Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 271

The weather was pleasant. Ian, who had been intensely focused on signing documents, was distracted by the swaying tree branches. He set down his pen, gazing at the garden where the Magic Department’s annex would be built.

It had already been fifteen days since Jin’s incognito visit, when he met Timothy. He had said he would visit before crossing the border, but there was still no sign of him. Given his status, this was not something that could be overlooked with mere lip service.

‘Sir Ian, please sign here as well.’

The mage standing beside him urged cautiously, and Ian finished signing with his pen.

Unlike the bright outdoors, the office was stuffy with piles of documents. Even Beric, who loved the sofa here the most, had run outside. Ian received the next report and asked,

‘Where’s Beric? Did he go to the training grounds again?’

‘Probably? The dining hall is quiet, so I think so. The chef keeps praising Siao-si so much. He says the dining hall is peaceful because she goes to the training grounds with him every day. He keeps praising Siao-si for doing such a great job.’

Ian chuckled. The selection of personnel for the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Force would be held soon. Beric and Siao-si were diligently going to the training grounds to improve their physical fitness and learn systematic swordsmanship, fully taking advantage of their benefits.

Who among the commoners could use the Imperial Palace training facilities and receive one-on-one instruction from Commander Jayrut, the pinnacle of the Empire? Ian flipped through the report and added,

‘I heard they eat twice as much when they come back after exercising.’

‘The chef is off work by then, so it’s okay. He complains every morning, but it’s better than seeing his face.’

Knock knock.

‘Come in.’

Ian looked up at the sound. Romandro appeared, his hair slightly damp as if he had been running around. He made eye contact with the mage as if asking for understanding.

‘I have something to report privately.’

‘Ah, I’ll excuse myself. Please call me, Sir Ian.’

Even as the mage left, Ian didn’t take his eyes off the documents, rubbing his temples. Although they were the only two there, Romandro cautiously looked around before approaching Ian.

What he placed down was a palm-sized note. It was crumpled here and there, as if it had been tied to a carrier pigeon.

‘Ian, it’s from the shadow.’

‘…It’s a bit late for the first report.’

The shadow attached to Melania had reported her movements and situation. As if anticipating Ian’s scolding, the note’s preamble explained the reason for the delay.

-Melania crossed the northeastern forest to avoid the border guards’ surveillance. I couldn’t find a carrier pigeon, so it took this long. As I write this, I am in Ayen, a small town north of Luswena. Melania doesn’t seem to intend to settle in Luswena, and she continues to move while hiding her identity. She was caught by the border guards once, but I helped her as you instructed.

The biggest reason for letting Melania live was to establish contact with the Rutherford Merchant Guild. Therefore, he wanted to find out the location of the guild, but if she were caught by the guards, wouldn’t there be a problem?

The shadow was ‘managing’ her within reasonable limits, as Ian had ordered.

‘What does it say?’

‘She’s crossing Luswena. Other than her movements, there doesn’t seem to be anything special yet.’

Ian burned the note away with his magic. It was a matter that no one in the Imperial Palace, except his close aides, knew about. Not even the Prime Minister.

Even if there was a reason, wasn’t it the same as looking after the descendants of a family that had been destroyed for treason? It had to be maintained with absolute silence, with no way for it to leak out.

‘Thank you for your hard work. Is there anything else to report?’

‘About Acorella, her condition is improving, but we’ve used up all the treatment for the Gaklin infection that was left in the Imperial Palace, so we need to make more.’

It was a rare disease these days, so the treatment stored in the Imperial Palace was also in small quantities. If it was this much in the Imperial Palace, where there was nothing missing, it was reasonable that it couldn’t be found in the private sector.

‘Is there enough to cure her completely with the current amount?’

‘Fortunately, it’s exactly the right amount, without any difference. Some of the materials needed for manufacturing are difficult to obtain in Bariel, so it would have been a big problem if it hadn’t been for that.’

‘I see. Manufacturing isn’t our responsibility, so I’ll just keep it in mind for now. Please continue Acorella’s sick leave.’

Is it really over now? As Ian thought this and tried to pick up his pen again, Romandro smiled awkwardly.

‘And there’s been a message that Timothy’s envoy has entered the palace. Shouldn’t we see him with His Highness Jin?’

‘Ah.’

The time had come. Ian stood up as if he had been waiting for it and straightened his clothes.

‘Where is His Highness Jin?’

‘He’s in the main building, having an academic discussion with the Prime Minister. They should have received a message as well. But I don’t think the Prime Minister will come. I heard he has a meeting scheduled for the afternoon.’

‘It’s fine since he’s coming without prior consultation. It’s enough for me and His Highness to greet him.’

‘If we wait first, His Highness will come.’

‘I understand. The weather is nice, so let’s meet in the garden.’

‘That’s a very, very good idea. Ian, you need to get some sun. Everything that comes from nature is directly related to health! Is anyone out there? Prepare refreshments in the garden!’

Ian smiled and sorted out a few documents. He couldn’t waste even the time it would take for Timothy to arrive from the main gate.

It had been a long time since Ian had left his office and walked into the garden. The mages who were running busily in the hallway often stopped, as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

‘Sir Ian? Why are you outside?’

‘Am I not allowed to be outside?’

‘Ah, that’s not what I meant.’

‘Oh? Sir Ian, I’m taking this report right now.’

‘Put it on the desk. The envoy from the Kingdom of Burgos is coming for a meeting. I’ll check it and reply by the afternoon at the latest.’

