Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 785

“Haa.”

After the Prime Minister and the ministers had left, Jin let out a deep, unrestrained sigh. He even leaned his head back against the sofa, but the tightness in his chest didn’t easily dissipate.

How could things have gone so wrong? He had thought that once the war was over, everything would proceed smoothly, but that was arrogant of him.

Jin suddenly recalled the last night in Toallune.

“Your Majesty’s final battle is not over yet. Rather, it would be more accurate to say it’s just beginning.”

Was that what Ian had meant?

Ian probably knew. He had always been someone who saw several steps ahead and acted accordingly. It was clear that Ian had also anticipated that his final battle would begin not on the battlefield but within the Imperial Palace.

Jin pressed his forehead, trying to ease his headache.

‘This is strange.’

It felt like he was struggling against an unstoppable current, with all his might. It might be a delusion, but that’s how it felt.

That made it even more frustrating. He had no intention of restraining Ian and the Ministry of Magic, so why weren’t things going his way? People’s feelings, sudden events—everything was shaking him so violently.

Jin ended up pouring himself a full glass of wine.

‘The massacre of the rebels is not Lord Ian’s doing.’

Because Lord Ian had said it wasn’t. The circumstantial suspicions that the Prime Minister and ministers were pointing out were meaningless. Only Ian’s word, looking him in the eye and saying it wasn’t, was the truth he would believe in.

Jin frowned, gripping the glass tightly.

‘But according to the reports on the state of the corpses, it’s clear that it wasn’t the work of ordinary humans. There’s something in Hawan. We just need to focus on uncovering that and send an investigation team.’

The Minister of Foreign Affairs had made a fuss, insisting that a mage had to go, but Jin intended to ignore it.

They didn’t know how much pain the mages had endured for victory on the battlefield. They hadn’t seen the golden trails that adorned the sky, nor had they felt the helplessness of simply watching their comrades disappear into ash.

And now, send them back to Hawan? Even if it wasn’t Ian, Jin didn’t want that.

Clink.

Jin swirled the ice in his glass, lost in thought for a moment. When was it? When he was young, he remembered the day he went to a bar with Lord Ian. Beric’s strange outfit had been so funny. Romandro’s awkward acting and Siao Shi’s shy joy had been so heartwarming.

‘Something is wrong.’

No matter how much he thought about it, that was the conclusion. Wasn’t it? They had won the war, but things were worse than before. Something was definitely off. Whether he was aware of it or not, there must be a subtle misalignment somewhere.

As that thought occurred to him, Jin grabbed his coat.

“Is anyone out there?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’m going to the Ministry of Magic. Send word to Lord Ian.”

“I will prepare it.”

He would go to Lord Ian. Go and have an open conversation. He was a wise and warm person, so he would surely ease his worries. In addition, he needed to resolve the awkwardness in their relationship since the day they had raised their voices at each other.

Jin gave another instruction, his heart feeling lighter.

“And bring a bottle of the wine that Clifford presented last year.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was a sudden night visit, but the Imperial Palace officials moved quickly to prepare the carriage and wine. Everyone in the palace knew about the tension that had arisen between the Emperor and the Minister of Magic in recent days. Therefore, they had been hoping that they would reconcile in this way someday.

Hee-heeing!

The carriage sped off more smoothly than ever.

Holding the wine in his arms, Jin watched the approaching Ministry of Magic. It was late, but he would surely be working in his office. With a slightly tired face, but he would greet him as if he had been waiting.

“Huk. Your Majesty?”

“What brings you here?”

As he climbed the stairs of the Ministry of Magic, mages were sprawled out in the lobby. They must have come out for a late-night snack. They quickly got up from their seats, their mouths full of food.

“Keep eating. Is Lord Ian inside?”

“Ah, that’s-”

Jin’s steps also halted at the mage’s hesitant reply. The mages wiped their mouths, looking apologetic.

“The Minister is out. With Romandro.”

“…He’s not here?”

“Yes, he’s been in the Ministry of Magic all the time, but he just happened to go out today. He probably went to Romandro’s house. I’ll send a message right away.”

“No-”

Jin shook his head urgently. It was a spontaneous visit. And if he had gone out with Romandro, he would have gone to his mansion, as the mage said.

“It’s fine.”

He probably needed a break too. Jin smiled wistfully and held up the wine.

“Then this is for you all.”

“Hup! Oh my god!”

“C-can we really?”

“Isn’t this Clifford wine!”

“This is crazy. I’m glad I worked overtime today!”

The mages’ eyes lit up as they slowly approached Jin. Then, they received the wine from Jin as if they were holding a baby.

“I know better than anyone how much you all suffered during the war. Once the urgent tasks are settled, I will give you appropriate rewards, so please wait a little longer.”

“Oh, Your Majesty, what are you saying?”

“Of course! Yes, it was something we had to do for Bariel. Ugh, the smell of this wine is amazing.”

“Go wake up the kids who are sleeping.”

“Oh my, look at this one? Are you crazy? Let them sleep.”

“Um, Your Majesty-”

They hesitated for a moment, wondering if they should ask if he would like to join them, but he was the Emperor. No matter how they thought about it, it was an impudent request. Well, then, there was no other way.

“We will enjoy it.”

“We will enjoy it!”

They bowed their heads and finished the conversation.

Jin smiled wryly, watching the mages run down the hallway, and then turned around.

