Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 263

As darkness fell, the officials’ shoulders slumped even further. It had already been five hours since the grand conference began. Those who had no agenda to propose would discreetly leave to rest and then return, but key figures like the Prime Minister, Jin, and Ian were stuck sitting and working.

Jin didn’t realize that his body was leaning towards Ian. The boy looked exhausted, his hand on his forehead, fiddling with the edge of the documents.

‘Your Highness, are you very tired?’

‘No, I can still manage,’ Ian whispered, noticing Jin’s condition. Five hours was a long time, and the act of constantly perceiving, judging, and deciding with a child’s body must have been incredibly burdensome.

Ian knew this well, having experienced it when he first ascended the throne.

Whistle! Swish, swish!

Moreover, Beric was standing with his legs apart, leaning against the back of the conference room with Romandro. As soon as he made eye contact with Ian, he made an X with his hands, silently screaming.

It meant, ‘Just wrap it up and go inside already!’ He had come to fetch them because they hadn’t come, and he didn’t know what they were doing, half-dead. They were doing this to live, but they couldn’t even eat!

‘Prime Minister, how about we finish with this item and wrap up?’ Ian subtly suggested to the Prime Minister, looking at Beric. The eyes of the officials sitting around them lit up instantly.

Yes! Let’s stop already! It’s not like today is the only day, why are we having a five-hour meeting?

‘Hmm. Let’s do that. Time has already passed so quickly. The last agenda item is about the reinforcement of personnel for the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department. Commander Jayrut?’

At the Prime Minister’s call, Jayrut stood up. He was fully dressed in his uniform. It was rare for him to participate in a grand conference, so he was showing his respect.

‘I am Jayrut, Commander of the Imperial Guard. Currently, two of the three Commander positions are vacant due to unfortunate events. We intend to select two new Commanders from within the Guard and recruit new members.’

‘What is the method?’

As Jayrut stepped forward, Beric straightened up, his body tense. Romandro grabbed his neck, telling him to restrain himself.

‘We will select two outstanding individuals by combining half of their sparring results and half of their colleagues’ evaluations.’

‘Colleagues’ evaluations? Is that an original part of the process?’

‘No. Protecting His Majesty the Emperor is our top priority, but we have realized that if there is no trust, morality, and loyalty, it could become a threat to His Majesty. This is our solution.’

‘Hmm. The Three Commanders are known as the best in the Empire. If external evaluation factors are included, their honor might be tarnished.’

‘Skill is important. But if they lack even the minimum of character, they are no different from beasts.’

As Jayrut said this, he was looking at Beric. It was clearly a remark and a warning to Beric. Beric, who had been quietly listening, pointed at himself with a dumbfounded expression.

‘Me? Are you talking to me right now?’

Ian had told him not to say a word, so he was just gesturing with all his might. Jayrut lightly ignored him and continued.

‘Since we are selecting the Commanders of the Guard, please guarantee our autonomy.’

‘Hmm. Yes, autonomy is important.’

‘I have no objections either. I agree.’

‘Yes, yes. Me too. I agree.’

Those who were mentally and physically exhausted rushed to give their approval. The Prime Minister adjusted his glasses and asked again.

‘What about the recruitment of general members? Are you looking for magic swordsmen?’

‘Ah, that is-‘

‘May we speak on their behalf?’

Someone interrupted Jayrut. It was Volv, the acting Minister of the Imperial Defense Department.

The previous minister had been removed for his involvement in the rebellion with Marib, and this person had been temporarily appointed by the cabinet. If there were no major changes, he would be officially appointed.

‘If there are no major changes’ was a hypothetical statement, considering they had already been burned by the Melania incident.

‘Commander Jayrut?’

‘Yes, it’s fine.’

Jayrut lightly gestured, indicating that he would yield the floor.

