Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 453

“Are you feeling a bit better?”

As tears dripped from Jin’s chin, Ian kindly wiped them away with a handkerchief.

Outside was still noisy, but the reception room where the two were was utterly silent. The world felt as if it were divided by a single wall. Thanks to that, Jin could shed the dignified appearance of the Crown Prince and wear the face of a ten-year-old child.

“It’s truly too much, Sir Ian. What on earth did you do without a word? Everyone, everyone was shocked that you were dead.”

“I apologize. Some effort was needed to activate the magic placed on Eriphony. I thought my death alone would be enough, but it seems it wasn’t enough for her. Only after drawing Your Highness in did the arrow return.”

“Was that the arrow Eriphony shot herself in the war?”

“Yes. Do you remember a child named Zaira among the mages who defected from Ruthwena? She’s about the same age as Your Highness.”

“I know. That child with the black hair.”

“Yes. It’s revenge achieved by burning half of her remaining lifespan. To facilitate the negotiations, a king’s absence was needed, like in Vergos. However, if Bariel were to act directly, there could be a backlash from Ruthwena, which has strong legitimacy, and this would make effective governance difficult.”

Ian raised one eyebrow as if to ask if Jin understood, and continued to wipe away the tears until Jin pulled his hand away, signaling he was done.

“Although Zaira defected, her origins are in Ruthwena. The magic was cast back then. It’s as if a Ruthwenan mage killed herself, so they won’t be able to easily protest. They also won’t be able to rashly oppose Bariel.”

“What if the newly crowned king of Ruthwena maintains an anti-Bariel stance?”

“It won’t be easy. Many mages have come over here, and we have the king’s body. If he ascended to the throne by claiming legitimacy, he would have to actively coordinate with Bariel, who is holding Eriphony’s body. If he denies legitimacy without doing so, he would have to persuade many citizens, and the timing isn’t right.”

“Elderte. Earlier, it seemed like Elderte had something on his mind.”

“Yes. It was unexpected that he was hesitating, but he will eventually return without participating in the meeting.”

Then, they just needed to focus on pressuring Vergos to lead the negotiations. The standards applied to Vergos would soon be applied to Ruthwena as well.

Jin moved his lips for a moment and then told him the decisions made at the meeting.

“Sir Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Go to Clifforde.”

Go to Clifforde, achieve everything you desire, and return.

Ian smiled brightly at Jin’s decision. Hadn’t it taken a long time for the child to make a decision? But this was inevitable, and the fact that he had made a decision meant the child had grown.

Ian bowed his head and offered his sincere thanks.

“I am truly delighted that you have allowed it, Your Highness.”

“Before that, there is something I want to ask.”

“…Are you referring to your relationship with Rutherford?”

“I was aware of your connection in childhood and the creation of Idgar. But I never expected a master-servant relationship.”

The Empire was officially planning to declare Rutherford an enemy. He had a history of participating in the civil war. Bania’s testimony was so shocking that it was glossed over, but it was firmly etched in the minds of all Bariel officials.

A minister who follows a participant in the civil war as his master? That was absolutely impossible. Especially for Jin.

“I am also unaware of it. It seems I am bound by a contract magic, but I am living for Bariel, not Rutherford. I can swear this to God.”

Not for Jin, but for Bariel. Surprisingly, Jin felt more trust in those words. He, too, was ultimately living for Bariel.

Was it because he felt that Ian, whom he thought was looking in a different direction, still had a shared purpose? Jin rubbed the tear marks with the back of his hand.

“Before the testimony of the Bania envoy gains more power, Sir Ian, it would be best for you to leave as you wish. Otherwise, even Hielro Territory will be in danger. There must be a place where Philia and those who follow you can live safely, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern. I will go down to Clifforde for a while to resolve the situation and set everything right. Then, when I return here, I will be able to return with a smile.”

“…As I said, I will have the magic department’s annex built. So, please, please return even a little faster, Sir Ian. Bariel needs you.”

“I also need Bariel.”

Jin and Ian held hands tightly and exchanged glances. Now they knew. No matter how strong the external tremors, they could not make a single dent in their trust. Ian saw Jin as history itself, and Jin saw Ian as family. One was a vast wave, and the other was the air that filled life.

Jin smiled faintly and murmured.

“And when you return-”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Let’s all go out and play outside the palace again. Beric, Sia, and Romandro too. All together.”

Jin was saying that he wished he could have the time to call him ‘brother’ once more.

Instead of answering, Ian smiled and patted the back of the child’s hand, and then rose at the report from outside.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness. The Ruthwena delegation has decided to leave the palace.”

* * *

The atmosphere in the imperial palace was chaotic. To be precise, it was more accurate to say that the Clifforde and Vergos delegations were more anxious than ever before.

The king of Ruthwena, a country considered a major power among kingdoms, had suddenly died during a break in negotiations. It was the karma from the war, but given the situation, it was inevitable that a sense of fear permeated the delegation.

On the other hand, Bariel was also whispering because of Bania’s remarks, and no one could easily come up with an answer, so only noise filled the air.

Squeak.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is entering.”

As Jin entered to resume the negotiation meeting, the conference hall became quiet at once. Ian, who was entering secretly through another door, not following behind him. People pretended not to notice, but their eyes were focused on their actions.

“Before proceeding with the negotiations, everyone must have heard.”

