Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 487

The next day, at the assembly hall.

Those who entered for the meeting exchanged greetings. They soon noticed that the atmosphere in the hall was unusual, as everyone except a few officials was standing around in disarray. Even those not participating in the conversation were organizing reports with heavy expressions.

“Good morning, the weather is particularly nice today.”

“Oh, you’ve arrived. Yes, it is. Winter is passing.”

“But what are you all talking about? His Highness will be here soon.”

“It’s nothing much, ahem. By the way, do you happen to know why yesterday’s meeting was postponed?”

“Yesterday? Ah, yes, yes. I wasn’t supposed to attend yesterday, so I received the information through my subordinates. I heard that King Damon caused a commotion. It was one of the important agenda items, so they said they would proceed with the meeting after checking his condition. Isn’t that understandable? Since there’s no separate notice, it seems there’s no problem.”

“We heard the same. But upon checking, it seems the imperial physician hasn’t entered the tower since two days ago.”

“…Really?”

The official tilted his head as if puzzled and sat down. It was strange. If his condition was so critical that the meeting had to be postponed, the doctors would have been there.

“Well, I guess there must have been other circumstances.”

That meant the imperial palace had made up an excuse for canceling the meeting. Judging by how sloppy it was, it meant they didn’t care if they were caught, and furthermore, it wasn’t a critical issue.

Something that’s curious but not worrying, that’s probably it? The official chuckled as he neatly arranged his reports. It wasn’t like this was the first time something like this had happened in the imperial palace, so he didn’t understand why everyone was so sensitive.

“Just let it go. Curiosity in the imperial palace? Aren’t you scared?”

“I’m scared because something scary might happen. Don’t you see that not a single person from the Magic Department is here? As soon as I came to work today, I went to the Magic Department because of the report. But it was a complete mess.”

Come to think of it, not a single person related to the Magic Department, including Romandro, was present. It was one of the most important core departments, so it was rare for them to be absent.

“A mess? Why?”

“They said they were busy because of the Minister’s order.”

“Huh?”

What was that supposed to mean? When they said Minister, did they mean the Magic Department Minister who disappeared ten years ago? Ian Hielo? It was the moment the official asked back, completely unable to understand.

Creak.

The main door of the meeting hall opened, and the announcement of the Crown Prince’s entrance was heard.

“His Highness the Crown Prince enters!”

“Everyone, stand up!”

“Oh my.”

Thump.

The gathered officials hurriedly returned to their places and placed their hands on their chests. Soon, Jin Berocion entered. The Prime Minister followed behind him.

He looked the same as usual, but somehow, he felt different. The officials couldn’t tell if it was because of their own confused perspectives or if there was a real change in the two of them.

“Be seated.”

Jin lightly gestured, allowing the officials to sit down.

At the words that he would begin the meeting, the officials exchanged glances even more quickly. The Magic Department was absent, yet there was not a single word about it. This meant he had heard about the Magic Department’s situation beforehand.

“Yesterday’s meeting was postponed, so I expect there will be many agenda items to cover today. Let’s proceed quickly. First of all…”

Jin flipped through the report and spoke.

“Shall we start with the Magic Department issue that everyone has been talking about? What do you think?”

Huh. The officials held their breaths without realizing it and lowered their gazes. If they made eye contact here, it would surely become troublesome, so they instinctively sensed the danger.

Jin spoke softly, watching the people who were gradually bowing their heads.

“…An urgent report came from the second rift zone, Clifford. It stated that the magic power of the rift had increased abnormally. To put it simply, it was a warning that a third rift zone could be created within Bariel.”

“Yes? A rift in Bariel? Does that mean that monsters could be created in Bariel?”

“If it’s a warning, does that mean it hasn’t happened yet?”

“This can’t be! Monsters in Bariel! That should never happen! In all of history, Bariel has never been exposed to the danger of monsters!”

“Um, where exactly in Bariel are you talking about?”

