Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 834

“Sir Ian?”

Ian’s gaze was unknowingly fixed on the window, replaying Romandro’s visit.

Only for a moment, though. He turned his head with a smile at the nobles’ call, waving it off as if to say it was nothing.

“Why would Romandro, the aide, come all the way here?”

“Hmm. I wonder.”

Ian was also bothered by it. He had clearly given the order when he left the palace. He had told them never to come looking for him unless he called for them.

Romandro was not one to disobey orders carelessly. Then, it must mean-

‘The one who gives the orders has changed.’

Ian’s orders were nullified. This meant that the letter sent to Acorella had arrived safely. He had heard that she was imprisoned in the dungeon, but it seemed the president of Maylie Daily was quite capable.

‘Acorella is performing the duties of the Minister of Magic, which means she has connections in the Imperial Palace. Good. This way, the Ministry of Magic won’t be harmed by my actions.’

“Minister Ian, I must ask.”

“Yes, please speak.”

Ian responded as if he had been listening.

“Do you have any specific plans? Is the Ministry of Magic also involved…?”

‘The’ Minister Ian wouldn’t need any military force for this undertaking. He could blow up the Imperial Palace with magic, or take thousands of lives with a flick of his wrist. What could be the problem?

Of course, this was only possible because the nobles didn’t know that Ian currently didn’t have the strength to cast even a small spell. It was reasonable. The child before them looked so calm and composed.

The previous rumors of health issues were dismissed as mere fuss caused by the aftermath of the war. The person at the center of the undertaking had explained it himself, so there was no room for doubt.

Therefore, this question was not out of suspicion but curiosity. Pure curiosity about what Ian’s plan was.

Ian answered simply,

“The Ministry of Magic will not participate in this undertaking.”

“What? Aren’t they like your limbs? Is there perhaps another reason…?”

“It’s their own circumstances. It is true that they followed me, but during this undertaking, all members of the Ministry of Magic will be on standby at their homes. I instructed them so before leaving the palace, so you can take it as such.”

“I see.”

In fact, the Ministry of Magic’s involvement was not important. Ian was the Ministry of Magic. What surprised the nobles was Ian’s unwavering will.

‘He was planning this from the moment he left the palace. No, perhaps even long before that.’

The nobles were slightly tense at the sight of Ian. No one had expected this until they met Ian here.

Is this why they say you can’t know what’s in a person’s heart? Who would have thought that the Emperor’s closest aide, the most loyal of his retainers, would turn against him? To exaggerate, even the gods wouldn’t have known. But that’s what made this undertaking possible.

However, in their rush to organize their complex thoughts, they missed Ian’s expression, ‘It is true that they followed me.’ Ian reiterated this.

“Even if the Ministry of Magic finds out about this, they won’t be able to move easily. We know each other too well.”

Because they knew better than anyone how strong Ian was and what kind of person he was, they could either pretend not to know or cooperate.

But whatever it was, it wouldn’t be a problem for the undertaking, Ian reassured the nobles.

“If possible, I plan to finish this without harming the people. It will be hard for them to accept the reality of the last Verosian [a member of the royal family]. We must end this as secretly and quickly as possible, even for the sake of public sentiment.”

The last Verosian.

The nobles felt their hair stand on end at that phrase. They could feel with their whole bodies what they were about to do.

“Your roles are simple. You just need to enter the palace with me and support that the legitimacy is on my side.”

“Will that be enough? The Imperial Guard is by His Majesty’s side.”

“It’s fine. I’ve known Beric, the current sole commander of the Imperial Guard, for a long time. I can easily subdue him.”

Ian answered with a faint smile. The nobles’ smiles hardened at his cold demeanor, but Ian was thinking about something else. If Beric heard these words to his face, he would desperately refute them. He might not win, but he wouldn’t be easily defeated.

‘I wonder what Beric is doing now.’

He must be by His Majesty’s side, as the Imperial Palace is busy. I wonder if he’s eating well.

“The date…?”

Ian checked his watch. It was almost midnight. The people were mostly gathered, the situation in the Imperial Palace seemed chaotic, and he was tired now. He just wanted to finish it all. There was no need to drag it out.

“It would be appropriate to enter the palace tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, you say?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

Ian raised an eyebrow.

Although this meeting was arranged by Ian’s will and Charlotte’s initiative, those gathered here did not yet trust Ian.

Furthermore, they knew that if Ian were truly plotting a rebellion, he would never rush things like this.

But-

“Very well.”

“Let’s draw our swords at once, since we’re all gathered here.”

“We’ll trust in the Minister.”

The nobles unanimously agreed.

They didn’t even realize they were being swept away by Ian’s relentless moves. They convinced themselves that it was a reasonable choice to handle things quickly to prevent leaks, and they spoke in one voice.

“What is your opinion?”

Ian turned his head towards Charlotte. The atmosphere was heated. Charlotte pondered for a long time before nodding.

“There’s no problem. It’s not like we need anything right now, and the Imperial Palace won’t stop Minister Ian from entering. We just need to show our will, so why delay with worry? As time passes, the Imperial Palace might come up with another scheme to suppress Sir Ian.”

What was most important to Ian was public sentiment. Now that he was famous as a war hero, it would be better to move before the Imperial Palace could undermine it.

Ian nodded slightly in agreement.

“My heart is the same as yours, Sir Charlotte.”

This was sincere.

Ian was trying to be wary of them with the mindset of a rebel. Who knew if another traitor would emerge among them if he dragged things out? If they reported him to the Imperial Palace, things would get complicated.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter if they report me. Still, now that I’ve raised the flag, I should wave it. So that everyone in the Empire can see.’

