Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 279

‘Excuse me. Where is the Minister of Magic’s office?’

‘Go straight this way and then turn right.’

‘Thank you.’

‘By the way, are you a knight of the Imperial Guard? Perhaps, is it about tomorrow’s agenda? I’m in charge, so if it’s right, let’s go back together.’

Barsabe, holding a stack of reports in her arms, shook her head. These were the things that hadn’t been finalized at the earlier conference. It was late at night, but it would be chaotic when day broke. Honestly, it wasn’t that important, so there was an order from Jeyrat to quickly wrap it up.

‘No, it’s the conference report.’

‘I see. Then, good work.’

‘Yes! You too, have a good day tomorrow!’

The wizard smiled and passed by at Barsabe’s loud greeting. In truth, he was exhausted and had no energy.

Barsabe went as the wizard had told her, then paused.

‘Come to think of it, is the office even open now? It’s my first time coming to another department this late, so I’m not sure. Usually, the officers on duty receive them.’

At the end of the corridor, a dignified door came into view. A faint light leaked through the gap. Barsabe realized why the wizard hadn’t corrected her to go to the duty room.

The Minister of Magic didn’t know what a ‘day off’ was. It was a place that was always open without exception. How terrible and amazing was that?

Barsabe approached and carefully made her presence known.

Knock knock.

‘Come in.’

He didn’t even ask who it was? Crazy. Was there a report he had been waiting for? Barsabe peeked her face in and greeted him.

‘Good evening, Minister. I’ve brought the conference report.’

Ian didn’t even look at Barsabe and continued to move his pen. She didn’t know what kind of work he was doing, but there were more old books than reports around his desk.

Ian gestured with his left hand, telling her to bring it over.

‘Maps?’

Maps with different scales, history books written in foreign languages, administrative archives, official diplomatic letters from previous generations, and so on. Wasn’t this work not something the Minister of Magic should be looking at? He didn’t seem to be trying to hide it, so Barsabe put down the report and asked.

‘It seems I’ve come at a busy time. Is this personal work?’

‘You could say that.’

Looking closely, they were maps of Burgos and Luswena. Perhaps sensing Barsabe’s gaze, Ian looked up.

‘…I’m sorry.’

‘A knight shouldn’t be curious.’

‘Well, um…’

Even though she had delivered the report, she didn’t seem to be leaving. Ian put down his pen and raised an eyebrow. He had a lot to do, so it was a gesture to hurry if she had anything to say.

‘Commander Jeyrat is trying to resolve what happened today.’

‘Resolve? How?’

‘I heard that Sio was injured, and the biggest problem is the protection of His Highness Jin. So, I was wondering if it would be okay for me to serve His Highness by his side until he recovers.’

‘You?’

Ian asked back with a tone of disbelief. Barsabe put her hand on her chest and showed the Imperial salute.

Thump!

‘I am not fully recovered either, but I am more than capable of replacing Sio. I swear on everything, I will only think of His Highness’s safety.’

Ian tapped the desk with his fingertips, looking at her. A longer silence than expected followed. Just as Barsabe, unable to bear the anxiety, was about to add something.

‘Do so.’

‘Yes? Really?’

‘…Was that a joke?’

‘Of course not! How could I make such a joke!’

‘We are short-handed due to the selection schedule. Commander Jeyrat said he would resolve it, so I have no reason to object. But it’s only for His Highness’s protection. It would be better to get His Highness’s permission than mine. It’s too late now, so go to his residence when the sun rises and ask him.’

‘Yes. I understand. Then.’

‘Barsabe.’

She stopped as she was about to go out and turned around. She couldn’t hide the bewildered expression on her face, as the permission was too easy. Ian chuckled at her expression.

‘You are also in charge of Beric’s training assistance.’

She hadn’t sparred with him, but Sio had been doing everything he could for Beric. Bringing water and towels was basic, and he had helped improve his records in basic physical training such as running and push-ups.

Barsabe pursed her lips, as if she was very displeased, and muttered.

‘I understanddd…’

Squeak.

