Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 258

Those reveling in the victory of the trial laughed loudly, sharing their joy. Having overcome a major hurdle, they approached Ian and Jin, offering congratulations and making their acquaintance.

Combined with the cheers of the crowd, it was a perfect festival. Except for the seven families facing the end of their lives, and a few others.

‘Your Highness Jin, your testimony today was truly impressive. Your brilliance is something I’ve never seen before. I look forward to working with you in the future.’

‘Next time we meet, you’ll be the heir to the Empire.’

‘Has the date for the coronation been set? Perhaps you are familiar with the silk our family imports. Though it pales in comparison to your radiance, the harmony of gold and crimson threads is quite remarkable. If you’d allow, our family would like to offer you your coronation attire.’

‘You’re trying to get ahead, aren’t you? Haha! Your Highness, our specialty is wine. Since it’s a grand festival for the Empire, we’ll make sure wine flows through the streets.’

‘Thank you. I can’t drink yet, but those who enjoy it will be satisfied.’

With a child at the center, the central nobles solidified their ranks. They were subtly jostling, trying to get closer or avoid being pushed back. If Ian hadn’t been standing firm beside him, even the faint order would have disappeared.

‘Sir Ian.’

At that moment, a mage barely squeezed through the crowd and called to him. There were matters to report, including the upcoming execution schedule. The nobles, sensing the shift, subtly stepped back.

‘The prisoners will be escorted to the central square, the execution site. Will Your Highness Jin be joining us?’

‘His Highness…’

At Ian’s murmur, Jin shook his head. The Imperial Palace was already saturated with the cloud-like crowd. If he were to join, it would increase the burden on the escort and mobilization personnel. It would be impossible to avoid the chaos of mingling with the crowd.

While Marib was his brother, and he might have watched his end, there was no need to do the same for the seven families.

‘Ian, you go alone.’

‘Yes, Your Highness. That is a wise decision. I will do so.’

Twenty-one bodies would be hanging high in the central square. What was so good about seeing that, to go through all that trouble? Jin had never been outside the Imperial Palace. He didn’t want his first outing to be for witnessing someone’s death.

‘I will go alone. Prepare.’

‘Yes, and Sir Ian, about Captain Acorella…’

‘Acorella?’

At the mage’s words, Ian looked towards Acorella’s seat.

An empty chair. She had looked unwell since they arrived in the carriage, even before the trial started. She had disappeared amidst the noisy commotion.

‘She went out during the recess earlier and hasn’t returned.’

‘…I will go look for her. You all focus on the escort and execution preparations.’

‘Yes, I understand.’

‘Your Highness, let’s return now.’

‘Yes, let’s. Gentlemen, it was a pleasure meeting you all. See you again.’

As Ian and Jin wrapped things up, the nobles simultaneously placed their hands on their chests. Soon, the crowd parted like a wave, and Jin left the courtroom, carefully holding the yellow flower.

‘I’ll see you in the evening.’

‘Please take care of the rest.’

‘Of course. Sia, take good care of His Highness.’

‘Yes, Master.’

Ian personally opened the carriage door for Jin and watched as he left the main building, surrounded by soldiers.

The crowd slowly followed, calling out to Jin. The carriage window opened slightly. A fingertip wriggled out, then retreated. It was Sia who had stopped him.

‘Ian, let’s clean up here too.’

‘Yes, Romandro.’

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Ian took off his gloves, savoring the relief of overcoming a great hurdle. Then, he faintly released mana, sensing Acorella’s presence. Her energy was felt not far away.

Taptap.

He walked through the corridor, deeper inside. The quieter it became, the stronger Acorella’s mana felt.

Just as he was about to turn a corner, he noticed bloodstains on the wall. Long streaks, sharply cut off at the end. Traces of someone collapsing and using the wall for support.

‘…Acorella?’

‘Ah, damn it…’

Acorella was collapsed at the end of the corridor, curled up. Blood was splattered everywhere on the floor. As Ian was about to rush over in shock, she weakly stopped him.

