Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 904

“He’s Commander Cronie’s uncle, you say.”

Ian stared at the hand Soren extended. Why, in the Imperial Palace of all places, would he be referred to as ‘Cronie’s uncle’ among the many ways he could be addressed? What did it mean?

Ian slowly raised his hand, shook it, and introduced himself.

“Yes. Ian Hadel, from the Magic Department.”

He was a mage before he was Cronie’s uncle.

A gentle but firm correction. Soren gave a perfunctory smile.

“Just as I’ve heard.”

“I don’t know what you’ve heard.”

“Were you perhaps on your way out after seeing His Majesty?”

A natural deflection.

Ian frowned, feeling a slight displeasure. This guy was definitely in cahoots with Cronie. The fact that he was from the Imperial Defense Department, and the way he treated him, was strangely similar to Cronie.

“…Yes, I was.”

“What did you talk about?”

What could the Emperor, who wasn’t even in his right mind, have wanted to say to Ian that he had to call him to his bedroom? Soren looked deeply into the child’s eyes as he asked, as if to discern the truth from the lie in his answer.

Ian did not avoid his gaze and retorted.

“Why would that be of interest to you?”

“It’s just that, though you haven’t been in the Imperial Palace long, Sir Ian, His Majesty seems to favor you, which is quite curious.”

“Then ask His Majesty directly. Why seek answers from me when you wish to fathom His Majesty’s intentions?”

Do not ask me what you cannot ask the Emperor. It was disrespectful. The child’s spirit was unexpected.

Soren was silent for a moment, as if at a loss for words, before bringing up Cronie.

“Once the Vice Minister’s crimes are fully revealed, Commander Cronie will become the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department. I’ve heard there’s been some misunderstanding between the two of you. Wouldn’t it be better to resolve your feelings for each other?”

What unnecessary meddling. Ian pondered Soren’s words and muttered.

“Have you found evidence that the Vice Minister is the culprit? Why are you so quick to judge?”

It had only been half a day since the Minister’s body was discovered. Yet, why was Soren so sure that the Vice Minister was the culprit and already talking about what would happen next?

Soren smiled and crouched down to meet Ian’s eye level.

“There’s a way to know everything.”

“…Commander Cronie is currently in the North. Are you saying he’s returning so soon after his departure?”

“Does the duration of the expedition matter? The result is what’s important.”

It was a bit difficult for Ian to understand. Soren lightly patted the child’s shoulder in encouragement and stood up.

“I must hurry and get going. This is the departmental endorsement recommending Commander Cronie as the next Minister of the Imperial Defense Department. I need to hurry, as I don’t know when His Majesty will fall asleep and wake up again.”

Well then, goodbye. Soren greeted Ian and walked down the hallway. Dozens of Imperial Defense Department employees followed behind him, each one glancing at Ian with a stern expression.

Swoosh.

The child carefully walked out of the main palace and stood by the railing of the stairs. What on earth was going on? Ian’s mind was in turmoil when—

“Ian!”

A familiar voice called out. Arena had leaned out of a carriage parked in front of the main palace. She was waving her hand as if telling him to come over, and Ian ran towards her with all his might.

Tap tap tap!

“Minister!”

“Get in quickly. More of those Imperial Defense Department guys are coming.”

“What brings you here?”

“What do you mean? I was in a meeting and heard you came in, so I waited. Driver! Let’s go!”

“Yes, Minister.”

Hee-heeing!

Arena pushed the documents aside and asked.

“What did His Majesty say?”

At that question, Ian remembered the Emperor’s request. The warning in his dry voice not to trust anyone. Ian hesitated for a moment before making up an excuse.

“He asked how I was adjusting to the Magic Department.”

“And? Did you answer well?”

“Of course. I said everyone was being very kind to me.”

“Good, good. Yes.”

Arena nodded, crossing her arms.

She had also noticed. There was no way that was all the Emperor had to say to Ian, calling him all the way to his bedroom. But if the child had decided not to speak, there was nothing she could do. She had to respect that.

“And Minister.”

“Yes.”

“It seems Cronie will become the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department.”

At Ian’s careful words, Arena paused. Where had he heard that? At her gesture to explain in detail, Ian recounted his conversation with Soren. Arena, who had been listening quietly, rested her chin on her hand.

‘The conversation with the North is already over.’

It was a conquest in the name of the Empire. There was not enough justification to retreat just because the position of the head of the Imperial Defense Department was vacant. That meant that negotiations with the northern minorities had progressed to some extent, and it was right to assume they were in cahoots.

‘Conquest my ass. It’s just going there to shake hands.’

Cronie had the backing of the northern forces and had gained command of the Imperial Army, so who in the Imperial Defense Department would dare to revolt? Even the people who had followed Soren in could be seen as mostly officers who had joined forces with him.

“What will happen if Cronie becomes the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department?”

As Ian muttered worriedly, Arena placed her hand on Ian’s head and stroked it.

“If he does, he does. There’s nothing to worry about. We’re the Magic Department.”

No matter how powerful Cronie became, he couldn’t touch the Magic Department. So, it meant he could rest assured.

