Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 574

“I forbid you from going outside.”

That was Chrony’s first rule after learning Ian was a mana user. His gaze was subtly cold, and there was a clear, unspoken pressure that he wouldn’t accept any objections.

Ian quietly looked up at him, and Chrony, as if displeased, paced around the room, making threats.

“And furthermore, I will restrict contact with the servants. Uncle Ian, I’ve said this repeatedly, but you must never show it in front of others.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Why, can you tell me once more?”

It was a question to confirm if he understood correctly.

Ian answered in a dry voice. It was the same thing Chrony had repeated dozens of times.

“Because I am of noble birth. Most mages are of commoner origin, so if it becomes known that I possess this power, I won’t be able to stay in the mansion.”

“Yes, that’s right. Uncle, you are intelligent, so you will surely be able to hide it well. Haa. How on earth did this happen…”

Ian flinched at Chrony’s muttering. How could he, with the blood of the imperial family, be born with an ability that only commoners possessed? At this point, it felt like his deceased parents were at fault, and his very existence was a sin.

As Ian quietly shed tears, Chrony knelt down to meet his gaze.

“Uncle.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry. I will protect you. I will never push you into the commoner’s pit. So, trust me, and you can continue your daily life as before. Do you understand?”

“…I understand.”

Chrony hugged Ian lightly, and Ian wiped away the rest of his tears in his embrace. Thus, he couldn’t see what kind of expression Chrony was making.

“I will also minimize your lessons.”

“Is that alright?”

He was already lacking, and he was afraid that if he reduced his lessons, he would fall behind. Chrony patted Ian’s back as if it was okay.

“Yes. Instead, I will take over your lessons. I will teach you swordsmanship and horseback riding. That way, you will relieve your frustration, and you won’t be bored.”

Clang! Clang!

From that day on, Ian spent most of his days practicing swordsmanship with Chrony. Chrony often laughed out loud at his rapidly improving skills, and Ian felt alive.

One day, as their world continued like that.

“By the way, Chrony. What happened to the servants who saw my mana?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Now, shall we try again? Grab your sword.”

“It’s been five hours today.”

“Isn’t your birthday coming up soon, Uncle? If you beat me, I will grant you one wish.”

A wish.

Ian pondered for a moment, then nodded and gripped his sword again. How many years had it been since he couldn’t go outside the mansion? This year was a bountiful harvest, and they said they would celebrate Thanksgiving greatly, and he wanted to go see it.

“Anything?”

“Of course.”

Tap tap tap!

Ian swung his sword wildly and charged at Chrony. He was just a fifteen-year-old boy. Chrony leisurely met the blade.

But no matter how much he struggled, that was it. Chrony thought that Ian could never beat him. No matter how much he was loved by the gods, he was still a child. A foolish child who trembled at his every word.

Swish! Clang!

But that was arrogance beyond self-confidence. Chrony gradually realized that he was struggling. Ian’s sword was unpredictable, as if it were alive. Although it was a wooden sword, the fear that it could cut his neck at any moment pierced through Chrony.

Thud.

In the end, Chrony’s sword flew far away, and Ian’s sword stopped at his neck. Ian, who had been concentrating and catching his breath, gradually showed a happy expression.

“Chrony!”

Look, I’ve grown this much.

Ian expected Chrony’s praise. He thought he would say that he had done very well, that his skills were amazing, and that he could come to the imperial palace with him, but…

“Haa.”

Chrony only let out an annoyed sigh and frowned. What had he done wrong? Ian shrank back even as he was panting.

“You are amazing, Uncle Ian.”

“Um, Chrony…”

“I must grant your wish. Tell me.”

His gesture of dusting off his clothes was full of displeasure.

He couldn’t understand. What had upset him? But an opportunity was an opportunity. Ian carefully stated his wish.

“I heard the Thanksgiving festival is coming up soon, and I want to go.”

“A festival… good. But it will only be for three hours. The commercial district is the main location, so it should be enough time to look around. I will assign guards, so be sure to stay with them, and contact with outsiders is strictly forbidden.”

“…I understand.”

Three hours. It was too short, but a sweet outing. Ian wanted to say thank you and ask if he was okay, but Chrony turned around abruptly and left the training ground.

It was from this time.

That Chrony’s behavior became strangely sharp and fierce.

“Welcome! We’re offering free beer for Thanksgiving! Come on in!”

“Come on, the roulette is spinning! The grand prize is a meal voucher worth one silver coin! Try your luck for just one copper coin!”

“Hey, isn’t this a scam? Let me spin it.”

“Hey, why are you doing this? Don’t touch it, and if you’re not going to do it, go away.”

“Hahaha! The bands are battling in the streets!”

“Dance! Dance! Woohoo!”

The laughter, music, people dancing in the streets, and the smells of all kinds of food he was experiencing for the first time. Ian was so caught up in the festival’s excitement that he was out of his mind.

A boy wearing a robe and the guards following him would have attracted attention, but everyone was too busy having fun to pay attention.

As he was wandering around the alley, that’s when-

“It’s the mages’ procession!”

At someone’s shout, Ian’s head turned involuntarily.

The people who had been scattered around quickly gathered, forming a huge crowd, and Ian was unintentionally swept away towards the street.

“Young master!”

“Damn it!”

The guards quickly followed, but the ever-increasing crowd kept widening the distance. Ian pointed towards the clock tower as if to say not to worry.

“Wow! It’s a mage!”

Since facing the mages could reveal his identity, Ian tried to move quickly.

But at that moment-

A shadow cast over his head.

“Ah.”

They were flying.

