightly lit in the main building of the Imperial Palace and in the buildings of each department. Especially the Ministry of Justice, and-

‘Sir Ian.’

The mage felt a sense of déjà vu as he watched Ian being dressed. The way he was sprawled on the sofa, his neat hair, his badge, his uniform, and even his leather gloves. It seemed like it was the same as the morning of the magic confirmation ceremony.

‘When the Minister dresses up like that, someone always dies.’

‘What is it?’

‘Ah, no, it’s nothing. You look great today as well.’

‘You didn’t come here to joke around.’

‘These are the questions and inquiries that will be raised during the trial. I’ve checked them one last time, and there are no issues. You can proceed as is.’

Ian gestured for him to wait and handed over the papers.

It was practically more of an event than a trial, where everyone in the Imperial Palace was joining hands to break the necks of the families. A play meticulously crafted, from what questions the judge would ask the Magic Department, which had received the indictment, to how the answers would be given, and how they would be received. Just as the beginning was, the end was already decided.

*Rustle.*

‘No problem.’

Even though he said there were no problems, he always checked until the very end. The mage smiled resignedly and took the documents.

‘Ah, and about Lady Melania.’

‘Did you find her?’

Ian asked back nonchalantly. The Imperial Defense Department had even issued a wanted order to the guards, but they were in an uproar because they couldn’t find a trace of her. That was because the surveillance of the mansion and the subject was an order from the Imperial Family. Just one person, Melania’s disappearance, could lead to them being held responsible at worst.

‘No. It’s quite strange. We used a truth serum on her second older brother, but he genuinely seems not to know. Anyway, there’s talk of transferring the responsibility to the Imperial Guard. They’ve also requested help from the Magic Department. Wouldn’t it be possible to catch her immediately if she uses magic?’

‘That’s enough. A special pursuit team will be formed once the trial verdict is out anyway, so why should we give up our manpower?’

‘That’s true. We’re short-handed as it is.’

‘Tell them we refuse. The Imperial Guard will probably do the same.’

Of course, this was also one of the many reins Ian was handing to Jin. Just as holding onto the weaknesses of nobles kept them in check, holding onto the flaws of departments would make it easier to control them.

‘What about the others?’

Ian blew on a strand of hair that had slightly fallen out. The attendant, recognizing his signal, carefully rearranged his hair.

‘I heard that the second and third couples of the Kuwell family committed suicide by poisoning last night. Other than that, everyone is waiting at their mansions without any issues. They say they will be executed as soon as the verdict is announced.’

The heads of the seven families and their spouses and successors would meet their deaths in the Imperial Palace, but the other family members would meet their end at their mansions.

Would they be holding onto hope?

Or would they be preparing for death?

Ian touched the badge of the Minister of Magic that the attendant was pinning on him, then rose from his seat.

‘Let’s move.’

‘Yes. They are waiting outside.’

As the mage had said, everyone was already prepared. Especially Acorella, who was unusually dressed in formal attire, caught his eye. It was to give direct testimony about the dragon scales. She was wearing protective goggles and a mask, which didn’t match her attire.

‘Commander Acorella. I heard your condition isn’t very good.’

‘Yes. Well, I can still walk. And I can still talk.’

‘Take a vacation after the trial today.’

‘I might. The air in the basement is so stuffy, I feel like I’m dying. Ugh.’

The side effects of the magic amplifier she had taken for Ian seemed to be lasting quite a while. He could vividly feel the heat even when standing close to her. Ian slowed his pace for her.

‘And that, about the Idgal you sent me later.’

The half-amber gemstone that Melania had given him. Ian nodded, urging her to speak quickly.

‘There was nothing special? When I analyzed the crystal, I could confirm it was Idgal. Is there anything specific you want me to analyze?’

‘…No. That’s enough.’

It was said that a crystal was the trace of the alchemist who made it. If Ian had made it himself, as Melania said, shouldn’t there be a trace different from Idgal?

‘But it’s unlikely that Melania would have lied. She knows the relationship between the merchant guild and the illegitimate son Ian, and above all, it’s unclear what the illegitimate son Ian remembers. She wouldn’t have easily fabricated a lie. It was a move to prevent the destruction of her family.’

Then, it would be a more natural conclusion to assume that Ian had given decisive help to the alchemist Idgal, rather than conducting alchemy himself. Right now, the illegitimate son Ian is also considered a magic user.

Alchemy and magic, he didn’t know how they were connected and influenced each other, but both were transcendental abilities. It didn’t seem impossible.

‘Let’s depart. Have the rear guard escort Lord Jin.’

‘Yes, Sir Ian. We’ll see you soon.’

Ian got into the carriage with Acorella and gave instructions for the rest. Acorella leaned against the window, clutching her head as if suffering from a hangover.

‘Ugh, my head is pounding.’

No matter how you looked at it, she didn’t seem well, and it was surprising that she had been stuck in the basement all this time. Acorella glared with her protective goggles and retorted.

‘I, I didn’t drink, though.’

‘I didn’t say anything.’

‘Give me a paid vacation. I’ve shortened my lifespan to save Sir Ian.’

Ian just raised an eyebrow as if to say, ‘Do as you please.’

*Clatter, clatter,* as the carriage sped along, the crowd gathering in the distance came into view. Not only nobles but also citizens of the Empire were gathering in groups near the courthouse.

