Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 292

A Secret Meeting with Jayrut

The Imperial Guard had two buildings. Due to the nature of their duties, one was near the Emperor’s residence, and the other was at the training grounds. Beric had rushed ahead to the one closer to the Emperor’s residence.

Romandro muttered, looking around.

‘Come to think of it, it feels like this is almost the first time I’ve come here directly.’

No one could deny that the Emperor’s residence was the most noble and splendid place in Bariel.

‘It’s awful,’

Beric expressed it quite differently. Beric, who was leading the way, turned around and walked backward.

‘And there are too many things you’re not supposed to do.’

‘It’s only natural since it’s close to His Majesty the Emperor. Still, Beric, there’s no Imperial Guard member as lucky as you. Other members live in the barracks and have to wake up and go to bed on a strict schedule. You, on the other hand…’

Thud!

As soon as Romandro started nagging, Beric, who was walking backward, bumped his head into the door. The door swung open at the sound. It was Barsabeda. She glanced at Beric, who was crouching down holding his head, with a look of disdain.

‘…Welcome.’

‘Ugh, did you do that on purpose? Lord Romandro!’

‘Did I tell you to walk backward? You did it yourself, what are you talking about?’

Ian passed by Beric and followed Barsabeda inside.

The first thing that caught his eye was the wall filled with golden badges. They all belonged to warriors of the Imperial Guard. Those who had met an honorable death fighting against the enemy or monsters for Bariel. In Ian’s time, there were so many of them that they extended to the side.

‘It’s strange.’

That this place he was standing in was the palace from a hundred years ago. As Ian paused in the gap of his memories, Jayrut stood next to him and looked at the badges together. There was a heavy sense of reverence in his eyes.

‘Did you know? The number of Imperial Guard members who have passed through history is the same as the number of these badges.’

‘Commander Jayrut.’

‘To die honorably. That is the true end of the Imperial Guard.’

The badge of Riyama, the former Third Commander who had betrayed them, was not hung here. His qualification itself had been revoked.

The whirlpool of history where countless emperors ascended and disappeared. Naturally, the Imperial Guard members who stood by them could not expect a peaceful death.

‘I don’t have a badge?’

Beric popped in between Ian and Jayrut. Barsabeda grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, telling him not to interrupt.

‘If you die, I’ll polish it well and hang it up for you.’

‘Are you kidding me? What does it matter if it’s gold or silver when I’m dead? Give it to me when I’m alive! My salary is already in the minus-‘

‘Just, please shut up and follow me.’

Ian smiled at Jayrut, watching Beric being dragged away. Wasn’t this the first time they had met like this since the selection competition? As someone who was rapidly emerging as the center of the opposing faction, it was not easy to meet.

‘It seems like it’s been a while, Commander Jayrut. Beric has been causing a lot of trouble, and I wanted to apologize, but I didn’t have the chance.’

‘It’s alright. I expected and accepted it to some extent. I know you’re busy with the inauguration ceremony. But there’s something urgent to discuss. This way for a moment.’

In the center of the common office, there was a large round table, and the new commanders, Simon and Bonita, were standing there. They were carefully examining the unfolded map and letters, and then they noticed Ian and greeted him.

‘Greetings, Minister. I am Simon, the Third Commander.’

‘I am Bonita.’

A light handshake. They were being polite, but they were stiff. It was understandable, as Jayrut, their senior and pillar, was wary of Ian, even though they were commanders of equal rank. They were not the type of warriors to embellish things with unnecessary words.

‘The border guards in the south have contacted us. They checked the mana anomaly detectors, and the readings are abnormally high compared to the usual year.’

‘How much?’

‘…It’s said to be three times higher.’

Ian quickly scanned the report stamped with the border guard’s seal. He didn’t seem to have any questions.

Simon and Bonita exchanged glances, slightly surprised. They had at least expected him to ask what a mana anomaly detector was.

‘Excuse me, but what is that?’

Just like Romandro.

Simon handed over another report and explained.

‘It’s a kind of alarm device installed at regular intervals along the border. Bariel is relatively safe from monster attacks, but we can’t be negligent. The north and west are so rugged that the annual records fluctuate between 5 and 6.’

‘Does it detect mana?’

‘Yes. It’s not limited to monsters, but still. It’s the first time such a high reading has been recorded in the south, near Cliffopord.’

What was happening throughout Gaia, centered around Bariel? Ian tilted his head, handing over the report.

‘The reason for the unscheduled check of the mana anomaly detector is due to the aftermath of the earthquake.’

‘I think it would be a good idea to dispatch our members and mages to investigate the entire border. Lord Romandro, before you were appointed as an aide, weren’t you working in the earthquake-affected areas as a reconstruction advisor?’

‘Ah, yes. That’s right. I was active there until just before I went down to Bratz, no, Hielo. It’s true that small and large earthquakes have become more frequent.’

Thinking about it now, tears welled up again. To be sent to a local post as soon as he returned. Romandro clenched his fist, vowing never to go outside the center again.

‘How many people will be dispatched?’

At that moment, Ian’s question cut in. He had finished reading all the reports and placed the stack on the table. Simon and Bonita carefully offered their opinions, watching Jayrut’s reaction.

‘The more, the better.’

At that, Romandro, who had been lost in memories, snapped back to reality. There was already a shortage of mages, and now they were sending them out to the east, west, south, and north. The intention was too clear.

