Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 776

“That-”

Jin was about to speak without thinking when the Prime Minister, who had been quietly observing, politely interrupted with an objection.

“That wouldn’t be appropriate, Minister.”

Finally, the opposition had arrived.

The officials, as if relieved, cautiously added their voices, seizing the opportunity. Amusingly, even as they did so, none of them dared to look Ian directly in the eye.

“Yes, it’s a bit unreasonable. Aren’t the magic stones brought from Burgos classified as high-grade? They’re so rare that they’re insufficient even for research. How can we use them for the construction of an annex?”

“That’s right. It doesn’t seem urgent to build an annex right now, so it feels even more wasteful. The Magic Department is in charge of managing magic stones, but I believe obtaining them was thanks to the sacrifices and efforts of everyone who fought in the war.”

“Oh, you. You speak well!”

“Ahem! Please refrain from that.”

“I, I apologize. Anyway, I also oppose the construction of the annex. Ah, I mean, I oppose it at this point. It’s true that the Magic Department has done well in this war, but we cannot ignore the contributions of the Imperial Defense Forces and the Imperial Guard. If we try to achieve something by investing a huge amount of funds to commemorate their achievements, other departments will be relatively…”

“Hmm, hmm. Yes, I’m worried about that too.”

“I suggest we don’t make a hasty decision and take some time to consider it. The Magic Department must have a mountain of work to handle, and I’m worried they might be unnecessarily increasing their workload. Ahem.”

Ian silently listened to the officials’ clumsy objections. In the past, he would have smoothly brushed them off, but he couldn’t do that now.

Just as their attitude towards the Magic Department had changed, so had many things about him. Simply put, he didn’t have time.

“While I appreciate your concerns-”

A firm and clear voice. Unlike his head, which nodded slightly in agreement, Ian dismissed everyone’s worries at once.

“Whether or not to build an annex is a matter for the Magic Department to decide.”

The funds would come from the Magic Department’s budget or his own private assets. The site would be next to the Magic Department building. The Magic Department would also handle tasks such as coordinating the construction schedule. Once completed, magicians would use the space.

From start to finish, there was no room for outsiders to intervene in any of the processes.

“…….”

The officials, who had been chattering away, shut their mouths as if they had swallowed honey. In the past, they wouldn’t have been intimidated and would have argued more, but it wasn’t easy now.

Everyone there knew when to speak and when to be silent, when to step forward and when to be cautious. They were sitting there now because they had mastered that well.

“But do not worry.”

Ian added, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

“I will ensure that nothing will cause trouble for the Imperial Palace.”

“M-Minister Ian would never do such a thing.”

“Yes, of course. Wouldn’t he? How about we discuss this again later?”

“Oh, that’s good. There’s a mountain of things to handle right now.”

“Next! Who’s next on the agenda?”

Now that they had confirmed the Magic Department’s intentions, wouldn’t it be better to discuss it separately after the meeting? In the end, they chose to back down and look away.

“…….”

The Prime Minister quietly watched Ian, then slowly turned his head to check the Emperor’s expression.

The Emperor seemed a little shocked. It wasn’t only Ian’s attitude but also the fact that he had realized his subjects’ attitude towards Ian had changed.

“Next is the agenda of the Ministry of Culture.”

The meeting continued. It was already a difficult situation, and the heavy atmosphere added to the mental burden. Some were already exhausted, rubbing their shoulders or arms, and most were leaning to one side.

‘I’m going crazy. What was that earlier? Minister Ian.’

‘There was no backing down. If it were before, he would have resolved the conversation differently.’

‘Let’s all gather after the meeting. Come to the plaza.’

‘Of course! It would be good to come up with a plan.’

‘Seriously. Even if he did achieve something, isn’t this a bit too much? What great thing did he do?’

‘Well, let’s be fair. He did do something great.’

‘Could it be that His Majesty is also watching Minister Ian’s every move now?’

‘No, it’s just, a bit…’

Those who had lost focus exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

They didn’t know how much time had passed. There was no clock in the meeting room, and the Emperor’s face was stern.

‘Ugh.’

On the surface, there seemed to be no difference, but the subjects could clearly feel it. His Majesty’s mood was disturbed. At times like this, if one were to take out a pocket watch and get a glare, it would be truly troublesome.

While everyone was struggling to the point of death, the very people who had stirred up the meeting were steadily continuing with their work.

“It would be good to check separately.”

“Yes. I understand. I will reorganize this matter and submit it again next week.”

“Do so. It’s not an urgent matter, so you can take your time.”

“I will follow your opinion.”

Thud.

Jin put down the report as if to say, ‘That’s enough.’ He too was finding it difficult to concentrate on the meeting. Ian seemed unfazed, and he had tried to be the same, but it was too much.

“Let’s end the meeting here for now.”

At the Emperor’s words, the subjects clicked open their pocket watches. It was already two in the afternoon. They had gathered early in the morning and had been doing this without even having lunch.

Jin got up first and added,

“There’s still a lot to discuss, but if we continue, we’ll ruin the afternoon’s work. Let’s gather again tonight.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’ve all worked hard.”

The officials bowed their heads with tears in their eyes. It wasn’t a time to be happy that the meeting was over. It felt like their hearts were breaking twice as hard.

Squeak!

The Emperor and the Prime Minister left, and the officials also turned their backs on Ian and quickly disappeared.

Ian was left alone in an instant. Only Romandro called out to him with concern.

