Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 288

‘Focus, will you? You’re repeating yourself.’

‘Is that something I can control? I haven’t slept for days.’

‘If you have complaints, take it up with Ian directly.’

‘Who’s complaining? Anyway, have the guys who went to the administration office not come back yet? Get in touch with them, we’re swamped here!’

‘Get out of the way, ugh! Has anyone seen this report?’

‘Why are you asking us? Where did the stamp go?’

‘You’ve got to be kidding me, seriously!’

Thump! Thud!

The inside of the palace was just as chaotic as the outside. Especially the administrative and magic departments, which were as noisy as a marketplace.

Order within chaos. The magicians were running around in a tangled mess.

‘We’ve got a message from the outskirts!’

‘Report to Ian!’

Tap tap!

A magician instinctively dashed off. As he made his presence known with heavy breaths, Romandro peeked out, as if he couldn’t come inside.

‘Is it work-related?’

‘The Luswena procession has arrived in the center. They should be entering the city in about two hours.’

‘Understood. I’ll inform him immediately.’

‘Thank you.’

Squeak.

The office door closed, cutting off the noise. It was very quiet inside. Probably because Beric and Barsabe had been called to the Imperial Guard.

‘Ian, did you hear?’

‘Yes. About two hours. It’s a bit tighter than I thought.’

Ian closed the document he was reading and stood up.

His neatly combed hair, unwrinkled uniform, and high-quality leather shoes made his already perfect appearance even more striking.

He slowly walked behind Jin, who was getting dressed.

Their eyes met through the mirror.

‘Your Highness. While you’re getting dressed, I’ll remind you once again.’

‘Alright. Haaah.’

‘…The King of Luswena is coming to greet you. Stay focused. Don’t let any sign of wavering show in the mirror. What you know, the world will soon know. You are Bariel, Your Highness.’

Don’t be nervous just because you’re meeting a king from another country.

How could His Majesty sigh like that?

Ian pointed out sharply, while also wrapping his hands around the child’s shoulders. A gentle yet firm touch. It was warmer than any words could have been, telling him not to worry.

Jin, who was too nervous to notice, seemed not to realize it, but Siao Si and Romandro clearly took it in.

‘I understand. I’ll keep it in mind.’

‘Good.’

Ian lightly patted the child’s shoulders as if playing a keyboard. Jin smiled softly at his playfulness, and Ian smiled too, as if that was the expression he wanted.

‘Do you remember the situation in Luswena?’

‘The royalists of Eriphony have solidified their power. Two years ago, when there was a drought in the eastern granary, the opposition gathered, but it was resolved smoothly, so they didn’t gain much power. The central noble of that opposition is the step-uncle of Lady Hyman, or rather, her second step-uncle.’

The child recited what he had studied in a monotonous voice. Without a single stutter or pause.

Doesn’t this mean that the information is perfectly stored in Jin’s head? Romandro was moved, clasping his hands together and sparkling his eyes. He couldn’t be more proud!

‘Then, what about the relationship between Luswena, Clifford, and Burgos?’

But instead of praise, Ian continued with the next question.

The two’s gazes met again through the mirror. Even though they were looking at the same place, the points of contact were different. Jin smiled and gave his answer.

‘Since there’s nothing certain, we should speculate but not make hasty judgments. The only thing certain is that the three-nation alliance that they ‘couldn’t’ form until now has been formed.’

‘Do you know the reason for that?’

‘Of course. It’s because I’m lacking.’

From an external point of view, it was considered doable. A palace sealed off by civil war, an emperor who had secured his position, and a ten-year-old child who had survived alone.

It was literally just Jin alone.

Although Ian was by his side…

‘It’s also unknown how Ian’s presence is being interpreted.’

It was both a benefit and a loss.

The presence of a strong and capable magician was a strength for Bariel, but it also lowered Jin’s position.

Wouldn’t the leaders of the three countries want to talk to Ian, who was standing behind him, rather than bowing their heads to a ten-year-old child?

This was a reality that had to be acknowledged, and at the same time, the first hurdle Jin had to overcome.

‘…You are not lacking, Your Highness.’

Ian was silent for a moment, then corrected him.

Swoosh, the hair near the child’s ear fluttered lightly at Ian’s touch. At his gesture to continue dressing, the attendants moved busily.

Hair was combed, clothes were straightened, and small, ornate jewels were attached to his chest.

Today, the scar on his face seemed particularly prominent. As Jin unconsciously touched the scar with his fingertips, Ian added.

‘None of the leaders of the three countries will have such a strong mark as you, Your Highness. Be proud. You look very handsome today.’

‘Thank you, Ian. You look handsome too.’

‘Ian looks handsome even if he wears his clothes backward! Your Highness, it’s about time to leave. Time is running out. Siao, please check one last time if the carriage is ready.’

‘Yes, I understand.’

Romandro also chimed in, checking his pocket watch.

Jin checked himself in the mirror one last time, then got off the chair. Shall I take your hand? Ian was about to ask, but there was no time. The child pushed open the office door and went ahead.

‘We shall depart. Everyone, follow me.’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

Tap tap!

The attendants, Ian, and Romandro walked together, following the small footsteps. Siao Si was standing next to the prepared carriage. He bowed as he found Jin and opened the carriage door.

Ian looked down at his hand, then casually took out his leather gloves.

‘Ian, what’s wrong? Are your hands cold?’

‘It’s nothing. Let’s go, Romandro.’

