Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 843

Ian, who was neatly cutting his steak, paused. He looked at the mage, a little surprised.

“Taoma?”

“Yes, that’s right, Master Ian.”

Taoma was the merchant leader and owner of the Hwarang [a merchant guild] he had met in Vergos. He had once made a deal to buy Silask at a low price because he lost a drinking bet.

Ian wiped his mouth with a napkin and received the letter the mage handed him.

“This is the full text of the letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to His Majesty. It is said to have been shared at the Grand Assembly.”

“The Grand Assembly. And Acorella did well?”

“Well, yes, um…”

The mage trailed off, as if holding back many things he wanted to say. He seemed to be keeping his wits about him when he was with the Emperor, but when his superiors weren’t around, he was like a runaway horse. The mage sighed deeply and added,

“Minister Tweller’s return schedule has also been arranged.”

“I see.”

Ian replied and unfolded the letter.

-Greetings, this is Taoma. I am currently writing this letter from the Proelka Royal Palace. With the palace’s consideration, this will be delivered to the Empire via the fastest messenger bird….

“So, the Proelka Royal Palace is censoring the letters.”

At Ian’s murmur, the mage sat opposite him and nodded.

“There isn’t much information about Proelka, so it’s difficult to grasp the situation. It’s fair to say that Taoma’s letter is practically all we have.”

-King Elka, the great leader of Proelka, is quite interested in the Empire’s trade proposal. Silask is a precious flower, but he says he is willing to trade it as much as the Empire requests.

“Hmm.”

Ian slightly furrowed his brow.

It was a very meaningful statement. There was no exchange between Bariel and Proelka. Yet, they were willing to give as much of the ‘precious’ flower as requested?

“Either Taoma is good at trading, or he’s trying to get a high price.”

The latter was more likely. If it were the former, Taoma would have surely mentioned his achievements in the letter. If he had done well as an intermediary in the deal, there was no need to hide it. Especially for someone like Taoma, who was born a merchant.

-King Elka suggests that 1,000 gold coins per Silask root is appropriate.

“Are they crazy?”

“I know, they’re out of their minds.”

Ian clicked his tongue. It was an absurdly high price. In fact, other than its use in the Great Desert, it had no value in Bariel.

‘Since the sealing of the Undergod and the execution of Rutherford, Silask has essentially served its purpose.’

That was only from Bariel’s perspective.

‘Roel.’

Suddenly, Ian sighed softly, thinking of Roel, who had left for the Great Desert. Unlike Bariel, the child needed it.

‘Silask is essential for Roel to rebuild the Great Desert and lead for a long time without incident. Without it… the child will eventually die like Winchen.’

He was the only blood relative from Philia’s body. In fact, it was fair to say that he was the only family member left in both Ian’s past and present lives. Jin was… a little different.

The Cheonryeo [a clan or group of people] were currently on the verge of extinction, and it would take a considerable amount of time to rebuild. Ian smiled faintly, as if there was no other choice, and muttered,

“It’s only right that an older brother gives a gift before he goes.”

Ian got up from his seat as if he had finished his meal. Then, he rummaged through a drawer and took out a pen and paper.

“What should we do, Master Ian? His Majesty said he would pay the gold if you wished. There’s also the payment for the Hielo territory, and the reward money for your achievements.”

“That’s absurd.”

Ian frowned slightly and refused immediately. No matter how much Ian wanted it, how could he use the Imperial Palace’s assets so privately?

Besides, 1,000 coins for one flower root? It was an event that would be recorded in history books. Ian shook his pen as if to say he wouldn’t even consider it.

“Tell them absolutely not. Tell His Majesty to stop being interested in the Silask trade and to consider it a non-issue. This is something I’m doing on my own, and the Imperial Palace has no business interfering.”

Moreover, if the Imperial Palace intervened, the price would only go up, not down. They were the kind of people who would ask for 1,000 coins even knowing they were dealing with the Empire.

Ian pondered something and carefully wrote a reply, repeatedly crossing out and rewriting. A mage who was clearing the dishes paused for a moment when he saw this.

“Um, Master Ian.”

“Hmm?”

Ian, who was writing the reply, seemed quite happy. The mage asked, puzzled,

“By the way, that oracle.”

Do not fear the rain.

At the time, no one knew what it meant, but after regaining their memories, everyone knew it was an oracle given to Ian.

“What does it mean?”

Ian’s expression, who had been deep in thought, became strange. He seemed to have guessed the answer, but he didn’t open his mouth easily.

“I don’t know.”

“You’re very strange, Master Ian. You seem to be good at lying, but you’re not good at it at all.”

“Then I guess I’m not.”

Ian replied nonchalantly and continued to write the reply.

The mage was clearing the dishes when he suddenly felt a presence and tilted his head. He looked out through the bars, but didn’t find anything unusual.

“Master Ian, when you’re alone, have you felt any strange presences?”

“Presences?”

When I’m alone.

Ian awkwardly closed his mouth. He had been sleeping so much that he didn’t know. He didn’t do anything special, but his body was so tired that he did nothing but eat and sleep all day. Ian shrugged lightly.

“I haven’t.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“Here, the reply.”