The officials were startled by the shocking news and raised their heads. Was this why the Magic Department was in such a mess? Was the talk about the Minister just a false rumor?

The meeting hall became noisy with the officials’ murmuring, so the Prime Minister struck the gavel hard.

Bang! Bang!

“Silence.”

“But, Prime Minister!”

The Crown Prince had not finished speaking yet. The Prime Minister raised the gavel to signal silence, and soon the surrounding chaos subsided.

“Therefore, I have discussed this matter deeply with the Magic Department. The expected third zone is near Mount Laja.”

“Oh no!”

It was not far from the center. The officials clutched their heads in despair and exclaimed.

“And in the midst of that, unexpected news came.”

The officials noticed a very faint smile on Jin’s face. A smile from the Crown Prince in the face of such a critical national issue? Unable to believe it, they looked at Jin, but his face was calm. As usual.

“Ian Hielo, the Minister of the Magic Department, has returned from the rift.”

“……!”

“……!”

A person who had been gone from the imperial palace for a long time, but whose presence could not be ignored. Someone everyone knew, but pretended not to know. The fact that Jin was officially mentioning his name was shocking enough, but what? Ian Hielo had returned from the rift? Really?

The meeting hall became so quiet that not even a single breath could be heard. Jin seemed to like the silence, and lightly put down the report.

“He regained consciousness near Mount Laja, and the magicians said they would investigate separately whether the abnormal magic flow of the rift is related to this.”

After a moment of silence, various reactions erupted.

“Um, Your Highness. Did I hear correctly?”

“…The Minister of the Magic Department has come back alive?”

“Are you talking about, Ian Hielo?”

“…Damn it.”

“Oh my! Oh my! That’s great! Your Highness!”

“Amazing, truly amazing! Sir Ian, really! Hahaha!”

“Ian Hielo, is that the noble?”

“Yes, it is. Ah, my goodness. To think he would come back alive.”

Some cheered, embracing each other, hoping for the revival of the Magic Department, while others muttered quietly as if they were in trouble. They were whispering among themselves, trying to grasp the situation, not caring at all that Jin was in front of them.

“Your Highness, is it true? Could it be someone impersonating him?”

“I’m also suspicious. For someone who disappeared a long time ago to suddenly appear like this.”

“It is right to investigate thoroughly.”

“Yes, Your Highness! It’s not something to believe easily! Above all, if he truly returned from the rift, why wouldn’t he go straight to the imperial palace?”

That was disrespectful. The Prime Minister was about to strike the gavel again, but Jin stopped him with a light gesture.

“Sir Ian will move to the first zone and return to the homeland with the magicians. His identity has already been verified. Berik of the Imperial Guard is with him, so do not have any foolish doubts.”

If the Imperial Guard had already confirmed it, there was nothing more to add. Ian Hielo had truly returned alive.

“Therefore, the magicians in the second zone will investigate the abnormal situation of the rift and then withdraw and return to the homeland.”

“Are you saying you will call back the magicians in the Clifford zone? There will be strong opposition from Clifford.”

“Unlike the northern zone, Clifford is an important ally. Please be cautious…”

The officials trailed off, but did not give up their argument. Everyone knew about the chaos that would soon occur in Vergos. And that Jin was aiming for that gap. It was war.

Therefore, the strong alliance with Clifford was more important than ever. It was like a shield to minimize the damage to Bariel.

“If there is an abnormality in the rift, it means that the safety of our magicians who are investigating is also at risk. How can you call this a withdrawal without justification?”

“However…”

“Guests will come from Clifford during the coming-of-age ceremony, so we will meet again then. There is also the issue of the Idgal tribe, and it could be a danger to Bariel, so we cannot only consider the circumstances of our allies. And above all-”

What could he do? Jin shrugged his shoulders, showing a nuance that he couldn’t help it.

“In principle, the Minister of the Magic Department is in charge of the magicians. If the Minister tells them to gather, who would object?”

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Magic Department.

The scene was exactly as described: a mess.

