Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 850

“What? Ian-nim has disappeared?”

The mages were shocked to hear about Ian’s disappearance that morning. Perhaps their last farewell had been too peaceful. They had assumed he was simply on his way, but now they were hit with this shocking news.

The carriage overturned, Ian disappeared, and Rayburn died? Well, the last part is good news, I suppose.

“Commander Acorella! The main palace is requesting Siltham potions. They say they’re going to summarily execute the officials arrested for manipulating the mana stone market.”

“…What in the world is going on?”

“His Majesty has drawn his sword. I heard he already went through the nobles’ residences.”

The mage took the Siltham potions Acorella gave him and rushed out. Outside, he could hear the officials from the main palace urgently demanding the potions.

Starting with Rayburn’s death, a storm had arrived. A storm of blood that would weed out the unwanted, cut down the unnecessary, and blow away all those who displeased Jin.

Acorella pressed her temples and asked again,

“The forest west of the center, right? I heard they’re searching?”

“Yes. I heard Royal Guard Barsabe is in charge.”

Even with the mobilization of professional search soldiers, there were clear limitations. Not technical limitations, but situational ones. They were still searching the forest without even knowing what they were looking for.

“Should we go out too?”

“…Hail, Nakina, Tommy. Only the three of you go. Join the search party, and if you find Ian-nim, keep the people at the scene quiet. The rest of you work on the Magic Department’s tasks and prepare the body. Do you understand?”

At Acorella’s order, Hail, Nakina, and Tommy immediately turned and flew away. She frowned as she went down to the underground where the body was frozen.

‘This is a problem in many ways.’

What if Ian-nim just got lost? Ian knew well that his presence would make the situation more confusing, so he would deliberately hide deeper.

‘Or is it a matter of his safety?’

Acorella, frustrated, slammed her fist against the wall. Thud! Perhaps because she had unconsciously used her magic, a loud noise echoed throughout the Magic Department. The mages stepped back in surprise, and she muttered in annoyance.

“…That’s not going to work either.”

“A, Acorella?”

“Those bastards! Why now?! Ugh!”

“C, calm down. Calm down. Ian-nim will be safe.”

“That’s right. Commander Hail will surely find him.”

“I should suggest sending all the captured guys to my lab. I’ll chew them from head to toe and pick their bones clean!”

“H, heek.”

As Acorella shouted loudly, Eunrang and Hohu, who were locked in the prison, reacted. What was going on? They glanced at the situation and then exchanged glances.

“Release the freeze!”

“Yes, I understand.”

Acorella entered the morgue and put on gloves. The magic had been released by the mages, but the body was still stiff as it had been originally, so nothing had changed much.

However, as decomposition would rapidly progress over time, it was crucial to cast the magic quickly.

「Transformation」.

“I’ve never done this before, so I don’t know if it’ll work well.”

“Has anyone done it before? Shut up and do it.”

“You’re so prickly…”

But it was understandable. It was a natural reaction to be on edge when they didn’t know what had happened to Ian. The mages focused on changing the appearance of the body.

Buzz! Buzz!

The facial features were gradually and beautifully reconstructed. If it weren’t for the pale skin, it would have seemed like Ian was really sleeping.

“The charge was murder, right? You’re lucky. It’s something to have this face even after death.”

Acorella lifted the eyelids to check if the eye color had changed well and if the length of the eyelashes was appropriate.

“That’s it. Don’t forget to maintain the magic until the body rots. Tell the soldiers outside that it’s done and to take it away. It’ll be hung in the central square.”

“Sigh. I know it’s not Ian-nim, but seeing it like this… it feels a bit strange. It hurts for no reason.”

“Get a grip. It has to last at least three days.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Even though they knew it wasn’t Ian, it was still uncomfortable to think that Ian would be hung in the middle of the day. But there was no choice. It was the only way to protect Ian-nim’s life.

The mages braced themselves and went outside with a light shout. Soon after, the soldiers who had been waiting followed them in with tense faces.

“This is the body of Ian Hielo.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“There’s no need to be nervous. Even the strongest mage is finished when they die. Just in case, we’ve taken some measures, so take it with peace of mind.”

The soldiers lightly saluted Acorella and then carried Ian’s body out. The mages in charge of maintaining the magic followed behind.

Acorella also threw her gloves away and was about to leave.

“Hey!”

If Eunrang hadn’t called her.

Acorella turned her head towards the mages and asked, as if puzzled.

“He’s not gagged?”

“Well, he’s usually quiet.”

Eunrang seized the opportunity and interrupted again.

“Come over here for a moment?”

“Ha, you didn’t get beaten enough last time, did you?”

Crunch. Acorella gritted her teeth, and her eyes flashed.

Eunrang suddenly remembered her crazed appearance at Rayburn’s mansion and flinched, but soon made up her mind. At this moment, it felt like the bars were protecting her, not imprisoning her.

“Just one question. Is Ian Hielo dead?”

“Yes. So what?”

Not only had the scene changed, but hadn’t you seen the body being carried out just now? Eunrang and Hohu were also mages, but with mana-sealing stones on, they wouldn’t be able to distinguish what kind of magic had happened in another room.

“Hmm.”

Eunrang raised her eyebrows and then turned her head away as if it was done.

…Is he really crazy? For a moment, Acorella considered tearing down the bars and going in to give him a beating, but she soon gave up. She had too many things to do.

“Gag him. His nonsense is annoying.”

“Yes, I understand.”

In the short gap before the mages with the gag entered the cell, Eunrang whispered to Hohu, who was looking at him worriedly.

