Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 613

“Lady Kayla is in critical condition?”

“Yes, her life isn’t in danger, but it seems she was severely tortured. Currently, the Royalist executives have returned inside the Kalamat gates and have stated they will greet the Bariel army upon their arrival.”

“…Tortured, you say.”

Jin repeated, concern evident in his voice. He felt sympathy for the Holin family’s daughter, but he was also worried that Lady Danit might act rashly.

Ian, sensing Jin’s concern, added more details.

“There’s no need to worry. Lady Danit was able to retrieve Lady Kayla thanks to Bariel’s mediation. It seems Lady Danit and the Royalists will be in serious conflict, and they’ll likely be too busy keeping each other in check. Rather, they now have a reason to rely on Bariel, so they’ll refrain from reckless actions for the time being.”

Ian immediately grasped the conflict between Lady Danit and the Royalists. He had sensed the tension at the mansion, and Lady Danit’s expression was quite grim when she brought Lady Kayla back.

“How badly, and in what way, was she hurt?”

“She has severe bruises and fractures. In particular, there is damage to her teeth and vision-”

At those words, Barsabe’s ears perked up.

“It is also believed that there will be permanent issues with her ankles.”

Similarly, Acorella turned her head sharply. It was the reaction of those who empathized with the pain. Just as Jin was about to let out a faint sigh,

“Your Majesty, Lady Danit has requested an audience.”

“Lady Danit? Let her in.”

As soon as Jin gave his permission, Lady Danit appeared, personally pushing aside the tent flap. Perhaps because she had been holding Kayla, her green velvet dress was stained with blood.

She bowed politely and then nodded her head to Ian in gratitude.

“I heard Lady Kayla’s condition isn’t good.”

“Yes, but she returned alive thanks to Your Majesty. I am grateful that she is alive.”

“…Yes, what is it?”

In fact, it was the Imperial Palace that had put her in that danger, yet Lady Danit’s attitude was quite polite, though it was just a formality. There must be something else on her mind.

“My heart aches as a mother because Kayla has gone through so much, but the greater cause is still the greater cause. After discussing it with my daughter, Kayla has decided not to return to Bariel.”

Everyone except Jin and Ian looked slightly surprised. Hadn’t they witnessed Kayla’s desire for the Empress position at the Imperial Palace? But she wouldn’t return to Bariel? Why?

“Kayla will stay here to help me focus on the reconstruction of Kalamat, and when the time comes, I will return to Bariel in her stead.”

That was unexpected. This time, even Ian raised an eyebrow. That meant she was handing over the start of the new dynasty of Burgos to Kayla.

Lady Danit had been active in Burgos for nearly ten years, so it was natural for her to take the lead. More than anything, Lady Danit was a closer relative to the direct line than Kayla, who was a generation younger.

However, she shook her head.

“Can any parent win against their child? I couldn’t refuse when she came to me in such a miserable state. But I also cannot abandon the Holin family in Bariel, so I decided it would be right for me to return.”

She would stay here until Kayla was crowned, though.

In any case, the matter she was conveying was clear. Kayla had given up the Empress position.

“So, I would like to discuss something with you.”

“…What is it that you wish to discuss?”

“The Bariel army was able to enter Kalamat using my daughter’s blood as a stepping stone. I believe you will not deny this. The Holin family supplied them with low-grade weapons as ordered by the Imperial Palace and fully took on the risk.”

Bariel had entered without bloodshed, but the battle between the Royalists and Lady Danit remained. Whichever side survived would become the new dynasty of Burgos.

Lady Danit bowed her head and asked the Emperor.

“Currently, there are no Holin family troops available for deployment within Burgos. Due to the Royalists’ wariness of a third force emerging during the civil war, we even had to entrust simple supplies and transportation.”

They had Lord Chandet, whom they had previously won over, but it wasn’t enough considering the level of their enemies.

“It seems the younger members of the Royalists can be persuaded, but the only answer for those above them is a purge. That is the conclusion I have reached.”

“And so?”

“Please provide military support. Even if you do not directly support me, please help the Holin family increase their influence in Kalamat. Then, the Royalists will soon gather their forces and revolt.”

They were the ones who had been in conflict for ten years to protect their power. If the tide turned in favor of the Holin family, they were likely to rise up again with force.

It was a bloodless entry for now, but it meant that someone would have to shed blood in Kalamat someday.

“There is one contradiction. Firstly, from Bariel’s perspective, it does not matter if the Royalists inherit the dynasty of Burgos.”

“I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness before I speak.”

Lady Danit bowed to Jin as if she had been waiting for this moment and continued.

“The matter of supplying low-grade weapons is enough to damage the trust between Bariel and Burgos. Even if the parties involved somehow smooth it over, it will be difficult to win back the scattered public sentiment. Public sentiment is essential for those without legitimacy to maintain power. I believe it would be a more rational choice to choose the Holin family over the Royalists.”

The low-grade weapon issue was the last poison the Holin family held. If they died, it would immediately spread and cause chaos, so she was asking them to consider Bariel and the Holin family as one.

