Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 486

The pigeon’s journey was clearly quite arduous. As Siao Shi removed the magic stone and the note, it stretched its wings as if relieved and slumped down.

Jin poured water into a teacup, and Romandro took it and pushed it towards the pigeon. Looking at it up close, there wasn’t a single part of its wings or beak that was intact; its condition was quite severe.

“Tsk, tsk. Berik, that ruthless and heartless bastard. Sending a creature that could die at any moment all the way here? If something went wrong on the way and it was leaked, the country would be in danger, ugh. Your Highness! When Berik returns, please give him a good scolding. That guy doesn’t listen to a word I say, honestly.”

Jin chuckled softly at Romandro’s grumbling.

“Do I listen to you any better?”

“Of course. Aren’t you the only one in the Imperial Palace who listens to you? Commander Jeyrut gave up a long time ago. That wild colt. If he weren’t a magic swordsman, I wonder if he’d even be fit to be a person.”

“It may seem that way on the surface. But, you know, don’t you? Berik is someone who ultimately lives as he pleases, so even I have a hard time with him. I’ve told him how to write a report so many times, but he still doesn’t fix it. It seems he has his own standards.”

At Jin’s words, Romandro made a face as if he was fed up. And then, the naturally occurring preamble.

“Berik, reporting in. Is this it, you mean?”

There were a few reports in his life that he could never forget, and Berik was responsible for most of them. Jin smiled as if it was truly amusing and gestured to Siao Shi.

“Yes. That one. Siao, read it out.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Jin’s command, Siao Shi unfolded the neatly folded note. Old and somehow unpleasant to the touch, the paper. He had naturally assumed it would be just one sheet, but for some reason, three or four sheets were rolled up and enclosed.

Was this really sent by Berik? Siao Shi examined the magic stone, checking if the Imperial Guard’s insignia was engraved on it. In the first place, if it wasn’t genuine, it wouldn’t have been allowed into the Imperial Palace, but there was no harm in being careful, right?

Rustle.

Siao Shi unfolded the top sheet. Even though the sentences were so terrible that he didn’t want to read them aloud, Siao Shi read them smoothly without a change in expression.

“…Berik, reporting in.”

“Oh my, that little rascal.”

Thwack, Romandro hit his forehead as if he knew it would be like that, and Jin took out a new teacup, waiting for the next part. He was full of curiosity. How far had he gone, what had he seen, and had he gotten any clues about Rutherford, and so on.

However, as time passed, nothing was heard. Jin took a sip of his tea and looked at Siao Shi, puzzled, but he was staring blankly at the note as if he was in a daze.

“Siao?”

“What’s wrong? Did, did Berik only write that? That, that crazy guy?”

At the two men’s urging, Siao Shi seemed to finally come to his senses. He swallowed hard and muttered.

“He got lost and—”

“I knew it! Tsk, tsk.”

“…He says he met Sir Ian and is going north.”

“Oh. Well, at least he found the north. He met Ian… what, what did you say?”

“……”

Jin, who was drinking tea, paused. His pupils widened. As if time had stopped, everyone was silent, not even aware of their own breathing.

What did Siao Shi just say? Did he hear correctly? Ian? ‘That’ Ian? It felt like he wasn’t processing it properly.

Just as Romandro was about to ask him to repeat it again.

Thud!

Clang-!

Jin jumped up from the sofa and snatched the paper from Siao Shi’s hand. In the process, the teacup that had been broken fell to the floor, but none of the three men paid any attention.

“…The next page, quickly!”

“Here it is, Your Highness.”

-To His Highness Crown Prince Jin. It has been a long time since I, Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic, have submitted a report……

It was a familiar, neat, and upright handwriting. Romandro had often admired that very handwriting, saying that it was just like its owner, so straight.

It felt very strange. All they had held and continued to read were things that had faded with time, but here was such a vivid trace of Ian. The unusually deep, dark ink sparkled like the distant night sky.

In fact, it was their gazes that were shining, but how could those who were filled with emotion know?

-…How have you been this spring?

How had he been this spring? He thought he knew, but the moment he read this, he realized that it wasn’t so. The sunlight now was so beautiful, could he really call the past spring, spring?

-I am sorry. At the time, there was nothing I could do, and I thought it was the best choice I could make. Please understand with a generous heart. Also, please do not be angry that it took so long to send news. For me, the abyss was only a matter of ten days, and I recently learned that time flows quite differently here and there. When I came to my senses, I was near Mount Laja. After many twists and turns, I met Berik and am with him. It is unbelievable, but I believe it is God’s will. Your Highness. There is much to say, but I believe it is right to tell you directly, so I will briefly state it.

1. Rutherford has returned from the abyss like me. However, it is highly likely that he is near Burgos, not Tolun. He is a follower of the Shadow of God and is based in Tolun, but he has newly established Burgos as a strategic point to threaten Bariel. Please keep this in mind and make a decision.

2. Slave trading is taking place near Mount Laja. There are problems with public order and security to the point where the garrison cannot be trusted, so please dispatch an investigation team.

3. I found all the answers to my questions in the abyss. In the process, I exhausted all my magic and stamina, and with Berik’s help, I plan to move north first. I will return to the Imperial Palace with the magicians there. It won’t be long, so please wait a little longer.

