Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 693

It was night, the time when mages, who had been snoring in their sleep, began to wake up one by one. A white moon hung outside the window, and it was hard to tell if it had been a day or two since they last saw it. The mages stretched their stiff backs and rose from their beds.

“Haaahm. Slept well.”

“What time is it?”

“More than what time it is, I’m more curious about what day it is.”

“I’m so hungry, it must have been two days.”

“Don’t make a fuss. If you say that after sleeping for only a dozen hours, the commanders will think you’re cost-effective and won’t let you sleep.”

Huh! That’s right. The mages looked around with their swollen faces. Fortunately, and naturally, Commander Ian and the other high-ranking mages were not there.

Grumble.

At the sound of someone’s stomach, the mages staggered to their feet. They were terribly hungry. Should they go down to the dining hall and grab something to eat?

Most of the lights in the royal palace were off, and only a minimal number of guards were posted. Even they were nodding off with their heads tilted back.

“Tsk, tsk, always slacking off.”

“Huh? Over there.”

In the distance, a figure was walking across the middle of the lobby. It was a head of golden hair that shone brightly even in the night. The mages exchanged glances.

“…Isn’t that Ian?”

“Yeah, it is. Where is he going at this hour?”

“It looks like he’s going outside?”

Alone? The mages stared at the door Ian had gone through, then simultaneously lowered their bodies and went down the stairs.

At times like this, they really felt like they were in this together. They understood each other without having to say a word.

“I’m uneasy. He’s not the type to go out alone.”

“Exactly. He’s the type to rest by His Majesty’s side.”

“H-h-he might be going far away?”

At someone’s suggestion, the mages turned around with pale faces.

“There have been so many bad things happening, and he’s at an age where he’s very sensitive… His body might move before his mind does-”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, go back and sleep more.”

Even while saying that, the mages didn’t stop following Ian.

Ian glanced at the exhausted soldiers and passed by them, soon stepping out of the castle gates. It was definitely strange. What should they do? Should they follow him there too?

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Hick!”

Just as they were peeking their heads out from the corner, a familiar voice was heard.

It was Beric. He peeked his head out like the mages, looking to see what they were looking at.

“Huh? It’s Ian? I-!”

“Shh! Shhh!”

The mages barely managed to cover Beric’s mouth and stopped him. Just as their rest was precious to them, so was Ian’s. Especially since he was always buried in work, time alone would be precious to him.

“Are you guys crazy? Then go back and do your own thing.”

“No, but it’s a bit unsettling to leave him alone like that.”

“Don’t you know? Beric, you bastard. Don’t you really know what this feeling is? I’m disappointed.”

Ugh. It was then that Beric was scratching his ear. Thud! Ian lightly flew down and quickly descended towards the city.

The mages quickly threw on their robes and followed him. A surprised Beric grabbed the mages’ legs and followed them.

“Ah! You’re heavy, you jerk!”

“Just fly quietly. Do you want Ian to find out?”

“Damn it, I’m going to drop you and kill you.”

“Heh. If you could die from that, you’d be dead already.”

“You’ve even taken on a junior, how about growing up a little?”

“Then are you guys all grown up, following your superior around?”

…They had no answer.

The mages hardened their expressions and kept their distance from Ian. If they got too close, they would be discovered, and if they were too far, they would lose him.

Indeed, where was Ian trying to go? This wasn’t Bariel, and what business could he have in Kalamat, the heart of Vergos?

Thud.

“Is there a person in charge?”

Ian landed on the wall near the sewage of Vergos and called for the guards. The guards, who were half-asleep, quickly ran over and saluted.

“W-what is the matter?”

“I am Ian Hiel, the Minister of Magic. I would like to check the condition of the sewage. Can you remove the planks?”

“Ah, it is possible for a part of it. Will it be for a short time? The stench is so bad that if we leave it open for too long, the nearby residents will make a fuss.”

“Of course.”

The longer it was left open, the worse the stench became, so they had temporarily blocked the river with wooden planks.

At the captain’s gesture, the soldiers moved busily, and soon pulled out one of the wooden planks. Ian frowned and covered his nose with his sleeve.

“…It’s bad.”

“The soil in contact with the river is noticeably deteriorating.”

“That’s enough. You can cover it again.”

The advance team sent to investigate the sewage had not yet returned. There were no means of communication, and no information was coming in, what a mess.

Ian pondered for a moment. Paradoxically, the greater the damage to Vergos and Cliford, the more beneficial it was to Bariel in the short term. They could actively gain the support of the people of Vergos and the help of Cliford with a common enemy called Tolun.

“How are the nearby residents doing?”

“They can’t live with the stench, so they are gradually moving away from the river. Most of them seem to be living in the inner city.”

The more the dead land expanded, the higher the population density would inevitably become. This was a matter related to the quality of life.

‘The mother and daughter who are possessed will have a bit of a headache.’

In order to oust the existing Vergos royal family and seize power, the support of the people was most important. But for this to happen, of all times. Hopefully, they know how to channel their anger into power.

“Alright. Then, everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

“Ah, y-yes!”

Thud!

