Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 903

“Why are you doing this, Minister Arena?”

Why, you ask? I can see how the board is turning.

Killing the Minister, making the Deputy Minister a suspect, sending both of the top dogs to their graves at once? And on top of that, sending that Cronie bastard to the north to create an alibi? You crazy bastards.

…Those words were right up to my throat, but Arena held them back. Seriously. I expected them to get rid of the Deputy Minister, but I never thought they’d kill the Minister to seize control of the board.

“Minister Arena?”

Arena’s fingertips trembled as she just opened and closed her mouth. She wanted to shout right away, but the words wouldn’t come out easily. She didn’t know who among them had secretly joined hands with Cronie.

‘Damn bastards.’

Arena calmly curled her fingertips and spoke.

“Even if Commander Cronie isn’t in the center, he cannot be excluded from the list of suspects. Those of you who think the Deputy Minister is the culprit, do you think he’s the type to stab Minister Sharto in the neck himself? So openly? There are more than one or two strange things.”

It was an alibi that could be easily created by using an assassin. There was no rule that Cronie had to do it himself.

But Cronie would know this too. Then, that means he took some action to make sure the ‘Deputy Minister’ would be framed as the culprit…

‘Whatever it is, he’s got a good head on his shoulders.’

His intention to get rid of the Minister and Deputy Minister at once and quickly take over the Imperial Defense Department was obvious.

Arena suddenly remembered Ian’s suspicion about Crona’s expedition to the north. Ian’s intuition was surprisingly sharp.

“Still, isn’t it most likely that the Deputy Minister is the culprit, given the circumstances? There were also testimonies that they had fought. So, it’s reasonable to avoid someone from the Deputy Minister’s side for the interim minister, for safety. Commander Cronie is also on the opposing side, if you think about it.”

The officials nodded in agreement, but Arena’s thoughts were firm.

‘No matter who takes the vacant position now, that’s not what’s important.’

Cronie is the commander-in-chief of the war that will soon break out. In the current situation, that means he’s the soldier with the strongest military power and influence.

He went to end the conflict with the north, but who knows if he’ll be in cahoots with those minority tribes behind the scenes and point his sword at Bariel [the capital city]?

‘What if he returns after settling the war?’

He will gain the strong support of the Emperor, who has consistently opposed the northern conquest. He will trust Cronie, who stopped the war.

At that point, no one will care about the fact that Cronie killed the Minister. It’s too natural a step for Cronie to become the head of the Imperial Defense Department.

“…How about we select an interim minister, but limit the minister’s authority until the investigation is completed?”

To prevent this, we must find evidence that Cronie is the main culprit. Only then can we prevent the situation from flowing as he intends.

At Arena’s suggestion, everyone hesitated and looked at each other.

“Minister. I understand your concerns, but the restriction of the Imperial Defense Department’s authority is not something we can discuss.”

“If it’s difficult to report, I will suggest it directly to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Well, if you’re going that far, I won’t stop you….”

When they still showed signs of displeasure, Arena blurted out.

“Why, are you afraid of the Imperial Defense Department saying something?”

“Huh? No, wh-what are you talking about!”

The officials were furious, but no one actively denied it. The Imperial Defense Department was already in turmoil due to the Minister’s murder, and they were bound to feel resentful if they tried to keep them in check from the outside.

What if one of them is officially appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department in the future? Wouldn’t it be awkward to see each other’s faces?

“Contact the Magic Department if you want to put your name on the list.”

Arena said it casually, as if she didn’t expect anything, and added.

“And the murder of Minister Sharto is a major incident that shakes the foundation of the Empire. For a transparent and fair investigation process, the Magic Department will also provide support.”

“From the Magic Department?”

“Yes. We’ll use truth serum when questioning the suspects.”

That way, it will be quickly revealed who the culprit is and if there is a mastermind behind it.

The officials nodded, murmuring, as there was no reason to object. What an unholy mess before Thanksgiving, really.

“Then, that’s all.”

As Arena got up from her seat, the officials also left the conference room one by one. Everyone’s mind was busy. If Cronie becomes the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, how will the political situation in the Imperial Palace change?

I predict that it will definitely be divided into two factions. Those who joined hands with Cronie and those who opposed him.

“Minister Arena. Is the meeting over?”

“Yes. There wasn’t much to talk about. Report to me as soon as you hear any news from the outside, and we need to secure a supply of truth serum. We’ll have a lot of use for it.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll pass it on.”

“…I should have listened to Ian more back then.”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

I’m talking about the boy’s words that it was strange for Cronie to go to the north. I also paid attention and checked things here and there, but I didn’t know things would escalate this far.

“Um, Minister.”

“Yes?”

The aide reported with a troubled face as he got into the carriage.

“It’s about Ian Hadel. He has entered the Imperial Palace.”

“What? I told him not to come.”

“Yes, I did tell him, but, well, His Majesty….”

“His Majesty called him?”

“I heard he’s in the main palace right now, what should we do?”

Why did His Majesty the Emperor call Ian Hadel?

Normally, it would be something that could be checked later, but the situation was such that Arena’s nerves were on edge. She pulled at her hair as if she was about to tear it out with both hands, then calmly sighed.

“The report.”

That meant she would work in the carriage. Until Ian Hadel came out.

“Here it is.”

As if he knew it would happen, the aide handed over the prepared file and pen. Arena furiously scribbled her signature while constantly looking at the entrance of the main palace.

‘Even if the Imperial Defense Department takes over all other departments, there are two places they can never violate. The Imperial Guard and the Magic Department.’