As the door closed, Ian closed the book and looked at the report she had brought. It was faster than he thought, better than he expected, and as clear as he had imagined. Ian smiled and flipped through the pages.

‘I knew Barsabe would come. Commander Jeyrat must have judged that she would be easier to bring in than someone unfamiliar. But Barsabe is a bit clumsy to play a role beyond protection.’

Taking Sio away from Jin’s side and placing a member of the Imperial Guard next to him. This was clearly a form of check.

He had told Sio that it wasn’t certain yet, but he needed to correct it right away. Jeyrat was serious.

‘But there’s no foundation.’

Being able to respond to Ian meant being independent of the Imperial Palace’s circumstances. How could he have a foundation when he was standing alone?

Honor, power, and money. There was a reason why these three were grouped together. The Imperial Guard was that level. They had honor, but no power, so they were still lacking.

Scribble, scribble.

The sound of the pen tip scratching on the paper. Ian suddenly recalled the day he woke up at the Bratz mansion. He had organized the future like this back then too. With the illegible note of the illegitimate son, Ian.

-Jin, the Imperial Palace, Timothy’s naturalization, the Magic Department’s annex, the political situation of the three countries, the appointment ceremony, Melanie and the Rutherford Trading Company….

As if untangling a tangled thread, Ian went through each fragmented point and made a plan.

The branches continued to spread. The points where the fruits of cause and effect ripened and burst, and the points where new branches sprouted, were all calculated in Ian’s palm.

Cut, cut. And cut again….

‘No. If I do this, in Burgos…’

Scribble.

‘There’s no precedent. It’s too uncertain whether they’ll accept the proposal or not. I don’t know what will happen if Jin comes out like that. Hmm. Rather than this…’

Scribble.

There was nothing more foolish than predicting the future, but building the future depended on will. Every time he drew his pen, dozens, hundreds of futures appeared and disappeared. Until the best future was chosen, Ian continued to extend the branches of his thoughts.

Knock knock.

Squeak.

The night faded, and the morning seeped in. Usually, Ian’s order to bring in the meal would have been heard, but it was strangely quiet. The servants hesitated outside the office for a long time before making their presence known inside. They were worried that he might have collapsed.

‘Sir Ian?’

‘Shh. It seems he’s sleeping.’

Ian was sleeping, slumped over his desk. Whether he had fallen asleep without realizing it, his right hand was still holding the pen. The servants scurried to bring a blanket and covered him, placing the meal tray at the edge of the table.

‘Hmm?’

‘What’s wrong?’

‘No, why is there so much ash on the floor?’

‘It seems like he burned something.’

‘In the middle of the night?’

The hundreds of futures that had bloomed from Ian’s hand. Those that were not chosen were completely burned and disappeared. They had disappeared again, without even knowing they had bloomed.

And just one sheet. Only one sheet of paper was under Ian’s arm.

It was the future he had decided on.

* * *

The days in the Imperial Palace flowed by in a flurry. Externally, the selection of great national talents continued, and internally, preparations for Jin’s appointment ceremony began.

Since the leaders of the three countries were all visiting, the main departments, including the administration, were already on edge.

‘Not here, over there! Are you not paying attention?’

‘Oh, I’m sorry. There seems to have been a mix-up in the delivery process.’

‘How are the remaining matches today? Can we finish before sunset? I heard there are two more promotion matches for the Imperial Guard members.’

‘That’s what the report I submitted took into account.’

‘Huh? Over there, why is the shield so low? Magic Department!’

‘They went to report to Sir Ian. Just a moment!’

Jin munched on snacks, constantly rolling his eyes. Unlike the busy staff, the child was leisurely watching the matches.

It wasn’t comfortable not having anything to help with. Moreover, to make matters worse, Barsabe was next to him instead of Sio.

‘Um, Your Highness. Would you like a drink?’

‘No. I’m fine.’

The way she handed over the juice with a mix of formality and tension. Barsabe was doing her best to assist Jin, but it was awkward and uncomfortable.

