Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 905

Ian, Romandro, and Hana gazed up at the massive mansion. The child clutched a bouquet of flowers, while the two adults carried fruit baskets and similar gifts.

The butler, who had been informed of their arrival and came out to greet them, approached with a welcoming smile.

“Welcome, Master Ian.”

“Greetings, I am Ian Hadel.”

“Yes, I am the butler in charge of managing the mansion. I have heard much about you.”

At the butler’s gesture, the servants took the fruit baskets. However, they left the bouquet untouched, and the butler asked with a gentle smile,

“It would be lovely if Master Ian could personally present the flowers to the Great Master.”

“I will do so.”

“Please come in. He is awake, as it is time for his medicine. However, he needs to change his clothes to receive guests, so please wait in the drawing-room for a moment.”

The three sat on the sofa in the drawing-room, their eyes fixed on the endless array of refreshments.

As the butler closed the door and left, Romandro whispered softly,

“Hey, Ian-”

“Shhh.”

However, Ian put a finger to his lips, signaling them to wait, and released his magic.

Zzzing! Zzzing!

Saaah!

A soft golden aura gently enveloped the surroundings. Although he had only recently become a mage, his skill in controlling magic was remarkable. Romandro and Hana widened their eyes, following the magic with their gaze.

“There don’t seem to be any surveillance devices.”

Like recording devices or anything.

Even though Ian had already checked, Romandro still whispered quietly, as if someone might overhear.

“What are you going to do now? You said you’d find evidence that Cronie ordered the assassination, but no matter how I think about it, it seems too reckless. We don’t even know the layout of the mansion….”

More than anything, he doubted whether young Ian and they could pull it off. Even if he was a genius mage.

Then, Hana nudged Romandro’s arm from the side and added,

“Why are you overthinking it? There’s no need to know the layout of the mansion. Any evidence will be in the study.”

“Exactly! How are we supposed to get in there as guests?”

“Why are you so negative before we even try?”

“My heart is pounding so hard I can barely stand.”

“Master Ian, trust me. I will help you every step of the way.”

Just as Ian had brought Acorella’s ‘potion kit,’ Hana had also brought a ‘universal lock pick’ tool. Next to Hana, who was grinning as if she was about to show off her skills, Romandro was clenching his teeth in tension.

“Hana. Be careful. Cronie has called me to the mansion twice. Was it really for his seriously ill father?”

No. That couldn’t be. There must be a reason why he was drawn into the mansion.

Ian, with a tense expression, didn’t even touch his teacup. Romandro and Hana also sat upright, their eyes darting around, hoping to find any clues.

“Wait a moment.”

Ian quickly scanned the memos and books on the table. Just as the two were about to get up to help-

Creak.

“Excuse me.”

The butler entered the drawing-room, supporting an old man. They looked puzzled at Ian standing there, and Romandro let out a forced laugh.

“Master Ian, you should sit down. You are so full of energy that you can’t stay still for a moment.”

“Ah, uh-huh.”

Ian scratched his cheek, pretending to be a naive child, and sat on the sofa. Then, he looked up at the old man.

As an old man nearing his end, his complexion looked quite poor. He leaned back on the sofa as slowly as possible and adjusted his clothes.

“So, you are Ian Hadel?”

“Greetings.”

“I am Lato Alpat. Is this the first time you’ve seen me like this?”

“Well, I’m not sure either.”

Although they were related by blood, they were no different from strangers. The old man gestured as if to offer tea, and Ian only pretended to sip it.

“So, you’re a mage. You must be busy, but thank you for taking the time for an old man.”

“It’s nothing. Don’t mention it.”

“I heard you are staying at Count Jack’s residence. Is it not uncomfortable?”

Ian carefully replied, gauging the old man’s intentions.

“No. They treat me like their own child, so there is no discomfort at all. I am truly grateful.”

“I see. That’s a relief, but still, family and strangers are clearly different.”

Romandro and Hana exchanged glances, as if they had roughly guessed what he was going to say.

“It is not fitting for the Hadel family’s dignity to be indebted to a mere acquaintance while having family. Ian Hadel, there are many rooms left in this mansion, and it is also close to Energes and the Imperial Palace. How about moving in here now?”

Before Ian could answer, he added,

“I was asked a long time ago. Ian Hadel, if you are left alone, to take you in like my own child and take care of you so that you would not envy anyone.”

“Who told you that?”

“Who else?”

Your parents, Ian Hadel, who are no longer in this world.

Ian knew immediately that this was a lie. If his parents had said that, they would have told him in advance.

However, Ian could not openly refute it. It was not only impolite, but he could not prove that the man’s words were false.

“I don’t have much time left to live, and my heart aches whenever I think of you.”

“Thank you for your concern, but-”

Ian stopped speaking as he was about to reply. Romandro and Hana were glancing at the child as if poking him.

At this, Ian’s eyes sparkled, as if he had come up with a very good idea.

“Then, may I look around the mansion?”

“The mansion?”

“Yes. Since you want me to move into the mansion, I would like to look around beforehand.”

At this, Lato hesitated for a moment, as if he had not expected this. But soon, he smiled brightly and nodded.

“Of course. Look around as much as you like, and I hope you will live with me. In my remaining life, please stay by my side so that I won’t be lonely.”