“Ian, as I said, you should focus on going to school until things calm down in the Imperial Palace.”

It was a way of saying not to worry about the complicated affairs of adults and to live his own life. When the carriage arrived at the Magic Department, Ian got out and asked.

“Um, can I stop by the office for a moment to get something? I left a book there.”

“Sure. Do your business and hurry out.”

“Yes, Minister.”

Arena went up to her office, looking busy.

Ian passed through the lobby and entered the office hallway. The Imperial Palace was so chaotic that it seemed all the mages were on high alert. Everyone was gone; it was empty.

“Found it!”

Then, someone hugged Ian tightly from behind.

Ian was startled and turned around in surprise. Messy pink bun hair, orange eyes, and freckles.

“Huh?”

“It’s so hard to see your face!”

It was Ako, the owner of the magic stone shop.

Ian recognized her and blinked in surprise.

“Why are you so busy? Huh?”

“What brings you here?”

“What do you mean? I’m here because it’s my workplace.”

“Ah, then was the new mage who came in Ako?”

“A ‘re-entry newbie’♡, as they say. But what’s going on? No one’s around.”

Unlike the mages who were walking around and working, Ako seemed to be completely unaware of the situation, as she was holed up in the underground laboratory. She didn’t seem to want to know either.

“Ah, that’s-”

“More importantly, come this way!”

Whoosh!

Ako dragged Ian down to the underground laboratory.

It was Ian’s first time here. It was a bit damp and musty, but overall, it was a clean and well-maintained space. When they opened the door at the end of the hallway, green smoke was billowing out.

“……”

Was it okay to go in? It felt like his lungs would melt if he took a breath. Ako, noticing Ian’s concern, laughed and fanned the air with her hand.

“Believe it or not, this is all nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplements. Take a deep breath! Inhale! Ha-!”

But Ian subtly covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve. Ako pushed a chair over and took out the Idgal [a type of magical jewel] from a drawer.

Thud.

“This is the one from last time….”

“That’s right. The one from last time! It’s a jewel. Would you hold it again?”

Ian hesitantly reached out and picked up the amber jewel. Then, the magic stone slowly began to glow. Ako twisted her body in joy.

“Kyaaa! I knew it! I knew it!”

“Why is it doing this?”

“I don’t know! But there must be some reason it’s reacting to you, Ian. How about we find out together? Huh?”

Smoke puffed out of Ako’s nostrils. Ian calmly refused, thinking he had gotten himself into something bad.

“The Minister has forbidden me from entering for the time being.”

“Huh?! Why?”

“Don’t you know? The Imperial Palace is in chaos because the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department was murdered. I was told not to enter the palace until the case is resolved.”

Eeeeh?! Ako’s mouth hung open as if she had been struck by lightning.

“No, then, then what about my research? What about the research?”

“…I don’t know.”

Ako rolled up her sleeves as if she was about to run out and asked.

“Then, will it be over once the culprit is revealed?”

“Probably. I have a hunch about who it is, but-”

How could he find evidence?

The guards were investigating, but there must be people on Cronie’s side there too. Unless they caught the culprit, they couldn’t prove that Cronie had ordered the assassination of the Minister….

“It’s something that could be solved with a search and seizure.”

“There’s no justification. Everyone suspects someone else as the prime suspect. In my opinion, that person will soon be found dead. Taking all the blame and that’s how it will end.”

“Hmm.”

Ako made a nasal sound. How long would it take to settle? The Magic Department was also involved in the investigation, so it seemed neither side would be able to go smoothly.

“Can’t we just barge in?”

“We can’t……”

An invitation flashed through Ian’s mind. The invitation asking him to come to the mansion because Cronie’s father’s illness had worsened.

“Ah.”

That would give him the justification to enter the mansion. Surely, there would be evidence or traces that Cronie had ordered the assassination of the Minister.

If he could find that and deliver it to Arena, he could prevent Cronie from becoming the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, and even have him executed.

“That’s right, I can just go there myself.”

“Where? To that guy’s mansion?”

“Thank you, Ako. Thanks to you, I realized. I have an invitation.”

As Ian was about to leave the laboratory to pack his things, Ako blocked his way.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down. Calm down.”

A tiny kid. He was going to walk right into the middle of a murder case, whatever it was?

“It’s okay. I can do it.”

“It’s not about whether you can do it or not, but who goes to someone else’s house empty-handed?”

Ako told him to wait a moment, flicked her fingers, and rummaged through the storage cabinet. Then, she checked each label and placed potions on the desk.

Thud.

“This is an invisibility potion, this is a fire starter, and this is….”

It was a small ‘potion kit’ of about five items. Ako handed it to Ian and winked.

“If you come back safely, will you research this with me?”

Ako held up the Idgal with her thumb and forefinger and whispered. Ian nodded as if promising, and ran out of the underground laboratory.

Ako waved away the smoke with her hand and clicked her tongue.

“…I guess I have to report it.”

He was invited to the mansion, so what could she say to stop him? Looking at Ian’s expression, it was clear he wouldn’t listen even if she tried. Ako casually wrote a report and stamped it with a bang.