Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 346

Jeyrut was puzzled by the unusual summons and quickened his pace. Usually, he would be called to the Prime Minister’s office, but this time, he was asked to come to His Majesty the Emperor’s bedroom.

The Emperor, who was said to be extremely sensitive to external stimuli, had not been seen since the civil war. Although the Imperial Guard shared the same palace, they had not been allowed anywhere near his quarters until now.

Jeyrut found Jin and the Prime Minister waiting for him in front of the Emperor’s residence and greeted them.

“Your Highness, I salute you.”

“Yes, come in.”

“Has something happened to His Majesty? Why have you summoned me to his chambers…”

Instead of answering, Jin gestured to the Prime Minister. Come to think of it, Siao, the man he always had with him, was not there. Neither were the Prime Minister’s aides or attendants.

The wide corridor in front of the Emperor’s residence, with only three men standing there, felt strange. It could be ominous, or it could be just puzzling.

As the Prime Minister pushed the doors open, an indescribable odor wafted out. The smell of old wood, disinfectant alcohol, and dust. Whatever it was, it was not the kind of smell one would expect from the solemn residence of the Emperor of Bariel.

Under the dimly lit lamps, everything was still. Jin nodded as if to say, ‘Come in,’ and walked ahead.

Creak.

The Prime Minister looked around and then firmly locked the door. Then, he spoke a name. The name of Jeyrut’s colleague and friend, who had led the Three Great Generals together.

“The letter Beols left behind meant this.”

Didn’t Beols leave a letter for Jeyrut the day before the Arsen incident? To be with the Emperor’s weight above all else. Otherwise, it would be dangerous. This was one of the reasons Jeyrut decided to keep the Magic Department in check.

“I don’t, I don’t understand what you mean. More importantly, is it alright to speak like this in front of His Majesty? The doctor said he is in severe pain from even the slightest external stimuli…”

“Father doesn’t feel pain. He’s been frozen.”

“…Frozen.”

Frozen? The same kind of frozen he knew?

Jin gestured for him to come closer, and Jeyrut took a very careful step. It felt as if he could feel the coldness.

As Jin pulled back the blanket, the old Emperor was exactly as he had been. The injuries he had sustained during the civil war, the minor wounds, even the length of his hair.

“Father felt his life was in danger due to the attack he received from Marib, and he was worried that Bariel would fall into chaos if he passed away. With Beols’ help, he was frozen.”

Jeyrut felt speechless. In any case, his condition was the same as he had always known, which was severe.

But a body that could not communicate, stopped between life and death. It was truly miserable to be the last of the Bariel Emperor.

Jeyrut once again regretted that the Emperor he served had made such a decision. If he had stayed in the palace during the civil war, if he had noticed and stopped Liamah’s betrayal before that. If he had, His Majesty would not have ended up like this.

“Your Majesty.”

Jeyrut muttered sadly, pressing his forehead to the floor. The existence of the Imperial Guard was only for the Emperor. How could he not feel heartbroken? Jin knelt down and made eye contact with Jeyrut.

“Jeyrut. Tell me what it means for me to show you my father’s condition.”

“I don’t, I don’t know.”

“Only I, the Prime Minister, and Sir Ian knew about the freezing. Now, with you, there are only four of us who will uphold this sacred secret.”

Jeyrut felt like he had been hit on the back of the head. Ian, the Minister of Magic, also knew about this?

“Jeyrut, my father’s death is for the stability of Bariel. In other words, my authority will be solidified when my father’s death is confirmed. This means that I and His Majesty the Emperor are one and the same.”

It was the will left by the Emperor, and it was a way of announcing that he could take the throne whenever he wanted. Jeyrut immediately understood what Jin meant. He was telling him to focus the Imperial Guard not on the Emperor, but on Jin himself. Jeyrut was silent for a moment, his mind in turmoil. Then, the Prime Minister added, tidying up the Emperor’s blanket.

“I don’t know if you heard, but what did Minister Volv say at the conference?”

“…There were many rumors.”

“I still think the Magic Department has too much power and authority. I think everyone except the Magic Department agrees. But just because we have the same goal doesn’t mean we can have the same objective.”

Under the Magic Department’s watch, personal greed was rampant. Especially with Volv’s rampage and the Imperial Defense Department’s unusual movements.