‘As if we’re close. Ian didn’t even know he existed!’ Hana pouted, and Ian got up from his seat.

“Then, will the butler guide us?”

“Yes, of course. Is anyone outside?”

A servant who had been waiting outside came in and supported Lato. He was going back to his bedroom to take his medicine.

“Come back to my bedroom after you’ve finished touring the mansion. Just you alone then. I have something important to tell you.”

“…Understood.”

Like dry leaves brushing past, the old man weakly turned the corner and disappeared. The butler gave Ian a perfunctory smile and led the way, telling them to follow.

“This way. The door you see there is the dining room, and if you go along the attached hallway, it leads to the inner courtyard. The large window is impressive, isn’t it? The sunlight comes in directly in the morning, making it warm even in the middle of winter.”

The butler introduced various parts of the mansion. This artwork was painted by the famous artist so-and-so, and it’s worth about this much, and the mansion’s arched roof was designed by the best architect of the time, and so on. Each explanation was filled with affection and pride.

‘Seriously. If it’s such a great house, they should sell it. They say those who have more want more, why are they bothering Ian?’

Hana’s brow furrowed as she listened, becoming more and more annoyed.

On the other hand, Ian listened to the butler’s explanation calmly, as if he was thinking about something. And after a while.

“Ah, that way is the study.”

Finally, they arrived. The room on the innermost corridor on the fourth floor of the main building. Ian, Hana, and Romandro stopped simultaneously.

“Is that Lord Cronie’s personal study?”

“Yes, it is.”

“May we take a look?”

“Oh, unfortunately, that is not possible. No one is allowed to enter when the young master is not present.”

No one is allowed to enter? That meant it was locked. The three exchanged glances and quietly followed the butler.

After the tour of the mansion was over, the butler asked Ian,

“Then, shall we go to the Great Master’s bedroom?”

“Ah, before that, may I wash my hands for a moment?”

“Of course. This way.”

At Ian’s signal, Romandro went into the washroom with him. It was a clean and well-maintained space. The faucets were shining gold.

Ian stepped onto the platform, turned on the faucet, and glanced at Romandro.

Shwaaaa.

“Romandro, are you ready?”

“Yes!”

Then, Ian released his magic and lightly twisted the faucet. As the water gushed out in all directions, Romandro shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Aaaah! It’s hot!”

As if for everyone to hear.

Then, the butler and Hana rushed over in surprise.

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh my! Master Ian!”

In that short time, the two were completely soaked. Water was spraying from the faucet in all directions. The butler was flustered and brought towels, and Hana shouted in a fuss.

“Oh my, what happened?”

“The faucet suddenly burst.”

“That can’t be, we maintain it every day….”

As the butler muttered, Hana glared at him with a sharp look.

“Then, what, are you saying that Master Ian broke it? How can a faucet break just because a child turned it?”

“That’s not what I meant. I apologize.”

“Oh dear, what should we do? Master Ian doesn’t have any clothes. He’ll catch a cold.”

“Hana, hey, I’m wet too.”

“Ah, yes. Master Romandro too.”

“Ugh.”

‘Isn’t that too soulless….’ Leaving Romandro, who looked a little upset, behind, Hana added to the butler,

“Don’t you have any clothes to change into?”

“Ah, children’s clothes….”

There was no way they would have any. There were no children in Cronie’s mansion.

“No, we can’t go see the Great Master all wet, and he’ll catch a cold if we stay like this.”

“Yes. I, I also need to borrow some clothes.”

When Romandro joined in, the butler nodded with a troubled expression.

“I will look for clothes that fit Master Ian. There might be some clothes that Master Cronie wore when he was young. Please wait in the inner room for a moment? I will bring some warm tea as well.”

“No need for tea. Please light the fireplace.”

“Yes, just a moment….”

“Please close the door tightly when you leave. So you don’t catch a cold.”

The butler lit the fireplace and closed the door, telling them to wait for a moment.

Then, the three quickly rummaged through their pockets and took out their ‘kits.’

“It will take some time to get children’s clothes. Master Ian, I will pick the lock, so go inside and look for evidence. If only I knew how to read, I would go in with you….”

“It’s okay. I can do it.”

“What about the potion?”

“Here.”

As Ian took out the invisibility potion, Romandro asked,

“Wait. Are you going to drink it at the same time?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Why? If you drink it separately, the duration will be shorter. It’s better for Hana to drink it first, go open the door, and then for Master Ian to drink it and go.”

“But Romandro.”

Ian glanced at his feet. They were already soaked, and water droplets were dripping down.

“Even if our bodies become invisible, footprints will remain. Hana, who is not wet, needs to go with me and erase the footprints as we return.”

“Ah.”

That’s right! Ian could erase the traces inside the study, or since no one would come, they could just let them dry naturally. They only needed to erase the traces in the hallway.

Poong.

Ian drank the invisibility potion first and handed the rest to Hana. Soon, saaah, the tips of their feet and hands slowly disappeared, becoming completely invisible.

“Be careful, okay?”

Romandro spoke worriedly, but there was no reply. He carefully muttered to the empty air,

“Did they go? Did they go?”

Silence. Just as Romandro was about to let out a sigh of relief-

“We didn’t go.”

“Heeik! Wh-what a surprise…!”

Creak.

Soon, the door slowly opened, and a towel floated up. The two’s footprints began to appear faintly on the floor.