‘Don’t come closer.’

‘Acorella, what happened? Let me give you mana first. As a temporary measure…’

Acorella turned her head, her forehead on the floor. Her upper body was covered in blood, as if she had coughed up a lot of it. Ian paused in shock, and Acorella chuckled.

‘Ah, Sir Ian. I think I’m screwed.’

‘Acorella.’

‘It’s a bit severe to call it a side effect of the mana amplifier. I’m, right now, constantly…’

Acorella stared blankly into the air, then flinched. As if her mind had gone blank and then returned.

‘…constantly losing my memory.’

Losing her memory? How could the side effects of the mana amplifier cause such a symptom? Ian first helped Acorella up, then poured mana into her with all his might.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

The wave was so explosive that the mages who were cleaning up the courtroom in the building stopped simultaneously. It was definitely the Minister’s mana, but why suddenly?

‘What was that just now?’

‘Where is the Minister?’

‘He went to find Captain Acorella.’

The mages put down their magical tools with puzzled expressions. Something had happened. They all rushed out the door at the same time, following Ian’s trail.

Taptap!

Taat!

‘Sir Ian!’

‘Captain Acorella!’

‘Over there, I can feel Sir Ian’s mana?’

‘Sir Iaaan! Huh! Blood?’

‘Whose is it! Could it be the Minister’s?’

‘It looks like Captain Acorella’s!’

‘Uwaaaah! Captain Acorella, what’s wrong? Why are you like this?’

Her colleagues were shocked to see Acorella sprawled out. Her mana was lacking compared to other captains, but as a person, she was stronger than anyone else.

She had been fine even after inhaling all sorts of chemical fumes in the basement, had no injuries from explosions, and would giggle even after shaking beakers for three days and nights. But now, she was like this.

‘Uwaaa. I’m about to die.’

‘Get on my back, Captain. Stay with us.’

‘Prepare the carriage! A carriage!’

‘Control the people and clear the way! Hurry!’

Acorella’s subordinates from the Magic Department, especially the Mana Stone Management Division, were horrified and supported her.

‘Hey. Are you crazy?’

‘Yes?’

Taat!

But Acorella lightly brushed off their hands. Her subordinates asked, confused by her strange behavior, and Ian rubbed his forehead. He understood Acorella’s intentions.

‘With all those people outside, it would be great to see the Magic Department Captain being carried away, covered in blood. Huh? Do you not know what day it is? Do you want to ruin it, you bastards? With so many eyes watching, what kind of rumors do you think will spread? Ugh.’

‘A-are you crazy? What are you saying?’

‘Wait. Let’s go out when the crowd thins out.’

‘Captain!’

The mages looked back at Ian, as if asking him to stop her. But Acorella’s argument made sense. It was a day to show the Empire that the Imperial Palace was safe, and for a mage to be coughing up blood and collapsing there?

Ian gestured for everyone to step back.

‘…Romandro and Hale will stay.’

‘Sir Ian! This isn’t right!’

‘That’s right. How did Acorella end up like this!’

‘I won’t say it twice. Only the two of you stay, everyone else return to your positions.’

At the Minister’s firm command, the mages bit their lips and stepped back. And hesitantly, with steps that couldn’t quite leave, they turned away, leaving her behind.

Ian rubbed his forehead and nodded to Hale.

‘Hale, carry Acorella.’

‘What are you planning?’

‘There’s a secret underground passage in this main building that leads to the back of the small garden. Turn right in the corridor, and remove the still life painting in the second room. Romandro, have the carriage waiting in the small garden. It’s in the bushes diagonally left below the fountain. The small garden will be less crowded than here, so we’ll put her in the carriage there and send her to the Magic Department.’

A secret underground passage in the main building?

How did Ian know about that?

Wasn’t that something only the Imperial family knew? Perhaps His Highness Jin had told him?

Hale and Romandro were filled with questions, but they were quickly forgotten amidst Acorella’s coughing up blood. While Hale carried Acorella, Romandro ran outside to prepare the carriage.

