Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 411

Ian washed his stained hands clean with water.

The Crown Prince’s sudden passing. As a minister, it was disrespectful to greet such news in unkempt attire, but given the wartime situation, it was understandable.

The Bariel messenger recognized Ian. Instead of bowing, he gave a light nod. As the bearer of the empire’s solemn message, it was natural not to bow easily to anyone.

Ian slowly bent his waist in respect. Hale helped support him from the side, and the mages also watched him anxiously. Only Efdiram and her subordinates simply rested their chins on their hands, looking down with interest.

Thump.

“This is an urgent letter from Crown Prince Jin. There was a strict order to deliver it directly to Minister Ian Hielo. State your affiliation and name.”

“I am Baron Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Department. I am the one the messenger seeks, and I will bear the Prince’s command with gravity and fulfill its meaning.”

The messenger handed Ian a heavy document envelope. It was tightly sealed with an emblem and gold thread, making it impossible to see what was inside.

Having fulfilled his role, the messenger then returned to his official duty and saluted Ian.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Is there no problem in Bariel?”

“Yes. The entire capital was a bit chaotic at the news that the Magic Department was empty, but it was overshadowed by the war news. Bariel is currently enjoying very peaceful days under your protection, and Crown Prince Jin is also unwavering. The Prince also added that he encourages everyone, so please return safely.”

“What about Romandro? Do you know?”

“Yes, I do. He’s handling all the work while guarding the Magic Department alone. He said he wishes you would hurry back. He’s about to have a child soon, and he can’t even take paternity leave.”

When a mage interjected with a question, the messenger replied with a light joke. The mages laughed and sighed in relief.

“We will return soon. With King Burgos captured, it’s as good as the war being over.”

“Yes. You came on horseback, right? If we fly, we might arrive first.”

“Romandro has worked hard, should we buy some wine here for him?”

“Huh? King Burgos is captured? What are you talking about?”

The messenger was startled and naturally reached for his waist. It was to write down what he would add when reporting.

Not just any news, but the end of the war. The messenger realized that he had arrived at a very opportune time. There was no need to send someone else; he could just take the information back himself, right?

The mages, as if proud, surrounded Ian and threw in a word each.

“Minister Ian captured King Damon during the battle. There’s still room for negotiation with Luswena and the northern support forces, but with the main force, King Damon, captured, what else can they do? Isn’t that right?”

One of the mages shouted to Efdiram above as if showing off, and she smiled brightly, raising her middle finger.

The messenger looked back and forth between the mage and Efdiram, tilting his head in confusion. Who is that person? They don’t seem to be from Clifford.

“They are the Burgos support forces I just mentioned. Those who came from the north, the Atan tribe.”

“Ah, the Atan?”

“There are several necromancers, and many minority groups from the north have been mobilized. Ah, I’m not telling you to worry. I’m just saying. The messenger just needs to go up and deliver the victory news. You’re so lucky. You get to do something good.”

“Yes! There’s no greater honor. You all have truly worked hard.”

“It’s not us who worked hard. It’s here, our Ian.”

Ta-da. The mages gradually gathered, loitering behind Ian. As if it was Ian’s turn to answer.

Ian smiled, fiddling with the tightly tied gold string with his slender fingers.

“What are you talking about? There are more than a few who shed blood and tears. Messenger, leave immediately. I would like to offer you a meal if possible, but the victory news is something everyone in Bariel is waiting for, isn’t it? To deliver the good news early, you have no choice but to suffer.”

“I was going to leave right away anyway. Don’t worry about it.”

“Depart now. Give my regards to His Highness.”

Thump!

The messenger smiled brightly and saluted, and the mages responded in kind, raising their hands simultaneously.

Ian slowly ascended the stairs with the document envelope in hand. Even Hale, who tried to support him, was turned away.

“Everyone, stay away from the window. I will read His Highness’s urgent letter. Keep your eyes and ears away. I want to be alone.”

“Understood, Minister Ian.”

Efdiram looked back at Ian passing by and tilted her head back. So, what about her proposal?

“Hey. Minister of the Magic Department. You didn’t forget what we were talking about, did you? Are you going to tell me the secret about Idgal and Damon, or are you going to hand over that bastard Beric?”

The messenger, who was getting on his horse, perked up his ears. What was that about? A secret related to Idgal and Damon? Hand over Beric? Isn’t Beric the royal guard who raids the palace kitchen?

The messenger’s hand on the reins lingered. He wanted to hear a little more before leaving, but the Clifford soldier, whether he knew it or not, pulled the horse away mercilessly.

Neigh!

“I’ll go this way.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Let’s go. Let’s go.”

“Please go safely. Clifford is sincerely grateful for Bariel’s support, and I hope this feeling will be conveyed to the most honorable one.”

Squeak!

As the barrier gate opened, the messenger was finally able to see the Burgos camp with the white flag raised. He had run without sleep and had bypassed the main gate, so he had no way of knowing the situation. He glanced at the white flag fluttering in the wind, then kicked the horse’s side forcefully.

“Chieftain Efdiram.”

Meanwhile, Ian, holding the doorknob, called out to Efdiram. He seemed a little tired from going up and down the stairs, as beads of sweat had formed on his neck.