“……”

The night air felt particularly cold today. Jin looked around the quiet and dark surroundings and impulsively muttered.

“I’m leaving the palace.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll go out and come back quietly, so tell Beric.”

To tell the commander of the Imperial Guard meant that he would not have any other escorts. The attendants were momentarily perplexed, but they bowed, understanding the Emperor’s mood.

The faint light from the Ministry of Magic fell behind the Emperor. Due to the backlight, Jin’s face looked even darker.

Tap!

Shortly after, Beric appeared, leading a horse. His face was slightly swollen, as if he had been woken from sleep.

“Your Majesty, you’re going out.”

“Yes. Sorry for calling you so suddenly.”

“It’s alright. I was bored too and was longing to go outside. Where are you going?”

“I don’t know.”

Jin pondered for a moment. Outside the palace, he didn’t know any place other than Romandro’s house.

Jin turned to Beric and smiled awkwardly. Since he couldn’t drink with Lord Ian, he had no choice but to soothe his empty heart alone.

“Do you think that bar we used to go to is still there?”

* * *

“Here! One grilled chicken!”

“Alright!”

“Ugh, the beer is so refreshing. Strangely, the alcohol here is sweet.”

“It’s sweet because they add honey, you fool.”

“Huh? Really?”

“You’re eating without even knowing what you’re putting in your mouth.”

It was almost midnight. The small bar in the alley was crowded, even the outdoor seats, despite the late hour. The owner was busy frying meat inside, and the server was running around the hall with her sleeves rolled up.

“Oh, Eirin. You’re back alive?”

“It’s been a while, sir. Here’s your beer.”

“Yes. You’ve worked hard. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Of course not. I came back safe and sound.”

“Eirin did a great job in the war!”

“What? Really?”

“Aish, I told you it’s not true! Why do you keep saying that!”

The bar’s only server, Eirin, burst into laughter at the customers’ playful greetings.

She was also one of the soldiers who had taken off their armor and returned to everyday life after the victory parade. The bar owner was so happy that she had come back alive that he declared he would sell beer at half price for a while. And it was Eirin’s job to serve it.

“The rumors are everywhere, Eirin. They say you were a Holy Knight?”

“What?! Really? But why are you here? Why aren’t you at the temple?”

“I don’t think I can go to the temple now.”

“Well, I guess. You couldn’t resist the taste of the beer here.”

“They say you even saved the Emperor’s life?”

“Oh my, who keeps spreading such rumors? I should add salt to the beer of anyone who talks nonsense.”

Ding!

“Welcome!”

Eirin turned her head towards the door, thinking it was a good time. He was quite tall. And bulky too.

“Oh.”

“Huh?”

The man seemed to have tried to disguise himself with a hat, but he couldn’t hide his red hair and rebellious eyes. Eirin immediately recognized him as Beric. And the person who followed him in as well.

“Y-Your, Your… !”

Your Majesty?!

As the three people stood frozen at the entrance, the owner called out to Eirin.

“Eirin, why are you leaving the customers standing there like that?”

“Ah, um, why are you here…”

“We came to a bar to drink, what else would we come for? Two honey beers.”

Beric took a seat in the corner and held up two fingers. Jin also looked flustered, but he sat down across from him as if nothing had happened.

“T-two honey beers.”

“And chicken for the side.”

…Oh, man. He even knew the bar’s popular menu.

Eirin wondered if this was real as she took the order. The commander of the Imperial Guard and His Majesty the Emperor had barged into a cheap alley bar… and so naturally!

“…Yes. Thank you.”

Eirin bowed her head and stepped back. Then, Beric covered his mouth with his hand and whispered.

“Your Majesty, did you perhaps know and come here on purpose?”

“…No, I didn’t know.”

“Wow, I thought I was going to faint from shock.”

“I was surprised too.”

“Bariel is surprisingly small.”

Whisper, whisper. The two men were trying to be quiet, but Eirin was dying of nervousness.

“That’s right, Eirin! You said you saw His Majesty the Emperor up close, right?”

“Yes?”

Huh, damn it!

“Tell us about it. You saw him up close.”

“They say he’s very handsome.”

“Yes, he, he is, handsome.”

Eirin poured the beer, tears welling up inside. She had always enjoyed watching the customers make bombastic remarks when they were drunk, but now she was the target.

Eirin wanted to shout at them all to shut up. The handsome Emperor that the old men were talking about had just ordered two honey beers in the corner over there!

“They say you even saved His Majesty’s life?”

“M-me? Who said that?”

“The owner.”

Wink! The owner proudly gave Eirin a thumbs up. Her face felt like it was burning. She bit the inside of her cheek and placed two glasses on the corner table.

“Two honey beers… here.”

“Thank you.”

Jin added playfully as he received the glass.

“For saving my life.”

“……!”

Eirin gasped and stepped back, and Jin smiled as he looked at her. Beric, who was caught in between, picked his nose.

‘Oh my, what a mess.’

Beric pretended not to know anything and rested his chin on his hand, looking outside. There were few people walking around because it was late at night. Then, one person caught his eye. A figure wearing a robe, hurrying past.

‘Oh.’

It was just a fleeting glance, but the feeling was very familiar, and Beric couldn’t take his eyes off him.

And then, a woman who greeted him and led him into the alley. Beric’s eyes widened.

‘It’s Melania.’

And the one with her is…

‘It’s Ian?’