Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 881

“Why is he like this?”

The mages struggled to pull Kyu away, but the dragon’s strength was too much for them.

Kyu seemed to understand that Ian was small and fragile, so it kept its head close, continuing to lick him. Ian, his hair completely soaked, pushed Kyu’s face away with a pout.

“Please stop.”

-Kyuuuuu!

“That’s odd. He’s not usually like this.”

“Ian, are you alright? Did you get hurt when you fell?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

The mages helped Ian up, dusting off his clothes. The child waved their hands away, as if to say he was okay, then offered the fruit to the dragon.

“Eat this.”

“……!”

Arena was taken aback. She was surprised, but it seemed he was determined to complete the initiation ceremony. His persistence was remarkable. She had heard children were stubborn, but was this normal? Arena shook her head, a sense of unease creeping in.

‘If a child with that much power also has a difficult personality, it’s going to be a big problem.’

Wow. I’m not even married yet, and I’m already worrying about this. Arena squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore the situation.

-Kyu?

Kyu gently took the fruit Ian offered and ate it. Ian smiled, as if to say thank you. The mages, dumbfounded, crossed their arms and protested.

“Hey! Why are you being so affectionate? You’re never like this.”

-Kyuuuu?

The dragon tilted its head, its eyes sparkling as if it didn’t understand. The mages, annoyed by its act, collectively pounced on Kyu and started scratching its scales roughly.

“Don’t act cute!”

“Are you going easy on him just because he’s a kid?”

“We’re kids compared to your age, so why aren’t you going easy on us? Huh? Let’s talk about this.”

“Um, everyone-”

Ian, who had been watching quietly, hesitated and tried to stop the mages. For some reason, it felt like they were bullying a defenseless animal.

“Isn’t the dragon a sacred animal? I think you should stop.”

“It is a sacred animal, but look at this.”

One of the mages took out a fruit and offered it to the dragon. Then, unlike when it had carefully accepted the fruit from Ian, Kyu-

*Crunch!*

Bit the mage’s entire arm with its snout.

“This is what happens every time we feed him and give him snacks.”

“A-Are you alright?!”

“Uh, uh. Don’t worry. Nothing broke or tore. It’s just that… well, the feeling of the dragon’s tongue, this soft and moist feeling is quite… unpleasant.”

“…I heard a crunching sound just now.”

“Huh? Uh, uh?”

The mage struggled in surprise, and the other mages rushed over, pulling the dragon’s lips up and down.

Amidst the chaos, Arena put her arm around Ian’s shoulder and turned him around.

“Romandro.”

“Ah, yes! Yes, Minister.”

“I’m leaving Ian Hadel in your care for now. We’ve finished our business at the Magic Department today, so let’s leave the palace. I’ll send you a detailed schedule later.”

“Understood.”

When Ian turned his head to look at the dragon and the mages, Arena gently cupped his chin and smiled.

“They’re like that every day. It’s really exhausting.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. So don’t worry. Our Ian Hadel should only see good things. Don’t pay attention to things like that.”

Ian smiled at the word ‘our.’ Seeing that, Arena realized that Ian was responding very positively to a sense of belonging. If she used this well, things might turn out okay?

Arena opened the carriage door herself, helped Ian inside, and then carefully examined the child.

“We need to get something custom-made.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“Mage robes. There aren’t any for children.”

“Ah!”

She must be talking about the cool clothes Arena was wearing. Ian’s face flushed with excitement, and Arena tapped the child’s cheek before signaling the coachman.

“Romandro, let’s talk again later.”

“Yes, please go ahead, Minister.”

“Then, Ian Hadel, see you again.”

*Neigh!*

Arena watched until the carriage disappeared, then muttered as if she had realized something.

“Oh, right. They say kids grow up fast, don’t they?”

Then it would be better to order several sets in advance.

As she was about to go back into the Magic Department’s main building, the dragon, with several mages hanging on, flew into the sky.

“Aaaaaah-!”

-Kyuuuuu!

The mages’ screams echoed and lingered in the air.

Arena looked at the scene with a pathetic expression, then frowned deeply. She really didn’t know if she could trust those guys to raise Ian Hadel ‘well’ together.

* * *

Ian, who had been leaning his forehead against the carriage window, blinked as if puzzled.

Then, Hae-na, who was tired from the long journey, yawned widely and approached him.

“Young Master. What did you see again?”

“Um. A dragon was carrying away the mages.”

“Excuse me?”

What kind of nonsense is that? Hae-na looked out the window, saying it couldn’t be true, but the dragon had already disappeared long ago. Romandro, who was organizing the schedule in his notebook, explained.

“Young Master Ian. Shall I tell you about the remaining schedule?”

“Yes, please do.”

At Romandro’s call, Ian sat up straight. Surprisingly, it hadn’t even been a day since they had encountered the bandit gang and gone through all that trouble. From finding a place to stay in the center to dealing with inheritance issues, there was a mountain of things to take care of.

“First, we will go to Count Zach’s manor to meet the Count and greet him, and then we will rest for today.”

It was almost evening anyway, but more than anything, Ian’s appearance was a mess. He had been rolling around because of the bandits, had been traveling in a carriage for several hours, had used his powers at the Magic Department, and had even met a dragon.

Hae-na, glancing at Romandro, neatly combed the child’s hair.

“Did a cow lick it? Why is it so stiff?”

“Is it very strange?”

“You look fine no matter what you do, Young Master.”

“Ahem. And tomorrow, we will start with the inheritance matters. We will be handling various financial tasks, including tax payments, so please make sure to bring your seal.”

