Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 507

“Your Highness, please sit down.”

Noah paused at May’s call. He hadn’t even realized he had been pacing the conference room.

But it was understandable. He had waited a full week. After catching a glimpse of the Magic Department Minister, whom he had thought dead for ten years, at the coming-of-age ceremony, he had even adjusted his return date to wait a week.

He was about to return to his country if he couldn’t meet him today, but he was relieved that the schedules aligned.

Knock knock.

“Magic Department Minister, Ian Hielro, here.”

“Come in!”

Then, a young boy’s voice was heard from outside.

Unlike Noah’s immediate permission, the door opened after a brief pause. Through the gap, Ian Hielro finally appeared. His blonde hair and green eyes were just as he remembered.

“It’s been a while, Prince Noah, and May.”

“Minister Ian.”

“I apologize for making you wait because I couldn’t get up. Please, have a seat.”

At Ian’s gesture, servants brought teacups, and the boy walked towards the sofa with a polite smile.

Noah and May’s gazes followed Ian intently. None of the rumors circulating in the Imperial Palace were exaggerated? Far from it, they were all true.

“Is the sunset in Clifforde still red?”

“…Yes. Still, like you.”

“That’s a relief. I wanted to discuss the rifts anyway. Your Highness, I heard you spoke with Crown Prince Jin, but why haven’t the mages dispatched to the south returned yet?”

“That’s because of unavoidable circumstances-”

“The carriage wheels broke down, the horses disappeared overnight, and the King requested you stay just one more day, during which the royal treasure also vanished. For unavoidable circumstances, it’s quite trivial and cumbersome.”

There was no intention to hide it. It wasn’t for any cause, but simply a ploy to buy time. Noah shrugged and replied.

“The Crown Prince said that the management of mages is under the jurisdiction of the Magic Department, so he has no authority to make any decisions. There was no way until I saw you.”

“Did you misunderstand?”

“Misunderstand what?”

“My return means Rutherford has returned. He still seeks to provoke and activate the rifts. To capture Rutherford quickly and decisively, the Magic Department needs to unite. Clifforde is focusing on small things and missing the big picture.”

“It’s because Clifforde is so vulnerable that even small things can break it. You said we are facing a war with Vergos, right? I understand. But, the Clifforde rift can only withstand a month at most without mages. What happens after that? If a problem arises in the middle, will the mages come down? I’ve waited until now to get a definite answer on this.”

Whether Vergos and Bariel went to war or not, Clifforde was focused on taking care of its own country. If monsters were to flood in after the mages left, it would truly be a path to ruin, beyond decline.

Ian offered a teacup to Prince Noah, as if to calm him down.

“I can’t give you a definite answer, to be honest. Even if a problem arises in Clifforde, I can only offer solutions based on the situation in Bariel at that time.”

“Minister Ian! This is a breach of contract! The transfer of war reparations rights to Bariel after the Clifforde-Vergos war was because of the support of the mages!”

“Yes, yes, I know. Please don’t be so angry. I am well aware that Clifforde is an ally of Bariel. First, I promise to send as much mage support as possible when a problem arises in the Clifforde rift. But in return-”

In return, in return, that damn in return! I wondered why that phrase hadn’t come up yet. Noah smiled and clenched his teeth, muttering through his teeth. Yes. Even after ten years, Ian was still Ian.

“Could you do me a favor later?”

“A favor? What kind of favor?”

“I can’t tell you now, but I’m giving you a heads-up just in case. It probably won’t be a burden to the royal family. Rather, um. You might even welcome it.”

As Noah and May looked at him suspiciously, Ian brought the teacup to his lips. He smiled as he sipped the tea.

“You can refuse.”

“No, well. I can’t refuse before hearing it. Let’s talk about it again when there’s something to ask. But in return-!”

That ‘in return,’ this time I’ll say it! Noah raised his eyebrows and firmly stated.

“Don’t forget that we are your allies and that we are protecting Bariel from Vergos and Luswena.”

“Of course. Then, are you leaving now?”

“It sounds like you’re kicking me out.”

“Not at all. I’m asking because you are a precious guest. Please send a messenger bird when you leave the palace. So that all the mages in the south can start their return journey as soon as possible.”

“Hmph.”

Noah pouted and grumbled silently. Ian stood up, saying that the conversation should end here, and Romandro opened the door for him.

“Then, I’ll get going first. I’ve been lying down for too long, so I have a mountain of things to do.”

“Take it easy.”

“Please go down carefully.”

“Minister Ian.”

Noah stopped Ian as he was about to leave the room.

“Anyway, it’s good to see you. Tell me later what was under the rift.”

“Yes. If the opportunity arises.”

With that, Ian bowed and patted Romandro on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Even while walking down the hallway, the Magic Department Minister was checking his schedule, and Romandro couldn’t contain his curiosity and spoke to him.

“Ian, what was that favor you mentioned? Just give me a hint. I can’t even imagine what Bariel would ask of Clifforde.”

“It’s as I said earlier. I just threw it out there in case, so don’t worry about it too much.”

“What is it? Huh? What is it?”