Ian said that to the guards, and this time, he walked into the city.

What a bolt out of the blue in the middle of the night, phew. Just as the guards were about to wipe away their cold sweat, something whooshed past in an instant.

“Hick!”

It was the mages. And they were dangling a red-haired man.

The guards stared for a long time at the spot where the mages had vanished in an instant, then slumped down as if their tension had been released.

“Is Minister Ian really resting right now?”

“He should be having a picnic by the river, not going around looking at things like that.”

“Where is he trying to go this time?”

Berrick, who was looking down at the street from the sky, tilted his head in confusion. For some reason, it felt very familiar.

Then—

“Oh, here!”

He remembered! It was that gallery he had broken into through the window! The place where he had stolen the magic stone painting while drunk! Wasn’t it a merchant from there who had told him about Hiel’s situation?

Ian had come to that very gallery. He wanted to check if there were any new clues to be found.

Thud.

The mages and Berrick landed in the alley and peeked out. Sure enough, Ian was staring strangely at the tightly locked gallery door.

“It looks like Ian is working, should we just go back?”

“Wait a moment.”

Just then, the owner of the pub across from the gallery came out with a bucket. He splashed water on the street and asked,

“What business do you have there in the middle of the night?”

“Excuse me. Do you know when this gallery was locked? I heard that someone from the Bael Imperial Palace came to investigate.”

“Oh, it had been open ever since that mess. But was it two days ago? A man claiming to be the gallery owner came, tidied up a bit, and locked the door.”

“The gallery owner?”

Ian’s brow furrowed.

According to the report, the gallery used to supply paintings to the palace. But when Damon was taken hostage, it naturally declined, and it had been closed for nearly ten years. It was written that it was impossible to even identify the owner.

But an owner?

“Why? Are you a palace official?”

“Yes, I am. I have something to ask. Where is that owner?”

“He’s inside, having a drink.”

As luck would have it, the owner gestured inside. “He said he was grateful for watching over the gallery for ten years or something. Honestly, he’s buying all the drinks. I’m just doing my business here.”

It was fortunate. Just as Ian was about to step into the pub, the owner blocked his way with an empty bucket.

“Hey!”

“…?”

What was the problem? Ian looked at him questioningly. The owner wiggled his bushy eyebrows and shook his head.

“Our pub doesn’t allow children after ten.”

“…Is there such a law in Vergos?”

“There isn’t in Vergos, but there is in my pub!”

Those immature kids get drunk and cause trouble. It’s annoying and dirty, so I made that rule! The owner’s attitude was firm.

Ian stepped back and looked inside the pub. There were quite a few people, so he couldn’t tell who the gallery owner was.

“Would it be okay if I prove that I’m an employee of the Imperial Palace?”

“Sorry, but that won’t work either. Recently, some swordsman from the palace drank a lot and ran away without paying! After that, no credit for anyone.”

Drank a lot and ran away? The mages, who were eavesdropping, rolled their eyes and looked at Berrick.

“What the hell was this guy doing?”

“No, it wasn’t like that, I was just distracted by the painting. At that time.”

The owner glanced at Ian, who had a handsome face. Although he was wearing a black robe, the lining looked quite luxurious, and above all, he had a dignified aura.

He didn’t seem like a low-ranking soldier… and he didn’t look like someone who would cause trouble after drinking. Hmm, should he make an exception?

“Ahem. Do you have any money?”

“Money…”

Ian rummaged through his pockets. He had come out lightly, so he was broke. The owner let out a dumbfounded “Ha!” and picked up a broom.

“Honestly, why are the people from the Bael Imperial Palace so shameless? How can you try to enter a pub without any money? Huh?”

Swish, swish! Then, as if he wanted them to leave quickly, he started sweeping the floor.

Ian had no choice but to turn around and ask. It was an angle that accurately looked at the mages hiding in the alley in the dark.

“Do any of you have any money?”

“……!”

“Or Berrick, you might have to pay with your body.”

Shit. How did he know? The mages closed their eyes tightly. If they had known this would happen, they would have left when Berrick suggested it!

Everyone hesitated to show themselves, but Berrick confidently walked out, waving his hand.

“Seriously, he’s so perceptive. Since when did he know?”

“Is that important?”

“H-hey! You are!”

“Owner, long time no see. It wasn’t intentional that I ran away without paying last time. I’m sorry. I don’t have money, so… how about some sweeping?”

Then, the mages also wriggled out of the darkness. They all had messy faces as if they had just woken up. They smiled awkwardly and emptied their pockets.

“Minister Ian. We only have some small change since we just woke up.”

“We’re sorry…”

Clink!

But what they called small change was all gold coins. The owner’s eyes spun.

But wait a minute. What did those guys just call this boy?

“I-Ian?”

Minister of Magic of Bael, Ian Hiel? Was that him?

Ian looked at the gold coins that the mages had offered one by one, then showed them to the owner. As if to ask if it was enough to go in.

“Y-yes, go in. Go in.”

It wasn’t the owner who guided them, but Berrick. He was already holding a broom and acting like an employee.

Creak.

Ian pushed open the waist-high wooden door and looked inside.