“Hey, Ian.”

It was unlike Ian to openly show his edge in the meeting. He must have had other thoughts. He had always exceeded everyone’s expectations.

But today, well, the sight of Ian sitting still with his back to them looked somewhat lonely, and it made him think that something was definitely wrong. Romandro sat next to him and comforted the child.

“Ian. I know your desire to build an annex for the Magic Department. It’s something you’ve wanted for a long time. But don’t push yourself too hard. We don’t have to rush anything now.”

Ian was still young and would spend a lot of time in the Imperial Palace. He also had the desire to stay by his side as long as his health allowed. The Magic Department and the little rascal? What more could be said? They too would be by Ian’s side unless time separated them. All that was left was to live happily in the Imperial Palace for a long time.

Romandro was certain from his past experiences. All that was left for them was peace, and nothing else.

“Ian?”

“…Romandro.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Could you obtain information about the Hwan faction that is within the Administrative and Foreign Affairs Departments?”

“Information about the Hwan faction?”

Romandro scratched his chin for a moment. Information not disclosed in the meeting was considered departmental secrets and wouldn’t be easy to collect.

But Ian added as if asking for a favor.

“Especially information related to the Eastern fire cannons, I need it regardless of the source.”

“Fire cannons? I understand. I’ll look into it.”

“And when you go to the Magic Department, please tell Hale and Acorella to come to the Minister’s office.”

“I’ll contact them right away. But Ian.”

“Yes?”

Ian turned around, half out of it. Romandro carefully touched his forehead, as if caring for his sick child.

He didn’t have a fever, so why was he like this?

“…I’m fine.”

“Hmm. Well, that’s a relief.”

“And one more thing.”

Ian lowered Romandro’s hand and whispered. Very secretly and carefully.

“Could you give me your notebook?”

“Notebook? Mine?”

Romandro was puzzled, but without saying anything, he took out his notebook from his pocket. Ian flipped through the pages for a long time, then stopped when he found a doodle at one point.

-Bero, ?? ??

“What is it?”

It seemed to be a trace of scribbling when he heard the news of Berosion. As he stretched his neck to check, Ian created a small flame at his fingertips.

Whoosh!

It was instantaneous. Romandro blinked his eyes widely as he looked at his notebook, which had turned into ashes.

“Oh, no-!”

“I’m sorry. I’ll buy you a new one.”

“It’s not about it being Magic Department property! No! But!”

“Shall we go?”

“Ian! This is tyranny! No, it’s bullying in the Imperial Palace-!”

“I’ll stop by the Central Archives for a moment.”

As Romandro chased after Ian, wailing, the child just smiled and turned around.

‘The record remains.’

He confirmed that while the Shadow God’s rain had erased his memories, it hadn’t been able to do anything to the records. Surely, the letters that the Bariel main force sent from Burgos to Bariel would also have ‘Ian Berosion’ written on them.

‘The problem is how it is written.’

It wasn’t written by Ian, so he didn’t know the exact wording.

The child instructed Romandro to wait for a moment and walked alone to the Central Archives. Everyone who passed by bowed their heads to him, but he neither saw nor heard them.

Slide!

“Greetings, Minister Ian.”

“Do you have the letters that the Bariel main force sent during the war?”

“Of course. They’re in the records room.”

“I’d like to see them for a moment.”

“Should I bring them all out?”

“Please do.”

The employee went inside and brought out a book. It was a kind of letter storage box.

Ian opened the book and looked at each of the letters that were fixed on each page. Because they were in chronological order, just reading them brought back memories of the past.

“Then, please take your time.”

The contents of the letters gradually became closer to Burgos and Agiar. The death of the gypsy and the chaos… and the day he had regained his name.

Rustle.

The letters written on a palm-sized piece of paper caught his eye. Ian couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

-Ian Hiel is Ian Berosion. He is of the Imperial bloodline, and he is a gift sent by ____God to save Bariel. We will follow him.

The employee, who had been behind the screen, rolled his eyes at Ian’s laughter. What was so funny? Did he recall a past memory? At that clear and pure smile, the employee couldn’t help but smile along.

“Ah-”

Meanwhile, Ian lightly wiped his eyes.

Was it the last curse of the Underworld God, or the cruel ending of God? The name ‘Ian Berosion’ remained, but the words ‘100 years later’ had vanished.

‘It’s ridiculous and absurd.’

If this was discovered, strange rumors would circulate again. Since it wasn’t in their memories, they might say that the magician had used magic.

Whether it became a fuse or a justification, this would also be part of the process of Ian being erased from the world.

Ian closed the book and called the employee.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes! Are you finished?”

“Has the Imperial Palace ever released the contents of the letters to the outside?”

“There are no official releases other than the victory reports.”

The news of Ian Berosion was quite sensitive as it was shocking. Therefore, only those within the Imperial Palace knew about it, and it was probably spread around by word of mouth.

“I know that the letter sorting cycle is every six months.”

“That’s correct. The records department sorts and compiles the letters twice a year. There are about four months left this year.”

That meant that unless someone like him opened it in the middle, the records department staff would check it in four months.

A long time if it was long, a short time if it was short. Ian answered that he understood and left the archives. The employee stared blankly at his back and tilted his head.

‘That’s strange.’

It was definitely a happy smile, but his complexion was not… Oh well, never mind. The employee hummed a tune and put the letter storage box back in its place.

O