Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 529

Hawan.

A nation of trade connecting foreign lands and Bariel. Merchants from all walks of life used it as a base, resulting in a unique identity formed by the mixture of numerous cultures.

Even the carriages seemed a bit peculiar at first glance—

Hee-ing!

“What in the world is that?”

“It doesn’t look like a horse, is it a goat?”

“C-can we approach it?”

Even the creature pulling the cart was a strange, crossbred beast. Its massive size and hexagonal horns made it seem threatening, causing the palace staff to freeze, unable to approach rashly.

The first to move was the Hawan side. The carriage door opened, revealing a woman with her hair piled up and her face covered with cloth. Ian approached her and bowed his head.

“Welcome. Are you Prime Minister Shatima Gurgein?”

“Call me Shatima. You must be Ian Hiel, the Minister of Magic? It’s a pleasure to meet you. As a representative of the Kingdom of Hawan, I am grateful to be a part of this esteemed occasion.”

Shatima’s eyes were covered with dense red and yellow dots. It was hard to discern her appearance in detail, but as she was said to have served two generations of kings, her age could be roughly estimated.

Shatima had fingernails as long as fingers, all ten of them. Ian shook her hand and replied,

“Thank you for visiting from afar. I hope the King of Hawan recovers soon and shares in the glory of the Empire.”

Regardless of the actual situation, the official documents mentioned the king’s health issues, so it was necessary to address it formally.

Shatima’s lips curved into a smile without a reply, a smile that felt both elegant and self-deprecating.

“Thank you for your kind words. I will be sure to convey them to His Majesty.”

Unlike Bariel, it was clear that the king and prime minister of Hawan were in strong opposition. Although Akorella had interpreted it a bit harshly, the undercurrent could be clearly read in the documents.

-…Prime Minister Shatima Gurgein is a very capable and accomplished individual, highly respected in the Kingdom of Hawan. If possible, please allow her to stay after the enthronement ceremony to learn about the developed culture and society of the Bariel Empire. During that time, consider her a subject of Bariel and ensure she experiences no discomfort in the Empire….

Shatima was probably aware of this content as well.

And this was an opportunity for Bariel to make contact with the opposing faction of the vested interests of another country. Just as Ian had expected.

“Are there separate handlers for the beasts?”

“Of course. They are newly introduced beasts in the Kingdom of Hawan, with the stamina of horses but more docile, making them very popular. We have also prepared a few as gifts for His Majesty’s enthronement ceremony.”

“Yes, I’m sure he will be delighted. Please, let’s move to the main palace. You can rest and unpack before meeting His Majesty.”

Squeak.

Shatima got back into the carriage.

Inside, a woman with her hair piled up and her face covered with cloth, just like Shatima, was sitting, her gaze fixed on Ian through the window. Her eyes, as if seeing him after a long time, were filled with immeasurable anger and disgust.

“How does it feel to return after so long?”

As the carriage started, Shatima tilted her chin slightly and asked. The woman let out a low laugh.

“It feels like returning to the home I longed for. If it weren’t for that Ian Hiel, I would have come here long ago. I feel so resentful and wronged that my body trembles.”

“But restrain yourself. I brought you to the palace for contingencies, not to support your personal revenge.”

“Of course, Shatima-nim.”

“Good. What should I call you? Should I use your old name? Since you’ve returned to your homeland, wouldn’t that be better?”

Shatima drew the window curtain and turned to the woman.

“Bertie Erica?”

“No. I’m worried someone might recognize it.”

“You’re too self-conscious. It’s been over a decade. Who would remember a failed investigation team leader who went missing after being sent to the border? The Emperor has changed, and the world has changed.”

Bertie Erica.

The investigation team leader who was sent to the border to investigate Count Bratz’s tax evasion, but failed to receive a title due to Ian, and wandered the borderlands in search of Mary and Chel’s bodies.

Erica hated these words that defined her to the point of revulsion.

“Choose wisely.”

Shatima looked at Erica with her brown eyes.

“The path of revenge, that is.”

Whether to simply take Ian Hiel’s life or return to the palace and completely erase the traces of her past life.

Erica kept biting her lip and rubbed her forehead as if she was troubled. She knew what the wise course of action was, but seeing Ian Hiel’s face made her rational judgment waver greatly.

“Erica, I invested in you. If you return to the palace and establish yourself, remember that you will be more helpful to me than anyone else. Forgetting the grace of being taken in is something only beasts do.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Erica replied, carefully covering her face with the cloth. In the distance, the main palace where the honored guests would stay began to appear.

* * *

“Except for Luswena, all the honored guests have arrived.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Jin stood in front of the mirror, patting his shirt collar. His slightly nervous gestures made the attendants fidget, carefully adjusting his clothes.

Jin leaned back on the sofa and gestured as if he was truly lamenting.

“I’ve never liked Luswena more than Vergos.”

“Is that so?”

“If I could have chosen the first country to establish a base, I would have chosen Luswena without hesitation. That snake-like king, Eriphony, treated me like a child from the beginning, showing an arrogant attitude. And Elderte, who carries on her spirit, is also unsuitable.”

