Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 87

Marib wasn’t surprised by Gail’s sudden visit. He had expected it, so his reaction was merely composed and unwelcoming.

“What brings you here? You couldn’t have lost your way.”

“What kind of fool would announce their presence to a servant and then get lost?”

Marib, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the documents, finally looked up. As always, Gail’s blue eyes shone like a beast’s. The servant standing behind Gail, who had announced his arrival, flinched.

“I’m busy, so get to the point.”

“Have you decided what to do with Sir Molin?”

“That’s an interesting question. What Ian does, how does that concern me?”

Gail leaned back on the sofa without permission. He crossed his legs arrogantly and glared at his half-brother.

“Even the lowest clerk knows that you’re backing that commoner. Don’t pretend you don’t know, it’s not fun.”

Otherwise, there was no way he would have given Ian a lordship. Dozens, hundreds of people were sucking up to him. To push them aside and give a title to someone he had never even met.

“So?”

“When that guy comes to the capital, it would be best to bring Molin and his group along safely.”

“Your words are quite harsh. It sounds like a threat to my ears.”

“Not at all. It seems that’s how you want to hear it. Once Ian has his investiture ceremony [formal ceremony conferring a title or rank], he’ll be under the Magic Department. You know what that means.”

“Ah, yes. It means he’ll be under your lover, Wesley, doesn’t it?”

It was a kind of warning that if Molin and his group were to die on their way, Ian would also disappear without a trace. It was a useless warning if Marib didn’t see Ian as completely his own man.

Marib took off his glasses and lightly pressed the bridge of his nose. Then, he smiled with amusement.

“That’s a bit surprising. Gail, you’re so concerned about Molin and his group. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it, but now I’m intrigued.”

‘I should kill them,’ Marib decided as he spoke. He hadn’t really been paying attention. He was busy with his duties, and Molin and his group weren’t that important in the Imperial Palace. But if Gail was acting like this, things were different.

“You should drop it.”

“Why?”

“I’m just coming from Father’s palace.”

Gail had turned his horse and visited the Emperor’s palace first. That name, ‘Father.’ Marib reflexively frowned. Whenever the Emperor and Gail met, something unpleasant always happened to Marib.

‘Just like now.’

“You know there’s a discussion about appointing the Chief Justice at the New Year’s party.”

Of course. If the Magic Department and part of the Administration were Gail’s mainstays, the Judiciary and the Legislature were backing Marib. The Chief Justice was the head of the Judiciary and the fourth highest authority in the Imperial Palace, excluding the Imperial family.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the list of potions the Magic Department developed this time. It’s called the ‘Sildam Potion,’ made by extracting abilities mainly seen in gypsies. It makes you tell the truth when you drink it.”

Marib, who had been sitting, finally stood up.

“Gail, you bastard…”

“I asked if it would be good to use it as a demonstration during the Chief Justice’s hearing, and they said it was great. There are so many who spout lies with their serpent tongues, so it would be interesting to see when they read the oath of allegiance and the pledge.”

It wasn’t the act of distinguishing truth from lies that was the problem. The problem was that the department that made it was the Magic Department. Who knew if they would make it so that it only told lies, or if it would make people declare things according to the manufacturer’s will?

Ideally, it was a necessary potion for the empire, but it was premature. At least, it was certain that it should be done after all impure intentions were removed from the Magic Department.

“It seems you’ve set your sights on Sir Haylot as Chief Justice, but if you want to do that, it would be best to have Molin and his group attend the New Year’s party. Otherwise, you’ll have to find other talent.”

“Gail, what you’re doing is making the empire regress. Do you really not know that?”

“No, I don’t. Fire is dangerous, but it’s necessary when you consider its uses. The Sildam Potion is the same. There will be a lot of confusion at first, but its value will become clear over time. Perhaps, Sir Haylot will be at the beginning of that confusion.”

As Gail smirked, Marib was overwhelmed with the urge to throw everything he could grab. More than any other provocation, the problem was that the ‘Magic Department’ was involved. Because it was such a unique and independent department, there was no way to keep them in check.

‘Even if they make the potion like trash, there’s no way to verify it. Damn it. Gail, that bastard, always…’

Marib and Gail’s expressions were always inversely proportional. When one smiled, the other’s face would crumple. Marib maintained his composure and swallowed a sigh.

“Do you think that will pass?”

“Some ministers will strongly oppose it. For various reasons.”

Some, like Marib, would point out the fundamental problems, while others would oppose it because they didn’t want their dark intentions to be exposed.

“But the overall decision regarding the Judiciary’s check will be made by the Administration. That means Father’s opinion is the most important.”

He hated to admit it, but the Emperor’s heart was always more inclined towards Gail than Marib. It was a phenomenon created by the imbalance of love that had continued since their mothers’ time.

“That’s ridiculous. That potion, wouldn’t you be the most troubled if you took it?”

“Me? Hmm. Do you think so? I thought you would be more troubled, brother.”

Marib was speechless at Gail’s nonchalant reply. It was also natural confidence, since he had Wesley, the head of the Magic Department, on his side.

“Anyway, I hope you think carefully.”

“Stop pretending to give me a choice? Whether you kill Molin or not, Haylot will have to take the Sildam Potion with all its intentions at the hearing.”

