Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 821

“Please wait outside, Romandro.”

Ian instructed as he strode up the steps leading into the Grand Conference Hall. Romandro, who had been diligently trying to keep up, hesitated, but Ian quickly entered the building and passed through the familiar corridors.

In the distance, he saw a crowd of staff. They were from various departments, gathered for the Grand Conference. They recognized Ian and approached him.

“Are you not Minister Ian of the Magic Department?”

“What brings you here?”

“I heard the Grand Conference was being held.”

“Yes. However, the Magic Department’s operations are suspended, so you have no right to speak. I apologize, but please return.”

A bureaucrat blocked Ian’s path.

Minister Rayburn and his faction had firmly instructed their subordinates that if the Minister of the Magic Department was seen here, the Emperor would surely call him in for a discussion. If that happened, the Emperor’s decision to restrain the Magic Department would be stalled again.

“Having no right to speak doesn’t mean I can’t attend. I’m merely here to observe, so why are you stopping me?”

“That’s right. Moreover, he is the Minister of the Magic Department. Considering the Imperial Palace, you shouldn’t act this way.”

Several bureaucrats from other departments supported Ian. Once inside, the rest would be a matter for His Majesty and the Minister of the Magic Department to resolve directly.

“I said it’s not allowed. Please return.”

“Oh, come now.”

Amidst the commotion, those guarding the door and those protesting lightly clashed. The corridor became quite noisy. At that moment, Ian, standing in the middle of it all, raised his head.

“…Can you handle it?”

Ian’s low murmur instantly froze the surroundings.

A sharp gaze that couldn’t hide his extreme fatigue. It was both a warning and a piece of advice.

“I asked if you can handle everything that will happen because of my return.”

They were too insignificant to throw themselves into the storm of the Imperial Palace.

When no one answered Ian’s question, only hesitating in silence, Ian took it as an answer and passed by them. The bureaucrats could only watch as Ian opened the door to the Grand Conference Hall.

Creak.

The door opened. All eyes in the Grand Conference Hall turned to Ian. The ministers of each department froze, while Jin looked at Ian as if he had been waiting for him.

“M-Minister Ian?”

“Ahem.”

The ministers glared at their subordinates through the door, scolding them. They had been told to prevent anyone from entering, yet they couldn’t even do that one thing.

“Excuse me. I came because I heard that a critical matter related to the Magic Department was being discussed. Even if the Magic Department’s operations are suspended, it’s disheartening as the head of a department to be excluded like this, especially when you know I am present in the Imperial Palace.”

“It was merely done according to the rules.”

“…Rules.”

Ian chuckled and turned to look at Jin. Jin continued to observe Ian without any reaction.

“If attendance at the Grand Conference is not allowed due to the suspension of operations, then the Magic Department can delegate its authority to another to attend as a proxy. That is the rule. Holding a Grand Conference while excluding only the Magic Department like this is not a rule, but a foul.”

“Please, take a seat, Minister Ian.”

Jin gestured towards a chair, but Ian did not comply. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the ministers and added,

“Moreover, the mandatory wearing of magic seal stones within the Imperial Palace is a law that doesn’t consider practicalities at all. Magicians are constantly using magic in their work, regardless of time or place. If you restrict this, you will witness the decline of Bariel’s magic.”

“We are trying to find a compromise that minimizes that. Did you not just admit that you use magic at any time? For each other’s safety, we should at least designate restricted areas, or set specific times, or find another way.”

“It’s laughable that someone who has only benefited from the Magic Department is now belittling its achievements in such a way. Is there any precedent? Any instance where safety was compromised or vigilance was raised due to the Magic Department?”

Ian’s remarks were not only sharp but also unconventional. Even the ministers, who had been looking for an opening to retort, paused.

Then, Jin finally spoke.

“The purpose of the law is to prevent that from happening.”

His tone was calm, without any emotional fluctuation.

“Your Majesty.”

“But I understand the Magic Department’s position as well. Magic seal stones infringe upon your rights.”

Jin slowly rose and approached Ian. The gaze they exchanged, looking into each other’s eyes, was somehow precarious.

“The Magic Department must understand why this law is being discussed here now. Whether you intended it or not, it all started with the Magic Department.”

To be precise, it started with Ian Hiel. The endless controversy over the Imperial bloodline, his unyielding position, and the immense power inherent in a magician…

“Since it started with the Magic Department, it is a problem that the Magic Department should end. Minister Ian, you know the answer.”

The matter of the annex, yes, it had already passed, so he wouldn’t add to it. However, regarding the distribution rights of magic stones, he should give up his greed, and especially, he should immediately stop the behavior of rallying the nobles under the pretext of the Empress’s position. That was the only way to calm the current situation.

“Your Majesty.”

Ian frowned with a bitter smile.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. How did this start with the Magic Department?”

“Minister Ian!”

Jin shouted. He was frustrated. Did he not know that what was important now was not that? But Ian showed no sign of stopping.

“The discussion about the monopoly of magic stones arose because of those who were trying to break the rules of the free market and gain private benefits. And what about the mention of the Empress’s position? It’s a phantom created by the desires of the nobles who want it.”

“It was Minister Ian who encouraged it from the sidelines and brought it this far!”

“And what do you mean? Magic seal stones? How can Your Majesty make such a decision! Not this, not when-!”

Ian’s voice also rose. Not this, not when he had heard how he had died-

…Ian felt like he knew what the tangled emotion in his heart was.

‘I am disappointed.’

He had never felt disappointed in Jin or anyone else. It was because their memory loss was due to the power of the Underworld God, and furthermore, it was the natural order that he had to be completely erased from the world, and all of this was what he had intended.

