Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 829

The president asked Acorella a few meaningless questions and then turned to the investigator, as if to say it was all done.

“It’s finished.”

“Already?”

“Yes. I told you it was simple. Let’s go.”

“No, but it’s too simple.”

The interview was so short that even the bribed investigator was urging them to leave. His purpose from the start was to deliver Minister Ian’s letter. Having accomplished that, it was now up to Acorella.

The president pushed the investigator out.

“Alright, everyone’s busy, so let’s hurry.”

“Hey, you’re not going to ask for the bribe back, are you?”

“Oh, I’m not that petty.”

Clang!

Once the surroundings were quiet, Acorella carefully took out the letter she had hidden in her sleeve.

A neatly folded piece of paper. For some reason, she was afraid to open it. What was Ian trying to tell her? A special directive to resolve the current situation?

‘No, but the more I think about it, the more absurd it is.’

Why did Ian hide it? That he came from the future. Was it really necessary to make things so complicated?

“Alright, let’s see!”

Rustle.

-To Commander Acorella. I see you weren’t at your residence. I’ve confirmed you disobeyed orders and re-entered the Imperial Palace. Even in this situation, you’re still acting as you please.

“Kuh!”

Acorella covered the paper again as soon as she read the first paragraph.

That’s right. She had overlooked it. The fact that the president of the Mailie Daily came to the ‘Imperial Palace’ to find her at Ian’s request meant that Ian knew her whereabouts.

…Damn it, I’m screwed.

‘And I’m royally screwed. I could have gotten away with just hiding in the Imperial Palace, but now I’m caught and going to jail. And on charges of mental manipulation magic!’

Ugh. Acorella groaned softly and rubbed her head vigorously. Ian’s reprimands were harsh, regardless of the recipient.

Still, she had to read it, right?

-It’s become difficult. Not just because of your actions, but the entire situation within the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace is constantly coming up with measures to restrain the Magic Department, and this is gradually leading them to mutual destruction. For example, as I write this letter, the last thing I heard was a bill mandating the wearing of magic power sealing stones for all mages in the Imperial Palace.

“What?”

Mandatory wearing of magic power sealing stones? Acorella pressed her brow and muttered. She checked repeatedly to make sure she had read the words correctly.

-Of course, I know that His Majesty the Emperor will not actually propose this. It’s merely to gain an advantage in the power struggle with the Magic Department. As an extension of that, the dismissal of the entire Magic Department, except for me, has also been discussed.

“Seriously, are they kidding me!”

Acorella shouted, causing the guard outside to flinch. He wanted to check inside, but facing a crazy mage required a lot of courage. He pretended not to hear and looked straight ahead again.

-The dismissal is, contrary to appearances, to prevent my dismissal. It’s a choice born out of the worry that the Magic Department cannot be controlled if I leave the Imperial Palace.

And at the next sentence, Acorella bit her lower lip.

-So, Commander Acorella. I want you to become the next Minister to prevent my dismissal. If you prove to the Imperial Palace that you can lead and control the Magic Department, the dismissal of the entire Magic Department will easily be averted.

His Majesty would not actually do this, but the more entrenched it becomes, the more the rumors will grow, and eventually, the mages will find out. And you know that it will be irreversible then.

Why? Why are you trying to step down from the Minister position? Aren’t you the Emperor from the future? Can’t you stay in the Imperial Palace and work together for your and Bariel’s future?

-As you might have guessed, my magic power is not what it used to be. And in addition, my health too.

Acorella’s eyes turned slightly red.

-I don’t have much time left.

“That’s a lie.”

-I want to use this time wisely. For the sake of Bariel in the future.

At this point, Acorella realized Ian’s true intentions. All his actions so far were actually for the world he was going back to.

-Most importantly, it is to make the Imperial Palace recognize that I and the Magic Department are separate.

Acorella. Accept the position of the next Minister and strictly prohibit and prevent mages from acting on their own. Fulfill your role as the Minister of the Magic Department by His Majesty’s side. There will be troublemakers like you, but this time, I won’t tolerate it.

“Ah, damn it.”

-Just rest well in your respective homes. That is my wish and request. If necessary, I’ll call it an order.

“Daaaaamn it!”

Acorella cursed vehemently, and the guard sighed. This was too much. He had no choice but to report to his superiors to check on Acorella’s condition.

“So, what you’re saying is…”

Become the next Minister and cut off the connection between Ian and the Magic Department? This sounds like Ian is planning something. No, but you said you’re not healthy. What are you planning? Acorella rubbed her complicated head repeatedly, lost in thought.

“…So, you’re telling me to side with the Imperial Family.”

So that even if Ian completely opposes the Imperial Family, the damage won’t fall on the Magic Department.

‘Is there a choice? He’s really cunning.’

If she opposes Ian’s plan to the end, she will be disobeying his orders.

Moreover, if the Magic Department collapses as a result, it could lead to the wearing of magic power sealing stones and even…

‘Just as Ian protects the Magic Department, the Magic Department can protect Ian. But if the momentum completely shifts and hits rock bottom, we won’t even be able to do that.’

They won’t be able to protect Ian.

Therefore, Acorella must hold onto the position of Minister of the Magic Department before its status is completely changed. That way, even in a critical moment, she can save Ian.

-Acorella, one more thing. Even if I’m not there, I want you to make sure the Magic Department annex is completed. The matter is already under the jurisdiction of the Magic Department, so if you become the Minister of the Magic Department and show cooperative behavior to the Imperial Palace, there shouldn’t be any problems. You’re sincere about magic stones, so I trust you.