If that was the case, it would be better to just kill Molin. The potion issue had some time, so he could find a way to deal with it.

Gail put on his coat and chuckled.

“That’s why you and I are so different.”

“…What?”

“If it were you, you would do it. Regardless of what kind of person Haylot is, if you wanted to do it, you would do it.”

Haylot was a rare individual with excellent work skills, public reputation, and achievements. To break such a person for revenge was not cost-effective. Especially when considering the future of Bariel.

“I don’t like your way of thinking. Is it because you were born with everything? You don’t know the value of things, people, or anything.”

“Shut up! What do you know!”

Marib couldn’t help but shout at Gail’s words. Born with everything? He should stop talking nonsense. That guy was just saying whatever came out of his mouth…

“Then, I’ll be going. I hope no bad news comes.”

*Bang.*

Gail left Marib’s office. At the same time, the aide cautiously entered, but Marib was holding his head and looking down.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“…I’m fine.”

Judging by Gail’s actions, if Molin died, they might be able to send an additional investigation team. Marib gritted his teeth and gave an order.

“Summon a general meeting immediately.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The aide placed a letter from the border on the corner of the desk and turned to leave. It was a pile of reports that came regularly from Romandro. The part asking about Molin’s disposition was repeated, but Marib could only write ‘on hold’ as a reply.

‘Damn it.’

Deep wrinkles formed on Marib’s handsome brow. He felt like he wanted to shove a sword into Gail’s neck right away.

* * *

“Why? Are you still worried about Molin? I sometimes forget he’s even there since he’s just in the basement.”

Ian shook his head at Romandro’s words. He was just trying to figure out what situation would prevent the administrator’s disposition from being decided.

‘It seems like Gail’s side must have done something to cause the ‘hold’ order, but it’s unexpected. In other words, Gail is trying to save Molin?’

Was Molin that important? He didn’t know. He was in charge of Bratz, but now it seemed like he had been pushed out of the administration. His loyalty was outstanding, but he was too old and had too many limitations in his overall work performance.

Either Molin had a hidden value, or Gail was the type to take care of his own people, or…

‘Is it in Bratz?’

The reason why it had to be Bratz among the many borders. Ian suddenly realized something he had overlooked. He had roughly guessed that they were doing behind-the-scenes work to secure military deployment bases in other borders as well. But there was no way to know.

‘It doesn’t seem like Mereloff is reacting.’

It seemed like Romandro was the first guest from the capital in a long time. While Ian was pondering, they arrived at the drawing room where Lady Rien was.

“Madam?”

“Oh, is the work finished?”

She was half-lying on the sofa, looking bored and restless. Her hair was a little disheveled, whether it was because of her posture or the Count’s doing, he didn’t know.

“No. They’re still moving it.”

“It’ll be dawn at this rate.”

“If you wish, I can show you around the territory.”

“If I did that, our husband would probably throw a fit, so I’ll politely decline.”

The Madam blew on her nails and muttered about her wonderful plans for the future.

“It would be good to start counting the days from today. In a month, you’ll be able to see what you’ve been waiting for.”

“A month later? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, honey.”

Lady Rien greeted her husband with a bright smile, as if nothing was wrong.

Count Mereloff looked suspiciously at Ian and his wife. He was bothered by the young man who was about his wife’s age, and Ian was objectively handsome. It was the perfect condition for Count Mereloff to be on edge.

“In a month, Gula cultivation will be possible. That’s what I was talking about. Is it over? I’m so tired, I can’t wait any longer.”

One month later. It was definitely the time when the side effects of the hallucinogenic sleeping pills would appear. The day the Count would stop breathing in his sleep. Ian understood his wife’s intentions, but he pretended not to know and nodded.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s close yet.”

“Ah, Lord Ian. It’s not that, but I just got a call from the Hyman Bank in Mereloff.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Recently, there have been a lot of bandits in other areas, and as you may know, it’s very difficult to cross the mountains in winter.”

“And?”

Uh oh? This is suspicious. Romandro was snorting, ready to scold him at any moment.

“The check paper has run out, so they’re asking if they can postpone the payment date by just one day.”

“No, Count. This is not good. The ink on the contract hasn’t even dried yet.”

“Then what, should we move the rest of the gold coins to our territory by carriage?”

The remaining 2,500 gold coins. They had suffered so much with 1,000, and now they wanted them to move 2,500 again. As Romandro flinched, Ian stepped forward.

“But Count, this is a clear breach of contract. We were expecting to receive payment by check, and isn’t that stated in the contract? That you would pay the rest in the agreed-upon manner?”

“Ahem. That’s why I’m asking for your understanding.”

“I don’t want to make a losing deal.”

Count Mereloff frowned at Ian’s words. He had just tried to slip past it, but Ian was more firm than he had expected. He turned to his wife and said,

“Madam. Why don’t you put what you’re wearing as collateral? Necklace, earrings, ring. That should be enough.”

The Madam barely suppressed a hollow laugh at the Count’s sudden order. What could she do? She had to do as she was told. She took off her jewelry one by one and placed it on the table.

‘Huh?’

And then, a ring caught Ian’s eye. It was the ring on the Madam’s left index finger… the gem was very familiar.

‘Is that amber? Or…’

The same gem as the necklace he had found in Ian’s flowerpot?

He immediately moved closer and picked up the ring.