Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 869

“It’s truly a tragedy.”

The villagers dabbed at their tears, gazing up at the mansion. Despite it being the peak of the farming season, they were dressed in their best to mourn their lord and his wife.

The lord had been ill for a long time, so his death wasn’t a surprise, but his wife’s passing was completely unexpected. It was like a bolt from the blue.

“They say she hanged herself out of grief for losing her lord? I understand her feelings, but what about the young master who’s left all alone?”

“Shush. Don’t speak of such things.”

“Why? Is there something I don’t know?”

“There are hardly any mourners during the funeral period.”

“Now that you mention it…”

It was a tragedy that the lord and his wife died on the same day. Even in a remote area like this, there should have been condolences from the Imperial Palace or other relatives by now. But surprisingly, there were hardly any visitors to the estate.

“Didn’t you hear that the butler also died when the madam died?”

“Some say the madam killed the lord, and the butler, who witnessed it, tried to report it, and that’s how things turned out.”

“Oh, come on.”

“But it’s true. The madam wasn’t that affectionate with the lord, yet she took her own life. There must be something she was hiding with her death.”

“That’s just speculation. Don’t spread rumors and keep your mouth shut.”

“Isn’t the fact that no relatives came to mourn proof of that?”

“Hey, hey? I told you to stop!”

“Gasp! There’s the young master.”

The people who had been chattering loudly fell silent when they saw Ian. They awkwardly raised their hands to their chests as a sign of mourning, and Ian watched them expressionlessly before turning his head.

Creak.

Inside the mansion, white flowers were lavishly arranged next to the coffins where the bodies lay. Ian stared at Crony and his group, who were dressed in black uniforms.

‘How did they know to prepare black uniforms?’

It was as if they had been expecting a funeral.

Crony, who had spotted Ian, patted the seat next to him, signaling him to come over.

“Uncle, please sit.”

Hannah, who was standing behind Ian, unknowingly gripped her skirt tightly. The lord and his wife’s deaths were all Crony and his accomplices’ doing. Did they even know how she felt when she carried Ian, who had fainted in the bedroom? She wanted to rush at them and strangle them right now. How could they, how could they do such a thing while wearing human skin!

Swoosh.

But Ian obediently responded to Crony’s call and approached him. Crony smiled mysteriously at the unexpected reaction.

“Uncle, it must be hard, but please pull yourself together.”

“Yes, Sir Crony.”

“Do you perhaps know why the relatives aren’t coming?”

At Crony’s question, Ian slightly raised his head and looked at him. Isn’t it obvious? You must have made arrangements. Either you didn’t announce the death at all, or you spread a humiliating accusation about my mother, as the villagers are saying, to make the relatives refuse to mourn.

In the worst case, you might have taken control of the entire family. Whatever it was, it was not good for Ian.

“I don’t know. Maybe they all have their own circumstances?”

So, Ian just pretended not to know and mumbled. He was still holding his mother’s words close to his heart. To survive, to live quietly until someone would come to protect him, that was his mother’s last wish.

When Crony raised an eyebrow, Ian added.

“Otherwise, it’s hard to understand why they wouldn’t come.”

As if he really didn’t know. Crony and his group exchanged glances. They were trying to gauge how much the child knew. Soon, Crony lightly patted Ian’s shoulder and smiled.

“I’ll contact them again after the funeral. Although I’m familiar with the situation in the territory, I’m still an outsider, so there are many shortcomings in preparing for the funeral. I hope you will understand, Uncle.”

“…No, it’s a blessing that you’re taking care of things for me. Thank you for your help.”

Ian suppressed the surge of unspoken emotions and bowed. Currently, there was no one in the mansion. Even the butler was dead, so the only person who could take care of things was the head maid, but she was only good at cleaning and chores, and knew nothing about the procedures for a noble’s funeral.

And since a five-year-old couldn’t oversee it himself, all aspects of the funeral were in the hands of his nephew and elder, Crony.

“Of course, Uncle. I will take full responsibility for seeing them off.”

Crony said kindly, taking the child’s hand.

“So, I was wondering, how about you pack up the mansion and come with me?”

“Yes?”

Ian’s eyes widened.

“Even though there are servants, I feel uncomfortable leaving you alone without a guardian. It’s not practical either.”

“What do you mean by not practical?”

“There are many things to handle in the process of inheriting the territory and the mansion. There will be a lot of interference. So, how about you come with me to the capital?”

His heart began to pound.

Yes, his purpose was to become his guardian, so living together was a natural thing. If he hadn’t known, if he hadn’t known that Crony had killed his parents, he might have gladly welcomed a new beginning with him.

“…Ah.”

Crony was staring intently into Ian’s eyes. It was a kind of test. How much did Ian know, and even if he knew, did he have the will to obey him? If so, should he be spared or killed?

“Yes, that would be for the best. I’ll be in your care.”

Ian barely squeezed out the words. Then, he lightly bowed his head, avoiding Crony’s gaze.

Fortunately, it didn’t sound too strange, and Crony patted the back of Ian’s head with satisfaction, his eyes curving into a bright smile as if to say, ‘I’m counting on you.’ His group also exchanged smiles, as if it was settled.

“Sir Crony, the priest has arrived.”

“Oh, yes. I’ll be right there. Ian, just a moment.”

At the servant’s call, Crony and his group went outside. Left alone, Ian trembled, clutching his hands and shrinking his body. Stay focused, don’t show him any weakness here. Or you’ll die. Like my father and mother….

Then, someone placed a hand on Ian’s shoulder.

“Ian.”

