Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 779

Berick’s Worries

Near the Emperor’s residence, in the main building of the Imperial Guard.

Berick, chin in hand, stared blankly into space. The office was neat and tidy, despite having been vacant for a long time due to the war.

Berick’s gaze settled on the gold badges on the wall. They were honorary medals commemorating those who had died for Bariel. Perhaps it was the nice weather, but they seemed to shine particularly brightly today.

Knock knock.

“Berick, is your shift over?”

“Just now.”

Barsabe, who had entered, checked the schedule. With the number of personnel drastically reduced, the workload had become considerably heavier than before. Still, it was a piece of cake compared to the 24-hour shifts they had endured on the battlefield.

Barsabe glanced at Berick, then, noticing his dark complexion, cautiously asked,

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Your brow is about to split.”

Thud. Berick slumped onto the table, pressing his fingertips against his forehead.

Something was amiss. Barsabe put down the schedule and turned to face Berick completely.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Becoming a commander has given you worries you never had before.”

“Ah, damn it. Seriously.”

“Is it because it’s hard?”

Was it looking at Commander Jerritt’s gold badge on the wall? Or was it signing the approval documents in his place? Or was it simply being called commander? Berick remained silent for a long time in response to Barsabe’s question.

She waited patiently for Berick. In the silence, the faint sounds of people busily passing by outside repeatedly faded in and out.

“I-”

Berick finally spoke with difficulty.

“I wonder if I’m the right person to be a commander.”

“What?”

Barsabe retorted, dumbfounded. What was this nonsense? Everyone had been teasing Berick jokingly, but if it wasn’t him, who else in the Imperial Guard would take on the role of commander? Everyone deeply respected Commander Jerritt’s decision.

Even if that weren’t the case, their reason for existence was to protect the Emperor. It was only natural that the strongest, Berick, would take on the role of commander.

“No matter what anyone says?”

I need to discipline the kids. Tell them to stop joking around now.

However, Berick mentioned an unexpected name.

“The old geezers in the administration.”

“…The Prime Minister?”

As soon as the Prime Minister was mentioned, Barsabe immediately understood why Berick was so troubled. She had sensed the strange undercurrent that had recently begun to flow in the Imperial Palace.

With the power struggle between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic having begun, no one was in a more difficult position than Berick. It was because he was caught between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic.

“The Minister of Magic is more loyal than anyone else in the Imperial Palace right now. He’s also a hero who led us to victory in the war. So, you won’t be criticized immediately for being close to him. The Prime Minister is just being cautious.”

“Immediately?”

“You never know what might happen. If His Majesty and Ian were to ever clash… then it would be right for you to make your position clear. If you want to stay in the Imperial Guard, you must not forget that you are His Majesty’s man.”

As Barsabe stated firmly, Berick rubbed his forehead against the desk. He couldn’t just avoid it, thinking it would never happen. The moment he thought that way, he would lose his qualifications as commander.

Barsabe sighed.

“Berick. Let me ask you one thing.”

“Yeah.”

“Does Ian know that you’re having these worries?”

“Ian?”

Berick’s head snapped up. He hadn’t thought about that.

“If he knew you were having these worries, what would he say?”

“…He’d say I’m an idiot.”

“Why?”

“Because, of course, it’s right to serve His Majesty.”

If he had to choose between his own safety and the Emperor’s safety, Ian would choose the Emperor without a moment’s hesitation. Berick was sure of it. To Ian, Bariel was truly special and precious.

“Let me ask you one more thing. If Ian had to choose between himself and His Majesty, who would Ian choose?”

“Even then, Ian would obviously-”

“Right, that’s right. Even I, who don’t know him well, can see that the Minister would sacrifice himself for His Majesty. So, there’s no point in thinking about it. Ian would abandon himself, so why are you worrying about your personal desires?”

Berick blinked as if he had been hit on the back of the head. Everything she said was right.

Barsabe told him not to waste his energy on unnecessary worries and looked at the schedule again. Then, she added indifferently,

“If you still can’t handle it, then quit.”

“Shut up. That won’t happen.”

Those were the last words Jerritt had left behind when he died. He had vowed to keep his word until his death.

“Then stop whining and figure this out. Seriously, is a two-shift system even possible? Let’s get some new recruits.”

“I’d like to, but there’s so much national work that recruiting is impossible. Just keep going until things ease up.”

“Recruiting? Like that thing we used to do with the Imperial Defense Department? Are you thinking of letting Minister Tweller handle it when he comes?”

“I don’t know about that.”

“It’s practically indefinite then. Unless a magic swordsman rolls in on their own.”

“…But they say it’s better to maintain the three-commander system. They’re planning to promote two more soon.”

“Oh my, three commanders with no resources? Who said that?”

“The old geezers in the administration.”

“……”

“It pisses me off, but when I think about it, it makes sense. To protect His Majesty safely, it’s right to monitor and complement each other.”

“…I’m warning you, if you keep calling the Prime Minister that, you’ll get scolded later.”

Yeah, go to hell. Berick stuck out his tongue and brushed it off. Then, as if his thoughts had been organized, he stood up with a much clearer face and grabbed his jacket.

“By the way, Fang.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going to apply for the commander position too, right?”

At Berick’s question, Barsabe grinned. As if it was obvious. Probably not just her, but everyone in the Imperial Guard would apply for that glorious position.

“What about your left arm?”

“This arm is nothing. Winning is all that matters, right?”

How the commander was chosen was simple: a one-on-one duel. Berick glanced at her arm and nodded.

