Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 500

Ian, who had been listening intently, turned his head in surprise. The child’s eyes, fixed on him, were unwavering, as if questioning if this was not what Ian had desired.

Ian noticed that Roel’s eye color was quite unique. While his and Philia’s eyes were like leaves catching sunlight, Roel’s were like the deep, lush undergrowth of a jungle—full of a strong, vibrant energy. They seemed to embody nature itself.

After a moment of hesitation, Ian asked,

“Roel, did you see something?”

“It’s not that I saw it; it appears to me.”

‘It appears,’ as if he were dreaming while awake? But the child shifted his gaze to the air and then fell silent.

Ian placed his hand on Roel’s shoulder and looked at Philia.

“Mother, did you know?”

That the child was special.

Philia fidgeted with her fingertips, looking at Nershaln, as if embarrassed. She loved everyone here, but Roel was a child destined to shape the future of the Cheonryeo tribe. At his wife’s questioning gaze, Nershaln nodded, signaling that they should tell the truth.

“Yes, we did. But we haven’t known for long either. He first said that on the way up from Hiel to the center. It seems like it’s his destiny to follow after Chief Winchen passed away.”

“…Winchen, she passed away.”

“But she was smiling at the end.”

Right. I see. In a way, it was natural. She was old, and the Silask [a magical artifact or power] that Ian possessed wasn’t enough. To feel the passage of time through someone’s death. Ian met the eyes of Roel, who was staring at him intently.

‘If Roel is to follow Winchen, it means the child will also need a Silask someday.’

Ian, the illegitimate child, or rather, the things the god had given him were two: Idgal [a magical artifact or power] and Silask. It seems that the secret about Idgal has been revealed to some extent, but there is still no clue about Silask.

“Roel, tell me what you see. It will be helpful to you as well.”

“…The two humans who were with my brother when he fell into the abyss, they are with them. A woman and a man.”

Roel’s pupils lost focus, but his voice was clear. It was as if he was reciting a scene unfolding before his eyes.

“The sunset is deep, and black spears are rising everywhere. There is a low hill towards the sunset, and the blood-stained flowers are very beautiful. People in black armor are burying corpses.”

Romandro, who had been listening quietly, was startled and busily moved his pen, as if he couldn’t miss a single word Roel was saying.

Everyone held their breath, hoping the child would continue, but Roel only moved his lips a few times and then fell silent.

A moment of silence.

Beric flipped his hair back and muttered.

“Fantastic. He didn’t say where it was.”

“We’ll have to guess. Hmm.”

“Since he saw what’s currently happening, it seems like it’s not too far from Bariel in terms of time difference, right?”

“He said there was a hill, so it’s not a mountainous area.”

“Wait, wait a minute. First of all, who are the two humans who went to the abyss with Ian? Isn’t that important?”

The gazes in the room focused on Ian at the wizards’ question. How many people fell into the abyss with Ian at that time? Among them, a woman and a man. Especially if it was Rutherford’s gang, it was impossible to identify them.

But Beric, as if he had no worries, shook Ian’s shoulder and urged him.

“Ian, you must know! Who is it? Huh?”

“Beric, do you think Ian is a fortune teller? How would he know even Rutherford’s subordinates?”

“Ian is ignoring me. Ian! He’s ignoring you.”

“No, it’s not that I’m ignoring you, it’s just common sense—”

“…Melania and Clark?”

Ian’s mutter, which stopped the bickering between Beric and the wizard in an instant. Everyone was stunned for a moment, then they all started talking at once, as if exploding.

“Huh? Who?”

“If it’s Melania, is it the daughter of the Hyman family?”

“This is crazy, as expected of a traitorous family, did she completely side with Rutherford?”

“But who is Clark?”

“Clark, Clark…. It sounds familiar.”

“Romandro! Right? I’ve heard it somewhere too.”

“Since only Beric and I know it, is he from Hiel?”

“No, everyone be quiet! We can just listen to Ian’s explanation!”

Clap!

Akorella, unable to listen anymore, clapped her hands loudly, telling everyone to shut up. It was a stern warning that if they didn’t shut their mouths, the next thing she would hit would be their heads, not her hands.

Everyone became quiet, their eyes sparkling like good children. Ian tapped his cheek with his fingertips, organizing his thoughts.

“When I confronted Rutherford, I think I saw Melania and Clark briefly.”

“Melania was there. She was in the exhibition hall. I even made eye contact with her when my ankle was twisted. But I don’t know who Clark is.”

When Akorella gave a definite answer, Ian added.

“Clark is a confidant of Mrs. Rien Mereloff.”

“Ahhh! Now I remember! The man who went to Toolun!”

“Oh, I still don’t remember.”

As the fog in his memory cleared, Romandro was so happy that he shook Beric, and Beric was still clueless, only picking at his ear.

Regardless, Ian frowned, maintaining his focus.

“If there were two bodies when I disappeared and the scene was cleaned up, it must have been recorded.”

“Yes, that’s right. But there is no such record.”

“Melania was already famous in the Imperial Palace, and Romandro knows Clark’s face. But since that’s not the case, it’s clear that they went to the abyss with me.”

“It’s good to assume they went to the abyss. But there were more than a few who followed Rutherford at that time. Why do you think it’s Melania and Clark?”

“Most of those who followed Rutherford were wizards. I eliminated all the wizards in the abyss.”

“Oh, um, I see.”

At the resolute and neat answer, Romandro rounded his lips. It felt strange to hear him talk so calmly about eliminating them with such a young face.