‘Everyone’s working hard from the morning, really. They won’t even be able to enter the courthouse anyway, will they?’

‘Even if you’re not a noble, those who bought tickets can enter.’

‘Tickets? Wow. That’s Vice Minister Quintana’s idea, right? I’m crazy, but that guy is really crazy too. Crazy about money. I can hear the sound of him excitedly tapping on his calculator all the way here. He’s like someone who sold his soul to secure taxes. Is it fair for those without money to live? Tsk tsk. Go on, be rich!’

‘…I suggested it.’

‘…The power of a nation comes from the national treasury. You’re amazing, Sir Ian. You should be rich too. Ah, you’re already rich.’

‘Even if they didn’t buy tickets, those outside can still see inside. Acorella, I’m sure we had a meeting together.’

From the location of the magic device installation to the request for cooperation from the Ministry of Justice to the Magic Department, several meetings were held. Commander Acorella was always there, but she was strangely quiet. It was because she wasn’t paying any attention. She coughed awkwardly, looking embarrassed.

‘…My body, *cough*, ugh, it feels like I have a syringe stuck in my head. I saved Sir Ian, and I, *cough*! *Cough!*’

*Neigh!*

*Screech!*

Ian narrowed his eyes in disbelief and shook his head. Just then, the carriage arrived in front of the courthouse, and Ian went up the stairs while receiving reports from his subordinates.

‘How’s the magic device installation?’

‘The space next to the third pillar on the left is smaller than expected. We’re only working on that part. The rest is fine.’

Acorella immediately understood what Ian meant.

The trial was not to be held in the Ministry of Justice, but in the central banquet hall of the main building, where the New Year’s party had been held. The hall was large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, could be viewed from the second floor, and, above all, had perfect lighting to enhance the beauty of the banquet.

‘They’ve torn down all the windows that connect to the outside. It was already close to a full window, but now that it’s gone, you can see inside even while going up the stairs.’

With the sound amplification magic devices installed here, those who wanted to watch could enjoy it without difficulty.

Acorella sat down in the place where her name was written and placed the related documents. Then, she stared blankly into the air, her hand on her forehead.

‘…Commander.’

‘……’

‘Commander Acorella!’

‘Huh?’

It was only when a mage shook her shoulder that she came to her senses. She had been sitting there with her eyes open, but her sense of time seemed to have been cut into pieces and disappeared.

When did this happen? Acorella frowned as she looked around at the Imperial Palace officials, nobles, and ticket holders who filled the area.

‘It’s about to start soon. Are you uncomfortable?’

‘…Bring me some cold water. With ice floating in it.’

‘I’ll bring you a cold towel too. You’re in worse condition than usual. You know how bad you look, right?’

‘Damn it! Stop talking nonsense.’

Ian was whispering something with the ministers of other departments, and Prince Jin was whispering with Siao Si. Romandro was walking around, checking if there were any problems, and the nobles were unusually quiet.

Acorella realized that most of the noise was coming from outside the open windows.

‘Wow.’

The garden, which had been so vast that the end couldn’t be seen, was now devoid of any green. It was because of the crowd that had gathered so densely that there was no room to step.

They couldn’t hide their excitement at the sight of the Imperial Palace’s interior, the mages, and the prince for the first time. If there were no guards maintaining order, they would probably have rushed right up to the windows.

‘Okay, okay. Let’s get a grip.’

It was an important moment. Why was she so out of it at this historical moment that would mark the end of the central seven families? Even if she made a mistake, it wouldn’t change the outcome of the trial, but it was the first official event where Prince Jin was appearing before the citizens of the Empire. There shouldn’t be even the slightest mistake, of course.

*Crunch.*

Acorella had no choice but to take out a pill from her pocket and bite into it. It was a medicine that alleviated the magic amplifier, and although it was still in the experimental stage, it had been very effective for the past few days. Acorella chewed on the inside of her cheek, feeling the bitter taste on her tongue.

‘Damn it. I’m really just going for the paid vacation. I should rest for a while while collecting samples. Sigh. I want to lick Luron stone.’

*Screech.*

*Thud!*

It was when she had just swallowed the ice water. The doors at the front of the banquet hall swung open, and a loud announcement was heard.

‘The Chief Judge is entering! Please be quiet!’

*Woo-oong-! Oong!*

At the same time, the resonance of the magic device rang in her ears. It was the same one that Ian had used several times during the civil war. But it was clear that it was a sensation she could never get used to.

The noisy crowd couldn’t overcome the strange sensation and instinctively held their breath. Ian rose from his seat, and hundreds of spectators also rose with him.

At this solemn sight, the Chief Judge, who was walking ahead, pursed his lips tightly and smiled, as if nervous.

‘Is it because it’s the seven families that all the judges from the Ministry of Justice have come out? It wasn’t even like this during the First Prince’s time.’

‘There are so many of them.’

‘Shhh. Quiet.’

The judges wearing white wigs sat down in a row. The Chief Judge struck the gavel heavily, announcing the start of the trial.

‘Case number 52398, the trial for the seven families, including the Haiman family, on charges of treason and ten other counts, is now open. The defendants may enter.’

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Each time the gavel was struck, the shoulders of the crowd also twitched slightly. As the back door on the right slowly opened, everyone’s gaze turned towards it.

The seven families, twenty-one criminals to be tried, appeared bound.