Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 530

Wham!

“Hashaaaa!”

Beric’s shout made the Astanians turn their heads simultaneously. Whose child was it, daring to call their king’s name so disrespectfully? If it were a member of the Bariel royal family, it would be understandable, but otherwise, it was unforgivable.

As the attendants and guards were about to step forward in protest, Hasha lightly gestured to stop them.

“It’s alright. He’s an old friend of mine.”

“But, Your Highness.”

“Beric.”

“Hashaaaa!”

Even after making eye contact, Beric just stood there, calling Hasha’s name at the top of his lungs. He clearly didn’t recognize him because his appearance had changed. As Hasha slowly got up and approached, Beric narrowed his eyes and scanned him up and down.

“…What’s up?”

“It’s me, Beric. You’re still as loud as ever.”

“Hasha? Is that you?”

“How dare you! He is the King of Astana whom we serve! Who are you from the imperial palace? I will formally protest!”

Even the people next to him joined in, making Beric’s face twist strangely.

“No, haven’t you aged too much in ten years? I saw Ian, and he hasn’t changed a bit. You should learn from him.”

“I knew you’d think that. This is a new body I’ve acquired.”

“Even if you acquired it, why that one? Where did you-”

“He’s my uncle.”

“…You acquired a very good one, I see. You’ve managed your body well for an old man. Alright.”

Beric paused at the word ‘uncle’ and changed the subject. Hasha burst into laughter at the sight and gestured to the sofa opposite him, as if telling him to sit down. The attendants were displeased but politely stepped back to make room.

“By the way, what is that? It doesn’t look like a gift.”

“That’s what I want to ask. This was being managed by the Magic Department. I found it on the floor here.”

As Beric dangled the doll by its fingertips, the attendant who had greeted the magician earlier was startled and reported that it had been placed carefully on the table, and they didn’t know how it ended up on the floor.

“Your Highness. It’s a doll that the Magic Department requested to be investigated for curses.”

“Ah, this is it. Right. Katimako!”

A young boy, perhaps six or seven years old, walked out slowly at Hasha’s call. Beric stared at Hasha in disbelief at the sudden appearance of the child.

“No, you’re having a kid do the investigation?”

“How rude. Does your superior know about your behavior?”

“Huh? What? Did you just talk?”

“Yes. I spoke.”

The voice coming from the small mouth was not that of a child. It was the gruff voice of a man who had seen the ups and downs of life.

Hasha chuckled and picked up a teacup. He didn’t need to drink it, so he just enjoyed the aroma before putting it back down.

“Katimako is a talented individual who stands out in the doll magic clan. You can trust him, Beric. And you’re the youngest one here.”

“Geez, this country never goes by appearances.”

“Appearances are just what you see.”

“And later, you’ll go into a young body again.”

“Well, I don’t know. To minimize the side effects of necromancy, it’s best to use a relative’s body, but I can’t guarantee if there will be another death of a relative that coincides with the decay of the corpse.”

“…Then what happens?”

As Beric stuffed a cookie from the table into his mouth, Hasha smiled. Deep wrinkles gathered at once, like an old tree moving.

“I will be allowed to die.”

He was a being on the border between life and death, having already lost his original body. Hasha spoke softly as if it were a blessing, and Beric silently wiped the crumbs from his mouth.

Shortly after, Katimako took the doll and, without hesitation, took out a small knife and cut open its belly.

Snikt-!

“I can hear the Magic Department people freaking out. They couldn’t do anything because they were afraid of damaging it.”

Beric muttered as if he felt relieved, and Katimako replied sternly.

“That’s why they couldn’t find anything. Sacrifice is the price for everything.”

“…Looking at how you talk, you’re an old man, an old man. I guess I am the youngest one here.”

The child parted the cotton stuffing with his small fingers and frowned as if he had found something. In his hand was something ‘like’ a dried twig.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a dried fairy.”

“Huh?”

A fairy? This? Beric rubbed his eyes and looked closely, and it seemed to have facial features and a human form.

“This is quite important, so it would be best to explain it directly to the Minister of Magic, Your Highness.”

“Hmm. Alright. It’s almost our turn for an audience, so I’ll make arrangements for that then. The sun will be setting soon.”

He didn’t bother to mention that Beric’s behavior didn’t seem like he would properly convey the message, but Hasha understood and nodded.

Regardless, Beric was busy turning the cotton stuffing inside out, sniffing to see if there was anything else.

* * *

A grand banquet hall filled with elegant melodies.

Nobles, dressed to the nines, were already inside, holding champagne. They seemed to be enjoying a leisurely banquet, but in reality, they were busy assessing the political situation.

They took in the faces of the envoys from each country, openly discussed current topics, and eavesdropped on baseless rumors.

“Oh my, hello. It’s a lovely day today.”

“Lady Chloe Davion, it’s been a while. How have you been? You’ve become even more beautiful since I last saw you.”

“Thank you, Count.”

“Oh, there are the foreign envoys coming in. Is that Clifford? They all look as good-natured as I’ve heard.”

“Indeed. I had imagined something different, considering they were cursed with beast blood.”

Every time King Clifford chuckled, his round cheeks puffed up. He looked more like a kind-hearted bakery owner than a king of a nation. His children, who followed behind him, looked more dignified.

“Is there still considerable support in Clifford’s homeland? Even though the royal family is cursed with beast blood?”

“They have a long history, and their relationship with the people was very good. There was chaos at first, but the cracks are also there. They have no choice, as without them, the country would only fall apart.”

“I see. Well, the capital is in ruins, so more chaos would only tighten their noose. By the way, I heard a rumor that Luswena will not be attending today. Is that true?”

“It’s absurd, and on the one hand, it’s quite embarrassing. How much do they look down on the Bariel Empire?”

