Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 813

“Hmm.”

Ian tilted his head, sitting on the table, a deeply troubled look on his face. Clink-clink—the magic-sealing stone shackles made a metallic sound with his movements.

Rutherford instinctively sensed something ominous. It was absurd to feel this way when facing death, but the boy before him possessed that kind of power.

“Ah, wait. I’m thinking.”

Ian continued to ponder.

A forbidden magic would be ideal, but he lacked the power for it. Just conjuring flames had left him bedridden for days, nearly killing him. If he used a higher-level forbidden magic, the repercussions would be unimaginable.

He couldn’t borrow power from another mage either. If word got out, there would be no point in casting the forbidden magic.

‘Is cutting off his tongue the best option after all?’

But this hadn’t been agreed upon with the Imperial Family. If he did it unilaterally, there would surely be an investigation. The problem was that Rutherford wasn’t illiterate. If he deduced the situation through written communication, it would be exposed quickly.

Ian stroked his chin, looking troubled. Then, he approached the door and pulled the handle. With a creak, the mages waiting outside reacted.

“Is something the matter?”

“Go get me a glass of water.”

“Water? Just that?”

“Yes.”

Soon, he received a glass of water. Ian lightly pressed on Rutherford’s chin, then poured the water into his open mouth. The man resisted, but it was futile.

“I-!”

“Shhh.”

Ian carefully fed him the water, trying not to spill any, and then checked the time.

‘Considering what happened with Barsave, he lost his memory not long after drinking the water.’

Ian placed the empty glass on the table and sat on a chair. Then, he calmly waited for time to pass.

For Rutherford, this was a very strange action. Had he finally gone mad? Suddenly feeding him water, and now just sitting there silently, leaving him alone.

“Hmm.”

About ten minutes passed, and then Ian turned to look at Rutherford. He had his mouth tightly shut and was staring at the ceiling.

“Rutherford, just one question. Do you know anything about me?”

“If you want something, just say it. I’m going to die tomorrow anyway, so don’t do anything strange. Or is this Emperor Bariel’s mercy? How noble, I can’t possibly understand.”

He still remembered. That Ian was the Emperor of Bariel.

“…Oh.”

Ian frowned, muttering as if something was wrong. This proved it. The underground god’s rain from the end of the war had completely lost its power.

He had expected it. Since the underground god had fallen into the abyss, it was natural for his byproducts to lose their influence in Gaia. Those who had already lost their memories were beyond help, but from now on, it was right to assume it wouldn’t work.

‘Even so, how many are left in Gaia?’

More importantly, there was no way to erase the memories of ‘Ian Verosian’ from now on. Except through ‘artificial commands.’

“Ian!”

Rutherford called out to him, sounding frustrated. But Ian stared blankly into the air with an indifferent expression. In the darkness, the child’s green eyes looked surprisingly calm, and no one could guess what he was thinking.

Ian muttered softly.

“Whatever happens, it’ll be interesting.”

There were about eleven hours left until Rutherford’s execution. He didn’t know if this guy would reveal something about ‘Ian Verosian’ during that time, or if he would remain silent until his head was chopped off.

However, whatever happened, nothing would change much. If ‘Ian Verosian’ was exposed to the world, it would be a bit earlier than expected, but it wouldn’t be a problem.

No—

It would be like adding fuel to a small fire, so it would actually be helpful. The preliminary battle with Jin had already begun.

“…What?”

“Rest. It’s your real last night.”

“Ian!”

Bang!

Without answering, Ian left and firmly closed the door. At that, the mages who had been waiting for him at the end of the hallway approached and asked.

“Ian-nim. You took a long time. Is there any problem?”

“He seems to have gone mad.”

“Yes? Who? Rutherford?”

“Yes. He’s spouting nonsense, so restrict his access. It’s a waste of food and drink for a traitor who’s about to die.”

“Understood. We will follow your orders.”

“Yes, will he die if he doesn’t eat for a day? Oh, would it be good if he died? Anyway, we will manage him well until he is on the execution stand. Don’t worry.”

Ian nodded and looked up the stairs. It seemed Kayla and Damon were still talking. He wondered what they had to say to each other.

“Wait until the conversation is over and then escort Lady Kayla safely to her lodgings. Remember, tomorrow at sunrise, Damon will be given poison. We will need freezing magic to dispose of the body, so those in charge should come out early and prepare.”

“Yes, Ian-nim.”

“And……”

He wanted to tell them not to be surprised if something happened tomorrow, but Ian trailed off. It was something they had to go through anyway. Ian naturally changed his instructions.

“I will be going out for a while. I will only go with Romandro-nim, so report any unusual activity immediately.”

“Just the two of you? Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Last time, the two of you went out and Ian-nim collapsed and came back! The mages followed Ian with anxious looks.

Meanwhile, Romandro, who had been waiting with the carriage parked far away, paused when he saw Ian’s group.

“Why are you all following me? Don’t you have work to do?”

“No, it’s not that……”

“Hurry! Hurry up and go back to work!”

“Romandro-nim, you really have to take good care of Ian-nim this time. If something like that happens again, you should be the one who collapses and gets carried back instead!”

“You, you, you crazy human!”

“Ah! I just meant it as a figure of speech!”

When Romandro bared his teeth and lunged, the mages scattered with playful screams.

Ian, shaking his head at the small commotion, opened the carriage door himself and got in. Then, he asked,

“Where are we supposed to meet Eirin?”

* * *

“Eirin-!”

“Yes?”

