Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 272

Timothy glanced at Ian, who was deep in thought. It seemed like something was occupying his mind, but there was no way to know. Ian’s gaze was completely fixed.

‘If a pheasant isn’t available, a chicken will do.’ Could he guess through Romandro, his right-hand man? Timothy looked back, but Romandro also seemed to have no idea.

Wind seeped through the unusual silence. Timothy quietly looked at the garden where he was sitting and added,

‘…If the construction of the Magic Department’s annex is almost certain, I will bring the related contract to His Highness Jin’s successor appointment ceremony. It would be one of the congratulatory gifts we can offer from Burgos.’

‘There’s no need for that. The details need to be discussed again.’

‘Didn’t you say it would be built here? Since the site is the same, the detailed specifications shouldn’t change much.’

It was a statement implying that the discussion had already been completed during Minister Wesley’s time.

The Imperial Palace was the identity of the current Bariel and a legacy for the future. As it was during the internal conflict settlement meeting, even building one structure required numerous discussions among officials.

Even if the minister had changed, the site was the same, and the building to be erected was also the same. The estimate for the magic stones needed for construction was also already perfectly laid out by Wesley.

It had to not harm the overall beauty, the main building and the annex had to be clearly distinguished, and the standardized number of floors, area, and exterior decorations were certain. Even if they discussed it again, it wouldn’t be much different from the previous one. But what?

Ian took a sip of his tea and shook his head.

‘Each of our positions has changed. Especially since the minister has changed. Just as Envoy Timothy was questioning, I have no intention of continuing Wesley’s legacy as it is.’

Especially because of the condition of dispatching a mage, they could not contract under the same conditions as before. The Magic Department was suffering from a severe manpower shortage due to the Arsen incident and the execution of traitors. Moreover, with Acorella’s sick leave, the limitations seemed to be becoming more visible.

It was only because Ian, the central axis, was holding firm that things were working; if more people left, the work itself could be disrupted.

‘Are you saying you will change the conditions?’

‘Since Burgos’ magic stones are of such high quality, I believe it is appropriate to pay their worth.’

It was a statement that rather than bringing in magic stones cheaply in exchange for providing a mage, they would rather protect the mage and pay the proper price. Money was good, but even better were the mages who possessed the power of the gods.

Timothy stroked his chin as if he was very disappointed.

‘…I will return to my country and report first. Actually, I didn’t expect to have this conversation today. It seems like it’s not something I should speak about carelessly.’

‘Of course, I understand. We have the appointment ceremony, so there’s no need to rush.’

It wasn’t up to expectations, but still, opening up the trade itself was something. He had been disappointed, thinking that it had been completely terminated after Wesley’s death. He couldn’t dare ask about the trade’s existence or termination using the death of a criminal as an excuse in the Imperial Palace, and there had been no opportunity due to the commotion.

Before reporting to the king, Timothy asked again as if checking.

‘There will be no changes to the construction of the Magic Department’s annex itself, will there?’

‘No. It has already been discussed in the Grand Assembly, and as long as I have the will, there will be no problem.’

Since Ian was proceeding with the payment for the Luron stones, neither Quintana nor any other official in the Imperial Palace would be able to easily object.

‘You are amazing. Are you a mage after all?’

Timothy muttered, repeatedly suppressing his admiration. Although it was not comparable to the Empire, he was also a person who was at the political center of a kingdom. He knew how amazing it was to be confident that there would be no checks in the process of expanding one’s power.

Ian laughed questioningly, wondering what he was talking about.

‘Just because you’re a mage doesn’t mean everything goes your way. Former Minister Wesley was also a mage.’

It was something that was obtained through a complex and fierce process of sacrifice. If not, wouldn’t the approval have already been completed at Wesley’s level?

Timothy realized his slip of the tongue and quickly apologized.

‘I apologize.’

‘I know you didn’t mean it that way.’

‘…I think of them as beings who lead the development of the community. To be honest, I’m very disappointed. The Kingdom of Burgos was waiting for the dispatch of mages.’

There were plenty of gypsies and sorcerers. From the perspective of ordinary people, they were also extraordinary people, but when compared to mages, their limitations were clear.

A person who occasionally hits the truth?

A person who manipulates corpses using spells?

What good were they? Mages flew in the sky, walked on water, and touched flames. Timothy strongly expressed that they were desperate for them in order to secure support.

‘You value magic highly.’

‘Every country values it the same way. Since they are chosen by God, how can they not be important and enviable?’

‘You never know. Envoy Timothy might also have a talent for magic.’

‘I know that it usually manifests from a young age. Maybe if it were my child, I wouldn’t know.’

Ian quietly looked at Timothy’s face. It was a very small part. The appearance that was passed down to Naum after a hundred years.

But that was why it was even more intense. That was why it was even deeper. In this place where Naum did not exist, the meaning of that small thing was nostalgia itself.

‘…Anyway, I’ll think about it.’

As Ian said that, Romandro’s eyes widened behind him. Why? Ian wasn’t the type to show a soft attitude to Timothy’s simple plea.

‘That is, if the King of Burgos comes in person.’

That’s more like it. Romandro let out a refreshing breath that he had been holding in. Timothy awkwardly picked up his teacup and remained silent, and Ian did not urge him either.

For the king of a country to personally attend the successor’s appointment ceremony. It was the same as declaring that they were completely under Bariel’s control.

