Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 312

“He’s coming.”

A magician muttered.

In the distance, the carriage carrying the King of Vergos could be seen approaching. The guards straightened their postures and hurried to prepare to receive the carriage, and the magicians also stopped what they were doing on the stairs and waited.

Screech.

“Welcome, Envoy Timothy. Did you have a good meeting with Commander Acorella?”

Timothy was the first to appear. When the magician asked, holding the door, he only nodded his head slightly.

“Yes. Well, he didn’t seem to be in good condition, so I just checked the transaction list and quantities and left right away.”

“Is that so? I heard he had almost fully recovered. If not, the physician wouldn’t have allowed it. Although the risk of infection is low for adults, it’s not impossible.”

“Whether it was because of the fever, he was muttering to himself, shouting, and was quite unpredictable.”

The worried magician paused, flustered. The words that it wasn’t because he was sick, but that was Commander Acorella’s personality, almost reached his throat.

That erratic state was his normal state. He wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, but decided against it as it wouldn’t be beneficial.

“What about Minister Ian Hielo?”

“Your Majesty of Vergos. The Minister is working in his office. He asked for your understanding as he could not leave his post.”

Damon followed soon after. It seemed that the rumors of him causing a commotion outside were true. His already pale cheeks looked even whiter and colder.

Damon strode ahead, his cloak billowing, followed by Timothy and his subordinates. The spirit emanating from his small frame. The magicians, who had stopped in the lobby and bowed, felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

“Doesn’t he seem a bit similar to Ian?”

“How dare you compare him? Do you want to die?”

“I mean, take out your eyeballs. I’ll wipe them for you.”

“No. I mean, the atmosphere, the atmosphere.”

They jokingly teased each other, but they all somewhat agreed. As the King of Vergos and his subordinates turned the corner and disappeared, the magicians peeked out from behind, following them.

“But why did the King of Vergos want to see Ian?”

“I don’t know. I heard it was a sudden request.”

Jin had been promoted to Crown Prince, and an order to move his residence was issued before the day was over. Even the most oblivious person could recognize that the political situation was changing like the wind. It was only natural that everyone was curious about the King of Vergos’s intentions in wanting to see Ian.

Knock knock.

“Minister. King Damon of Vergos has arrived.”

“Show him in.”

As the attendant cleared the way, Damon took a slight breath and stepped inside. Timothy, who followed behind, had a dark expression. It was a reaction from his worried heart, not knowing his lord’s intentions, but Damon waved his hand, dismissing him.

“Timothy. You wait here.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

If Timothy had other intentions, he could interfere with the private meeting. Damon lightly adjusted his collar and entered the office. As he entered, Romandro, who had been waiting in the opposite hallway, appeared.

“Envoy Timothy.”

“Lord Romandro. Why are you out here?”

“Haha. I was kicked out. It seems that our lords have something they need to discuss privately.”

Romandro smiled good-naturedly and glanced at the Vergos subordinates. His gaze indicated that he was concerned about them standing there without any hospitality. Timothy, understanding the meaning, checked his pocket watch and asked.

“Do you have any idea how long it will take?”

“Well, I guess the king who requested it would know.”

“Oh dear. I asked a silly question.”

“No, it’s alright. If you don’t mind, instead of standing here, why don’t you all go to the reception room? It’s hard for the magicians to pass by if you’re guarding the door.”

They were already tired from going outside the palace. Everyone silently asked Timothy what they should do.

“Alright. There’s no need for everyone to stand here. I’ll be guarding, so everyone leave.”

“Please come this way. It’s right next door.”

As the subordinates followed the attendant’s guidance and left, only Timothy and Romandro remained in the hallway.

The silence spoke volumes. As Timothy leaned against the wall, Romandro looked around.

“Do you have something to say, Lord Romandro?”

“It’s not me, but a message from Lord Ian.”

Swoosh.

Romandro pulled out a small letter from his pocket. Could it be some kind of trade proposal related to the magic stone? If possible, he didn’t want to receive it, but he couldn’t refuse since the Minister had ordered it to be delivered. Timothy cautiously examined the contents.

“This is…?”

“It’s a pass. It’s one of the Minister’s authorities, and if you show this, you can travel across the Bariel border without any other identification. Regardless of departure or entry.”

“I know that. What I’m curious about is why you’re giving this to me…”

“First of all-”

First of all?

Timothy raised an eyebrow and looked at Romandro.

But surprisingly, he also had a look of not understanding the situation. He was doing it because Ian had instructed him, but he seemed to be curious about the exact reason himself.

“He said he was sorry that Bariel couldn’t help with the gypsy pursuit. It’s expected that the gypsy crossed the border, but you never know when they might cross the border again. Therefore, it’s a gift to ensure smooth investigations at the Bariel border…”

Romandro trailed off, not realizing it himself. In fact, if Timothy, who was a diplomat, wanted to officially enter Bariel, it wouldn’t be difficult. Wasn’t that why he had secretly entered the palace before to investigate the gypsy?

But why a pass, as if he was in such a hurry to continue the investigation? This kind of thing was usually given to knights going on missions at the border…

“Lord Romandro?”

“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, please accept it as a gift from our Minister. Even if it’s a pass, a record will be left with the border guards. You know that, right?”