The magicians were running around the office, not caring if their robes were falling off, and Romandro was moving piles of documents to one side with his shirt sleeves rolled up. Even while quickly scanning the address list, yesterday’s events were vividly clear in his mind.

Boom!

‘Ian is coming back! Everyone!’

‘Huh? Mr. Romandro, what are you talking about?’

‘Agh, Captain Acorella! What did you experiment with again?’

‘There’s no one else here, let’s treat each other with some respect. What if even Mr. Romandro goes crazy?’

‘Ian has come back alive from the rift! Ughaaa!’

Romandro was jumping around, hugging the magicians, and the magicians were standing there, unable to hug him back or push him away.

Acorella smiled, twirling a magic stone with her fingertip.

‘These guys always act up when they see me. That’s not it? Berik did something. He’s moving with Sir Ian.’

‘Huh? What does that mean….’

‘I don’t know the details! Ask Sir Ian when he comes back.’

‘S-Sir Ian is really coming back? Really?’

‘Have you been living a lie? He’s coming back! With Captain Hale!’

‘Oh….’

‘Wow, waaaah! Aaaah! Oh my! Oh my!’

‘Kyaaak! What do we do! What do we do! Are we crazy! Really?’

The magicians trapped Romandro in the middle and screamed, jumping around like crazy. They seemed to have lost their minds with joy, emotion, and overwhelming happiness.

Because they had cheered at the top of their lungs, the magicians’ voices were all hoarse.

“Ahem. Mr. Romandro. I’m going to the commercial district, is there anywhere else nearby I should go? Please give me the address list…”

Just like that.

Romandro was about to flip through the paper with his fingertips to get the address list. But at that moment, Acorella snatched it away.

“You have a place to stop by before going to the commercial district. I’ll go here. I need to buy something anyway, so it works out.”

“Captain?”

“Yeah. Is there a problem?”

The Magic Department, gather at the imperial palace.

To carry out the Minister’s order that had been given after 10 years, the magicians were carefully checking the addresses of their colleagues who had left the imperial palace.

“No problem. But what are you going to buy?”

“I have something. Materials for magic recovery potions.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to give it to Sir Ian? Have you already forgotten Berik’s letter? Don’t get hit with a magic amplification potion-”

Tap!

Acorella lightly tapped the magician’s forehead, stopping him from speaking.

“When I saw it, it was clear that the problem wasn’t the amplification potion, but that bastard’s sense of direction. I mean, how the hell do you end up going to Mount Laja? And what I’m making this time is a recovery potion, okay?”

Romandro buried his nose back in the documents as if he hadn’t seen or heard anything, and Acorella limped out of the Magic Department hallway.

Magicians ran energetically past her. As soon as they went outside, they activated their magic and flew high into the sky.

“I’ll be back!”

“I’ll be right back!”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Taat!

‘Annoying. If I were a magician, I would be summoned right away.’

The magicians who had left the imperial palace had magic seal stones embedded in their bodies. It was closely related to the nation’s secrets, and one person’s power could shake the country. They had given up the power of the gods and gained freedom. Periodic location tracking was also unavoidable in preparation for any possible situation.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Taat!

Acorella also activated her magic and jumped into the sky. And without hesitation, she went straight to her colleague’s mansion.

A man was reading a book in a well-kept garden. He discovered something sparkling in the sky, and soon realized it was a familiar woman with pink hair.

“Huh?”

Uh oh?

Kwaaang!

Shhh….

“Uwaaaah!”

The impact was enough to make a dent in the middle of the garden. The man fell backward, clutching the book to his chest. He could see his family members running outside, wondering what had happened.

“Ah, Captain Acorella? What brings you here so suddenly? The location tracking for this quarter is over.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Yes?”

Acorella clicked the magic seal stone removal device and smiled. You’ve had it good all this time, haven’t you? It’s time to return as a magician, you bastard.

“Return immediately.”

“R-Return.”

“Let’s go back to the imperial palace. Sir Ian is coming.”