Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 343

“Your Highness, you’ll fall!”

Despite Siao’s worries, Jin continued to dash forward. The child ascended the steps of the main conference hall, not even glancing at those who scattered to the sides to greet him, and went straight ahead.

The attendants, seeing the Crown Prince rushing in, hurriedly pulled open the doors of the conference hall to both sides.

*Creak.*

The gazes of the officials poured in along with the sunlight from the conference hall. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense of Volv, and several other high-ranking officials were already seated.

It was an emergency meeting called because a reply had come from Clifford. Romandro was also seated at the end, and the child briefly scanned his expression and the letter in the Prime Minister’s hand.

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

“It seems you came in a hurry. Catch your breath.”

Jin didn’t seem to realize that he was breathing heavily. The child walked roughly to his seat and asked. Before his worries deepened, before his anxiety consumed him, it was important to know if Ian was alive or not.

“How is Sir Ian?”

“He is safe, Your Highness.”

The Prime Minister took off his glasses and handed the letter to Jin. A small piece of paper, crumpled up. It was in Hale’s handwriting, quite rough and crude, with some illegible words. But what was clear was that Ian was alive.

“Haa.”

The child pressed his forehead and let out a sigh of relief. The officials were the same. If something had happened to the Minister of Magic and the core power of Bariel, they would have been in a real dilemma about how to handle it.

Romandro cleared his throat and added an explanation.

“However, the report stated that Minister Ian’s injuries are very severe, and the magic power of the Magic Department members who are supporting him is also limited, so it will take time for him to recover and return.”

Romandro winked at Jin, signaling secretly. Even though the report said that, Ian would surely regain his strength and return soon.

While the officials were murmuring, Volv raised an objection, sounding suspicious.

“What was the cause of Sir Ian’s injury?”

“It was not written in the letter.”

“Is the source reliable?”

“Yes. It is definitely Chief Hale of the Magic Department’s handwriting.”

“I don’t understand. The great Sir Ian is so incapacitated that he can’t even move, and that even with the entire Magic Department’s magic power, he can’t recover, yet the cause is unknown. It’s not credible. Isn’t it possible that Clifford is playing tricks?”

“No. I guarantee it. It’s Chief Hale’s handwriting, and the magic stones that the Magic Department members took when they went up on the Black Moon were enclosed.”

“That’s what I mean. Isn’t it possible that Clifford wrote it after subduing the magicians?”

“That’s speculation and a severe overreach.”

Volv was one who wished for a conflict between Clifford and the magicians. If that happened, the power of the Magic Department would be cut off first, and the influence of the Imperial Defense Department would increase accordingly.

Also, if they sent troops to Clifford to save the magicians, a war would break out, and if they could win and bring glory to the empire, nothing would stand in the way of the generals’ path to success.

Knowing this well, Romandro refuted him clearly and stopped Volv. It was admirable that he was trying to find fault, but the reality was that Clifford was nursing Ian.

“I agree with that. The number of magicians involved was the entire department. If there had been a conflict, a report would have come from the border. The fact that there is no mention of Sir Ian’s injury seems to be due to personal reasons or a problem within the Magic Department itself…”

The Prime Minister glared at Romandro, rolling his eyes. He had cleverly issued external duty permits to the entire Magic Department, so even if they returned, there would be no grounds to hold them accountable.

Romandro desperately avoided his gaze, rolling his eyes. He looked at the distant mountains and continued his report.

“It is thought that Clifford does not have enough resources to help the magicians. Therefore, how about dispatching an envoy to supply magic stones and help them return?”

The details would be known when Ian returned, but for now, there didn’t seem to be any issues with Clifford.

The Prime Minister nodded in agreement, and some officials also showed their agreement. Volv and the generals of the Imperial Defense Department looked very dissatisfied.

The moment the generals exchanged glances.

*Knock knock.*

A soldier from the Imperial Defense Department entered the conference hall. He approached Minister Volv and whispered something.

Even while discussing the envoy with the Prime Minister, Romandro kept glancing at them. The smile that was forming on Minister Volv’s lips was unsettling.

“Wait a moment.”

As expected, Minister Volv raised his hand and requested a break in the meeting. The conference hall became quiet in an instant. The Prime Minister banged his staff and granted him the floor.

“What is it?”

“Information has just come in. It seems that Clifford is mobilizing troops.”

“What?”

“Is that true? Minister Volv?”

The officials murmured and shared their doubts. If Ian was safe and the magicians were also fine, there was no reason for Clifford to show military movements.

Minister Volv laughed, banging the table.

“Look at this. None of the people bordering our nation are decent. Our Bariel Imperial Defense Department has already completed its mobilization, so if you give the order to depart at the meeting, we will leave immediately. Instead of relying on these scraps of paper to determine the safety of our precious magicians, let’s go see it ourselves! Romandro, what did you say earlier?”

“…What did I say?”

“You said something about magic stones being insufficient and an envoy being needed. There’s no need to send an envoy, the Imperial Defense Department will go. Prime Minister, and Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please grant us permission.”

As the atmosphere was quickly swept away, Romandro stood up and objected. Now that Ian was gone, he couldn’t hand over the fate of Bariel to the hands of that power-hungry man.

“No, that won’t do. Mobilizing troops is an invasion from Clifford’s perspective, and the beginning of war. And the message that Chief Hale sent has just arrived. How can you know about Clifford’s military movements so quickly?”

“That message from Clifford came around the border to avoid magical side effects, and this is a message urgently dispatched by the garrison. As the assistant to the Minister of Magic, how can you overlook that?”

