Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 784

Melania stumbled along, pulled by Silver Wolf’s hand. Was it her imagination, or did the gazes of the beheaded rebel corpses seem to follow her? They were dying without even realizing they were dead. That’s how swift and incredibly sharp Huhan’s attack had been.

Suddenly, Melania stopped walking.

“Um—”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but it would be best if you, um, collected the fire cannons.”

Silver Wolf tilted her head. Her violet eyes flashed coldly, trying to discern Melania’s intentions.

“The rebels were able to make an official proposal to Bariel because they had fire cannons. As you know, the Eastern fire cannons are new to Gaia, so they have a significant impact on the war. Taking them would be a great help to the two Eastern mages. After all, the Minister of Magic is also a politician of Bariel.”

“Ah, is that what you mean? If that’s the case, it’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

Silver Wolf’s eyes narrowed, as if there was some secret hidden in the fire cannons.

“Are you curious?”

Melania’s curiosity surged, but she bit her lip and held back. Instinctively, she felt it was dangerous. If she stepped into that forbidden territory, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.

She needed a safety net to delve into that. Was that why she kept thinking of Ian Hielro? Melania slowly shook her head from side to side.

“No, it’s nothing.”

The mages of the Imperial Palace were different from them. Even if the source of their power was the same, their paths were clearly opposed. She could understand why the power of mages and the power of monsters were both called ‘magical power’.

“You’re quite likeable. What was your name again?”

“Melania.”

“Right, Melania. If I go to Bariel, can I meet Ian Hielro right away?”

“Yes, he should be in the Imperial Palace. If that’s a burden, I can arrange a meeting separately.”

“Good. Do that, Melania. Hold on tight to me.”

「Flowing Stream」.

Melania’s eyes widened. The way she chanted the spell was no different from the mages of Bariel, but the magic circle was completely different.

Around Silver Wolf, long white scrolls unfurled, covered with golden characters. They were the same as the ones engraved on Silver Wolf’s body.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

The moonlight that had permeated the surroundings gradually brightened, and soon enveloped them. Silver Wolf turned around as if she was enjoying it, and her long robe fluttered beautifully.

“Let’s go, riding the moonlight.”

* * *

“We didn’t do it, right?”

Inside the carriage heading to the main palace—

Romandro clung to Ian, chattering incessantly. Who would benefit the most if the import of fire cannons was delayed? It was the Ministry of Magic. And they had the ability to easily deal with a rebel leader.

As Romandro flailed around as if he was about to faint, Ian laughed, telling him to calm down.

“Why, why are you laughing like that? It wasn’t us, right?”

“I’m just curious who would believe that.”

“No, there’s nothing to believe or not! It wasn’t us!”

Well, Ian postponed his answer and looked out the window. Watching the situation unfold without any obstacles, he felt it was a good thing, but at the same time, he felt strange. And the more he felt that way, the more Ian was determined to focus on finishing the construction of the Ministry of Magic’s annex.

‘Literally, you never know what might happen.’

He knew that the more he was cut off from the Imperial Palace, the more burden the Ministry of Magic would bear. So, once the foundation was laid, he would….

Screech!

“Lord Ian, we have arrived.”

The carriage stopped in front of the main palace. As if they had already heard the news, the heads of the relevant departments and their staff were gathered, whispering among themselves. When Ian entered, they abruptly stopped the commotion and gave him a brief greeting.

Romandro pouted his lips in dissatisfaction and snorted, ‘Hmph!’ If they were so suspicious, they should just come out and ask. Romandro followed Ian, his fighting spirit at its peak.

“Minister Ian Hielro of the Ministry of Magic has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

It was the Emperor’s office, not the conference room. The Emperor, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Administration, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who were sitting on the sofa, all turned to look at Ian at the same time. It seemed they had been gathered long before he arrived, as there were half-smoked cigarettes and half-empty teacups on the table.

“You summoned me.”

“Please, sit down, Minister Ian.”

It was the Prime Minister who guided him to a seat. The Emperor was still looking the other way, without reacting. As soon as Ian sat down, the Prime Minister handed him a report and explained.

“You must have heard a brief summary on your way here, but I will tell you again. This is information compiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“The rebel leader and his group were annihilated in a mysterious attack, and this has triggered fierce fighting once again. The whereabouts of the fire cannons are unknown.”

The Prime Minister said this, observing Ian’s expression. He was so skilled at controlling his emotions that it was difficult to discern anything, but the Prime Minister sharpened his gaze as if he wouldn’t miss even the slightest change.

Ian, realizing his intention, smiled faintly. Wasn’t the suspicion too intense?

“It’s a sudden turn of events. It’s become quite troublesome.”

Ian said this and then closed his mouth.

Silence filled the office. Everyone except the Emperor seemed to be wondering what to say. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was forced to raise a question.

“Ahem. Minister Ian, do you have any guesses?”

“Guesses, you say?”

“According to the report, the rebel corpses are not ordinary. The cut surfaces are so clean that it seems impossible for a human to do it.”

“So?”

“So, um, I’m asking if you know anything about it.”

Ian leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs. The more relaxed he was, the more the Minister of Foreign Affairs became tense. It was just a question, but there was no way Minister Ian wouldn’t know the intention behind it.

“I am the Minister of Magic of Bariel, not the Minister of Hawan.”

“Yes, of course, I know. But—”

“Isn’t it the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ job to find out if there are mages in other countries? How can you say in front of His Majesty that you haven’t even grasped the current situation properly?”

