Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 432

“If you have other reasons, what might they be?”

Ian’s voice was exceedingly gentle and relaxed. The officials, seemingly flustered, glanced at each other while scrutinizing Ian’s expression.

A well-known Minister of Magic would never have reacted this way. He would have cut down any negative opinions with an icy voice, but now he was not only showing an opening but also practically inviting them in.

Was this a new strategy? Without any immediate aggression, the officials were rather bewildered and just shuffled through their documents. When no answer came, Ian brought it up himself.

“Are you referring to the strange rumor that I am related to the Imperial Family?”

“Lord Ian!” Jin shouted, as if begging him to shut his mouth. It was a signal for him to step back, that there was no need to distance himself any further—

However, the officials interpreted Jin’s cry differently. To mention the Imperial bloodline at an official assembly, especially in front of the Crown Prince. Wasn’t that an act of insult, blasphemy, and disrespect itself?

“That is blasphemous! To speak of such rumors before His Highness!”

“Yes, Lord Ian. Please refrain from such talk.”

“Isn’t that something you shouldn’t be bringing up so carelessly?”

“Is that so? It seems everyone is curious about it. And more than anything, isn’t it an issue that can’t be covered up by ignoring it? I thought it was something I should address directly. That is the loyalty I can show to His Highness the Crown Prince Jin.”

Ian placed his hand on his chest and saluted, causing Jin’s eyes to redden. It was a reaction tinged with a bit of resentment and anger.

Only the Prime Minister, who was nearby, noticed the change, and before Jin could become too emotional, he struck the floor with his staff to refresh the atmosphere of the assembly.

Thud! Thud!

“Everyone, compose yourselves. Lord Ian, if you are going to act like this, we have no reason to keep quiet either. Haiman, a former central noble, and King Damon of Burgos mentioned your bloodline. Can we consider this a coincidence? Explain in as much detail as possible how such words came from their mouths.”

“…There’s really nothing to explain. My origins are clear. When Hiero was Bratz [a reference to a past event or identity], I showed a clear parent-child reaction in the homogeneity potion with Count Derga, and I undeniably resemble my mother, Philia.”

“Then, may we request Philia as a witness? If your birth is certain, it seems we can find the key to the problem in Philia’s birth.”

“Oh, I will have to refuse that.”

Ian raised an eyebrow and firmly shook his head. The assembly hall immediately buzzed with commotion. They found Ian’s attitude of not actively clarifying his connection to the Imperial Family suspicious.

“Why?”

“Isn’t this an issue that can’t be resolved with a simple question? My mother is currently carrying my younger sibling. It’s obvious that any form of interrogation would be harmful to her body.”

“Lord Ian.”

Why are you doing this? The Prime Minister also took off his glasses and stared intently at Ian. Why was he stirring up trouble?

Instead of actively asserting that it was all false testimony and a strange rumor, he was refusing the witness request and subtly showing everyone that he wasn’t denying it.

“Actually, there is something else I need to tell you.”

“Something else? What could be more important than this right now?”

“It’s about Idgar.”

“Lord Iaaaan! No! No! Why, really?! Ugh! Someone, please shut our Minister’s mouth, no, his lips!”

“Captain Acorella! I told you that causing a disturbance would result in expulsion, didn’t I? Leave the assembly hall immediately.”

Thud! Thud!

As soon as Ian mentioned Idgar, Acorella shouted as if having a seizure. The Prime Minister frowned deeply and ordered her to leave, and soon the soldiers guarding the door supported Acorella and dragged her out.

Even as she was being dragged away stiffly, Acorella continued to shout. Since she was being kicked out anyway, shouldn’t she at least say everything she wanted to?

“Lord Ian, please, let’s take the easy way out? Huh? Let’s make it easy! We just came up from Clifford! Bring Lord Romandro! Lord Ian! Please!”

Screech! Thud!

