Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 347

Dawn. The sky was as sharp as the pale faces of the officials.

Inside the carriage, which rattled as it sped along, the officials adjusted their clothes and hair, rereading the urgent missive.

What a bolt from the blue in the middle of the night? Volv, the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, was dead, and the generals were resigning en masse? No one could understand what was going on. With tensions with other countries at their peak, what would happen if the Imperial Defense Department, following the Magic Department, became incapacitated?

As they got closer to the Imperial Palace, familiar carriages began to appear. As if welcoming their arrival, the main gate was wide open.

Taptap!

Hee-hee!

They couldn’t even wait for the coachman to open the door. Most of them opened the doors themselves as soon as the carriage stopped, and those who made eye contact approached each other to discuss the urgent missive.

“Honestly, I felt like I was dreaming while riding in the carriage.”

“Minister Volv is dead, they say? Any other news?”

“No. I haven’t heard anything. This is the first time I’ve seen you. Since the message came from the palace, they must know the details there. Let’s hurry inside.”

“Hey, I think you’re wearing your shirt backward.”

“…Who would care?”

“Well, yeah. That’s true. I’ll pretend I didn’t see it.”

“More puzzling than Minister Volv’s death is the mass resignation of the generals. What on earth happened inside?”

“I’ve been thinking, and I wonder if the Imperial Guard might have done something. You know, there were some issues with Idgal. If they moved, things could get very complicated.”

“Surely not. Commander Jeyrut wouldn’t do that. He knows how dangerous the absence of the Imperial Defense Department is for Bariel at this time. And more than anything, if the Imperial Guard did that…”

If they did that, who could stop them?

The thought alone sent shivers down their spines. The officials shook their heads, dismissing the worst-case scenario, and entered the main conference hall. Most of those who had received the message were already there, murmuring among themselves.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is entering!”

At that moment, an announcement came from outside. Everyone fell silent and stood up, watching the child enter. And they realized.

From the child’s calm steps and composed gaze, devoid of any sign of surprise like theirs, everything had begun.

“The Prime Minister and Commander Jeyrut are also with him.”

“…Good heavens.”

The Prime Minister and Jeyrut followed the child. They parted to the left and right, guarding the Crown Prince’s side, subtly indicating to the officials that they were fully following the Crown Prince’s orders.

“Be seated.”

“Your Highness, is it true that Minister Volv died last night?”

Someone spoke as soon as they sat down.

Jin frowned but gave a pitiful smile, a truly peculiar expression. Outwardly, he seemed regretful, but his inner joy was palpable.

“…How hasty you are.”

“I, I apologize.”

“No, it’s understandable given the gravity of the matter. To cut to the chase, yes, it’s true. Minister Volv was found dead at his residence last night.”

The Crown Prince officially announced Volv’s death.

“W, what was the cause of death?”

“Well, it’s under investigation, but he was intoxicated, so it seems difficult to find a clear cause. It’s curious, isn’t it? He was so full of energy just at the last conference. Life is fleeting, it’s truly regrettable.”

It was best not to ask for now. The officials instinctively sensed this and closed their mouths. A few quick-witted ones changed the subject of the meeting.

“While Minister Volv’s sudden death is regrettable, isn’t the safety of the empire more important right now? The cause can be investigated later, but it would be best to fill the vacancy to prevent chaos.”

“That’s right. And the generals have resigned en masse…”

Was it really a resignation? The thought briefly crossed their minds, but everyone knew the answer. It was a forced resignation related to the minister’s sudden death.

The Crown Prince, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and the Prime Minister. These three had completely taken control of the Imperial Defense Department.

The Prime Minister was one thing, but it was unclear why Commander Jeyrut, who was supposed to be working for the Emperor, had sided with the Crown Prince and brought chaos to the Imperial Palace.

As the small commotion did not subside, Jin lightly raised his hand. It was a signal for everyone to calm down. There was still much to say.

