Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 816

“…It seems the meeting is running a bit late.”

The nobles gathered in the banquet hall sipped their champagne, constantly glancing around to gauge the atmosphere of the Imperial Palace. They had expected it wouldn’t be easy to leave, but they hadn’t anticipated being left without any guidance like this. It must mean the meeting is in a chaotic and complex state.

The nobles subtly approached Count Davion, Reglid, and asked him. His family had produced the most high-ranking officials in the Imperial Palace.

“Count, have you perhaps heard anything?”

“I’ve been here the whole time as well.”

“That’s true, but…”

“It’s strange that the meeting is dragging on. Whether Rutherford went mad and rampaged right before he died, or if there’s an impudent mastermind behind it, it should be easy to figure out, shouldn’t it? If we just use the Sildam potion.”

“And who makes that Sildam potion?”

It was an item produced under the supervision of Minister Ian, the head of the Magic Department. Given who the person in question was, it was hard to trust him.

Reglid swirled his champagne and muttered.

“It seems like a matter that requires a special investigation team, but I wonder what His Majesty will decide…”

It was an issue involving the name of Verosian. Forming an investigation team was the natural course of action, but the opponent was Ian Hielo. He was someone His Majesty trusted and relied on, a pillar of the Imperial Palace. It was uncertain whether a proper investigation would even take place.

‘Besides, chaos is an opportunity.’

The forces that were keeping the Magic Department in check would never miss this chance. They would join forces with the investigation team and try to undermine the Magic Department’s status in any way possible, but would the Magic Department just stand by and watch?

Tsk! If he had known it would turn out like this, he should have made up an excuse and refused to enter the palace. He could see the storm approaching, but he was helpless and frustrated.

Thud!

It was then. The banquet hall door was abruptly opened, and a Foreign Affairs official rushed in, sweating profusely. He looked around frantically, and upon spotting Reglid, he strode towards him.

“Count, could you spare a moment?”

“What is it?”

The official smiled, as if it was difficult to speak here.

Reglid put down his champagne and immediately followed the official. He turned back, wondering if Chloe was following, but she was pretending not to notice, sipping her champagne while looking the other way.

Clunk!

As soon as the door closed, Chloe followed them. The other nobles were dying of curiosity, but they couldn’t act carelessly here. It was a matter of dignity, but if they made a mistake, they could get caught up in it and be ruined.

“This is far enough. What is it?”

“His Majesty has decided to form a special investigation team to investigate the Magic Department. The Imperial Guard is going to the Magic Department building first to conduct a search. Their operations are suspended until further notice.”

“What? Really? On what charges?”

“For deceiving the Imperial Family.”

…His Majesty has made a big decision. Reglid stroked his beard, slightly surprised.

“It seems that Minister Ian used mind-manipulation magic, but it will be difficult to find evidence. So, everyone is trying to join forces this time. If not now, we will never be able to bring down the Magic Department.”

“So?”

He understood up to this point. And he could vaguely guess why this person had come to him. Reglid was the head of the Davion family. He was the head of the high-ranking officials in the Imperial Palace. He held a very large stake in this matter.

“We need a petition from the Davion family. A petition that accuses and condemns the Magic Department. Minister Raven said that you, Count, are more than capable of doing it.”

Of course, he had enough motivation. The power of a vassal had its limits. The Magic Department held most of it, so if it were to fall, the status of other departments would naturally rise, and the power of the Davion family would increase as well.

‘Chloe’s marriage…’

It had progressed significantly thanks to Minister Ian’s influence. Honestly, he still didn’t like Siao Shi, but now that the reasons for his opposition were disappearing one by one, it didn’t matter anymore.

Even if something happened to Minister Ian, the marriage with Siao Shi would proceed without any major obstacles. If the mind-manipulation magic was true, he could just cut ties immediately without any further discussion.

“What’s the atmosphere like now? Does it seem like the mind-manipulation magic is true?”

“It seems almost certain.”

“I don’t understand. It’s just stirring up trouble for no reason. If he had stayed still, he could have continued to control the Imperial Palace as he does now.”

Did he create this mess because he was worried about being dismissed from his position due to mana loss? If so, what about the mind-manipulation magic? If he could do that, he wouldn’t have to worry about being dismissed, would he?

Reglid felt that something didn’t add up, but he quickly changed his mind. This was a minor issue. The high-ranking officials of the Imperial Palace would all think the same.

The important thing was that an opportunity to exploit the Magic Department’s weakness had come. And if they missed this opportunity, it would never come again.

“I understand for now. I will prepare the petition. But when can we leave?”

“An announcement will be made soon, along with a gag order.”

“Damn it. Can that stop it? Given the nature of the matter.”

It was the death of Rutherford, who had infiltrated the heart of the Imperial Palace ten years ago. It was pointless to explain how much interest the common people outside the castle were showing.

How long could they hide the fact that the name ‘Ian Verosian’ came out of his mouth? There were over a hundred nobles gathered here, not just one or two. Once the word spread, it would be impossible to even find out who started it.

Taptaptap!

Footsteps running down the hallway could be heard from afar. He didn’t know who it was, but they seemed quite urgent and rushed. Reglid glanced in that direction and turned back the way he had come.

“Tell Minister Raven that I understand.”

“Yes, Count.”

“Ahem.”

