Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 345

The night of the new moon cloaked the world in darkness, so deep that the edges of the clouds were indistinguishable.

It was the perfect night for an intruder to carry out a mission, but problems always arose. The mansion’s lights stayed on late into the night, and then carriages began arriving one by one.

Siao carefully observed the flags attached to the back of the carriages. The Imperial Defense Department’s flag fluttered even in the darkness.

‘It seems the generals are arriving.’

It was unexpected, but it was fine. After all, he would assassinate Volv when he was in bed.

His priority was to end his life, but it needed to appear as natural a death as possible from the outside. Suffocation, or perhaps letting the prepared poison trickle onto his lips.

Siao hoped he wouldn’t have to use the dagger he felt at his fingertips as he waited for the procession of carriages to end.

Saaak.

Swoosh.

As time passed, the mansion’s lights grew even brighter. He pulled his robe tighter and used the bushes as cover as he approached the mansion. The sound of singing suggested it was a gathering without any particular purpose.

Siao easily scaled the wall and moved like a shadow through the well-manicured lawns of the garden. He could hear people laughing through a slightly open balcony. Hiding his presence, he pricked up his ears.

“Hahaha! I mean, His Highness is still the same. I don’t know why he’s so soft.”

“He’s still young, so that’s probably why. How much has Ian influenced him? That alone is a great improvement.”

“Well, he’s been holding on since the civil war. But if he’s going to be the Emperor, he needs to know the value of Idgal [a region or territory]. Hmm.”

“The Imperial Defense Department can make up for His Highness’s shortcomings. We’ve secured decision-making power at this meeting, so it’s fine.”

“It’s temporary, though.”

“It’s temporary, but no one knows when Ian will return. Even with all the mages working on it, his recovery is slow, so it’s clear that this injury is unlike any other he’s had before.”

“How did that happen? I don’t understand. He recovered so quickly even during that chaos when he was younger.”

“I haven’t heard the details, but rumor has it that if a mage is destroyed to that extent, there must be more than just physical issues involved.”

“A magical issue?”

“If Minister Ian was harmed because he couldn’t control his magic, then his qualifications for the position are also questionable. In many ways, the situation isn’t bad. Hahaha!”

A cold rage welled up deep inside him, but Siao remained calm. He focused on remembering their voices rather than immediately climbing the railing and plunging his sword down.

Two people.

One had a habit of lowering his tone at the end of his sentences, and the other had a unique rasp, as if he had a cold. Once the mission was over, he would find them and make them pay for their loose tongues.

Swoosh.

It was a large mansion, but Siao navigated it without difficulty, thanks to the map Romandro had obtained in advance.

The interior was complex, and since he had no information, he had been advised to infiltrate through a window. At the time, it seemed like the best option, but seeing the generals’ gathering, it seemed like it was truly a stroke of foresight.

‘The room at the far right of the 5th floor of the east wing. The curtains are a flamboyant blue.’

Just as Siao was about to circle the mansion to observe the 5th floor, he bumped into a servant carrying a basket around a corner.

“Oh my!”

Siao reflexively reached for the sword in his sleeve, but he stopped when he heard the servant grumbling as she picked up the fallen fabric.

“Oh dear, you startled me by suddenly appearing like that. It’s the master’s clothes, but thankfully they haven’t been washed yet.”

“I, I’m sorry.”

“You’re one of the generals’ subordinates, right? Don’t smoke in the garden. The gardener curses every day after a gathering.”

The servant wouldn’t know that a small misunderstanding had just saved her life.

Siao noticed that pajamas were mixed in with the clothes. He glanced around and muttered.

“Do you think today’s gathering will end early?”

“Are you tired? We were also surprised by this sudden gathering. The master doesn’t seem too happy about it either, so it probably won’t last long, right? I believe you’ll all be gone before the day is over. Probably.”

That was a lot of information. He had wondered how Romandro could have forgotten about the generals’ gathering, but it seemed they had gathered without the owner’s knowledge. What was their intention?

“Thank you.”

“Yes, yes.”

Siao nodded and quickly turned the corner. This was an area where many of the generals’ subordinates roamed, so the fact that the gathering would end before the day was over meant that Volv would soon be in his bedroom.

Siao arrived at the east wing where Volv’s bedroom was located. He nimbly climbed to the 5th floor and entered the bedroom.

Chaaak.

Siao hid under the bed, holding his breath and focusing his senses. The silent clock would soon strike midnight. Was he nervous? No, it was closer to a sense of peace.

Siao knew that his life could end here, but he wasn’t afraid at all. He, who had lived like an animal, was now about to carry out a mission that would be recorded in history under the Crown Prince’s orders. Even if he died here, he would only feel regret for the rest of his life, not fear.

Suddenly, he thought of Gail. Had he felt the same way? What was the difference between stabbing the devil’s heart and ending Volv’s life?

The more he thought about it, the more Siao could only anticipate the arrival of his prey. Come quickly, you who threaten my lord, the Crown Prince.

Creak.

“Ah, hahaha. What a bunch of idiots. Hic.”

Then, the door opened and Volv entered. People followed him in. He naturally received assistance as he changed his clothes and wiped his flushed face.

“They’re celebrating like they’ve already achieved something. Hahaha! I can’t believe it. Huh?”

“What should we do with the gifts? Should we organize them? Or should we take them to your office?”

“Unpack them and organize them. Make sure to note who brought what. I’ll remember the ones who brought nothing special, and then, bam! Hahaha!”

