Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 894

“A meeting? No entry?”

Romandro muttered, puzzled, staring at the closed door. Since when did mages hold meetings? And more importantly, why is there a note like this?

“‘Disrupt and we strike.’ Honestly, these mages have no fear.”

Who in the Imperial Palace would dare talk about striking? If you don’t want to work, you should leave. There are plenty of people who want to work here, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be punished for disobeying orders.

But mages are precious and powerful just by existing, so they dare to use the terrifying word ‘strike’. So bold.

Bang!

As Romandro opened the door, all the mages turned to look at him at once. They were gathered around a round table, or rather, around Ian Hadel.

They were startled, then recognized Romandro and jeered.

“Ooh, no knock, manners are trash.”

“Hey, since when do we knock when entering the office?”

“Romandro, didn’t you see the sign? Should we strike?”

“Just hit me instead. Ian, it’s time to go home.”

Has it already gotten this late? Ian checked the time and grabbed his scattered bag.

The mages clicked their tongues as if they were disappointed, but no one said anything regretful. They were too busy looking at each other, anxiously gauging the situation.

Why are they like this? Romandro, sensing the strange atmosphere, took the child’s bag and asked cautiously.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah, apparently Kkyu caused an accident at Energes today. We were about to give an important report. It’s finished now, so let’s go home.”

Ian said calmly and then winked at the mages. If Romandro found out that he was trapped in the garden on his first day, he would be heartbroken. It was a signal to keep quiet.

The mages, understanding the situation, returned to their seats as if nothing had happened.

“Ah, when will we ever get off work?”

“Ian, when will you come tomorrow?”

“I will come right after school. Same time as today.”

“Good. What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”

“Work related to garden maintenance.”

“Don’t forget. Wear long pants.”

No shorts. Because they were going to roll around on the grass together.

Unaware of the mages’ true intentions, Ian nodded solemnly. He thought he was going to do some hard labor, whatever it was.

“Then, I’ll go home first.”

“Yes, go home safely, maknae [youngest].”

“I’m going first too.”

“Yeah, go or don’t go.”

As Ian bowed politely and left the office, sighs escaped from all around. The mages slumped in their chairs and muttered.

“Ian Hadel. There’s something about him, right?”

“Yeah. According to him, someone is trying to hurt him, right?”

In fact, Ian didn’t say it like that. Since he didn’t know who was on Crony’s side, he omitted as much as possible about him and told them plainly. He was bullied at school, and Kkyu seemed to have retaliated.

But the quick-witted and sharp mages could easily read between the lines.

“Seriously, are only those with tragic lives becoming mages? I thought we were something, but looking at Ian Hadel, it’s even worse.”

“Right? I thought he wouldn’t have any hardships since he’s from a noble family. What is this at only five years old?”

“There’s that one, who was it? The one who’s Ian Hadel’s cousin.”

“In the Imperial Defense Department?”

“Yeah, Crony Alpat, was it?”

“Probably.”

“Suspicious, isn’t it?”

Hmm. Everyone just made a humming sound instead of answering.

But silence means agreement, doesn’t it? When they thought about it carefully, there was no way a five-year-old child would have earned someone’s resentment.

“An orphan, a ridiculously rich kid.”

“I see the angle.”

Dark hands reaching for the family’s wealth.

The mages munched on the snacks Ian had left behind and gossiped about Crony.

“There’s been a lot of talk lately.”

“They say he’ll be promoted over the Deputy Minister soon, but I don’t know what he did to get so much recognition. There hasn’t been a war recently, has there?”

“It seems he has some influence within the Imperial Defense Department. They’re just waiting for a war to break out. They’ll push anyone who causes trouble.”

“Oh? It’s the Minister.”

Arena was passing by the corridor next to the office. Then, she burst into the room, looking around. She seemed to be looking for Ian Hadel.

“He just left. Shall I call him back?”

“No, no. It’s not that.”

“But where have you been?”

“The Imperial Defense Department.”

The Imperial Defense Department? Why there? They were just talking about Crony, so the mages looked surprised.

Arena, thinking it was a good opportunity, put her hands on her hips.

“By any chance. Is there anyone who wants to go on a business trip to the north?”

“The north?”

“……”

“……”

A business trip to the north?

Anywhere east, west, or south was fine, but the north was an exception. If a mage had to go, it would be to the border, which was barren and didn’t have a decent bar. The few places that did exist were said to water down their beer. Anyway, it was a region that no one preferred, even if they were paid double.

The mages thought for a moment, then simultaneously pretended to be busy and left their seats.

“Oh, suddenly I have so much work.”

“Let’s hurry. We’ll end up buried in the Imperial Palace.”

“Sit down, you guys.”

“Yes.”

Clatter.

They returned to their seats at Arena’s word, but she frowned, displeased.

“It’s not confirmed, but you know the Imperial Defense Department is sending support troops to the north, right?”

“Are they really going?”

“They want to go, what can I do? They even requested support from our side because of that.”

“Huh?”

“Those crazy warmongers.”

The mages made a fuss, and Arena clapped her hands to get their attention.

“Quiet! Anyway, I’m on my way back from rejecting it, but it seems like they’ll keep pestering us. I think it would be good to decide on someone in advance.”

“No, we’re in a situation where we need to borrow even a cat’s paw, why a business trip? Especially to the north? That’s ridiculous.”

“Crony wants to take Ian Hadel with him.”

“Huh?”

The mages, who were grumbling with their heads down, were startled. Take Ian Hadel where? To the north? That little thing?

