Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 509

Although Duke Hollin and Kayla immediately recognized Pym’s true nature as a beastman, maintaining their composure was another matter entirely.

A mole dressed like a person and speaking! Duke Hollin turned his head away, as if disgusted, while Kayla scanned Pym with an intrigued gaze. The unique sound of Pym’s footsteps, ‘chapak chapak,’ seemed particularly loud as he walked.

“The office is quite grand.”

“Please, have a seat over here.”

“I’d like to, but is it alright? The old man seems a bit…”

He looks uncomfortable.

Pym wrinkled his nose as he spoke, and Ian turned to look at Duke Hollin. He was usually adept at hiding his expressions, but his face was a storm of negative emotions. He was either that flustered, or his perception of beastmen was that poor. It had to be one of the two.

“Duke?”

“Ah, yes. The, the blacksmith.”

“He is the one I will be entrusting the work to. His skills are outstanding, and I can assure you that everything he produces is of the highest quality. If you hand over the foundation, we will proceed with weapons development centered around Pym.”

“Well, will, will that work?”

He didn’t know how good his skills were, but a mole was a mole. Would the apprentices even follow him properly?

The Duke clicked his tongue without realizing it, and Kayla quickly added,

“He’s just worried if you can manage alone.”

“Pym has many family members. All of them are artisans of equal skill. There won’t be any problems.”

“That’s a relief then. Nice to meet you, Pym. I’m Kayla Hollin. The Minister of Magic speaks so highly of you, I’m curious. How skilled are you?”

“…Yeah, well. I’m Pym.”

Pym simply nodded and then walked around the office again, ‘chapak chapak.’ His attitude made it clear that he didn’t want to sit at the same table. Kayla gave a perfunctory smile and turned to her father.

“Father, it seems our guests have arrived, so shouldn’t we be leaving now? The matter of the sale is not something we can decide on immediately, so it would be best if all the family members gathered to discuss it.”

“Y-yes, that would be right. Sir Ian. I will review your proposal and give you an answer soon.”

“Yes, Duke. I will await a positive response.”

“Then, ahem.”

The Duke left without even looking at Pym, and Kayla also nodded before following her father. Only after the door was completely closed did Pym sit down on the sofa and lean back.

“Sorry about that, Pym.”

“Don’t mention it. He’s like a learned nobleman. That’s a pretty mild reaction.”

“Would you like some tea?”

“Something cold.”

It was the sorrow of the beastmen.

Ian suddenly thought of Prince Noah. As a member of the Clifford royal family, Noah had to desperately hide his appearance, so he could only transform intermittently.

However, the Dera tribe [a race of people with mole-like features] had long secluded themselves in Mount Laza, avoiding all contact with the outside world. Therefore, they retained their animal forms year-round.

Realizing that the survival methods of beastmen had to differ depending on their circumstances, Ian poured tea for Pym.

“The dripper will arrive soon, so please wait a little longer.”

“Alright. But, is it really okay?”

“What is?”

“I saw the old man’s reaction earlier, no, the old geezer’s reaction. Is it okay to officially entrust work to the Dera tribe? It seems like the Imperial Palace will be in a difficult position.”

Pym asked, taking a big gulp of the cold tea. It was annoying, but the Duke’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

Even if all the Dera tribe members came, they couldn’t produce enough weapons in a short time to handle the Empire’s war. They would inevitably need outside help, and since it involved working with people, there would surely be big and small problems.

“Victory is the goal of the Imperial Palace, and it’s a means to protect our soldiers’ lives. Therefore, I don’t care who makes the weapons. I just want better quality than before. Right now, the weapons made by the Dera tribe are that, but Pym, if another alternative appears someday, I will choose it without hesitation.”

“Wow. You’re very sharp from the start.”

“I’m the one who gave the work to the Dera tribe, so I will take responsibility and ensure there are no problems in the process. You just need to create masterpieces.”

Masterpieces. It was a very pleasing expression. A small boy who kept calling their inventions ‘works.’ Pym smirked, suppressing a smile that was about to slip out.

“I’m worried the Imperial Palace won’t let us go! Alternatives, my foot. From the past until now, there hasn’t been anyone who hammers better than us, and there won’t be in the future either.”

“Pym. Remember, before you are a beastman of the Dera tribe, you are a citizen of Bariel. Take pride in that.”

Pym didn’t say anything, but the tip of his nose was twitching with pleasure.

At that moment, a knock was heard from outside.

Knock knock.

“Come in. Did the Duke leave safely?”

