Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 778

Knock knock.

“Sir Ian, did you call for me?”

“We’re here! How are you feeling?”

It was Hale and Acorella. They entered the office and exchanged light greetings. Thanks to their three-day leave, they looked much better. Though, it would only take a few days for them to return to their usual state.

Ian, who was working on documents, gestured towards the sofa with a nod.

“Have a seat.”

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing much, but there’s something I need you two to know.”

“Us two?”

Hale and Acorella exchanged glances. It was a signal to see if either of them knew anything, but there was no information to be gained. Ian continued to focus on his paperwork, adding as if it were nothing.

“You two are among the most trusted of the Magic Division Commanders, so it’s best to keep this in mind and act accordingly from now on.”

“Sir Ian, I’m very happy that you trust us, but the follow-up sounds quite ominous. Isn’t that right, Hale?”

“Yes. It’s unsettling.”

At their responses, Ian’s lips curled into a thin smile. Normally, he would have added an assurance that there was nothing to worry about, but he didn’t.

At this, the two’s faces hardened.

“It seems the Administrative and Foreign Affairs Departments, specifically the faction centered around the Prime Minister, will try to keep the Magic Division in check.”

Ian’s unexpected words startled them.

“The Magic Division? Why would they do that?”

“We just finished fighting in a war, and now this? Sir Ian, did something happen at the meeting?”

“I can’t say for sure, but that’s how it seemed. Considering the special nature of the Imperial Palace, it’s only natural.”

Moreover, Ian himself had brought up the annex issue, showing his own sharp edge. There was no way the Prime Minister would let that slide.

“I don’t understand how it’s natural.”

Hale fiddled with a dry cigarette as he looked at Ian, who nodded as if to say it was okay. He lit it and took a deep breath, while Acorella also scoffed irritably.

“It’s always the case that those who are pretty and talented attract envy and jealousy. Are we a bit too good? Well, I know that, but they should know their place. How can those who have been living by their wits not know how to read the room?”

Ian neatly finished the sentence and put down his pen.

“There are many ways to keep the Magic Division in check, but what I’m most concerned about is the firearms imported through Hawan. You all saw their power with your own eyes, so you know.”

“Ah.”

The only weapon humans had to counter magic. It was still in its early stages, so it was still possible to deal with, but no one knew what would happen if its performance was enhanced.

“Someday, Bariel will surely bring in firearms as well. But that should be a choice for national defense, not a means to keep the Magic Division in check. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“But isn’t the import of Eastern weapons beyond our control?”

“That’s right. That’s why I called you here. Lady Melania is currently in Hawan. She has the ambition to connect the Eastern mages with Bariel.”

Thud, the ash from Hale’s cigarette fell to the floor. Acorella’s orange eyes also widened as she froze.

Who, where?

“La, Lady Melania-”

“Is that even okay?”

Proof that the Emperor and the Magic Division Minister had not annihilated the traitor’s family. The sole survivor of the Hyman family. Moreover, she knew the secrets of the abyss and was entangled with Rutherford.

She was someone who should never be sent outside the center. Her very existence was like a bomb. And yet, she was in Hawan, not Bariel? In that chaotic place torn by civil war?

Unlike the two bewildered mages, Ian smiled brightly as he answered.

“It’s not okay.”

“Ah, right. I was wondering why I hadn’t seen her around. When did she leave?”

“It’s presumed that she moved with the magic stones when they were transported from Kalamat Fortress to Bariel. We also left Kalamat, so we couldn’t confirm it directly. And there’s been no news since then.”

Hale completely put out his cigarette and began to organize his thoughts. After moving his lips several times, he carefully asked.

“Can we trust her?”

It seemed too absurd that she would go to Hawan alone and try to forge a connection with the East without anyone’s help. Wasn’t it mostly impossible?

But Ian nodded firmly.

“I believe in her.”

She desperately wanted the revival of her family, and she was someone who would do anything for it. The reason why the Hyman family existed in the future must be because of this.

“And that will be a variable for the Prime Minister in some way. They don’t know Melania’s whereabouts.”

As Ian stated this definitively, Hale and Acorella immediately agreed.

“If Sir Ian believes it, then I will too.”

“Yes. That’s probably right. But why are you suddenly telling us about this?”

Firearms. Hawan. Melania. There was nothing they could do about any of it right now. They could only observe the situation and wait.

Then, Ian shook his head, saying it was nothing much.

“It’s because there must be someone in the Magic Division who knows about Melania’s existence.”

It might not be now, but Ian didn’t know when or how his end would come. If he were to disappear without any warning, it would be difficult for the Magic Division to overcome the threat of firearms.

Knowing about Melania as a hidden card and not knowing about her would surely make a big difference.

“But Sir Ian is here.”

“Just in case. The Prime Minister’s checks might become severe, and there might be a situation where I can’t respond. We’ve all been away from the Imperial Palace for a long time because of the war, haven’t we?”

“That won’t happen. Let them try to touch Sir Ian. We’ll go on strike and rest at the villa.”

These guys, should I make them wear the red headbands again?

Ian only smiled at Acorella’s threat.

She still didn’t seem to understand. That the mages had been away from the Imperial Palace for a long time. This meant that the affairs of the Imperial Palace had been carried out without any problems even without the mages.

They might have been seen as essential before, but from now on, it might be a little different. Especially now that the great task of war was over.

