Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 815

The sight of countless people simultaneously gasping in shock was like an invisible scream spreading in all directions.

This strange sensation, clearly felt even in the silence… Everyone there either covered their mouths, held their breath, or blinked as if they couldn’t even process what they were seeing. No one spoke until the blood from Rutherford’s severed neck dripped onto the execution platform.

“Ah…”

The executioner didn’t even think about collecting the body, instead glancing at the Emperor. The Emperor’s reaction was no different from anyone else’s.

Then, surprisingly, it was Ian, the subject of the controversy, who broke the heavy silence.

“What are you doing? Hold up the head of the sinner.”

At the quiet command, the executioner, half out of his mind, grabbed Rutherford’s severed head by the hair. There was no sign of boldness, a sense of duty, or pride in his expression. He just blankly lifted the severed head, as if he didn’t even know what he was doing there.

“I-I announce that the sinner, Rutherford, has been executed.”

The crowd didn’t react. When the silence stretched on, Ian demonstratively raised both hands and applauded.

The nobles stared at Ian with shocked expressions, but Ian calmly met their eyes one by one, continuing to applaud. As if saying, ‘What else would you be doing?’

Clap-! Clap-! Clap-!

It was as if he was saying that the reason they were there was for this very moment.

Belatedly realizing Ian’s intention, the nobles clapped their hands awkwardly.

“Romandro.”

“…Huh?”

Romandro, who had been staring at the blood dripping under the execution platform, was startled and turned to look at Ian. That last thing the man had said kept echoing in his head.

“Collect Rutherford’s body and hang it at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. It will be burned and disposed of in two days. Clean up the execution site as well.”

“Ah, right. Yes.”

Romandro nodded and hurriedly ran behind the execution platform. Then, grabbing the sleeves of the mages who were standing blankly, he ordered them to move quickly.

“D-did you hear what that bastard said at the end?”

“Everyone here heard it.”

“Kill him, seriously! Is he crazy?”

“He’s already dead. Don’t even think about kicking the corpse. It’s bad luck. Come this way! Quickly!”

“No, Ian. That Rutherford guy…”

“Shhh! Uh-huh! Come this way!”

As the mages, gradually realizing the situation, began to get agitated, Romandro blocked them with his body and pushed them away. A huge wave was about to hit. It was nothing compared to the strange rumors that had been circulating among the soldiers at the end of the war.

This was a historical event. If they added to the confusion with unnecessary words, it would be a disaster. Romandro pulled the mages away with all his might, telling them to keep quiet.

“…I’m going crazy.”

Berick, who had been watching from the entrance of the execution site, muttered quietly. Because Jin’s back was turned, it was impossible to know what his expression was.

However, what was certain was that Jin was looking down at Ian, and Ian was meeting Jin’s gaze without avoiding it.

“Your Majesty.”

Quintana, who had already ascended the platform, cautiously called out to Jin. Kayla and Noah, who were right next to her, realized that the situation was unusual and subtly moved away.

What? Ian Verosian? This was a controversy that could shake the entire Imperial Palace. Rutherford, that crazy bastard. He probably didn’t think about the aftermath when he was dying, but this was way over the line, wasn’t it?

“…Summon Ian and all the high-ranking officials from each department.”

“Yes. Understood. What about the party?”

Originally, they were planning to hold a victory celebration party with the nobles. But in this atmosphere, it was impossible to share laughter and joy. However, sending them back immediately was also a concern due to the spread of rumors.

“Tell the Magic Department to use a geas spell [a magical compulsion]. I will issue a gag order to everyone here. Anyone who recklessly spreads the irrelevant nonsense of a traitor will pay the price.”

Quintana nodded and relayed the order to her subordinate. Amidst the chaotic execution site, administrative staff could be seen running towards Ian and the officials of each department.

“I should have torn him apart instead of cutting off his head.”

Jin muttered in a chilling voice, looking at Rutherford’s bloodstains. Quintana felt a shiver down her spine and guided the Emperor down from the platform.

At that moment, her subordinate approached with a troubled expression and reported.

“I apologize. The Magic Department says they cannot perform the geas spell.”

“What?”

“They say it’s due to a lack of magical power. It seems they can do it for about half of the people here, but not for everyone.”

Jin bit his lower lip tightly upon hearing this. If that was the case, there was no other choice. Jin gave another order.

“Guide everyone who attended the execution to the party hall without exception. Tell them it is by my imperial decree.”

The only way was to take measures to prevent it from leaking out.

The best course of action was to discuss the situation with the high-ranking officials, deliver an official statement, and quell the confusion. If they were sent out of the Imperial Palace as they were, Rutherford’s last words would surely spread throughout the central region within a day. And that was not a picture that Jin had in mind for Bariel’s future.

* * *

“No, this is just absurd.”

“I know, right? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The officials gathered in the assembly hall couldn’t hide their agitation about the incident at the execution site and couldn’t even think about sitting down. After all, it was in front of the Emperor. And yet, they dared to utter the name of ‘Verosian’?

“Something is strange. Isn’t there a constant controversy about the Imperial bloodline centered around Minister Ian? Whether it was intentional or not, there is something there. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.”

“Rutherford’s intention is obvious. He made a last-ditch effort to slander Minister Ian. It’s only natural since it was because of the Minister, isn’t it? It’s just that the method is shocking.”

“Do you see this as a coincidence? That Rutherford, to slander Minister Ian, brought up the name of Verosian among so many possibilities? He was only unfrozen yesterday, and he was only alive for half a day.”

