Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 498

Ian Hielro.

Scores of memories were woven into that single name.

Some remembered him as the forgotten Baron of the Borderlands, others as the long-vacant Minister of Magic, still others as the hero who led the Clifford-Burgos War to victory, and yet others as the saint who purged the demon from the Imperial Palace.

In the fleeting moment of Ian’s appearance, the images of Ian Hielro that flashed through people’s minds were as diverse and rich as history itself, impossible to reconcile into one. Though the past was singular, the memories they conjured were as different as blind men touching an elephant.

“……”

The same was true for Jin Verosian. Facing the faded name of Ian Hielro, he was submerged in memories.

The moment Marib swung his sword at him, the first moment he entered the grand hall, the moment he was told not to look down, the moment they went on a covert mission together and called each other brother.

All the moments he thought he had forgotten, yet hadn’t, surged like breaths, making him feel suffocated.

‘How can—’

He had thought it was as deep and vast as the universe, but was he such a small child? The hand that had guided him, the back that had led the way, the voice that had recited truths. Could all of that have belonged to such a small child? It was strange, so strange, and truly unbearable.

Jin unknowingly held his breath as he carefully observed Ian.

“Ian Hielro has returned.”

“But why is he so young? He looks barely seventeen.”

“He looks exactly as he did when he disappeared.”

“Is that even possible? My goodness, what a marvel.”

“Could it be the power of a mage? Or a rift [a tear in space-time]?”

“It’s not normal. Let’s observe for now.”

“His Highness hasn’t moved an inch, my.”

“Could he be a demon in disguise?”

“Watch your mouth! The Magic Department is everywhere.”

The nobles’ murmurs grew louder, but Jin couldn’t say a word. It was as if the world had turned white, as if only he and the child existed in the banquet hall.

Ian, whom he had been waiting for, finally raised his head. Jin’s eyes, gazing down at him. The unfamiliar yet familiar blue eyes were filled with his image. It hadn’t been long for Ian since they had faced each other across a painting, yet their depth had grown remarkably.

‘That’s the face I saw in the portrait.’

The deep scar across his face and the firm, strong set of his mouth seemed to particularly catch his eye. He had grown up. Ian smiled at that admirable sight, and Jin’s brow furrowed deeply. It was as if the things he had been holding back were about to surge forth.

“Lord Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“…Just, how, how long—”

Jin unconsciously touched his chin and mumbled. His voice trembled slightly, and the syllables were barely squeezed out between his teeth. His eyes also reddened, but no one noticed because of the flower petals that filled the surroundings.

No, in fact, everyone was so focused on Ian that no one was paying attention to Jin’s reddened eyes. Then and now, Ian hadn’t changed. Just by existing, he was the one who eased his breathing.

Jin barely cleared his throat and rebuked him.

“…You said it wouldn’t take long. You said you’d be back soon.”

“I was presumptuous, Your Highness.”

“You have committed a great sin by vacating your position as Minister of Magic without permission.”

“I am deeply sorry, Your Highness.”

“The sin is, indeed, great.”

Tears swirled at the tip of Jin’s tongue.

How could you abandon the Imperial Palace like that? I couldn’t even say a proper goodbye, and for so long, I chased after you in my memories. I chased and chased, and at some point, you became blurry, and I let the past memories fade with you.

But Jin barely swallowed it back. It was not the right time to utter or vomit it out.

“…Did you see the abyss?”

“I saw the abyss, and I traversed it. It was a much deeper and darker place than I had imagined, and it held everything I desired.”

“If you found the answer, then the abyss is no longer important.”

“That is correct, but I will report on this separately.”

Jin took a deep breath and nodded rather calmly. This was not the place for a conversation. There were nobles who existed only to gossip, officials who were calculating the political situation, and even foreign envoys watching him.

“Very well, this is a day to remember.”

Jin abruptly stood up, and Ian’s head followed his movement. He seemed fascinated by the grown-up Jin, his gaze lingering quite persistently.

It was understandable, as Beric and the others were older than Ian from the start, but Jin was not. He had surpassed him with the passage of ten years.

“The Magic Department, come separately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“All departments, stand by.”

Oh, damn it. The officials who had been enjoying their drinks put down their glasses with a sigh. It seemed an emergency meeting would be called in the middle of the night. Well, it was understandable, since the Minister of Magic had returned with the secrets of the abyss; it wouldn’t make sense to just let it pass.

Unlike the officials who were just sizing each other up, the nobles openly gossiped, face to face.

Screech! Thump!

Jin turned away without hesitation. He wanted to quickly clear the surroundings and talk to Ian. The flow of the banquet was already too disrupted to continue the coming-of-age ceremony.

As soon as the Crown Prince disappeared, nobles and officials swarmed towards Ian simultaneously.

“Hey, Lord Ian. Is it really you?”

“Do you recognize me? I saw you in the Administration Department!”

“You’ve been to the abyss, yet how can you look the same?”

“Get back, don’t come too close!”

“Yeah. Don’t push! Damn it, Ian will get crushed!”

“Who are you to dare speak like that in front of—”

“Beric! Beric of the Imperial Guard! If you have a problem, try me!”