‘Actually, the atmosphere in the meeting hall is a bit different from before the war. The Prime Minister has a firm grip on the Foreign Affairs Department as well.’

“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say.”

“Yes, we’ll keep it in mind.”

“You may leave now. The grand meeting will be held again tonight, so there’s a lot to take care of.”

“Us, or Sir Ian?”

“Both of you.”

“Oh, dear.”

Acorella trembled as if begging to be spared, then suddenly her eyes lit up as she turned to Ian. Ian, who was sharpening his pen nib, tilted his head with a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong?”

“But Sir Ian, why aren’t you answering?”

“Answering what?”

“If you’re really okay.”

“Ah.”

I was wondering what it was.

Acorella raised her eyebrows, then strode towards Ian. Hale hesitated for a moment whether to stop her, but soon realized that she was not someone who could be stopped and gave up.

“You’re still not answering.”

“I’m fine. It’s annoying to answer something so obvious.”

Thump!

Acorella placed her hands on Ian’s desk and tilted her head, examining her superior’s complexion. As if she would catch any lie in Ian’s words. Hale rubbed his forehead as if looking at a madman.

“Aco, you look more sick than Sir Ian.”

“Hmm. I have a feeling.”

“Will you please leave?”

“One more thing!”

As Acorella seriously said, holding up one finger, Ian reluctantly nodded. Unlike what he expected, Acorella’s words made Ian’s heart stop for a moment.

“Sir Ian, do you remember what happened at the Masantar Temple?”

Ian paused. As Ian raised his head, Acorella muttered that it was a very strange thing.

“We compared our memories, but we can’t remember anything. It’s like something has been strangely cut out. The problem is that we don’t even know what we’ve forgotten. I’m wondering if Sir Ian is the same.”

“…Cut out?”

“I don’t know what it is. There’s a subtle discrepancy between the blanks of Hale, Tommy, and Nakina, who were deployed first, and the blanks of the mages who were waiting outside the temple.”

Acorella scratched her nose and muttered as if frustrated. Hale had clearly already given up. How could they remember something they couldn’t remember?

“It’s presumed to be the aftermath of the Shadow God, but I was wondering if Sir Ian was the same. It’s okay if it’s nothing… but it would be a problem if it’s not.”

“…I don’t know.”

Ian shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Wouldn’t it be nothing? The Shadow God was sealed, and we won.”

“That’s true, but.”

“Let it be. There’s no need to create unnecessary anxiety. If it was a necessary memory, it will come back someday.”

Acorella rolled her eyes as if thinking about something. Ian was right. There was no need to keep scratching at it. Especially since there was no way to recover the memory-

“No!”

“Huh?”

No, that’s not it! We can make it!

Moreover, a foundation had already been laid. There were records of research on amnesia caused by the Dragon Scale epidemic in the past! This, this, isn’t this a very exciting situation? Acorella, who was very excited, ran out, jumping up and down.

“Sir Ian! I’ll go ahead!”

“Aco! You crazy! I’ll go too, Sir Ian.”

“I’ll send you a report later! Kyaa-hoo!”

“Acorella!”

Thump!

“……”

It was like a storm had passed through.

Ian looked at the closed door and then focused on his paperwork again. Something felt strange. That those who had lost their memories were moving to get them back.

Even if nothing changed, seeing that made him feel a little comforted. It was like a sense of relief that the memories he had with them hadn’t completely disappeared.

‘That’s enough.’

…Thinking about it again will only make my head more complicated.

Ian turned his chair and looked out the window. The weather was nice. The sunlight, the wind, everything. In the half-visible open space, only the site of the Magic Division’s annex was cleared.

Zzzing. Zzzing.

Ian carefully channeled his magic and gauged its depth. He could still use it, but it wasn’t as stable as before. It was probably because he had opened the portal from Toolun to Bariel.

‘Will it ever recover?’

He was skeptical. It didn’t seem like it would completely disappear, but even if it did come back, it wouldn’t have the same power as before.

It was right to interpret it as there would be no need to use great power in the future, right? He couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed at the same time as he felt relieved.

“……?”

Then, as Ian tried to create Idgal, he frowned at the unfamiliar sensation. His fingertips trembled, and he felt like something inside him wasn’t coalescing. No matter how hard he tried to visualize it, the amber light quickly shattered and disappeared.

“Ah.”

And then, the pain below his heart. Just like in Toolun, his body was reacting violently when he tried to use Idgal. A drop of cold sweat trickled down Ian’s chin.

Knock knock.

“Ian, it’s me, Romandro.”

“…Please, wait a moment.”

“Huh? Ian. What’s wrong with your voice?”

Ian slumped forward, gasping for breath. Romandro’s worried voice echoed from outside the door. He kept knocking on the door, and the more he did, the more Ian calmly regulated his breathing.

“Ian, are you okay? I’m opening the door!”

Bang!

Romandro rushed to Ian, startled.

“No, why, what’s wrong?”

“…I’m just, a little dizzy.”

“I’m going crazy. That’s why I told you to take it easy, huh?”

“Could you help me up?”

“Oh my, I’m going crazy. Outside-!”

“Shhh. It’s okay.”

Ian muttered softly, telling them to stop because everyone was worried.

“……”

With Romandro’s help, Ian barely sat on the sofa and was lost in thought for a long time. It was the moment he realized that what he had been worried about was true-

‘Idgal cannot be created.’

His role here was over.