Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 455

“Representative of Bania, you may speak.”

The Prime Minister, removing his glasses, granted the right to speak.

The officials looked down at the Vergos delegation with an air of authority. They seemed to know what Vergos would say.

First, they would say it was excessive. They would argue that it was an absurd measure considering the scale of war damage, and they would oppose the transfer of the right of claim from Clifford. Although they all looked different, they seemed to share the same atmosphere, as if the blood of Bariel flowed through them, influencing their thoughts.

Bania looked up at them calmly and stated simply,

“That is not possible.”

“That is not possible? How presumptuous.”

“Indeed. I wonder if they even know their current situation. Haha.”

They had expected the content, but not the attitude. The officials’ expressions hardened for a moment, and they each threw out a remark.

Isn’t the attitude of a delegation representative quite disrespectful? They should be trying to entice the Imperial Family with sweet words, yet they speak like that!

“If you say it is not possible, then what will you do?”

“Listen carefully, as I will say this once. It is easier to add to writing than to erase it. The more you try to make corrections, the more will follow. You should truly reflect and accept the proposals of the victimized nation without complaint!”

It was a warning that they would impose even harsher sanctions if they resisted the terms of the negotiation. However, Bania showed no sign of backing down.

Seeing this, Ian realized something and tapped the edge of a document.

“Hey, Ian.”

Whisper, whisper, Ian turned his head at Romandro’s call. The mages were still glaring at the back of Ian’s head with dissatisfied expressions. Even Beric next to them seemed to be influenced.

Romandro surveyed the atmosphere of the conference hall and lowered his voice even further.

“The Vergos side is reacting more vigorously than expected. Why didn’t you tie them to Rusweena earlier? If they are uncooperative, we can still use that to pressure them. Huh?”

The entire Magic Department knew that King Rusweena had tried to kill Ian, and it could be proven. The circumstances of trying to pin it on Vergos were the same.

However, Eriphony had died without considering the consequences of her actions, and no one had yet taken responsibility for Ian’s collapse. If Vergos did not yield and stood firm, they could use this as an excuse to push forward.

“Well, I don’t think that’s a particularly good idea.”

“Why? Why not?”

Romandro glanced back and forth between Ian and Bania. He wanted to glare at them with the mages, but this was an important official meeting. Romandro was an aide.

“They are a delegation from Vergos, but they are not people who are loyal to Vergos. Didn’t they say it themselves? That they serve Rutherford as their master.”

“Th-that, Ian.”

“Let’s discuss that matter in detail later. Anyway, it’s true that there is someone they prioritize over Vergos. Also, Vergos is currently in a state of chaos due to power struggles among numerous nobles. It seems Rutherford has taken the lead, but to resolve the divided national opinion, a powerful event is needed.”

Ian covered his mouth with his hand, as if telling Romandro not to ask unnecessary questions. Romandro, who had no choice but to listen quietly, muttered to himself.

“War?”

“It’s natural to turn their eyes outward when things are noisy inside. Besides, Vergos is a defeated nation. However, it’s not that their army was annihilated and they surrendered. They were forced to surrender because their king was captured. They know they have to pay reparations to Bariel and Clifford. In that case, they will choose to provoke a war to unite the nation and avoid the situation.”

“If, if we go to war with Bariel? Can we win?”

“Bariel is the eternal victor of history.”

Ian added quietly. His tone was without a hint of doubt. It was as if he had seen the distant future himself and his belief was firm.

“But there will be those who do not think so.”

“Rutherford.”

“Nothing is known about him, but my guess is that he is not from Vergos. Therefore, he will not hesitate to use the chaos within Vergos to fill his own pockets.”

In fact, not all Vergos people think of their country, but still.

Rutherford is the source of Idgal [a magical substance or power]. He was also the owner of a large merchant group that traded with the great nobles or royalty of the empire, and he was someone who possessed ‘something’ unknown to this side. According to Damon, he was a being who coordinated the gods and the world.

“The merchant group will have not only mages but also national-level military power. Since they hold Idgal, they must think they can handle Bariel’s mages as well.”

And above all, if he is truly Bandor, who has been passing on his soul for a thousand years, it would be difficult to guess his true intentions.

An immeasurable amount of time. During that time, what had he prepared, what emotions had he harbored, what were the conversations he had with the illegitimate son Ian, and how much had the scales of events revolving around Bariel shifted? It was impossible to know.

“Th-that’s right. But…”

Romandro trailed off, as if he now understood.

Wasn’t there a problem? If the Vergos side wanted war, and if it was advantageous for Vergos regardless of the nature of the war, then Bariel had no way to deal with it. If the delegation continued to refuse negotiations and act disrespectfully, the end would inevitably lead to war. Crown Prince Jin had already moved troops near the border adjacent to Vergos at the beginning of the negotiations.