“Lord Ian, do you really intend to return? What about all the suspicions surrounding you? Since you look the same, it seems like one more suspicion has been added.”

“What suspicions? What were they?”

“There were many. That you are of royal blood, and there’s also the testimony that you created Idgar yourself, and above all, your relationship with Rutherford… ahem.”

“Shut up! What did you say? Who are you from?”

“Y-you, how dare you—”

“And who are you to dare!”

“Ian! Ian!”

A woman barely pushed her way through the chaotic crowd. It was Philia. Nersarn blocked people with his arms, clearing a path for her, and thanks to that, Ian was able to naturally fall into her embrace, though unintentionally.

Squeeze.

“Oh my. Thank you. Thank you……”

“…Mother.”

“Ian, you, where did you go? I was so worried. Are you hurt anywhere? Is anything bothering you? Have you been well? Why, why do you look the same as back then? Huh?”

Philia touched Ian’s cheeks and shoulders repeatedly, as if she were dreaming. Ian placed his hand over the woman’s hand and whispered softly. It was difficult to have a conversation with people pushing in from all sides.

“Mother, I’m sorry.”

“Ian!”

“Just wait a little longer, just a little longer. I have returned to the Imperial Palace, so I will see His Highness Jin first. Please don’t be too upset.”

Philia’s eyes widened slightly. Something felt a little different than before. How should she put it? Ian had always been kind and gentle, but it felt like an indescribable wall had been erected.

Now, it was as if everything had melted away.

“Okay. I’ll wait. I can always wait, Mom can.”

It was okay if he didn’t remember the lyrics of their song. It was okay if they couldn’t reach each other, or if they couldn’t see each other. As long as he was alive like this, anything was fine. Philia slowly let go of Ian’s sleeve and was pushed back into the crowd.

“I told you not to come! Step back!”

“Lord Ian, show us your face in detail!”

“Wow, my goodness. He really hasn’t changed at all.”

“This isn’t normal. How can such a young thing be the Minister of Magic—!”

“Move! Move it! We’ll use magic!?”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

As the mages guarding Ian released their magic power, a path was cleared, and people stepped back. Ian grabbed Romandro, who was shouting nearby, and gave him a brief instruction.

“The commotion is severe. Please handle it well.”

“Don’t worry. If we just give them some booze, they’ll be too busy drinking and talking to notice anything. Go on ahead!”

“Everyone, this way.”

“Yes, Lord Ian!”

Taptap!

The child went up to the second floor of the banquet hall with the mages who followed him. It was a place only the royal family could enter, and even though he had only turned a corner, the surroundings were quiet as if the world had changed.

Ian stood in front of the door that the attendants were guiding him to, and then gestured for the mages to wait.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness, this is Ian Hielro, Minister of Magic.”

“…Enter.”

Jin was sitting on the sofa. However, he had his elbows on his thighs and his face covered. He looked like he might jump up at any moment, or he might just collapse forward.

Ian closed the door tightly and called out to Jin.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“…Is that form a curse you obtained in the abyss?”

“I don’t know if it’s a curse or not. It’s just that I didn’t know the timelines were different there and here.”

“I didn’t know the ten days you mentioned meant this.”

“Were you surprised? I was too. When I returned, everyone had aged. Your Highness. Forgive me for saying this, but you have truly grown up.”

“Lord Ian!”

Jin glared at Ian, bursting with anger. The Crown Prince’s eyes, visible in the darkness, shone particularly brightly. Ian realized they were tears and frowned slightly. He shook his head, resolute.

“No, Your Highness. Have you forgotten?”

“Forgotten what?”

“I told you not to cry, but to smile.”

“You, it’s about you!”

Jin stood up from his seat and approached Ian. The green eyes he had once looked up to were now looking down. Unbelievably.

Jin asked with a trembling gaze.

“How did you hold my hand with that small hand?”

“Your Highness’s hands were even smaller.”

“How could someone as young as you do that for Bariel?”

“Your Highness stood alone at an even younger age. Don’t you remember?”

“I, I—”

Jin finally frowned and shed a tear.

“It’s so regrettable. All the deaths and tragedies we experienced seem to have been more cruel than I thought.”

“You endured it, and that’s enough. You overcame it… that’s enough.”

Ian smiled brightly and patted Jin’s arm. You’ve grown up well, Your Highness. The day I told you not to look down comes vividly to mind. Now, no matter where you look, the crown on your head will not waver.

As Ian looked at Jin with a proud gaze, Jin burst out laughing in disbelief.

“It’s funny. That you’ve become smaller than me now.”

“I knew it. I knew that one day Your Highness would become bigger than me.”

Unlike himself, who had been cut down before reaching adulthood, Jin was an emperor who would carve an endless future into history. Of course, he had expected that one day, he would surpass him and reach it first.

Of course, he didn’t expect to see it with his own eyes. And in this situation.

“Ian Hielro, return as Minister of Magic.”

“Yes, Your Highness. As you command.”

“…Bariel needs you.”

At Jin’s sighing words, Ian smiled and replied.

“I also need Bariel. Always, forever.”