Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 770

…What do you think?

Eirin’s mind raced, trying to decipher the true meaning behind the question. Was it about the proper relationship between a lord and his subject? The way he phrased it hinted at romantic feelings, but how could a mere soldier harbor such emotions for His Majesty the Emperor? And even if she did, could she ever admit it?

When she didn’t answer, Ian tilted his head.

“Did you not hear me?”

“I… I’m not wise enough to fully understand your meaning, Minister. Could you please repeat the question?”

“There’s no need to overthink it. It’s exactly as I said. I asked if you, Eirin, are in love with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Eirin’s jaw dropped. So much so that the mages watching from a distance stared in bewilderment. Ian considered closing her mouth for her but decided against it.

“Th-”

“His Majesty has feelings for you, Eirin. Therefore, it is my wish that you feel the same way.”

“N-no, you’re joking, Minister.”

“Joking? Why?”

“I am just a soldier.”

Eirin’s face flushed red, as if she had been caught desiring something forbidden.

In truth, it had been like that from the start. When Ian subtly touched on the idea of ‘love,’ she had unconsciously become aware of the Emperor. It was all intentional on Ian’s part, but her flustered reaction was almost pitiful.

“Eirin, the spirit you showed in this war was truly remarkable. Have confidence.”

Eirin suddenly noticed that Ian was using overly polite language with her, as if addressing someone of high status. She was puzzled and studied Ian.

“Minister, why are you doing this? Is something wrong?”

Ian smiled at her keen observation. A radiant and dazzling smile. However, Eirin felt a strange sense of sadness from it.

“We will be returning to Bariel soon, and I hope that you will stay by His Majesty’s side then. You are more trustworthy than anyone, and you will surely be a source of strength for His Majesty.”

“There are already many trustworthy and strong individuals by His Majesty’s side, including you, Minister Ian.”

“It will be different.”

Between me and Eirin.

Instead of continuing, Ian chose silence. He stared into the distance for a long time, then shook his head without realizing it. It was unclear what he was denying.

“Anyway, be constantly aware. If there is anything I can help with, I will gladly do so, so there is nothing to worry about. I would be grateful if you would keep that in mind.”

Ian hoped that the relationship between Jin and Eirin would grow stronger in the fifteen days before returning to Bariel.

‘Because one pillar will crumble.’

If a new support is set up before that, Jin will be a little more at ease.

Ian got up as if he had finished his business, and Eirin awkwardly saw him off, still holding her combat boots. She looked at him with a bewildered expression, as if she didn’t know what to do after he suddenly came and dropped such a bombshell. Help? With what?

“Um, Minister Ian.”

Eirin reflexively grabbed him. Then, she spoke the truth she had been holding back.

“Thank you.”

“…For what?”

“You’ve helped me in so many ways. You sound like you’re about to leave, so I feel like I have to say it now.”

Ian nodded at her honest words. This time, it was unclear what he was affirming. That she had been helped a lot? Or that he sounded like he was about to leave?

Ian chose his words carefully and spoke softly.

“I will not leave of my own volition.”

“R-right. Well, of course, where would you go, Minister? I apologize. I was thinking foolishly.”

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Ian bowed lightly and turned around. Soon, he disappeared into the tents with the mages who were waiting for him.

Eirin fiddled with her combat boots, pondering the words he had left behind.

*Flap, flap!*

At that moment, pigeons flew up from somewhere. All of them had silk cloths tied to their legs. They were carrier pigeons sent by the Imperial Defense Department to the Imperial Palace, Burgos, and Clifford to announce the end of the war.

The birds stretched their white wings wide and flew across the sky of Toolun.

‘So the war is really over.’

Eirin sat down again, tying her combat boots, and Tweller, who had been watching her from afar, turned his head.

The war was over, but the history of the Imperial Palace continued to flow.

* * *

“The Masantar Temple is sealed with Idgal [a magical seal], but continuous management is necessary. Idgal will eventually break. Submit a report on the management plan to propose to Minister Tweller. Has what happened at the temple at that time already been shared?”

“……”

“And also. We need to look into the return of Rutherford and King Damon. It seems that the cycle has been broken with the death of High Priest Raju, who led their return, but it’s still suspicious. Any opinions?”

“……”

“Ah, I should also ask Minister Tweller to investigate King Damon’s lineage. Even though the slave market is gone, the data must be somewhere. Banusa might know. Don’t you think?”

“……”

Ian was writing documents and asking questions, but no answers came.

After a while, Ian, feeling something was wrong, finally stopped writing and looked up. The mages were lined up in a row, glaring at Ian. They were sulking, as if they were displeased with something.

“Ian-nim.”

“…I made a mistake.”

“Yes, that’s exactly it!”

“Banusa is in charge of firefighting, so it’s not his jurisdiction.”

“Not that! I’m going crazy, really! What are you doing right now?”

“What am I doing?”

Working?

Ian and the mages stared at each other as if they couldn’t understand each other. Unlike the calm child, the adults were twisting their bodies in frustration.

“I mean, why are you doing that right now!”

“If I don’t do it, who will? I’m the one who approves it.”

“Ian-nim, your place is over there! That’s your place!”

*Thwack!*

What the mages pointed to was the bed. Okay, let’s concede that he had to write reports and meet with His Majesty the Emperor right after waking up. But why is he sitting at his desk again?

The mages were tearing their hair out and making a fuss, but Ian ignored them and continued to write his report.

“Those who need to rest can rest.”

“That’s exactly what we’re saying about you, Ian-nim?!”

