Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 340

The conference room was filled with colorful light filtering through the stained glass. Unlike the warm lighting, the atmosphere was icy. King Clifford, his vassals, and Prince Noah were gathered around a large round table, each watching the others’ reactions. This was because the king’s opinion to keep the magicians and the vassals’ opinion to send them away quickly were in sharp conflict.

The king sighed, resting his plump cheek on his hand.

“Listen, do you think Burgos and Luswena don’t know about this situation? If something happens after sending the magicians away, the people will bear the brunt of it. It’s almost farming season, and there are problems in so many areas.”

“Your Majesty, that is also true, but keeping the magicians in Clifford poses a greater danger. It’s best to send them away quickly and inform Burgos that Clifford has no magicians and that there are no issues with the alliance with Bariel.”

“But hasn’t Minister Ian just woken up? It’s said that the messenger bird he sent due to the magical reaction will take longer than usual to arrive, so are you going to recklessly chase the magicians away?”

“It’s also a matter of humanitarian concern and a breach of etiquette between nations. At the very least, it’s right to send them after Sir Ian has recovered.”

“No, the very fact that they are in the palace right now is the problem. How about we announce to the outside world that they have moved, and we secretly protect them on our side?”

“What if there’s a communication error with Bariel?”

“We’re only informing Burgos, so why would there be a communication error with Bariel?”

“If you put it that way, there’s no need for this debate. What does Burgos know about the affairs between Clifford and Bariel to act on it?”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough!”

*Thump thump!*

The king banged the table with his fist, telling them to calm down.

He acknowledged that the opposition’s arguments had merit. However, the king believed that assuming the worst-case scenario was the best way to protect the people’s safety. Therefore, he had no choice but to come up with an answer while assuming a conflict would occur.

A vassal looked at Prince Noah and asked earnestly. If Prince Noah could persuade him, the king might change his mind.

“Your Highness. What is your opinion?”

The opposing vassals stared at Prince Noah with their hands clasped tightly. He was sitting second to the left of the king, and officially, he had the highest right to speak after the prime minister and other high-ranking officials. Unofficially, he was second only to the king.

“Since there has been no report on Burgos’s movements, it is not something we can easily consider.”

Prince Noah glanced at the official in charge. In intelligence warfare, speed and accuracy were paramount, but the Clifford informant sent to Burgos had not yet responded.

“How about discussing it with Sir Ian, Father?”

“Sir Ian?”

“Yes. In any case, Bariel also wants an alliance with Clifford. Also, they would be the next ones in trouble if Clifford clashes with Burgos. Above all, the intentions of the magicians themselves are most important. That way, whether we send them out or not, we’ll have something to say to Bariel.”

“Hmm. That’s not wrong. But-”

Even if Clifford were to present Bariel with the unauthorized intrusion of magicians into the royal palace and Ian’s humanitarian care, Bariel would present the loss of the jewel and the possession of Idgal [a magical artifact].

For an alliance to be formed, numerous discussions would have to take place within a tenacious and persistent web of interests, and it was very unsettling to have a Bariel person attend a meeting that would determine the fate of their country at such a time.

The king sighed deeply and popped dried grapes into his mouth.

‘It would be nice to clear each other’s debts and form an alliance. And that vineyard that was ruined, too. Tsk.’

As the king was lost in thought, only picking at the grapes, the vassals spoke cautiously.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve already spoken to a subordinate named Hale, haven’t you? What did he say?”

“He said he would tell Sir Ian. And I came to this meeting.”

The opposing vassals exchanged glances. It seemed that the king had no intention of changing his position, so they were planning to contact the magicians directly and send them back. Prince Noah quickly noticed this and cleared his throat.

“Ahem. First, since Father wants the magicians to stay longer, it would be good to take measures regarding that, then assess the situation in Burgos and discuss it again. Tell the doctors to double the treatment period and diagnose them-”

*Screech!*

*Clatter clatter!*

A hurried sound cut off Prince Noah’s words. Everyone in the conference room turned their heads toward the entrance. A soldier rushed in, panting.

“Your Majesty!”

“What is it? You’ll fall.”

“Burgos, haa, an envoy from Burgos has arrived.”

At his report, everyone was startled and rose from their seats. Already? So quickly? Even the royal palace was still in chaos, so how did Burgos find out?

The king sighed deeply and finished what he was eating. He knew this would happen, and he didn’t forget to click his tongue as he looked around at his vassals.

“See, I told you. Tsk, tsk!”

“Y-Your Majesty. What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do? Are we going to turn away the envoy? The new king of Burgos is different from my father. How should I put it? If the former king was like a snake, King Damon is like a small viper. Oh dear, let’s get up.”

“Everyone, prepare! Escort the envoy of Burgos to the reception room!”

Prince Noah quickly ordered, supporting his father. The vassals looked back and forth between the king and the prince, not knowing what to do, and then rushed out. In this case, wouldn’t it be better to announce that the magicians are stationed in Clifford, as the king ordered? A vassal who was running turned back and shouted.

“W-What about the magicians? Should we ask them to attend the reception? If they refuse…”

“The magicians-”

The king patted his son’s shoulder and gently pushed him forward. The prince looked back at his father, bewildered.

“Noah, go and meet them. Listen to the conversation from next to the reception room, and if it’s necessary to reveal the existence of the magicians, then bring them out.”

“Yes. I understand, Father.”

“And Noah.”