“Yeah, yeah. He hopped into his carriage and left.”

What happened? Romandro looked at Ian and Pym with a puzzled expression, but neither of them gave a clear answer. Romandro shrugged and brought out a box.

“Here, the thing you told me to bring.”

“It’s the dripper. Pym, please check it.”

“And someone from the Technology Development Department has arrived.”

“The Technology Development Department?”

Pym got off the sofa and rummaged through the box. He narrowed his button-like eyes and carefully examined the machine.

Ian watched him and asked Romandro again.

“What’s the matter?”

“They heard about the Dera tribe entering the palace. They’re curious about what the Magic Department is making. They came to ask if there’s any chance of collaborating with the Technology Development Department.”

Ian pondered for a moment and then nodded. The Hollin family would surely resist giving up their business rights and might even oppose the Magic Department’s weapons manufacturing project.

If so, they needed to have a proper counterforce. It was necessary for the relevant departments within the Imperial Palace to gather their opinions. First of all, the Imperial Defense Department and the Imperial Guard would side with the Magic Department…

‘It would be good to bring in the Technology Development Department as well.’

“Yes. Let them in. It would be beneficial for everyone to help each other.”

“Alright. I understand. Just a moment.”

Romandro opened the door to greet the guest. It was a very familiar face.

“Ah, ah, hello. I’m Rashida from the Technology Development Department.”

The official who had asked Ian quite sharply at the Grand Assembly. Rashida smiled awkwardly and greeted him, and Ian gestured for her to sit down, meaning he was happy to see her. Whether guests came or not, Pym had settled on the floor and was taking apart the dripper.

“This is Pym of the Dera tribe. I assume you came to see him?”

“N-no, it’s not that. I just wondered if there was anything our department could, could help with. Pym-nim. Hello. I’m Rashida. W-what is that in your hand?”

“A dripper. Hmm.”

“Why, is something not to your liking?”

“No. It’s perfect. It’s perfect, but it’s still difficult to improve. Do you see this small protruding flaw here? If you don’t dig this out, the left part won’t turn, so there’s about a 1/20,000th error, but if you dig it out, you can’t move on to the next step. I want to add a long support on top of this. Right here.”

Pym mumbled and explained, but it was a bit difficult for Ian and Romandro to understand. They simply lowered their upper bodies and listened attentively.

At that moment, Rashida slipped between the two of them. Romandro was so surprised that he almost fell backward, but Rashida, unconcerned, pointed to a spot on the dripper with her trembling finger.

“H-h-how about turning the groove this way?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Then the structure will be completely different?”

“No. If you bring the joint part this way, there will be space above. Then this, like this, and that, like that…”

“Hmm? Do it again!”

At Pym’s request, Rashida crawled forward, fiddled with the dripper, and explained. Ian and Romandro still couldn’t understand, but anyway-

“Romandro-nim. Please prepare for the relocation of the remaining Dera tribe members in Mount Laza.”

“Ah, yeah, yeah. Okay. What should we do with them?”

They seemed completely focused and out of it.

Ian simply waved his hand, indicating to leave them be, and sat back at his desk. Romandro tiptoed past the two of them, glanced at the strange gathering, and then closed the door.

* * *

“He’s gone mad. That Minister of Magic, he went to some abyss or something and came back, he’s gone mad.”

Duke Baolruk Hollin shook his head repeatedly with a disgusted look.

Supplying weapons during wartime was a major undertaking. But now, not only was he being asked to give up the Hollin family’s business rights, which had been running smoothly, but they were also putting a mole in charge of weapons development. He felt so frustrated that his throat was blocked.

“Isn’t that right, Kayla?!”

“…Where in the world is there a mole that talks and walks? What does appearance matter? If we’re going by that, my second older brother is a poison toad.”

“Kayla!”

Kayla rested her chin on her hand and frowned. The fact that the Magic Department was acting like this suggested that the Crown Prince’s intentions were somewhat reflected in it.

If they didn’t reduce the Hollin family’s power, they would give the Crown Prince a hostile impression, and unless their reputation and power surpassed the Crown Prince’s, the Empress’s seat would also be out of reach.

So, what should they do?

“Young Lady. The schedule ended early. It seems I can attend the tea party you mentioned. What would you like to do?”

At that moment, the attendant sitting next to the coachman asked. She had indicated that she would not attend because she was entering the Imperial Palace, but now was not the time for that. The solidarity among the nobles would be crucial in rejecting the Magic Department’s proposal.

“I’ll attend. Since we’re on the way, just drop me off. Father. Please send a carriage separately in the evening.”