Your Highness. I heard that the coming-of-age ceremony will be held soon. I have also heard the news of His Majesty the Emperor’s passing. I sincerely look forward to and desire the glorious history that Your Highness will write. Until the day we meet again, please stay safe.

Next, I address Romandro and the Ministry of Magic.

Romandro. It seems like the rent is quite overdue, I’m sorry. Is the child growing well? Thank you for all your hard work in guarding the ministry alone. Please tell my mother and family that I am alive. Ian Hielo is alive. Thanks to Your Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony, everyone is staying in the center, so it’s fortunate that I can easily send news. And……

Romandro wiped away the tears that were dripping down his hand. The short request to let them know that Ian Hielo was alive had caused a whirlwind of emotions.

Jin calmly turned to the next page and soon confirmed the short command that Ian had left.

-Everyone in the Ministry of Magic, gather at the Imperial Palace.

“Oh, my god! This, this, this!”

Romandro exclaimed and didn’t know what to do. For a full 10 years. Ignoring those who had whispered that he was dead, Ian had returned. Ian had returned! He was breathing heavily, tears streaming down his face, and he didn’t know what to do with the overwhelming emotion.

“Y-Your, Your Highness! It’s Sir Ian! This, the handwriting, anyone can see it’s Sir Ian. I know it. I’ve seen the, the documents until I was sick of them, so I can be sure. It’s Sir Ian! Ha! Oh my god!”

Romandro also checked Berik’s note, just in case. The scribbled, terrible handwriting and the messy spelling. It was definitely Berik!

If someone suddenly claimed to be Ian, he would be suspicious first, but this was clear. The magic stone of the carrier pigeon with the Imperial Guard’s insignia. And Berik! Wasn’t it said that the guy who would rush like a mad dog if it was about Ian was with him?

Thud.

Jin handed the magic stone to Romandro with a calm hand.

“…Request a handwriting analysis. Have Acorella properly verify that it is the Imperial Guard’s magic stone, and until the results come out, keep silent about the carrier pigeon.”

“Yes, yes! I understand, Your Highness!”

Tap tap!

Romandro received the magic stone with both hands and then rushed out. The servants in charge of opening the gate were startled, but he couldn’t see anything right now. He was just running as fast as he could down the Crown Prince’s palace corridor, moving his short legs quickly.

Soon, the carriage waiting in the distance came into view.

“Hey! Carriage! Carriage!!”

“Huh, Sir Romandro?”

“To the Ministry of Magic, quickly! Let’s go quickly! Hurry!”

“Not to the Grand Council?”

“Just go! Please! To the Ministry of Magic!”

“Ah, yes, yes. I understand.”

Neigh!

Jin turned his back only after confirming that Romandro’s carriage had left. The startled servants and Siao Shi, who didn’t know what to do. They were looking at Jin.

“…Postpone the Grand Council.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Make up a suitable reason. And until I give my permission, do not let anyone in here. Do not let them approach the vicinity. Siao Shi, that goes for you too. If you get a call from the Ministry of Magic, only then tell me from outside.”

“I, I will obey.”

As Jin nodded, the servants bowed lightly and all went outside. Siao Shi slowly closed the door, taking in the scattered teacups and the back of his master, who seemed somehow dark.

Creak.

Thud.

He was left alone.

Jin stood in place for a long time, checking if there was any sign of anyone around. Other than the old pigeon spreading its wings, the surroundings were surprisingly quiet. It was as if a storm had swept through.

Only then, as if he couldn’t bear it any longer, Jin roughly pulled the curtains.

Swish! Swish!

The bright office was gradually plunged into darkness. The pigeon looked at him curiously, but Jin didn’t stop moving his hands, breathing heavily. His eyes were turning red, and he could feel himself reaching his limit.

Swish!

Finally, when he closed the last curtain, a single tear fell from Jin’s eye.

He slowly leaned against the wall and sat down, watching the light seeping in from under the curtain. The relief of finally hiding was short-lived, and the tears didn’t stop because of the warm-looking sunlight. Jin held his breath and was careful not to let out even a single sob.

‘…Sir Ian has returned. Sir Ian has returned alive.’

He savored it for a long time. He had grown so much without him over the past years, and he was going to say it proudly. But he was in this state. Jin was so pathetic and dumbfounded that he covered his face with both hands.

He could feel the deep scars on his fingertips. A sign of the survivor, and a line that connected him to Sir Ian. Ian’s voice, saying that he had no doubt that he would become a righteous emperor, finally seemed to be heard correctly.

Ah, yes. The brilliant blonde hair and the matching green eyes.

All the things that had been fading were vividly blooming again.

Coo. Coo coo.

Jin looked up at the pigeon sitting blankly and muttered.

“You must have seen Sir Ian in person.”

How was he? Tell me. Tell me everything you saw. Jin sat there for a long time, drawing and redrawing the traces of Ian.

How long had it been?

As the sunlight seeping in from under the curtains turned yellowish.

Knock knock.

Siao Shi made a sound from beyond the door. Without opening the door.

“Your Highness. I have received a call from the Ministry of Magic. It is confirmed that the magic stone given to Berik, who is affiliated with the Imperial Guard, is genuine. And the handwriting analysis results also match those of Berik and Sir Ian.”