Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 521

“What’s taking so long with that conversation?”

“Right? I’m dying of curiosity.”

“Don’t push. I can’t hear even with my ear pressed against it.”

“How long are you guys going to keep doing that? Aren’t you going to organize your things?”

“Do you think I’m here to play? I came to get approval!”

“Ian? Iaaan.”

“Shhh. Be quiet, Beric!”

Beric and the mages were pressed against the door, constantly checking for any sign of movement. While Zaira was a key figure in the Clifford Rift investigation, the private meeting was taking longer than expected.

As a result, mages who had gathered one by one to get Ian’s approval formed a line, and Beric, who wanted to lie down on the sofa and roll around, was making a fuss to signal the inside.

“Excuse me.”

At the end of the hallway, a palace employee cautiously called out to them. As all eyes turned to him, he looked quite flustered.

“Is there a problem with the Minister?”

“Are you here to submit a report too? Either leave it or get in line. We’re waiting too.”

“It’s an order from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Oh, really.”

That changes things!

Unlike the mages who parted to make way, Beric clung to the doorknob, constantly whining.

Knock knock.

“Minister, excuse me for a moment.”

“Iaaan. It’s an order from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

There was no way to step over him. The employee hesitated, then stepped between Beric’s arms and legs to deliver the message. Immediately, permission was granted from inside.

“Come in.”

Thump!

Ian was standing at his desk, sorting through documents, while Zaira was wiping her glasses. Peeking in, a dozen mages simultaneously poked their heads in, their eyes darting around.

“What is it?”

“Ah, yes. It’s news from the delegation that went to Burgos. They were all killed in a sudden attack, except for the messenger. His Highness the Crown Prince is holding an emergency meeting, and the Ministry of Magic is required to attend.”

The delegation was all dead.

Ian’s hand, which had been sorting documents, stopped, and the gazes of the mages looking around the Minister’s office also focused on the employee. They were certain. This was the beginning of war.

“I understand.”

“Yes, then.”

The employee bowed and stepped back, and Beric quickly ran over and lay down on the sofa.

“Seriously, does Beric want to lie down even in this situation?”

“When we go to war, we’ll be rolling around in the muck, so we should enjoy it while we can. You guys should rest too if you can. Oh, right. You have to go to the Ministry of Magic meeting? Hehehe.”

Twitch. The mages’ eyes were smiling, but they couldn’t hide the irritation rising from within. As they all rushed to grab Beric by the collar, Zaira stood up and dusted off her coat.

“We’ll be supporting from the rear, so we won’t have to smell the muck. Beric, you roll around to your heart’s content.”

“Hey, is that any way to talk to your elder?”

“Why? Isn’t that what you’re good at?”

“Ugh! Get over here!”

“Ian, sir. Then, we’ll be going. I’ll send a detailed report, so we can talk again later.”

As Zaira bowed to Ian, she raised her middle finger behind her back. Beric must have played a big role in the infiltration of the Luswenan mages into the Ministry of Magic. Though he didn’t seem to know it himself.

“You little brat! I’ll kill you, seriously!”

…Still the same as ever. In many ways.

Ian chuckled and gestured for them to leave, while Beric was grinding his teeth at Zaira. He was completely restrained by the mages’ collective beating.

“Ian, sir. If it’s a meeting related to the attack on the delegation, what should the Ministry of Magic prepare?”

For a diplomatic delegation to be attacked. It was unprecedented, beyond unusual. They were at a loss as to what to prepare.

Rustle. Ian slowly read through the documents, pondering for a moment. Depending on who attacked the delegation, the course of the war would change slightly. Was it Rutherford’s side, or the Atan tribe, or perhaps even the Royalists or another force?

Anyway, the priority is the coronation ceremony…

“I think we should hold the coronation and the departure ceremony together.”

“Ah, that’s possible. His Highness is very determined to participate in the war.”

“That would be better. With the war about to break out, it was a bit ambiguous to set a date for the coronation, and above all, there’s no better event to boost morale.”

“Then, the Ministry of Magic should prepare for the event. It’s also an opportunity to show that the Ministry of Magic is still strong.”

Ian gave a faint smile. Even with a brief hint, the mages were quick to interpret the meaning. Although the most important thing had not yet been revealed.

‘By inviting foreign dignitaries, we can gauge each country’s position.’

Would they only gauge their positions? Holding the coronation and departure at the same time meant that the key figures of countries opposed to the Empire could be tied down in Bariel.

Perhaps each country would consider this and send representatives of the opposition or not attend at all. The former would provide an opportunity to contact those opposed to the established powers, and the latter could be used as a pretext for not showing respect to the Empire.

‘If they don’t even attend, we’ll meet them on the battlefield, so there’s no need to argue about justification.’

“Also, organize the messenger birds to send to foreign countries. Tell the Mana Stone Management Department to re-check the mana stones for any issues.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Clifford was clearly an ally, but it was uncertain how Luswenna, Hawan, and other minor countries would react. Perhaps the countries near the north would likely be part of Rutherford’s forces.

“Also-”

“Is there more?”

Every time they tried to leave, another order was given, so the mages stopped, about to leave the Minister’s office.

“Tell the Dera tribe to send up the general weapons for quality inspection. Holinga will do everything they can to protect their remaining business rights. It’s almost the end of the battle.”

“The end of the battle?”

“Yes.”

Becoming the Empress or becoming the Crown Princess. Which would be easier?

Before Jin ascends to the throne, the movements to secure the position next to him will intensify. If Holin and Davion don’t produce results, those below them, and those below them, will reach out to rise to the top.

