Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 877

“What? You said he was coming tomorrow! Are you kidding me?” Magic Department Minister Arena slammed the report down. At that, the other mages grumbled, asking what was going on. It was because they had cleared their schedules, expecting the first noble mage of Bariel to arrive. “After preparing and going through all sorts of trouble, they said he’d come tomorrow, and when I was about to wrap things up and do other work, they say he’s already arrived?” “This is quite something from the start.” “I see the potential, I see it.” “Minister, what do we do? We agreed to submit the report by the end of the day. If it’s delayed, the administration will be furious.” “Ugh, seriously.” Arena tugged at her wavy green hair, her face contorted in a frown. “It’s their fault for changing the schedule, so tell him to go to the main palace first to greet His Majesty and then come to the Magic Department.” “To His Majesty?” Was it procedure for a mana user to have an audience with the Emperor? As the mage trailed off, puzzled, Arena flicked her pen. “Ian Hadel is a noble. And he just lost his parents. Exchanging courtesies should be the priority, right? Make him wait a bit after visiting the main palace. It’s the end of the month, and we’re all swamped.” “Yes, I understand.” “Honestly, I should have known something was up when they said he’d come tomorrow because he met some bandits. Making a fuss over a two-hour distance.” Bandits? Unless they were armed with special abilities, even thousands of them couldn’t defeat a single mage. As Arena muttered in frustration, the mages protested. “Come on, Minister. He’s only five years old.” “That’s right. He can’t even use proper magic. How could he fight bandits?” “Oh? Where did all the guys who were annoyed about the schedule change go?” Arena thumped the desk with a file, looking dumbfounded. Wasn’t it an unspoken rule to take sides when gossiping? The mages shrugged and focused on writing their reports. “No, that’s that, and this is this. It’s possible for the schedule to change because of bandits, but if they said he’d come tomorrow, he should have come tomorrow.” “Lord Romandro isn’t the type to be so inconsiderate, so I thought there must be a reason, but the more I think about it, the more annoyed I get, you know?” “Ughhh. Where are we going for the newbie party later? Let’s go have some honey beer. They have a new chicken skewer menu.” “Ian Hadel is five years old! Five years old!” Are they crazy? Arena shook her head, looking disgusted. But it was only for a moment. Arena put down the file, saying it was enough. “He’s only a newbie after we confirm he’s a real mana user. Don’t get your hopes up before then. It’s the hype that’s the problem. Who even started the rumors?” Rumors about Ian Hadel were rampant inside and outside the palace. From the fact that the lord and his wife died within a day of each other, to the five-year-old noble child being revealed as a mana user. Each was unprecedented, making it perfect for those who loved to gossip. “Ahem.” “Ahem!” The mages, feeling guilty, coughed and quietly left the office. Soon, news arrived that Romandro’s carriage had entered the palace, and the mages began to move busily. * * * “Wow.” Ian’s forehead seemed glued to the carriage window. The area around the straight road from the palace gate to the main palace was lined with magnificent gardens. When Ian’s forehead turned red, Hanna gently pulled the child away and rubbed it carefully. “It would be funny if your forehead was pressed in for your first greeting.” “It doesn’t hurt. Lord Romandro, we’re going straight to the Magic Department, right?” “Yes, well… it seems there’s a bit of a problem. I was told when we entered the palace that you should greet the main palace first.” “Greeting the main palace?” “You will meet His Majesty the Emperor.” “H-His Majesty the Emperor?” Although the palace was naturally where the Emperor resided, Ian was surprised, as if he hadn’t considered it at all. Since seeing the mage flying in the sky, his focus had been entirely on the Magic Department. Romandro also looked nervous, pressing his temple with a handkerchief. “He will likely offer condolences regarding the passing of Lord and Lady Hadel. I’ve only seen him from afar a few times, so I don’t know much about His Majesty. But he is a very benevolent person. Let’s not be too nervous, hiccup! Let’s not be nervous!” At Romandro’s exclamation, Hanna and Ian both looked dumbfounded. Who could tell that Romandro himself was the most nervous? Ian muttered softly, looking at the approaching main palace building. “…But, you know.” Why does it feel so familiar? He should be overwhelmed by the grand and massive building and landscaping, but strangely, he felt at ease. It was like déjà vu, as if he had seen it somewhere before. A sense of welcome, as if he had returned after a long journey…. Click. As Ian’s eyes sparkled, a guard opened the carriage door. “Welcome, is this Lord Romandro’s carriage?” “Yes. This is Ian Hadel, a mana user and the heir to the Hadel family. This is his nanny.” “Yes. We have confirmed the seal of the Zak County, so you may proceed. The chief of staff is waiting for you.” Passing the guard who saluted respectfully, Romandro took Ian’s hand and ascended the stairs. The pure white central staircase was a spectacle. Ian looked up and thought again. ‘It’s still familiar.’ Not just the stairs, but this situation of holding someone’s hand and going up was especially so. As they entered the main palace, the chief of staff was waiting for them, as the guard had said. Palace staff were bustling about in the lobby, and even amidst that, gazes kept glancing at Ian. “Welcome, Ian Hadel.” “H-Hello.” “His Majesty is in his chambers. This way.” I heard he wasn’t feeling well, so it must be true. Isn’t it almost dinner time? He either hasn’t gotten out of bed yet, or he’s tired and went to bed early. Either way, he doesn’t seem to be in good health. Swoosh. After turning a few corners, they entered a hallway where portraits lined the walls. When the child flinched in surprise, Romandro whispered. “These are portraits of the former emperors.” Ian followed the chief of staff, looking at each portrait with interest. The styles varied with each era, and the traces of time were evident, making it fun to look at. Then, Ian suddenly stopped in front of one painting. ‘This person….’ A huge scar across his face. Silver hair and cold blue eyes. It was a portrait of an emperor staring straight ahead with a firm gaze. Ian read the name written below it. “…Jin Verosion.” Jin Verosion. The one who enacted the Mana User Special Protection Act and led Bariel’s golden age, known as the ‘Iron-Blooded Emperor.’ Ian stared at the portrait for a long time, unable to speak. Was it because he had been freed from Crony’s clutches? For some reason, a wave of gratitude washed over him. As Ian stared blankly at Jin Verosion’s portrait, the chief of staff added. “He is the grandfather of the current Emperor. He was a great man. Isn’t his face full of dignity and truly magnificent?” “Yes, he is really, really magnificent. I can’t take my eyes off him. But how did he get the scar on his face….” “It was like a symbol of the emperor in his time. Ian, I apologize, but could we move on? His Majesty the Emperor’s dinner schedule is tight.” “Ah! I’m sorry.” “It’s alright. You can admire it slowly later.” Ian bowed his head and apologized, and the chief of staff smiled, saying it was okay. The child hurried to the Emperor’s chambers. Knock knock. “Your Majesty. Ian Hadel of the Hadel family has arrived.” “…Let him in.” Squeak. The door opened, and a sweet fragrance wafted in. Ian quickly recognized what it was. A single bed was placed in the spacious bedroom, and there was a large window leading outside. Beyond it, a small garden had a large tree planted in it, and the source of the fragrance was right there. ‘It’s a peach tree. Definitely.’ “Are you Ian Hadel?” A dry voice. Ian, startled, paid his respects. The Emperor was lying in bed, his upper body half-raised. He looked to be about the same age as Ian’s father, but his hair was streaked with gray due to his illness. “I greet His Majesty the Emperor. I am Ian Hadel.” “Yes. Even at a young age, your intelligence shines. Come closer.” Ian cautiously approached the bed. When the Emperor smiled, deep wrinkles formed around his eyes. “I heard about the tragedy of the Hadel family. Yet, I could not comfort you. I was not in my right mind due to the medicine.” The Emperor himself, and the palace too. Ian slightly bowed his head, meaning it was okay. “It is nothing. Please do not worry about it. I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s comfort.” The Emperor chuckled at his precise and clear response. But it was a weak laugh, like air escaping from a balloon. “A mage, I hear.” “…Yes, Your Majesty.” As Ian awkwardly bowed his head, Romandro stepped forward and added. “Your Majesty. I am Romandro of the Magic Department. I intend to reconfirm, but in the first test, he emitted the light of the oracle. In case there is any doubt, I have the testimonies of others-” “No.” But the Emperor waved his hand, saying it was enough. “There is no need for such formality. The time has finally come.” The time? Ian looked up at the Emperor, but he didn’t add any further explanation. The Emperor stared straight ahead for a long time, as if lost in thought, then turned to Ian. “…Child.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “Welcome to the palace.” “Thank you.” “Do you know that I have no children?” The Emperor had three children, but all of them had passed away due to accidents and illnesses. Since then, there had been no direct heir, and his authority had become increasingly precarious. The lack of blood relatives to check the powerful vassals meant that he had no choice but to watch those who coveted the throne. Ian shook his head, as if he didn’t know. “I am glad to meet you in the palace. Especially since you are a mage blessed by the gods. Although we are from a collateral line, do not forget that we share blood.” At the Emperor’s words, Romandro pursed his lips. The Emperor was trying to use the young Ian as his shield. To stop the vassals who were sharpening their knives, Ian, a noble, a mage, and a member of the imperial family’s collateral line, was the perfect choice. ‘Well, it’s like saying, if you want to aim for the Emperor’s seat, you have to defeat Ian Hadel first, right? Using the child to divert attention, while His Majesty enjoys a peaceful life in the palace….’ No. It’s a leap. Romandro rubbed his eyes, telling himself not to have such vain thoughts. Ian pondered the Emperor’s words and then asked. “What do you mean by ‘the time has come’?” “Ah. There is a saying that I have heard from the adults since I was your age.” The Emperor sighed, reminiscing about the past. “There are too many things that are secretly passed down in the imperial family. Most of them are things that ordinary people cannot understand. There are ancient laws like the Mana User Special Protection Act, and there is a taboo against cutting down that fragrant peach tree….” Ian looked at the tree with the Emperor. Would anyone try to cut down something so beautiful? The Emperor rubbed his face a few times and then glanced at the chief of staff. It was a signal that he was tired and wanted the child to leave. “Let’s talk about the details slowly. There is plenty of time.”