Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 735

Banusah pulled the rusty door handle, peering inside the building. It was a place managed by her family, but it wasn’t frequented often, being on the outskirts of the capital.

Dust lay thick everywhere, and objects of unknown purpose were scattered about. *Who was the caretaker again?* Banusah frowned, looking around.

*Creak.*

Banusah, who had opened the inner door, paused. There were traces on the white dust. It meant that someone else had entered the building before her.

Was there another entrance in the back? There were signs of someone entering, but none of them leaving. If there wasn’t an exit in the back, it meant the guest was still somewhere in this building.

Banusah stepped into the hallway, ready to turn into water at any moment. Following someone’s footsteps, carefully, and secretly…

*Bang!*

“Kyaaaaak!”

A shrill scream erupted as the door was flung open. Banusah reflexively tried to swing her sword but stopped. It was a scream that didn’t have even a hint of aggression.

She carefully examined the boys and girls huddled and trembling in the darkness. They looked familiar.

“B, B, Banusah-nim?”

They were the servants who had been with the family since birth.

Unlike Banusah, they recognized their master right away. The only light was a faint ray of sunlight filtering through the old curtains, but it was enough.

“Banusah-nim!”

“You guys…”

The children ran to her and hugged her tightly. She didn’t know how long it had been. After leaving for the Masantar Temple, she hadn’t heard any news, so she had been very worried.

“You’re safe!”

“Why are you all here? Not at the mansion?”

The children all clung to Banusah’s waist, their eyes filled with tears. A lot of things were contained in that short silence. The tallest of them spoke up.

“An order came from the royal palace. They said that everyone from the spirit mage family, regardless of their ability to handle spirits, had to help with the palace’s work. Our parents went to the palace first.”

“What?”

Banusah asked back as if she couldn’t believe it. What was this all about? The people belonging to the family were clearly the family’s private property. But they were being drafted by the royal palace? Banusah was dumbfounded, her mind going blank.

“The young master strongly opposed sending the spirit mages, but it seems it was no use. So, most of the family members were called to the palace. We were hidden out here on the outskirts by the young master to observe the situation…”

The young master was Banusah’s younger brother.

*Of all times…*

It was clear that this was the royal palace’s plan to secure supplies and manpower from outside for this war. Especially Banusah’s family, whose head was away in Masantar, would have been an easy target.

“What about the other, other families?”

“The, the fire family seemed to be in a similar situation as us. We haven’t heard any news since we came here…”

“This is crazy.”

Banusah muttered, running a hand through her hair. Did that mean the situation in the royal palace was that bad? Or were they trying to expand their influence over each family under the pretext of securing war supplies?

To understand this objectively, it was necessary to first grasp the situation of the ministers. If the royal palace was really in a bad situation, they would have raided the coffers of the closest ministers first. If they said the country would collapse if they didn’t give, how many would be able to resist?

*Perhaps, if it’s a measure to keep the family in check…*

Just hiding the children could provide the royal palace with an excuse.

Banusah sighed deeply and patted the children’s shoulders.

“Did you eat anyth-”

*Thump! Thump!*

Just as she was about to ask if they had eaten anything, the outer door shook violently. The startled children cowered, and Banusah also tensed up, drawing her sword.

“B, Banusah-nim!”

“It’s okay.”

There was another guest coming. Banusah carefully grabbed the doorknob and held her breath. What time was it? It was a bit too early for the Bariel mages to pass the screening, wasn’t it?

If it wasn’t them, there was a high chance it was an investigation team dispatched by the royal palace to find an excuse. To question the crime of hiding manpower in defiance of the royal order.

*If it’s an investigation team, I’ll cut them down.*

Banusah decided and asked.

“…Who is it?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Who is this guy named Artor?”

“What?”

It was nonsense. Banusah thought that the only people who would come here and spout nonsense were mages. So, she lowered her guard and flung the door open.

As expected, the mages, looking like beggars, were muttering half-dazed.

“Who the hell is Artor, taking our Ian-nim…”

“Ian-nim for just three silver coins… no, seriously. Not even gold, I can’t live with this.”

“Artor’s daughter must be happy. Getting Ian-nim as a gift… is this what they call a bloodline difference?”

“Everyone, get a grip. Ian-nim will be back soon. Seriously, anyone would think he was really sold off.”

“He was really sold off! They even put a ribbon around his neck!”

“Hey, no. That’s just something a border guard said.”

“You believe that? You believe that?”

“No, then ask Ian-nim yourself when he comes back!”

“Wait-!”

Banusah lightly slammed the wall as if to ask them to shut up and explain the situation.

The mages, who had been making a racket, stopped at her action. But it was only for a moment, and they nonchalantly passed her and went inside.

“Oh my, this place is a dust pit too. The carriage was a mess as well.”

“Banusah, do you have any spare clothes here? I feel like my crotch is about to rip.”

“Why are you asking for more? Find something to wear yourself.”

“Oh? Who are these kids? Banusah, are they your children?”

“No way. Banusah, you had kids? They look younger than me?”

“No, listen to me!”

Banusah locked the door and pressed them.

“So, what happened to Ian-kyung? Explain it to me.”

The mages, who had been watching her, answered at the same time.

“He was sold off.”

