Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 308

Don’t Look Down

Bariel!

The beginning of the glory that God holds-

The heart of Gaia, dyed gold when it rains-

Hold your head high, and you shall see-

The light in that high place, the lamp of Bariel-

As the soldiers chanted the anthem and pulled the ropes, hundreds of Bariel Empire flags rose simultaneously, covering the fortress walls.

The crowds waiting in front of the Imperial Palace noticed the start of the inauguration ceremony and let out excited screams.

Bariel!

The voices of countless people blended together, shouting the glory of Bariel, and it showed a power strong enough to reach the main palace.

Philia noticed the commotion flowing into her ears and turned her head. Outside the window, nothing was visible, but the heat was approaching intensely, like the midday sun shining down.

‘What’s wrong, Madam?’

‘I’m a little nervous. I never thought I’d ever attend an imperial event in my life, especially the official successor inauguration ceremony of His Highness the Prince.’

Vivianna smiled kindly and held Philia’s hand. It seemed she didn’t realize that she was already a noble lady enough to use the word ‘dare’.

‘You are the birth mother of the Minister of Magic and someone His Highness Jin cherishes. Please don’t say such things. The nobles gathered here will be embarrassed.’

‘What are you saying…’

‘Who else could receive a gift directly from His Highness?’

Vivianna playfully nudged her arm, wrinkling her nose.

When Ian handed her a small box, saying it was a gift that His Highness had personally chosen from the presented jewels, Philia almost fainted. Her eyes welled up again, as if overcome with emotion.

‘Madam, you mustn’t cry. Everyone is watching us.’

Vivianna whispered, covering her mouth with a fan.

First of all, their seats were right below the imperial family and the kings of other countries, in the VIP section, which already drew attention. Moreover, the lady’s beauty was extraordinary, and she even looked just like Ian.

Now, before the inauguration ceremony began, it was receiving so much attention that it was confusing as to whose seat this was for. The gazes of the three kings from other countries were not much different.

‘Eldert, is that woman going to stay in the center?’

‘According to the information, she will go down after the inauguration ceremony.’

‘Then she must have come up for this seat.’

Eriphony wondered if the relationship between Ian and Jin might be more cordial than she thought. However, Eldert’s answer was not very clear.

‘I apologize. Everyone is silent about Madam Philia. However, according to unconfirmed rumors, she has ties with the Cheonryeo tribe.’

‘The Cheonryeo tribe? The predators of the Great Desert that I know?’

‘Madam Philia may have been behind the alliance between Hielo and Cheonryeo.’

Because Luswena was adjacent to the Hawan Kingdom, she often heard about the situation in the Great Desert. Was Philia the central figure in that process?

Eriphony scanned Philia with a questioning gaze. Then, suddenly, she felt an intense gaze from the lower tier.

Alenara.

Swoosh.

Alenara slightly lowered her head as if greeting Eriphony. It was their first meeting after having a very interesting time at the banquet night.

When Eriphony raised an eyebrow and acknowledged her, a smile appeared on Alenara’s face.

‘Everyone, please stand!’

At that moment, a sound announcing the start of the inauguration ceremony was heard.

The low-pitched melody of the orchestra became heavier, drawing people’s attention. Through the large window, the cavalry and military band arriving and waiting in front of the main palace were clearly visible.

As Philia and Vivianna grabbed their dresses and stood up, the huge doors at the entrance swung open to the sides.

Squeak!

The first to enter was the Prime Minister of the Bariel Empire.

The Prime Minister, dressed in full regalia, and numerous officials following him. On a golden tray was placed the golden crown, only allowed for the official successor.

The so-called Crown Prince, a title only allowed for the one who would succeed the Emperor. Some nobles unconsciously recalled the princes who had disappeared into history, but soon let it go with the sound of applause.

The officials split to the left and right and lined up, followed by the entry of high-ranking officials.

‘From now on…’

The Prime Minister pulled the magical tool supported by a mage closer and said.

‘We will now hold the inauguration ceremony for the 14th Crown Prince of the Great Bariel Empire. This is all done under the name of His Majesty the Emperor.’

Everyone knew that the Emperor’s remaining breath was not even a handful. And most of them believed that if Jin became the Crown Prince, the Emperor would pass away.

But even if he was recognized as legitimate without any hesitation, what could a young Crown Prince do? Whether he ascended the throne or sat on it, he would probably hold Ian’s hand.

Swoosh.

Next came the Magic Department. Ian, leading the way, had an expression that was more than serious; it was rigid. His eyes seemed to see through the minds of the insolent ones.

As he entered the hall and looked at the seats of the nobles, their gazes naturally scattered. It was the reaction of those who had mistaken that their eyes had met.

‘Ian!’

Only Philia smiled brightly and clapped enthusiastically. Vivianna did the same. She gestured to Romandro, who was standing behind Ian, and did not hide her proud expression.

‘Line up!’

Finally, the Imperial Guard entered and raised their swords. Beric was standing at the very end. Philia and Vivianna covered their mouths in surprise.

Very admirably, except for his red hair, there was not much misbehavior. It was the power of a month’s worth of meat meals.

Thump! Thump!

The music penetrated to the heart. The Imperial Guard stood with their swords resting on the floor, and finally, the protagonist of the day appeared.

With a thick Crown Prince’s cloak trailing long behind him.

Slowly-

‘Oh my.’

Eriphony unconsciously bit her teeth and muttered. It was because she knew how heavy that was even for an adult. The way he was trying so hard to look dignified!

‘…Cute.’

