Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 818

“We’re still investigating, but there are no signs of any wrongdoing.”

Jin flipped through the papers, listening to the report.

It wasn’t just once, but twice. First, there was the accusation from a Tweller [a person from Twel, likely a region or group] that Minister Ian was the source of the strange rumors spreading in Toolrun, and now, ‘Verosion’ was mentioned again by the criminal Rutherford, who was under the jurisdiction of the Magic Department. It wasn’t a coincidence.

There was definitely something going on… but he didn’t know what it was.

‘If there’s a connection, I don’t understand Ian’s intentions, and if there isn’t, I don’t know why these incidents keep happening.’

Jin sighed, pressing his temples. Where should he start? The mages had all left the palace, and Ian and Romandro were still in the investigation room.

“How far has the investigation progressed?”

“We’ve secured testimonies from those who entered the Magic Tower and the work logs of the mages who were in charge of Rutherford. However, there are many parts that cannot be confirmed with just this.”

“So?”

“We need external help to determine if there’s any magic on Rutherford’s body.”

If it were another department, the Imperial Palace could conduct its own audit, but the Magic Department was an exception. Ordinary people could never peek into the world of magic.

If someone could perceive the flow and traces of magical power, they would already be on the path of a magic user.

“External help, huh.”

Jin tapped the table with his fingertips.

It was a valid point. That was probably why the ministers were being so aggressive. There were no people who could handle the situation if problems arose.

The only way to keep the Magic Department in check was with magic-sealing stones that nullified their power. Jin suddenly realized that the Imperial Palace’s leash on the Magic Department was too loose.

‘Everything was just a sandcastle built on trust.’

More precisely, it was a sandcastle supported by the relationship between Ian and himself. The only reason it hadn’t collapsed until now was because their relationship had been smooth. If there was even a slight crack in their relationship, no one knew when it would all crumble.

As Jin fell silent, seemingly lost in thought, one of the ministers spoke up.

“Your Majesty, how about getting help from the Eastern mages in the Magic Department’s underground prison?”

“From them? Are you serious?”

Everyone knew that the Eastern mages had hostile feelings towards Ian. Furthermore, they had even directly attacked the minister in an attempt to throw Bariel into chaos.

And now, they were suggesting getting help from them? It would be safer to stick one’s head into a tiger’s mouth and pull it out.

“We just need them to check if there are any traces of magic on Rutherford’s body. It would be appropriate to use truth serum to verify the truth.”

“Yes, I agree. We can’t just bring in mages from elsewhere right now, and there are many pending matters. It’s best to quickly resolve the situation. It’s an unprecedented situation to have all the mages leave the palace…”

“It was a formal procedure. We can’t give special treatment to mages. It’s a special investigation.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

The officials hostile to the Magic Department and those who were favorable to it clashed fiercely. As their voices grew louder, Jin raised his hand to silence them.

“We will hear the opinions of the Eastern mages. But they are not trustworthy from the start, and we cannot rule out the possibility that they might break the truth serum with their magic.”

“We have magic-sealing stones, so you don’t have to worry about that, Your Majesty.”

“I’m talking about the possibility. Do you know all the principles of magic? The only case of a mage using truth serum in an official setting was ten years ago, by Minister Ian. If you know so well, you can take charge of the investigation.”

“…I apologize, Your Majesty.”

The official immediately lowered his head at the Emperor’s cold reply. Minister Rayburn, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand to speak.

“Your Majesty, in Rutherford’s case, we are investigating whether there are signs of mental manipulation magic, but it is also highly possible that it was not magic at all. Just like in Toolrun.”

He was implying that it could have been just rumors or false information that escalated the situation.

Jin remained silent, indicating that he was aware of that as well. It was then.

“Your Majesty, while investigating the Magic Department, we found information about Laromedia. Could this be related?”

“Laromedia?”

Laromedia, fairies who lived cultivating Silask [a type of plant or resource]. According to the Magic Department’s records, ‘contact with them causes hallucinations, and eventually, they show signs of mental disorder, believing it to be reality.’

Jin was well aware of this. Perhaps the last place Rutherford had resisted was….

“Wasn’t it a Laromedia habitat? I remember Beric and Hale capturing them there.”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty.”

“Since it was frozen after that, then it could be a problem caused by Laromedia’s hallucinations!”

The voices of those on the Magic Department’s side brightened.

In fact, there was no right answer to this matter. There was no way to break through the situation by linking it to the Magic Department in any way. It was literally a trap and a swamp.

However, if it was revealed that there was a problem with Rutherford, they could clear the suspicion for now. Of course, Minister Ian would have to explain the Toolrun rumor separately.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. It’s recorded not only in the Magic Department but also in the Imperial Defense Department. Your Majesty will remember it as well.”

“Yes. I remember.”

Minister Rayburn and his faction frowned, subtly. Were they thoughtless? Not knowing what kind of opportunity this was, they were still siding with the Magic Department? They should at least cut off one of their limbs before finishing the job, in preparation for their return.

“Bring the data on Laromedia, and get the testimonies of the Eastern mages in the Magic Department’s underground prison.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The officials rose from their seats and left the conference room.

At that moment, a subordinate who had been waiting for Minister Rayburn outside urgently signaled with his hand. He was holding a thick stack of papers under his arm.

“Your Majesty.”