Mages were a major human resource for a country. They exerted a great presence in all areas, including the economy, culture, and military, so they were naturally an essential consideration in diplomacy. But why was the Minister of Foreign Affairs asking the Minister of Magic about the status of mages in Hawan? This was clearly the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs looked troubled and added,

“There are no mages in Hawan. That is certain. It was the case before the rebellion, and it is still the case after it.”

Ah.

Ian’s eyes sparkled, as if he had caught them.

“So, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is certain that there are no mages in Hawan, and yet you are asking the Ministry of Magic for the reason behind this incident. How should I interpret this?”

It was a clear accusation. Were they confident? If the Ministry of Magic was not involved in the current situation, could they take responsibility? That was what Ian was asking.

When the Minister of Foreign Affairs hesitated and missed his chance to answer, Ian turned to the Prime Minister as if to show off.

“They didn’t bring the corpses to ask about, nor are the testimonies about the mysterious light detailed. I can’t even guess what you’re trying to ask.”

Come on, try me, Prime Minister.

As Ian smiled, Quintana mediated the atmosphere.

“There is no other intention. It’s just that it was a strange death, so we thought it might be related to magic and are asking for your opinion.”

“Ah, I don’t know. It could be magic, it could be a magic sword, or even a sorcerer.”

“Minister Ian.”

The Prime Minister called him in a low voice.

“If you have no idea at all, I have a request. Please form an investigation team of mages and dispatch them to Hawan.”

“My people?”

“Since the rebellion is severe, a regular investigation team is not appropriate for safety reasons, and above all, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is certain that it is a trace of magic—”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who had been listening quietly, flinched and turned to the Prime Minister, as if to say it was difficult to speak that way. But the Prime Minister continued his proposal without paying attention.

“To investigate this accurately, it is right for mages to go. I would like you to go and examine the situation directly and even find the fire cannons. What do you think?”

Ian pretended to ponder for a moment, taking a sip of his tea. They were planning to reduce the number of mages in the Imperial Palace under the guise of an investigation team. They would send the mages to Hawan, and then they would conduct their own investigations here, and they would conduct their own investigations there.

Moreover, if they were also in charge of ‘collecting the fire cannons,’ no one could guarantee how long it would take to complete the mission.

“I would like to, but—”

The Prime Minister frowned at Ian’s preamble. It was clear that it was a preamble for refusal.

“As you know, the aftermath of the war is still severe, and most of the mages have not recovered. Mages who do not have full magical power are no different from ordinary people, so they are not much different from a regular investigation team.”

Everyone pressed their lips together and hardened their expressions. Wasn’t the Minister of Magic’s attitude suspicious? What had been suspicion was turning into certainty. The Ministry of Magic, or rather Ian, was involved in the annihilation of the rebels.

“Besides, delegations from various countries will be arriving soon. To welcome the guests and ensure their safety, it is right for the mages to remain in the Imperial Palace. First, please send an investigation team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When the time is right, we will provide support from our side.”

“When the time is right? When will that be?”

“You never know. Just like the Minister didn’t know that this situation would happen.”

Oh, look at this? The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ eyes rolled as if he was dumbfounded. How was that different from saying they wouldn’t send mages? Judging by his audacious attitude, this guy was definitely the culprit! The Minister of Foreign Affairs stood up abruptly and shouted loudly.

“Are you joking right now? In a situation where we don’t know whose hands the fire cannons might fall into, how can you, as the head of the Ministry of Magic, be so complacent?”

“Which part of my proposal is complacent? Are you saying that it’s complacent to give those who barely survived the battlefield and are still not fully recovered time to recover?”

“Minister Ian! Tell me honestly. Is the Ministry of Magic really not involved in this incident? You wouldn’t be acting like this otherwise.”

Ian nodded firmly.

“No, we are not.”

He met the gazes of the Prime Minister and Quintana one by one and answered as if declaring it.

“The situation in Hawan has nothing to do with the Ministry of Magic.”

“This, this shameless—!”

“Enough.”

It was then. Jin, who had been listening quietly, stopped the Minister of Foreign Affairs with a gesture. His low, monotonous dignity was palpable. Jin, who had been looking the other way, looked directly at Ian.

“Lord Ian. Is what you say true?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…Then that’s enough. Since Lord Ian says it’s not, do not cause any more discord.”

“But Your Majesty!”

“I said enough.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs grumbled, feeling wronged, but Jin spoke firmly.

There was trust in Jin’s eyes. Lord Ian had been a bit strange for the past few days, but he was not the kind of person who would go so far as to complicate the situation. Even if he did cause trouble, he was not the kind of person who would leave traces.

That was the Ian he knew. So, he trusted him.

“Lord Ian, you may return. The Ministry of Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will handle the situation.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ian bowed respectfully and quietly left the office. In the distance, Romandro, who had been waiting for Ian, spotted him and ran towards him.

“Ian, what did they say—”

Ian was staring blankly into the air, as if he was slightly out of it. It seemed like there had been some shouting, but how….

‘Looks like something worked out well?’

Ian was expressionless, but Romandro could clearly read the atmosphere. Ian nonchalantly passed Romandro and gave instructions.

“The Ministry of Magic will have to conduct its own investigation separately.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, of course. What did His Majesty say?”

“His Majesty—”

Ian added quietly, as if it was nothing special.

“Said he trusts me.”