It was Philia. Dressed in a black dress, she embraced Ian with a worried look.

“Ah, Philia.”

“Are you okay?”

Ian unknowingly hugged Philia, and she patted him gently, comforting him. As the distance between them narrowed, they could talk in very small voices.

“I heard from Hannah. Ian, I’ll testify later. I’ll take responsibility for keeping the records related to the lord’s health.”

“Thank you, Philia. And there’s one more thing I need to ask.”

“Anything.”

“Please deliver my situation to Count Jacques in the capital. My mother said he was the only one she could trust.”

Count Jacques? Philia nodded.

“I’ll send a letter separately.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll be going to Crony’s mansion. Please send news there secretly.”

“You’re going to Crony’s mansion?”

“…Yes. There’s no other way.”

No matter how much he thought about it, there was no way for a young child to escape from his grasp. He could only lie low and wait for an opportunity until he had the power.

“None of the relatives came. It means Crony is the only one who can take me.”

“…Oh my, Ian. You can’t do that. You should come with me instead.”

“With Philia?”

When Ian asked in surprise, Philia made a determined offer.

“My house isn’t big, but it’s enough for two people to live in. If you want, you can stay as long as you like. Hannah can come too.”

“But Philia, we haven’t known each other for long. We’re not even family by blood.”

“But it’s better than Crony, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

Ian let out a small laugh. But realistically, it was impossible.

“If I go with Philia, Crony will try to kill her.”

“Ian.”

“Thank you. Still, it gives me courage that you said that, Philia.”

The relief of not being alone. The security of having a place to escape to at any time. It was what Ian needed so much right now.

Philia was about to persuade Ian to reconsider when Crony’s call came.

“Uncle.”

Crony’s call to start the funeral was heard. Ian nodded and held Philia’s hand.

“Thank you.”

But Philia, for your sake, I can’t run away.

Ian sensed it. To safely escape from Crony, he had to be someone with an untouchable power. He had killed the lord and his wife, who were of the imperial bloodline, so he would kill anyone else like snapping a twig.

“Let us pray.”

The priest who had arrived for the funeral began to pray, holding the holy book. The orchestra played mournful music, and the few mourners bowed their heads in silence.

Ian also prayed to his parents, shedding tears freely.

‘Mother, Father.’

Please protect me. And please help me to avenge you someday. I will punish all those involved in your deaths. Until then, please help me survive….

Thump.

“Oh my.”

A sudden noise. The people who had been praying reverently turned around in confusion.

A plump man was awkwardly smiling and rubbing his knee.

“I’m sorry. Ahem. I came in a hurry…. Please continue.”

“Who are you?”

The priest tried to continue praying, but Crony stopped him. The relatives were not likely to come to the funeral, and the villagers were forbidden from entering the mansion. Judging by his attire, he didn’t seem like a crazy vagrant?

“Ah, I’m from the Imperial Palace.”

“…The Imperial Palace?”

“But, aren’t you going to pray?”

Was it so important to check someone’s identity during a funeral? When the man looked puzzled, Crony frowned and turned to the priest. The priest, understanding the meaning, continued to pray.

Woo-woo-woo-

“Ah, there is a small soul who lived a beautiful and glorious life. May the Lord have mercy on it….”

Hic! Hic! The man who had just entered sniffled, drawing everyone’s attention. Ian, of course, as well as Crony and his group, and even the praying priest.

The funeral proceeded in a chaotic manner, and soon the priest and the acolytes gathered around the coffins to finish the ceremony.

Thump.

Two tightly closed coffins. It was all over. Now, they just had to wait a little before moving them for burial.

Crony approached the strange outsider as if he had been waiting for this moment. If he was from the Imperial Palace, was he a mourner sent by the Emperor? But the Emperor wouldn’t be in a position to care about such a remote matter right now?

“I am Crony Alpat.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Hello. You are from the Imperial Defense Department, right? I am-”

The man took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over.

“I am Romandro from the Magic Department.”

“The Magic Department?”

He wasn’t a mourner sent by the Emperor. Why on earth did the Magic Department come here?

“Do you have business here?”

“Of course, I do. It’s a very important matter.”

“Important matter?”

Romandro cleared his throat and took out an official document from his pocket and handed it over.

“If a noble child under the age of ten loses their guardian, there is a procedure for the Magic Department to directly check whether they are a mana user or not. I came for that purpose.”

“What? What kind of procedure is that?”

Crony asked back, as if he had never heard of it before. A mana user check? Even if it was unheard of, it was even more absurd to test a noble. ‘Noble-born mage’ was unprecedented in history, wasn’t it?

Then Romandro shrugged his shoulders.

“I guess the news is late in such a remote area. Well, it’s not a common thing. It’s my first time doing this too. It’s only been done five times since the law was enacted, you see.”

“…Five times?”

“Yes. Actually, it’s rare for a young noble child to lose their parents on the same day. It’s not like we’re in a war right now.”

It was a casual remark, but Crony flinched as if he had been stabbed in the chest. Romandro smiled and added.

“It’s a hassle, but what can we do? We have to do what we’re told.”

“……”

Crony repeatedly checked the official document with the Magic Department’s seal, muttering to himself. Something seemed to have gone wrong. Of course, there was no way Ian was a mage, but it was still unpleasant that something unexpected had happened.

“Seriously. Who on earth made such a law….”

Crony was grumbling when Romandro said,

“Oh, who was it? I know that very well.”

Romandro snatched the official document from Crony’s hand. It was the perfect opportunity to show off what he had studied hard last night.

“It was enacted during the reign of Emperor Jin Verosian. It’s quite an old law.”