Should he accept it?

Timothy was lost in thought for a moment. It seemed that the king hadn’t given up on the gypsy, so he might be ordered to pursue them again when he returned home. If so, this pass would be helpful in many ways. How much time was wasted just entering and leaving the country?

Let’s accept it for now. It would be useful to have it.

“Yes, I know.”

“And there’s a limit to the number of times you can use it.”

“A limit?”

“A total of three times, and if you have companions, it will be deducted together.”

“…I will keep that in mind and use it well. Since you’re being so considerate, His Majesty Damon will be pleased.”

It’s full of questions.

Timothy thought so and put the pass in his inner pocket. Then, Romandro lowered his voice and spoke carefully.

“Um. This is only for Envoy Timothy, so please be careful not to let the word spread elsewhere. It could put the Minister in a difficult position.”

“Of course. We will also put our heart into the magic stones we send when we return home. We will carefully select only flawless and radiant ones. They will be used for the construction of the Magic Department’s annex.”

After answering that, Timothy realized why the situation felt so awkward and unfamiliar. Being treated as a diplomatic envoy was a familiar thing, but the other party was Bariel.

‘What’s strange now is that it’s the opposite. I should have been concerned about Lord Romandro. Could this be a way of pointing that out? Should I give something in return? But I don’t have any extra resources right now…’

As Timothy pressed his temples, Romandro tilted his head worriedly. He wasn’t happy even after receiving a gift, so he wondered why his reaction was like that.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, yes. It’s nothing.”

Romandro was about to say that he would take him to the infirmary if he wanted, when.

Clang!

A sound came from inside.

It was clear that something like glass had broken.

Romandro and Timothy looked at each other in confusion, then rushed towards the office.

Knock knock.

“Lord Ian. Is everything alright?”

“Timothy, I’m waiting. Your Majesty Damon.”

But there was no answer. The two men, who had been laughing and exchanging passes just a moment ago, immediately became alert and on edge. As Timothy placed his hand on his waist, Romandro also tensed and fiddled with the whistle in his pocket.

“Your Majesty. If there’s no answer-”

Timothy counted to three in his mind. If he didn’t hear his lord’s voice even then, he would have no choice but to force his way in. Just as he was about to count, Damon’s voice was heard.

“It’s done. It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I said I’m fine. Go away.”

It was clearly his lord’s command. Timothy reluctantly stepped back, unable to shake off his unease.

Meanwhile, inside the office, Ian was looking down at the broken pieces of a vase. The carpet was damp and the petals were scattered. The only light in the dim office was a single ray of sunlight seeping through the window.

“Your Majesty. Are you not hurt?”

“…”

“If your precious body is injured, I will be in trouble.”

“Is that so? I like that. If I can make you like that by drawing blood.”

Ian smiled and walked past the glass shards, sitting opposite Damon.

* * *

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

As soon as Damon entered the office, he saw Ian sitting at his desk. He was wearing light clothing, not his formal attire, and had just closed a document. He didn’t even seem to think about getting up, even though the king had entered.

“I apologize. Please understand that I have not been able to observe the formalities due to the sudden meeting.”

“I heard that some magicians collapsed, and one of them was Minister, you.”

It was an act of not getting up even though the king had arrived. It was either because he was unwell or it was an insult. Ian gave a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying it.

“It seems that my energy has been depleted as it was a long-prepared event. Please forgive my rudeness and make yourself comfortable. Shall I have tea brought in?”

“No.”

Damon sat on the sofa and crossed his legs. He wondered how to start the conversation, and Ian asked him first.

“Do you need any revisions or supplements to the magic stone transaction? I apologize, but since the executive branch has already approved it, we would have to start the contract process all over again if we do. Your Majesty.”

Ian knew that wasn’t the real reason. It was a question telling him not to beat around the bush and to say why he had come.

Damon leaned his arm on the sofa and supported his pale cheek. What he needed to find out was clear.

‘Does the palace know the identity of the gypsy? If they do, did they trade the secret and take what was mine? And also, is there any betrayal from Timothy?’

But the problem was where to start.

Ian patiently waited for Damon to start. Because it was a sensitive issue, just bringing it up first would put him in a disadvantageous position. He had no choice but to scratch at it little by little.

“Minister Ian Hielo.”

“Ask away, Your Majesty.”

“I heard rumors circulating in the palace. Since His Majesty the Emperor is in such a state, I imagine there are many concerns and worries. Since you are the only one the Crown Prince can rely on, I also want to have many conversations with you.”

“There are many who hold ministerial positions in the palace. What am I? And above all, His Highness Jin is young, but he is the one who will fully lead Bariel in the future. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for you to have a conversation with him rather than me?”

“That is also true. But you cannot deny that you are the only support for His Highness, who has no relatives on his mother’s side. The word has spread even to Vergos, a foreign country, so how can you try to cover the sky with your palm?”

“His Majesty the Emperor is firmly holding on, so what are you talking about?”

“Firmly?”

Damon tilted his head with a curious smile.

In his previous life, the current Emperor did live a long life, but there was no guarantee that he would do so now? He was lying down and not even showing his face.

“Minister, you seem to be confident that His Majesty the Emperor will live a long life.”

With a tone that seemed to be testing him, the two men’s gazes met in earnest.