“Before something happens, before the Magic Department returns, we need to clean up the Imperial Palace. Especially the Imperial Defense Department, which is the core of our power, so I’m going to pay special attention to it.”

“Are you going to dismiss Minister Volv?”

“You should know. Dismissal is only possible at the New Year’s meeting.”

Jeyrut doubted whether the Crown Prince he was facing was really Jin. His decisiveness was firm and unwavering. And the fangs he was showing to completely take control of the Imperial Palace. Jeyrut lowered his head and wet his lips.

“Assassination, you mean.”

Appointing his own people to key positions. That was the only way for the young prince to firmly grasp power.

Jeyrut looked at the Emperor, who was frozen and lying down. There was a big difference between living and dying and dying and living. The Emperor was already dead, so the one the Imperial Guard should serve was the young Crown Prince in front of him. There was no need to hesitate.

“I understand.”

Jin smiled with satisfaction. He had persuaded Jeyrut as he wanted. If he, the core of the Three Great Generals and the center of the anti-Magic Department forces, listened to Jin’s orders, he would be able to get things done much more easily.

Jin grabbed Jeyrut’s hand as if to tell him to get up.

“It’s not something you have to do yourself.”

“Then who…”

Jeyrut thought of Siao. He was agile, able to hold his own against Beric, and had an impressive, single-minded gaze. Overall, he was a suitable person for assassination.

“When will it be?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“That’s soon.”

“It’s unavoidable because it’s the night of the new moon. And we don’t know when Clifford will contact us, or what attitude Vergos and Luswena will take. The Imperial Defense Department has decided to investigate that side, so we need to clean things up as quickly as possible.”

Every word was right, so there was nothing to say. Jeyrut thought for a moment and then expressed his concern.

“Are you perhaps thinking of making Siao the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department?”

“No. I have someone in mind. Sir Maxim Tweller, who is capable but has had trouble getting promoted because he didn’t graduate from military school. Nevertheless, he has been able to maintain his position without any problems. The downside is that he doesn’t get along with Volv?”

“A disadvantage that is like an advantage.”

“He’s my priority, and Siao will be promoted to general.”

From a low-born slave to a soldier in the Imperial Defense Department, and then to a general. It was a meteoric rise that would be told like a legend. Most people would probably object.

That’s why Jin was sending Siao as an assassin. If Siao, who had directly killed those who opposed the imperial authority, was put forward as someone who had helped strengthen the imperial authority, who could object?

“Siao, yes. He seems suitable.”

“I don’t think he’s just suitable, but well. Everyone has their own perspective.”

Siao was intelligent, had extraordinary learning and judgment skills, and above all, had exceptional loyalty. If he ever grew up and sat on the throne, Siao would also sit in a position befitting him.

“Then what should I do?”

As if it was a very appropriate question, Jin smiled brightly. He had seen that smile on Ian’s face before. Jin placed his hand on Jeyrut’s shoulder and commanded.

“Make sure Siao doesn’t die.”

* * *

Jeyrut took a deep breath in front of the door leading into the mansion.

His subordinates followed behind him. The servants announced the arrival of new guests, and the drunken generals raised their glasses to welcome him.

“Oh my, who is this! Isn’t it the Imperial Guard Commander, Jeyrut?”

The Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department were rivals, but if the Magic Department was in the middle, things were different. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so it was in their best interest to maintain a friendly relationship in the palace for now.

Above all, the matter of Idgal was a sensitive issue for the Imperial Guard as well. It was best to work things out amicably.

“Welcome. What brings you here?”

“What brings me here, you ask? A good person has come to a good gathering, do you need a reason?”

“Hahaha. That’s right. Come on, drink. This way.”

“My men will stay outside.”

The generals gestured for the subordinates to leave, but they didn’t budge. The generals paused, looking puzzled at the Imperial Guard’s firm expressions. Some quickly retreated and told their servants to bring their swords.

“Commander Jeyrut?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt everyone’s fun.”

“No, no, what interruption? Come and have a drink. And, move your men back.”

Jeyrut slowly walked into the middle of the generals, picked up a glass of wine, and took a sip as if to show off, looking around.

“By the way, who is the host of today’s gathering?”

What was that all of a sudden?