“Okay. Fight to the death and become a commander.”

Although she was annoying, according to the Prime Minister, Barsabe was the best colleague to fill Berick’s shortcomings.

Barsabe grinned and replied,

“Of course. If you can do it, why can’t I?”

* * *

“Ian, how about not attending this meeting? No matter how I think about it, that seems right.”

Inside the carriage heading to the main palace, Romandro stuck close to Ian and repeatedly begged him to turn back.

He had been pleading until his voice was hoarse, but Ian didn’t seem to be listening at all. Even in the bumpy carriage, he was flipping through documents without any disturbance, which said it all.

“Ian. If you don’t take care of your health, it becomes my fault.”

“How is that Romandro’s fault?”

“I’m your aide!”

“That won’t happen. I was just a little dizzy. Actually, it’s more difficult for me when Romandro keeps doing this.”

Romandro finally decided to pull out his trump card. He stammered and whispered cautiously. In a voice as small as a mosquito.

“I, I’m going to tell Commander Acorella…”

Whack-

Ian reacted. When he turned his head to look, Romandro smiled awkwardly and avoided his gaze.

“Romandro.”

“Uh-huh?”

“You misspelled a word here.”

“What? No way!”

“It’s true.”

Squeak!

Eventually, the carriage arrived in front of the main palace. While Romandro took back his report and read it again, a guard relayed a message through the carriage window.

“Are you Minister Ian Hielo of the Ministry of Magic?”

“That’s right.”

“His Majesty has asked you to stop by his office when he arrives. Please go up immediately.”

The meeting was about to start, but he was asking to see him separately in his office? Although puzzled, Ian acknowledged and went up the stairs.

Those who had arrived at the meeting hall early and were reviewing documents recognized Ian and greeted him politely.

“Your Majesty, Minister Ian Hielo of the Ministry of Magic has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

Squeak.

Jin also seemed to be in a rush because of the upcoming meeting. There was a mountain of reports and scrolls on his desk. He greeted Ian warmly but couldn’t put down his pen.

“Your Majesty, I apologize. I came immediately when you called, but should I come back later?”

“No. There’s a matter to discuss before the meeting. Please sit. It’s good to see you twice a day.”

What could be the matter? Ian lightly clenched his fist under the table. He must have had an interview with the Prime Minister after the afternoon meeting. It was probably related to that.

“Sir Ian, have you eaten?”

“Yes, I have. How about Your Majesty?”

“Me too, haha.”

“The matter you wanted to discuss…”

“Well. It’s nothing else-”

Cough. Jin coughed and sat across from Ian. It was really uncomfortable to try to get an opinion from someone he trusted. Jin was silent for a long time, carefully choosing his words.

“Sir Ian. Looking at the reports submitted by the Ministry of Magic so far, there are questions about the monsters.”

“Questions about the monsters, you say?”

“The fact that monsters came out of the rifts that occurred in the Clifford Zone, and the ‘Great Monster Attack’ incident in the northern region. The Undergod is sealed, but could we think of it in connection with the sealing of monsters?”

Ian pondered for a moment.

The Shadow God and monsters were connected as one. To put it simply, just as humans exist for gods, monsters exist for the Shadow God.

Therefore, just as humans live even if the gods do not appear in the world, monsters could exist somewhere even if the Shadow God did not appear. Continuously.

“No, that’s not the case. The monster crisis should be viewed on a different plane.”

“I see.”

As Jin agreed as if he had expected it, Ian’s fingertips paused. The fist he had lightly clenched was gradually tightening. He had realized what Jin was trying to say and recommend.

“Your Majesty, we must secure the justification for importing firearms. Now that the Shadow God is sealed, the only thing that will disturb the world will be monsters.”

And the only ones who can easily deal with monsters are mages and magic swordsmen.

“Then, Sir Ian. I’ve been thinking, how about creating a monster response unit to prepare for this?”

“Please ask Minister Ian’s opinion. The proposal from the Hawan rebels is something everyone would welcome except for the Ministry of Magic. If he truly cares for Bariel, wouldn’t he accept it?”

Jin looked at Ian’s expression and handed him a piece of paper.

“This is the proposal from the Hawan rebels that I couldn’t mention at the meeting.”

Swish.

“The mages of the East are showing interest in Idgal [a magical substance], so how about establishing official diplomatic relations with them in exchange for giving them some of it? Hawan will help. We just need to recognize them and send them supplies. Moreover, they say they will hand over all firearms and their authority after the rebellion ends, so this seems like an opportunity we shouldn’t miss.”

I’m sorry, but if I don’t do this, the momentum of the vassals who are wary of you and trying to harm you will become uncontrollable, Jin apologized deeply in his heart.

Above all, he believed that Ian, the Ian he knew, would understand his true feelings and circumstances.

But-

“…I strongly agree with the establishment of a monster response unit, but I regret to say that I do not agree with the rest.”

Ian’s answer was completely different from what he had expected.

“Wh-why?”

“There will be no problem with establishing a monster response unit since we have the Dera tribe’s weapons. However, we must be very cautious about handing over Idgal to the unfamiliar East. No matter how powerful firearms are, Bariel’s strength comes from magic. It is not a deal worth making at the expense of that.”

Ian pushed the document back towards Jin and stated his position firmly.

“Rather, I am even considering buying back and disposing of all the Idgal that has spread throughout Gaia.”

Because it won’t exist in the future. It’s just a gift from the gods as a means to repel the Shadow God and suppress the rifts.

Ian added calmly.

“Therefore, I cannot cooperate. Your Majesty.”