As Romandro circled around him, being annoying, Ian suddenly stopped walking. Oh, am I going to get scolded? Romandro coughed and watched the boy’s expression.

But what came out of Ian’s mouth was unexpected.

“It’s about borrowing the royal family’s name.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

To the puzzled Romandro, Ian just smiled. That was all he was going to say.

“What about the documents I requested earlier? Have they been processed?”

“Ah, yes, yes. I was about to get them checked.”

Romandro, having forgotten, handed the documents he had under his arm to Ian, and Ian flipped through the papers and asked again.

“What about the letter sent to Duke Hollin? Is there no reply yet?”

* * *

A vast mansion where the horizon could be seen. Once owned by the Hyman family, now the Hollin family’s flags were flying everywhere.

As a servant rushed through the garden with a letter on a gold tray.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Ah, Miss.”

It was Kayla, the second daughter of the Hollin family. Her black hair, flowing like a galaxy, was tied up, and she held a longsword in one hand. It seemed she was returning from the training grounds in the back, where she had gone to check the weapon’s performance.

Kayla flicked her hand, and soon realized that what was on the tray was a letter from the Imperial Palace. Her purple eyes sparkled curiously.

“…It’s from the Magic Department?”

“Yes, I was about to deliver it to the Duke.”

“I’ll do it. Go back to work.”

“Yes? But-”

“I said I’ll do it.”

Before the servant could say anything, Kayla grabbed the letter and went up to her father’s office. Knock knock, it was a formal knock, but the Duke immediately recognized his daughter’s visit.

“It’s Kayla. A letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“A letter?”

“It’s from the Magic Department.”

Numerous sword blades were displayed on the wall. Kayla handed the letter to her father, along with the weapon she was holding. She clearly wasn’t satisfied with it.

Duke Baolruk Hollin looked at the letter first instead of the sword. It was unexpected, so it probably wasn’t good news. How much was he suffering because of the Imperial Palace, which was constantly demanding the concession of territories near the palace and weapon business rights?

Kayla casually sat on a chair and tilted her head.

“His Highness the Crown Prince trusts the Magic Department Minister. It seems he chose our family as his first task after his return.”

Swoosh.

Baolruk carefully tore the seal and scanned the contents, then handed it to his daughter. Kayla read the letter aloud.

“To Duke Baolruk Hollin. Greetings. This is Minister Ian Hielro of the Magic Department. I am writing to you because I have something to discuss with you regarding weapon production and supply, as we are facing a war with Vergos. I am always at the Imperial Palace, so please visit at your convenience. Or, if you set a schedule, I will come to you. I apologize for the sudden contact, and I will end here.”

Kayla’s eyebrows twitched greatly after reading it. The sentences were full of edge, and it showed a firm attitude that even a Duke could not resist in the face of the greater good.

Baolruk clenched his teeth and tapped the desk with his finger.

“Kayla. It seems you are right.”

“By the way, it’s a bit unexpected. Why did the Magic Department take the reins, instead of the Imperial Defense Department or other departments? Have you heard anything about this?”

“Other than the fact that the Minister has not been working for a few days, there is nothing special. Ian Hielro cannot interfere without a cause. This is clear from his nature.”

“Hmm. Then, could it be that the Magic Department developed weapons? Special weapons that only they can manufacture. There will definitely be non-human races involved in the war with Vergos. Just like in the Clifforde-Vergos war. Having experienced that, they are probably preparing for that.”

That made sense. The Duke stroked his beard, pondered for a while, and then asked his daughter.

“But, Kayla. Are you really okay with this?”

“With what?”

“Not handing over the business rights to the Imperial Family. If we just give that up, our family can definitely secure the Empress’s position. Since you will become a member of the Imperial Family anyway, I honestly think it’s okay to give it up.”

“Father. We agreed not to talk about that anymore.”

Kayla let out an annoyed laugh and covered her forehead.

“Even if I become Empress by handing over the business rights, I will return to being a noble if I break up with His Highness. Unless we are connected by blood, His Highness and I will forever be strangers.”

“But, since we are holding on, how can His Highness easily cast you aside? The business rights are-”

“What influence can the Hollin family, which has given up its power, have on His Highness? When my brother inherits the Duke title someday, will he be able to maintain the same status as now? Being summoned to court to swear an oath whenever they feel like it?”

“Kayla. Don’t say such things.”

“You shouldn’t say such things either, Father. What’s the point of giving everything away to get something? That’s not moving forward, it’s just staying in place.”

Besides, the Davion heiress is being mentioned alongside her. Not a royal from another country, but the Davion Baroness. It was clearly a matter of pride, but she was supposed to bow her head and offer the business rights? For the Empress’s position?

Kayla slowly raised the well-honed sword blade, letting it receive the light. Her purple eyes flashed coldly.

“Don’t worry. I am confident I can win. It has always been my role to win.”

Crown Prince Jin. I don’t know about him as a lover, but he is not lacking for a lifetime partner. No, he is the most attractive partner in Bariel right now.

Kayla looked back at her father and said.

“Let’s go to the Imperial Palace. It would be nice to see His Highness while we’re there. Please set up a schedule.”