* * *

*Use your wits!*

*That thing around your neck, use your head!*

*Damn it, why Ian-nim of all people!*

*He has an eye for quality, doesn’t he?*

*Is this the time to say that?*

*They should have taken Acorella instead.*

*That would be a problem too.*

The mages exchanged such conversations with their eyes. The examiner, who had said he would buy Ian, looked at the merchant leader, jingling three silver coins. As if asking what the problem was.

“Why is that?”

“Ah, that is-”

The merchant leader tried to ignore the mages’ heated gazes and closed his eyes tightly. And tried to regain his composure.

23 years of experience in the slave trade. He had met all sorts of customers. Of course, mages who suddenly appeared and tried to smash people’s heads were a first, but there were many customers who said they would buy something that wasn’t for sale.

“I’m sorry. That person, no, that guy is not for sale.”

“Why? You said you would sell him as soon as we came in.”

“Th, that guy already has a deposit on him.”

“What? Seriously.”

He was handsome, and anyone would be happy to receive him as a gift. The examiner kept looking at Ian, clicking his tongue as if he was still regretful.

He was too good to let go! Unable to shake off his lingering feelings, the examiner leaned his face close to the bars and asked Ian.

“Is that true?”

“I don’t know anything.”

“Aigo! Damn it! He even has a nice voice!”

The examiner kept hitting his forehead and lamenting. Afraid that he might ask for other guys, the merchant leader approached him and whispered urgently.

“I have a bit of a stomach ache, so can I leave now?”

“Hmm, okay. Well, there’s nothing I can do. But how much is the deposit?”

“Th, it’s one gold coin.”

“Oh? Isn’t that too cheap for his looks?”

“That’s, because it’s a deposit…”

“Ah. I see.”

The examiner kept shaking his head and rummaged through his pocket. It was the moment he was about to stamp the pass.

“Who?”

Someone reached out and stopped the examiner. It was Mer, his superior and the chief of immigration control. The examiner was startled and saluted.

“Chief Examiner. What brings you here?”

“The replacement had an issue, so I came instead.”

“Huh.”

Damn it. My day off is ruined. The examiner swallowed the curses that were rising in his throat in despair.

Regardless, Mer looked at the back of the carriage and asked.

“But who were you talking to so much… ah. Is that him? Blonde hair and green eyes. Wow, amazing. He’s really pretty.”

Mer’s eyes sparkled.

At this, the examiner slowly backed away. He was always in a bad mood, but whenever he reacted like that, it always led to trouble. The merchant leader, sensing a new threat, also swallowed hard.

“So, who?”

“Yes?”

“Who put down the deposit? If they’re paying a gold coin as a deposit, there aren’t many in the city right now.”

“Ah, that is…”

Who should I say? Whoever I say, they’re probably already acquainted with him, aren’t they? As the merchant leader racked his brain, Mer smiled and drove the wedge in.

“Instead, just write a letter. Saying you’ll return the deposit.”

“…Yes?”

“We’ll pay it instead. Let’s hand that kid over to us. Okay? He’s too good. I was worried because Artor-nim hasn’t been in a good mood lately. He’ll be really happy if we give him as a gift.”

And then, he lightly shook the merchant leader’s pass.

It was a high-level threat. If they didn’t hand him over, they wouldn’t be allowed to enter. If that happened, they would be no different from running off with the deposit and would lose the chance to dispose of the other slaves.

“I know everyone in the city, so you don’t have to worry about any repercussions.”

“Ah…”

If they didn’t hand over that kid, they would be banned from entering. The merchant leader hesitated for a moment and then glanced inside the carriage. He needed the mages’ advice on what to do.

*Hmm.*

Ian, who had been watching the situation, sighed softly as if he was annoyed. If they were blocked here, he didn’t know how long it would take to find a way inside. Then, it would be right to go in first and then figure out the next step.

He would join the mages with Banusah, and then he would ‘temporarily’ get sold and then run away. He wasn’t without magic power, so there wouldn’t be a problem.

*Click.*

Ian nodded as if to say it was okay. The mages cried out silently and glared at him, saying they couldn’t do this, but Ian didn’t budge. It was the best option. No matter how he thought about it.

“Ah, well, now that I think about it, I think it’s okay. I’ll take care of the deposit myself.”

“Are you sure? I feel so bad.”

He didn’t look sorry at all.

Mer smiled brightly and patted the merchant leader’s shoulder. Just a moment ago, he was about to bankrupt an entire merchant group without batting an eye…

“…No, it’s, it’s okay.”

“Thank you. Then, as a reward, I’ll give you preferential treatment for immigration checks from now on. Come straight to the front, ignoring the line. You don’t even need to bring change. How’s that? Good, right?”

“Th… Thank you.”

“Okay, now open the carriage and take out the pretty one.”

“Ah, yes!”

At Mer’s instruction, the examiner moved quickly, and Ian obediently took the examiner’s hand and got out of the carriage.

The mages all reached out to Ian in silent screams, but some of the more sensible mages bit their lips and stopped them.

“Should we prepare the ribbon for this guy’s neck too?”

“Should we? Then, make it as cute and pretty as possible.”

Ian, who had been following obediently, flinched.

“……”

…Ribbon? A deep regret flashed across Ian’s profile for a moment.

Oh