The mages moved freely, floating in the sky, and behind them, beautiful flower petals sparkled like afterimages.

Everyone reached out to touch them, and the mages, as if responding, scattered even more flower rain.

It was truly, truly beautiful.

Enough to bring tears to Ian’s eyes.

‘So, that’s what mages are like.’

Those who were born with blood considered lowly, but were closer to the gods than anyone else in the world.

Ian suddenly thought that it might be okay to leave Chrony’s mansion. If he could fly in the sky like them and perform miracles.

Swoosh.

He reached out his hand like the others. At the same time, he created a small amount of mana at his fingertips. It was instinct.

The moment Chrony’s warning came to mind, he flinched, but soon felt relieved. Surely, it would be hidden by the colorful flower rain. I’m just like them…

Tap!

“……!”

Amidst the countless hands reaching out, a mage sensed Ian’s presence with his sixth sense and grabbed his hand.

The neatly tied brown hair flowed down like waves. His brown eyes were fixed directly on Ian.

The two looked at each other in surprise.

“You, you’re a mana user?”

Naum Ovia.

It was the first hand from the sky that descended in Ian’s life.

“Mana user?”

“Oh, oh. Hey, kid! Are you really?”

“Let me, let me hold your hand! Oh my goodness, what a blessing in these end times? It seems the gods haven’t abandoned Bariel [a fictional kingdom] after all. Is this emperor going to last a bit longer?”

“Hey! What kind of reckless talk is that? Watch your mouth!”

“What does it matter? It’s our festival anyway. No one’s listening.”

“Uh, uh? Where are you going? Hey!”

Ian shook off Naum’s hand and started running. It was because of the complex emotions that were swirling within him. The joy of being recognized, the worry of being discovered, and a strangely relieved feeling all mixed together, making Ian dizzy.

“Excuse me-”

“Hello. Would you like a glass of juice?”

After hesitating for a long time, Ian spoke to a woman sitting at a stall. She greeted him warmly and held up a wooden cup, and Ian handed her a coin and asked.

“If I may ask. What do you think of a mage who is of noble birth?”

“Huh? Out of the blue? What are you talking about?”

“A noble, that is, a noble close to the imperial family, if they were a mage, what would you think?”

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

The woman thought for a moment, then smiled brightly, revealing her teeth.

“Wouldn’t it be a blessing for the empire? A noble person possessing a noble power, I don’t know how much the gods must love them. I’m envious!”

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that a customer is asking something strange. What do you think of a mage of noble birth?”

“Haha! That’s a very interesting thought. What can I say? They would probably be the most important person after the Emperor. Actually, these days, the imperial palace isn’t like the old imperial palace, so, well.”

“Oh my, shush! Don’t jinx a good day.”

“Okay, okay. I’m just saying, you know.”

The couple poured the drinks without a second thought, but Ian couldn’t accept them. It felt like the sky was falling, and all the time he had lived was being denied.

Chrony had clearly called him cursed, but other people said it was a blessing itself.

Ian just nodded and walked towards the clock tower. In the distance, he could see the guards who were waiting for him.

“Young master!”

“Are you alright? We were worried because you were late.”

“I’m sorry. Let’s go.”

“Are you going back already? There’s still time left.”

“No. I’m going back. I’m going to Chrony.”

The guards sensed the serious atmosphere and immediately prepared the carriage. Even while entering Chrony’s mansion, Ian remained silent, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window. He thought about what he would say when he met him.

“Chrony. I’ve been discovered.”

“What do you mean?”

“I met a mage in the street, and they found out that I am like them.”

Ian confessed calmly, while carefully observing Chrony’s reaction. Would he worry? Or would he be frustrated?

“Ian!”

Thud!

What Chrony showed was clear anger. He pointed his finger at Ian and trembled, and the more he did, the colder Ian’s mind became.

“I told you to be so careful, you stupid and foolish thing! Do you want to die! How are you going to handle this situation now!”

“Chrony.”

Ian called his name softly and looked him straight in the eye. The blue eyes, which proved he was a member of the imperial family, flickered fiercely.

“Why did you lie to me?”

“…Lie?”

“That’s enough. I really don’t know what’s what anymore. I will see and experience it myself.”

“What do you mean, Uncle Ian?”

“It means I don’t want to hide myself anymore.”

Whether it would be the Magic Department or the commoner’s pit, it didn’t matter anymore. The mage he had encountered outside was so beautiful and wondrous.

Chik.

Instead of answering, Chrony lit a cigarette.

Is it time now? The imperial palace is chaotic, and the balance of power is constantly shifting, never satisfied with its own weight.

What if Ian enters the Magic Department at this time? Although young, the halo of a noble-born mage would be intense, and that light would also reach his patron, himself.

“It seems there is a misunderstanding, Uncle. Everything I did was for your sake. Do you want to go to the Magic Department? The imperial palace is always a place of bloodshed. You are too young to know what kind of misfortune you might experience there.”

“……”

“But if you still want to go, yes. I understand. I will make preparations. But you must know this. If it weren’t for me, Uncle Ian would have been immediately manipulated by the dirty things outside, and you would have lost all your pride as a noble and a mage.”

Chrony exhaled smoke and smiled kindly. It was the smile that Ian had seen for almost his entire life.

“You will know when you go out. You will be grateful to me.”

Six months later.

Ian entered the palace for the first time at the optimal time that Chrony had set. And there, he faced a new world again-

“You are the blessing of the empire. The first noble mage! It’s nice to meet you. I am Naum Ovia. Please call me Naum.”

Naum Ovia.

He winked one eyebrow and smiled.

As if he was happy to see him again.