Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 276

Beric regained consciousness in the late afternoon, as dusk was setting. He suddenly shot his upper body upright as if struck by lightning, causing Romandro to spill the tea he was drinking.

‘Oh my, you startled me.’

‘What? What’s going on with me?’

‘What do you mean, what? You passed out and just woke up, you rascal. Are you feeling okay? Any pain anywhere? The doctor came and went, and thankfully, he said there were no complications.’

He didn’t feel any particular pain, but he couldn’t remember anything. He was sure he had won a series of matches, climbed up the rankings, messed up that Hamp bastard, and also with Sio…

‘Ah. Sio!’

His mind flashed, and only fragmented memories returned. Sio getting beaten by him, that dirty old man Jayrut, the endless sparring, Ian’s encouragement, and so on.

Beric, feeling his body, muttered with a serious expression.

‘Crazy. Did Sio put alcohol in the water?’

‘Tsk tsk, he’s still not fully awake.’

‘This feels exactly like the day after getting completely wasted.’

‘Usually, they call that getting knocked out by a direct hit.’

Knocked out by one hit? Him? Beric blinked as if he couldn’t believe it. No way! Honestly, he was confident in his durability, if nothing else!

As Beric tried to kick off the blanket and get up, Romandro pushed his chest and made him lie down again.

‘All your schedules for today are over. From tomorrow, you’ll be fighting non-stop, so take care of yourself. As time goes on, you’ll be facing skilled opponents. They’re all people who climbed up by stepping on others, just like you.’

‘Did I win?’

‘Yes. You won.’

It was a decision victory, but it was still a win.

Siochi would only have a couple more matches to finalize his ranking, while Beric would be running towards the top for almost two weeks.

Beric fell back with a thud and asked.

‘Did Sio get hurt badly?’

‘He was a bloody mess.’

Beric hugged his pillow and groaned as if something was bothering him.

Romandro, who was getting the medicine, glanced at him. It was true, this was the first time Beric had acted like this after a fight, wasn’t it?

Even if Captain Jayrut’s methods were autocratic and questionable, the effect seemed to be tremendous. It had brought out an emotion in Beric that he thought didn’t exist. He recalled what Ian had told him.

‘Beric’s skills are excellent. There’s no problem with him joining the Imperial Guard, so Captain Jayrut will continue to test Beric. He can’t keep a dangerous Atan [a person with special abilities] near the Emperor. But if Beric continues to show the same side of himself as today, he will be recognized someday. It’ll be tough, but that’s how everyone lives, and Beric will realize it someday.’

His voice, as if he knew everything, was calm but a little sad. Romandro handed him lukewarm water and medicine and got up from his seat.

‘Eat this and get some more rest. The doctor said your wounds are fine, but you’re severely fatigued. Keep in mind that you have a long schedule ahead, and I’ll have food ready for you when you wake up.’

‘…Do you not like that I beat Sio?’

‘This rascal, you’re really not fully awake. What are you talking about?’

‘Then why are you being so nice? It’s creepy, like you’re never going to see me again.’

‘Take it back, take it back! Go get your own food.’

‘Uwaaa. Sorry. Romandro, I’m sorry.’

Beric slid down from the bed and grabbed Romandro’s pants leg. Beric was playfully dragged along with his steps. Then, he carefully asked, smacking his lips.

‘Is Ian okay too?’

‘Yes. So let go of this!’

‘Yay! I want beef!’

Beric, having confirmed that everything was okay, relaxed and lay down on the bed. Romandro pretended not to hear him, but it was okay. He wasn’t stingy when it came to food. In fact, Ian was paying for all the meals, so he didn’t have the authority anyway.

‘Just take your medicine properly!’

‘Okay okay. Look, I’m taking my medicine!’

Squeak!

Bang!

Beric gulped down the water, but the door was firmly closed.

Romandro sighed and walked towards the room where Siochi was lying. It was after work hours, so the hallway was quite deserted.

‘Romandro.’

‘Your Highness. Why are you out here?’

‘The doctor is examining him.’

Jin was sitting on the windowsill of the hallway, looking outside. The sunset was so red that his silver hair was tinged with pink. Jin nodded as if asking about Beric’s condition.

‘He’s a guy whose strong body is his only asset, so he’s fine. I even saw him wake up in the middle. It seems like there won’t be any problem with tomorrow’s match.’