It was impossible to face both the Imperial Guard and the Magic Department simultaneously with the power of the Imperial Defense Department alone. Then…

‘I could take down either the Imperial Guard or the Magic Department first.’

You bastard. Am I just going to stand by and get beaten? I’d rather go find them first, kill them, and bite my tongue off.

Arena shook her head, her thoughts a tangled mess, and flipped through the papers as if she was about to tear them.

* * *

Ian stared at the peach tree outside the window.

The other trees outside were dyed red, showing the passage of the seasons, but the tree standing alone here seemed to be green all year round.

It must be the power of magic. He didn’t know when it started, and he didn’t know when it would wither.

Creak.

The inner door opened, and the Emperor appeared in his wheelchair. His knees were covered with a soft blanket, and his gaze was slightly lowered.

At the sound, Ian stood up and straightened his posture.

‘Greetings, Your Majesty.’

‘Hmm… Yes, Ian Hadel, is it?’

The Emperor was helped onto the bed by his attendants. His movements were very slow and careful.

Ian calmly waited until the Emperor was lying down. His thin fingers were covered by the thick blanket.

‘I heard you’re attending Energes [a prestigious magic academy].’

‘Yes, Your Majesty. I am learning a lot thanks to it.’

‘And your friends? Have you made any?’

The Emperor gestured as if to come closer, and an attendant brought a chair next to the bed. Ian carefully approached and stood beside the Emperor. The sick old man smelled quite nice.

‘Yes. They are good friends.’

‘Yes, then that’s a relief.’

‘But, I am sorry, but what is the reason you called me here…?’

Ian asked, glancing at the attendant. He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to ask questions like this.

However, the attendant lowered his gaze and showed no particular reaction, and the Emperor was too busy catching his breath to pay attention.

‘Ian Hadel. There is one thing I want to ask you.’

‘Ask me anything.’

The Emperor looked down at Ian with faded eyes. He was the one who had stood at the pinnacle of Bariel [the name of the kingdom] for a long time, but now he was an old man who couldn’t even get off the bed alone… Ian thought the look in his eyes, caused by the contrast, was very strange.

‘You know that I have no descendants, as I told you before.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

‘If I were to pass away, perhaps my place would be yours.’

‘……!’

Ian took a step back without realizing it at the sudden words. His heel hit the chair, making a loud creaking sound.

The Emperor added.

‘Ian Hadel. You are a distant relative, but you have the blood of the Imperial Family, and you are the first noble magician, aren’t you? Except for the fact that you are too young, everyone will follow you without objection.’

Too young. Yes, that was the obstacle. The Emperor coughed and continued to speak with difficulty.

‘And Ian, if you become Emperor, someone will surely volunteer to be your regent. You are a blessing from God, so I am not worried about the future of Bariel, but I am very worried about someone who will add words by your side [meaning someone who will manipulate him].’

‘Your Majesty. Please don’t say such things.’

It was then. The Emperor grabbed Ian’s wrist tightly with his dry hand. It was surprisingly hot and strong. The Emperor opened his eyes wide and asked the child.

‘So, until you grow up, I don’t know when the right time will be, but when my health reaches its end, freeze me.’

‘Freeze you?’

‘Yes. The first Emperor of Bariel did so, and my great-great-grandfather also chose that path. If my death seems too early, stop my breath with magic without delay. You have the power to do so.’

‘H-However…’

Ian stammered in confusion. He didn’t know how to use freezing magic, and even if he did, it wasn’t something he could decide on his own. Shouldn’t he discuss it with Minister Arena?

But the Emperor shook his head.

‘The reason I am calling you here and asking you this is because you are the blessing of the Imperial Family that has been passed down from the ancestors.’

I can’t trust anyone else. Arena is also a capable and great magician, but we haven’t spent the past years with a bond.

‘Ian, do you understand what I am saying?’

Work hard and grow up quickly. And when you judge that my death will harm the Imperial Family, use freezing magic without delay.

‘This is a fact that only a very small number of people who stay by my side know.’

Two or three attendants who tidy up the bedroom and the captain of the Imperial Guard. The Emperor took out a round badge from a drawer and handed it over.

‘When something happens to me, this will signal it.’

It was a kind of pager. Ian received what the Emperor gave him with both hands and clenched it resolutely.

‘I will leave a recording regarding this matter. Captain Hertz will tell you the details. …Ian Hadel-‘

The Emperor lay down and murmured softly. Tears welled up in his deep eyes. Regret that he had not been able to straighten Bariel himself, and a sense of relief that there was a last resort called Ian Hadel, all mixed together to create a complex emotion.

Nevertheless, the Emperor’s advice to Ian was clear.

‘Don’t trust anyone. An Emperor must stand alone.’

‘…I will keep that in mind.’

‘Yes, I’m getting a little sleepy now.’

At the Emperor’s words, an attendant approached and adjusted the blanket. Ian, who was naturally pushed back, said goodbye and left the Emperor’s bedroom.

‘This is absurd.’

Me, an Emperor. The owner of this Imperial Palace. It was so unexpected that his head was not only dizzy but felt like it was about to explode.

Could he really do it well? Could he walk this path well, a path on which the future of Bariel and the entire Gaia [the name of the world] depended?

‘Ian Hadel?’

Then, a voice calling him from afar. It was a man he had never seen before. Ian quickly put the badge in his pocket and looked up at him.

‘Who are you?’

Then, the man reached out his gloved hand and greeted him.

‘Yes, hello. I am Soren, an officer of the Imperial Defense Department. I’ve heard a lot about you.’