“That’s right. If coincidences keep happening, there’s a problem.”

“Perhaps…”

The excited chatter suddenly stopped. It was because the last person who spoke didn’t continue. He thought about something for a long time, then shook his head as if to say it wasn’t so.

“What is it? You stopped mid-sentence.”

“No, it’s nothing. I was short-sighted.”

“Whether it was short or long is for us to judge.”

“Please speak. We need to put our heads together, especially at times like this.”

The official hesitated for a moment, then whispered cautiously.

“I heard from an officer in the Imperial Defense Department that Minister Tweller suspects Minister Ian is the source of the strange rumors in Toolun.”

“…So?”

“Perhaps Rutherford also thought that Minister Ian used mind-manipulation magic…”

Everyone fell silent. And at the same time, they considered whether that was a plausible theory.

Surprisingly, it seemed possible. The Magic Department was involved in Rutherford’s unfreezing, and it was said that Minister Ian had strictly forbidden access to Rutherford. Except for giving him a sip of water directly.

“What reason would Minister Ian have to do that?”

“Y-yes! There’s no motive.”

“That’s something only he would know.”

“I’ve been hearing rumors about his health lately. Could he be crazy?”

“Minister, are you the one who’s gone crazy?”

“No, I was just trying to consider the motive. Ahem.”

“Perhaps, he was afraid of losing his position as the Minister of Magic?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Hee-ik!” The officials were startled and turned around. Ian, who had approached unnoticed, was smiling curiously, pulling out a chair and sitting down. Then, when the Emperor entered, the door to the assembly hall was firmly closed.

Thud!

“……”

“……”

Ian’s eyes demanded an answer.

What would be the best way to start the conversation? Everyone just looked at each other, keeping their mouths shut. If the Prime Minister were here, he would have handled it well.

Quintana sighed and turned to look at Ian.

“Minister Ian, how should we handle Rutherford’s statement?”

“You suggested a geas spell, but as I mentioned, it is impossible with the current power of the Magic Department. It is also impossible to keep everyone here under control indefinitely. Although they are currently bound by imperial decree, we will soon need the consent of the nobles. I don’t know if we can get them to agree willingly.”

They came with invitations, but now they were in a state of confinement, not knowing when they could leave, and they had to wait for a geas spell? It wasn’t a national emergency like the Arsen incident, so there would be strong opposition. They had their own businesses, and many workers in the central region were involved in those businesses, forming the economy and industry.

“Is a geas spell that difficult?”

“You’ll know if you try it.”

Ha! Seriously. Is that what he calls an answer? The officials were dumbfounded and raised their voices.

“Minister Ian. How can you say that? Wasn’t the Magic Department in charge of managing Rutherford?”

“The tongue of a sinner is not under the jurisdiction of the Magic Department. And lower your voice. I don’t know why you’re acting like this towards me. Have I perhaps made a mistake?”

If they were going to argue, they should argue with the dead Rutherford, not him. When Ian became sharp, the officials just opened and closed their mouths like they had eaten honey. He had a point.

“When you think about it, aren’t I the victim? I was just minding my own business and got accused of insulting the Imperial Family, so it makes me suspect that someone is behind this.”

“W-what do you mean?”

Everyone was dumbfounded and stammered. The situation had turned in an unexpected direction. Did he mean that someone used Rutherford to slander Ian? That didn’t make any sense, did it?

“We’ll find out what it means if we investigate. Here is a list of witnesses for the Magic Department’s own investigation. Minister Raven.”

“…Yes?”

“And Minister Pixie. Minister Charlotte.”

Ian calmly called out the ministers. Quintana, who had been listening quietly, realized something and quickly raised her head. They were all people involved in the magic stone market price issue.

“-I request one-on-one interviews with the ministers who have been named.”

“What! Are you suspecting us?”

“That’s absurd. Logically, if anyone did it, it would be the Magic Department, how could we?”

“That’s what the investigation is for.”

“Wait a minute, Minister Ian!”

Quintana realized that Ian was trying to purge his opponents under the pretext of this opportunity. Perhaps everyone in that place had a gut feeling about it.

As Quintana was about to jump up from her seat, Jin raised his hand to stop her.

“No.”

A statement with considerable weight.

Everyone in the conference room focused their attention on Jin.

“No, it is not.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Didn’t the Magic Department say they were the victim? There is no case where the victim of an incident directly leads the investigation, so in this case, it is reasonable for an independent third-party organization to oversee the investigation.”

Ian raised an eyebrow. The justification was appropriate.

“Then?”

“I will personally select a special investigation team to uncover the truth of this situation. And Minister Ian, let me ask you one thing.”

“Please ask.”

“Are you truly unrelated to this incident?”

As he asked, Jin recalled Tweller’s note that he had put on the table. The source of the Toolun rumors was Ian… Then, what about Rutherford, who made the same statement?

“I am unrelated. I am wronged.”

Ian answered in a calm and straightforward tone.

At that, Jin nodded and muttered that he understood.

“If that is the case, you must also cooperate closely with the special investigation team. First, the Magic Department must immediately suspend all operations except for national defense and await further instructions.”

All operations… That included the business related to the exclusive distribution of magic stones.

Ian smiled faintly and asked back.

“Is it really alright to do that?”

“I will not go back on my word.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Ian bowed deeply. And he thought.

That is a truly appropriate measure, Your Majesty.