The door closed, and her commotion abruptly stopped. The mages, fearing they might be expelled like Acorella, deliberately covered their mouths and only stared at Ian.

“…Isn’t Idgar a type of magic-sealing stone material manufactured and distributed by the Rutherford Trading Company? Why is that relevant?”

The Prime Minister cleared his throat and checked if the related information had been reported.

“It seems I was involved in the manufacturing of Idgar.”

“……!”

“……!”

The officials, as well as the Prime Minister, were left speechless with their mouths agape.

Jin looked as if the world had collapsed, and the mages grabbed their chests as if their hearts had fallen out. The scribes recording the meeting were no different.

“To be honest, I don’t remember. It seems like something that happened when I was too young. I’m not certain, but there is some circumstantial and physical evidence. I believe that the existence of Idgar is clearly influenced by ‘Ian, the illegitimate son.'”

“Wait, wait! Have you forgotten that you are the Minister of Magic?”

“Yes. That’s why I can’t hide it any longer. It would be wrong to my mages, and more than anything, I have a duty to rectify it. I emphasize again, it was a past that was against my will. If possible, I want to correct it, and although it’s late, I want to try now.”

The Prime Minister held his staff in the air, trying to organize his chaotic thoughts. Ian had dropped two bombs in a row. Could this really be meaningless?

“…I request a break. Your Highness.”

“Very well.”

“We will resume in thirty minutes.”

Wham!

The Prime Minister struck his staff and immediately got up and left the assembly hall. The officials who followed him also got up and followed, and the assembly hall quickly emptied. Even those who had no connection with the Prime Minister could not remain in the assembly hall with Ian in this situation.

And more than anything, Jin was sitting still, glaring at Ian. The atmosphere was so tense that it was clear that anyone who lingered would get caught in the crossfire.

“Prime Minister, what, what is going on all of a sudden?”

“The Minister of Magic created a substance that suppresses mages? Isn’t that grounds for disqualification?”

“He said he doesn’t remember. It was a long time ago, before he took office, before he even entered the palace… There must be a way to smooth things over.”

“Do you believe he doesn’t remember? More than anything, Lord Ian has officially admitted it, so there’s no way to smooth things over. It means he’s going to confront it head-on. Do you know what this means?”

“Oh, my goodness. How is this place more chaotic than the battlefield?”

“Mentioning the Imperial bloodline first and not denying it was the setup. I’m going crazy!”

It was a kind of balance.

As the Minister of Magic, Ian’s position would certainly be shaken, but as long as the suspicion of being of Imperial blood remained, he would gain new power.

Wouldn’t a person who was a genius mage and former Minister of Magic be more suitable to lead Bariel than a powerless young prince in his teens?

It was a turning point where forces could be divided, like Marib and Gale [likely referring to factions or groups]. Some officials were racking their brains to gauge Ian’s intentions and the truth.

“Given Lord Ian’s personality, he wouldn’t have made such a sensitive statement without any intention.”

“Is it true that he is of Imperial blood? No, then that means his mother, Philia, is involved?”

“I thought things would be peaceful for a while since the Imperial Defense Force was stabilized, but now a storm is brewing in the Ministry of Magic.”

“It’s not trivial. Mages have considerable credibility within the Empire. Moreover, they were the main force in this war victory, so their connection with Clifford and their influence over other countries will be significant.”

“No, so what are we supposed to do?”

One of the officials cut in irritably. Just tell us the conclusion. The conclusion. What should we do now? How should we treat Lord Ian when we go back in?

“Neutrality. His Highness Jin’s reaction is crucial. I heard before that he followed and cherished Lord Ian like a brother, but recently there has been some neglect. In a situation like this, how His Highness Jin reacts is important.”

“Of course, he has no choice but to keep him in check. His position as Crown Prince is in danger. If there is no reaction? That means he is backing down before even fighting, and he won’t be able to gain the support of the officials. Either way, His Highness Jin will have to—”

He was about to say that he had no choice but to cut him off when the mages rushed out of the door, and then a loud crash was heard from inside the assembly hall.

