Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 841

Night Stroll

“Hmm. No issues with the patrol.”

It was late at night.

Guards patrolled various parts of the Imperial Palace in groups. As one guard, who had been inspecting near the underground prison, was about to turn back, his colleague pointed to the end of the corridor and asked,

“Aren’t you going all the way down?”

“Ian Hielo is in there.”

“So?”

“It’s dangerous to get too close. He’s a ‘magician’ who committed treason. And he’s quite clever, isn’t he? Unlike other magicians, he’s very cunning. Even though he’s wearing a sealing stone [a device that suppresses magical abilities], you never know, so the magicians are on guard duty. We can just turn around here.”

“Hmm. Still, it would be better to check…”

“It’s all been discussed with the magicians. Let’s go.”

Although it was their assigned area, the guards turned away. They didn’t know that in the dark, musty underground prison, there were luxurious tables, sofas, and a bed.

Meanwhile-

“Kuh-heok.”

Ian glanced at the magician sleeping on his bed. They had brought it for him to be comfortable, but it seemed they were using it more effectively.

Scratch.

Ian sharpened his pen and reviewed the report written by Acorella. Perhaps because of her experience as a commander, the content itself wasn’t bad, but…

‘It’s going to be chaotic for a while.’

Ian smiled faintly, as if he could picture the scene in the ministerial office. Still, considering there was no handover, this was acceptable. Romandro would be there too.

‘I just need to do the handover before I leave.’

Ian used his pen to draw lines on Acorella’s report, correcting what was right and wrong.

At that moment, a long shadow fell at the end of the corridor. Since guards wouldn’t come here, he thought it was a magician. But-

“Sir Ian.”

The one who appeared was Jin.

He tilted his head, looking inside the bars. He seemed amused by the rather elaborate setup. As Ian was about to wake the magician, Jin stopped him.

“Leave him be. It’s time for everyone to sleep now. It’s strange for anyone to be awake.”

“Is that so?”

“Aren’t you feeling stuffy? How about a walk?”

“It would be troublesome if someone saw me outside.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve moved everyone away from the vicinity. You can stroll around the garden.”

Creak.

Jin said that and personally opened the prison door. Although there was a lock, it was just for show, so no key was needed.

Ian neatly organized the documents and stood up.

“You look tired.”

“Thanks to whom?”

“Berik is a troublemaker, isn’t he?”

Jin turned around, looking dumbfounded. Was ‘that someone’ referring to Berik? It was referring to Sir Ian, who had kept his mouth shut and caused trouble.

At that, Ian pretended not to know anything and then burst into a soft laugh.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“…You’re worse than Berik.”

“Yes, I know.”

The garden was quiet. The sky was filled with stars, and the fresh green leaves were drooping as if they were fast asleep. Ian closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the fresh breeze after a long time.

“This is a strange thing to say, Your Majesty, but lately, I feel like I’m free for the first time in my life.”

When he was young, he was confined to Chrony’s mansion, and after entering the palace, he had mountains of responsibilities to bear. Even after coming here, there had been too many things happening.

Now, having let go of everything and waiting for the end, he felt more comfortable than ever. To be honest, he even felt a little happy.

Jin sat on a bench and replied,

“…I know you.”

It meant that he now knew who he was and what kind of life he had lived.

“So it’s not strange. It’s understandable.”

“I’m glad you say that. It makes me feel like the emotions I’m feeling aren’t in vain. If you’re having a hard time, Your Majesty, you should occasionally break free. It’s surprisingly nice.”

It was a comfort that only someone who knew the emperor’s loneliness and anguish could give. At that, Jin chuckled and shook his head.

“I won’t have as hard a time as Sir Ian.”

Jin wouldn’t experience a rebellion, nor would he see someone he trusted die for him.

He wouldn’t cross the border, wandering through distant timelines due to divine intervention, nor would he face the great enemy, the Undergod, after enduring all sorts of hardships.

“Thanks to Sir Ian.”

Because of Ian. Because every step he had taken was for his Bariel-

Jin wouldn’t have as hard a time as Ian, nor would he bear such a heavy burden. So, he wouldn’t be so tired that he would want to break free.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Your Majesty’s Bariel is my Bariel.”

“Being thankful is being thankful, and resentment is resentment. Isn’t that right?”

As Jin added with a light frown, Ian just laughed. Jin couldn’t bring himself to snap back and muttered in a subdued tone.

“Being sorry is also being sorry.”

“You don’t have to be. I’m the one who should be sorry.”

Silence settled between the two, who had exchanged apologies. It wasn’t uncomfortable or sharp like before, but a comfortable and natural silence.

“I received the gift well.”

It was Jin who broke the silence.

“I’ve tightened the reins on the central nobles. With this, the imperial family will become more solid, and I will be able to establish absolute authority as you wished. I’m also preparing to set up a new cabinet.”

“There are many excellent people in Your Majesty’s Bariel. They will surely be able to manage the state affairs properly.”

“What should I give you?”

Jin turned to Ian and asked.

“Just as you gave me a gift, I want to give you one too.”

Swish. The wind blew coolly, brushing past Ian’s hair. Ian tilted his head slightly, as if enjoying the breeze.