“Magic seal stones. Your Majesty. Have you forgotten how big of a mistake it was to limit the power of magicians in the war with other countries?”

“It is only a restriction within the Imperial Palace.”

“That is where it begins.”

Jin lightly bit his lip.

He didn’t get the answer he wanted from Ian.

That he would step back for now. That the current situation was too heated, so the Magic Department would calm the situation on its own. Therefore, he should stop this ridiculous discussion. Jin wanted to hear those words from Ian.

“…Your Majesty.”

Ian looked up at Jin. His eyes were unreadable.

“I ask you to stop.”

“Then the Magic Department should also stop. And refrain from mentioning the Empress’s position. It’s not something you should interfere with.”

“If not me, then who will?”

“What?”

“Your Majesty, you still do not understand.”

Jin’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t understand what Ian was saying now.

“The woman Your Majesty loves is not suitable for the position of Empress. How can she ascend to the position of Empress of Bariel just because she is a Holy Knight who has contributed to the war? It’s an overstatement to even say it’s excessive.”

The ministers held their breath, watching Jin’s complexion. The Emperor seemed unaware that his eyes were turning murderous.

“Listen to the advice of the loyal subjects of the Imperial Palace and choose a suitable partner. Then, the Magic Department will also step back regarding the monopoly of magic stones.”

He was saying the advice of the loyal subjects of the Imperial Palace, but in the end, it meant that he should choose a woman selected by Ian and his faction as the Empress.

Then, the divided nobles would reunite, and even if they lost the magic stone monopoly, there would be no problem in dealing with Minister Rayburn’s side.

“What will you do?”

For the sake of the greater good, abandoning personal feelings shouldn’t be a difficult choice for an Emperor. By giving up Eirin, he would gain the opportunity to rebuild a solid bond with the Magic Department.

“…It is a separate matter.”

However, Jin’s choice was different. Everyone watching quickly processed this in their minds.

“Even though she is someone you have not formed a bond with, why are you so attached?”

Ian chuckled. Jin recognized that the chuckle contained various meanings. Scolding his attachment, mocking him, and ultimately, the confidence that everything was in his palm. From that unfamiliar appearance, Jin vaguely felt that Ian was hiding something.

“It’s dangerous, Your Majesty.”

It was dangerous for an Emperor to place meaning on something. Because you never know when and how it might turn into a weakness.

“As Your Majesty’s loyal subject, I cannot stand by and watch this. I implore Your Majesty to make the right choice. Otherwise, Bariel will lose a capable Holy Knight.”

“…Minister Ian. Are you perhaps thinking of harming Eirin?”

“There is nothing to harm. She is someone whose whereabouts are unknown even now.”

Jin froze in shock.

The ministers also belatedly understood what Ian’s words meant and held their breath. Wasn’t Ian saying that he had taken measures regarding Eirin’s whereabouts?

“Your Majesty, please make a decision. Give up the Empress’s position for the sake of the Imperial Palace and find peace. Furthermore, rescind ridiculous laws like the mandatory wearing of magic seal stones and respect the Magic Department.”

“Minister Ian-!”

“If you do so, I will also look for the missing Holy Knight as far as I can. I am a magician. I can find things that ordinary people wouldn’t even know the traces of. No, I must find her. She is the woman who will become Your Majesty’s concubine.”

Eirin’s safety depended on Ian. If he accepted Ian’s request, everything would return to its place.

Jin’s fist trembled. Whether it was in the process of accepting or rejecting, it was unknown. He shouted.

“What have you done with Eirin!”

“Why are you asking me that? Look. You cannot let go of someone whose whereabouts are unknown, and you cannot see the greater good.”

“Shut your mouth! Why are you going this far! Why-”

Thud!

Jin, unable to contain his anger, slammed his fist on the desk. However, Ian didn’t even blink and endured Jin’s anger.

“…It’s a warning. Do not cross the line.”

“It was Your Majesty who crossed the line first.”

“Why do you not know how to step back! When I am going this far!”

“Since you are going this far, I will also go this far.”

“Minister Ian! Please!”

Jin let out a cry close to a scream. His hands trembled, wanting to grab something, but all he could see were the sword and Ian’s shoulder. If he grabbed the sword, he would have to cut, and if he grabbed Ian’s shoulder, he would be seen begging the Minister of the Magic Department in front of the bureaucrats.

Jin continued to scream as if he couldn’t bear it any longer.

Thud! Bang!

Objects were broken, and the bureaucrats waited for this moment to pass, trying to calm their sinking hearts.

Ian watched Jin’s outburst for a long time, then turned his body indifferently.

“M-Minister Ian. Where are you going?”

Having created this situation, where was he going? The bureaucrats urgently grabbed him, but Ian lightly brushed them off and replied,

“Since I may have to wear a magic seal stone to stay in the Imperial Palace, I will leave for a while.”

Ian looked down at Jin’s hand, which seemed to have been cut by something, and added. The wound was deep.

“I have finished my investigation, so I will leave the palace. I will tell Romandro where I will be staying. If there is any further investigation, send someone there.”

Ian said that and left the Grand Conference Hall.

Shortly after, Romandro, who had been waiting below, sent a look asking, ‘Are you okay?’, but Ian didn’t answer.

“Your Majesty! Blood!”

“Do not touch it! Beric! Beric!”

At Jin’s cry, Beric, who had been watching everything, approached with a stiff face. Jin’s face and hands were stained with blood.

“Go outside right now and check on Eirin. See if she is well and safe. Now!”