‘Is that so? That’s a relief.’

‘You’re worried about Sio.’

A small, unconscious scream could be heard through the door. He had lost consciousness, but it was a sound he instinctively made due to the pain.

Unlike Beric, Siochi’s body couldn’t even receive healing from the mages. He had no choice but to endure everything alone.

‘But Your Highness, weren’t you with Ian?’

‘Ah, Sir Ian is…’

Jin gave an awkward smile. He had gone to report on the first day of the talent selection at the Grand Council, but he hadn’t returned yet.

Romandro clicked his pocket watch, puzzled. It was time for him to have finished and returned. The fact that he was this late meant that the meeting was long, and there was a high probability that Ian was holding the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department.

‘Your Highness. I think I should go and meet him.’

‘Do so. Beric and Sio are both safe, so don’t worry.’

Jin, who had been following Romandro, stopped and asked.

‘But, Sir Ian seems angry, doesn’t he?’

‘Yes? What did he say?’

‘It’s not that, it’s just a feeling.’

‘I think-‘

Romandro knelt down and made eye contact with Jin.

‘Beric and Sio are the ones who are currently protecting Your Highness the closest. No matter what the intention was, the result of doing it without discussion is not good. There’s a gap in Your Highness’s safety.’

And if the two of them advanced to the top ranks and stood out in each department, it would definitely be a great help to Jin in the future. But they had ruined it, oh dear.

From a micro perspective, it was just a simple injury to the guards, but from a macro perspective, it could be seen as a check on Ian and a suppression of imperial power.

‘Don’t worry. Sir Ian will surely handle it well. Beric too. He will win all the remaining matches for Your Highness.’

‘Why would I worry? I’m just curious if there’s anything I can do to help.’

‘Then we should hurry and bring Sir Ian back. I also have something to report. The replies to Your Highness’s inauguration invitations sent to each country have arrived at the center. They are checking if there are any problems, so you should be able to receive them tonight.’

‘Oh, really?’

‘Yes. You can check them with Sir Ian.’

As Jin smiled and nodded, Romandro gestured to the attendants to escort His Highness and headed towards the entrance of the Magic Department. They were always following him, but Jin felt awkward for no reason. Because there was no one walking beside him.

‘I’ll take a walk before the sun sets completely.’

The doctor hadn’t come out yet. He didn’t want to see Sio suffering during treatment, nor did he think Sio would want to be seen.

But why was there no response?

Jin turned around, puzzled.

‘……’

The attendants were simply waiting, heads bowed, for Jin to move. If it were Siochi, he would have said something like, ‘As you wish,’ or, ‘That is not allowed.’ Jin felt inexplicably embarrassed and turned toward the garden, clutching the end of his sleeve.

Tap tap.

Perhaps because a large event like the talent selection was underway, the Magic Department was nearly deserted. Most departments likely had a similar atmosphere. Jin felt the silence and strolled slowly.

Then, he noticed someone standing in the distance.

‘Is that a mage?’

The robe was definitely from the Magic Department, but he couldn’t see the person’s face. As Jin approached, the mage bowed and greeted him.

‘Your Highness, are you taking a walk?’

‘Yes, I am. And you? Ah.’

‘Do you remember me? I’ve told you my name a couple of times before…’

He was definitely a mage he had seen a few times while passing by. But he couldn’t recall his name. Since the mage said he had mentioned it before, it was awkward to ask again.

As Jin was wondering what to say, the mage carefully suggested,

‘I was just finishing work. If it’s not too forward, may I walk with you?’

‘Since there’s only one path, how can I refuse? Let’s go together.’

‘It’s an honor, Your Highness. Actually, I’ve wanted to hear you say something like that at least once.’

‘I always want to hear what you have to say. I still have much to learn, so don’t hesitate to seek me out.’

The attendants followed behind as they walked through the Magic Department. Talking to a mage for a while was nothing out of the ordinary. It was as natural as eating a meal.

Jin walked with the mage, only feeling the slight discomfort of not knowing his name. It was a trivial matter that would likely be forgotten.

Definitely.

* * *

Outside the Imperial Palace, the atmosphere was festive due to the talent selection. Those who failed the test were comforting and congratulating each other, and those who passed were doing the same. Orders for alcohol and meat were pouring in.

