Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 48

The Imperial Palace Council

-To His Highness First Prince Marib, I am Count Derga Bratz. Please understand that I cannot write at length due to the urgency.

When the administrative official, Sir Molin, came down from the capital to decide on the adoption of a bastard, he conveyed to me the intentions of His Highness Second Prince Gail. He asked if I would like to join an alliance between His Highness and the nobles. As one who lives for the Imperial Palace, I knew this would be a burden to His Highness Prince Marib, and I refused.

Thus, I have fallen into danger. Molin and the bastard, who returned to the Imperial Palace, slandered me and accused me of tax evasion. It is unjust. If the Bratz family is destroyed, the Imperial Palace will surely send someone to govern this place. And in all likelihood, Molin and his close associates, who have visited Bratz before, will take control.

This will certainly be detrimental to Your Highness Marib. Please have mercy on the Bratz family, who have defended the border against barbarians for generations.

Sarak.

Marib finished reading the letter and slowly put it down. He then fiddled with the glasses on the table and murmured.

This was an unexpected development. His aide also had a grave expression, constantly checking for any sounds outside. In the Imperial Palace, even the smallest breath could become a loud rumor.

“Aide, you should read this too.”

The aide took the letter and read it, his face also growing heavy.

“Where do you think the truth lies, and where does the lie lie?”

“They are mixed so well, it’s hard to tell.”

“First, let’s go through it one by one. It’s certain that Gail maintains friendly relations with the local nobles. Though not officially named, it’s true that they have their own gatherings.”

The central and local powers were in a relationship of mutual checks and balances.

The First Prince, as the next in line for the throne, was naturally in a position to suppress the nobles, while the Second Prince, having been pushed out of the succession, was freer to associate with them.

“But I can’t believe that Count Bratz refused for my sake. We’re not that special of a relationship.”

“I agree. From the Count’s perspective, it would be natural to welcome His Highness Gail’s proposal. But it seems he ultimately refused.”

“Then, we must assume there’s a reason he wanted to distance himself from Gail. Since he was reported for tax evasion and an investigation team was sent, it’s probably due to that issue.”

His quiet murmuring and analysis were truly astute. From his seat, with only limited information and a letter, he had grasped the inner workings of the distant Bratz territory.

“If that’s the case, then the claim of injustice is invalid, and it’s also true that Sir Molin, who was in charge, would handle the aftermath if Bratz were destroyed. Who is the head of the investigation team?”

At Marib’s question, the aide paused for a moment. Hundreds of names were mentioned daily in the Imperial Palace. How could one remember them all? But he quickly searched his memory and gave an answer.

“…It’s someone named Erica.”

“What’s their relationship?”

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any particular connection. It seems that Erica gave a testimony of innocence when one of Sir Molin’s relatives was accused of illegal land development. I will confirm this.”

“That’s enough. It’s not important.”

“…Then, it’s also plausible that His Highness Gail is plotting treason.”

Molin was indeed Gail’s man.

At the aide’s words, Marib playfully shrugged his shoulders, as if to say he couldn’t be sure about that. But when things were ambiguous, it was better to take precautions.

In the chaotic Imperial Palace, where every move was intertwined, even the smallest mistake could lead to the bottom.

“Tell them that I will attend the ministers’ general meeting tomorrow, no, this morning.”

Marib put on his glasses and gave the quiet order. It was a state council where the ministers would decide on agendas and vote in the morning. Marib’s role was to listen to the report with the Emperor in the afternoon, so he had rarely attended.

He knew that they would be shocked and overturned when they heard the news in the morning.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And since you’re back, let’s get some work done.”

“…I came prepared.”

“Thank you.”

The aide, who had come to work in the middle of the night, smiled faintly and bowed his head. Marib carefully placed Derga’s letter in a drawer and then gave an order.

“Bring me all the recent documents related to the Bratz territory. Especially focus on the reports submitted by Sir Molin.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please wait a moment.”

Squeak.

The door slowly closed. Marib refocused on the documents he was reading. But he couldn’t help but be bothered by Derga’s letter, which he had put in the drawer.

‘Gail… You shouldn’t do anything foolish.’

And then, the sun rose, and it was morning, in the Imperial Palace’s Grand Conference Hall.

The ministers of each department gathered one by one and took their seats. And unlike usual, they noticed that a new seat had been prepared.

“Who is coming today?”

“His Highness the First Prince will be attending.”

“His Highness Marib?”

“Haven’t you heard?”

“Oh, no! Why wasn’t I informed?”

“I sent a servant this morning.”

The ministers’ general meeting was held every morning. It was a place where Marib could come, but it was a place where ministers coordinated their opinions before submitting agendas to the Emperor, so it was an uncomfortable situation.

“Does anyone know what’s going on?”

“Well, I haven’t heard anything either…”

Even those who had close ties with Marib were puzzled and shook their heads. Those who had turned to Gail’s side felt a knot in their stomachs from the early morning. They thought about contacting His Highness Gail, but there wasn’t much time left before the meeting.

“This is maddening. I already feel like I’m getting indigestion.”