Even in the short time he walked, his name was called endlessly. Romandro suddenly remembered when Ian had collapsed. How did the Magic Department function back then?

Ian had woken up quickly, but judging from the current situation, it seemed like there would be problems even with a half-day absence. The dependence on one person was very high. It meant that Ian’s abilities were exceptional, but on the other hand, it also meant an imbalance in the organization.

Swoosh-

As they entered the garden, a cool breeze blew.

‘I first met Prince Gail here.’

‘Ah, yes. When he came to see the Magic Department, you said you ran into him?’

He had come here following Naum’s last words as soon as he entered the palace, but there was no annex, only Gail.

Ian spotted a carriage approaching from afar. It was an outsider’s carriage, Timothy’s.

Screech!

As Timothy got out of the carriage, Ian greeted him with a smile and approached. It had only been fifteen days, but he looked like he had suffered quite a bit searching for the gypsy. The sleeves that had been torn in the underground battle were still tattered.

‘Envoy Timothy. It’s been a while.’

‘Minister, I apologize for the late greeting.’

‘No, it’s not like we had a set date. Please, sit over here.’

Timothy naturally looked around the garden and sat down. He had been to the Imperial Palace several times, and when Wesley was there, he had explored the inside thoroughly.

Especially this garden. Wasn’t this the site where she said she would build the Magic Department’s annex? Although it wasn’t finalized, there had been discussions about exchanging magic stones and manpower in relation to it.

‘The Magic Department’s annex will be built here soon.’

Ian said, holding a teacup. Timothy, who was about to drink, paused and frowned. From what he had heard, Wesley was….

‘Former Minister Wesley was in charge of the Magic Department’s annex.’

‘Yes. I will do the same.’

‘…Excuse me, but is there something we don’t know about her end?’

The Wesley incident was a hot topic in neighboring countries as well. The breakup of the two people who had been in a public relationship was a topic in itself, but what was noteworthy was the final form. The best mage who had risen to the position of minister of the Empire had fallen into hell with the curse of eternity, and the prince was cursed because of it.

Depending on what the curse was, the fate of the nation would be determined, so neighboring countries had invested a great deal of effort and money to find out the curse at the time. Until Gail lied in court.

‘No. What you know is all there is.’

‘But why are you trying to continue the work of the former minister?’

Shouldn’t he choose a path that was the opposite of Wesley’s, even if he had to? The construction of the Magic Department’s annex that she had promoted should have been abolished.

‘Because I am also the minister of the Magic Department. It is a decision for the department’s work efficiency, position, and other benefits.’

Clink.

Timothy put down his teacup. This clearly showed Ian’s power. Even if he dared to follow Wesley’s path, there was no force in the Imperial Palace to stop him. Even if he dared to say it out loud, there would be no problem.

Ian smiled and asked him to have some refreshments.

‘Isn’t this something that the Kingdom of Burgos would welcome?’

‘We always support the development of the Imperial Family.’

If the annex construction proceeded, Burgos could sell a large amount of magic stones and, furthermore, receive support from mages in return. As Ian said, it was something that Burgos would welcome with open arms.

‘Yes. Thank you for your words. Since you’ve entered the palace, it means you’ll be returning home after completing your schedule. Have you achieved what you wanted?’

He was asking if he had found the gypsy. But Timothy hardened his expression and shook his head. Ian observed him and subtly probed. If the gypsy Jin had seen in the park was that gypsy….

‘Since that day, the guards have been conducting intensive crackdowns on illegal slave trading. If there is any information coming in, I will let you know. Is she an old woman with a scar on her face and difficulty moving?’

‘Ah, thank you. But it’s not certain whether she was captured as a slave or not.’

‘…It seems she’s not just a simple gypsy, considering that the king is looking for her.’

‘As I said, there’s a deep story behind it.’

‘There is?’ This clearly meant that he had heard it from someone.

‘You don’t seem to know the details?’

‘What do you mean?’

The only thing that clearly distinguished the gypsy he was looking for from other gypsies was that she ate secrets.

Ian put down his teacup and stared at Timothy. Something flashed in his mind. Even the person who was inquiring didn’t know the characteristics of the target well?

‘Could the king not know? No. The king would know. Even if the story is deep, he wouldn’t have the head of the delegation track her for such a long time. That means it’s that important….’

‘Sir Ian?’

‘Envoy Timothy.’

Ian grinned.

Timothy replied, not knowing why, but Romandro, who was watching from behind, recognized Ian’s smile. Just as people died when he dressed up, a new phase would appear when he smiled like that.

Romandro quickly refilled Timothy’s teacup, diverting his attention. He hoped that he would show a weakness in Ian’s questioning.

‘How long has the current king been on the throne?’

‘It’s been over two years now.’

‘Ah…. Is that so?’

There were two possibilities. If what the king needed was an accurate prophecy, it meant that he was facing a major issue that required him to look into the future.

But Ian thought it would be better to minimize the possibility of this. Burgos was a kingdom that had occupied a place on the continent for a long time. No matter how accurate a prophet was, there would surely be someone to replace them.

‘Is it worth it to expend the manpower of Timothy? I’m not sure.’

If so, it was better to focus on the fact that she ate secrets….

‘Among the secrets the gypsy ate, there is something the king must know. Or, there is a secret that must be erased from the world with her help. Either way, it means there is a problem with the king of Burgos.’