The generals snickered and turned their gazes. They had known from the start that he was incompetent. They had been suspicious ever since a non-magician was appointed as the assistant to the Minister of Magic.

As Romandro tried to refute again, Jin slammed the table and shouted.

*Thump!*

“Insulting language is forbidden in this sacred conference hall!”

“…I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Minister Volv, I shall ask you a question.”

“Anything.”

“Assuming that Clifford’s military action is true, do you truly believe that it is intended to threaten Bariel?”

The generals glanced at Minister Volv. In fact, that wasn’t important to them. They didn’t care what Clifford was trying to threaten. What they wanted was the enemy lines falling to their swinging swords, and the redefinition of Bariel’s borders.

Minister Volv shrugged his shoulders calmly and asked back.

“Then, does Your Highness believe that Clifford has other intentions?”

“You have a bad habit of answering a question with a question.”

“……”

*Gasp*, it was a sharp and ruthless tone that surprised everyone there. Even the Prime Minister and Romandro were taken aback and lowered their heads. Jin frowned and flicked his finger as if it was the last time.

“I ask again. Do you judge Clifford’s military action to be a threat to Bariel?”

“…Yes, that is correct, Your Highness.”

“That’s regrettable. It seems you have completely forgotten about Burgos and Luswena.”

That which Jin had told Romandro first.

And that which Ian had worried about as soon as he opened his eyes.

The movements of Burgos.

“Currently, Sir Ian and the Magic Department are relying on Clifford, having lost their power. This is not a speculative premise, but a fact that can be known from Chief Hale’s message. Everyone knows that a three-nation alliance was almost formed around Burgos during the inauguration ceremony. However, only Clifford broke away from that and returned to a cooperative stance with Bariel. Now, I ask again, Minister Volv.”

While he had said that insulting language was forbidden in the meeting, the Crown Prince was publicly cornering Volv.

In the suffocating tension, the officials’ eyes darted around quickly. Now that Ian was gone, Minister Volv, who controlled the military, was the only real power who could wield a sword.

The Crown Prince had legitimacy and authority, but everyone in that place had experienced civil war. If Minister Volv had other intentions, would there be anyone to stop him? Ah, perhaps the Imperial Guard.

“If you were the King of Burgos, what would you do?”

“…I would punish Clifford for rejecting the alliance proposal, and also try to subdue the magicians who have left the palace.”

“That’s right. Moreover, there are suspicions of Idgar [a magical substance] distribution in other countries, so they would judge that there is no better opportunity than this. Therefore, Clifford has no choice but to mobilize troops in preparation for Burgos’ attack.”

He was pointing out that their intentions were directed towards Burgos, not Bariel. This was also closer to Jin’s speculation, but it was certainly more credible than Volv’s claim.

The Prime Minister put on his glasses and mediated.

“Has the Imperial Defense Department also confirmed the movements of Burgos and Luswena?”

“No. We have not.”

“We will discuss the dispatch after we have also grasped that side.”

“Wait a moment. Still, nothing changes!”

Volv shouted in an agitated tone. He was so close to reaching out, he couldn’t be stopped here.

“If Clifford is in conflict with Burgos, then of course Bariel should send support troops, right? It is right to send troops to safely bring back the magicians.”

“That’s right. One way or another, dispatch is inevitable.”

“Please reconsider! Time is of the essence. Depending on the moment, war can bring irreversible results.”

“No!”

As the generals added their voices, Jin firmly refused.

“Bariel and Clifford have not officially formed an alliance. We do not know the cause of the war between Clifford and Burgos, and if we intervene now, we may induce Luswena to join the war.”

“Then what are we supposed to do? Are we just going to stand by and watch? If Clifford is defeated, it will be an unprecedented crisis for Bariel.”

“We will wait!”

Jin and Volv stood up from their seats and glared at each other. It was a clash between a large adult and a child, but neither showed any sign of backing down. The Prime Minister pointed out Volv’s rudeness and banged his staff.

*Thump! Thump!*

“Volv. Take your seat. You are being excessive today.”

“……”

Volv sat down, clenching his teeth. He thought they were on the same boat, but it was troublesome if they came out like this. The Crown Prince was too young and had forgotten about keeping the Magic Department in check. Volv cursed inwardly and glared at the child.

“Sir Ian and the magicians are in Clifford. It is right for Bariel to remain still until those who are directly on the scene make a judgment and inform us of the details.”

“Remain still? Haha!”

“Ah, let me correct that. It would be more accurate to say that we are keeping Burgos and Luswena in check. Minister Volv.”

The Prime Minister stroked his beard and nodded. Some officials also agreed with Jin’s opinion, making correct statements.

“I agree with Your Highness’s opinion. If we move rashly, no one can predict what kind of pretext we might provide to Burgos.”

“That’s right. Besides, they are magicians, what could possibly happen? Let’s wait for another message from them.”

“There is no need to create a mess by getting involved in the war between Clifford and Burgos first. I also respect Your Highness’s opinion.”

Volv and the generals of the Imperial Defense Department laughed in dismay and exchanged glances. They had expressions that said they couldn’t stay like this. But that was the same for Jin.

‘Minister Volv. Don’t rush. You are already in a high position, so if you move too hastily, you will slip.’

If Ian was struggling outside of Bariel, Jin had no choice but to fight from within.

“……”

Watching this, Siao stroked the dagger hidden in his sleeve and glared at Minister Volv’s neck. If the moment came when a bloody storm blew through the palace again, the source would be right there.