Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 826

“Extra! Extra! The Mailie Daily has a special report!” Boys and girls wearing hats ran energetically, newspapers tucked under their arms. An extra edition, when the Imperial Palace already felt so uneasy? People willingly handed over coins. “What’s the matter?” “Let’s see… Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic, saved and helped the daughter of the traitorous Hyman family escape ten years ago?” “What? What are you saying?” “Hey! Give me a copy too.” “Extra! It’s a Mailie Daily exclusive! You’ll regret not seeing it! Big things are happening in the Imperial Palace and the Magic Department!” Whish! They sold like hotcakes, as if they had wings. People walking down the street stopped, and those smoking didn’t even notice the ashes burning their clothes as they intently read the newspaper. Children were the same. They stretched their necks on tiptoes, and the elderly brought out their glasses, narrowing their eyes. The impact of each word was enormous. So, this is… “Is it saying that the Minister of Magic, Ian Hielo, committed treason? If it’s Hyman’s daughter, it must be Melania, right?” “Helping a traitor escape! Even if it was to pursue Rutherford, this is unacceptable.” “But thanks to that, they eliminated the Undergod and achieved peace in Gaia. There might be room for consideration.” “Are you crazy? It’s treason! At the time, Hyman was a family that participated in the Imperial Palace rebellion and even raised an army.” “No, how is this even happening? And this, what’s this recommendation for the Empress?” “Why, they say His Majesty has a favorite Holy Knight. The one working at the tavern in the back alley behind the center.” “Ah, right. Their honey mead is really delicious.” “They say she’s been missing for a while. The tavern owner is crying and looking for her, it’s heartbreaking. She disappeared so suddenly, I wondered if it had something to do with the Imperial Palace…” “Ian Hielo kidnapped her?” “It’s written here. He admitted to being involved in her whereabouts.” “That’s a problem. This is unacceptable.” The sound of people excitedly talking filled the streets. Regardless of right or wrong, the shock of the situation itself was immense. “…” On one side of the bustling street, a woman wearing a robe grabbed a passing newspaper delivery boy and handed him a coin. “Give me a newspaper too.” “Here you go, ma’am.” Melania went into a secluded alley and carefully examined the newspaper. She felt overwhelmed from the first line. She had tried to use the guidance of the Eastern mage to try to make a comeback, but that was practically a failure. Unless she met the great mage of the East, there was no way out that way. Moreover, the situation in the Imperial Palace had become unsettling, and she had been wandering from place to place after leaving Romandro’s mansion. And now, even this kind of article was out… Her small hand clenched involuntarily. “Damn it.” It was problematic if her existence became known to the public like this. She couldn’t seize the opportunity she wanted if she got caught up in the political situation. Melania calmly took a breath and read the text carefully again. “Please, please-” There would be something. Definitely. A breakthrough to move forward. ‘Wait a minute.’ A sentence at the end of the article. The content that Ian Hielo had admitted everything caught her eye. Melania stopped, her eyes widening as if she had realized something. ‘…Ian Hielo admitted it? Something’s strange. No matter how you look at it, this is disadvantageous to him. He should be denying it, not admitting it.’ She immediately turned and started running. The hem of her dress got wet with muddy water, but she didn’t care about such a rag-like thing. After running for a while, she arrived at Romandro’s mansion. When she knocked hard on the front door, Vivianna came out with a surprised look. “Melania?” “Hah, hah, is Lord Romandro here?” “Melania, I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t come here. There’s a problem with Ian right now.” Vivianna whispered, looking around. Vivianna had clearly seen the newspaper too. An article had come out that Ian was involved in treason because of Melania, and here she was, standing in front of his aide’s mansion in broad daylight. What if someone saw her? But Melania waved her hand, saying it was okay. “I have an answer. Please call Lord Romandro.” “Look, Melania-” “Lady Melania?” Romandro appeared, having heard the commotion. He was holding a newspaper in his hand. His complexion was a little dark. Romandro had no choice but to let her into the house and locked the door with a click. “What’s going on all of a sudden?” “Hah, hah, I’m sorry. But there’s one thing I need to confirm. Have you seen the newspaper?” “I have. I’m going crazy, really. How is this even happening?” Romandro paced around the living room, constantly pulling at his hair. He wanted to go to the hotel where Ian was staying, but he had been instructed not to come unless called, so he was stuck in a situation where he couldn’t do anything. Melania quickly emptied the water Vivianna gave her and added, “Is it true that Ian reported this himself?” “I don’t know about that, but judging by the fact that he admitted it-” “The Imperial Palace and Ian are in conflict right now.” “What’s the point of saying that? They’re at each other’s throats.” “Then, we can see this article as an attack by Ian against the Imperial Palace.” Ian wants his own downfall. In other words, if you say the opposite. ‘The Imperial Palace does not want Ian’s downfall.’ “This is an attack using the fact that the Imperial Palace would be in trouble if Ian resigned.” Romandro didn’t know about the dismissal of all positions in the Magic Department except for the minister, so he couldn’t know the details, but he acknowledged that Melania’s reasoning was reasonable. After a long deliberation, he nodded. “I guess so?” “Do you want Ian to resign, Lord Romandro?” “No, not like this.” He would eventually step down due to health issues, but he was absolutely against such a disgraceful resignation. Look at all he had done for Bariel! As Romandro clenched his fist resolutely, Melania smiled. “Then, please send me to the Imperial Palace.” “What are you talking about? You’re going to the Imperial Palace? What are you going to do in this situation?” Melania held up the newspaper. There was nothing about the Imperial Palace’s position anywhere in it. “To deny this content, that is, to prevent Ian’s resignation, there is only one way.” Her voice sounded strangely excited. As if she couldn’t believe it. “That is, for me to become unrelated to treason.” If Melania was completely cleared of treason, then Ian’s act of helping her escape ten years ago would not be a crime. Rather, it would be a praiseworthy act since it even led to the pursuit of Rutherford. “I can’t do anything about the fact that I’m of the Hyman family bloodline, but it’s entirely possible to give a narrative to this. It was ten years ago, wasn’t it? The Imperial Palace doesn’t need to present complicated evidence. They can simply resolve the situation with one word. One word that I am not a criminal.” Romandro’s mouth opened slightly. Isn’t this a brilliant move? ‘At the time, the Hyman family plotted treason, but Melania was loyal to the Empire and delivered information to the Imperial Palace. Considering this, the Empire ordered her to pursue Rutherford instead of execution.’ -If they create such a narrative, the current commotion will quickly subside. “…You’re amazing.” If done well, she could transform from a hidden traitor to a hero who sacrificed herself for the Empire. The crime of being born into the wrong family could be replaced by her ten years of wandering and carrying out the Empire’s mission. “You don’t want Ian to bear this disgrace, do you? Neither do I.” Melania grabbed Romandro’s hand and pleaded. Her eyes were already sparkling with hope, desire, and ambition. “So, please send me to the Imperial Palace. If the Imperial Palace wants to prevent Ian’s resignation, they will definitely need my help.” Romandro hesitated for a moment. Ian had told him not to come to the hotel, but he hadn’t said not to send anyone to the Imperial Palace, had he? Even if that wasn’t the case, as his aide, he couldn’t just sit back and watch. Romandro eventually turned to Vivianna and asked, “Call for a carriage, dear.” “Are you sure about this?” “It’s a matter for the Imperial Palace to decide. And Lady Melania, it’s the fate you’ve chosen.” Melania looked more confident than ever. “Yes. It’s the opportunity I’ve chosen and the moment I’ve always wanted. Lord Romandro. Thank you. I won’t forget it.” “Don’t thank me. I’m just doing this for Ian.” While Vivianna went outside to find a carriage to go to the Imperial Palace, Romandro handed Melania his pass. “Promise me one thing.” “Please, tell me.” “I’m curious about the situation inside the Imperial Palace. Send me letters from time to time. Ian told me not to leave the mansion with my eyes and ears closed… but I need to know what’s going on too.” Melania nodded. “Yes, I will tell you everything.” “I’ll be waiting.” “The carriage has arrived! Please come out!” “Then, I’ll be going.” Melania gave Romandro a nod and got into the carriage. And soon, she hid her face under her tightly wrapped robe. Neigh. Even after the carriage disappeared, Romandro stood there for a long time, then slowly closed and locked the door. * * * Acorella was holding a pen and observing the two employees. It was to record any reactions they showed after drinking the potion. The two employees smacked their lips for a while, then muttered softly. “What, what should we say?” “Anything.” “It tastes a bit… disgusting.” “Not that!” Damn it. It was the moment Acorella was about to yell. The employees’ eyes suddenly widened. And then, their faces turned pale? “What? What’s wrong?” “A, Captain Acorella, what did we just eat?” “I told you. It’s something that helps you regain your memories.” “Don’t lie. W, what did you do?” “Huh? What are you talking about?” The employees hesitated and stepped back, then grabbed their hair as if they were about to tear it out. “You cast a spell, didn’t you?!” “No, I didn’t! Calm down!” “This is too much. How could you do this in this situation…” They couldn’t even bring themselves to say it out loud. Acorella was puzzled. Judging by the fact that the two of them were acting like this at the same time, it meant that there was a common memory that had been cut out. Wasn’t it just a problem for the Magic Department? Were there memories cut out from other people too? “Captain, please return it quickly!” “Shut up, I’m going to try it myself.” This wouldn’t do. She had no choice but to become a test subject herself. She drank the cooled-down recollection potion and frowned. She could understand what they meant by the disgusting taste… “Ah.” And then, Acorella’s eyes also widened. It felt like something that had been submerged in fog was slowly moving and clearing. The seams of her fragmented memories were becoming solid, and forgotten emotions surged like a wave. “…!” A single tear fell from Acorella’s widened eyes. It was a reflexive reaction. “My name is Ian Verosian-” And a voice that was as clear as it was forgotten. “I am the Emperor from Bariel 100 years in the future.” Acorella was speechless and covered her mouth. How much time had passed? She muttered a groan-like curse. “…Oh my god, shit.”