As the attendants arranged the ends of the cloak and entered together, the child’s steps became a little lighter. Every time Jin took a step, the badges and jewels on his chest sparkled dazzlingly.

Swoosh.

Jin faced the Prime Minister.

According to the original procedure, it was customary to kneel, but this was omitted because the child was too short. Eriphony completely covered her lower face with a fan.

‘Jin Verosian.’

Jin lightly gathered his hands and brought them to his forehead as if praying. It was the traditional etiquette of the Imperial Family and a gesture of gratitude to God.

The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Emperor, removed the badges one by one from his chest. It was a step from the position of a prince to the position of a crown prince. The previous ones were products of the past.

‘What I am about to say now is truly the will of His Majesty the Emperor. Declare and swear, and show your will to everyone.’

‘Whatever it may be, with all my truth.’

‘Jin Verosian, has the 5th Prince of the Great Bariel Empire understood and respected his duty to the Empire, and made the decision to make it his destiny?’

The duty to the Empire.

Jin raised his right hand and swore.

‘I, Jin Verosian, have understood my duty to the Empire. It is to fulfill my mission in the name of Verosian for the endless glory and high pride of Bariel, and to walk for the prosperity and stability of the Imperial Family and the complete and meaningful lives of the people of the Empire. All living beings within the borders of Bariel are my other selves, and beings to be loved with all my soul.’

Jin spoke in a clear voice. Every pronunciation was perfect, without a single flaw.

The child suddenly recalled the path he had walked, and his eyes welled up. His father, the Emperor, his mother, Dilaina, and his siblings. They all would have wished for this moment, but now, none of them were here? Only he had survived and was standing here.

‘For Bariel, I will dedicate all my destiny. For Bariel, I will dedicate my tears and my blood. Those who defy this, I will boldly cut down, and those who hinder this, I will relentlessly sever.’

Ian, watching from the Magic Department, also felt a strange ache in his chest. It felt like he was watching his own coronation.

He realized that it was truly strange that Jin was in his place, and that Naum was in his current place, all connected by a single timeline.

‘Naum, when you saw me in this place, how did you feel? Did your heart ache like this? Or were you proud?’

Ian had a good memory, but strangely, he had no memory of making eye contact with Naum that day.

What was engraved was the weight of the crown placed on his head.

Chronie’s embrace.

The heavy applause of the nobles.

And the cloak that weighed down on his shoulders…

‘I swear to God, I will do so.’

As Jin finished his declaration, applause erupted again, as if everyone welcomed the birth of the new Crown Prince.

The Prime Minister carefully lifted the golden crown, and the child lowered his head.

‘Jin Verosian, in the name of His Majesty the Emperor, I appoint you as the 14th Crown Prince of the Great Bariel Empire. This means that the next history book will begin with your name.’

Swoosh.

Jin wore the Crown Prince’s crown. It fit perfectly, as if it had found its owner. A new badge was attached to the child’s chest, and a Crown Prince’s scepter was held in his left hand.

All the nobles knelt, expressing their reverence to the new Crown Prince. The kings of the three countries did the same.

‘Congratulations, Your Highness Crown Prince Jin Verosian!’

‘Congratulations! Your Highness the Crown Prince!’

‘May the blessings of God be upon the future of the Empire!’

Jin smiled lightly at the congratulations that erupted from all over. The Imperial Guard raised their swords again to escort Jin’s departure, and the officials followed behind.

Now it was time to face the people of the Empire, not the nobles.

Neigh! Neigh!

‘Prepare the procession!’

‘Open all the gates of the Imperial Palace!’

‘His Highness Crown Prince Jin is leaving the palace!’

With the huge golden carriage at the center, the cavalry and military band moved. As the majestic sound of trumpets rang out as if piercing the sky, the horses reacted.

Jin got into the open carriage and straightened his back.

‘Your Highness, we will be departing soon. The estimated time is about two hours, and a defensive formation is in place in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Please do not put your hand out of this side…’

Ian stopped, worried. It was because the child’s eyes, listening with the crown on, were more dignified than before. He even thought that he would do everything well without him giving any more warnings.

Did the Crown Prince’s oath have such power?

Was he so different before and after his accession?

‘Sir Ian?’

Why was he stopping mid-sentence? Jin asked back, his eyes wide. He couldn’t tilt his head because of the weight of the crown, though.

‘No, it’s nothing. I believe you will remember well.’

‘Hmm. I did keep hearing it from Romandro and the Prime Minister.’

‘Yes. Then we will depart soon.’

‘Sir Ian.’

It was the moment Ian was about to turn his body at the call of the mages. Jin placed his hand on the back of his hand.

‘I know well that Sir Ian has worked hard to go from the shadow of the Imperial Family to become the owner of the crown.’

‘Your Highness.’

‘You’ve worked hard. And, thank you.’

‘It’s nothing. Your Highness is…’

He was about to say that he was originally qualified for this, that he was originally such a noble person. But he noticed that Jin’s eyes were full of tears, and he was speechless at the words that followed.

‘So, Sir Ian, please continue to help me like this in the future.’

His tightly clenched palm was damp, asking for an answer. It was sweat that had come out of tension and anxiety. Ian looked up at Jin with a pitiful expression.

‘Your Highness, please don’t look down.’

‘…Sir Ian.’

‘We will depart! Sir Ian!’

‘Preparation is complete! Military band, lead the way!’

Instead of answering, Ian handed him a handkerchief and whispered gently.

Please, don’t look down.

If you do…

‘Tears will fall.’