Should I just smash one of the Imperial Palace buildings? That seems to be the best I can do in my current condition.

If I use up all my magic power, I might not be able to get up from my seat this time. If that happens, I’ll just close my eyes and go to the future. Maybe.

‘If not, I’ll go see Naum.’

Ian found this experience somewhat novel. He had faced rebellion from the Emperor’s seat, but he had never started a rebellion like this. It would probably be the first and last experience of his life.

At this point, he had the leeway to put himself in their shoes and understand the minds of the rebels a little.

‘Those guys are something else. They’re constantly worried about whether a snitch will come out among those who conspired, and they take that risk. It’s impossible without a strong will. That means there’s something that binds them together.’

Ian suddenly thought of Crony. Looking at the cases of the Imperial Defense Department and the Ministry of Magic that he had taken over, it seemed to be true. Without a perfect bond of mutual interest, a rebellion could not occur.

‘If such a situation arises again in the future….’

He was about to think that if he went back to the future and faced a rebellion again, he would never be easily defeated.

“Ah.”

Ian suddenly realized. What about memories? Even if he went to the future, would he even remember what he had experienced here?

“……”

Ian realized that just as his traces here had been erased, his memories in the future could also be erased.

“What’s wrong, Minister Ian?”

“…It’s nothing.”

I was arrogant. I thought I would naturally remember them, but it was too much arrogance.

‘Is it because only I knew? The pieces of Ian Verosian that existed in the war.’

I remember, but everyone else has forgotten. I must have made a wrong judgment due to the gap in memories. Even the things I remember now will be erased someday, and I didn’t even know it.

Ian composed himself and told everyone,

“…We will enter the palace at four in the morning, when the Imperial Palace’s day begins. At that time, the ministers will not be in their places, so if we petition His Majesty, we will be able to have a private audience. I hope you will all enter the palace on time.”

“Understood, Minister Ian.”

“I have made my decision, so even if you become afraid and change your mind, do not think of stopping me. Rather, I advise you to stay at home like the mages and block your eyes and ears.”

If they tried to stop him, he would shatter them into pieces. The nobles nodded at Ian’s chilling warning.

It was obvious which way the victory was leaning without even looking. There seemed to be no way for the current Emperor to defeat Ian, the war hero, the guardian of Gaia, and a powerful mage.

“Put your worries aside, Minister Ian. We will be with you.”

“Yes, it is the proper flow of history.”

“It is the failure of His Majesty the Emperor, who lacks virtue.”

They each raised their glasses and swore to be with Ian.

“For the new beginning of history.”

“For it.”

Ian also raised his glass in response, and everyone drank at the same time.

Ian lightly clicked his tongue, tasting the bitterness. The chocolate cake he had at the hotel would have been perfect as a snack.

‘If I open my eyes again after using magic, I should ask for that.’

Just causing a fire had made him sick for days, so it was obvious what would happen if he went on a rampage, destroying an Imperial Palace building. Ian lightly clenched and unclenched his fist.

‘I hope it doesn’t hurt too much.’

It would be better if I could just die without pain.

It was a shame that he couldn’t say goodbye to his loved ones, but even Ian would refuse to end his life as Hielo on the guillotine.

* * *

The sky was still dim at four in the morning.

As a low bell rang, the Imperial Palace servants moved busily. It was the time when the Imperial Palace’s work officially began. It didn’t mean much to those who had been up all night working.

Clatter, clatter!

As carriages approached the main gate of the Imperial Palace, the guards raised their spears to signal them to stop for a moment. They wondered what was going on so early in the morning, but since things had been so chaotic and noisy lately, they figured it was just another incident in some department.

“Huh? Minister Ian?”

However, they soon recognized that the person trying to enter was the Minister of Magic, and they tilted their heads in confusion. Behind him were unfamiliar carriages lined up. They all belonged to central nobles.

“I have come to see His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Ah, yes, yes. I will open the gate for you.”

Everyone’s identities and purposes were clear, so there was no need to ask questions. As two guards pushed open the gate, the carriages slowly entered.

Clatter, clatter!

Neigh!

Unlike the nobles, who were tense and huddled, Ian seemed very calm. It was a look of regret, as if he knew it was really the end. Everything was going according to plan and his thoughts, so it was a natural reaction.

“We have arrived, Minister Ian.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Ian, who had arrived at the main palace, got out first and climbed the stairs. Dozens of nobles followed behind him.

Ian arrived at the central hall of the main palace and headed towards the Emperor’s quarters with familiar steps. The surroundings were quiet, and only the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air.

“……?”

Then, suddenly, Ian, who was about to turn a corner, looked around. The nobles looked at his reaction with puzzled eyes and asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Something was strange. Ian tried to find something different from usual and soon realized it.

‘The guards…….’

They weren’t looking this way. It was as if they had intentionally received some kind of prior instruction.

It was the moment Ian realized this and hesitated.

Bang!

Bang!

“Gasp!”

“Th, this-!”

Doors opened everywhere, and armed soldiers rushed in, surrounding Ian and the nobles. The tips of the spears, with their well-honed magic sealing stones, glittered in the light.

“Sir Ian!”

And a roar like thunder.

Ian turned to look at the one who shouted. Jin Verosian. The Emperor. He had forgotten to put on his formal attire, and the white frills of his shirt trailed long, following his trembling hands. Ian’s eyes widened slightly.

“Sir Ian!”

Jin called out Ian’s name again and again. Unlike his firm and powerful shout, his face was pitifully crumpled. Following him were Romandro, Acorella, and the mages…….

Ian thought again. Ah, something was wrong after all.