Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 798

“What’s the schedule for the arrival of the foreign delegations?”

“There might be slight differences, but it’ll be around the end of this month.”

“Oh my, that’s not much time left.”

“So, I was thinking of holding Rutherford’s execution ceremony at the same time as the delegations arrive. The schedule is too tight to handle the event separately.”

“That’s a good idea! Let’s suggest it to the Ministry of Justice right away.”

Romandro scratched his cheek and muttered. His once neat shirt was crumpled, and the dark circles under his eyes made him look terrible, but no one dared to comment. Everyone looked similar. They had thought they could finally rest after capturing the Eastern mage, but it was a miscalculation.

“Romandro, what about King Damon?”

“I heard he’s being handed over to King Burgos alive?”

“No, I mean the oracle.”

“Ah! Right! Why is it so late? It should have arrived by now.”

“Shall we check?”

“Yes. I hope nothing’s wrong.”

As if the workload that had been delayed due to unnecessary power struggles wasn’t enough-

“Please check the route for the letters to be sent to the East.”

“We need Ian’s help with this. I know that crossing the Great Desert and the Blaster Sea comes first… but after that, there’s almost no information.”

“I heard they’re sending a team of mages.”

“Are they doing that crap again? Ugh, I’m tired of it.”

“No, but this makes sense. The journey is so long and arduous, and if we want to explain the situation to the Great Mage of the East, it’s right for our mages to go too. While they’re there, they can explore Eastern magic and learn if there’s anything to learn.”

New tasks were added one after another due to the Eastern matter.

This was a unique mission for the Magic Department that could not be handled by other departments-

“The East…”

The mages stopped working and blinked slowly.

“It’s kind of tempting, isn’t it?”

“Actually, I feel the same.”

“Did you see how the Eastern guys use magic?”

“I did. It was amazing.”

“Scrolls fluttering in the air! Oh, I almost fell in love.”

It wasn’t like the level of no trade with Tolun, but a completely unknown world. As mages, they were filled with pure curiosity about what the magic there would be like.

However, they quickly shook their heads and focused on their work again. Once they went, it would be a long-term mission that would take at least a few years. It was not a matter to be decided by simple interest.

“But did you hear about it?”

“About what?”

“The Prime Minister.”

Khehehe. One of the mages chuckled lowly, and the other mages started laughing along. Even though no special explanation was added, they exchanged sly glances as if they felt relieved.

“You guys, why do the mages of the Empire laugh like that?”

“Romandro, try laughing like this. It feels surprisingly good?”

“Ugh. The Prime Minister, that old man. He acted like he knew everything, and now he’s under house arrest in his old age. Is it his first time?”

“Really? After being over eighty?”

Gulp! They swallowed the green-colored drink while chatting. It was a tonic made by boiling medicinal herbs that the Emperor had personally bestowed.

Romandro, also secretly enjoying the gossip, leaned in and added.

“The Prime Minister’s wife is the youngest daughter of the previous Prime Minister.”

“Huh? They’re totally in cahoots!”

“It’s not that common for the Prime Minister to be placed under house arrest. Maybe his wife will say something when they meet? Like, ‘We have the family’s honor!’ Khehehe.”

“Huh? That was a weird laugh.”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

“It seems he’s separated from his wife?”

“She retired a long time ago and went down to her family’s estate. To a local territory.”

“It would be nice if he followed her this time.”

Just as the mages were chattering away-

Thud!

The office door burst open, making everyone flinch in surprise. It was a reflexive reaction from having been gossiping about the Prime Minister.

However, they turned their heads away in annoyance when they saw Beric standing at the door.

“Ah, you scared me. It was just the mutt.”

“Hey, he’s the captain now.”

“Beric, what’s going on?”

Beric had an extremely annoyed expression. His eyes were half-flipped, and all the muscles in his face were stiff. He pointed towards the Minister’s office and shouted.

“Open the Minister’s office door, you bastards!”

“Ah, are you here to see Ian?”

“We thought he was dead since we haven’t seen him.”

Snap. As Beric approached with his teeth bared, the mages quickly got up and walked towards the Minister’s office.

The mages knew why Beric hadn’t been able to come to the Magic Department. First, he was the only captain of the Imperial Guard, so he had no time to leave his post, and second, he had to be careful not to cause any rumors as the captain of the Imperial Guard, given the recent rumors about the Magic Department. Fortunately, the Magic Department’s disgrace had been cleared recently, but still, just in case.

Knowing all this, the mages kept teasing Beric.

“What’s keeping you so busy that we haven’t seen your face?”

“Unbelievable. Don’t you know that all the work was piled up because you guys ran away as a group?”

“We didn’t run away, we went to catch those Eastern bastards, okay?”

“Whatever. Just open the door quickly.”

“Geez, what a temper.”

Creak.

When a mage flicked the handle, the tightly locked door opened too easily.

Beric strode inside, and the mage noticed a scratch on the door’s surface. That wild dog must have kicked it in impatience. What a ruffian.

“You’re here?”

“Where’s Ian?”

“Haaam. Well, he’s the same.”

The mage, who had been injecting mana into Ian, yawned widely as he answered.

It had been five days already. He hadn’t regained consciousness and kept collapsing. He hadn’t been like this even on the battlefield….

“Ian.”

“Don’t shake him, just look with your eyes.”

“Okay. Damn it.”

“And bring me some food. I’m hungry.”

Beric stared down at Ian. He looked like he was asleep, but there was too little movement. He put his finger under his nose and was relieved by the faint breath he felt.

His complexion had become pale. Beric sighed and sat down.

“Well, well.”

“Ha, really. I should have gone back then.”

“What, when you met Romandro?”