“It’s difficult for ordinary people to survive in the abyss. And it’s almost impossible to get out of there. If it’s Melania, she knows my childhood secret, so she might be working with the gypsy through a deal.”

“Childhood secret?”

“The content of the magic contract Rutherford and I made. I lost my memory, but she seemed to know it.”

“Ah, then it makes sense.”

“It seems certain that the woman is Melania, but I can’t be sure if the man is Clark. Well, it doesn’t matter much.”

The gypsy who eats secrets. It was true that it was difficult to know where to start looking for someone who freely travels all over Gaia and the abyss. But thanks to Roel, the scope has narrowed considerably.

Jin, who had been listening quietly, ordered Siao.

“It would be easier to find Melania. Issue a wanted order throughout Bariel and neighboring countries.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And deliver Roel’s testimony to each department to gather their opinions. The Magic Department is the same. Interpret it and submit a report.”

“Uh—”

Romandro, who was about to answer reflexively, quickly covered his mouth and looked at Ian. He realized that he had unconsciously taken on the role he had partially assumed when the minister’s position was vacant. But that’s not the case anymore, is it?

Ian, who understood Romandro’s feelings, smiled and replied.

“I understand. Your Highness. I will submit a report.”

“One more thing.”

Jin nodded towards Roel.

“Roel’s question. What is the answer to ‘Have you seen God’?”

“Oh, right. I almost forgot. The expression ‘died several times’ is also strange, Ian. I don’t understand it well.”

“Ah.”

Ian paused. He couldn’t say that the existence of the illegitimate child Ian was the intervention of God. It was also because the gypsy ate the secret in the abyss, but now that he had to clarify the suspicion of imperial blood, there was a possibility that the confusion would increase.

Even if Jin had grown up over the past years and could now fully handle a different bloodline, there was no need to add more weight on purpose, right?

And above all—

‘Philia is here.’

Because he couldn’t fathom Philia’s feelings, Ian decided it was better to remain silent.

The child smiled and glanced around.

“I will tell Your Highness separately.”

Since there were many ears listening, he would give the answer later.

Jin shrugged, meaning he understood. Then he took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

Click.

“The Grand Assembly will begin soon. Minister Ian must attend as the head of the Magic Department. I have grasped the overall content, so there will be no problems.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”

“Akorella.”

“Yes?”

“You said there are side effects to the recovery potion. You are someone who knows how to thoroughly calculate the pros and cons, so I trust you, but I am also worried since Minister Ian has just returned.”

“Oh my, Your Highness!”

Akorella laughed and waved her hand. Would she feed Ian something harmful? She made it with care and love!

There were side effects, but they were really nothing, and above all, the manifestation of magic was essential to prove Ian’s existence at the Grand Assembly. He was strong enough to lead all the wizards, so no one should say anything about the minister’s return.

“Don’t worry. Those who didn’t eat it are the ones who are making a fuss. I had a bowl yesterday too, you know? Look. I’m completely fine, aren’t I?”

“You’re not fine, Captain.”

“Hey, who is it? Who is mixing in the noise?”

“Then that’s settled. Minister Ian. The choice is yours. I’ll get up first. See you soon.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll see you at the Grand Assembly.”

“Are you leaving? Goodbye.”

“Beric! How rude, the way you’re saying goodbye!”

Thwack!

Jin left the minister’s office, receiving the wizards’ greetings, and Vivi took his empty seat, wriggling.

Without saying a word, she just adjusted her glasses and looked at Ian with curiosity. Her eyes were so sparkling that Ian couldn’t help but smile.

“Wow, you look even more amazing when you smile.”

“Vivi, what about me? Do I look handsome when I smile too?”

Beric grinned and pushed his face forward, but Vivi pushed his cheek away as if telling him to get lost.

“Uncle Beric, you should live smiling. Otherwise, it’ll be hard.”

“Huh? What are you saying! You live smiling too!”

“I’m smiling right now. Can’t you see?”

While Beric and Vivi were having a spat, Ian tapped Roel’s shoulder, who was standing still. The child turned his head and raised his eyebrows.

“How much did you see?”

“……”

It seemed that Roel had seen Ian in the abyss, but judging from his first question, ‘Have you seen God?’, he didn’t seem to know the details.

Ian probed him, but the child didn’t answer and went to his mother and hugged her. It was clear that he didn’t want to talk anymore.

“Roel.”

Philia patted Roel’s back, looking embarrassed, and Ian shook his head as if to say it was okay.

“It’s good to see you, Mother.”

“…Ian, you too.”

It was a short but affectionate way of asking about each other’s well-being.

Akorella instructed the wizards to move quickly, and Romandro barely separated Vivi and Beric. It felt like stopping fighting dogs and cats.

“Okay, then let’s get ready. Minister Ian, what should we do?”

“Have the wizards who came from the north gather and organize the reports they have sent to the Imperial Palace so far. And the rest, bring all the records from 10 years ago when I disappeared.”

“Yes. I understand!”

“Wow, we’re working! I’ll go out first!”

“Oh, and should we prepare the southern Clifford report too?”

“Yes. Bring them all to me. I will review them all before the meeting.”

The wizards, for some reason, were grinning and left the minister’s office. Ian took an empty teacup and handed it to Akorella, and she poured the potion as if she had thought well.

“By the way, what are the side effects?”

“Ah, that?”

Akorella whispered in Ian’s ear, handing him the teacup as if telling him to drink it all in one gulp.

And a moment later. As if it was really nothing, Ian raised his eyebrows and brought the teacup to his lips.