Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 777

“Did you see the newspaper?”

“I did,” Jin replied, taking off his coat. The aged Prime Minister sat with perfect posture, showing no signs of fatigue from the long meeting.

The Emperor suddenly realized that the Prime Minister looked no different from when he was a child. Aside from the wrinkled skin, he was like an old tree that had stood silently for a long time.

“What did you see?”

“Everyone is celebrating the Empire’s victory.”

“But that wouldn’t be all you saw.”

At the Prime Minister’s assertive tone, Jin chuckled softly. He was suddenly reminded of someone: Maxim Tweller. Like his old friend, the Prime Minister was strangely similar to him.

Jin sat down in his chair and lightly dismissed the notion. “The war has just ended, Prime Minister. Why are you so on edge?”

“It has nothing to do with that.”

“With what?”

“The war. Nothing should interfere with looking directly at the Imperial Palace. Not even after the war.”

All the newspapers were focusing on the great achievements of the Magic Department: how amazing Ian was, how transcendent the power of magic was, what the existence of monsters meant, and what Bariel’s victory ultimately meant.

Since the subject of magic was bound to pique people’s interest, it was a natural outcome. But the Prime Minister was not pleased.

“There’s a strange rumor going around in Tolun.”

“Who did you hear it from? No sane soldier would have told you directly. And your friend Tweller hasn’t returned yet.”

“The more absurd the rumor, the faster it spreads. I heard it without even trying.”

“It is true that Sir Ian’s contribution is remarkable. Prime Minister, if you had seen the scene yourself, you wouldn’t say that. It is disrespectful to discuss the Imperial bloodline, but I could understand it. To explain such a great person from the people’s perspective, they had no choice but to borrow the name of the Imperial family.”

“Your Majesty!”

“I’m only saying this because it’s just the two of us.”

Jin knew well about Ian’s parents, especially Philia. She and Ian were so alike, it was undeniable that they were mother and son. Anyone could see it.

Moreover, Jin’s father, the former Emperor, had never left the capital during Philia’s pregnancy. It was a truth that could be found with a little investigation.

“Tweller and you, Prime Minister, are both misunderstanding something and being overly cautious. Do you know Sir Ian? I do.”

“You know him? He’s someone you saw briefly a long time ago, and then again recently. And that was only for a short time.”

For someone who had left such a deep mark on Jin’s life, the time they had spent together was not that long.

But trust cannot be measured by time.

“That is not important.”

“Since you say you know him, I’ll ask again. Do you know what the atmosphere in the meeting room was like earlier?”

“Prime Minister, watch your words.”

Jin, who had been listening quietly, warned him sharply, and the Prime Minister sighed softly. Judging by the Emperor’s reaction, he must have felt it too. The status of the Magic Department, or rather, Ian.

“How could I not know that Sir Ian is a great man? As a citizen of Bariel, I deeply admire and respect his achievements. But, Your Majesty, you saw it too.”

“…”

“No one could easily object. Even when they did, he ignored them without batting an eye. Even with Your Majesty present.”

“…Sir Ian is not that kind of person.”

His actions always had meaning. And when you thought about it, it was always for his own sake. He was not the reckless and stubborn person the Prime Minister claimed him to be.

The Prime Minister shook his head even more vigorously.

“But that’s how it was. If he’s not that kind of person, how could he have acted that way? If it was intentional, that’s an even bigger problem. Because it’s out in the open. He’s testing the waters, trying to cross the line little by little.”

Showing a different side than before is a sign. It’s a warning that something big is about to happen.

The Prime Minister, who had shown no signs of fatigue even after the long meeting, sighed as if he was a little tired.

“I just wish Your Majesty would keep a little distance from Sir Ian. If you care about him, you should do so even more.”

“Prime Minister, by that logic, you are also a dangerous person to me.”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why I’m always prepared. And above all, there are many in the Imperial Palace who would keep me in check if I were to do anything foolish. But the problem is that Sir Ian has no equal anywhere. Who is by Your Majesty’s side right now?”

Besides the Prime Minister. Was Tweller there? Or Jerrit? If not, then who else?

Jin pressed his forehead, feeling increasingly frustrated. What was even more painful was that he rationally understood that the Prime Minister was right.

‘Sir Ian loves Bariel more than anyone. And he is strong enough to have no equal.’

That’s why, if he had no loyalty, he would be more dangerous than anyone else, as he had already realized in Tolun.

Jin wanted to refute all of the Prime Minister’s claims because that would mean he was talking about himself.

“Your Majesty.”

Seeing the Emperor in distress, the Prime Minister gently handed over a document. It was the proposal from the Hawan rebel forces that he had not revealed in the meeting room earlier.

“You know that the Hawan rebels have firearms. They are weapons that allow ordinary people to exert the same power as mages.”

“I’ve heard about it.”

From Sir Ian.

“The rebels say that if we help them, they will hand over the firearms after the civil war ends. And they’ve added the condition that they will not import firearms from the East without Bariel’s permission in the future.”

“…!”

It was a kind of monopoly on firearms.

This was also the reason why the Prime Minister had proposed a peace treaty. If this was declared when all the countries of Gaia gathered, it would be possible to restrict other countries at once without any other process.

“I don’t know how the East came into contact with the Hawan rebels, but one thing is certain: the East is showing considerable interest in Idgal. It seems best to use this to trade with them.”

What good would it do to control only the Gaia nations? If the East sold them everywhere, it would quickly fall apart. It was right to make an official agreement with them as well.