‘…I will finish the schedule and return.’

‘Yes. We’ll see you soon.’

‘Oh my, Sir Ian. Bye-!’

‘Acorella. Don’t lose consciousness.’

Taptap!

Hale’s back quickly disappeared. Ian looked down at the blood on his hand for a moment. But soon, he put his gloves back on, hiding it.

As he came out of the corridor, the mages greeted him with worried looks.

‘…M-Minister Ian.’

‘Hale has taken Acorella out, so don’t worry. We have our own work to do. We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? We can’t turn back now, with the destination in sight.’

Knowing that, Acorella had also prioritized the situation outside over herself.

At Ian’s words, the mages breathed a sigh of relief. It was truly fortunate. Perhaps she had used some hidden magic? He didn’t know how, but it was a relief that Acorella could leave without delay.

Ian brushed off his uniform sleeves and asked.

‘Are you ready?’

‘Yes? Ah, yes, yes. No problem.’

‘…We’re going to the central square.’

‘Yes, I understand!’

Taptap!

The mages led the way, escorting Ian. As they came out of the main building, the citizens of the Empire who had been waiting for the mages cheered.

‘It’s the mages! The mages!’

‘Oh my, I’ve never seen one before! Mages!’

‘Is that Ian Hielo, the Minister, in the middle?’

‘Oh my, he’s really young. Even younger than I thought.’

Taat!

‘Waaaaah!’

‘They flew! They flew into the sky!’

The people walking at the front soared into the sky at once. The heads of the countless crowds were raised, following them into the sky. Ian got on his horse, and slowly pulled the reins, following the guidance from the air.

Heeying!

‘Clear the way!’

‘Make way! The execution will begin in the central square! Everyone, leave the palace and go home!’

‘Slowly, in a single line!’

The prisoner escort carriages, which had been waiting for the mages to join, slowly began to move. Twenty-one in total. The procession was long and impressive. Ian used magic to draw a streak of light beside it, making the prisoner escort visible from afar.

They moved at almost walking speed. At this rate, it would take at least an hour to reach the city gate.

Clatter clatter.

Ian noticed that the carriage curtain was slightly open. It was Haiman. His hands were tied, and a soldier was sitting between him and his wife, but his eyes were calm, as if he were going on an outing.

‘Close the curtain. If they know you’re there, stones will be thrown.’

‘Hahahaha. Stones, you say.’

‘…Is it funny?’

Haiman was silent, staring at Ian. Even as the carriage and the horse swayed, his gaze was unwavering. They were walking side by side, but Ian noticed a smile spreading across his lips. Haiman gestured as if asking him to come closer.

‘Hey, soldier. What are you doing? Close the curtain.’

‘Yes! I’m sorry.’

‘I heard Melanie is missing. Is that true?’

The soldier grabbed Haiman’s shoulder, but he leaned in, asking instead.

‘I heard the Imperial Defense Force is having trouble finding Melanie.’

‘Go look for her in death. Where your daughter is.’

‘Aha, hahahaha! Ahahaha!’

Haiman burst into a hearty laugh, something he hadn’t done in a long time.

Melanie! His lovely and proud youngest daughter!

He was always satisfied with her shining brighter than her brothers, and she was a treasure to the end. If even one person with the name Haiman was alive, wouldn’t that mean the family was still alive?

‘It’s Duke Haiman!’

‘Kill him! Kill him!’

Even so, Haiman’s satisfied smile did not fade.

Until the last moment, when a thick rope was placed around his neck-

The floor he was standing on gave way-

His whole body was dirtied by the stones and filth thrown by the crowd-

Squeak!

Thud!

‘Die! All the other families die too!’

‘Waaaaah! Kill them!’

The curses of the angry and excited crowd.

Ian pressed his palm tightly, watching Haiman’s swaying corpse. Under his leather glove, he could feel the sticky blood.

As the sunset seeped in, the twenty-one bodies of the seven central families were hung in the square.