Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 900

“Oh.”

Naum and Hans gazed up at the annex, marveling at its sight.

The Magic Department’s main building had its own unique charm, but the annex was different. It was newer, giving off a much cleaner and more modern feel. Even though it was nearly 100 years old, it still felt brand new.

Ian opened the annex door and asked,

“Did your grandfather or father often talk about the annex?”

“I barely remember my grandfather, but I think my father mentioned it sometimes. Nothing special, just that our family built the Magic Department annex… something like that.”

*Creak.*

There were large arched doors on both sides of the hallway. Most of them were used as storage for materials, but at the end of the hallway, there was a room with a large window. Big enough to frame an entire tree.

“This would be a great place to read. You could really feel the changing of the seasons.”

“That must have been the intention, right?”

“By grandfather?”

“Yeah, by grandfather.”

Hans lightly touched the wall, smiling. This place wasn’t just a building for the brothers. It was a place where their grandfather’s thoughts and intentions were deeply embedded, transcending time.

Naum, equally moved, kept looking up at the ceiling, marveling.

“The ceiling is so high, it’s really amazing.”

“But I heard that the mages don’t use this place often.”

“Really? Why?”

Naum, who had been looking around excitedly, asked, puzzled.

Come to think of it, it was clean, but it didn’t feel like it was being used. The main building was full of the mages’ daily life, with papers scattered everywhere, slightly crumpled sofas, and tables with water stains.

“I heard that there are so few mages that they can handle their work just fine in the main building. So, when the annex was being built, there were a lot of arguments with other departments. They said there was no need to build it.”

“Hmm. That makes sense too.”

“But the Magic Department must have had their reasons, right? I don’t know the details yet since I haven’t learned that part.”

Ian tapped the neatly arranged bookshelves with his fingertips, examining them closely.

“Looking for something?”

“Um……”

“Why?”

Naum took out a book and flipped through the pages, while Hans squatted down next to Ian. Ian hesitated for a moment, then told them about what happened in the Garden of Incineration.

“Remember the incident in the garden?”

“The incinerator?”

“Yeah. I saw something strange there.”

“Strange, like what?”

“I saw a kid who looked exactly like me.”

What was that supposed to mean? Hans felt goosebumps rise on his arms and glanced out the window. Thankfully, the sun was shining brightly.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“How can I not be surprised?”

“Isn’t that the kind of place where that stuff comes out?”

“Whatever. I’ve never heard of anyone seeing a ghost in the incinerator.”

“It wasn’t a ghost though……”

“Anyway, so?”

Ian continued, deep in thought. Now that he thought about it, what was that kid’s identity?

“They told me to come to the annex to find the answer.”

“What?”

Hans’s eyebrows furrowed. It was as if he was saying, ‘What nonsense is that?’ Ian couldn’t explain it clearly either, so he had nothing to say.

But then, Ian paused and looked up at Hans’s question.

“What’s the question?”

“Huh?”

“You said you could find the answer here. That means there’s a question.”

That’s right. Ian’s lips parted slightly, as if he hadn’t realized it at all.

“What did you ask him?”

“Um. I asked who he was.”

“Then is that the answer?”

He tried to recall, but that was the only question he had asked the kid. But he had a gut feeling that it wasn’t the ‘real’ question.

Hans joined Ian in searching through the bookshelves, trying to figure out what answer the kid was trying to give.

*Swish.*

Meanwhile, Ian kept looking out the window, moving between the bookshelves. The lush greenery and trees were beautiful, almost eerily peaceful.

As he stood there, feeling the sunlight, Ian was startled by a presence behind him.

“……!”

Cronie was standing at the opposite window, smiling. Ian took a step back in surprise, and Cronie pointed towards the door, as if he had something to say.

“Uncle, it’s been a while.”

“Cronie.”

“I came to deliver something.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I went to the Magic Department, and they said you were in the annex. May I have a word with you? Should I come in, or will you come out?”

Ian shook his head without realizing it.

“I’ll, I’ll go out.”

For some reason, he felt like he shouldn’t let Cronie in here.

Besides, if something happened, there was no one here to help him. Hans was still a child, and Naum was still an inexperienced mage. And they had no standing in the Imperial Palace.

“Ian, where are you going?”

“Just outside for a bit. You two look around more. I’ll be right back.”

As Ian hurried out of the annex, the two brothers exchanged puzzled glances. Naum closed the book he was reading and looked serious, but Hans went back to searching for books. He even brought a stepladder to see if there were any interesting titles.

‘Hmm?’

And then he found a book.

The title was a bit unusual.

–

The author was Bibi. He didn’t recognize the name. Was it a novel? It was particularly old and dusty compared to the other books, which caught his eye.

Hans carefully took out the book and examined the cover. It was just a leather cover with no decorations.

“Why is there a novel in the Magic Department annex?”

It wasn’t important material.

Hans flipped to the first page without much thought. There was a greeting written in a flowing script.

-To Ian, this is your story.

Ian, huh.

Hans raised an eyebrow. It was the same name as Ian Hadel? Of course, it was a common name, but seeing it in the Magic Department annex made him feel uneasy. Hans was about to turn the next page when-

“Hans.”

“Yeah?”

“Ian looked a bit uncomfortable when he went out just now. Shouldn’t we follow him?”

Naum asked, gesturing towards the outside. He wanted to follow him right away, but he felt awkward wandering around alone since he hadn’t officially joined the department yet.