This wasn’t just felt by one side, but by both of them. Romandro gestured to Jin to look away.

‘Your Highness. Over there, it’s Sio.’

‘Oh. I see. It’s starting.’

‘Sio! Do well! Don’t get hurt!’

‘Did they say that if you win here, you’ll be a 3rd grade?’

‘Yes. Since there are too many below 100th place, they say they will be graded separately. He showed a good performance before facing Beric, so it’s worth looking forward to.’

‘Sio! You mustn’t get hurt! Be careful of injuries!’

Jin stood up and cheered. The noisy, chaotic arena. It was difficult to hear the person next to you due to the screams and shouts from all over, but the officials on the second floor all heard Jin’s voice. Because they were watching. Among them were Jeyrat and Ian, who was working.

Beep!

The whistle signaled the start of the match. Jin kept his eyes on Sio and asked.

‘Where’s Beric?’

‘His match is next.’

It was Barsabe who answered. She glanced at Jeyrat as if she was reading his mind.

Honestly, she thought Beric’s skills were truly extraordinary, but she never thought he would make it into the top 10. Barsabe bit her cheek in a subtle sense of defeat.

‘Hasn’t he already lost to a member of the Imperial Guard once?’

‘The top 10 will continue to be verified several times. Probably…’

‘Sio! Well done! That’s it!’

Sio punched his opponent in the jaw. Unlike before, it was a much more aggressive attack. At the sight of them exchanging punches, Romandro kept shouting as if his blood was boiling.

‘Sioooo!’

Thwack! Thud!

Pow!

Dark blood splattered. A movement that was hard to believe from someone who was injured. The cheers of the spectators also rose higher and higher, shaking the surroundings loudly.

The match ended when Sio kneed his opponent in the chest.

Sio, panting for breath, looked up at the second floor. On the left, Ian was looking down with the wizards, and on the right, Jin was clapping his hands.

Scribble.

‘Sio! Well done! You’re not hurt, are you!’

Sio looked at Jin and put his hand on his chest. Ian smiled faintly at the sight. He then continued the discussion he was having with the wizard. Jeyrat looked at him and Sio before speaking.

‘The people you have are all exceptional. You have a great eye, Minister.’

‘It’s all thanks to His Highness’s virtue. By the way, Beric’s match is next…’

Ian muttered, flipping through the report. Now, the top 10 were facing their final matches, weren’t they? Once it was over, the generational change of the Imperial Guard would take place.

Two new commanders and new members.

And that was soon-

‘It means that the commander line that will be deeply engraved in history will be decided.’

Unless there was a special reason, they would be the ones to participate in the clash with the great monsters. And so, they would bring about the destruction of the Atan tribe. The moment when history was newly born. Ian smiled with interest.

‘Are you truly going to step forward?’

‘It’s about selecting the commander position. If it’s not someone I, the commander, recognize, it won’t work. I’ll be looking at them one by one, starting from 10th place…’

Bang! Thud!

Crash!

At that moment, the training ground door was roughly opened. It was Beric who had kicked it open. He entered, slinging his black sword over his shoulder and shouting. He was the first talent that Jeyrat was directly verifying.

‘Hahaha! Beric is here!’

‘…He’s here.’

‘…He’s here.’

Jeyrat and Ian muttered at the same time. Beric pointed the tip of his sword at Jeyrat and smiled wickedly. He was already pissed off about what had happened recently, and this was like a gift from heaven.

‘You dirty old man. I knew this day would come.’

‘I didn’t know. You’re more tenacious than I thought.’

‘It’s not tenacious, it’s strong! I lost once, but that was because the difference in weight was too much! Anyway, it’s good. Come down quickly! I’m going to examine you from head to toe. Just you wait!’

Beric was releasing his magic power even before he went up to the sparring arena. The heat swirling from the black sword instantly filled the training ground. Unlike what they had done so far, it was the first match where they could use their own weapons.

‘The ranking selection method is complicated, so I don’t understand it? If I win against you, old man, I’ll be the commander, right?’