“Are we going back to the Imperial Palace?”

“No. We will be doing business at Hyman Bank.”

“Ah, I see. That’s where it is. There was a branch in Hadel as well.”

Hyman. A bank that had dominated Bariel’s financial market for hundreds of years. It had started as a family, but now it was operated as a kind of association.

Of course, there were rumors that the real power was a member of the family that inherited the ‘Hyman’ bloodline, but no one knew the truth. Nothing had been revealed to the public.

Romandro roughly wrote down the documents needed for the inheritance and added.

“And we’ll visit real estate agencies to find a suitable house… Oh, right, Ian. Do you know about going to school?”

“School?”

“Minister Arena didn’t tell you? Well, I guess she was too busy with the dragon. It’s the Central Energes Academy, a prestigious school for special education.”

“But, I’m only five years old.”

Shouldn’t I have to wait three more years to go to school? At that question, Romandro smiled.

“Energes Academy has no age limit. Any minor can enroll. Of course, the admission decision is discussed separately by the principal and the board of directors, so children who are capable of some level of education gather there.”

‘So there are no newborns,’ he was about to say, but Romandro stopped himself. This was the world of ability users. It was an area that ordinary people couldn’t even fathom, so even he couldn’t be sure.

“It would be good to find a mansion in a place where both commuting to school and going to the Magic Department are possible.”

“Yes, please take care of it.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, it seems we’ve arrived.”

*Thump!*

It was the threshold marking the Zach County territory. As the carriage shook slightly, Romandro put his notebook in his arms and looked around. The view was so lush that it felt like they had entered a forest.

*Neigh!*

“We have arrived.”

At the coachman’s announcement, the carriage door opened. It was a servant from the Zach County family who had come out in advance. She bowed politely and then unloaded the luggage.

“Hello. Are you Ian Hadel?”

“Yes, I am.”

“You must be tired from the long journey. Welcome to Zach County. As you know, the butler is currently at Onlihall, organizing the situation on your behalf, so I have come to greet you.”

At her gesture, the porters began to move the luggage in an orderly fashion.

“The Count is waiting for you. Please come in.”

*Clink.*

A pleasant sound rang out from the main gate. Soon, the scenery inside the mansion unfolded. It was filled with antique yet very cool and stylish interior decorations. As befitting a martial arts family, well-polished weapons were displayed everywhere.

Ian went up to the reception room with a slightly nervous look.

“Count. Ian Hadel has arrived.”

“Bring him in quickly.”

*Creak.*

A deep and calm voice. Ian paused slightly when he saw the white-haired old man through the door. He had thought he would be middle-aged from the voice, but he looked like an old man no matter how he looked at it.

Well, he was the father of Herch Zach, one of the three commanders of the Imperial Guard, so he must be an old man.

“Oh ho.”

Count Zach stood up from his seat, looking intrigued by Ian. His upright posture, not befitting an old man, was overflowing with spirit. He approached Ian, bent down, and carefully examined the child’s face.

“He’s the spitting image of Jeria.”

“Hello. I am Ian Hadel.”

“…Especially these eyes. They’re so sharp and firm, just like Jeria.”

The old man, with a renewed expression, offered Ian a seat on the sofa.

“I heard you were my mother’s teacher.”

“That’s in the past. How can I call myself a teacher when I couldn’t even go to her funeral?”

“Once a teacher, always a teacher. Since you had your reasons, my mother would understand.”

He clicked his tongue and nodded.

“Yes. It’s not in my nature to dwell on the past, so I won’t say it again. But know this. I am very sad about Jeria’s death, and that you were left alone.”

At the sincere consolation, Ian almost burst into tears again. But he clenched his eyes tightly and composed himself.

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

“If there is anything I can help with, I will do my best. Just say the word.”

At those words, Ian hesitated for a moment. There was only one thing the child needed right now. It was safety. To escape from Chrony, who was targeting him, and to eventually punish him and take revenge.

But.

‘…Can I trust him?’

He had just met him?

As Ian hesitated, Zach nodded with satisfaction.

“Ian Hadel.”

“Yes, Count Zach.”

“Desire is a mirror of deficiency, and it will eventually reveal a weakness. Not speaking carelessly to others is a very desirable attitude.”

He took a sip of tea and added.

“It would be a lie to say I’m not disappointed, but it’s better than being severely hurt later. Jeria wouldn’t have said much about me either.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean.”

“It means I will try my best to earn your trust.”

“Ah.”

It meant that they should take their time and watch each other. Just as Ian was about to say something, there was a knock.

*Knock knock.*

“Grandpa.”

A young girl’s voice was heard from outside. Count Zach snapped his fingers as if it was a good thing and signaled to Ian.

“I have a granddaughter about your age. Let me introduce her to you. Come in.”

*Creak.*

A young child with short navy blue hair. Her eyes, which seemed calm yet lively, sparkled. She looked like a noble girl at first glance. …If she wasn’t covered in dirt from head to toe.

“Barsaveda. Barsave, this is Ian Hadel. He’s your new friend.”

“Friend? Grandpa, I’m nine years old?”

“Isn’t that enough to be friends?”

Barsave stared at Ian and then pouted her lips slightly. What is he talking about? I’ve lived more than his entire life!

To the child who was snorting, Ian approached her and held out his hand.

“Noona [older sister]. It’s nice to meet you.”

“……?!”

Barsave looked down at the small hand and reluctantly grabbed it. Otherwise, her grandfather would immediately give her a punishment of 30 laps around the training ground.

…Well, it’s definitely not because it was cute to be called noona.