Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 739

“Market Lord, has there been any separate contact from the royal palace?” Chief Examiner Mer carefully placed his teacup down and asked.

Everyone knew that the Market Lord always enjoyed boasting about the king, but in reality, he knew nothing about the royal palace’s affairs. Nevertheless, he subtly probed because they were in a time of war.

Rumors were rampant that the great army of Bariel was advancing close to the capital, and as if to prove it, the movements of the regular army within the royal palace were unusual.

They had to gather as much information as possible and make their own choices—whether to flee or seize an opportunity.

“Hmm. It seems he’s busy with official duties.”

“Is that so?” Mer smiled outwardly, but inwardly he clicked his tongue.

Even if there was no direct communication, the king had condoned this man’s rise to the position of Market Lord. That meant he held some paternal affection for him, didn’t it? At a time like this, he should be giving subtle hints to ensure his father’s safety, but there was still no special reaction.

‘Did it fail?’ He had put in so much effort; was it all for nothing?

Chief Examiner Mer picked up a pastry and briefly rolled his eyes. No. Thinking differently, it could be a positive sign.

‘Is it because he’s safe that there’s nothing to say?’

“Actually, I was planning to go to the royal palace soon.”

“To the royal palace?”

“Since loyal subjects like you are worried about the king’s safety, I’m going to deliver this myself and see that the king is safe.”

“Ah.”

There were so many people chirping beside him like Mer, so he was probably thinking of showing off this time. Whether there would be any gains or not didn’t matter. It wouldn’t be a problem even if he wasn’t welcomed. The important thing was that he could enter the royal palace itself.

Mer smiled and bowed politely. “Yes, Market Lord. Please do convey our words. The country is in turmoil, and His Majesty’s will is needed everywhere.”

“Of course, of course. Don’t worry.”

“It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave first.”

“Without having a meal?”

“Ah. It’s alright. It seems like there’s some commotion outside—”

What was the point of staying here when he had finished his business? As Mer was about to get up, there was a loud commotion in the hallway. It was the servants who had come running to report the gathering protesters.

Bang!

“Master, something terrible has happened!”

“What is it?” The Market Lord’s face turned pale as he listened to the servants’ report. Had these lowly things finally lost their minds! How dare they come here with weapons? The Market Lord jumped up and ordered, “Arrest all the insolent ones without exception! Contact the guards immediately!”

“They are already being suppressed, but strangely, the protesters aren’t easily giving way.”

“Why? They’re just a bunch of riffraff with farm tools.”

No one knew that mages were hiding among the people, lending their strength. The servants shrugged, not knowing what was going on, and suggested to Mer, “So, it might be a bit difficult for you to go outside. Especially for Chief Examiner Mer.”

They were shouting for an end to the Examiner Corps’ tyranny, so naturally, their target was Mer.

Mer smiled, looking troubled, and leaned his arm on the back of the sofa. “This is something. Everyone’s gotten too comfortable. The enemies are invading outside, and they’re trying to devour each other inside.”

“Exactly! Tsk, tsk.”

“Market Lord, if it’s alright with you, may I impose on your hospitality?”

“Of course. There are many empty rooms.”

“Thank you. I’ll leave when things quiet down in the early morning.” Mer nodded, expressing his gratitude.

It seemed like the message had been delivered, but the servant didn’t seem to be leaving. When the Market Lord gestured, the hesitant servant confessed, “…And, the merchant who sold the slave has come to see you.”

“That guy? Why?”

“He’s worried if there might be any defects, and he also wants to ask if you are pleased with him.”

“What a ridiculous fellow!” His intentions were obvious. He had said the slave was for the Market Lord, so he was trying to get a piece of the pie. The Market Lord waved his hand dismissively, as if annoyed. “That’s enough. Send him back, I don’t need him. That’s why these gnats are no good.”

“Understood, Master.”

“Chief Examiner, you should rest too. I have work to do.” The Market Lord said that and solemnly picked up a report, not even realizing that the letters on the cover were upside down.

Mer glanced at it, then politely bowed and retreated. He was sure that once he left, the Market Lord would continue building his card castle.

Squeak.

Mer left the mansion and walked down the hallway, guided by a servant. He was heading to the guest room.

Then, he suddenly noticed a figure. In the distance, a slave was standing alone, looking out the window, very elegantly, leaning his upper body against the window frame.

‘……?’ How could that be the attitude of a slave who had been sold to a strange place? Anyone would think he was the owner of the mansion. Mer was about to approach the slave to strike up a conversation, but then—

“Where have you been!”

“Did you find me?”

“Of course! Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve even named you yet. How about Sebastian?”

“…I don’t like it.”

“Then how about Happy?”

“……” Suddenly, Aris appeared, grabbed the slave’s arm, and turned the corner.

“……” Mer watched the place where they had disappeared, then followed the servant into the guest room. It was a bit of a waste, but since Aris liked him so much, he figured he had gotten his money’s worth.

‘It might be good to use Aris later when I have something to ask for.’

