Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 533

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Ian Bratz.

The bastard son of the fallen Count Bratz, the very obstacle that had kept Erica, the head of the investigation team, from returning to the Imperial Palace, stood before her.

She reflexively denied it, but she already knew instinctively. There was conviction in Ian’s subtle words.

Her voice trembled uncontrollably, but Erica didn’t even have the luxury to acknowledge it. After struggling for ten long years to barely survive and enter the Imperial Palace, this was happening on her very first day.

“If you’ve forgotten, that’s a problem in itself.”

Ian slowly approached Erica, slightly raising his chin. It was a gesture of surprise, as if he hadn’t expected to meet her again. And in the Imperial Palace, as part of the Hawan delegation?

In truth, it was more accurate to say that he hadn’t paid her any mind because she was an insignificant presence.

“Have you perhaps lost your memory?”

“Ah.”

That’s it.

Erica found a small clue in Ian’s remark. If she were to officially return as the head of the Imperial Investigation Team, the burden she would bear would be too heavy. Not only would she be disobeying the Imperial Order, but she would also be guilty of neglecting her duties for a long time, and responsible for the deaths of her team members.

But what if she claimed to be part of the Hawan delegation? She wasn’t just anyone; she was the head of the investigation team, which would make her guilty of treason. Not only would she be in trouble, but so would Shatima, who had taken her in and helped her.

So, it would be better to push for an unavoidable situation-

“It’s better that you’ve lost it. You’ve become much more refined.”

It was a small taunt. A taunt that implied, ‘Let’s see how you act if you pretend to have lost your memory, how much more amusing it will be.’ Ian was a man who had seized power in the corrupted Imperial Palace, the person responsible for the commercialized Siltham potions [a type of magical potion], and someone who clearly remembered Erica’s past. He had the ability to do so. Absolutely, completely.

As Ian smiled playfully, Erica bit her lower lip without realizing it. The humiliating jeers she had received at the Count’s mansion seemed to echo vividly in her ears.

‘Your way of speaking is impressive. Unexpected. It seems that these days, even the head of the investigation team is chosen from the commoners.’

Erica turned her head sharply to glare at Ian, and he pretended to be surprised, raising both hands. …What a phony. Although most of her face was covered by the veil, she couldn’t hide her hostile feelings.

Ian seemed to study her for a moment, then said nonchalantly,

“No, you’re still the same.”

“……”

‘Damn it, that bastard! I’ll kill him!’

What should she do? All sorts of scenarios flashed through Erica’s mind, but the results were all disastrous.

When she didn’t answer, Ian leaned against the wall, taking a more comfortable posture. It was as if he was showing that he didn’t need to scheme against a former head of the investigation team who had merely gone missing and come back alive.

“You could have lived quietly, going about your daily life, so why did you come back? It seems you took this risk because you want something.”

Reinstatement in the Imperial Palace? Or the rights to the Bratz territory that had already been lost long ago? Or perhaps, his death?

Ian took out his pocket watch and checked the time, as if to say, ‘Hurry up and tell me.’ It seemed he didn’t have much time to spare for her.

“…All of it.”

“Tsk. What a waste of time.”

He wasn’t referring to Erica’s wasted ten years, but to his own wasted few minutes. It meant that she wasn’t worth listening to, and that he had needlessly started a conversation.

As Ian turned to leave, Erica hurriedly blocked his path. Then, she removed her veil, revealing her face. If the conversation ended like this, it would truly be the end for her.

“What’s your intention?”

“That’s what I asked first, Erica.”

“…The pride of being the head of the investigation team. The pride of carrying out the Emperor’s orders directly. Even though all my subordinates are dead and I’ve long been forgotten here, the pride that made me who I am hasn’t disappeared.”

“Get to the point.”

“I don’t want reinstatement. I just want to restore my honor.”

“Is there any honor left to restore? You failed to carry out the Emperor’s orders. And look at your appearance. What country’s clothes are you wearing?”

“This is-!”

Erica gritted her teeth and muttered.

“It was a means to return to Bariel. Even if I die, I’m a Bariel person.”

“Hmm.”

Ian stared intently at Erica. He had found a gap in her usefulness.

There was no way Shatima wouldn’t have noticed such a clear identity. Yet, the fact that she had included Erica in the delegation and brought her to the Imperial Palace meant that she had her own purpose. Could it be that she wanted Erica to act as a bridge between Shatima and the Imperial Palace?

“What did you bring?”

There must be a reason why Shatima thought Erica, who had shown all her cards, had such potential.

“You wouldn’t have come back to your homeland empty-handed.”

“Why should I give it to you?”

“You think you’ll have a chance to present it directly to His Highness the Crown Prince. You really haven’t changed.”

How foolish.

Erica clenched her fist and moved closer to Ian.

“You haven’t changed either.”

“Can’t you see?”

What was different between the way she last saw him and now?

‘If Shatima wants to connect with the Imperial Palace through Erica, it means she has already wisely assessed her position in Hawan. Hawan may officially support Vergos and join the war, but at least the Prime Minister’s faction can be brought over to Bariel. Division, possible.’

Ian looked at the tightly closed waiting room and smiled contentedly. Erica’s eyes narrowed disapprovingly at the sight.

Tap tap tap!

“I, Ian! No, Mr. Ian! Mr. Ian!”

Then, Roman Dro’s voice echoed from the end of the hallway. His hurried footsteps added to the noise, making it clear that something urgent had happened.

“What is it?”

“Big trouble, big trouble! Now, wait?”

Roman Dro, who was reporting, stopped when he saw Erica’s face. It was a face he seemed to have seen somewhere, but he couldn’t easily recall. There was a reason why Ian had been so concerned. Roman Dro frowned, forgetting his manners, and scrutinized Erica’s face closely. It was as if he was dealing with a long-lost classmate.