Ian smiled and put on his gloves, sitting next to Jin. Soon after, the carriage began to move powerfully.

The path to meet Eriphony, the King of Luswena, was open.

* * *

‘Look! A carriage is coming! Oh my god, it’s a double-decker carriage?’

‘As expected, the king’s procession is different.’

‘Come up here! You can see better here!’

‘Mom! Mom! A carriage from Luswena has arrived!’

‘Come to our pub. You can see the king’s procession very well! Beer is only 1 copper! Only ten people on a first-come, first-served basis!’

‘Kyaaaa! Run! Let’s keep following them to the palace!’

Around lunchtime.

The procession of the King of Luswena arrived in the city. Next to the central road where only royalty could walk. The road was open for the honored guests.

Soldiers blocked the crowd with spears, and dispatched magicians walked alongside them, ensuring safety just in case.

It was a spectacle of dozens of double-decker carriages moving slowly. The citizens exclaimed in admiration, welcoming Eriphony’s visit.

‘Welcome, King of Luswena!’

‘Welcome! This is Bariel!’

‘That’s disrespectful. Step back!’

‘What does it matter? It’s a good day, and we have good guests!’

‘Yeah. Don’t be so strict!’

Clatter. Clunk!

Thud!

The sight of five or six wheels, as tall as a person, moving at the same time drew the curiosity of children, and the unfamiliar attire drew the attention of young people.

The gold, silver, and gifts loaded on the back of the carriages drew the interest of adults, and the orchestra’s performance brought joy to the blind old man.

The procession itself was already huge and slow, and the speed of the carriages was no different from walking.

‘…Surprisingly lively.’

Eriphony, the King of Luswena, muttered, slightly lifting the curtain with a fan. She had traveled a long distance over several days, but she was no different from when she had left the palace.

Her neatly combed turquoise hair, straight back, and sharp eyes. Eriphony glanced at the excited people and lowered the curtain again.

‘The emperor is on the verge of death, and a ten-year-old child is taking over. They seem less worried than I thought.’

‘It is true that the palace was shaken, but it is now regaining its center. Not long ago, there were talent selection tests for the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department. That aftermath is probably still continuing.’

It was Eldert who answered, sitting opposite her. Eriphony’s cousin and a member of the delegation. From his long turquoise hair to his overall aura, his features were identical.

Eriphony twisted her lips and gave a cynical smile.

‘It seems there were losses in the civil war. They even held a large-scale talent selection. And they even sold tickets to the trials of Hyman and the central families?’

Isn’t it obvious? It was probably aimed at securing temporary but certain revenue. The more she interpreted the rumors, the more she could guess that there was a problem in Bariel.

Eriphony frowned, rotating her shoulder as if it was stiff. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the proposal of the King of Burgos, this wouldn’t have been a place worth visiting.

It was just a ten-year-old prince’s inauguration ceremony.

‘When are Burgos and Clifford supposed to arrive?’

‘They said they would come according to schedule, so there shouldn’t be much difference. If there are no problems.’

It was then. The carriage began to move much more smoothly. It had passed the bumpy road and was near the palace.

Eriphony was momentarily mesmerized by the prestige of Bariel, which she was seeing for the first time. Her kingdom was also famous for its beauty, but this was beyond comparison in terms of aesthetics.

‘Amazing.’

‘Not as much as Luswena, though.’

‘Nonsense.’

She firmly retorted and regained her composure. At this point, she seemed to understand why the King of Burgos had asked to meet at the Imperial Palace of Bariel.

Eriphony’s father had attended the current emperor’s inauguration ceremony and had seen the palace, but she had not. After becoming king, she had only guessed about Bariel through Eldert’s descriptions. When she had only heard the explanations, she had only thought it was a great sight.

Seeing it in person was truly amazing.

‘I see why the King of Burgos called me here.’

‘It’s amazing to see, isn’t it? I think you’ll find King Damon’s proposal attractive.’

‘Yes. Definitely.’

Eriphony and Eldert whispered and exchanged glances. There was no one else in the carriage, but you never know. The magicians might be eavesdropping on them.

Squeak.

Neigh!

‘Your Highness Eriphony. We have arrived.’

The carriage stopped in front of the main palace. The crowd waiting for them was all around. It was because all the ministers and officials of the palace were out. The carriage door opened, and a long staircase extended.

Rustle.

Eriphony grabbed her long hair and slowly got out of the carriage. The officials who saw her for the first time were startled. When they had only seen her portrait, they had vaguely imagined an ordinary woman, but in reality…

‘She’s incredibly tall.’

‘Is she mixed with giant blood?’

‘Shhh. How can you say such a thing!’

Her enormous height of eight feet was overwhelming. The prime minister stepped forward and bowed to Eriphony.

‘King of Luswena. I know you must be tired from your long journey, but our prince is waiting for you.’

‘Of course. I must pay my respects.’

Her three-white eyes did not show any desire to do so, but what could she do? She took Eldert and followed the prime minister.

Swoosh.

‘This way, Your Highness. Queen Eriphony of Luswena has arrived.’

‘Let her in.’

Eriphony couldn’t help but smile slightly. It was unmistakably the voice of a young child. Soon, the door opened, and she could face Jin, who was sitting on the sofa.

‘Welcome. Thank you for coming such a long way.’

‘…It’s nothing, Your Highness.’

Eriphony’s first impression of Jin was just one thing.

‘Cute. A young lion, indeed.’