Eirin, who had been sweeping and wiping the front of the pub, turned around in surprise. The owner was looking at her with a puzzled expression. It was almost opening time, and he was wondering if she wasn’t going to eat.

“Ah, I’ll finish this and go in. Please eat first.”

“Let’s eat together.”

“I think my lunch hasn’t digested yet. Don’t worry about me.”

Eirin smiled awkwardly and gripped the broom tightly. It was because she had received a message from the Magic Department just a few hours ago. A letter stating that they wanted to meet her secretly. In the middle of it, the signature ‘Ian Hielo’ was neatly stamped.

When the owner went inside, Eirin looked around again.

‘They told me to come out alone.’

What could it be? What business could they have?

Eirin had eyes and ears, so she knew about the various rumors surrounding her. From the speculation that the Emperor and she were in a relationship, to the absurd rumor that she would soon enter the Imperial Palace.

‘They’re probably going to hold me responsible for this, right? Ugh, damn it.’

Hee-heeing!

Clatter, clatter!

At that moment, a carriage squeezed through the narrow alley. It stopped right in front of Eirin, and then the carriage door opened.

“Eirin.”

“Minister Ian.”

“It’s been a while. Get in.”

“G-get in?”

Like this? Are we going straight to the Imperial Palace dungeon? Eirin hesitated, holding the broom. Romandro chuckled and offered her his hand.

“Let’s just take a spin. We don’t have much time because of the execution tomorrow. Just give us ten minutes.”

“Ah, okay.”

Eirin swallowed hard and sat in front of Ian and Romandro. Then, the carriage sped down the alley as if it had never stopped.

“Let’s get to the point. Eirin, do you have any intention of being with the Emperor?”

“Yes?”

…That’s too direct. Eirin gripped the broom tightly and wondered how to answer. But Ian didn’t wait.

“You are a glorious Holy Knight, but you know there is a lot of opposition to you being with His Majesty. So, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to get help from Cliffopoard and proceed with your registration in their royal family.”

“Yeeeees?!”

What was this thunderbolt out of the blue? Eirin was so surprised that she froze. Her body moved with the carriage as it swayed from side to side.

“In simple terms, it’s a change of identity. It has to be done quickly and secretly. Without even the owner of the pub you work at knowing. If you go to the Cliffopoard royal family and wait while receiving basic education, you will return to Bariel at the right time for a marriage proposal. However, if your heart changes during that time, you can give up everything and leave at any time.”

“Um, Minister Ian.”

“Royal education is a rare opportunity. Cliffopoard is having a bit of a hard time these days, but if you stay there, you can get a lot of financial help. You are a member of the royal family, after all.”

Thump! Was the carriage shaking, or was it her heart? Eirin leaned back against the sofa and stared blankly at Ian and Romandro.

“Most importantly, there are monsters that overflowed during the rift incident in Cliffopoard. They are waiting for your help as a Holy Knight. It’s a good opportunity for both of us, isn’t it? What do you say, will you do it?”

“It’s, it’s too sudden.”

“That’s how the crossroads of fate are.”

Eirin hesitated. Silence followed, but Ian and Romandro didn’t rush her. They were giving her a short time to think.

“So, I’m really going to the Cliffopoard royal family?”

“Why? Do you think I’m trying to deal with a commoner involved in the Emperor’s scandal?”

“…I didn’t say that much.”

“If you want to be by the Emperor’s side, there is no other way but to be registered in the royal family. So, what I mean is, if you want to be the Empress.”

If she was satisfied with her current relationship, relying only on the Emperor’s love, she could remain a concubine. But Eirin didn’t seem like she would want that, and Ian couldn’t be satisfied with that either.

Wasn’t it Riverside who appeared in Jin’s dream and designated Eirin? She was needed to complete Jin’s Bariel, and by extension, Ian’s Bariel as well.

“…Can I do it?”

“Of course. I’ll help you.”

“…It feels like greed.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. You are qualified.”

“That’s right, Eirin. This is a challenge!”

When Romandro joined in from the side, her hand holding the broom tightened. And then, she made up her mind, her eyes sparkling. Her face was as red as a tomato, which was quite a sight.

“Then, I, I’ll go. To Cliffopoard.”

Ian smiled as if he had expected it. Then, he tapped the driver’s seat, signaling. Eirin stammered, as if she couldn’t believe the situation.

“Wh-when should I go?”

“Now.”

“Yes?”

Screech!

The carriage stopped. Eirin looked out the window in surprise and saw the entrance to the Imperial Palace. Romandro got out of the carriage and instructed Eirin.

“Remember, you are a member of the Cliffopoard royal family, so show a confident attitude wherever you go. If you have any inconveniences or problems, contact the Magic Department. The coachman will help you first. He may look like that, but he is a very skilled mercenary.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have a family, so that’s settled, and I’ll tell the pub owner. I’ve already found someone to help with the work, so don’t worry. Ah. This is a magic stone that allows you to communicate over long distances. I’ve written down how to use it, so please refer to it-”

“Yes?”

“Then, go safely.”

“Yes?”

“Until we meet again. It won’t be long.”

Thump!

Eirin, bombarded by Romandro’s storm of explanations, could only repeatedly answer with ‘Yes?’ like a fool.

At that, Ian just smiled and closed the carriage door, waving goodbye. Prince Noah would have sent a messenger bird to the King of Cliffopoard by now, so she would arrive just in time.

Eirin, still not fully grasping the situation, pressed her face against the carriage window and stared at Ian and Romandro with a bewildered look. Until they became distant dots.