“It seems that most of the current generals were Minister Volv’s subordinates, so they decided they could not work with a new minister. I want to respect their opinions.”

It was common for an organization to be reorganized following its leader.

But what if Volv’s sudden death was not an accident?

The Crown Prince would not have been able to conduct the meeting in such a stable manner. The remaining generals would have caused a division, vying for the position of minister.

From this perspective, it was appropriate to have them resign as a group. Even if it caused chaos, it was better than division, wasn’t it?

“And in this opportunity, I intend to improve the military’s bad habits and corruption, so I will delegate the authority for a large-scale investigation to the Imperial Guard.”

It was a declaration to turn everything upside down.

Volv’s core forces had already been forced to resign, but officers remained under the generals. They would select each one to see if they were qualified and create a new Imperial Defense Department, so no one should object.

Moreover, giving that authority to the Imperial Guard seemed to add weight back to the balance that had been temporarily disrupted by Idgal.

“Also, by the authority of the Crown Prince of the Great Bariel Empire, I intend to appoint Sir Tweller as the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, so the officials should prepare for the confirmation hearing.”

“Sir Maxim Tweller, you say?”

Why was his name coming up here?

He had no interest in politics, and he wasn’t a graduate of the military academy, so he was far from being successful, wasn’t he? It was one thing that he didn’t get along with Volv, but it was surprising that he had some kind of connection with the young Crown Prince.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no. Sir Maxim Tweller is an excellent soldier. But there has never been a case where someone who is not a graduate of the military academy has become a minister…”

“Does it seem that arrows automatically avoid those who graduated from the military academy?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking if, on the battlefield, arrows have eyes and ears and know to avoid those who graduated from the military academy. Sir Maxim Tweller was the first officer who wasn’t a graduate of the military academy, and he spent half of his life there, and the other half on the battlefield. If there is anyone else to recommend for the position of Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, I’m all ears.”

If there was anyone to recommend, they were welcome to speak up.

In a situation where the current Minister of the Imperial Defense Department had died without even the cause of death being known, who could possibly do that? Everyone was at a loss for words, and only silence filled the air.

“…”

They even doubted if the small child they were looking at was the Jin they had known. His skill in seizing control of the Imperial Defense Department without causing a major disruption in the Imperial Palace was very clean. If nothing else, he had learned his work skills very well from Sir Ian. Was this why children’s education was so important?

The officials realized what kind of nonsense they were thinking and lightly slapped their cheeks. Jin looked in the direction of the sound with a puzzled smile.

“Did I call you too early?”

“No, Your Highness. I agree with the appointment of Sir Maxim Tweller. He is someone who would have no problem with the confirmation hearing. But there is one issue, and that is that he is not a graduate of the military academy.”

An officer was followed by a general, and the last was the minister. If a minister came from among the officers or generals who graduated from the military academy, then naturally, everyone below them was a comrade and direct subordinate, which allowed for the smooth operation of the organization.

However, if Maxim Tweller, who was an officer but not a graduate of the military academy, became the minister, then all the generals below him would be new appointments. It was natural to worry that there might be chaos.

“That is a problem that Minister Maxim Tweller will have to solve. It is his duty to manage his subordinates and operate the organization. First, let’s fill the minister’s vacancy. It will proceed when the sun rises, so the officials should prepare based on the confirmation hearing materials related to the previous Minister Volv.”

Since Volv was someone who had been arbitrarily appointed during the rebellion, the confirmation hearing was a formality. In other words, it was an order to prepare so that there would be no problem with Tweller’s appointment.

The officials signaled to their aides with their eyes, and the sound of people running through the hallway could be heard from all directions.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot. The investiture ceremony will also be simple.”

“Investiture ceremony? Sir Tweller already has the title of Baron. There is no precedent for promoting him to a higher rank because of his appointment. It is customary to promote someone after they have made achievements and are retiring-”

“I never said it was Sir Maxim Tweller’s investiture ceremony.”