“Your Majesty, you just need to govern Bariel well. If you do that, the Bariel I will meet someday will shine even brighter. Isn’t that so? Both you and I, in the end, are people who live for that.”

Jin nodded in agreement. Indeed, if there was a gift that would please Ian, it would be that.

Silence again. This time, a slightly awkward silence arose between them. After choosing his words for a long time, Jin asked,

“…Can’t you not go?”

Couldn’t he grow old with him, stay here for a long time, and then return to his Bariel? It didn’t have to be in the center, but somewhere with good water and fresh air, living peacefully? Couldn’t they meet whenever their schedules allowed, share what had happened, and watch Bariel change together? Or…

As Jin muttered, sounding upset, Ian smiled with a frown.

“I don’t think the gods will allow it.”

“Damn it.”

“That’s blasphemy, Your Majesty.”

“If they’re listening, they’ll grant my wish. If not, what’s wrong with saying a few things behind their backs?”

Ian laughed, calling it a funny joke, but Jin didn’t laugh. Because he was serious.

“How much time do you think you have left?”

“Well, I’m not using magic, so there’s no strain on my body.”

“You don’t need to use it anymore, so seal it away. I want you to enjoy the peace you’re enjoying now to the fullest. When you return to the future, you’ll miss even this.”

When you return to the future, you’ll miss it-

Those words made Ian pause. Could he? In the future, would he be able to remember them?

Suddenly, a part of his heart ached. The people here now remembered him, but he wouldn’t be able to remember them in the future.

But since there was nothing he could do, Ian couldn’t add anything. He just nodded silently.

“And one more thing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What about Aileen?”

“Ah.”

He had forgotten for a moment. By now, she should have arrived in Cliffopord, right? Ian was about to reply not to worry, but he playfully retorted,

“You will meet her soon.”

A vague answer.

It was Ian’s mischief. A small act of spite for the trouble he had caused with the mandatory magic sealing stone card. Still, it was nice to see him cherish his lover, but that was that, and this was this.

Unaware of his inner thoughts, Jin let out a small sigh of relief.

“I was really surprised. Especially when I heard Aileen had disappeared.”

“There was a bit of a situation.”

“Yes. Sir Ian wouldn’t do that-”

As Jin said, sounding slightly relieved, Ian stood up. He sensed a presence.

Since everyone in the vicinity had been moved away by imperial order, it wouldn’t be a guard or a servant.

Tap tap!

“Sir Ian! Haa! Sir Ian!”

It was one of the magicians who had been sleeping in bed who had woken up.

He was running around the building, sobbing. He had woken up and Ian was gone! And since he couldn’t see anyone else, it was understandable that he would mistake it for something happening.

“It seems like it’s time to go back.”

“Come again.”

“You must be overworked, why would you do that?”

“To let you get some fresh air.”

Ian paused for a moment, then thought of something. Both Jin and the Magic Department seemed to be trying their best to postpone the execution as much as possible.

In fact, Ian liked that too. He knew that once he left the Imperial Palace, he would never be able to return.

But-

“It would be right for you to execute me before the nobles who participated in the rebellion realize it.”

If the movement to protect Ian became known, they would immediately react and question the incident. Furthermore, using the delay in Ian’s punishment as an excuse, they might demand that their own punishments be reduced. Ian was warning them not to forget that he was a heinous traitor who deserved to die.

But Jin immediately retorted,

“I’ll take care of it.”

Then, he stared at Ian’s cheek and muttered,

“You’re not a minister anymore, are you?”

It reminded him of when Berik had pulled on Ian’s cheek.

“So, enjoy your freedom even more. Now, leave everything to us.”

Well, well. Was it this sad to not have a title or position? Ian smiled and nodded. Then, he waved his hand towards the magician passing by in the distance.

The magician, who had been running while crying and looking straight ahead, managed to recognize Ian’s signal and stopped.

“Sir Ian-!”

He sniffled, surprised to see Jin as he ran over, tears streaming down his face.

Ian left a brief greeting to Jin and approached the magician as if nothing had happened.

“Why are you crying so much?”

“T-the door was open, and Sir Ian wasn’t there, so I thought you had gone somewhere.”

“Where would I go?”

“That’s a habit of yours. Saying things you don’t mean.”

“It’s true? You guys will decide where my residence is, right?”

“Please leave a note next time.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t have any paper to write on. And I couldn’t just scribble on Acorella’s report.”

“Just write on it! It’s nonsense anyway, it would be good to rewrite it. Why are you being so stingy?”

The magician followed Ian, chattering away.

Jin also watched them go back into the prison and then came out of the building. In the distance, he saw Siao Shi waiting for him.

“Have you arrived?”

“You can go next time. You didn’t look well enough to go on consecutive night walks.”

Ian had said that he was fine, but Jin didn’t think so. His slightly pale complexion, his strangely weak smile and gestures.

Siao Shi bowed his head slightly. Since he had just drunk Acorella’s potion at the Magic Department, Siao Shi must have had a lot on his mind as well.

“Let’s go back.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

If he wanted Ian to rest easy, he had to show a firm appearance.

Jin rested his chin on the carriage window and looked at the main palace building getting closer. It was a night where the starlight was particularly bright.