Wham!

Did something fall? Or break? Everyone was startled and stared at the firmly closed assembly hall.

The corridor was instantly filled with silence. The Prime Minister rubbed his forehead and checked the time. It seemed he had made the break too long.

* * *

“Lord Ian! You’re lying, right? That you created Idgar, please make your lies more believable!”

“H-how did you make it? Do you not remember at all?”

“You, you bastard, are you one of Acorella’s subordinates?”

“No. Honestly, aren’t you curious? It’s like a mage creating a magic-sealing stone. Isn’t it similar to a lumberjack protesting to enact a forest protection law?”

“Lord Ian. Your current statements and actions. Honestly, I don’t understand your intentions. If you have even a little bit of concern for us, please stop and first—”

“All of you, leave as well.”

Ian said, glancing slightly behind him. Because Jin was standing there, looking straight at him.

The boy was breathing heavily, his eyes red, and the mages, sensing the unusual atmosphere, quietly backed away.

“Lord Ian. Let’s talk among ourselves. Okay?”

“I’m going to go out and get some air. Ahem.”

Screech! Thud!

Only Ian, Jin, and Siao Shi remained in the assembly hall. Jin couldn’t hold back and jumped up, causing the chair behind him to fall over with a loud crash.

“Ian! This is really too much!”

“Please calm down, Your Highness.”

“Calm down? Did you just say calm down? How, how could you do this? I clearly asked you, didn’t I? Instead of actively denying the doubts, what is that ambiguous attitude, and what is that confession about Idgar? Are you trying to mock me? Or are you, like those whispering in the corners, aiming for this position?!”

As the boy shouted as if in despair, Ian let out a light sigh and slowly stood up. Then, he approached Jin and naturally knelt down.

“How can you say such things? Your Highness. I am disappointed.”

“I’m the one who should be disappointed! Do you not see me as the Crown Prince? So you keep trying to create a force to keep me in check? What is that pillar? What is that precious pillar that you keep…”

Tears streamed down Jin’s eyes. He quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand, but the marks were clear.

“Why, why do you keep trying to distance yourself from me…”

“Your Highness. I sincerely believe that you are the master of Bariel.”

“…Lies.”

“It’s the truth. Although Your Highness has successfully stabilized the Imperial Defense Force, you need to continue to strengthen your power until you come of age. I will soon be leaving to investigate the rift in Clifford.”

According to the records, it took ten years for Bandor to enter the rift and for the land to be filled. Ten years is by no means a short time in the Imperial Palace. Rather, it was a very long time. Enough time for the void to be filled by another presence.

“You want me to send you to Clifford. A banishment disguised as an investigation team.”

“I dare to wish for it, Your Highness. The strange rumor that I am related to the Imperial bloodline has already spread far and wide. It will soon reach the public, and honestly, I cannot predict what public opinion will be like then. Please do not worry and accept things as they are.”

Like bursting a festering wound in advance, when doubts about Ian were raised, Jin would suppress Ian in advance.

By doing so, Jin could completely seize the imperial power, and with the prestige of purging the Minister of Magic, he could stand more firmly in his position as Crown Prince.

“…There is something called a velvet spider. It lives in the desert, and it is a spider that feeds its young with its own body. Since it is going to die anyway, it willingly offers its body to nourish its young. Who can point a finger at the mother spider and call it a foolish act?”

“Lord Ian.”

“Please use me like that. Step on me and reach higher places, and look further.”

“Why are you trying to go into the rift? What is there that makes you do this? Can’t you not go? Is it because of the guilt caused by Idgar? That is not a problem at all—”

“It seems the Abyss is there.”

The Abyss, a place called the hell of mages.

Ian carefully took Jin’s hand and smiled.

“There is someone I must meet in the Abyss, so I have no choice but to look in that direction, even if it means giving up everything. Your Highness.”