Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 807

After the general assembly ended-

“Is he completely insane?”

The officials hurried to the garden behind the main palace, each with a cigarette dangling from their lips and expressions of disbelief etched on their faces.

“You can say that again.”

“What on earth is he planning?”

They were all dumbfounded, struggling to find the right words. Ian’s response had been far from what they had anticipated. The countermeasures they had meticulously prepared were rendered useless in an instant.

“Is it because he’s still young? He doesn’t understand how terrifying money can be.”

“Exactly! Even if he’s a mage, how can he burn through thousands of gold coins at once? Just for magic stones?”

Then, someone from the Davion family offered a correction, though only Ian Hielo knew the full truth.

“It’s not just about the magic stones. You all know Lord Siao Xi, right? I heard that Minister Ian is trying to transfer his territory to her as part of the marriage arrangement with the Davion family.”

“I think that’s all calculated too. If it’s Lord Siao Xi, isn’t she the one Minister Ian brought to the Imperial Palace himself, though that was quite some time ago?”

“Oh, that was a while back.”

“Still, if he forges a connection with the Davion family, there will be subtle ways for him to exert influence. Look at his behavior. He’s acting without even reporting to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“He didn’t seem like this before.”

“I was wrong. I never imagined he’d turn out like this…”

Ugh. They all stroked their beards and puffed on their cigarettes.

No matter how much they debated, the answer was clear. They had to meet and sort things out before Ian made contact with the merchants.

They had to either firmly silence those merchants or deal with them before Ian did, to prevent any leaks. That would be the safest course of action.

The problem was, who would take on that troublesome and cumbersome task?

“Minister Rayburn?”

Someone turned to look at Rayburn, who remained silent.

He had been somewhat out of it since the general assembly, as if his mind was elsewhere. He slowly raised his head and muttered quietly.

“Minister Ian, what do you think his physical condition is like?”

“Can’t you see? He’s young, so he’s bursting with energy!”

“That’s what I’m saying. I heard he was on the verge of death, but he seems like he just slept for a few days and woke up.”

“He should have stayed in bed a few more days, tsk.”

Rayburn lightly shook his head from side to side, a gesture that seemed to indicate both agreement and disagreement.

“No, something is a bit strange. Minister Ian is a mage of exceptional skill in the Magic Department. That’s why he became a minister at such a young age.”

“Why are you suddenly stating the obvious?”

“But the Eastern mage that Minister Ian couldn’t handle alone was subdued by others. Of course, they ganged up on him, but from what I saw, Commander Hale and Commander Acorella seemed to be the main forces.”

“So?”

“Even if the war had a big impact, it’s too much to give him a pass. Did the other mages just goof off on the battlefield? We all went through the same thing, so I don’t understand why only Minister Ian is so sick.”

“Isn’t it because he had a lot of responsibilities?”

“Yes. Be careful what you say. If you make unnecessary speculations, we’ll only put ourselves at a disadvantage.”

“Wait-”

At that moment, someone raised their hand to interrupt the conversation. They had been going around in circles, but the main point seemed clear.

“So, are you saying that Minister Ian’s power isn’t what it used to be?”

“Yes. We definitely need to confirm it. If the minister of the Magic Department is worse than a regular member, how can he be called a minister?”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

They had never doubted Ian’s abilities, so they were flustered, but there was no better angle to exploit than this. Whether it was magic or something else, this whole mess was happening because he was the minister.

If they raised a question that shook his foundation, Ian wouldn’t be able to easily focus on external matters. He would try to secure his own position first.

“We’ll need the Emperor’s help.”

In the past, it was a self-selection process, but now the Emperor’s final approval was required for appointments. That meant that dismissal was also within the Emperor’s authority.

They knew that the Emperor trusted the Minister of Magic, but this was a matter of the Empire’s reputation, so he wouldn’t be able to overlook it as before.

“He also made presumptuous remarks at the general assembly. Let’s use that as an excuse to leak some rumors little by little.”

No one really thought they could dismiss Minister Ian. They just wanted to remind him that there were checks on his seemingly absolute power, and even if they only stopped the magic stone distribution rights, it would be a significant victory.

Frankly, how closely had they been watching the Magic Department’s every move since the end of the war?

‘It’s also more difficult because the Hwan incident went wrong.’

They had tried to ensnare the Magic Department, but they had ended up being ensnared themselves. They couldn’t just keep being dragged around like this.

“Anyway, let’s split up and get to work. Some will go report to His Majesty the Emperor, and others will handle the merchants.”

“I’ll go to His Majesty.”

“Me too.”

“Then I’ll meet with the merchants.”

They stubbed out their cigarette butts and stood up. Now that they had roughly decided what to do, it was time to move. They scattered and disappeared one by one.

Meanwhile, someone had been watching them.

“Ian!”

Romandro came running from afar, holding some documents. He glanced in the direction Ian was looking, but the garden was empty.

Ian nodded to Romandro as if to say he had worked hard, then turned around.

“Shall I carry those for you?”

“No, no! It’s not that heavy. But what were you looking at? There’s no one there.”

“Just something interesting.”

“Why? Did someone grab someone by the collar in a secluded place?”

“Something like that.”

Oh, what a shame! I wanted to see it too! Romandro tapped his feet in disappointment, and Ian gave a faint smile.

“Romandro.”

“Hmm?”

“Who do you think is more suitable as the next Minister of Magic, Hale or Acorella?”