This wasn’t something that would end in just one day. As the days passed, those who had heard the news from the provinces would fill the empty spots. The innkeepers’ joyful laughter filled the streets endlessly in the evening.

However, this was only the case outside the Imperial Palace.

‘I’m going crazy.’

The main building of the Imperial Palace, where the Grand Council was being held, was like another world, with a thick layer of ice. Many people were breathing carefully, afraid that the sound of their swallowing would be heard.

They looked at the Prime Minister, then at Captain Jayrut, then at the officers of the Imperial Defense Department. But in the end, their gaze landed on Ian Hielo, who was sitting to the right of the Prime Minister. The young minister.

Tap. Tap tap.

Ian was looking down at the report and leisurely tapping the desk. His cold, closed lips showed no sign of opening. Rather, he frowned from time to time, extending the long silence.

‘Why, why is he like that? On such a good day.’

‘I know. The number of participants is much higher than expected, and it’s a successful start in many ways. I have no idea why.’

‘Shhh. I can hear you. Be quiet.’

‘Didn’t you hear? The Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department assigned two of Sir Ian’s guards to him.’

‘What? That swordsman and the slave?’

‘They’re His Highness’s guards now. Why did they do that?’

‘If Captain Jayrut did it, there must be a reason, but, ahem. It’s a bit awkward.’

Whisper whisper, the officials were secretly sharing information to figure out the situation. But the more they did, the more they realized that there was nothing they could do.

Ian lowered the report he was reading and spoke in a low voice.

‘…Captain Jayrut.’

‘Yes. Minister.’

Ian finally spoke. Everyone perked up their ears and focused.

‘There was a dispute over the results of the second promotion match held by the Imperial Guard. Explain it in detail. By the way, the controversy was reported by those who were watching, not from within, so you’ll have to make it understandable.’

The sound of pens writing was heard simultaneously from all over. Ian’s mood didn’t seem good, so the answer had to be perfect without any errors.

‘Also, the acting minister of the Imperial Defense Department.’

‘Yes, yes. Minister of the Magic Department.’

‘I hear that the Imperial Defense Department added their opinion regarding the match schedule. This is clearly the authority of the organizing committee. Explain what happened.’

‘Th, that is—’

‘And the organizing committee should transparently disclose the criteria for creating the match schedule and explain the matches that were held today.’

Ah. Damn it. The officials desperately tried to maintain their composure while despairing inside. It didn’t seem like he was going to let it go easily. The other officials glared at Jayrut and the officers, pressuring them, as if asking why they had needlessly caused trouble.

Jayrut stroked his beard and awkwardly flipped through the papers.

‘…May I speak first?’

‘Yes, and then we can all discuss the problems and brainstorm solutions. It’s the first day, so we need to catch as many problems as possible to make the next two weeks of tests perfect. Those who are selected during this period are the power of the Imperial Palace, the cornerstone of the Empire.’

Squeak.

At that moment, the tightly closed door opened. The officials naturally turned their heads, hoping it was their aides with an urgent matter, so they could leave first!

‘Excuse me—’

‘Oh my god, damn it.’

‘It’s Sir Ian’s aide.’

But the main character was Romandro. He scratched the back of his neck as if embarrassed by the sudden attention.

‘Sir Ian. I have something urgent to report.’

‘……!’

‘……!’

Oh my god! Everyone’s mouths were wide open, wondering if they had heard correctly. Ian frowned as he looked at Romandro. It was as if he was asking if it was really urgent, since the meeting hadn’t ended yet.

‘What is it?’

‘The replies to His Highness Jin’s inauguration invitations have arrived.’

‘……’

Ian briefly scanned the officials. They quickly composed themselves and lowered their eyes.

‘Prime Minister.’

‘Hmm?’

‘Let’s have Captain Jayrut and each officer report on the agenda individually.’

‘Alright! Let’s conclude today’s meeting here.’

Thump! Thump!

As the Prime Minister immediately agreed, the sound of gasping breaths was heard around them. They were alive! The meeting was finally over!

As Ian got up first and left the meeting room, a sigh of relief was released simultaneously. And the accusing glares that were poured on Jayrut.

Jayrut raised both hands to show that he was wrong. But he didn’t regret it. And he wouldn’t in the future either. Of course, he didn’t tell the exhausted officials that.