“Yes, Young Lady. We’ll be there soon.”

“And let’s all gather and discuss it in the evening. I’ll bring good news.”

Hee-ing!

Kayla gave her father a kiss on the cheek and then got out of the carriage. The tea party was being held in the courtyard of Count Charlotte’s mansion. Quite a few carriages were parked there. Just the right amount.

Kayla rang the bell, and soon a butler came out to greet her.

Squeak.

“Oh, is that not Lady Kayla Hollin?”

“The schedule ended earlier than I thought.”

“Please come this way. Fortunately, we just put out the second round of tea.”

For a moment, the beautifully decorated garden caught her eye, but then Kayla recognized a head of red hair among the attendees.

‘Chloe Davion.’

She was idly picking at the edge of a cake with a bored expression, but when she spotted Kayla, she raised an eyebrow.

“Lady Hollin.”

“…Lady Davion. It’s surprising to see you here.”

“Indeed. You’re always so busy with official duties, I thought you wouldn’t come to these kinds of gatherings anymore.”

“Lady Davion never misses a party, so even if I try hard to keep up, I can’t. What can I do? Everyone has their own circumstances.”

The other young ladies covered their mouths with their fans and rolled their eyes. The two most likely candidates for the next Empress from the two most powerful families were meeting in one place.

“Please sit here, Lady Kayla.”

“I heard you had business at the Imperial Palace; it seems you finished early.”

“Yes, I was briefly invited by the Magic Department, but it was nothing much.”

When the Magic Department was mentioned, Chloe lowered her eyes slightly. The Davion family had requested a meeting, but they hadn’t received a reply, and yet they had seen the Hollin family first? How should she interpret this?

“The Magic Department? It doesn’t sound like nothing much.”

“That’s right. Please tell us what happened.”

The young ladies laughed and urged Kayla. What did it mean for nobles to be summoned to the Imperial Palace, except for official events? It usually included bad news. The young ladies hid their low-quality curiosity with bright smiles.

“Only my father had a separate meeting, so I don’t know much.”

If Chloe hadn’t been there, she would have shared the matter and taken measures. The young lady on the left was supplying iron to the Hollin family, and the young lady on the right was renting land in the Hollin territory. But how could she expose herself to those bright yellow eyes, so eager to find a weakness? Kayla raised her teacup, indicating that nothing had happened.

“Is that so? Then the Imperial Palace didn’t call for Lady Kayla.”

Chloe lightly fanned her red hair and added,

“The Duke is very fortunate. Wherever he goes, his grown daughter follows him. You have a very kind heart, Lady Kayla.”

It was a way of saying, ‘Don’t run around, just stay put.’

The other young ladies seemed to have interpreted it similarly, as they stopped laughing and began to observe the two with interest.

‘Look at this?’

A crack appeared in Kayla’s violet eyes.

Extra Chapter 510-1. Free Side Story. Magic Potion Side Effects

The first day of the fourth month.

The Magic Department was enjoying a weekend that felt like a weekend for the first time in a long while.

The gentle spring breeze softly brushed through the main building. The lobby was empty and peaceful, a duty magician was sprawled out on the sofa, a cat was crossing the garden. And then, even Beric’s nose, who was snoring away.

“Sss, what is it?”

Beric, who had woken up from his sleep, wiped the drool from his mouth with the back of his hand and looked around. Ian was nowhere to be seen. He thought he had been working until just now, where did he go? He also checked the small room inside, but no one was there.

Beric stretched vigorously and then looked at the messy desk. A pile of documents and a potion. The blue light shimmering from it seemed to be a mana recovery potion.

Swoosh.

-I made a new recovery potion. I mixed it with an amplifier, so please drink it first. Absolutely do not give it to anyone else. 🙂

It was definitely Acorella. Anyway, even though she seems out of her mind, she’s quick and good at making these things. But why did she say not to give it to anyone else? Is she discriminating against people?

Poong!

When he opened the lid, a sweet smell wafted up. It looked more delicious than he thought. He was already thirsty after waking up from his sleep.

‘Ian slept for a week after drinking this last time, right?’

That’s good. They said they’re going to do special war preparation training starting next week, so it’s better to drink this and sleep. He’d be a bit hungry, but whatever. There wouldn’t be anyone in the cafeteria anyway, so he could just eat everything.

Beric nodded and was about to drink the potion when-

“Beric. Have you seen Ian?”

“Huh? Romandro-nim. Didn’t you go home?”

“Go home? Ian’s here.”