Jin gestured for them to sit down and then slowly delivered the sad news. The vast conference hall, the empty Ruthwena side seats, were particularly noticeable.

“Due to the sudden accident of King Eriphony, the delegations have hurriedly left the palace to return home. The negotiations will proceed without any setbacks. The entire Ruthwena delegation has agreed that there will be no veto power over the matters decided here. The matters applied to Vergos will also be applied equally to Ruthwena, so please keep this in mind and assert your respective positions. Also, I would like to make it clear that Bariel has no responsibility for the death of King Eriphony, and I sincerely express my condolences for the king’s passing.”

The delegations from other countries rolled their eyes at Jin’s declaration. Didn’t they say that a non-existent arrow suddenly appeared and pierced her heart in an instant? There were many mages around as well. And yet, Bariel was not involved. It was an unbelievable claim.

As if aware of that, the Prime Minister added.

“If there are any doubts about the death of King Eriphony, please raise your hand without hesitation. We will show you the body. If you have the ability, you will be able to see that King Eriphony’s death has nothing to do with Bariel’s mages.”

Clifforde had no mages, and Vergos had no way to verify it immediately. The only thing they could rely on was Bania’s testimony, who had been at the scene from beginning to end.

When the Vergos delegation asked suspiciously, Bania answered as carefully as possible, as if speaking in a ventriloquist’s voice.

“It seems that the King of Ruthwena tried to poison Sir Ian. It seems they were trying to draw Vergos in, but something went wrong in the process. Sir Ian, who was thought to be dead, did not die…”

“Tried to poison him?”

“Sir Ian collapsed as soon as he drank the tea.”

Since the dead cannot speak, they could only guess the situation from the remaining circumstances. In fact, even if Bariel had killed Eriphony, what problem would there be? She was the king of a defeated country. Even if she had her tongue cut off like Damon and rolled on the floor in shackles, she would not be able to protest.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the atmosphere was gradually calming down and struck the gavel.

Taang! Tang tang!

“We will continue the negotiations. King of Clifforde.”

The King of Clifforde rose from his seat. May was still guarding his side. Instead of Noah, who had the curse activated, she was playing the role of the king’s right-hand man perfectly.

And then the Prime Minister’s remarks followed.

“We are aware of the damage caused by the rift, and we fully understand the difficulties. As you wish, we will support magic, focusing on Minister Ian Hielro of the Magic Department. In addition, we will arrange for various goods and supplies necessary for reconstruction to be with you on your way back. Does Clifforde agree to transfer the right to claim damages to Bariel?”

“I agree.”

Following the King of Clifforde’s answer, the delegation became lively. Ian is coming! The Clifforde delegation patted each other on the shoulders and smiled.

In fact, they had overcome the most important hurdle in the negotiations. With Ian, with that genius mage, they would be able to repair the rift and regain the glory of the previous vineyards. If possible, they would also find a way to make up for the curse.

“Ian is going to Clifforde?”

“Then what will happen? He’s going with the title of minister, so he’s not leaving the Magic Department, is he?”

“Isn’t that it?”

“Wait, is it more urgent for Ian to give up his position as Minister of the Magic Department, or to go into the rift?”

“Of course, it’s more urgent to go into the rift!”

“If he goes to Clifforde, there’s a rift right in front of him, would Ian just stand by? Huh?”

“Ah.”

The most surprised by the imperial family’s decision were not Clifforde or Vergos. It was the Magic Department. They tried to say a word to reverse the decision, but they were blocked by Ian’s resolute gaze.

‘Shhh.’

It was His Highness the Crown Prince’s decision, so no one should say anything. Ian was saying that.

So the mages looked for Romandro, but Romandro also had no way to do anything. He just looked at Jin with a troubled expression, holding his forehead. Jin clearly didn’t seem like he would send Ian away… Is it inevitable that the position of the Magic Department and the position of the Imperial Palace are different?

Swoosh.

The Prime Minister pretended not to notice the agitation of the Magic Department and raised one hand to give instructions, and soon an official brought a long piece of parchment.

“Below, sign in the name of the king and affix the seal. We will give you enough time to check.”

Meanwhile, Jin, who was watching that, turned his head towards Vergos.

The time had come. The deal between Bariel and Clifforde was a matter that had been mentioned behind the scenes, and above all, it was beneficial to both sides.

But the deal with Vergos from now on would clearly divide the parties into the strong and the weak.

“If Bariel claims the right to compensation, what we want from Vergos is as follows.”

Especially for Vergos, who had their king captured and needed to buy time until Rutherford arrived, it would be a tough fight.

“Vergos must depose King Damon, who started the war, and enthrone a new leader. In the process, Bariel’s opinions must be actively accepted, and during the period when the throne is vacant, personnel dispatched from Bariel must ensure that there are no problems in the operation of the country. Also, officially order the disbandment of the army and transfer the five major cities bordering Bariel to Bariel territory.”

The Vergos delegation let out deep sighs through their lips. It was practically equivalent to the dissolution of the country. No army, no king, and even the territory was lost, a process that completely destroyed legitimacy.

At this, Bania carefully rose from his seat and raised his hand.

“Representative Bania, speak.”

And Damon watched that scene calmly. He needlessly stroked the tip of his cut tongue with his teeth, causing pain. Otherwise, he felt like he wouldn’t be able to suppress the anger boiling inside.