Those involved would not know how relieved and satisfied Jin was when Elderte said he would send a proxy instead of coming himself. He had given Jin the justification to dispose of him along with Vergos, and Jin intended to keep that as an enthronement gift.

Ian smiled faintly and handed over the report.

“At the venue, Astanah, Clifford, and the Kingdom of Hawan will request an audience in that order.”

“Ian, you have a special relationship with the King of Astanah, don’t you?”

“It was a chance encounter in the past. It was related to the incident with former Minister Wesley.”

Hmm. Is that so? Jin shrugged, and Ian lowered his gaze back to the report.

“And about the young lady of the Holin Duchy.”

“Are you talking about Lady Kayla?”

“Yes. Before leaving for Vergos, she requested a final audience with Your Highness. With the festivities causing a stir in Bariel, she seems to have judged it the right time to depart.”

Jin chuckled slightly at Ian’s words, as if he was puzzled. The judgment seemed appropriate, but he couldn’t understand the intention. What would Lady Kayla and he have to discuss in private?

“I’m busy.”

Jin replied playfully, and this time Ian shrugged.

The enthronement ceremony and the departure ceremony were not just a one-day event. First, there was a grand banquet where all the central nobles gathered with the arrival of the honored guests, and at the same time, all the citizens of the empire had to enjoy a holiday for a week under everyone’s congratulations.

And since the end of that was the path to the battlefield, Jin’s schedule was filled with events to unite with the citizens of the empire every single day. He couldn’t afford to meet with Lady Kayla.

“I will convey that.”

“Everyone is very worried, Ian. They’re afraid you might collapse again like before, with a major event ahead.”

He said the four black moons floating in the sky were the cause, but Ian knew vaguely. The mages, Romandro, or Beric had come to Jin and lamented.

Ian shook his head slightly, as if to say not to worry, and adjusted Jin’s collar.

“Even if I am an ungrateful subject, would I ruin Your Highness’s enthronement ceremony after the coming-of-age ceremony? Please don’t worry. The people in the Magic Department are just making a fuss for no reason.”

“Taking care of yourself is also your duty.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Then, I will take my leave first. Please enjoy every moment with a joyful heart. It is Your Highness’s day.”

“Alright.”

Ian lightly held the report and left the Crown Prince’s Palace. The mages who had been waiting in the hallway straightened their posture and greeted him.

“The honored guests?”

“They have all entered the palace and unpacked. The time for the grand banquet has also been announced, so they will all prepare and come out on time.”

“Just in case, announce it again in a couple of hours.”

“Yes. Ah, and the King of Astanah asked for ‘that’ to be brought.”

“What do you mean by ‘that’?”

“The doll that Romandro-nim brought up. This one.”

The Inpi doll was kept in a transparent glass case. Romandro was making a face of disgust and gagging.

“It seems there is an expert among the Astanah attendants who is knowledgeable about this. They said they would check for any curses if we bring it anytime, should we take it right away?”

“Have it moved to King Hasha’s quarters.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Have you made the final check on the spell that connects the banquet hall, the palace, and the central outskirts?”

“They say it’s in the final stages. There will be no problem with the event.”

“There are those who have mixed in, opposing Vergos and trying to gauge Bariel’s power. There must be absolutely no mistakes in the event.”

“Yes! Ian-nim!”

“Then, everyone, scatter back to your positions.”

Thud. At Ian’s request, the mages saluted concisely. They all moved, scattering in different directions according to the instructions, and the mage in charge of the Inpi doll also flew to the quarters of the Astanah guests.

Ziiing!

Thud!

“Is anyone there?”

“Yes, what is it?”

The Astanah attendants were carrying fabrics and ornaments. They seemed to be items to be presented as tribute.

“I’m from the Magic Department. I’ve brought an item to be appraised by the Astanah delegation. Who is in charge?”

“They have just gone out to the back garden. If you leave it there, I will deliver it.”

“Hmm. No, I’ll deliver it myself.”

“It will take some time as they are in the middle of a ritual.”

The mage paused for a moment and checked his pocket watch. If he delayed here, everything would be pushed back. The mage hesitated for a moment, then placed the glass box containing the doll on the table.

“Then, I’ll leave it here. Please deliver it.”

“Don’t worry.”

Bow. As the mage went outside, the attendants continued to carry the luggage.

The Inpi doll was left alone, neglected. How much time had passed? As the surroundings became quiet, the head slowly tilted, and the glass box began to open little by little.

Thud.

The doll fell forward weakly. The doll writhed, struggling like a person whose tendons had all been severed. Slowly but surely, it moved forward, slowly.

Just as it seemed to have crawled almost through the door—

Wham!

“Hashaaaa!”

It was hit squarely by the door that burst open and flew away.

Something was in the way? Beric scratched his nose and looked down at the floor, finding the doll crumpled in the corner in a miserable state.

“What the heck. Why is this here?”

Beric narrowed his eyes and sniffed. This suspicious doll, what is it? After staring at the doll for a while, Beric punched the doll’s face in a fit of anger.

Thwack!

“Something about it is just unlucky.”

Then, he picked it up by the very end with his thumb and forefinger. As if he was picking up something dirty.

“Hashaaaaaa!”

Beric dangled the doll and ran inside to find Hasha.