Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 820

“Your Majesty.”

Jin sighed reflexively at the voice calling him from outside. Every time someone announced they had something to report, something always went wrong.

Jin checked the time and put down his pen. Judging by the hour, it didn’t seem to be about the Eastern mage issue that the Magic Department was dealing with.

“What is it?”

“My apologies. A signed document retracting their opinions regarding the appeal submitted by Minister Rayburn has arrived.”

“What?”

What nonsense was this now? Jin asked, dumbfounded, and even reached out to take the document himself.

It had only been a short while since Minister Rayburn had submitted the appeal. Yet, they were reversing their stance as if flipping their hands. It was something that people with a sound mind wouldn’t easily do, so if they did, it meant there must be some reason behind it.

“…This is infuriating.”

Jin muttered as he checked the contents.

Most of the names were from the collateral lines, except for Count Davion. They were claiming they didn’t know the details of the Count’s appeal and were even asserting Minister Ian’s innocence. They even had the audacity to say they wanted the situation to calm down quickly for the stability of the Imperial Palace.

“Those who want stability act like this?”

Was there anything that could make the situation more chaotic than retracting an appeal? Jin asked, annoyed, throwing the paper down.

“Find out what happened. There must have been some kind of deal-”

There must have been some kind of deal.

With whom?

The person who would benefit the most from retracting the appeal.

“…It must have been with Lord Ian.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Clench. Jin gritted his teeth.

Ian’s maneuvering to induce the retraction of the appeal was not a simple matter. First of all, he had completely neutralized Minister Rayburn’s side and Count Davion’s checks, meaning there was no force in the Imperial Palace that could stop him.

‘Like a monster that keeps growing if you can’t kill it or suppress it.’

Even if they cried out to stop, this was a phenomenon that was happening circumstantially, regardless of Ian’s will.

Jin felt the pen in his hand like a sword. If he didn’t cut it down, he wouldn’t be able to stop it. If he didn’t stop it now, he would end up seeing even more bloodshed in the end.

‘If Minister Rayburn and Count Davion’s power collapses, it’s the same as the Emperor’s power collapsing.’

Normally, their power and the Emperor’s power would be inversely proportional, but not now. Wasn’t the special investigation team auditing the Magic Department under Jin’s orders? If the investigation team couldn’t subdue the Magic Department, it would be no different from the Emperor failing to subdue the Magic Department.

Knock! Knock!

“What is it?”

The head attendant turned around in surprise. Then, a hurried voice was heard, saying that Minister Rayburn had arrived. He was so urgent that he had rushed straight to the door to request an audience with the Emperor.

“Your Majesty! It’s Minister Rayburn! I have something to say about the appeal!”

“…Let him in.”

As soon as the door opened, Minister Rayburn and his group rushed in, covered in sweat. They turned pale when they saw the retraction document on the table. It was as if they had realized it was already too late.

“Your Majesty, th, that!”

“How long has it been since you submitted the appeal that a retraction document is already coming up? This is deceiving me! Before investigating Lord Ian, it is right to charge you with deceiving the Imperial Family!”

Thwack!

Jin threw the paper down with a thunderous shout, and the ministers immediately prostrated themselves.

“We are sorry, Your Majesty!”

“It was my fault!”

“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it!”

“Your Majesty, it may sound like an excuse, but Lord Ian is luring the nobles by using the Empress’s position as a pretext, and there is no way to deal with it. Your Majesty must see how arrogant and wicked Lord Ian is acting!”

Jin, who was about to throw another object, paused. Lord Ian was trading with nobles using the ‘Empress’s’ position as a pretext? That couldn’t be.

‘Lord Ian knows my heart.’

Ian had clearly said that he could marry whoever he wanted. Also, judging by his attitude towards Eirin, he was genuinely respecting his choice.

But, using the Empress’s position to gather nobles?

‘Is he doing that to get out of the situation?’

It was understandable, but it was an unacceptable act. Jin sighed again, placing his hand on the desk.

Since Rayburn’s side had brought the information, it could be said that everyone in the Imperial Palace knew about the current situation. That Lord Ian had dismissed the special investigation team, completely neutralized the opposing side, and even officially claimed authority over the Empress’s position.

‘No.’

It couldn’t go on any longer.

Jin finally raised his head.

“Listen carefully from now on.”

The ministers also slowly raised their gazes to look at the Emperor. The Emperor’s face looked more resolute than ever. An unwavering gaze. But a slightly cautious voice.

“Those who submitted the retraction will be punished by applying the charge of deceiving the Imperial Family. I cannot overlook the act of lightly reversing an appeal made to the Emperor. Of course, you will also be held accountable, but this will be dealt with separately after the situation is resolved.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Tell those who claim they were unaware that their names were being used to file a separate complaint. Minister Rayburn’s side and Count Davion will be responsible for this.”

If it were to be legally scrutinized, it would be immediately revealed how shallow their lies were. Therefore, those who had retracted their signatures would receive appropriate punishment for the charge of deception without much resistance. Those who had sided with Lord Ian would pay the price.