“Yes, I will deliver it to His Majesty. Please rest. Everyone is in a frenzy setting up portal spells because of Minister Tweller’s return. We might need to bring you to the Magic Department later, Master Ian. The portal to Toolun in one go is impossible to calculate without you.”

“It’s about time you did it yourselves. How about memorizing the spell?”

“It’s like you’re talking about learning to ride a bike. I don’t think anyone will ever be able to do it. Without you, Master Ian.”

The mage sniffled. The future without Ian had suddenly hit him hard.

Ian smiled faintly, as if it was starting again, and patted his shoulder.

“Go on. I’ll be resting.”

“Yes, and the cake?”

“I’m not eating it anymore.”

He had been eating it all the time, so he was tired of it now. When Ian firmly shook his head in refusal, the mage bowed and left the underground.

Creak.

Meanwhile, there was someone who was watching the mage leave the prison, and that was Minister Rayburn.

He carefully looked around and went down the stairs.

‘Is it true that Ian Hielo is being treated well in prison? No way. Even if he’s from the Magic Department, he’s a traitor.’

It was what the guard had told Count Charlotte, and Count Charlotte had told the high-ranking official who was their center. Ian’s punishment was closely linked to their lives, so it was very important to see it with their own eyes.

Tap.

Rayburn held his breath and looked around the building, then turned his gaze to the room at the end of the hallway. Could Ian Hielo be there?

“Oh, Master Ian!”

At that moment, the mage who had gone out returned and shouted. Rayburn hid in a corner and covered his mouth. The mage leaned against the bars naturally and asked,

“Then, what would you like to eat instead of cake?”

“It’s okay.”

“Oh, geez. You’re eating less and less. I understand! I’ll be back!”

The mage bowed and left again, and Rayburn was only able to leave his spot after a long time. Only Ian’s soft breathing echoed quietly in the prison.

* * *

“It was true! It was true!”

Rayburn rushed in, agitated. The officials who were waiting for him reflexively got up from their seats and urged him, approaching Rayburn.

“Is it true that Ian Hielo was being treated well in prison?”

“That’s right! Count Charlotte was right. I saw it with my own two eyes.”

“No, what on earth…”

The officials muttered in disbelief. When they first heard it, they thought it was absurd, but this absurd thing was happening openly in the Imperial Palace.

“From the beginning, the bond between the Magic Department and Ian Hielo was considerable, so isn’t this preferential treatment due to that?”

“Preferential treatment? To give such treatment to someone imprisoned for treason, doesn’t that mean they still support Ian Hielo? They should be thoroughly wary of him within the Magic Department!”

“Didn’t it seem like Commander Acorella and His Majesty were of the same mind these past few days? Then, it seems like treating Ian well is also His Majesty’s will.”

“The Magic Department couldn’t have done that without His Majesty’s consent.”

“Then, what’s going to happen?”

His Majesty was currently using the rebellion as an excuse to tightly grasp and shake the lifelines of the nobles and high-ranking officials. Once the nobles were dealt with, it was clear that it would be their turn next.

To break through this, the only way was to prove that ‘the rebellion itself was meaningless.’ And the basis for that proof was…

“It would be the way His Majesty and the Magic Department treat Ian. Let’s gather people. This is our last spark. The central nobles who are on the verge of death will surely join us, so we can raise our voices.”

They would challenge whether there were any unnecessary treatments and measures during the investigation of Ian Hielo. They would spread rumors in the Imperial Palace.

However, if they officially protested to the Magic Department about this, they would surely deny it. Of course, there was also a breakthrough for that.

“If they deny it, let’s transfer the person in charge or have us jointly observe. Then, we can guess the more detailed story from the reaction of the Magic Department and His Majesty.”

“Or, it would be good to bring Ian Hielo to our side. In fact, isn’t he the root of all the problems? If we persuade him, we might find a breakthrough.”

“He’s not someone who can be persuaded, but well. It’s better than doing nothing. Let’s go!”

“Yes, if we’re dismissed like this, we’ll all really die!”

“Whether we die like this or like that, we have to do what we have to do before we die.”

The officials made a resolution and left the conference room. It was dark outside, and they were in a hurry, so they didn’t notice. That Minister Rayburn’s shadow was fixed in place and not moving.

The empty conference room. The shadow that remained like a stain wriggled.

Saaah.

It secretly moved towards the Magic Department and appeared in front of the Minister’s office.

Knock knock.

“Don’t come in!”

“It’s Nabu…”

“Nabu, what? Nabu-something?”

“Nabusilatakuranitu…”

Acorella wondered what that was and flung the door open with her own hand. Then, Nabu, wearing a dirty mask, looked up at her awkwardly, smiling.

“Ah. It’s the bag.”

“That’s too much…”

“Why? What’s wrong? Did you move all the magic stones?”

Nabu was in charge of the magic stones under the Magic Department, specifically the Magic Stone Management Department. His ability to store items using shadows was effective in moving and storing heavy, cumbersome, and large quantities of magic stones.

“Or, did you hear something?”

And the second special mission given to him. It was to eavesdrop on the secrets of the officials by wandering around the Imperial Palace.

“Yes, I did.”

“What is it?”

Nabu nodded slightly and told Acorella, who was sparkling her eyes.

“It seems like Master Ian was caught eating cake in the underground prison…”