‘And above all, Bariel is undeniably lacking in external power right now. The Emperor is in a state of suspension, all the grown princes are dead, and the only successor is a ten-year-old child. If three countries ally to check Bariel, it will definitely be difficult. It’s right to meet the king or those who follow him in advance and establish a plan. And-‘

Ian flicked his eyebrows and looked at Timothy.

‘If I meet the king in person, I might be able to find something out.’

It was almost an impossible invitation right now, but what if he set a little trap?

‘The invitation has already been sent. If the king visits, the relationship between Bariel and the Kingdom of Burgos will become even stronger.’

‘…I will definitely convey the message.’

‘Burgos will be preparing a gift, I presume. We will also prepare with all our sincerity. The gypsy that the king wanted and Envoy Timothy has been pursuing for a long time-‘

A trap to find that person.

If they found the gypsy, there was a slight chance that the King of Burgos would come in person. It would probably be proportional to his desperation. He was curious. He could know the seriousness of the situation depending on his reaction.

‘Should we issue a wanted order at Bariel’s borders and throughout the country?’

‘That is, that is an extremely generous kindness.’

‘What. It’s nothing.’

It was literally nothing. It was what the border guards did anyway.

‘By the way, His Highness is a bit late.’

He hadn’t appeared even after they had finished a cup of tea. From the main building to the Magic Department, it was a distance that he would have more than arrived.

‘It is an honor to wait for His Highness, so I will continue to wait. But, is the man named Beric really alright? Even if the bars protected him, it seems like he would have been hurt somewhere.’

‘Oh, Beric?’

Ian laughed, saying not to even mention it. He seemed to have some injuries, but he couldn’t tell if they were from this time or the last time.

‘He’s very well. When he heard that Envoy Timothy was coming, he was so excited. If he hadn’t gone to the training grounds, it would have been quite troublesome.’

They were really close friends! And they lived together in the Imperial Palace! Timothy was shocked anew, blinking and clearing his throat.

‘He’s a belligerent person. Rumors are spreading in the streets. They say that the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department are selecting talent, is he perhaps preparing for that?’

‘Yes. That’s right.’

‘Excuse me, but I thought so. I couldn’t possibly think of him as someone who was just eating his salary….’

He was going to be someone who would eat it in the future, ahem. Timothy, who usually didn’t bring up such things, was an exception when it came to Beric. He was curious how such a wild horse had even made it to the Imperial Palace.

While Ian and Timothy were naturally having a private conversation, Jin’s carriage arrived at the Magic Department.

Screech!

Thud!

‘Your Highness, you’ll fall.’

‘If I fall, Siao, you catch me.’

Thanks to Timothy’s visit, the academic discussion ended early. Jin was happily about to go up the stairs of the Magic Department when he was informed that they were in the garden, and he changed his course. In the distance, Ian and Timothy were visible.

‘Your Highness.’

When he made eye contact with Ian, Jin stopped running and walked slowly. He had been scolded with a look to maintain his dignity.

Nevertheless, he entered the garden a little faster than usual, with a full smile. Timothy stood up abruptly, put his hand on his chest, and bowed.

‘Greetings, Your Highness. I am Timothy Obia of the Kingdom of Burgos, whom you met before.’

‘Yes. Right. When we met last time, the situation was what it was, so we couldn’t talk deeply. Please, sit down.’

Ian chuckled as he pulled out Jin’s chair. The child seemed to be in a very good mood. The academic discussion must have been very boring.

They sat around in the sun and continued their conversation. The official matters had already been concluded with Ian. Most of the conversation was about what Jin had learned in the academic discussion and Timothy’s praise for it.

‘By the way, Timothy. Do you have a family?’

‘I have one son, Your Highness.’

‘…You have a son?’

‘Yes. He’s five years old now.’

Ian, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise. Romandro had a completely shocked look. He had a family! And a five-year-old son! How could the King of Burgos leave him wandering outside for months! He thought the King of Burgos was quite something.

But Ian was surprised in a completely different direction. It was as if Naum’s boastful laughter was echoing in his ears.

‘Sir Timothy came to Bariel and established the foundation of his family alone. Isn’t he amazing? There are so many people who ruin perfectly good families. Ah. Of course, the person he met at that time helped a lot, though.’

As Ian remembered, Timothy had naturalized alone. Alone without family. What on earth had happened?

Romandro kept empathizing and letting out pitiful sighs.

‘Your wife must be upset. Five years old. It’s such a lovely age. Ah, for the record, I don’t have children yet, but my wife is pregnant. Everyone around me says that five years old is when they’re really angels.’

‘It can’t be helped. This is my job.’

‘Oh, still.’

His wife ‘still’ existed. Was it an illness? An accident? Or some kind of incident? Since the information was fragmented, it was not easy to deduce. Therefore, the words Ian could say were also fragmented. He added, trying to remain calm.

‘…When you return, spend a lot of time with your family.’

Humans are beings who live on memories. Spend time together and be happy, so that it won’t be too hard even if you lose two people.

Timothy looked surprised at Ian’s advice, but soon showed a full smile. They hadn’t known each other for long, but it seemed like it was the first time. It was the first time he had seen Timothy smile like that.

‘I will. When I return, I will be with them until I leave as an envoy. There are so many things I haven’t been able to do for them.’