‘Thank you. The Imperial Guard is the elite unit that serves His Majesty the Emperor closely. The difference between a regular soldier and a magic swordsman is obvious. However, what is clear is that the Imperial Guard did not initially try to select magic swordsmen, but rather, they gathered magic swordsmen while selecting strong individuals. Isn’t that right, Commander Jayrut?’

‘Yes. There is no magic swordsman requirement in the enlistment conditions.’

‘Due to several disturbances, the Imperial Defense Department is also severely understaffed. Therefore, I dare to propose this: How about conducting the tests in the Imperial Guard, ranking the candidates, and distributing them in order?’

Ian tapped the documents with the end of his pen. As Quintana had told him, it seemed they had put some thought into breaking the current atmosphere. They were trying to piggyback on the Imperial Guard, which, like the Magic Department, had a decent standing within the Imperial Palace, even though they were in charge of similar security.

‘What kind of distribution method are you suggesting?’

‘It would be best to let the most outstanding individuals decide whether to go to the Imperial Guard or the Imperial Defense Department. Once the Guard is full, we will take care of the rest. Instead of going through the trouble of recruiting personnel twice, it would be better to save time and costs this way.’

Publicly, the Imperial Guard, a small group, had far better treatment and recognition than the Imperial Defense Department. Therefore, there was no fear of losing talent. Quintana, calculating in his head, cast his vote in favor first.

‘I strongly agree. Originally, cost reduction based on the period is the top priority for any event. We can reduce the palace’s expenses by up to 30% during the selection period, excluding the recruitment announcement costs.’

‘If the Imperial Guard allows it, we would like to do so. Of course, since we have more personnel, we will take full responsibility for the process.’

It was an attempt to piggyback on the image of the Imperial Guard while not losing the initiative in troop reinforcement.

The officials all turned to look at Jayrut. Would he allow it? It wasn’t a loss, but if they were going to stick their foot in like that, there should be some benefit, right? Everyone was curious and waited for Jayrut’s answer.

‘Yes. I accept. If it can reduce the burden on the Imperial Palace.’

‘Thank you, Commander Jayrut. It’s not much of a reward for your convenience, but it’s good to show some sincerity. I will give you two of the black armors that will be assigned to the Imperial Defense Department. Is that acceptable?’

That was it.

The officials let out small exclamations as if they finally understood. The black armors confiscated from the Hyman family were to be distributed equally between the two departments, and they were offering two of them as compensation. The Prime Minister banged his gavel as if there was no problem.

‘If each department has agreed, it is not an issue for the grand conference to argue about. Then, let’s conclude the agenda. Please report the details regarding the troop recruitment announcement later. That’s all.’

Bang! Bang, bang!

The sound of the gavel was like the trumpet of heaven. The officials collapsed forward and sideways, groaning. It was finally over!

Even though they had mountains of work to do when they returned to their offices, the important thing was that it was over. Jin, too, seemed completely drained, stretching while lying down.

‘Me, me, me!’

Thud! Clatter!

As the officials began to leave, Beric quickly approached, jumping over the railing. He blocked Commander Jayrut’s path and grinned. What nonsense was he about to say now? The Commander looked down at him with his arms crossed.

‘What is it?’

‘I’m applying!’

‘……’

‘My name is Beric. I’d appreciate a high salary. If not, I’ll reconsider. And I want the Commander position, no matter what.’

‘The Commander position? Hahaha!’

‘Wow, even you’re laughing, old man. Did I say something funny!?’

Both Ian and Jayrut burst into laughter whenever the Commander position was mentioned. Beric glared at Jayrut and took a step closer.

‘I’m not joking.’

‘I’m not laughing as a joke either.’

Jayrut said this and placed his hand on Beric’s side. Was he going to tickle him? Beric, who had been momentarily careless, was startled and grabbed his arm.

But it was too late.

Jayrut grabbed Beric’s wound and spoke in a low voice.

‘With your body in this state, how dare you mention the Commander position? Do you think the pinnacle of the Empire is a joke?’