The generals reflexively turned their heads and looked at each other. This one looked at that one, and that one looked at the other. Hadn’t they received a message to gather at Volv’s mansion?

“Wha, what…”

“You contacted me to celebrate Minister Volv.”

“No, I just passed on the message.”

“From whom?”

There was a buzz, and they instinctively felt that something was wrong. Jeyrut leisurely weaved through them and asked again.

“How many of the generals here were appointed by Minister Volv?”

About seven, roughly. They sensed that the atmosphere was not normal. Then, someone shouted, putting his hand on his sword hilt.

“Commander Jeyrut. This is more than just an interruption. What is your business?”

“We are all servants of His Majesty the Emperor, but we cannot ignore our relationship with our direct superiors. If Minister Volv dies, what will you do?”

“Wha, what are you saying?”

Minister Volv dies? The generals simultaneously looked at the stairs leading to the upper floor. Just as they were about to rush towards it.

Buzz. Buzz!

Bang!

“Ugh!”

The Imperial Guard subordinates released their magic power, warning them not to come closer. The generals were also warriors, but they were magic swordsmen [warriors who use magic in conjunction with swordsmanship]. The difference in skill was obvious, and they were different beings altogether.

At Jeyrut’s gesture, the subordinates handed each general a piece of paper.

“These are your resignations. Sign them or put your blood on them, it’s up to you. If Minister Volv dies, a new minister will be appointed, will you get along well with him?”

“Th, this is treason!”

At someone’s cry, Jeyrut gave a cold look. Then, everyone realized who was behind Jeyrut. The young Crown Prince. That little thing had played such a clever trick.

Jeyrut activated his magic power and summoned his magic sword.

Buzz. Buzz.

“I’ll say it again. Sign them or put your blood on them.”

The generals’ pupils moved erratically. Where were their subordinates and what were they doing? In fact, even if they all attacked, they might not be able to defeat a single magic swordsman. At least they had to escape safely, right?

That’s when it happened.

“Aaaah!”

A courtesan woman came tumbling down from the upper floor. She broke the tense atmosphere at once. She fell forward and babbled.

“Wh, what’s wrong?”

“Up, upstairs, the master, blood, someone…”

“Calm down.”

“Someone stabbed the master! A man, with gray hair, I, I don’t know. We have to go up quickly!”

Huh! The generals froze like stones and looked only at Jeyrut. Had they really killed Volv?

But Jeyrut only nodded as if to tell them to hurry. If they offended him even a little here, they would all die. One of them bit his finger and drew blood.

“I, I wrote it here.”

“Shairo!”

“Let me out.”

“Damn it, are you crazy? Now-!”

“Me too, here’s my resignation.”

“Everyone, get a grip!”

Thud! Thump!

A dull sound came from above. It was the sound of Volv and Siao’s fight. A drunken general pulled out a dagger and slashed the courtesan woman.

Swish!

“Aaaah!”

“Hah, hah…”

“Oh, dear.”

“Pl, please spare me. There will be no witnesses.”

The only witness was the woman he had killed, so he begged for his life. Jeyrut clicked his tongue as he caught the falling woman.

“No witnesses? Everyone here heard the woman’s scream. Now, let’s go upstairs.”

“Wh, what-”

“Come along.”

See it with your own eyes, and close it yourself.

Even though you witnessed the scene, add to the guilt of Volv’s death by remaining silent.

As Jeyrut led the way up the stairs, his subordinates pushed the generals from behind, urging them on. At the top of the spiral staircase. Jeyrut found the door wide open and Siao sitting there in despair.

“Siao.”

The generals confirmed Volv’s corpse beyond Jeyrut and trembled, taking a deep breath. They felt that they could really die here if they were not careful.

Jeyrut looked back at the generals.

“What do you see? Generals. What do you see?”

“Th, that…”

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

“Yes, yes, that…”

Volv’s door closed again. Then, as if nothing had happened, the carnage was also hidden.

“It seems like nothing much, let’s go back down. It’s strange. On such a good day.”

“…Um, Commander Jeyrut.”

“I understand what’s going on. I’ll submit my resignation, so please spare me. I will sincerely close my eyes and ears.”

“We’ve already taken care of the generals’ mansions, so please eat your fill. We’ll take care of you.”

…Where to?

“To the Imperial Palace.”