“It’s amazing, really. What are you going to do with all that money you’re making? Are you going to save it up for hospital bills?”

“What else? I’m going to buy delicious things for our big Bibi and little Bibi.”

“Big Bibi? Ugh.”

Romandro, who shook a brown bag at Beric, who was pretending to gag, sat down on the sofa with an almost resigned look. Magicians could leave work as soon as they finished their assigned tasks, but he was in charge of assisting Ian. He couldn’t rest unless Ian left work.

“So, have you seen Ian, or not?”

“I just woke up from a nap. He wasn’t here.”

“Really? That’s strange. He’s waiting for the approval documents.”

“I don’t know. He probably just went out for some fresh air.”

“Hmm. Well, it’s good to take a break. I’ll lie down for a bit too. Ugh! Ughhh.”

As Romandro fell backward, Beric looked back and forth between the potion in his hand and him. Then, a sly smile spread across his face.

“Hehehe.”

“Wha-what’s that sound?”

“What else? It’s the cheer of someone who got a week of paid leave.”

“Huh? You?”

Has he finally gone crazy? The guy who breaks potion bottles every other day got paid leave? Romandro looked at Beric with a dumbfounded expression. Then, he suddenly noticed the potion.

“Acorella’s potion? Are you going to drink that?”

“War preparation training, that kind of thing doesn’t suit me. I’d rather have a bare-handed brawl. Standing in a line, matching steps, and all that crap. I’m just going to sleep for a week, so see you then.”

“W-wait a minute. Beric!”

As Romandro jumped up in surprise, Beric took a step back. It was almost a reflexive reaction. Their eyes met in silence for a moment. What? Why is he like that? As Beric stared at him, Romandro spoke first. In a rather solemn voice.

“…Just one sip for me too.”

“Hey, I don’t share what I eat.”

“Just, just one sip. So I can rest for just one day, just one day. Okay?”

“Mister. You don’t even have mana.”

“Aish! I saw in the report that Acorella used ordinary people for her experiments, so it seemed fine.”

“…Hmm.”

As Beric’s eyes narrowed, Romandro showed his front teeth and whined.

“You’re so stingy. From now on, I won’t give you anything I’m eating.”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“No, never mind. From now on, don’t even drink a sip of water at my house! I’m going to tell the chef every time you go down to the cafeteria. Just you wait! You know, right? That guy’s sharpening his knife these days. He’s been itching to have a go at you.”

He was literally sharpening a real kitchen knife. With the heart of a warrior, determined to protect the Imperial Palace’s food storage.

Beric scratched his head a few times and nodded, indicating that he understood.

“J-just a little. Just a very little bit.”

“I really love you, Romandro-nim. It’s not easy to leave some after drinking.”

“Stop with the cheesy talk. Hurry up.”

“I’m going.”

Beric drank the half-full liquid and left just one sip. Romandro also gulped it down without looking back.

The sweet taste spread instantly across their tongues. The two of them wiped their mouths at the same time and tilted their heads. It just tasted like sugar water.

“When will the effect kick in?”

“It shouldn’t take long? Ian drank it before going into the meeting, and then he went crazy after it was over.”

Romandro rubbed his stomach and tilted his head. That’s strange. He felt something warm, but it wasn’t a sign of hunger or sleep.

“Haaam. Then, should I take another nap?”

It was then.

The moment Beric stretched out his arm.

Poof.

“…B-Beric?”

“Huh?”

A tail popped out from his butt. With fluffy red fur, it was the perfect tail of an animal. Beric and Romandro froze in shock and blinked at the same time.

“…A, a, a tail.”

“U, uaaah!”

Beric was so surprised that he patted his butt and spun around like crazy. But without caring, two ears popped up relentlessly.

Romandro muttered as if he had realized something.

“…A dog.”

“What is this! Aaaah!”

“…A dog.”

Then what about himself?

Romandro ran to the mirror and checked his back. Something round and fist-sized was attached. And even wide, long ears. A moment later, Romandro turned pale as he saw his rather long front teeth.

“…A rabbit.”

“Damn it! Acorella!”

“A, Acorella!”

“You’re dead, you crazy woman. Why did you make something like this!”

“Aco! I’m sorry! I’ll work hard! I won’t slack off!”

Thud!

Tap tap!

The two of them ran out of the Minister’s office, not knowing who was first. There was someone watching them from the opposite garden.

Meow-

A cat with golden fur and green eyes.

The cat purred in the sunlight and then lay down comfortably. As if it was going to rest like this for the day.