“Understood. Then, please rest well.”

Creak.

Thud.

Now he understood. The generals had come to suck up to Volv with gifts. They had taken the lead in Idgal at the conference, and the Imperial Defense Department was currently in the best position in the Imperial Palace, so they were clearly trying to ride that wave.

Volv seemed satisfied with his subordinates’ surprise celebration, as he lay down on the bed, chuckling to himself. When his breathing had calmed down a bit, Siao turned and emerged from under the bed.

Swoosh.

Even in his daze, Volv sensed a strange presence and woke up. Just as he was about to get up in surprise, Siao shoved a cloth into his mouth. It was soaked in poison.

He then tried to bind both of his hands, but he was the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department. He struggled, trying to stop Siao’s hands. He was pushing the cloth out with his tongue, but the more he did, the shorter his lifeline would become.

Then-

“Ugh! Ugh!”

His knee struck Siao’s side squarely.

At the same time, the two of them fell off the bed. Volv ran towards the door, but Siao pulled him back with a rope around his neck, only to restrain him, not to leave marks.

Thud!

Volv fell again. Siao grabbed his hair, bent his head back, and held a dagger to his throat.

“…Move, and I’ll kill you.”

In the darkness where no moonlight reached, confusion filled Volv’s eyes at the intruder’s warning. Why? Did he want something else? If he was going to kill him, why didn’t he just do it? Why was he just sitting on top of him?

‘Ah.’

When he regained his senses, he could clearly taste the bitterness on his tongue. The poison was now flowing through his body. This assassin wanted to kill him as quietly as possible.

“Ugh! Ugh!”

Volv ignored the dagger at his throat and attacked Siao’s back with his knees. That guy couldn’t use a sword. That guy was going to…

Swish!

“Ugh! Ugh!”

But it was arrogance. Siao stabbed the dagger into Volv’s thigh, and he limped as he continued to flee towards the door.

At this point, there was no choice. Siao walked over and stabbed Volv’s vital point under his chin.

Thud!

Volv collapsed, just a step away from the door handle. He thrashed, smearing blood on the wall.

“If you had just stayed still, it wouldn’t have been this painful. It’s not good for either of us.”

It was an opportunity to end his life peacefully. Volv turned to look at Siao with bulging eyes, but it was too dark to see. Damn darkness. If only there was even a sliver of light…

Bang!

“Minister Volv. You called for me earlier. I figured you’d be asleep, so I’ll just say I came by-”

Then, the door suddenly opened.

The light from the hallway poured in, illuminating the surroundings. It was a courtesan, Volv’s unofficial lover. She secretly visited him every night, but it seemed Romandro hadn’t known about that. He had told him that since he was unmarried and had no official partner, he would be using the bedroom alone.

“Huh?”

She blinked blankly.

Volv was leaning against the door frame, bleeding. And behind him was a strange man. The odd eyes visible through his robe were particularly striking.

The woman instinctively stepped back and screamed.

“Kyaaaa!”

And then, she instinctively ran towards where many people were gathered, where the generals were. Grabbing her dress, she ran with all her might.

As Siao tried to follow her, Volv, still conscious, grabbed his ankle.

“Ptooey, you, you, kill… slave bastard, aren’t you?”

A slave who had gained the trust of Ian and Jin and was living in the Imperial Palace as a member of the Imperial Defense Department. Because he had a very unique characteristic, Volv had no trouble recognizing Siao’s identity. And he scribbled his name on the floor with his fingertips.

“That, that young Crown Prince, dares to… the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department… you think you’ll be safe, huh? Cough!”

Crack!

Siao crushed his fingers, erasing his name with the overflowing blood. Then, he twisted the dagger, giving him a complete death.

Tap tap tap!

The sound of many footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. The woman who had witnessed it was probably bringing the generals.

The mansion’s security would already be on high alert, with more soldiers deployed than usual. No matter how well he hid, he wouldn’t be able to escape safely.

“Haa.”

Siao sighed and leaned against the wall. He had promised His Highness that he would succeed and return safely, but it seemed he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise.

Siao took out a small needle case from his inner pocket. A poison that, when pricked on the face, would cause necrosis and make it impossible to identify the person. Barsabe’s father had died from this, and it seemed he would be following a similar path.

Tap tap tap!

Thud! Thud!

The footsteps grew closer.

Siao took out the needle and closed his eyes for a moment. And he thought of those who had given meaning to his brief human life. Ian, Jin, Romandro, and well… maybe Beric too.

‘Thank you. And I’m sorry.’

For not completing the mission perfectly.

Just as Siao was about to resolutely prick himself with the needle-

“Siao.”

A familiar voice stopped him.

Appearing at the end of the hallway was the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Jeyrut. He was holding the courtesan who had fled in one hand, and judging by her limpness, she was dead.

“…Ah.”

“What are you doing? Get up. It’s too bright here.”

“Can you see me?”

“Hmm. I can see you, but I don’t know if they can.”

The generals were slowly appearing behind Jeyrut. They confirmed Volv’s corpse over Jeyrut’s shoulders and arms. They were all so shocked that they held their breath and froze like stones. Jeyrut turned to the generals and asked.

“What do you see? Generals.”

“That…”

“In my eyes, I only see the end of a greedy man.”

“Yes, yes. That…”

He didn’t know what was going on. But he knew one thing, that he had something left to finish.

Siao slowly closed the door and disappeared back into the complete darkness. They knew Volv was dead, but no one opened the door.