Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 423

Jin’s face hardened upon hearing Ian’s preliminary report. He learned that behind the apparent victory at Bariel and Cliford, a huge, hidden problem was lurking.

Jin slumped, pressing his forehead with both hands, and muttered,

“If it’s a surge of monsters, how much damage should we expect?”

“No one knows. That’s why the Magic Department returned early. There must be guidance in the archives inside the Imperial Palace, so don’t be too disheartened.”

“I know that the movement of power from the north to the south is not as simple as it seems. Humans live in harmony with nature, but unfortunately, nature exists only for itself and doesn’t recognize this. I know it can bring misfortune at any time.”

The ecosystem will change, and as a result, the situation and balance of Gaia [the world] will be distorted.

Bariel will be at the center of it all, but it was uncertain whether it could remain as it is now. Even if we tried our hardest, it would be difficult for us, living in the present, to realize that the world has turned upside down.

The aftermath will be borne by our descendants. The moment when we collapse because we can’t go on any longer. That moment certainly existed in the future.

“Today, I will report this to His Highness first, and then return to the Magic Department to continue researching data and interrogating King Damon. Then, I will elaborate on this at the conference late this afternoon.”

“Can you find anything in that short amount of time?”

“It will be difficult, but not impossible. That it is not impossible means that we must do it. Your Highness. Isn’t that the duty of me and the Magic Department?”

Ian slightly bowed his head, reassuring him, and his golden hair fell down. It was a firm statement that cleanly cut off any worry.

Jin smiled softly, acknowledging it, and then glanced at Berik. Berik was sitting right next to Siao Shi, constantly glaring at him with unfamiliar eyes, as if he was dissatisfied with something.

“When do you think the chief of the Atan tribe will arrive at the Imperial Palace? They are like the wind, so I wonder if the invitation will even reach them.”

“They are fast in many ways. Whatever they do, they will come at the right time. If Your Highness declares the date to King Eriphony, they will know it like ghosts and join us.”

“Berik. How was it meeting the Atan tribe?”

“Ephdiram? That bald guy?”

“Bald?”

Was it slang, or a slip of the tongue?

Jin looked puzzled, but Berik’s gaze remained fixed on Siao Shi. He seemed very displeased that he was the only one without a title in this place.

Even though Romandro, a commoner who had worked as an advisor to the Imperial Palace for his entire life, was standing right next to him. Berik’s thoughts did not reach that far.

“He was annoying.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He kept telling Ian to be his pal, so I was honestly shocked. But Your Highness. Please give me a title too.”

“Puh-!”

At the sudden remark, Romandro spat out the tea in his mouth. He had never even imagined someone asking for a title, but he was witnessing it in real-time.

Romandro wiped the tea from his hand and sternly scolded Berik.

“You rascal! I told you to stay quiet if you can’t tell right from wrong! I apologize, Your Highness.”

“No. It’s alright. It’s Berik, after all.”

“Berik, listen carefully. Directly requesting a title from the Imperial Family is very rude. It is something that only the Imperial Family can do, so it must be done entirely by the will of the Imperial Family, and further, by the will of His Majesty and Your Highness. The moment external pressure is applied, it means that the imperial authority has been shaken. Berik. Even if you don’t know anything, be careful. Okay? Consider it your good fortune that Your Highness is generous and that we are the only ones here. Otherwise, you would have been kicked out of the palace for no reason!”

“I fought with Siao Shi during the rebellion! I had a huge hole in my stomach back then and was lying down for days! And this time, I went to war myself!”

“Why are you suddenly acting like this, you who wouldn’t even know what to do with a position if you got one?”

Berik hummed a tune, avoiding Romandro’s gaze. Anyone could see that he was sulking and pretending not to care.

It was understandable that he might be jealous of Siao Shi’s success, who was not someone else but a close friend. Jin, as if understanding, pushed some food towards Berik and explained.

