Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 855

“Again.”

Despite Jin’s cold command, Eun-rang held her head high, completely unfazed. Instead, she wore a satisfied smile.

Jin and all the members of the Magic Division focused on her next words, their faces etched with shock. But Eun-rang seemed to mock them, driving the point home.

“Ian Hielo isn’t dead, is he?”

Jin slowly turned and sat on his chair. He crossed his legs without a word, but Acorella could tell his mood was disturbed.

“The traitor Ian Hielo isn’t dead?”

This was going to be a crucial point. Depending on what Eun-rang knew, her life or death would be decided. They needed to know if she simply knew that Ian had left the Imperial Palace, or if she knew more, even his current state.

“Yes. I saw Ian Hielo’s body being taken out. But I know it was a fake charade.”

She was talking about the fake body created with magic. Jin nodded, signaling her to continue.

“What nonsense. Even if that were true, who would believe you? A mere lackey from the East.”

Unless she brought Ian himself, Eun-rang’s claims were absurd. So? Can you prove it?

Acorella prayed inwardly at Jin’s gaze.

‘Please say you can prove it. Damn it.’

Then they could meet Ian again.

Eun-rang bit her lower lip slightly, looking at the Emperor and the mages. The longer her answer was delayed, the more Jin and Acorella’s insides burned. Eun-rang stammered out, unable to hold back any longer.

“I can’t prove it, but it doesn’t change the fact that I know the truth.”

“A waste of time.”

Jin stood up abruptly and instructed Acorella.

“Bind her and prepare her to be taken away when Ja-an leaves the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Sorcery!”

Eun-rang shouted when Ja-an was mentioned. Jin, who was about to turn away, turned his head, and Eun-rang’s next words made his heart sink.

“I, I cast a curse before. If Ian Hielo had died, I would have known for sure, but there’s nothing like that! Aaaah!”

Acorella grabbed her hair and twisted it, staring straight into her eyes. Ho-heun writhed to help the suffering Eun-rang, but it was useless; the mages wouldn’t allow it.

“What did you say? A curse?”

“Sending a baleful aura-”

“Is this bitch crazy? How dare you send something to whom?!”

“Aaaah!”

“Eun-rang!”

Acorella shook Eun-rang’s hair and slapped her cheeks mercilessly. Eun-rang, who was being hit helplessly, grabbed her hem and collapsed.

But still not appeased, Acorella opened her golden eyes and muttered.

“Your Majesty. It would be better to hand over only Ho-heun to Ja-an and let us deal with Eun-rang directly. Listening to her, I can’t possibly let this arrogant and wicked thing live.”

“You admit it, admit it, right? That Ian Hielo is alive?!”

“This bitch, until the end-!”

“Kyaaak!”

“Acorella.”

Acorella’s raised hand stopped in mid-air. Jin had stopped her. Acorella, who was panting, slowly released Eun-rang’s hair. Still not appeased, she muttered curses through her teeth.

“You cast a curse on Ian Hielo?”

Jin knelt again, making eye contact with Eun-rang.

“Then do you know where he is now?”

Eun-rang wiped her bruised mouth with the back of her hand and remained silent. Why was he asking her about Ian Hielo’s whereabouts? Since he was taken out of the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace should know. She cautiously asked back.

“If I know?”

“I won’t send you to Ja-an.”

“……!”

But what if she didn’t know? Jin lightly grabbed Eun-rang’s chin and slightly parted her lips.

“Or I’ll have no choice but to cut off your tongue and send it.”

Those who know secrets must remain silent forever.

Eun-rang paused at Jin’s calm murmur. She answered in a trembling voice.

“It will, it will take some time.”

“Is that the truth?”

“The truth, truly……”

There would only be one chance to escape. Eun-rang used her wits and added.

“However, you must release this magic sealing stone. The reason I haven’t been able to find his location, even though I’ve felt his life force, is because of this.”

“No, Your Majesty! It’s a lie!”

“It’s not a lie! If you release this, I can find him right away!”

“Shut up, damn it! I’m telling you as the head of the Magic Division! You can’t fall for it!”

Jin gestured to Acorella as if to calm her down.

“Don’t raise your voice, Minister.”

“But-”

“When you’re agitated, your vision narrows.”

Jin nodded to the mages standing behind him.

“Bring the truth serum. Lies will not be tolerated before the great Bariel Empire.”

* * *

“Oh ho?”

Ja-an rubbed his chin, looking intrigued.

Beric, who was filling his glass with wine, raised an eyebrow and asked.

“What’s wrong, old man?”

“The West is truly amazing. There are so many things that the East can’t even imagine.”

“Have you never seen wine before?”

“Tsk! You’re like a young pup. What would you know?”

Ja-an gulped down the wine and melted away happily.

“Not that I should be saying this, but you really seem like a loafer, grandpa.”

“Heh, I’m living the life of a king, better than the Emperor. So, what will we bet on? Your wish ticket doesn’t mean anything to me, but it’s not polite to refuse a gamble at a drinking party.”

Beric closed his mouth as if thinking for a moment.

“Anything is fine. Mahjong, flower cards, splitting silver coins, flipping coins… uh, what else is there?”

“Grandpa, how old are you?”

“Why suddenly?”

“I’m only in my thirties, you know? I’ve spent most of my life going crazy with alcohol, meat, and gambling, and it seems like you’re the same. If there’s a big age difference, I’ll be at a disadvantage. Let’s do something else.”