“That is the same for the Royalists. Holin, aren’t you rooted next to the Bariel Imperial Palace? The Royalists will surely try to frame the low-grade weapon supply as your sole action as a way to keep the Holin family in check, wouldn’t they?”

If they did that, the Royalists could easily get rid of the Holin family, and Bariel could sit back and watch their influence decline.

The point was this: whichever side was chosen by Bariel would win, and if Lady Danit wanted to achieve that, she had to offer something more.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

The Holin family had lost their monopoly and their territory had also been reduced. Could they offer what Bariel wanted? At Jin’s question, Lady Danit took out a bundle of certificates from her pocket.

“What is this?”

“These are the bonds that the Burgos Royalists have issued so far.”

“……!”

“For your information, these are profits obtained through other means, not from the low-grade weapon supply. I would like to mention in advance that they are not subject to taxation.”

“What other means?”

“It is compensation for receiving a portion of the payment for the Royalists’ troop operations. The details are written here. It has been reviewed with the Holin family’s lawyer, so there are no issues.”

At Jin’s gesture, Ian took them instead. The dates and reasons for receiving the bonds were written in detail. The amount was far more than expected, at 30,000 gold coins. In addition, it included the right to claim ownership of some territory within Kalamat.

“I will give you this. Please dispatch troops that are appropriate for this. If we can successfully drive out the Royalists, Kayla will compensate you double the amount of the bonds in the future.”

What if they failed to drive them out? The bonds would become Bariel’s property, and they could demand money from the Royalists. Either way, there was no risk for Bariel.

Jin turned to Ian, and they both nodded at the same time.

“Very well.”

Lady Danit let out a big sigh, as if relieved. She had been truly desperate if even this was rejected. She bowed deeply to the Emperor.

“But, is there a need to send many soldiers?”

“We need at least 3,000 to have some leeway-”

“Isn’t it enough to just deal with the Royalist executives first?”

“…That is true.”

Jin tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingertips and looked behind him. Siao-si was standing guard like a shadow.

“Siao-si.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You are the perfect person for this kind of task. Go quietly.”

“I will obey your command.”

Lady Danit raised her hand, looking puzzled. Shouldn’t this be more complicated?

“Your Majesty, I apologize for saying this, but based on what I have directly confirmed from the Royalists’ closest aides, this is a matter that requires a cautious approach. That person seems to be just a single officer, and no matter how skilled he is, it is impossible for him to do it alone. There are more than seven key Royalist executives, and the security is tight, so it will not be easy. Please send a magic swordsman or a mage with him.”

It was 30,000 gold coins for just one night. No, if they succeeded, they would give double that, so how could they put a price on it? Of course, Jin did not doubt Siao-si’s work, but he hesitated for a moment when Lady Danit desperately added to her request. There was no harm in being cautious.

“I understand. Then, I will also dispatch some from the Imperial Guard.”

“Thank you.”

“First, we will enter Kalamat. Lady Danit, prepare to move as well.”

“Yes, then I will take my leave first. Thank you once again for your grace.”

The lady bowed deeply and left the tent.

The mages, who had been quietly observing the situation, whispered among themselves.

“How does she have 30,000 gold coins in her secret stash?”

“Well, it seems reasonable for ten years of work.”

“If it’s the Imperial Guard, will Beric go too?”

“If he goes, it’ll exceed the budget. Siao-si alone is enough.”

“Hey, what are you talking about? If he goes, it’ll be a loss. It’s an assassination, not something else, how well would Beric do?”

“…Is that so?”

While the mages were talking about Beric’s worth, Jin directly ordered Tweller and Siao-si.

“Enter Kalamat, identify all the Royalist executives, and report the infiltration routes and schedules as soon as you finish surveying the inside of the city.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then, let’s start preparing to move as well.”

Swoosh.

Siao-si left the Emperor’s tent and headed to the main camp. The Bariel camp also had to start moving to meet the time they had told the Royalists.

Chirp- Chirp-

Amidst the loud chirping of crickets, Siao-si quickly crossed the camp. Then, he heard voices.

“What did you say? Lady Kayla?”

Between the tents, Chloe was seen facing the supply officer. She looked more disheveled than when she had first left Bariel. She had her arms crossed and was seriously discussing something with the other person.

“Shh! Don’t speak so loudly. I just heard it. It’s not confirmed, but I heard her condition is serious.”

“Oh my goodness, what happened?”

“The details are not known. I will look into it further later.”

“Okay. So, it’s true that something happened to Lady Kayla?”

“Yes, yes. That is certain.”

They had heard the news that Kayla, who had been aiming for the Empress position, had returned in a battered state.

Chloe wondered if her sacrifice would be recognized as a merit. Hadn’t the Emperor said that he would give the Empress title to those who went to war with him and achieved merit?

Crunch.

Chloe ruffled her roughly tied-up hair and frowned. She had already passed through two cities, but Chloe herself had done nothing. But what about Kayla?

“Damn it.”

She couldn’t just stay here guarding supplies. Chloe muttered something through her teeth and then turned and disappeared between the tents.