The prince met his father’s eyes. The king smiled kindly, creasing the corners of his eyes even deeper. The father and son looked so alike, it was as if two foxes, big and small, were looking at each other. Unlike the rapidly changing background, they were very relaxed.

“Always remember and take pride in the fact that you have successfully completed your mission as the Bariel envoy. Understood?”

“Father.”

“Go on now. Go and do well with the magicians.”

Noah hugged his father briefly, feeling sorry and frustrated.

Honestly, what had he done well? He had failed to form a three-nation alliance, the royal family’s curse had been leaked, and he had even been caught by Bariel due to his greed for Idgal.

However, instead of blaming him, his father, the king, had given him another chance.

The three-nation alliance was always subject to the political situation, the royal family’s curse was not Noah’s fault but had started with his ancestors, and the Idgal transaction was all done out of patriotism.

“I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes.”

Noah bowed with a firm expression and then ran toward the magicians’ detached palace. Dozens of vassals parted to the left and right, hurrying their steps.

The king watched his son’s back and slowly walked toward the reception room. He savored the sweetness that remained in his mouth and said.

“Let’s offer warm wine to the guests who have come from afar.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why did they come at sunset?”

In Clifford, where grape farming was the main occupation, they considered sunset to be a sacred time. It was the time to finish the day’s hard work and return home.

It was already not enough time to forget the hardships with music and alcohol and prepare for the next day, but to have work come up, oh dear. The king offered dried grapes to the attendant who was following him closely.

“Don’t be nervous, have a bite?”

“T-Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Yes. Everything will be fine. As God wills.”

*Ding-*

*Ah- Oah-*

In the distance, the sound of bells and the farmers’ humming seemed to be heard. But it was immediately buried by the commotion in the royal palace.

* * *

*Thud! Thump!*

*Bang!*

“Ugh, what a surprise! What is it!”

“Wow, it’s the prince. Hello?”

“You startled me. I almost had a heart attack. Ian told you not to run like that in the royal palace, didn’t he?”

The magicians were not visible in the detached palace. Noah, panting, threw open Ian’s bedroom door and was met with the sight of the magicians sprawled on the floor in a tangled mess.

Why were they all like this? The ones who had been going crazy were passed out as if they had fainted. The bed was empty.

“…Why are you all like this?”

“Why else? They used up all their energy giving power to Ian. Haaam.”

“Where is Sir Ian?”

“Ian? Did he go to the bathroom?”

“No. I saw him go out with Hale and Acorella earlier. They must have had something important to talk about.”

“That’s what they said. Your Highness, is the younger prince okay?”

“Everyone, get up!”

“Why, why are you doing this? I’m not feeling well…”

The ones who were conscious raised their upper bodies shakily, but that was it. As if they had no energy, they fell back down with a thud. How could they prove they were magicians in front of the Burgos envoy like this?

“Okay, okay, I’m up! Ta-da!”

Berik stood up abruptly, flexing his muscles.

Noah looked at him with annoyance. He immediately turned his back and ordered his subordinates to find Ian.

“He must be nearby. Find him.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Why are you looking for Ian? I’m the expert at finding Ian? Should I look? Huh?”

“Be quiet! How urgent is it right now-!”

“This way, this way. I smell him.”

Whether Noah was getting angry or not, Berik just sniffed and passed him by. Noah, dumbfounded, watched his back. He gritted his teeth and put his hand on his sword hilt.

“If you’re wasting time, I won’t let it go.”

“Heh. A challenge, is that it? I’m all for it?”

“You!”

“This way, this way!”

He shouldn’t know the layout of the detached palace well, but he seemed to be walking quite confidently.

Noah kept his hand on the sword hilt and followed, glaring at the back of Berik’s head. After turning a few corners, Berik jumped up and waved his hand.

“Iaaaaan!”

“Berik. Are you awake?”

“I don’t know. The prince suddenly went *bang*! Magicians, wake up! So everyone woke up.”

“It’s almost time to eat? It was time to wake up anyway.”

“Ah. Is that so? Then that’s it. Let’s eat!”

Berik stretched and shouted, and Ian turned his head toward Noah. He gave a brief greeting with a nod of his chin and smiled. It was as if he knew why Prince Noah had come to find him.

“It seems like there are guests at the main gate.”

“Sir Ian. Let’s move our seats together.”

It was urgent, but Ian didn’t seem to be moving. Hale and Acorella, who were firmly guarding his side, were the same. Berik also wondered what was going on and quietly moved next to Ian.

“His Majesty has great insight. I didn’t expect Burgos to move this quickly either.”

“Doesn’t Bariel want an alliance with Clifford?”

“They do. And they also want Clifford not to be pushed around by Burgos. But, you see.”

Ian gave a questioning look.

“Are you perhaps thinking of bringing the Burgos envoy into the palace?”

“What?”

Then, are they going to turn away a foreign envoy without even receiving them? That’s absurd! When Noah asked back, not understanding the meaning, Ian gave a pitiful smile.

“Burgos must be desperate to find a pretext, so they are no different from intruders. If you bring them into the palace, it will be difficult for you.”

“What on earth-”

*Clatter clatter!*

At that moment, soldiers rushed in from the hallway where Noah had come from. They were all pale and shouting for the prince.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

“Something terrible has happened!”

“What is all this commotion!”

I was running around even more wildly than that earlier, honestly. Berik pouted, and Ian gestured for him to restrain himself. From now on, this place would be like walking on needles, on thin ice.

“O-One of the Burgos envoys collapsed after drinking the welcoming wine!”