“Just because you make a proposal doesn’t mean we have an obligation to accept it. I reject both conditions.”

“Reject? Really? Isn’t it a little disappointing? If you accept, I’ll do well. I’ll talk to my people and clean up the north, and I’ll feed that red-head regularly.”

Ian chuckled. It was a secret that even he didn’t know the details of. And yet, how could a mere chieftain from the north dare to handle it? Not to mention Beric’s food expenses.

Efdiram took out a new piece of chewing material and put it in her mouth, scanning Ian up and down. He looked like he was struggling to stand, as if he would be cut in half with one swing of a sword, yet how could he have no fear or hesitation?

To say that they couldn’t share the future while standing just a few steps away from the Atan chieftain, was he not aware of death?

“Efdiram. Quietly eat your meal and go out. Receiving His Highness’s command is my priority, so I will talk to you again after I receive this. But nothing will change. All of your proposals are not good.”

She was someone with a similar way of thinking as Beric. Speaking so directly would be more effective. As expected, Efdiram spat out what she was chewing and frowned.

“You’re annoying.”

“Oh, consider it an honor. You are the first to say that to my face.”

“Honor my ass. Just give me some meat. I’ll chew on that and think again. Since the noble Bariel minister says all my proposals are not good, I have nothing to say. Shit.”

Try thinking if you can. Ian shrugged and went into the room, and Beric, who was hanging on the stair railing watching this, shouted.

“I’m not being sold!”

“Oh, congratulations, Beric.”

“Ian said he won’t hand me over!”

Hale gestured to be quiet, then beckoned to Efdiram.

“Didn’t you hear Minister Ian’s order? He said not to make noise while he reads His Highness’s letter. Chieftain Efdiram. Come down.”

“I’m going without being told. I’m starving, so set the table! I’m still a guest!”

“Shhh! Be quiet!”

“What! You’re the one being louder!”

Click.

Ian locked the door and slowly untied the string. The seal that Jin himself must have stamped. It was so beautifully stamped. Ian smiled faintly and opened the document envelope.

Rip.

A note was written on the thick paper. It was written in Jin’s own handwriting. When did he learn such mature handwriting? There was a subtle sense of maturity in the handwriting compared to what he had seen in class before the inauguration ceremony.

-To Sir Ian. Are you well? Thanks to you and the mages being on the expedition, Bariel here is as it always is. I have a mountain of things I want to say, but since your time is limited during the war, I will quickly cut to the chase. I hope we can meet again safely when you return. I have grown a bit now, so it will be good to see. I no longer look down, and you no longer need to look up. If you can’t believe it, come back early and see for yourself.

Ian smiled faintly. He had only read the words, but how was it that His Highness’s voice was ringing in his ears? It was truly amazing.

The back page was also filled with writing like the front page. If this was what he meant by cutting it short, then there would be so much to talk about when they returned.

-Timothy, who was a Burgos envoy, has been naturalized and is currently residing in the palace. I believe you already know. As Timothy crossed the border, he handed me the data he had kept during his time as an envoy. It is a copy written in the common language of Bariel, translated from Burgos. Sir Roverside appeared in my dream after a long time and told me to deliver this to you, Ian.

Roverside gave this to Ian? Ian frowned at the unexpected content.

He was not a simple illusion or delusion of Jin. He was the one who had protected the future Crown Prince in the demon-infested palace, and he was a guardian who had foreseen the future, both big and small. However, the nuance in the letter was negative, as if saying that there would be a problem if he did not receive this.

-To be honest, I still don’t know what these mean. But Sir Ian, you would know. You have always shown me the way forward.

Rustle.

Ian carefully turned the page and read the words. There were things that were akin to a royal diary. Detailed content that allowed one to guess the actual situation and internal affairs of Burgos. Ian wondered why Roverside had given Jin a revelation. There was nothing particularly noticeable.

It was the moment when Ian calmly reached the last page. A word that caught his eye.

‘Rutherford.’

The name Rutherford, which was deeply intertwined with Idgal, and further with the illegitimate son Ian, was written there.

-…As per King Damon’s orders, Gilbetro and Longel were sent to Rutherford.

Gilbetro and Longel? Are those people’s names? Ian went back up to check if the two were from noble families.

-…Those who claimed to be the sons of the late king appeared. Gilbetro and Longel. King Damon captured and imprisoned them, but there was no severe punishment for those who defamed the honor of the late king or queen.

Damon had ‘created’ more siblings as he regressed. But he handed them over to Rutherford? Why?

-Rutherford demanded tens of kilograms of gold and silver, but the king allowed it without any questions. As a result, the tax rate for local nobles increased by 50%.

-King Damon revealed a new mana sealing stone called Idgal to high-ranking officials of the royal palace. It is said to have been brought through Rutherford, but its effect is still unknown. The king said that it would bring a new future to Burgos.

Rustle.

Ian suddenly recalled King Damon, who had longed for his third life. Could Rutherford be related to regression? No, it could even be the source that made regression possible.

Ian recalled the tracking magic that had been cast on him and stood up abruptly.

‘If so…….’

Could his current state, which he had considered to be God’s will and Naum’s intention, be seen as Rutherford’s intention?

Ian gathered the documents together and hurriedly opened the door.

“Bring Damon here!”