“I think something’s up.”

“Eunrang.”

“The curse hasn’t been broken.”

The day Eunrang and Hohu first met Ian and ran away, Eunrang used the divination passed down in her family to place a curse on Ian’s fate.

This was clearly a curse, and if the target didn’t receive it, it was normal for it to return to the caster.

But-

‘It doesn’t feel like it’s been realized, and it doesn’t feel like it’s been broken by death. Even if my magic is sealed, I can tell that much.’

Nothing had happened. Ian hadn’t died, and the curse was still circling around him.

Gagged, Eunrang looked up at him, chuckling as if he found it amusing.

“Why are you like that? Are you crazy?”

Seeing this, the mage shook his hand as if he was unlucky and left, and Eunrang lay down, giggling that he had found something interesting.

Tap!

Meanwhile-

Acorella and the mages arrived at the main palace to report on the situation. Unlike usual, there were carriages scattered in front of the stairs, and it seemed that they were not organized because officials and related people were coming and going busily.

“Your Majesty?”

Acorella and the mages who entered the hall stopped in surprise. The smell of blood hit them. The Siltham potions they had sent earlier were scattered on the floor, and there was a pool of blood that they didn’t know who it belonged to.

And in the middle of it all, Jin, who was wiping the blood splatters on his face with a handkerchief, found Acorella.

“I was about to call you anyway.”

“This, that-”

“Don’t worry about it. The Siltham potions, their effectiveness is still the same, right?”

As Jin waved his hand, the attendants busily moved to wipe the blood off the floor. Beric, who was guarding the Emperor’s side, also received a towel and tidied his sword. It was a moment that clearly showed what had happened here.

Acorella regained her composure and shook her head slightly.

“Who died?”

“Rayburn and five ministers, and nine vice-ministers under them. That’s about it for now.”

The weight of the words ‘for now’ was extraordinary. It was enough to feel the Emperor’s determination to cut off the roots and clean up completely. Perhaps today and tomorrow, carriages carrying corpses would continue endlessly.

“Ian Hielo’s body was hung in the central square to show the imperial authority, and the Magic Department has also dispatched an investigation team to investigate the unfortunate incident that happened at night. Hail, Nakina, and Tommy will assist Royal Guard Barsabe.”

“Hmm. Okay.”

Okay, okay…. Jin muttered weakly in response.

Even if Ian was found, nothing would really change. Ian was in a position where he had to secretly move to his hideout in the west.

Jin gritted his teeth as if he couldn’t get rid of his anger and threw his sword down. His jaw hardened, and the surroundings became instantly grim.

“While you all do your part, I must also do my part. I’ve been thinking about it-”

Jin gestured for Siao Shi and Beric to come closer.

“Among the nobles currently detained, it would be good to deal with the Charlotte family, the Deipne family, and the family of the Minister of Justice.”

Jin added indifferently. There was no emotion at all, and the pitch was monotonous and cold. He was calm as if he was just conveying a calculation.

“Charlotte’s mansion was used to plot treason, so it would be right to destroy the family as an example, and Deipne is a greedy person. Looking at his attitude when signing, he seemed to be surrendering but not giving up. It would be good to take care of him.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And I believe the Dean of Bariel University was among the children of the Minister of Justice. Wasn’t he the key figure in the scholarship corruption that was brought up before? I remember it was dropped due to lack of evidence. Let’s send him along this time. If he knows his father is dead, he will surely rise up.”

Every time Jin crossed out a person’s name with his pen, it was as if a sword was cutting through their necks. Beric and Siao Shi carefully examined the list of executions Jin had given them and divided the work.

“I’ll go see the nobles. Siao, you go outside.”

“Okay.”

“While you’re out, give my regards to Lady Chloe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will.”

Siao Shi nodded.

Although Count Davion and his direct family were not involved, there were already three people with the Davion name among the dead officials. To avoid disaster, Count Davion and Chloe would have no choice but to hide behind Siao Shi.

“You must be relieved to have such a reliable son-in-law.”

Once the storm passed, Siao Shi’s position in the family would be solidified. It was good for Siao Shi personally, but it was also a positive situation politically.

“Your Majesty.”

The chief attendant cautiously approached and reported. Even though the Emperor’s anger had reached its peak, he was hesitant to deliver this news.

“What is it?”

“About Ian Hielo’s body hung in the square.”

Body? What about the body?

Did the magic wear off? Acorella was about to turn to the mages in surprise. The chief attendant prostrated himself as if asking to be killed.

“Th, th, the people who have gathered are praying.”

“What?”

Instead of throwing stones at Ian Hielo, a traitor, they were briefly praying or throwing flowers, creating a memorial procession.

“The guards are stopping them, but I’m asking what would be the best way to respond.”

“Ah.”

Although a traitor, Ian was still the great mage who led the empire’s revival, the war hero who brought peace to Gaia.

Jin supported his chin and muttered softly.

“Let them be.”

“Yes? But-”

“Just let them be.”

Since the record erasure would be implemented soon anyway, what was wrong with them honoring him a little in the meantime? It was a small gift Jin was giving to Ian. That in my Bariel, there are people who honor your efforts.

“I understand…”

The chief attendant retreated quickly, thinking that the grim aura seemed to have subsided a little. Or was it just his imagination?

“Now, let’s move. Just in case, cut off the nobles’ heads and keep them separately.”

As Jin gave further instructions to Beric and Siao Shi, the chief attendant nodded repeatedly as if he had just understood. Yes, yes….

‘…It was my imagination.’