Ja-an seemed to like Beric a little. He especially liked the way he spoke bluntly without being fussy or formal.

“I’ve lived exactly ten times longer than you.”

“You’re lying.”

“Believe it or not.”

Ten times? How old would that make him? Beric narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but Ja-an just sipped his wine as if it were true.

“Is that how mages are?”

“What?”

“Do you live that long just by drinking?”

“That’s not possible.”

“Then how did you live so long?”

“It’s a secret technique that I can’t tell just anyone, kid. If you’re curious, win and use your wish ticket.”

If I live a long, long time, maybe I can see Bariel 100 years from now? Then Ian will be there too.

Such a thought briefly crossed Beric’s mind, but he shook his head. The wish ticket was already decided. To undo the binding magic on Ian.

Ja-an smacked his lips and took out a coin from his pocket.

“Then let’s do this. One game I propose, one game you propose. And for the last one, the loser proposes.”

“You’re fairer than you look.”

“Gambling is only about skill and luck! That’s my motto.”

“So, you want to flip a coin?”

“Don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s not that.”

When Beric looked at him suspiciously, Ja-an grinned.

“We’ll ask someone else to flip it fairly.”

“Who else?”

“They’re coming over there.”

Ja-an pointed to the tightly closed door, and Beric frowned, looking puzzled. There was no one there?

But soon, footsteps were heard.

Knock knock.

“Excuse me.”

It was Barsabe.

She had come, worried after hearing that Beric had gone to see Ja-an. She also wanted to tell him what was happening at the main palace meeting.

She saw the messy table, the drunk Ja-an, and Beric opposite him, and gave them a look that said, ‘What are you doing here?’

“Oh ho! A new guest!”

“I apologize, Commander Beric. Please move to the meeting hall immediately.”

“Why? Did Eun-rang say something?”

“……!”

Barsabe flinched in surprise, and Beric looked confused, not knowing what she was talking about.

Ja-an chuckled, raising his glass.

“That one has been like that since she was little. Small, sharp-tongued, and very mean. She lies like she eats rice.”

“Why did you take such a kid as your disciple?”

“Her talent is innate. Being nice all the time is useless. If you don’t have talent, it’s all for nothing. It’s cheaper to bring a mean and talented kid and fix their personality.”

“Then you made the wrong choice.”

“Who knows? You never know what life will be like until you die.”

Ja-an grinned. At that, Barsabe signaled Beric again with her eyes.

“Beric.”

Let’s go quickly. Eun-rang has a clue about Ian Hielo’s whereabouts.

But Ja-an blocked them.

“No, no. If you ruin the fun, I’ll be really upset.”

“Elder Ja-an. I apologize, but-”

“It will be over soon.”

Clink!

A coin suddenly flew. Ja-an had thrown it at Barsabe. Barsabe, who had reflexively caught it, looked at the two of them, not knowing what was going on.

“There’s a side with Eastern characters and a side with numbers. Which side will you bet on?”

“Beric, what are you doing?”

“Characters and numbers. Neither of them suits me.”

“Beric?!”

Barsabe strode over and pulled on his collar. But he raised a hand as if to tell her to wait.

“I made a bet with the old man. Best of three, granting a wish.”

“A wish? Are you crazy?”

What kind of wish would that guy make? Judging that it couldn’t go on any longer, Barsabe whispered to Beric.

“Eun-rang knows that Ian is alive. She doesn’t know his whereabouts, though.”

“…She doesn’t know his whereabouts?”

“Yes. So hurry-”

“Then I need to stick with the old man even more.”

“What?”

Ja-an was resting his chin on his hand, wearing a pleasant smile. He could hear what was happening far away, so he could hear the whispers in front of him as if they were shouted in his ear.

“Old man. You said you didn’t come because of the letter sent to the East.”

“That’s right. I found out thanks to the paper that flew from the spirit beast. I followed that trace.”

“Then you know.”

The trace of Ian using the spirit beast.

Barsabe grabbed her forehead as if she was going crazy, and Ja-an took out a long pipe from his sleeve and put it in his mouth.

“I’ll choose first. I’ll take the characters.”

“No, I’ll take the characters.”

“Fine. You fickle duck-butt.”

“Beric!”

Despite Barsabe’s objections, Beric and Ja-an didn’t back down. Ja-an tapped Barsabe’s hand with his pipe.

“Open it, miss.”

Really? Is this okay?

When even Beric nodded and urged her, Barsabe had no choice but to open her hand holding the coin. Ja-an leaned forward, puffing out smoke.

“Euhaha! Euhahahah!”

It was a number. Ja-an rolled on the floor as if he was really happy and went all the way to where the Imperial Palace orchestra was. Then he jumped up and ran around, flapping his sleeves.

Barsabe frowned, looking back and forth between the coin in her hand and Beric.

“Aigo, serves you right, kid! You should have just let me take the characters when I said I would!”

“Beric, let’s stop now and retreat. Okay?”

Beric downed his glass of wine in one gulp and glared at Barsabe.

“Do it right.”

“Is this guy crazy?”

“Whatever! Old man, it’s my turn to choose the game next, right?”

“Yes, yes, choose anything! It would be best to choose something you can win this time. It’s your last chance!”

Thump! Beric put down his glass and shouted.

“Next is hide-and-seek.”

“Hide-and-seek?”

Ja-an stopped rolling around and turned around. Huh? Look at this?