Then, he hurried back towards the banquet hall.

And there was someone watching him from behind. Chloe peeked out from behind a pillar, taking in the whole situation.

‘Let’s see, so the situation now is…’

Rutherford was already dead, so there was no need to know his intentions. The bomb had been thrown, and the key was to move it into someone else’s house, right? Everyone except the Magic Department had formed an alliance.

‘I understand.’

Chloe’s eyes sparkled as she slipped away.

And a little while later, surprisingly, she arrived at the banquet hall before the Count, smiling innocently as if she knew nothing. Reglid, who returned later, kept checking his daughter’s expression, but he couldn’t find anything strange.

* * *

“This is by order of His Majesty the Emperor. All mages are to come outside immediately. We will be conducting a search.”

The mages, who had just managed to catch their breath, widened their eyes, wondering what kind of thunderbolt this was. The sloppy execution ceremony was over, and they were just about to sit down and discuss ‘Rutherford’s statement’ from earlier.

But what was that? Who sent them?

“What are you talking about?”

“I repeat, this is by order of His Majesty the Emperor. Until the official special investigation team is formed, the Imperial Guard will temporarily control the Magic Department. Mages are to immediately cease their duties and come outside. Any suspicious movements will be punished.”

“No, wait a minute!”

“Berik! Say something!”

Normally, Berik, the captain of the Imperial Guard, would have made the announcement, but Barsabe volunteered instead. Everyone in the Imperial Palace knew that the relationship between the mages and Berik was strong.

As expected, Berik added in a somewhat compliant tone.

“Everyone, come out. It’s all because of that bastard Rutherford, so it’ll be over soon. Don’t suffer by resisting.”

“Wait a minute! Do you even know what you’re messing with?”

“You can’t go in there!”

“Call the captain! Now!”

The mages frantically tried to stop the Imperial Guards, but they were no match without using magic. Besides, it was by order of His Majesty. This was, after all, the Imperial Palace.

“All documents related to work will be confiscated. In addition, we will be checking the list of mages who entered the Magic Tower the day before. Those mages are to come with us, and the person in charge of the freezing magic is to be called as well.”

“The person in charge of freezing magic is Captain Acorella.”

“Where is Minister Ian?”

“All other mages are to come outside.”

“Where is Minister Ian! Officer Barsabe!”

“I’m sorry. I will not answer any questions unrelated to the search.”

Taptaptap!

The Imperial Guards rushed into various parts of the Magic Department.

Meanwhile, upstairs, in the Mana Stone Management Department. Acorella was startled and looked up at the sudden opening of the door. She was in the middle of an experiment, wearing safety goggles.

“You crazy bastard, knock-”

“Captain Acorella, please come outside.”

“What is it? Why are the Imperial Guards here? Is the execution ceremony over?”

“We are searching the Magic Department by order of His Majesty the Emperor. Please cooperate.”

Acorella tilted her head, as if she didn’t understand. Well, it was by order of the Emperor, so she would have to comply.

“Wait a minute, just 10 minutes. I just need to finish this?”

Why now of all times? At the most crucial moment?

“What are you doing?”

“If I stop here, I’ll have to grind mana stones for days again. If you give me 10 minutes, I’ll even give you a kiss.”

“Is this an experiment that has been recorded?”

“Not really… but what does that matter? This is a potion that helps you regain your memories. Once it’s finished-”

“…Please come out.”

“Wait! Please! Damn it!”

Ughhh! Captain Acorella desperately reached out her hand as she was dragged away. She just needed to stir it once! If that fire went out, she would have to start all over again!

But the Imperial Guards firmly grabbed her arms and dragged her downstairs.

Swoosh!

Once all the mages were outside, they formed a line, creating a wall to prevent them from crossing. The mages, who had been suddenly kicked out, stood there in a daze. What was going on?

“Minister Ian!”

At someone’s shout, the mages simultaneously turned their heads. Ian and Romandro were approaching from afar. Romandro was repeatedly hitting his forehead after seeing the situation.

But Ian looked strangely calm.

“Minister Ian! Look at this!”

“No, they’re! They’re! Dragging us out like this and pulling us like that… Hng. Hwaaa!”

“I don’t know what’s going on. You went to the meeting regarding Rutherford, right? But why are they doing this to us?”

Everyone gathered around Ian, chattering as if they were complaining.

Ian raised his hand, telling them to calm down.

“An order to suspend the Magic Department’s operations has been issued. Mages who entered the Magic Tower will be summoned for a brief investigation, so please cooperate. It will be over soon. Everyone, take this opportunity-”

Take this opportunity?

The mages blinked their moist eyes. Was it just their imagination that Ian seemed to be smiling?

“It’s a vacation.”

“Yes?”

“It’s okay even if it’s unpaid. Everyone, leave the palace and rest at home.”

Ian looked at the mages kindly and added.

“Close your eyes and ears and get away from the commotion of the Imperial Palace for a while. This is meant for you to focus solely on resting. Do you understand?”

“What about you, Minister Ian?”

“This place is my resting place.”

“…Those bastards have blocked it off.”

The mages whispered among themselves. The camaraderie they had shared on the battlefield was long gone. The Emperor’s order was an order, and being annoyed was being annoyed.

“Don’t worry. By the time you return, everything will be back to normal.”