And in the last line, Acorella frowned after checking the small postscript.

-Thank you. Always.

“This is really annoying. Our Minister.”

…Shit. It was as if he knew exactly how she would react, and she felt a surge of annoyance. Was that why her eyes suddenly felt hot? Probably.

At that moment, she heard footsteps in the hallway. Acorella tore the letter to shreds and stuffed it into her mouth.

“What’s going on?”

“What.”

It was the investigator. Acorella stared at him as if nothing had happened. Her red eyes had already turned into rebellious ones.

The investigator checked that there was nothing unusual inside or outside the cell and was about to leave again.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

“What is it?”

“I want to see His Majesty.”

“Ha. You’re saying that again. As I said, you can’t see His Majesty until you’re cleared of the mental manipulation charges.”

“Bullshit. What about you, standing in front of me right now? Are you a scarecrow wearing a human skin? If I had the power to manipulate minds, I would have broken this thing and left a long time ago. Anyway, just pass on the message. This isn’t yours, it’s His Majesty’s. Got it?”

It meant that she wanted him to convey the message to His Majesty without missing a single word. Whether His Majesty listened or not was his choice, but it was his duty to deliver it.

Acorella, having pushed him to the limit, sighed and added.

“I’m going to be the next Minister.”

“…Yes?”

“I! The Minister of the Magic Department after Ian! I have legitimacy and a proper plan, so if you’re curious, tell them to grant me an audience. I’ll also tell them the secret about Ian.”

At that, the investigator was horrified.

“If you say the name Ian Verosian in front of His Majesty, you’ll lose your head. Both you and me.”

“You bastard, I’ll tear you apart with my own hands when I get out. So stop talking nonsense and go report it. You’re quick to take bribes, but why are you so slow when it comes to doing your job?”

I’m going to spill that you took money from the Mailie Daily president.

Acorella’s scolding made the investigator’s face stiffen. Well, reporting was his job anyway.

“Alright. I understand, so please stay still.”

“Do you see me acting up right now?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything…”

“Yeah, shut up and get lost.”

Ptui! Acorella tried to spit but stopped. There were still pieces of the letter in her mouth. She naturally chewed and sniffled.

The investigator looked at her with contempt, thinking she was a really strange woman.

‘What the hell is she eating?’

Only Acorella knew.

* * *

“Commander Acorella?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Jin read the report with a calm face.

Unauthorized intrusion into the Magic Department, manufacturing unknown potions, forced injection into officials, abuse of magic power… It was by far the worst of all the incidents Acorella had caused. He turned to the Prime Minister and asked.

“Are the officials under investigation still the same?”

“Yes. Their other memories are intact, but they all consistently state that only the memory of ‘Ian Verosian’ was implanted. It was a rumor that came during the war, but it’s still absurd.”

The Prime Minister laughed. That was because everyone except those two had no such memory.

Let’s say that they lost their memories as Commander Acorella said. But that happened simultaneously in all areas from Toolun to Bariel? Without any starting point, suddenly? The claim was not only weak but also far-fetched.

“However, it is necessary to listen to Commander Acorella’s words properly.”

“You mean about being the next Minister of the Magic Department?”

“That’s right. The strong measure of dismissing the entire Magic Department was to prevent Minister Ian from leaving the palace. To make it easier to control the Magic Department. But if a new Minister can take over that role, there is no need to take such a strong measure. Rumors are as flexible as water and as light as air.”

It was an attack that was meant to sting Ian, but it couldn’t remain a secret forever. And above all, it was a dangerous move.

“Alright. Bring Commander Acorella.”

She was wearing a magic power sealing stone, so she was no different from an ordinary person.

At Jin’s order, Acorella, wearing a bracelet, entered shortly after. She was clearly being supported by the guards, but she stood upright without any sign of intimidation.

“Your Majesty!”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

Commander Acorella? Or-

“Ugh, seriously! Let go of me!”

The guards?

Jin nodded, indicating that they could let go of her arm. Acorella took a deep breath and then showed some manners.

“Could you please dismiss everyone?”

“Your Majesty.”

Acorella asked, and the Prime Minister urged him to refuse. It was for the Emperor’s safety.

Jin followed the Prime Minister’s advice.

“That’s not possible, Commander Acorella.”

“…I understand.”

“I know what you want. I want to hear the evidence that you can faithfully fulfill the position of the next Minister of the Magic Department first.”

‘Will the mages easily follow you? More than Ian?’ was the Prime Minister’s question.

Acorella narrowed her eyes and replied.

“Don’t worry about that. It’s like Minister Ian’s last order, so there may be some who don’t like it, but in the end, they will willingly follow. Just like me.”

“Last?”

Jin asked back with a puzzled look.

It was temporary for Acorella to take the position of the next Minister. He thought that when Ian recovered his strength and the situation was resolved, he would naturally return to his position as Minister according to the order of power.

But Acorella shattered Jin’s plan in an instant.

“Minister Ian will not return. No, he won’t be able to.”

“What?”

If he said himself that his health was not good, it meant that he really didn’t have much time left.

But I don’t know. Whether he’s trying to go to the future, or if he’s just going to…

“Don’t you want to know?”

“Commander Acorella, are you negotiating with His Majesty right now?”

“No!”

Acorella denied firmly and slammed her forehead on the floor.

Thud!

“I’m negotiating with myself!”

“Commander Acorella!”