Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 458

The Imperial Palace, once filled with commotion, had quieted down.

Like sand that had cooled after being heated, the frantic atmosphere had calmed considerably. This was because they now had only one option left.

“It would be best to declare war.”

A full-scale war between Bariel and Vergos. Something no one had dared to do lightly. When one official broke the silence and mentioned it, disgruntled groans erupted from here and there. However, no one could dismiss it as nonsense.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We should also keep a close watch on the movements of the delegation returning to Ruthwena and respond firmly to Vergos.”

“A power shift will also occur in Ruthwena, so we must prevent them from having any foolish ideas by waging war against Vergos. A strong warning. That would be the most effective.”

“Who do you think will succeed the throne in Ruthwena?”

“I don’t know whether to call it unfortunate or fortunate, but since King Eriphony has no heir, wouldn’t they decide by considering the appropriate succession order?”

“I heard that the late king’s brother is still alive.”

“But he is too old. He is not suitable in many ways to handle a country in disarray due to defeat.”

“What about Elderte? He is Eriphony’s right-hand man and the one who directly informs the homeland of the king’s death. Isn’t he sufficient?”

“Ruthwena prioritizes legitimacy above all else. Although Lord Elderte is Eriphony’s cousin, well, I know he is quite far down in the order. That’s why he left the palace when he was young and became a university professor.”

“Anyway, both Ruthwena and Vergos are about to enter a new king’s era, and Bariel cannot just stand idly by.”

“Vergos has no talent.”

“To be precise, you mean there is no talent that Bariel wants.”

“Yes, yes. Well, I don’t know if we have to be so precise, but, haha. Ruthwena won’t be a big problem. They are trying to shift the blame for the war to Vergos as much as possible. If Bariel shakes Vergos, I think they will cooperate.”

“Isn’t that right, Lord Ian?”

The officials’ gazes simultaneously turned to Ian. They found it strange that he hadn’t said anything. Apart from his position as the Minister of Magic, Ian was currently the most important figure. He was the one in charge of King Eriphony’s death and the interrogation of the Vergos delegation.

Ian simply shrugged and nodded.

“Yes. But we cannot handle things based on assumptions alone. It would be best to send someone to Ruthwena to see how the situation is unfolding.”

“Lord Ian. Now that it’s just us, let’s talk frankly.”

Swoosh.

One official turned his body towards Ian, getting closer.

“Are you really going down to Cliffopord like this?”

“It’s already a done deal. His Majesty has ordered it, and it is a promise made between countries. Why do you ask again?”

“I was just wondering what will happen to your position as the Minister of Magic. War with Vergos is inevitable, and frankly, it’s a bit concerning if Lord Ian is not there, isn’t it? Ah, Minister Maxim Tweller. I’m not doubting the capabilities of the Imperial Defense Department, but-”

“You’re not doubting, but you’re worried, is that what you mean?”

Maxim Tweller retorted in a firm, low voice. Wasn’t the gap between doubt and worry thinner than a sheet of paper?

As the officials coughed awkwardly and avoided answering, Ian spoke.

“Lord Maxim Tweller. Please don’t be angry. The officials are not doubting the Imperial Defense Department, but rather worrying about the Magic Department. There are many more capable people than me in the Magic Department. So, please do not add any opinions to His Majesty’s will.”

“Haha, that’s not what I meant…”

“Is His Majesty Jin still in a private meeting with the King of Cliffopord?”

The officials urged the attendants to break the awkward atmosphere. Since Vergos and Ruthwena were both involved in the negotiations, a conversation between the rulers was necessary.

Ian sipped his tea and glanced out the window. It was almost sunset. The sky was getting darker, and the sunset was descending.

Thump!

At that moment, a very subtle vibration was felt.

Ian paused and turned his head towards the door. Had no one else felt it? The officials were still continuing their meeting, but only Minister Maxim Tweller met Ian’s eyes.

Thud!

Swoosh.

“Why, why is that?”

He thought it was a mistake, but it wasn’t.

As the two stood up at the same time, the officials called out to them with puzzled faces. However, Ian was too focused to answer, and Tweller was silent, thinking about what the unusual energy could be. Soon, Tweller’s hand moved to the sword at his side.

The officials were horrified.

“Minister! What are you doing!?”

“Shhh. Everyone be quiet.”

“Quiet? This is the Imperial Palace! The Imperial Palace!”

“Yes, yes, drawing weapons rashly is not good for anyone. His Majesty is across the hallway. Haha.”

“Why are you trying to draw your sword when there is no problem in the Imperial Palace? There has been no message from the main gate, and the Imperial Palace soldiers are guarding all sides.”

“That’s why it’s even more suspicious. An explosion in the Imperial Palace.”

“E-explosion?”

“Could it be that the Magic Department made a mistake in an experiment?”

“…No. The energy is different.”

Ian muttered, focusing all his senses.

It was definitely strange and suspicious. If there had been an intrusion from the outside, it would have been immediately stopped by the main gate guards and mages, and a report would have been made.

However, there was nothing to point to an internal problem. The Vergos people were all ordinary people, and they were even wearing magic-sealing shackles to prepare for any possible situation.

Then, where could such an explosion have come from?

‘The remaining external force is Cliffopord, but they have no justification or reason to do so.’

If they stayed still, Bariel would provide them with supplies, and Ian and the mages would step in to fix the rifts. Why would they cause trouble?

