Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 854

The Emperor’s Office.

“What the—”

Beric’s mouth hung open, as if he’d misheard.

Acorella glanced at the tightly shut door and carefully added, her expression wary, as if concerned about words leaking out. Even though the magicians were guarding outside, the Imperial Palace had eyes and ears everywhere. With the Great Mage of the East having entered the palace, they had to be cautious.

Jin, equally surprised, remained frozen, waiting for Acorella’s explanation.

“Soul weathering? What exactly does that mean?”

“Soul annihilation. He said there’d be no next life. That damn geezer. What the hell was he thinking, making something like that? And why that of all things, damn it?”

Acorella massaged her face, looking like she had a headache, and muttered.

This was absurd. All that was left for Ian was to go to the future and meet his Bariel [a soulmate or destined partner]. But now, he couldn’t be reborn? She kept telling herself that there must be a divine will, but she couldn’t shake off her unease.

“Then, what happened to Sir Ian?”

At Jin’s question, Acorella frowned, looking troubled.

It had been a year and a half since Ian disappeared. She wanted to believe he was somewhere, but considering his condition at the end, the hope was slim. If he really had met his end somewhere…

“Acorella.”

Beric tapped the table, then lowered his posture to look directly into Acorella’s eyes.

“Ian isn’t dead yet.”

“…I want to believe that too, but we need to be careful. What we do depends on Ian’s condition. That old man seems to have something else up his sleeve. Judging by how he didn’t tell us the solution…”

As Acorella spoke in a low voice, Beric straightened up again. He seemed lost in thought.

“Since the method might change depending on the subject’s condition, we shouldn’t just hope. We need to figure out Ian’s exact condition first.”

She sighed deeply and pulled out a cigarette. What if Ian was dead, and there was no solution? That would be a real disaster. For the Emperor before her, and for the Magic Department.

“So, to sum it up, our goal is to find out Ian’s condition and the old geezer’s intentions to find a solution, right?”

“Good summary. You’ve got that leader vibe?”

“Is the old geezer strong?”

At Beric’s question, Acorella sighed. She knew what he was getting at. He wanted to beat the old man until he talked.

Strong, you ask?

“He’s a beast.”

She didn’t know who gave him the title of Great Mage, but he was definitely worthy of it. The fact that he lightly shook the palace’s barrier alone, cast magic without incantations, and even created that ‘thing’ proved his level.

“We can only use magic, not create it. It’s beyond our abilities. But that old man turned it into an artifact that anyone can use. I think he’s got some age on his side, but he’s above Ian.”

Ian might reach a higher level when he’s Ja-an’s age, but as of now, it was clear.

Beric clicked his tongue at Acorella’s answer.

“I thought I could handle him.”

“Even if you could, you can’t. This isn’t some backwater wasteland. If something happens, the center will be devastated.”

Acorella warned him not to even think about it, but Beric didn’t answer.

Uh oh? Look at that? Acorella was about to add something when…

“…We’ll find out.”

Jin, who had been silent, spoke. He tapped the sofa leather with his fingertips and gave instructions.

“First, the Magic Department will cater to Ja-an’s needs and treat him with the utmost respect. The Magic Department itself will pretend to maintain a friendly relationship with him to lower his guard.”

“Understood. Don’t worry about that. He’s having a blast eating and drinking by himself.”

“What about Eun-rang and Ho-heun?”

“Huh?”

“Are they still head-butting the floor in the hall?”

Jin recalled the two people who had been begging in fear. Wasn’t there a saying that an enemy’s enemy is an ally? To get information about Ja-an, using Eun-rang and Ho-heun was the best option. Jin got up from his seat and gestured as if to move.

“Keep them occupied so Ja-an doesn’t come to the hall.”

“I’ll keep giving them the strongest stuff, enough to kill them if they fall into a stupor. I don’t know if that old geezer will get drunk, though, he’s got a stubborn personality.”

“And Beric—”

Jin turned to Beric. Beric nodded as if to say he would follow any order.

“Let’s track him again.”

He meant to re-track Ian’s trail, which they had stopped last year.

Back then, they had searched the forest thoroughly but couldn’t find him, and Ian hadn’t shown up either, so they assumed it was his will and stopped everything. The country house where Ian was supposed to stay was still there.

“Do it secretly.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll do it with Barsabe.”

Only those who knew of Ian’s existence should move carefully. If rumors spread that the Imperial Palace was looking for someone who had already been executed, it would be a real problem.

Acorella glanced at Beric, looking a bit doubtful, but thought it would be okay if Barsabe was with him. No matter how she thought about it, it was a good thing that Barsabe was appointed as one of the three commanders.

“Acorella.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s go to the hall.”

Beric gestured for Acorella to get lost, and Acorella glared at him, telling him not to cause trouble. That was enough communication between them.

As they left the office, the magicians guarding outside followed Jin.

Tap.

They soon arrived at the center of the hall.

Under the watch of magicians and guards, Eun-rang and Ho-heun were in place. They were still pressing their bodies to the floor to avoid being dragged away, and there was a puddle of sweat on the floor.