“If they act like that, what can we do? There’s no way, is there? We can’t ease the burden of negotiations, and we can’t overlook their arrogant attitude. It’s like tarnishing the prestige of the empire, and not only the Imperial Family but all the officials will not tolerate it.”

“…”

It was a strategy where they could only be unilaterally defeated. Those who desire destruction are fearless, making them difficult to deal with.

Ian rested his chin on his hand for a moment, looking at Jin. The Prime Minister also seemed to have realized Vergos’s strategy, as he was covering his mouth with his hand and conveying something.

‘This way, it’s consistent. The fact that they denied everything that was problematic to buy time is in the same context. If it goes well, it’s good without the outbreak of war, and if not, that’s also good. The problem is the safety of the delegation if the negotiations fail. Bania seems to have his life mortgaged to Rutherford, judging by his actions.’

Are the others also willing to die? Does that mean they are so full of loyalty to Rutherford?

However, Ian remembered the person who had exchanged glances with Timothy when he entered the conference hall at the beginning. He seemed to have a deep connection with Timothy, but there was no way such a person would abandon the dynasty and give his life to a mere merchant, Rutherford. There must be something that guarantees their lives.

Bania flipped through the documents and recited the prepared content.

“First, it concerns the donation of five Vergos cities bordering Bariel. The cities that suffered damage in Clifford are all small villages, except for the capital, Prodohna. Although the damage is severe, the scale cannot be compared. And above all, in the war, not a single Vergos soldier crossed the capital’s barrier. Since they did not set foot on the inner land-”

“That’s absurd!”

Thump!

May, who had been listening, raised her voice and slammed the table roughly.

“Why is Clifford stepping in? Didn’t you transfer the right of claim?”

“Our king is still reviewing the contract! And it is clear that there is a problem with Vergos’s claims, so we have no choice but to stand up like this!”

Transferring the right of claim meant that Clifford had no decision-making power in the negotiations between Bariel and Vergos, but May shouted, raising the relevant report.

“The Vergos army crossed the border and released White Horns [monstrous creatures] every time they passed through a village. They are monsters that ruin farmland. As insects, they reproduce rapidly, and the land around the paths they have passed is all dying. They have an explosive nature, so ordinary people cannot easily exterminate them. Is that all? The ultimate damage from the war is the crack that occurred in the capital! If it weren’t for you, we would have been enjoying peaceful days and harvesting ripe grapes. Vergos is responsible for all the damage caused by the crack! Frankly, five cities are far from enough!”

“That’s right! Our entire country is tilting!”

“There is almost no usable land. How can we put a number on this? Also, what about the curse the royal family suffered? It’s not enough!”

Several Clifford delegates strongly agreed with May’s claim and gave her strength. The Prime Minister gestured for them to be quiet, and May glared at Bania as if she would kill him.

On the other hand, Bania was just doing his job, as if he was indifferent.

“Bariel agrees with Clifford’s opinion, so calm down. Vergos. As someone said, I will reiterate. This is also the will of His Highness the Crown Prince, so do not take it lightly.”

The Prime Minister, having grasped the intentions of the Vergos side, warned in a low voice.

“Although it is called a negotiation, it is only given to Bariel and Clifford. The defeated nation has no authority. It is the value calculated by those who represent Bariel, and negotiations cannot proceed below that.”

Thump!

The Prime Minister struck the gavel. It was a gesture swearing that there would be no change, with his name, position, and the sanctity of the conference hall at stake.

“Vergos delegation. If negotiations do not proceed, your existence is meaningless. Bariel will not fully release those related to Rutherford, who participated in the civil war.”

“…”

“Bariel’s soldiers will take up arms at sunrise and return home before sunset.”

Do they want war? But it was a message that Bariel would not give them time to use that chaos. They had grasped their intentions, so they would not let them have their way.

Bania listlessly put down the documents, sighed, and swept back his hair.

“…If that’s the case, you should have just notified us. Why did you call us all the way here?”

“Didn’t you want to come? To see the king.”

“There was an invitation before that.”

“The target of that invitation was not clear. Is there anyone in Vergos now who can receive a message sent in the name of His Highness the Crown Prince?”

The officials also seemed to have noticed the strategy of the Vergos side, and they began to whisper while exchanging documents. But nothing would change. Either way, if the delegation shed blood here, it would be the beginning of the war between Bariel and Vergos.

Jin, who had been watching quietly, rose and looked down at the front. Romandro had a feeling that a firm decision would come from Jin’s mouth.

“Ian, is there no other way besides war or overlooking it?”

It seemed like Ian would know something! Romandro put his hand on Ian’s shoulder, not even aware of the external gaze.

Ian’s body slightly trembled. He thought for a moment, then twitched his eyebrows.

“There is one, but…”