“Idgal?”

“They say it’s a substance that doesn’t exist in the East.”

“Is it because Sir Ian created it?”

The Prime Minister shook his head as if he didn’t know. Thinking about it, this was also very strange. Sir Ian was the only one who could create Idgal in all of Gaia and the East.

“Your Majesty, the Hawan proposal is an undeniable benefit. But because of the entanglements, we have no choice but to be mindful of the Magic Department.”

“But if that’s the case-”

“Therefore, I earnestly ask you.”

“Ask?”

“Please help me just once so that I can fully trust Minister Ian. If there are no problems in the process, I will follow Minister Ian in any situation in the future. Just as Your Majesty does.”

As time passed, forces seeking to keep the Magic Department in check would emerge. It was already so chaotic with just the Prime Minister and Tweller, but if more factions were to arise, it would be unmanageable.

Jin decided that it was better to clear up the doubts from the beginning.

“Just once, Prime Minister. I care about Sir Ian.”

“Of course. Do not worry. Then, Your Majesty, just send this message.”

The Prime Minister lightly rolled up his sleeve, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered. Jin frowned at his words.

* * *

Squeak.

The Prime Minister left the Emperor’s office and took a moment to catch his breath. No matter how much his duty was to speak frankly, his heart was heavy seeing the Emperor in distress.

‘Your Majesty, do you think I want to remove Sir Ian?’

Minister Ian was undoubtedly a treasure of Bariel. His existence would further prosper the Empire, and it would usher in an unprecedented golden age.

‘If he truly shares the same goals as the Emperor, and if the Emperor can calmly cut off his wings in any situation.’

But not now. He didn’t know Ian’s true intentions, and the rumors surrounding him were ominous.

Moreover, the Emperor was overly reliant on Ian, both officially and privately, too deeply.

‘It shouldn’t be like this. If only Your Majesty had given him a little less of your heart, you wouldn’t be having such a hard time.’

That’s why he had been saying it for a long time. Anything that leans too far to one side is bound to fall. So, you must be wary. Although people’s hearts cannot be controlled, the Emperor’s heart should not be like that.

The Prime Minister sighed lightly and turned to leave. He saw a familiar face in the distance.

“…It’s been a while, too.”

It was Beric, his red hair roughly tied up. His uniform bore the badge of the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

Beric nodded casually to the Prime Minister.

“Greetings.”

“It must be hard for you to be the only commander.”

“Well, it’s manageable.”

Beric yawned widely as he answered. The Prime Minister watched him quietly, then smiled knowingly.

“Commander Beric.”

The Prime Minister seemed to emphasize the title ‘Commander’ on purpose. Beric, who had thought it was just a casual greeting, showed discomfort when the Prime Minister spoke to him again. He hated the slippery old man.

“Do you think you are well-suited for the position of Commander?”

See? He should just go on his way, why is he picking a fight? Beric glared at the Prime Minister with a frown. Was he being scolded for yawning? That’s not right! It’s a physiological phenomenon. His unrefined rebellious spirit was already showing. The Prime Minister seemed to see through him and immediately retorted.

“I’m not talking about your words or manners.”

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

“Not at all. You’re not suited for it.”

“Oh, come on.”

The Prime Minister was just an old man with no decision-making power in personnel matters. He was in no position to talk about qualifications or anything like that.

Beric was about to lash out, but he exercised patience. Position makes the man, huh? Shit. Beric turned his body to clear the way, as if telling him to hurry up and leave.

“The way out is that way. In case you forgot. It happens sometimes when you get old.”

“Why don’t you ask? If you have any intention of being the Commander of the Imperial Guard, wouldn’t you be curious about my intentions?”

“I’m not curious. My master is His Majesty the Emperor, and the position of Commander is in accordance with Commander Jerrit’s will. I’ll just get hungry if I listen to some powerless old man.”

“Your master is His Majesty the Emperor? Is that really so?”

The Prime Minister’s eyes gleamed. He took a step closer to Beric and asked again.

“I asked if your master is His Majesty the Emperor. If so, I will apologize for misjudging you.”

Could he follow the Emperor completely, not Ian Hiel, the Minister of Magic? That was the question the Prime Minister had always thought he should ask Beric.

“What-”

“It’s a well-known fact, even to the lowest gatekeeper, that you have a special relationship with the Minister of Magic. But is it right for such a person to claim to be the Emperor’s shadow?”

It was better to leave the position vacant; he was pointing out that this was a dangerous idea.

The Prime Minister brushed past the standing Beric and then whispered in a cold tone that was completely different from before.

“When His Majesty the Emperor and Ian Hiel are in danger, whose sword will you protect? Ask yourself that. Then you will understand my intentions.”

The Prime Minister took a few more steps away and turned back.

“Oh, and Commander Beric.”

“…”

“I know you’re short on staff, but it would be best to maintain the three-commander system. It’s not for nothing that it’s been like that for the past few hundred years. Especially when the commander’s qualifications are lacking, it’s right to get help from others. Keep that in mind. This is also for the sake of Sir Ian, whom you care about and follow.”

Beric’s mind froze. He wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what he wanted to say. He instinctively realized that it was a somewhat correct statement, even though it was annoying.

He came to his senses after a long time and slammed his fist against the wall.

Thud!

“Shit!”

That crazy old man. He’s just talking nonsense. Beric shook his head, trying to shake off the Prime Minister’s voice that was still lingering in his head.

O