“Yes? Then who…”

The officials then realized Siao’s presence. The one who always guarded Jin’s back like a shadow, so much so that they were sometimes startled by his lack of presence.

Siao was guarding the door as usual, but today, the atmosphere he exuded was special. An indescribable feeling. The officials inwardly exclaimed.

‘Ah.’

He must have played a decisive role in Volv’s death.

“I understand why you chose Sir Tweller.”

“Later, when Your Highness becomes an adult, Sir Tweller will be of retirement age. It is to prevent a close aide from being absent when you begin to lead the nation in earnest.”

“Giving a title to a freedman who was once a slave means that you intend to promote him to a rank higher than an officer, doesn’t it?”

They were paving the way for Maxim Tweller in advance. It was not difficult to create a precedent; once it was created, no one would remember the past. If there was a case of an officer who was not a graduate of the military academy being promoted to a special rank, then a minister who was once a slave could be born at any time. All Siao needed was time to gain experience.

“Your Highness, when you say title…”

“I mean the title of Viscount.”

That was at least reasonable. In terms of personnel changes, it was natural to give authority and power to one’s own people. The officials breathed a sigh of relief, but then came a shocking follow-up.

“And if there are any vacancies in the general positions that Sir Tweller appoints, I will specially appoint Siao to that position.”

“Your Highness, that is not acceptable!”

“A, a general? Not even an officer appointment, what is that…”

“There will be strong opposition. Absolutely not!”

“He is of humble birth, even without considering the military academy!”

“Ah, so those of humble birth cannot hold high positions?” Jin muttered as if he had not known, and the officials paused. At the same time, they remembered a case. It was none other than the Minister of the Magic Department, Ian Hielo.

Everyone was just opening their mouths, wanting to protest, but they could not easily speak because they would be officially insulting Ian if they made a mistake.

“That is not what I meant…”

“I repeat. When Sir Maxim Tweller selects personnel and there are vacancies, I will appoint Siao as a general.”

In other words, they should not complain to him about Siao’s personnel decisions, but go to Sir Tweller to ask or argue. Everyone in that place could sense that the deal was already done. The measures to disperse opposition and criticism were flawless, so it was not easy for the officials who had been called out in the middle of the night to deal with it.

“Well, the sun will be rising soon. If you want to spend the afternoon at your residences, it would be best to move as quickly as possible. Let’s adjourn and meet again shortly.”

Jin nodded to the Prime Minister, who struck the staff to announce the end of the meeting.

Everyone had difficulty getting up and gathered to discuss the current situation. Jin left the main conference hall first, and Siao guarded his back as always.

“Your Highness.”

“Hm?”

Then, suddenly, he stopped at the sound of someone calling him.

The child turned to look at Siao with bright eyes, showing no signs of fatigue. There was a mountain of work to do. Not only the confirmation hearing but also the investiture ceremony, the investigation of generals and officers, and the checks on the three countries had to be carried out.

Siao slowly knelt down and expressed his concern to the child.

“Your Highness. It is truly an honor to be given a title. As the officials say, it is already too much for someone as lowly as I to be here in the Imperial Palace, guarding Your Highness’s side. But I am worried that this might be a burden for Your Highness…”

“Siao.”

The child smiled brightly and shook his head gently. This was for Siao, but ultimately, it was for himself and for Bariel.

“I know that harming someone for someone else is not an easy thing to do. This much is enough of a reward for you. And-”

And the reason why he was trying to promote Siao to general even if it was unreasonable.

“To see how far I can reach, I have no choice but to stretch my hand as far as possible. Siao. If I can promote you to general, it means that I have that much power in the Imperial Palace right now.”

To see how far he could push, and if it was unreasonable, that would be his limit, and the next task to overcome.

Jin gently hugged the Siao who had returned alive and murmured.

“There should be nothing I cannot do in Bariel. Siao. You are my benchmark.”