“Me too. What agenda is so important that he’s coming in person? We’ll see him again in the afternoon anyway.”

“Now that I think about it, we’ll be seeing him twice in one day.”

“I had a bad dream last night…”

“His Highness Marib is entering.”

The ministers, who had been muttering to themselves, stood up and bowed as the servant announced Marib’s arrival. Marib also bowed his head and entered the conference hall.

“It’s nice to see your faces from the morning.”

“Your Highness, what brings you here…”

“Indeed. What could it be? Hahaha.”

The fact that he had taken such an unexpected action was proof that he had a hidden agenda. He didn’t beat around the bush, but he didn’t reveal his true intentions either. The chairman struck the gavel, signaling the start of the meeting.

Bang, bang, bang!

“Ahem. Then, let’s begin the meeting.”

“Yes. First, I…”

It was clearly a hot summer morning, but it felt like walking on thin ice. The ministers from departments unrelated to the power struggle quickly continued their statements. They all glanced at Marib, but he just kept smiling.

As the meeting was reaching its peak.

“Oh, right. And last night, a messenger pigeon arrived from Bratz. It was sent by Commander Erica.”

At the Minister of Justice’s words, Marib raised his head.

“She reported that she found evidence to prove Derga Bratz’s tax evasion and confiscated some of the mansion’s assets. However, she said that the Count resisted in the process.”

“Resisted?”

“It seems there was a battle between the investigation team and the central support forces, and Derga’s private soldiers and the territory’s people. They have now won, detained Derga, and are in the process of cleaning up. However, the Count’s direct family, his wife and son, are still being pursued.”

“Not only tax evasion but also resistance with soldiers! It is appropriate to apply the harshest form of execution.”

“Let’s submit an agenda to the Emperor.”

The scribes frantically moved their pens, taking down the ministers’ words. But they stopped as soon as Marib’s voice was heard.

“…Is that all?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please speak.”

“Is the execution only for the Count, his wife, and one son? Isn’t there a bastard named Ian?”

“He was deemed ineligible for adoption due to Sir Molin’s report. Moreover, he has already crossed the border while making peace with the Cheonryeo tribe.”

“Of course, if we were to be strict, it would be appropriate to demote him to a slave, but I heard that the bastard was the one who filed the report. I think there might be grounds for leniency.”

“Is there no mention of the bastard in the investigation team’s report?”

“…Ah. There was.”

“Show me the report.”

At Marib’s words, the Minister of Justice’s subordinate selected the documents and presented them. As Marib quickly scanned through them, the minister added.

“According to the national law, only those who are part of the family being destroyed will be executed. A slave sentence is appropriate for the bastard.”

“Minister, I trust you. It’s not that I don’t believe you, I just wanted to confirm.”

If Molin and the bastard had conspired to report Derga, then the bastard must also be on Gail’s side? Then what about the relationship with the Cheonryeo tribe? It would be troublesome if even the barbarians were involved in Gail’s forces….

Marib tapped the table, remaining silent.

The ministers also naturally closed their mouths and rolled their eyes. After a while, Marib opened his mouth.

“If Bratz is destroyed, how will the territory be managed? Since tax evasion has been revealed, the amount of taxes coming from Bratz will increase.”

“How about sending someone from the Imperial Palace? The border regions already have strong autonomy, and if they are absorbed into neighboring territories, their power will become too great.”

“That’s right. Of course, the Imperial Palace should manage it. That way, we can collect more taxes. And we should also demand the taxes that haven’t been collected.”

“But given the situation, it would be better to set a period for the new lord to pay the back taxes…”

“Wasn’t Administrative Officer Molin of the Ministry of Administration in charge of Bratz? Minister, it would be good to discuss with him and select a suitable person.”

The opinions flowed smoothly. And it was Marib’s nod that stopped them.

“I am a little concerned.”

“What is it that concerns you…”

“Looking at the report, it seems the battle was quite fierce. And later, even the territory’s people joined in. Regardless of Derga’s guilt, the central army has devastated the land, so how would the territory’s people react if the next lord was from that side?”

“There’s no need to worry about the farmers…”

“It’s not about worrying, it’s a matter directly related to production. Especially since Bratz borders the Great Desert. There’s no one here who doesn’t know the characteristics of the Bratz territory.”

It was a bit tricky. It was barren, vast, and bordered the desert, but also had steep mountains on the side facing the empire.

“And the Cheonryeo tribe. They have maintained relations with Bratz. Is there anyone here who can speak Cheonryeo?”

“Well, it is said that the barbarians are quite fluent in the common language.”

“Then the initiative goes to them.”

It seemed like the discussion would end simply with ‘let’s appoint a new lord,’ but as they dug deeper, it became more complicated.

“Then, what is the solution?”

At that moment, a clear voice rang out. It was Wesley, the Minister of Magic, who was sitting in the corner. A woman rumored to be the hidden lover of the Second Prince Gail. The only woman here who could meet Marib’s gaze.

Marib smiled at her.

“Let’s postpone the appointment of a lord.”