“Um, Ian-nim. May I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“If I tear up the documents, will you tear me up too?”

A very polite tone, but not so polite content. *Clang!* When Ian’s eyes flashed, the mage grinned, as if he knew it would happen. They wanted to stop him, but there was no way unless they risked their lives.

Ian finally put down his pen and pressed his forehead.

“Stop making a fuss. Everyone, get a grip. Don’t fall for Acorella’s bewitchment.”

“Oh my, heavens? Bewitchment! Ian-nim, I’m arguing from a very common-sense perspective. Is it natural to be okay after using that much magic? Does that even make sense?”

“That’s right! For once, Captain Acorella is right!”

“Someone go get Beric. If we let the dog loose, he won’t work because he’ll be too distracted.”

“Don’t even mention it. It’s hard to even see his face because he’s so busy.”

“Huh? Beric? Really?”

“He’s not a dog anymore, he’s a cow. A cow.”

They had become noisy again after a brief moment of calm.

This must also be the aftermath of ‘Ian Verosian’ being erased. If they had the perception that he was the body of a god, they would have accepted it to some extent, but without that, it was something they couldn’t accept based on their common sense.

Ian finally put down his pen with a thud.

“Oh, Ian-nim. Are you finally listening to our opinions? Thank you!”

“Come this way. We’ll make you comfortable. The sun is good today, so the bedding is nice and fluffy.”

“No.”

Ian firmly refused, waving his hand. With a subtle smile.

The mages, who had been grinning, immediately stiffened. That smile, it was ominous.

“Everyone seems to be full of energy, so I will assign you tasks.”

“Ah, um-”

“Distribute and carry them out yourselves. First, find the body of Aris, the half-brother of the King of Toolun.”

In order to make Banusa the leader as Bariel intended, it was important to completely clear out the remaining forces.

Right now, the only remaining royal bloodline was Aris, wasn’t it? Although he had killed all the residents of the capital during the final battle, there was a slim chance that the child had survived and escaped.

The mages’ eyes widened as if they would pop out.

“H-h-how?”

“Figure it out. Is it right for me to tell you even that?”

“No, sir!”

“Second, gather the materials for the magic amplification agent.”

Acorella’s ears perked up at that. She had been worried about the lack of materials, so this was good news.

But the problem was.

“Where?”

“Figure that out too.”

Oh, crap. Is Ian-nim really angry? Maybe we shouldn’t have been so cheeky. The mages rolled their eyes around, trying to gauge the situation. In this case, the only way to survive was to take the easiest task.

“Third-”

“Third!”

“I’ll take the third task!”

“You guys have no respect for seniority! Let’s go in order of experience. I’m the right person for the job!”

Everyone rushed in. They didn’t know what the third task was, but it was better than finding Aris’s body, which was like finding a needle in a desert, or going on a pickaxe-wielding labor trip with Acorella, wasn’t it?

Ian took out a letter he had written beforehand from his pocket.

“Third, deliver this directly to Hasha and King Tokundai in Astana.”

“T-to that far place in person?”

“Without magic?”

“You don’t have magic, but you’re not without legs. Request sturdy horses from the Defense Department.”

*Swoosh-* The mages’ faces turned ashen.

Those who were quick-witted had already run out, shouting that they would find bodies or materials. The first and second tasks were honestly tasks that could be completed somehow if they just spent some time on them, but the third task was clearly a path of hardship.

“U-uh, uh?!”

Tomi, who had inadvertently received the letter, looked back and forth with a tearful face. Ian patted his shoulder, meaning he should suffer a little.

“Have a safe trip. If you don’t think you can return within fifteen days, come to Bariel on your own.”

“No, wait! I-Ian-nim! I was wrong!”

“Then, good luck.”

Ian nodded to Tomi, who was being dragged away by another mage.

As soon as he disappeared, the surroundings finally became quiet. Ian pressed his throbbing forehead. It wasn’t stress-related. This was….

‘You can stop signaling now.’

Then, along with a surge of nausea, a bloody smell filled the air.

Ian nonchalantly wiped his mouth and straightened his clothes. Then, he paid attention to the commotion outside.

Meanwhile, outside the Magic Department tent.

Beric, who had appeared after a long time, poked his head in, holding something under his arm.

“Yo.”

“Oh my, isn’t that Captain Beric?!”

“Shut up. Where is everyone going?”

“They’re not going, they’re being chased out. And you? What are you holding?”

“Got it from Chloe’s carriage. They say it’s really good for the body.”

“Huh?”

“Is Ian inside?”

Rumor had it that Chloe had stashed away all sorts of elixirs for Siao Shi. And Beric wasn’t one to let that go. If they shared it, would it help? Ian had been looking rather weak lately.

“He’s there. Go on in.”

“Yo. Okay. Why does Tomi look so miserable?”

“He’s going on a long errand.”

“Bullshit.”

“Bullshit! Bullshit! What do you know?”

“Hey, hey, calm down, Tomi. Don’t waste your energy when you have a long way to go.”

“Aaaah!”

Beric sniffed and entered the tent. The familiar sound of a pen scratching was pleasant to hear.

Soon, Ian, sensing someone’s presence, glanced up and greeted Beric.

“You’ve come.”

“Yeah. How’s your body?”

“I’m fine. I’m tired of everyone asking me that.”

“Is that so?”

Beric placed the elixir on the desk with a thud. It was a relief that he was okay. If Ian was okay, then he was really okay. It had always been like that.

But today… something was strange.

‘…Why does it smell like blood?’