“Berik. I am well aware of your contributions to the Imperial Palace. However, the title I bestowed upon Siao Shi this time was not simply to commend his achievements, but to solidify my position. By appointing Maxim Tweller as Minister and promoting Siao Shi to officer, I used them as milestones to gauge my influence within the Imperial Palace.”

Berik picked up a cookie and crunched on it. Even so, his sulky expression did not change.

“The Imperial Defense Department was the target of the purge. Since Siao Shi belongs to that department, it was inevitable that I had to use Siao Shi. Berik, I know you did a great job in the rebellion and the war. But I need a more plausible reason. A reason why I can reach out and lift you up among the many people who risked their lives.”

“……”

It was quite plausible and appropriate to appease and coax people. Ian sipped his tea, carefully scanning Jin’s profile.

Where did that young Jin go? They say a child’s year is like ten years for a grown-up, and indeed, it was a remarkable growth. There was no trace of the darkness of the past.

“Is it something only I can do?”

“Yes. Let’s find out what that is together.”

As Jin patted Berik’s hand, Berik straightened his half-turned body as if he was sulking. Something only I can do…

Atan tribe. It was a word that dominated Berik’s mind for a moment. Since he was the only one in the Imperial Palace who had a connection with the Atan tribe, should he aim for that?

Romandro narrowed his eyes and asked Berik.

“I didn’t know you were so greedy for a position. Even if you think about the people who will call you ‘Lord,’ consider that title gone for this lifetime.”

“If I get a title, I’ll get a fief too.”

“Huh? Well, that’s true.”

Oh? Not just honor, but material things too? Romandro looked surprised, but everything was shattered by Berik’s next words.

“Then, I’ll raise cows there.”

“……”

…I don’t need to hear any more. Romandro shook his head and wiped the tea with his handkerchief.

Ian naturally changed the subject.

“Your Highness. About Minister Maxim Tweller.”

“Oh, yes. I saw him below. How is he? I came to know him through the Prime Minister’s recommendation.”

“Although I haven’t known him for long, he is a man who has retained the dignity of a warrior. He has what the previous person in charge did not, so he can be seen as a good fit for the Bariel Imperial Palace.”

You purged Volb well. And the process was also excellent. I applaud your will to fill the vacancy with suitable talent and correct the unreasonable abuses. That’s what Ian was saying.

Jin’s faint smile gradually deepened, and then bloomed into a wide smile.

‘He smiles like that, so he is indeed the Jin I knew.’

“I also fought a war here.”

“You are magnificent, Your Highness.”

“Therefore, just as you brought us the victory report, I also wanted to show you the victory report. Sir Ian. Now, everyone will know the sacredness of the existence of mages and hold them in awe.”

He was taking control of the power of the Imperial Palace. So, Sir Ian no longer needed to step back, nor did he need to look up at him from below. The checks for growth were meaningless, he was doing well.

So, so……

“Please, continue to help me as before.”

So, please continue to help me from the side and focus only on the prosperity of Bariel, as before. His growth was the growth of Bariel, and a valuable talent like Ian was the pillar of Bariel.

His tone was firm, almost coercive, but his gaze was desperate. He still desperately needed Ian’s guidance.

Swoosh.

Ian bowed his head silently. He did not give any answer. It was at the moment when Jin was about to urge him again.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness.”

Not much time had passed, but there was a sound from outside. It was not the people who had been dismissed, but those from other buildings who had brought new work.

Jin bit his lip slightly and looked back and forth between the door and Ian. He still had so much to say, but he couldn’t easily make a decision because he wondered how desperate the person outside must be to make a sound himself.

Did Ian realize his feelings? Ian got up from his seat and neatly adjusted his jacket.

“Your Highness. Then I will go to the Magic Department first. As I said, there is still much to be done. I will see you at the conference, and again after it is over.”

Let’s catch up after all the official schedules are over. At Ian’s words, which gently soothed him, Jin nodded.

“Alright. Let the one standing outside come in.”