“Did you hear that?”

“I did. But would anything have changed if you had gone?”

It was a cold comfort.

It was true. Beric couldn’t have protected Ian by sharing his mana, nor could he have faced the two Eastern mages. What could Beric do when even the entire Magic Department would have struggled?

At those words, Beric glared with narrowed eyes.

“What a smartass.”

“The truth is always painful.”

“Ugh. Showing off. You should be the one in pain.”

“I wish I could, you jerk. But hey, are you allowed to be here?”

Clink. The sound of a mage stirring tea with a spoon was pleasant to hear. Beric plopped down on the sofa right next to Ian and fixed his gaze on him.

“I’m on vacation today.”

“Oh, the Imperial Guard is so relaxed. The captain is the only one, and he’s taking a vacation.”

“Geez, you keep picking fights with me. You wanna die? I’m the captain, okay? What are you? Who do you think you are?”

“What do you mean, what am I? I’m a mage. Can’t you see this red cloth?”

“What are you talking about? It’s white. Aha? I can dye it for you. With your blood.”

“Huh. That’s my line.”

As Beric and the mage bickered, Romandro, who was passing by, clicked his tongue and came in. He was secretly trying to take a break.

“You guys are so noisy.”

“No, Romandro, this guy is acting like he has no respect for anyone now that he’s the captain.”

“Of course. Am I supposed to be on equal footing with a mage who doesn’t even have a rank?”

“Wow, really. The guy who got caught stealing meat from the kitchen and got scolded by the chef? I don’t understand life, really.”

“Whatever. Beric, when are you going to select the captain of the Imperial Guard? Talk to the Imperial Defense Department. You’re the only captain, and with Minister Tweller gone, the other departments are making even more of a fuss.”

Beric crunched on a cookie on the table and looked at Romandro.

He also knew well. The reason why the Imperial Palace was so eager to devour the Magic Department was because of the ‘lack of talent.’ If they increased the number of captain positions to three and Minister Tweller returned, there would be less interference. Definitely.

“I’m talking to them, but the Imperial Defense Department is just sitting on their hands, saying they have too much work. It’s not their problem. I mean, who told them to close the shop and run away?”

“We didn’t run away, we were on an assignment!”

“Romandro, you’re the same. Yeah, now you’re no different from those stubborn mages.”

“You’re the most stubborn one.”

“Whatever! Just get Siana married off quickly.”

“Who? Siao Shi?”

At the sudden remark, Romandro and the mages widened their eyes. Siao Shi, as in, with Lady Chloe?

“That’s right. That’s a good idea.”

Come to think of it, there were many high-ranking officials from the Davion family in the Imperial Palace. To strengthen internal unity and divert their attention from the Magic Department, there was no better solution.

Once it was accomplished, Siao Shi’s authority would also rise, and she would gain influence second only to Tweller!

Romandro and the mage clapped their hands together, but Beric just scratched his ear and muttered.

“I can’t stand to watch it. Really.”

“Beric, you jerk! You’ve gotten a bit smarter?”

“What? I was always smart.”

“Puhahaha! This guy is completely crazy?”

“Ugh, it’s noisy. Be quiet, everyone.”

“A guy with an empty head if it weren’t for magic!”

“I said be quiet!”

That’s when it happened.

“…It’s noisy.”

“……!”

“……?!”

The commotion that had been mixed in with Romandro stopped abruptly.

The gazes that had been glaring at each other moved to look behind them. Ian, who they didn’t know when he had regained consciousness, was frowning and looking at the three of them.

“I, I, I-”

“Ian!”

“Ian has opened his eyes!”

…It’s noisy.

Ian closed his eyes again as if he couldn’t help it, and the inside quickly became a marketplace due to the mages who had rushed in at the shout.

They put their arms around Beric’s neck after seeing Ian with his eyes closed.

Tap tap!

“Where did you get this lie!”

“Ack! I didn’t call him!”

“No, Ian. You just opened your eyes.”

“Uh, Ian. Can you hear me?”

When Romandro carefully spoke, the surroundings became quiet again.

After a moment of silence, Ian answered with difficulty.

“…I can hear you.”

“Huh!”

It’s real! Ian has woken up! The mages covered their mouths and cheered, jumping around the sofa in joy.

However, Ian continued to frown with his eyes closed. It seemed that his physical condition had not yet recovered.

“Ian, are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“Call the doctor, the doctor and the captains!”

“Aren’t you hungry? Ian, can you recognize us?”

“We caught those Eastern mages and beat them up. You just need to get better, Ian.”

“Yes, and the Prime Minister was also placed under house arrest and kicked out.”

“He’ll come back someday.”

“The Hawan incident has also been resolved somehow. His Majesty received the report that Melanie submitted. It’s confidential, so only our Magic Department knows about it yet.”

The mages stuck close to Ian and reported everything that had happened.

Ian, who had been listening calmly, raised his gaze. So, everything has been resolved, is that what they’re saying? While he was lying here?

‘…Why?’

It was unexpected. He thought there would be problems due to his absence. But it wasn’t?

Ian held back his words as he organized his thoughts. The mages were waiting for Ian’s reaction of ‘that’s good,’ but-

“Ian?”

Ian fell asleep again without saying anything. His expression was somehow strange. It seemed like he was relieved, but also uncomfortable, and on the other hand, he had a questioning expression as if he didn’t know himself.

But what does it matter?

“Iannnn!”

“Acorella, Captain! Shhh!”

Since he had regained consciousness, his full recovery was just a matter of time. The excited mages dragged Captain Acorella, who had rushed in with her hair disheveled, back out.

In the quiet room, Romandro and Beric glanced at each other, then smiled lightly and nodded.