“Indeed. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should lead the nation well when he ascends the throne. So that countries like Luswena don’t act so presumptuously.”

“He will do well. With Ian Hielo by his side, how could he not do well?”

Chloe also carefully sipped her champagne with one ear open, her gaze constantly scattering around rather than focusing on the person she was facing. The nobles quickly understood the meaning of her gaze.

“Duke Holin has also arrived.”

The nobles who had gathered around Chloe subtly glanced at the wound on her lip before pretending not to notice and mentioning Holin. The rumor that the young ladies of two prestigious families had fought had already spread throughout society.

“Ah, I apologize if it made you uncomfortable, Lady Chloe.”

“No. Of course, Duke Holin should also be here. It’s a formal occasion, so I don’t know what you mean by uncomfortable.”

If you can say it openly, then try it. As Chloe smiled and laid down the bait, the nobles only gave exaggerated laughs and fanned themselves. If you tell them to do it, do you think they can’t?

“Yes, that’s right. You wouldn’t be uncomfortable at all. Then, may we ask Lady Kyla to have some champagne over here?”

See that? Chloe’s lips stiffened with a smile. Then, another noble who had been watching the situation carefully slipped in to mediate.

“Lady Kyla will not be able to attend the banquet.”

“Oh my, why?”

“There’s a rumor that she’s going to Burgos in advance.”

“In advance? Why?”

“Why, didn’t His Highness tell you? What kind of woman he wants as the Empress candidate.”

“Ah. My goodness, that’s really amazing. In many ways.”

Isn’t it almost clear at this point? The shocking rumor that the Holin family had Burgos lineage had started with Lady Chloe Davion herself.

However, since she was openly participating without any obstruction or rebuttal, it was possible to guess the intentions of the true Crown Prince. Chloe threw out a word while maintaining her smile.

“I’m going too. To the war.”

“What? You, Lady?”

“Of course. Isn’t it an honorable position as a member of the Empire? Of course, I should add my will and be of help.”

Among the nobles, there was a mix of bewilderment, absurdity, and even disgust, as if they were saying she was terrible.

King Clifford sat in his designated seat and watched the scene, immediately realizing that the atmosphere of the banquet hall was somehow tense.

“What happened?”

“There have been many issues among the nobles lately.”

“Really? What?”

“There, Astana and Hawan are entering. Father.”

Noah whispered, saying there was no time to explain, and the king reflexively got up and approached them. After the customary greetings, the three leaders faced each other.

Three pairs of eyes with many meanings. Especially the eyes of the Hawan representative were filled with interest. Shatima, from Hawan’s perspective, had just confirmed with her own eyes that Clifford and Astana were on Bariel’s side in the upcoming war.

In other words, it meant that everyone in Gaia except for these three countries was drawing their swords against Bariel.

“The Prime Minister has come from Hawan.”

“Yes, His Majesty is unable to travel far due to circumstances.”

“Oh dear, please convey my wishes that he is well. Now that I think about it, Hawan isn’t that far away, but it seems there has been little exchange.”

“Yes. The geographical distance was significant. We can only resent Luswena, the Great Desert, and the eastern mountains of Bariel.”

Shatima bowed her head, responding appropriately to King Clifford’s polite greeting.

“In fact, there has been little exchange not only with Clifford but also with Bariel. The small border territory of Mereloff was all of Bariel to us. Therefore, this is the first time we have had the honor of being invited to the imperial palace.”

What reason would there be for the leaders of other countries to gather at the imperial palace? It was either for an enthronement ceremony held whenever a generation changed, like today, or to come to write an agreement in the event of defeat.

At this, King Clifford chuckled and waved his hand, and Shatima looked around and asked.

“But the atmosphere of the banquet hall is more subdued and refined than I expected.”

Is it usually like this?

It was the enthronement banquet of the Emperor of Bariel, the great empire at the center of Gaia, not just any other country. Compared to its reputation, everything was frankly just standard, to the point where it seemed like nothing special.

A grand banquet hall, an orchestra, nobles, and alcohol. The portals of the magicians were very useful for transportation, but was that all?

King Clifford and Hasha, who had noticed the hidden meaning, exchanged glances and simply smiled.

“It’s just the beginning, so enjoy it.”

In sync with King Clifford’s gesture, the music grew louder. It was a signal that the Crown Prince Jin was about to enter.

Shatima sat down, moistened her lips with wine, and surveyed the banquet hall with a dry gaze. There were magicians stationed everywhere, but well, they didn’t make much of an impression.

Booooo-

Screech.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is entering!”

The doors of the grand banquet hall swung open, and Jin Verosian, in his formal attire, appeared. With each step he took, the surroundings brightened, and Shatima’s eyes, which had been watching without much thought, widened. The lights in the hall were going out one by one.

“Oh my, what is that?”

“Outside…”

She had thought it was just light seeping in from outside. It was a complete night, but the white and blue brightness clearly had the same temperature as dawn. As if showing all the moments of dawn breaking, the color of the sky changed rapidly.

Zing! Zing!

Swishhh-

And magicians with golden eyes everywhere.

Some nobles, not knowing what was happening, leaned out of the windows and soon realized. It wasn’t just an illusion on the windows, but the world, the sky, was changing.

“This is…”

The White Night.

Light dawned on the whole world, dawned and stopped. The clock hands were pointing to night, but there was no darkness in Bariel where Jin was being enthroned. This was the power of Bariel that would continue throughout the festival.

Jin crossed the banquet hall, where only a soft melody flowed, and ascended the platform, then raised his glass.

“This is the time of Bariel, opening a new era. Looking at the sun that does not set, is there darkness here?”

In response to Jin’s toast, the conductor stretched out his hand and waved it, and a powerful melody that resonated in people’s hearts burst forth. It was the beginning of a glorious history.