Jin gestured for everyone to step back for a moment.

“Ugh…”

“Are you conscious?”

Eun-rang slightly lifted her chin to look at Jin. The blood vessels in her eyes were all burst. Jin knelt on one knee in front of her and lightly pressed her head with one finger.

“Aaaah-!”

It was a very small force. But Eun-rang, who had been holding on with all her might, let out a painful groan and trembled greatly.

Jin continued to press her head without concern. Ho-heun, who was watching from the side, shouted through his teeth.

“S-stop it-!”

“How touching.”

Jin knew. Ho-heun was someone who didn’t open his mouth easily, and Eun-rang was someone whose head was full of schemes. So, he had no choice but to use their affection.

“Ho-heun. Try harder. Otherwise, your lover will sink to the floor.”

“Kuh-!”

Jin watched their changes with emotionless eyes. Just when their faces turned white and they looked like they were about to lose consciousness, he removed his hand and asked.

“I want to know a lot about your master, Ja-an.”

“Suddenly, what…”

Ho-heun and Eun-rang frowned even deeper. Weren’t these the people who had taken them hostage only to communicate with the East? They seemed to be maintaining a friendly relationship with Ja-an, considering the artifact issue, but now they were suddenly trying to dig up information?

Eun-rang realized that something had changed in their relationship.

Thud.

It was then. The force that had been pressing down on them strongly suddenly disappeared. It was as if a tightly pulled string had snapped.

As the two collapsed on the floor, Jin turned to Acorella.

“Ja-an, it seems that old man has withdrawn his power.”

It couldn’t be a coincidence. Then, he knew what was happening here.

‘Why did he release them?’

It was as if he didn’t care if information leaked out.

Ho-heun and Eun-rang gasped for breath, their bodies trembling slightly.

“Ja-an, you want to know about Ja-an?”

“…Yes.”

“Then, let’s make a deal.”

Eun-rang wiped her mouth and looked up at the Emperor.

“Promise not to send us to Ja-an.”

“That won’t work.”

“Is there anything the Emperor, the center and master of Bariel, can’t do? Think about it carefully.”

How insolent… As Acorella rolled up her sleeves and strode forward, Eun-rang quickly added.

“I’m not saying hide us or fight against Ja-an. Just let us go. Then, we’ll run far away and never go near Gaia again. Please.”

“Don’t you know that using honorifics is basic when making a request?”

“Acorella.”

Jin stopped her and made her step back for a moment.

“There are two more humans like Ja-an in the East.”

“What?”

At the sudden remark, Jin and Acorella paused.

“Why do you need three people to use the artifact? It was made based on three Great Mages who reached the absolute realm. They bite each other to death, but they agree on the eradication of the monsters.”

Eun-rang’s voice trembled slightly. Jin, who had been listening quietly, got to the point.

“Eradication of the monsters.”

If he would join forces with a hostile opponent with that cranky personality, it could be assumed how important the eradication of the monsters was to him.

His mind cleared in an instant. He was reminded that the start of a negotiation was to find out what the other party wanted.

Eun-rang proposed.

“Instead of that, let’s make a deal between us?”

“A deal is only possible when there’s something to give and take.”

Did you have any cards? As Jin said that, Eun-rang snorted and retorted.

“If we are led out of the Imperial Palace by Ja-an, we will immediately reveal the secret to the whole world. That the person who was hung and died is alive and well.”

* * *

“Ah, that’s good.”

Burp. Ja-an patted his full belly and tilted his wine glass. Pleasantly drunk, he shouted towards the door.

“If you’re coming in, come in, if not, don’t!”

The Imperial Palace orchestra, who had been playing, paused in confusion for a moment, but was this the first time he had talked nonsense while drunk? They continued to play.

However, they were surprised when the door actually opened a moment later. How did he sense the presence?

“Oh ho, your eyes are good. I like the eyes of the people in this country. I admit that much! Do you want a drink?”

“Pour it.”

“You’re so rude. Introduce yourself first!”

“Why should I introduce myself when we’re not going to be that close?”

“You know my name. I need to know your name too. Hmm. Let’s see…”

Ja-an narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“Beric, is that you?”

“…Eavesdropping in the Imperial Palace is a serious crime, so you should stop. Strawberry-nosed old man.”

“What? Strawberry nose? Heh heh!”

Beric sat down opposite him and warned him. Regardless, Ja-an picked up the bottle and gulped it down.

“Eavesdropping my ass! What do you want me to do about having good eyes and ears?”

Beric sat opposite him, picked up a glass, and proposed.

“Old man. Wanna make a bet?”

“What kind of bet? A drinking party without gambling is a sad thing—hehe. No one who has said that in front of me has lived a full life.”

“So you’re in? Let’s make it a best of three to spice up the drinking.”

“You’re quite bold. Alright, what will you bet?”

‘He’s stronger than Ian?’

Beric recalled Acorella’s words and muttered.

But it’s not like I always lost to Ian.

“The winner gets to make a wish. How about it?”