“And expand the scope of the investigation. After confirming whether Lord Ian used mind control magic on Rutherford or spread other strange rumors, look into whether the budget within the Magic Department was used properly, or if there are any other work-related issues.”

No matter how meticulous and honest Ian was in his work, the Magic Department was run by dozens of people. If they dug deep enough, they would surely find at least a speck of dust. Jin was ordering them to find it.

The ministers’ eyes sparkled. Finally, the Emperor was about to make a serious move!

“Furthermore-”

Jin continued, as if exhaling. In the midst of all the thoughts rushing through his head, he had no choice but to stay alert to stand firm.

“I will propose a bill to make it mandatory for mages entering the Imperial Palace to wear magic sealing stones. The ministers shall prepare for the Grand Council. However, only departments that are operating normally according to the rules shall attend.”

This meant that the Magic Department, whose operations had been suspended, would be excluded from attending. Now was the right time and opportunity to pass a bill that could strongly restrict them without the interference of mages.

“And-”

Was there more? The ministers were about to get up hastily but stopped. Jin sighed softly and added.

“The matter of the monopoly on magic stone distribution will be handled by the Imperial Palace itself. I will finish it before the Magic Department monopolizes it, so call Minister Quintana. And also, summon the merchants who are currently distributing magic stones as their main business in Bariel to the Imperial Palace, and arrange a meeting with Representative Kayla as well.”

If they could secure the representative of Vergos, the supplier of magic stones, in the Imperial Palace, they could respond sufficiently. Moreover, Vergos would not welcome the Magic Department’s monopoly. Because free trade is the basis of any market, Vergos would benefit from it.

“This is the Emperor’s order. If anyone refuses or disrupts this, they will be severely punished, so in carrying out your duties, state my name. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will follow your orders.”

“We will obey!”

Jin turned away as if telling them to get lost, and the ministers rushed out. It was time to punish the traitors. They put their names on the appeal and then backstabbed him like this?

“Count Davion.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

Count Davion gritted his teeth, telling them to wait and see. Officials from each department who received instructions from the main palace ran out busily.

Slide.

Meanwhile, Jin took out the letter from Tweller that he had kept in the drawer. He fiddled with the edge of it for a long time before taking out a small gold case.

It was a high-quality cigar that had been presented as a tribute sometime ago. It didn’t suit Jin’s taste, so he thought it would just rot away.

Flick.

He couldn’t stand the stuffiness in his chest. Jin lit the cigar and exhaled the smoke with a sigh. Lord Ian, please give in here. Otherwise, the path ahead will truly be irreversible.

“Are you outside?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…Summon the Prime Minister.”

An order to summon the Prime Minister, who was under house arrest at his residence. He needed someone to wield the blade on his behalf in the Imperial Palace. At least in the current situation, the Prime Minister seemed the most suitable.

* * *

“I, I, Ian! Ian!”

Romandro called out to Ian, looking pale.

Ian, who had been dozing off on the sofa in the investigation room, raised his head. His eyes were clear, not like someone who had just woken up.

“You are being noisy.”

“No, it’s not noisy! It’s a big deal! His, His Majesty has shown his intention to indict those who claimed to retract the appeal with the charge of deceiving the Imperial Family.”

A signed document to the Emperor was not a joke, and the fact that they had reversed it like this was unusual in itself.

Moreover, it was obvious that forces would gather towards Ian, so it was a measure to cut off the bud in advance. It was the same as warning that those who sided with Ian would pay the price.

“Ah.”

Ian nodded slightly in agreement. It seemed like the decision was made faster than he thought. Or, was it more accurate to interpret that Rayburn’s side had acted quickly? Either way, it was appropriate.

“That’s not all. They say that Minister Quintana and Representative Kayla are in a meeting to have the Imperial Palace take charge of the magic stone monopoly.”

“What happened to buying up the magic stones on the market? It has become a bit difficult with the situation like this.”

“Idgal has gathered to some extent… No, I’m not done yet. His Majesty has also ordered the Prime Minister to return to the palace!”

Ian’s expression gradually hardened. The response was too overwhelming. But there was another reason why Romandro was so excited.

“To preside over the Grand Council! Do you know what the agenda of the Grand Council is now? They say it’s to make it mandatory for mages in the Imperial Palace to wear magic sealing stones!”

“…Yes?”

Ian reacted and stood up. As if he hadn’t expected it at all.

Romandro paced around the room, constantly anxious. He said that it seemed like they were determined to impose all sorts of restrictions now that the Magic Department was in shambles.

“What should we do, Ian?! It seems that gathering the nobles has seriously offended His Majesty. Judging by the strong measures he is taking, it seems he intends to eradicate all the noise this time-”

Romandro turned his head sharply and looked at Ian.

Surprisingly, Ian was frowning slightly, as if he was annoyed. It was a reaction he had never shown before.

“Hmm.”

He rubbed his forehead lightly and then fell silent. Romandro realized that his mind was in turmoil and held his breath.

“This is……”

Ian curled up the corners of his mouth with a wry smile and muttered softly.

“It’s a bit troublesome.”

He told Romandro to follow him and picked up his jacket. His movements seemed a bit hurried, unlike usual.