“…Aish, what is it? Where have I seen you? It’s comfortable yet uncomfortable. Did you graduate from Bariel University? You’re from Hawan, so you wouldn’t have grown up in Bariel, would you?”

“Mr. Roman Dro.”

“Oh my, sorry! Sorry, it’s just that a familiar face suddenly appeared. It’s not that, but Acorella guided the Lusweena delegation-”

Roman Dro whispered to Ian as if he was going crazy.

“Th, there’s a dragon.”

“…Excuse me?”

“A dragon with the exact same color as Beric’s head! Those Lusweena people, are they crazy? They’re not in their right minds. They came riding it instead of horses? The citizens were all shocked during the festival, and we’re still getting reports. It’s best to have an audience and then announce how to deal with it.”

It seems they’re messing around with the tribute. It seems Elderte has joined forces with Eriphony. Ian nodded, indicating that he would be there soon.

As Roman Dro said he would go ahead, he passed by Erica and scratched his chin again, looking puzzled. Where had he seen her? Had he ever had the chance to meet someone from the Hawan Kingdom? No, he hadn’t…

Watching Roman Dro walk away, Ian said indifferently,

“As you can see, something has come up.”

“So, how are we going to conclude this?”

This was a matter of life and death for her, so she couldn’t end the conversation like this.

“The conclusion is not your concern. I will summon Prime Minister Shatima when I have time later. You should convey what happened well and pray that you are valuable. I don’t know what you brought, but it must please His Highness. Otherwise, well.”

Ian brushed past Erica and said,

“You may not live in Bariel, but you can die there.”

“Wait a minute!”

Erica grabbed Ian as if to ask one last question.

“But how did you recognize me?”

Wasn’t Roman Dro’s reaction normal? It had been ten years since they had last seen each other, and now she had lost much of her former appearance due to her Hawan Kingdom attire. But how, exactly?

Ian brushed off her hand as if it were nothing.

“You may or may not remember, but my mother told me your last destination. And all of this is not long ago for me.”

“Mother?”

Ian’s mother, was it Mary? No. He had a different birth mother. Erica’s pupils shook violently as she searched her memories, and she remembered the blonde woman she had met in the mountains.

The last Bariel person she had met before going to Hawan.

“Ah! Th-!”

Looking at him now, they were almost identical. Why hadn’t she thought there might be a connection back then? It was probably because she couldn’t imagine Ian’s mother living in such a forest. Above all, her own situation had been the same. She had lost her subordinates, and her own future was uncertain.

“And I also said it last, Irma.”

Ian’s golden eyes flashed for a moment.

“I’m letting it slide because you said you were a Bariel person yourself. Show respect and courtesy. I don’t have time for someone who doesn’t even know the basics.”

Tap.

Ian turned coldly and disappeared around the corner.

Erica could feel the Hawan attendants who had been waiting in the distance whispering and watching her. Erica hesitated for a moment, then went back into the VIP waiting room she had come out of.

Squeak.

* * *

“Wow, what the hell is that?”

“A dragon.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?”

The mages looked up at the red dragon with bewildered eyes. Just looking at its eyes made it seem like it would chew a person alive, but what was with that cute collar?

Acorella was chewing on an unlit cigarette, as if he was burning up with anger.

“Hey, how long are we going to wait here?”

“Please wait. We’re waiting for Mr. Ian.”

“Geez, what’s taking him so long?”

Acorella rolled his eyes at Repin’s grumbling. Was this really coming from the people who had arrived the latest? It was hard to tell if they were shameless or had no memory. Ah! It could be both!

The mages clung to her arms, adding a word each to calm her down, and Roman Dro kept his distance, wary of the dragon. Even if it was a tame one that had been raised, he couldn’t let his guard down. Even dogs bite people sometimes!

“Mr. Ian is coming!”

“This way, Mr. Ian!”

“Look at thissss! Sob!”

As Ian came down the stairs, the mages rushed to him, tears welling up in their eyes. They were looking at him, asking what to do with it.

Repin finally got out of the carriage and flicked his collar, then offered Ian a handshake.

“I am Repin, the representative of the Lusweena delegation. Are you Minister of Magic Ian Hielo?”

“Yes. I am.”

Ian ignored Repin’s handshake and walked past him to stand in front of the dragon. If it stretched its neck, it would reach the second floor of the grand banquet hall, and since it had wings, the danger was immeasurable.

“It cannot be brought inside.”

“R, really? Mr. Ian, we thought so too-”

“Wait a minute. It was sent directly by His Majesty King Elderte of Lusweena. It must be included in the tribute items during the audience, so how can you say it can’t be brought in? Then, is His Highness the Crown Prince planning to come out personally?”

Those bastards are acting like this.

The mages used all their facial features to show their displeasure towards the Lusweena delegation.

“How dare you ask His Highness the Crown Prince to come out?”

“No. That’s not what I meant! We can have an audience without this thing. But if we do, we won’t be able to fully convey Lusweena’s sincerity, so we wanted you to know that in Bariel.”

It sounded like they were trying to find fault.

Ian glanced at the Lusweena delegation. They hadn’t brought any horses with them. That meant that when these people returned, the Imperial Palace would have to provide them with horses.

“Who is the dragon’s handler or expert?”

At Ian’s question, Repin shook his head as if he was disappointed.

“Dragon experts are few and far between even in Lusweena. They are currently staying at the official breeding grounds and cannot leave their posts.”

They were just dragging out the fact that they hadn’t brought one.

This was no different from saying they would kill the dragon. Ian made eye contact with the dragon for a moment and felt the strong life force that resided beneath its clear eyes.

“I understand.”

Poor thing.

Alright, let’s see what happens.