* * *

“Can you read?” It was night. Aris, who had changed into her pajamas, lay in bed and called Ian. Next to the child, there was a mountain of storybooks piled up. It seemed like she wanted him to read them until she fell asleep. So, Ian shook his head. “I can’t read.”

He was cutting off any troublesome tasks from the start… Ah! So that’s why the mages sometimes did that.

“Geez, Sebastian is useless except for being pretty? Oh well, I’ll read them myself then.” Aris said that and began to read the storybooks to herself. Ian, who had been quietly watching her, asked casually, “How about asking your father to read them to you?”

“To Father?” Aris had no emotions, but there was something she had to do. Ian suggested that to create a good memory with her father for the last time.

The child rolled her eyes, then shook her head and smiled brightly. “It’s okay.”

“Why?”

“Father doesn’t like this kind of thing.”

“This kind of thing?”

“Being bothered.” Playing and care were always the servants’ responsibility. Her father would only call Aris’s name and hug her when he had time or when they happened to meet.

And that was it. Once, Aris had asked him to join her, but her father had refused outright because he had too much official work.

“So it’s okay. I’m fine even without Father.”

“You’re admirable.”

“Of course. Naturally.” Aris smiled brightly, then began to blink her eyes. It was already past 10 PM. The outside was completely quiet, and the child was unknowingly exhausted from having gotten a toy she liked after a long time.

As her soft breathing grew louder, Ian left the room, leaving the door open.

“Hey. Is the young lady? Is she already asleep?” The servant, who had been waiting outside the door, asked, raising a lamp. Usually, she would have whined for a couple of hours to have a book read to her, but that guy was quite something.

The servant jingled a bunch of keys and gestured to Ian. It was time for the slave to go to the slave’s room.

“It’s a bit drafty, but there shouldn’t be anything lacking. If the young lady doesn’t lose interest in a few days, you’ll get a better room—” Ziiing! Ziiing!

Ian turned his head and looked at the servant. In the dark hallway, his green eyes instantly turned gold and began to glow. The startled servant instinctively took a step back, but he couldn’t go far. From his feet, amber-colored material rose up and tightly bound his entire body.

“Cu, cugh! Huk!” “Shhh.” Ian took the lamp from his hand and lightly blew on it. Besides the moonlight, there was nothing left to illuminate the surroundings.

Ian lightly pulled the man’s chin as if telling him to open his mouth, and then put an Idgal gag [a magical gag that prevents speech] in his mouth. “If you make a fuss, you will die.”

“…Ump! Ump!” “When the flames rise, I will release my power, so take Aris and run outside. Do you understand?” The servant just stared down at Ian with a terrified face. He wanted to nod, but it was difficult because his entire body except for his nostrils was tightly bound by Idgal.

Ian patted his shoulder and then headed upstairs. The Market Lord’s room was there.

Squeak.

While Ian was going up the stairs, he met three more servants. But it was not a problem. The darkness was thick, and Ian’s golden eyes only flashed for a moment, so they couldn’t even make a groan.

In front of the Market Lord’s door, Ian checked the faint light leaking through the crack in the door. ‘He’s still awake.’ It didn’t matter. Ian threw the door open without making a sound. The Market Lord, who was sharing a drink with a strange woman, was startled and spilled his glass.

“Huk!” “Oh my!” “You, what do you think you’re doing here!” “Are you alright, Market Lord?” “Y-yes, yes.” Ian looked around. There were no guards hiding in the shadows.

Well, he was just a man who had barely managed to get the position of Market Lord by clinging to the king’s power. No one with the skills to hide in the shadows would risk their life to protect him.

“Well, since he has nothing.” “What are you saying? Do you want to die!” Ziiing! Ziiing!

Instead of answering, Ian used Idgal to bind the Market Lord’s body. The startled woman jumped up and ran towards the door, and Ian didn’t bother to catch her. As the Market Lord struggled, unable to move, Ian lightly pushed his chest and knocked him onto the bed.

“Wh-wh-what!” “I have business.” “You, what are you! You monster! Outside! Is there no one outside?!” He was a fool who didn’t even know what a mage was. Ian took a decorative sword hanging on the wall and pointed it at his neck.

Even so, the Market Lord seemed genuinely clueless. After all, even if he was the king’s father, he had no political standing. He had no enemies, and even if he did, they weren’t worth killing.

“Why, why are you doing this? Huh? Let’s talk first.” “You were curious about who I am. And why I came here.”

“Wait a minute! Wait!” “Actually, I had a chance before entering the mansion. I could have turned around and left.” Ian whispered softly. The sound of people gathering was heard in the distance. Ian smiled, bringing his face close to the Market Lord’s.

“Your son killed my mother and father.”

“…Huh? Huh?” The Market Lord seemed to be choking, twisting his body while stammering. The more he did, the deeper the Idgal wrapped around him.

“So I’m going to kill you too. Wouldn’t that be fair?” Clang!

Ian swung the sword and knocked over the lamp on the table. Whoosh! The lamp fell to the floor, and oil spilled out. At the same time, Ian’s sword soared high into the air.

“It needs to be loud enough to reach the royal palace. Your screams will be the signal flare announcing the fall of the royal palace.”