They were trying to break them up.

Whether it was influence or anything else.

‘What about the Imperial Guard? How, how many people are you thinking of dispatching to say that?’

‘We plan to check based on the number of people determined by the Magic Department. The Imperial Defense Department will provide the necessary escort troops, so you don’t have to worry about safety.’

‘No, listen here.’

As Romandro was about to object, Ian lightly raised his hand to stop him. It was a very slow and quiet gesture, but it was enough to silence the surroundings.

‘Everyone except Commander Jayrut, please leave.’

At his request, Romandro coughed and stepped back, and Simon and Bonita also disappeared after receiving Jayrut’s permission.

Ian ran his fingertips along the border of Bariel marked on the map.

‘Commander Jayrut. I’ll answer first. I will not send mages to the border. Even if I did, only one is the maximum I can give.’

What Ian wanted was to check him, not the Magic Department. The Magic Department, or rather, the mages, were the central axis of Bariel. If this were to falter, Jin would not be able to move forward.

‘Is this the limit of the warriors? It seems they have reached some understanding with the Imperial Defense Department, but still…’

It seemed they needed someone to look after the situation for them. A righteous heart is a strong force. But if the direction is wrong, it’s worse than having nothing at all.

Ian flicked the map and smiled.

‘It seems I’ve somehow gotten on Commander Jayrut’s bad side without realizing it. Is it because I entrusted you with a troublemaker like Beric?’

‘That’s not true at all.’

‘There’s been a lot of talk lately. Since I have ears, I keep hearing things, and it’s quite bothersome. It’s true that things are chaotic with His Majesty the Emperor holding his position, but aren’t all the officials doing their best in their respective positions?’

They were the Emperor’s guards. Since that was their foundation, it would be more beneficial for them to be closer to the administrative branch than the Imperial Defense Department.

‘The Magic Department is the same. There’s been talk that our treatment is excessive, and if even the palace mages are reduced, it’s obvious that there will be problems with the department’s operation. I believe you expected me to refuse.’

Jayrut calmly nodded. As Ian said, he had not expected him to agree right away.

‘Alright. Then, I don’t think you called me here just to discuss this.’

Ian sat down on a chair and clasped his hands. Then, Jayrut took a deep breath and rummaged inside his coat. A stack of letters appeared in his hand. He handed them to Ian, telling him to read them.

‘What is this?’

‘You’ll know when you see it.’

Jayrut’s voice was unusual. Ian untied the string and then touched his temple as if surprised.

* * *

‘Where’s Ian?’

‘Hey, what are you doing?’

Romandro, who had come outside, approached Beric with a very displeased expression. For some reason, Beric was doing a handstand against the wall. Romandro squatted down and grumbled, expressing some unknown dissatisfaction.

‘What are you saying? Where’s Ian?’

‘He’s inside, meeting with Commander Jayrut.’

‘Oh man, I’m not going to get scolded, am I?’

‘Did you do something wrong again?’

With a flick! Beric stood up with a light movement and strongly denied it by drawing an X with his hand. Did he not know that a strong denial was a confirmation?

‘Absolutely! Absolutely not!’

‘…Okay. I’m sure you didn’t.’

‘By the way. When is the inauguration ceremony? I heard that it’s completely crazy outside right now. Alcohol is flowing down the sewers, strangers are dancing and singing in the streets, and everyone’s busy having fun.’

He wanted to go out and play too. As Beric came closer with sparkling eyes, Romandro pushed his face away.

‘Don’t even dream about it until the guests leave after the inauguration ceremony. How can a guy who gets paid to work play with everyone else?’

Eriphony had just arrived as the first guest, and he was saying that!

Beric clicked his tongue and lay down on the floor. Simon and Bonita, the Third Commanders, seemed used to it and were discussing something among themselves, pretending not to see.

‘Will Vivianna come to the inauguration ceremony?’

‘Of course, since His Highness Jin invited her.’

At the mention of Vivianna, Romandro’s expression softened slightly.

The inauguration ceremony itself was held in front of the nobles and a small number of invited guests, and the final part of the schedule was walking the path of the Emperor while wearing the crown.

Squeak.

‘Oh? Ian!’

‘Ian! How did the negotiations go?’

Ian’s expression was not much different from usual, but Beric sniffed, saying that something was strange. Horrified by the sight, Romandro pulled on Beric’s sideburns.

‘Beric! You can’t do that when you’re wearing your uniform!’

‘I’ve finished my business. Let’s go back to the Magic Department.’

‘Ah, okay. I understand.’

‘Beric, what about you?’

‘I’m going too! I’ve finished all my training for today!’

He didn’t even ask his superiors, Simon and Bonita, and seemed to have made his own decision. Ian nodded and made eye contact with them.

‘Then, goodbye.’

‘Please go ahead.’

The two bowed politely, and Ian walked away without hesitation. He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry.

Romandro ran alongside him on the left and asked.

‘Ian, what’s wrong? What did Jayrut say? What about the mages?’

‘I won’t send the mages.’

‘Right? Ah, okay. I thought the Imperial Guard was being a bit much!’

And Beric running on the right. He was begging to be told too, but his voice was drowned out by the gesture of the mage standing next to the carriage. As soon as the mage spotted Ian, he shouted loudly.

‘Lord Ian! The Cliffopord carriage has begun to appear!’