“Ian Hadel is now one of us, so the more cards we have to push him away, the better. So, well… the air in the north is good, right? I actively recommend those who smoke.”

“Ah……”

This, what’s going on? The mages glanced at each other, dumbfounded.

“He’s crazy. His head’s gone.”

“What would a five-year-old do there? He’s really insane.”

“If we have no choice, there will be many mages who can go instead. Minister, please find us some replacements. No, you must find them.”

If, just if, one person from the Magic Department had to go, it was right for them to go instead of Ian Hadel.

Arena smiled wryly at that. I wish a mage would just fall from the sky. Then, a memory suddenly flashed through her mind.

“Oh? There’s a rumor that a magic teacher is coming to Energes. There’s also talk of a mercenary mage?”

“Energes? Could it be that person?”

“Who?”

“You know, the one who always has a cigarette in his mouth.”

“Ah. That guy?”

Arena pondered, resting her chin on her hand. The magic world was small, so they knew each other well. That guy, he was slow, but his magic was top-notch. I heard he hated being tied down and wandered around…….

“Let’s just persuade him to come.”

“Ian Hadel would be happy too. If you think about it, the professor is his senior, so classes would be easier. Yes. Something that everyone would be satisfied with-”

Boom!

The mages, who were chattering away, stopped at the sudden loud noise. Arena also looked outside and asked.

“What was that? Another explosion?”

“Uh… I’ll go check.”

Tap tap!

“Th-there, Minister!”

“What is it?”

As the employee rushed in, looking flustered, Arena rolled up her sleeves. She was on high alert, ready to unleash her magic at any moment.

“Someone from Joy Department Store has come.”

“Is that a client we manage?”

“No, it’s not, but do you know someone called ‘Dr. Seokseok’?”

“Dr. Seokseok? That crazy person?”

She had heard rumors of a researcher obsessed with magic stones. He was a magic stone shop owner, and some said he was a mage, while others said he was a scientist who sold his soul to the devil.

However, he surpassed the Magic Department in special magic stone investigation and research, so they had occasionally requested his cooperation.

“Crazy person, you say?♡ This crazy person is offended!”

Clatter.

A pink-haired woman appeared, carrying two bags as big as her body, one in front and one behind. It seemed like she was the source of the explosion. Faint smoke was swirling around Ako.

“Are you crazy? Bringing something like that into the Imperial Palace?”

“Not me? Who are you to talk down to me?”

“I am Arena, the Minister of the Magic Department.”

“Ah, hello. I’m Ako, running a small shop at Joy Department Store.”

Ako bowed nonchalantly.

In fact, they both knew each other well. They knew each other’s strange rumors and eccentric personalities. But they pretended not to know, just because they wanted to talk down to each other. Both of them.

“I heard Ian Hadel joined here?”

Ako put down her bags and got straight to the point.

“So?”

“I want to join too, is that possible?”

Buzz, buzz.

At the same time, Ako’s orange eyes turned gold. It was a kind of qualification proof.

The excited mages whispered, ‘Crazy! A big deal!’ and peeked out to watch. Arena’s eyes were wide and fierce, as if she was about to devour them.

“When I offered you a position before, you didn’t even reply and ignored me, but suddenly? What made you change your mind?”

“Ian Hadel-”

Ako winked and replied.

“He seduced me♡”

“……”

“……”

Arena and the mages had the same expression. It was already a mess, and now another crazy person was being added.

Arena turned away decisively.

“…I refuse.”

“Huh?! Why?!”

“For the safety of the Imperial Palace and the Magic Department.”

“No! When you were begging me to come before?”

Ignoring the firm refusal, Ako followed Arena into the Magic Department, and the mages asked an employee.

“Please put another desk in this office.”

“Ah, okay.”

It was a very natural response, like water flowing.

Right. A human hand is better than a cat’s paw. Ah. I want tomorrow to come quickly so I can roll around on the grass with Ian.

* * *

It was an unusually long day. Ian and Barsabe fell asleep, their heads together.

Romandro and Commander Herchi quietly watched the children’s faces. Every time the carriage shook, they supported their chins to prevent them from waking up.

“I heard there was some commotion in the Imperial Palace today.”

“Ah, Commander Herchi, you heard too.”

“We are monitoring every move of the Imperial Defense Department.”

It was a department that could have fatal consequences if they betrayed them, and they were in a position to keep each other in check, so it was natural.

Herchi whispered as quietly as possible.

“Everyone has realized that there is some kind of problem between Ian Hadel and Lord Crony.”

“Yes, yes, it seems like a complicated situation.”

“But that is outside the Imperial Palace. Soon, an unusual wind will blow inside the palace.”

Romandro carefully stroked Ian’s hair. It meant that the three-way power struggle between the Emperor, the Magic Department, and the Imperial Defense Department, which had been in a tense tug-of-war, would greatly fluctuate. Starting with this northern expedition.

‘If the Imperial Defense Department’s status is weakened here, Crony will also be weakened, and Ian’s burden will be reduced.’

The child would no longer be in danger and would be able to have a peaceful childhood.

But conversely, what if the Imperial Defense Department survives this chaos?

‘In the future, Ian Hadel’s burden will become heavier.’

The Magic Department and the Imperial Guard were both central, but the Imperial Defense Department was also a formidable department.

But what could Ian do? No. A five-year-old child had no room to interfere in the palace intrigue. And they wouldn’t let it happen.

‘Oh dear. What will happen?’

“…Uung.”

Whether he knew the situation or not, Ian shook his head slightly, whimpering in his sleep. He leaned on Barsabe’s shoulder, his mouth slightly open.