“Minister Tweller.”

Ian called out to Tweller, turning the doorknob himself. The other mages also seemed to have noticed something, waiting for Ian with bewildered faces. Only Romandro was blinking, unable to grasp the sudden change in atmosphere.

“Please protect His Majesty well. I’ll go and check it out.”

“I will.”

“Ian! Did you feel it just now? Something went boom!”

“Berik. Shhh.”

“I think I know where it came from. Left! It came from the left!”

Ian gently pushed Berik’s shoulder as if telling him to follow, and disappeared down the hallway. The mages and Romandro followed him in a hurry.

Minister Tweller, who had watched them all disappear, ran to the reception room where Crown Prince Jin was, along with his subordinates.

Tap tap!

“No, are you all trying to trick me? What explosion? I didn’t hear anything.”

“You didn’t hear it? It went boom really loudly. Were you standing and dozing off? You must have been sleeping with your eyes open!”

“Berik, you and your words! How focused do you think I was!”

“If you didn’t hear it even then, there’s something wrong with your ears. Hehe.”

Berik teased Romandro and ran ahead. He didn’t know what was going on, but he seemed happy that he was moving with Ian to solve the problem. His steps were light and cheerful, and he didn’t seem to realize that they were going to check on a problem.

Tap tap!

“Is it this way?”

“Ah, I don’t know.”

“It seems to be towards the Imperial Palace warehouse…”

Two faint shocks were felt. Ian confirmed that the movements of the guards inside the Imperial Palace were not uniform. They also had not figured out where the explosion had occurred.

At that moment, Berik, who had been running well, stopped abruptly.

“Ah.”

Sniff sniff. Then he raised his chin in the air and frowned. Romandro stomped his feet and looked back at Berik.

“What’s wrong?”

“I smell blood.”

“Blood? Where?”

“This way. Ian! This way!”

“Can we trust him?”

“His sense of direction is terrible, but his sense of smell is amazing, so we have to trust him! Berik! Let’s go together!”

The mages ran towards the exhibition hall where the Imperial Palace’s wealth and treasures were stored. It was a space where explosions should not happen, and should not have happened.

It was the moment Ian realized that something was wrong. The mages who had turned the corner stopped in their tracks, unable to walk forward.

“…L-Lord Ian.”

“W-what, what, what happened…”

Bloodstains were splattered on the white marble floor.

The guards were dead, their eyes wide open, as if they had been ambushed from behind. Blood was seeping out from the tightly closed door.

Buzz! Buzz!

It was the exhibition hall. Because it was full of Bariel’s precious items, it was a space that only those who were authorized could enter, with the Magic Department’s barrier in place.

As soon as Ian discovered the blood flowing from there, he released his magic power. The mages also reflexively raised their power.

“Lord Romandro, please inform the Imperial Palace of the emergency and ensure His Majesty’s safety.”

“Ah, I, ah, I understand! I’ll bring people right away!”

“Be careful. Berik! You protect Lord Romandro.”

“Me? Why? There are enemies in front of us.”

As Berik frowned, Romandro grabbed his ear tightly.

“You little brat, do you want to see me die? There was an explosion, but no alarm went off. There are intruders in the Imperial Palace. Look at those corpses. They couldn’t even die with their eyes closed, so their skills must be incredible, right?”

“Ugh, really. Then are we leaving Ian behind?”

“Which is faster, me dying or Ian dying? Enough, protect me quickly! Berik! It’s a serious situation!”

The guards were dealt with before they could even report the problem. He didn’t know what their purpose was, but it was clear that the Crown Prince’s safety was in danger.

Romandro had a duty to quickly inform the Imperial Palace’s guard captain, the Imperial Guard, and all the people of Bariel, including the Imperial Defense Department, of this fact.

“Hurry!”

Romandro grabbed Berik by the scruff of his neck and turned back the way they had come, and Ian slowly approached the exhibition hall. He could hear the sound of something being cut, and the sound of people moving busily.

At least five.

No, more than that.

Swoosh.

The mages, with their magic power unleashed, scattered to the left and right of the door. How did these intruders suddenly appear inside the Imperial Palace? Especially in this place with the tightest security…

‘Was there an item that helped with teleportation?’

In the Imperial Palace? Or among something that came in recently? What items did Ruthwena or Vergos present?

It was the moment Ian thought that. The door of the exhibition hall slowly opened, and a presence was heard from inside.

“Ah…”

A woman staggered out, barely supporting herself on the floor. Her face was hard to recognize because she was covered in blood, but Ian and the Magic Department recognized her at once.

‘…Acorella!’

As the mages were about to rush in, Ian stopped them. Someone else appeared behind Acorella.

He roughly grabbed Acorella’s ankle and pulled her. As if dragging a hunted animal.

“Hey. Where are you going? You have to solve the problem you caused.”

“Ah, ugh, damn it…”

“Do you want your right leg to be broken too? Huh?”

“Get lost, get-”

Buzz! Buzz!

Boom!

Acorella gathered her magic power and exploded it as if resisting, and thanks to that, the inside of the exhibition hall was filled with bright light. In that instant, Ian could see the man with black hair, and surprisingly, his instinctive recognition was awakened.

A man he had never seen before, but somehow seemed to be deeply engraved in his memory. A man reminiscent of a black panther. A man so flamboyant that the blood all over his body didn’t even catch his eye.

‘It’s Rutherford.’