In the conference room, now empty, Minister Rayburn and his colleagues approached Jin. As if they had something to say.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing much, but we would like to present the petition from the Davion family. It is also an appeal signed by me and other officials.”

Jin narrowed his eyes. A petition in the midst of the Magic Department being turned upside down? And from Minister Rayburn’s side? He could already see the content without even looking.

Jin didn’t want to hear it, but he had no justification to refuse. A petition from a subject was their right. Since they were speaking directly to the Emperor with their names on the line, the Emperor was obligated to listen.

“Show it to me.”

Rayburn bowed politely and read the petition.

“Since the end of the war, Bariel, which should be developing under infinite glory, continues to be plagued by disturbances, which is clearly an unusual sign. We must clearly reveal the source of the strange rumors related to Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department to rectify the discipline of the Imperial Family…”

Jin carefully listened to Rayburn’s words, meticulously checking the names of those who had signed. This proved that the factions within the palace had completely split.

“…It is appropriate to restore our prestige. It cannot be denied that the Magic Department was the greatest contributor to the war, but this cannot be a free pass to undermine the authority of the Imperial Palace. It is undeniable that the balance is being shaken in this process, and we implore Your Majesty to make a decision and take this opportunity to rectify the discipline of the Magic Department.”

It was a request to tighten the leash under the guise of an investigation. If they missed this opportunity, there would be no second chance to break the Magic Department. At least this much was true, wasn’t it?

“Your Majesty.”

Jin pondered for a long time, choosing his words carefully. There were too many names of officials on the petition to simply dismiss it or tell them to back off.

Since it was centered around the Davion family, they all had influence, which could not be ignored. If these people turned their backs on the Imperial Family while the Magic Department was under investigation, there would be uncontrollable chaos.

“I will take it to heart.”

Thus, he tried to evade the situation with an ambiguous answer. However, Rayburn did not back down. He looked directly at the Emperor and presented a concrete alternative.

“The full authority over the monopoly distribution of magic stones should be brought under the Imperial Family, and the management of Idgal [likely a resource or location] should also be handled by the Imperial Palace. There is information that the Magic Department is trying to buy and dispose of all the Idgal.”

“We request a reduction in the Magic Department’s budget and regular audits. And we need an institutional mechanism to monitor the Magic Department’s indiscriminate use of magic. We ask that you establish a new department to research and develop this and actively support it.”

Jin flicked the edge of the petition, deep in thought. Rationally speaking, they were all reasonable suggestions. It was something that had to be done eventually.

“…I understand. You may step back for now.”

The Emperor gave a nod that he would consider it positively and rose from his seat. It was already dawn. He hadn’t slept a wink, but he didn’t even have time to feel tired because of the whirlwind of events.

“To the Magic Department!”

Neigh!

To use the Eastern mages, the investigation team’s carriages lined up and rushed towards the Magic Department.

* * *

“Kuh-uh-uh.”

Romandro was snoring, his head tilted back in his chair. There was no proper space to lie down and sleep, and there was no time for it either.

As his snoring grew louder, Ian carefully tugged at his sleeve to wake him up.

“Romandro, if you’re tired, you can leave the palace.”

“Huh! Uh, uh. No, I wasn’t sleeping.”

“Yes. You weren’t sleeping. You were completely knocked out.”

Romandro chuckled awkwardly at Ian’s reply and wiped his drool.

Romandro was allowed to leave the palace after the investigation, but Ian was not. He would probably be detained in the investigation room until this situation was resolved, and how could a subordinate leave alone in this situation? Romandro slapped his cheeks to chase away the sleep.

“When is the next investigation?”

“In five hours, in the morning.”

“Ian, are we just going to keep going like this?”

Ian, who was sipping tea, turned to look at Romandro. He was suggesting that it would be better to take some action.

“The factions have split, centered around Minister Rayburn. I’ve never liked those guys! I wish Accorella had completely overturned the land when she destroyed that mansion. Ahem.”

Romandro kept checking to see if anyone was listening outside as he chattered. Ian calmly drank his tea, listening to his information.

“Anyway, it seems like they’re all banding together to even submit a petition. If they speak with one voice, their voice will become louder, and then even His Majesty won’t be able to ignore them. This attempt to slander us will continue.”

Ian nodded in agreement. He was right. If the palace officials banded together while the Magic Department was in this state, even the Emperor wouldn’t be able to easily ignore them.

But Ian was relaxed.

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Don’t have to worry?”

“I’m talking about the people gathered around Rayburn. The way to scatter them is very simple.”

They had gathered to gain benefits, so all he had to do was throw an even bigger benefit into their midst. They would start biting each other without even recognizing the person next to them.

Romandro tilted his head, wondering what he was talking about.

“Do you want to know?”

“Yes. I want to know. Show me. And please normalize the Magic Department soon. I’m so worried about our kids, I can’t live like this.”

“Are the nobles still gathered in the banquet hall?”

“Probably? There will be some who deliberately didn’t leave. Staying in the Imperial Palace and seeing the situation directly is the most certain and fastest way.”

The people gathered around Rayburn were currently like the Emperor’s power. In that they were currently sharpening their blades against Ian. So, releasing their power meant that the Emperor’s power would also weaken.

Ian rose from his seat, thinking about how Jin would react.

“I need to go to the banquet hall. It will only take a moment.”