Hans quickly closed the book, realizing what he had to do, and climbed down the ladder.

“Yeah, let’s go after him.”

“Okay. We can come back here later.”

“Will you bring me back?”

“Of course. Definitely.”

He would be a member of the Magic Department soon, so why wouldn’t he be able to bring a family member? And he had vaguely heard that family members often came to bring clothes and such.

Hans grinned and hugged his brother’s waist, and the two hurried towards the door.

*Tap tap tap!*

*Click!*

When they opened the door, they saw Ian standing far away. He was talking to a man in uniform. They were about to listen to what they were saying when-

“Hey, *hyung* [older brother], look over there.”

Hans pointed to the other side of Ian. Towards the main building of the Magic Department.

“……?”

A group of mages were staring at Ian. Leaning on the railings, sitting down, looking through holes in newspapers, and even shamelessly using telescopes.

* * *

Cronie, who was waiting for Ian, glanced at the Magic Department building with a hint of annoyance. They were pretending not to notice, hiding here and there, spying.

‘Crazy bastards.’

They were always known for their eccentric behavior, but seeing it firsthand was unpleasant. What was with those eyes that gleamed when they heard he was there to meet Ian Hadel?

‘Arena, what she said was somewhat true.’

That Ian was adapting very well to the Magic Department, as the head of the Magic Department had said.

At the time, he thought it was just a way to rebuke him. There was a clear wall between nobles and commoners, and Ian Hadel’s entry into the department would be a burden in itself, especially with their busy schedules. But it wasn’t.

*Thud!*

Ian was seen bursting out of the annex door. At first, he was walking quickly, looking uneasy, but he slowly calmed down and became composed. It was clear that he was regaining his composure as he got closer to Cronie.

‘He’s a proper mage now, huh.’

Cronie bowed slightly and gave a friendly smile.

“Uncle, it’s been a while. Even though we’re in the same Imperial Palace, it’s hard to see each other.”

“……Lord Cronie, how have you been?”

“I’m doing well, thanks to you. How about you, Uncle?”

Ian nodded. His smile was as friendly as could be, but Cronie gave off a strange discomfort.

“I’d like to have a cup of tea and talk for a bit. Would you like to join me?”

There were too many ears listening in the Magic Department, so he had no choice but to come to the annex and call Ian out.

At Cronie’s suggestion, Ian glanced at the mages in the distance. Their expressions were hidden, but they were all making X’s with their hands.

“No. Thank you for the offer, but I’m on duty. I still have a lot to learn, so I can’t leave the Magic Department without permission from my superior. I’m sorry.”

“Is that so? I heard you were busy, but I didn’t know it was this much. It’s a shame that you don’t have time to have a cup of tea with your nephew after so long.”

Cronie replied, sounding disappointed. He already knew that all the kid did in the Magic Department was play around. But busy? If that’s how it was, there was nothing he could do.

“But, what brings you here?”

“Um. I have a lot to tell you, but since the place and time aren’t right, I’ll keep it brief.”

Cronie stood up straight and looked down at Ian. It was the same as when they first met at the Hadel mansion.

“The carriage attack by the bandits will soon be concluded. The guard’s opinion is that they couldn’t find any particular evidence. Count Jacques will hear about it soon, but I saw you first, so I’m telling you.”

It was a kind of declaration of victory, that the suspicion that he had orchestrated the attack would disappear into silence.

Ian clenched his fist lightly and looked up at Cronie.

“Thank you, Lord Cronie.”

“You’re welcome. And I have one more thing to ask. My father hasn’t been feeling well lately, so he’s been organizing things around him. If possible, he would like you to come to the mansion and be with him.”

Cronie’s father was Ian’s half-brother. Because of the twisted family tree, he was Ian’s grandfather’s age, but anyway.

‘I’ve never even seen his face.’

He barely even remembered his name. But since he was inviting him, mentioning his final arrangements, there was no reason to refuse.

Ian hesitated for a moment, wondering what to do. Then Cronie smiled, telling him not to worry.

“I might not be at the mansion. Have you heard?”

“…Heard what?”

“I’ve been chosen to go on the northern expedition.”

He had vaguely heard about it. The rumor that Cronie was going to the place where the conflict between the northern minorities and Bariel could lead to war.

“I don’t know when you’ll come, Uncle, but I won’t be in the capital next month.”

He was leaving. Cronie was leaving.

Ian was about to smile without realizing it, but he stopped. Something… was strange.

‘His father is preparing for his end, but he’s going on a northern expedition?’

Was that something a son would do?

He had heard that the Emperor was against the current situation. So, he wouldn’t be going under the Emperor’s orders. Moreover, there were many officers in the Imperial Defense Force, so why was Cronie going? Was there a separate policy within the Imperial Defense Force?

“Why do you look like that?”

Cronie’s lips curled into a smile. It meant that his time in the Magic Department wouldn’t last long, so he should enjoy it while he could.

Cronie knelt down on one knee and met Ian’s gaze.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, Uncle Ian.”

“Ah……”

“So, Uncle, how about you come with me to the north? I’m formally proposing it.”

“Huh?”

A sudden proposal. But Cronie’s expression was firm.

“It would be a better choice for you. Than staying here, in the Imperial Palace.”

It was his last chance, Cronie’s burning eyes warned.

“…Why?”

“Why, you ask?”

A faint smile escaped his lips. Cronie grabbed Ian’s arm tightly and whispered.

“It wouldn’t be fun if you knew beforehand, Uncle.”