“Huh? Why are you asking that?”

“I’ve been lying down for a few days, and all sorts of thoughts have been going through my head.”

Romandro pouted, but then seriously considered it. Both were capable and trusted, but their personalities were completely opposite, so they each had their own strengths and weaknesses.

“Hale is serious and has the strongest magic, so he’s suitable as a commander, but he’s too rigid and inflexible in his dealings, so he’s far from being a politician.”

“I think so too.”

“Commander Acorella is smart and quick-witted, so he can navigate the complex political situation in the Imperial Palace and handle himself well, but as you know, he’s a bit… eccentric. He’s only normal when he feels like it.”

“Yes. I agree with that too.”

No one is without flaws. In fact, whoever came would do well, and at the same time, show shortcomings.

Romandro carefully advised Ian, looking at his indifferent profile.

“But Ian.”

“Yes?”

“Your remarks at the general assembly were a bit inappropriate.”

“Are you talking about mentioning the Emperor?”

“Yes. You said strange things in front of His Majesty before too. I know that’s not what you mean, but not everyone will interpret it the same way, so be careful. Those snake-like people are watching for an opportunity.”

The last words were spoken in a lowered voice, so no one would hear. Of course, those guys would call Ian a snake-like person.

Even so, Romandro was uneasy. The Hwan incident had just been resolved, and the misunderstandings had been cleared up. He understood Ian’s intention to take advantage of the situation, but if he rushed too much, he could end up provoking the other side. He believed Ian would know, but lately, his actions were…

‘He has no backup.’

It wasn’t like he was subtly probing, hitting back, waiting for the right time, and then striking a vital point. It felt like he was provoking everyone to come at him and throwing himself into the enemy lines. Romandro firmly believed in Ian, but he couldn’t help but worry.

“Romandro.”

Ian, who had been walking ahead, stopped and turned to look at him. The cold wind swept through Ian’s golden hair. Suddenly, Romandro felt a strange fear.

“I have a problem.”

“A p-problem?”

“I want you to be the only one who knows. You’re the one who’s been watching my work the closest. I don’t think I can hide it, so I’m telling you this.”

It was a half-impulsive decision. But it was also a sincere decision. He didn’t need to tell the Magic Department, but Romandro was an exception. He was his right-hand man. If Ian was hurt, it meant that the person who would inevitably be hurt with him.

Romandro looked around quickly, then took a step closer. There was no one listening.

“Why? What is it?”

“I can’t make Idgar [a type of magical construct] anymore.”

“What?”

“Moreover, I seem to have lost almost all of my magic power. I’m alive, but I can’t use my power recklessly.”

Romandro’s face turned ashen. He moved his lips as if searching for the right words for a long time.

Yes, it was understandable that he would be surprised. It was as if the brightest light in the Empire had faded. Perhaps…

“Then, if you don’t use your power, are you okay?”

Ian’s eyes widened. It was an unexpected reaction.

“I mean, your health.”

“…”

“I know what it means for a mage to lose their magic power. Are you really okay? Are you… not going to be okay?”

Romandro grabbed Ian’s hand, his fingertips trembling, conveying his emotions.

“…Honestly, I don’t know.”

He couldn’t lie. He couldn’t say that he was fine as long as he didn’t use magic, that there was no problem with his health. He didn’t have the courage to lie to Romandro, who was genuinely worried about him.

“…Right. That’s why you’ve been sick all this time. Right. You’ve been through a lot. It would be strange if there weren’t any problems. I’m sorry. I should have noticed sooner, but I was too dull. I don’t know anything-”

“It’s something I didn’t expect either.”

“Of course! Who in the world knows their own health so well?”

Romandro lightly scolded him, calling it nonsense.

At that, Ian leaned his shoulder and head against the window and smiled faintly. It felt good that someone was crying for him. Maybe he was going crazy too. Like Acorella.

“Romandro. I am the Minister of Magic of Bariel. You know what it means for me to lose my power.”

“But-”

“There are no buts.”

It was a natural and obvious truth. It wasn’t just any department, it was the Magic Department.

Romandro immediately realized that the situation was quite serious.

“It won’t take long for the officials to notice this. The Magic Department is unique in the Imperial Palace right now. My health problem is the only way to keep it in check.”

“Then what are you going to do? Are you really going to step down?”

“I will step down, but there are many things to sort out. I’m going to try to finish as much work as possible before I go.”

Romandro now understood why Ian was in such a hurry to build the annex. It was to ensure that whoever took over could do so without any problems.

“Besides the annex construction, is there anything else? Of course, there will be a lot to sort out with the end of the war, but there’s nothing that Ian would overdo.”

“There is.”

“The magic stone distribution, were you serious about that?”

“No. Not that.”

Ian started walking again. This was something Romandro didn’t need to know yet.

‘To cut off all the sprouts of the traitors.’

There was a way only he could do it for the future of Jin. Ian gestured to Romandro, who was standing still, to hurry and follow him.

“This conversation is a secret. Please swear it.”

“Why! Are you going to put a geas [a magical oath or compulsion] on me if I don’t?”

“Would you like that?”

“…You keep saying scary things. You’re the one who said it hurts when you use your power. Don’t worry! I won’t tell anyone. But does Beric know? What about His Majesty?”

“No one.”

“Oh, boy.”

…I’ve learned a huge secret.

Romandro sniffled and nodded as if swearing. His eyes were still teary.