Berik also jumped up from the sofa and stretched, and Romandro also followed Ian, thinking.

This was exactly what he wanted. To return to the Magic Department with Ian! Romandro shed tears of joy and was overwhelmed with emotion, while Siao Shi, who stood firmly behind Jin, watched this.

Squeak.

“Then, goodbye.”

A light exchange of greetings with their eyes. As Ian stepped out of the door, an official who had been waiting, carrying a stack of reports, passed by him.

Ian somehow felt awkward at the sight and turned his head. When he was in the Magic Department, Jin’s place was the sofa in the office. Sitting there and reading books was all he did for work, but now he had become someone who sat upright in his place and processed documents. Ian smiled subtly and stepped outside, where he found the mages waiting.

“Sir Ian. Half of the kids went to the Magic Department first. It’s been a while for everyone, so I’m worried they might get lost.”

“Alright. Let’s go too. I want to tell you to rest from your journey, but I’m sorry to say that we can’t. Please understand.”

“It’s alright. The kids who went to the archives will be gathering all the documents related to the cracks. It would be good if we could get approval quickly.”

“I’ll contact the administration department myself.”

“Yes. I understand.”

As soon as Ian got into the carriage, Romandro handed him the documents with sparkling eyes. Knowing this would happen, he had prepared a request for cooperation from the administration department in advance. Ian raised his eyebrows as if satisfied and readily accepted the documents.

Scribble, scribble, Romandro felt happy at the sound of Ian’s writing, which he hadn’t heard in a long time. Ah, it seems that he was destined to serve like this for the rest of his life. Is it such a good thing that his superior is working?

Clatter, clatter!

Neigh!

The carriage hurried and arrived at the Magic Department. In front, the carriages they had been riding since Cliford were lined up. Everyone seemed to be busy moving the materials from Acorella into the Magic Department.

“Acorella!”

“Who called meee! Oh? Sir Ian. Yes, yes. Acorella is here.”

“Do we have any Siltham potions left that are still within their expiration date?”

“There are two that are barely usable. Shall we make new ones?”

“How long will it take?”

“I can make them here with my eyes closed. Just give me a couple of hours.”

“Good. Prepare for Damon’s interrogation.”

“Kyaaaak! Great! It’s my first time using Siltham potion on a king, this is exciting!”

“Captain. The prince used it before, didn’t he?”

“Kid, if you don’t know, stay out of it. There are things that only adults know.”

Ian took off his robe and went up the stairs. Thanks to the familiar sight, he felt a strange sense of stability filling his vision and heart.

Even as he walked across the hallway, Romandro and some of the mages were exchanging documents and smoothly handling the backlog of work.

Click.

And finally, he arrived at his office. Ian recognized the familiar figure standing in front of his desk.

“Timothy?”

Timothy. His huge physique was the same, but he was exuding an atmosphere as if the center of his heart was twisted. Timothy lightly swept the dusty desk and turned towards Ian.

“I’m sorry for coming in without permission. I came before those who would have allowed it were here.”

“It’s been a while. I heard you were naturalized.”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“…It’s a pity.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Ian seemed to have predicted Timothy’s actions to some extent, but it was literally something that could not be helped. Timothy shook his head, saying he had nothing more to say about it.

The only reason he came here was one.

“I heard that King Damon was captured as a prisoner.”

“Yes. He must have been moved to the basement of the Magic Department.”

“Please let me meet him.”

“……”

To meet the former leader who had shaken his family and himself to the core.

“Please. Sir Ian. Please let me meet King Damon.”

Ian slowly approached the desk and swept away the remaining dust. He had obtained Damon’s pure words on the condition that he would not be confronted with Timothy. It would be troublesome if it came out like this.

Ian slowly tilted his head and sat in his chair. The perfect fit of comfort enveloped his whole body.

“…Why?”

“I have something I must ask him, no, hear from him-”

“No. Not that. Sir Timothy.”

Ian continued slowly.

“The question is why I should show Damon to you.”