‘Ugh! It hurts! It hurts! You bastard!’

‘I will accept you. Magic swordsmen are valuable. But if you join the Guard, I will correct your vulgar and arrogant manners. Be prepared.’

‘Let go! Let go!’

Thud!

Beric collapsed, clutching his side. His panting breath and rebellious eyes were still the same. Not like someone who had come back from the dead. Was he really a descendant of the Atan tribe? Jayrut wiped his hand with a handkerchief and nodded to Ian.

‘Are you alright with this, Minister Ian Hielo? I will train him to be worthy of the Imperial Guard.’

‘Before that, he needs to be in the top ranks.’

‘Ian! Don’t you know me? It’s Beric! Beric!’

‘If you correct his temper, I should be grateful.’

‘Wow, just you wait! Jayrut, you bastard, you made my wound worse! Ah, it’s bleeding again! I barely stopped it by stealing a lot of meat! I’ll become a Commander and kill you. Seriously!’

‘Try to kill me. I’d rather see that than see you become a Commander.’

Beric groaned in frustration, but Jayrut left the conference room without hesitation. Those who had been watching as if they were seeing something strange also continued on their way.

The surroundings quickly became deserted. Ian organized the thick stack of documents and looked around.

‘Where is His Highness Jin?’

‘His Highness? He seemed to be talking to Quintana for a moment.’

Romandro replied, checking Beric’s side.

On the outdoor terrace connected to the conference room, Quintana was kneeling on one knee, making eye contact with Jin.

* * *

‘Your Highness, are you really alright?’

‘Of course. Why do you ask all of a sudden?’

Jin smiled faintly and tilted his head. Quintana usually worried about him a lot, but today he seemed different. Jin didn’t realize that he was the one who was different.

‘You couldn’t concentrate at the beginning of the meeting, and you kept glancing at Ian. I wondered if Ian had been rude to you.’

It would be a relief if that wasn’t the case, but if it was, please tell me now. Quintana’s gaze towards Jin was unwavering.

Ah. It must have been obvious. Jin cupped his cheeks with both hands, his expression faltering.

‘No. It’s definitely not that. Ian is always good to me, as always.’

‘…Then, is there something else that is worrying you, unrelated to Ian? Your Highness, your worries are Bariel’s worries, and soon, they are our worries.’

He knew that Quintana’s intentions were pure. But Jin didn’t easily speak. Weaknesses exist as weaknesses the moment they are revealed, and worries double in weight the moment they are spoken. Jin shook his head repeatedly.

‘No. It’s nothing.’

‘…I’m glad to hear that. If there is anything you want from me, please call me anytime.’

‘Thank you, Quintana.’

Honestly, he was confused. According to Romandro, Ian knew the secret passage that only the Imperial family knew… First of all, I never told him, so it’s not that.

Then, was it Marib or Gail? Why would those two tell Ian? He was flustered because he couldn’t think of any reasonable reason.

In addition, Arsen’s shout that Ian was a member of the Imperial family and Hyman’s machinations lingered in his ears, making it difficult to look at Ian.

‘But he distributed the rights to the magic sealing stones. That’s not an easy decision. It’s not a price worth paying just to deceive me. Maybe he found out while investigating His Majesty’s secret passage during the rebellion?’

It was a hope and expectation he had set for himself. He was afraid to ask Ian directly, so Jin was just building a wall of denial, like building a sandcastle.

Creak.

‘Your Highness. Let’s go.’

At Ian’s call, Jin smiled and approached. The hand that greeted him as usual was warm. Ian and Jin exchanged a nod with Quintana and left the conference room together.

‘Your Highness, what did Quintana say?’

Just like he had decided when he saw Ian collapse, just a little later. When no answer could shake Jin, then he would muster the courage to ask.

Jin playfully extended a side branch from Ian for the first time.

‘Hmm. It’s a secret.’