‘But, that dream of Roverside… it’s quite strange.’

The one who had been Jin’s guardian since childhood had shown a new figure instead of himself. It seemed like Jin’s partner, but there was nothing he could be sure of right now.

Ian unconsciously picked up a pen and lightly sketched the woman he had seen that day. He hadn’t seen her clearly, so it was blurry…

“Hmm.”

While Ian was pondering, stroking his chin, the mages were secretly peeking at Ian’s drawing. Soon, their mouths dropped open in unison.

‘Ian, sir, does have a human side after all…’

‘His drawing skills are just like Prince Jin’s.’

‘Is that a drawing? Or some foreign language we don’t know?’

‘Doesn’t it look like a person? Eyes, nose, mouth.’

‘It looks like sprouted food.’

‘…Indeed, the gods are fair. Yes.’

The mages exchanged glances, constantly glancing at the tip of Ian’s pen. Noticing their gazes, Ian tilted his head, looking puzzled, and said,

“You may leave now.”

“…Ah, yes!”

“We apologize!”

“Th, Ian, sir-”

“Stop talking nonsense and get out!”

Thud!

A mage who had clumsily tried to compliment his drawing skills was dragged out by his colleagues.

Why are they all like that? Ian stared at the tightly closed door, then focused on the documents again.

* * *

“How dare they attack the Bariel delegation!”

“Aren’t they crazy? Let’s show them what we’re made of right now!”

The conference hall was united for the first time in a while. It was as if the fighting between departments from a few days ago had never happened. With a common enemy appearing, only the sense of belonging to Bariel remained.

Thud.

Jin threw a report onto the table. His gaze was so cold that anyone could guess that the Crown Prince was furious.

“…According to the messenger’s report, the incident occurred around five in the morning. It was dawn, but still dark. The delegation leader was killed instantly inside the carriage in a sudden attack. The guards resisted, but they were overwhelmed by the difference in power and died without putting up a proper fight. All the members who tried to escape were caught and beheaded on the spot, and the messenger escaped but felt like he was let go.”

All those who died were officials who had worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a long time. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, like Jin, added with great anger.

“Based on the combat style and witness testimonies, it is presumed to be the Atan tribe chief, Efdiram, and his tribal leader, Beno.”

“Isn’t the chief a mage? Did he use magic?”

“He didn’t use it directly, but it’s presumed to be Beno’s doing. Traces of a magic sword were found. The delegation leader’s body was cut in half along with the carriage.”

The officials who imagined the gruesome death frowned.

“If the Atan tribe harmed the Bariel delegation, then there’s no need to hear their side of the story.”

“They’re incomprehensible people. If they stayed in the north of Bariel, they could eat monsters without much effort.”

“Can we accurately assess the Atan tribe’s strength?”

“The Ministry of Magic has been consistently sending reports from the northern rift zone, so we have a general idea, though not in detail.”

“Then, can we assume that the anti-royalist faction of Burgos, that is, Rutherford, and the Atan tribe are in collusion? Are there any other forces?”

“That is-”

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs was about to speak, Jin raised his hand. Ian slightly lowered his head, waiting for the Crown Prince’s statement.

“There are no special diplomatic movements yet, but we will use the coronation ceremony to discern them.”

As expected. Ian raised his eyebrows, a satisfied smile appearing without him realizing it. They hadn’t discussed it directly, but when their opinions aligned like this, a smile would always slip out.

At this, some officials gaped as if they had been struck by lightning.

“Use the coronation ceremony, Your Highness? I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“If we hold the coronation and the departure ceremony together, we can understand the flow of foreign countries and keep the dignitaries of each country in Bariel. Isn’t that the best way to create opportunities?”

“However, Your Highness. The coronation ceremony is a major event for the Empire. It’s not appropriate to combine it with the departure ceremony-”

“If there’s a reason why it can’t be combined, speak now.”

At Jin’s command, the officials whispered for a moment.

The Emperor’s coronation ceremony was, in fact, a matter directly related to the Emperor’s authority, so the Emperor himself was more concerned about it than anyone else. It was an event to announce his authority to the world more grandly and splendidly than ever before, so if Jin himself proposed to combine it with the departure ceremony, there was no reason to stop him.

The officials nudged the sides of those who had been hesitant and slightly shook their heads. Shut up, it was a signal to do as Jin wanted.

“There isn’t.”

“Yes. If the coronation and departure ceremonies are held together, it will be very effective in boosting the morale of the Empire’s people.”

“Then, Your Highness. Will you depart immediately after the coronation ceremony?”

“If I don’t take the lead, will you?”

“Ah. I, I was just asking.”

At Jin’s blunt reply, the official scratched his beard awkwardly.

At the same time, their eyes gleamed. If the Emperor left the palace, they realized that someone would need to take his place. For example, the Empress.

“Your Highness. Then, how about welcoming the Crown Princess before the coronation ceremony to strengthen the inner court?”

“I actively agree and recommend it. While Your Highness is away from Bariel, you need someone to firmly protect it.”

“Since time is short, I recommend holding a simple engagement ceremony first. After the war, it would be better to hold a grand national wedding with celebratory fireworks.”

Jin raised his head, looking indifferent, as if he had expected this. But it was a point that needed to be addressed accurately at least once. His position was not only important to him but also to Bariel.

“I’m trying to set a few standards of my own.”

“Yes. Please tell us, Your Highness.”

“Either the family must contribute more than 80% of their wealth to the defense fund-”

What? What does that mean? What crazy family would do that?

The officials’ eyes widened and grew at the same time.

“Or I would prefer a woman who will fight on the battlefield with me.”