Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 909

Under the soft glow of candlelight, Philia’s expression was serious as she reviewed the report. She meticulously examined the contents for a long time before adding her signature at the bottom.

The report stated that there were no unusual findings regarding Lord Lato’s signature, other than his usual chronic illness. Philia frowned, lightly biting the end of her pen.

‘Is this even possible?’ she wondered.

No matter how severe his usual illness was, he passed away right when Ian arrived, and in front of the child. Wasn’t it too abnormal to be a coincidence?

However, she couldn’t just perform an autopsy without permission, and she hadn’t received a reply from Crony, who held the actual authority.

“Aren’t you going home?” a voice asked.

“Ah. I’m about to now,” Philia replied.

She had only intended to stay a little longer, but had it already gotten this late? Philia packed her bag and stood up. A staff member glanced at the window and warned her.

“Be careful going home. It’s already dark. There’s talk of suspicious people lurking around here.”

“Really? I’ll head out then,” Philia said.

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

Philia pulled her robe over her head and pushed open the door. The streets were deserted. Philia tightened her robe and walked quickly. How long had she walked like that?

Tap!

Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone following her. Philia tensed up and glanced behind her. There was no one there. Was it her imagination, or….

Tap!

‘…It’s not my imagination,’ she thought.

Philia turned towards the main street. She thought it would be best to go to a crowded place, assess the situation, and get help from the guards.

As if noticing her intention, the footsteps that had been overlapping gradually quickened.

“……!”

The footsteps grew faster and faster. Philia practically ran, not even noticing that her robe had slipped down in her haste. It was difficult to run on the cobblestone path in her shoes.

Swoosh.

A long shadow stretched out beside her. It was clear that they were very close. The moment Philia turned around with a fearful expression-

Thump.

A warm hand enveloped Philia’s. The shadow that had been cast was nowhere to be seen.

“……!”

Philia was startled and looked straight ahead. Then, she was met by a huge figure that couldn’t be hidden by her robe and the scent of the desert. Life returned to Philia’s eyes, which had been frozen with fear.

“Nersarn,” she breathed.

“…Is something the matter?” he asked.

“Ah, it felt like someone was chasing me until just now…….”

There’s no one here now. They must have turned back when they saw you, Nersarn thought.

Nersarn, still holding Philia, carefully scanned the dark alley. Other than a plump cat lazily passing by, there were no suspicious signs.

“There’s no one here. You can relax,” he reassured her.

Philia looked up at Nersarn with sparkling eyes and asked quietly,

“But, what brings you here?”

“I was curious,” he admitted.

“Ah,” she replied.

Then, as if just remembering, Philia spoke quickly.

“Nersarn, the prophecy was right. When I went to Lord Lato’s mansion, Ian was there. I don’t know the details, but I’m glad I arrived in time. The doctor who was called was Berzin, who is very close to Crony—umph.”

Swoosh. Nersarn’s large hand gently pulled her head, and she was left speechless.

“You did well, Miss Philia,” he said softly.

The two stayed like that for a moment, reminiscing about the day. Everything was well-arranged, like a day of destiny.

“Actually, I didn’t think the prophecy would come true. I was half-doubtful,” Philia confessed.

“It’s a prophecy, after all,” Nersarn replied.

That morning, the two were having tea at a cafe. When Philia was puzzled as Nersarn stared intently at the sky, he told her an old story.

“On a day when the sun and moon rise together, look to the north. If you see a star there, it is a warning from the gods, so be careful of everything that day.”

It was a short prophecy left by Chief Roel. In fact, it wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, but rather a piece of advice for the entire tribe.

Philia had been both intrigued and concerned about the prophecy of the Thousand Tribes. When news broke that there had been a death at the Alphat mansion, Philia immediately offered to go along.

“I think Crony’s conspiracy is hidden in Lord Lato’s death, but if the bereaved family doesn’t allow an autopsy, there’s no way to find out,” she explained.

“I see,” Nersarn said.

“I should meet with Ian soon to discuss this issue. Do you have any other questions?” she asked.

Since he said he came out of curiosity, she was asking if he had anything else to ask. Nersarn pondered for a while before quietly suggesting,

“May I escort you home?”

“Pardon?” Philia asked, surprised.

“The day isn’t over yet,” he explained.

According to the prophecy, one should be careful ‘for the entire day.’ That meant anything could happen at any time before midnight. Just now, a mysterious shadow had been closely following Philia.

Philia’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she readily nodded.

“Okay,” she agreed.

The two shared a deep gaze. The quiet street, the dark alley where the moonlight fell. It was as if the world only existed for the two of them…….

“Oh my?” a voice interrupted.

“Huh?” another voice asked.

“…….”

Then, Romandro, Hanna, and Ian suddenly appeared. The three of them looked dumbfounded at the two people hugging.

Awakened from their dreamlike reality, the two quickly separated and straightened their clothes. Romandro subtly covered Ian’s eyes.

“Since when?” Romandro asked.

“How on earth?” Hanna added.

“Romandro, please move your hand,” Ian said, trying to see.

However, Romandro and Hanna, who were in shock, couldn’t hear Ian’s words and kept muttering.

“Youth is so good,” Romandro sighed.

“It’s not, not like that,” Philia protested, flustered.

“Who’s saying anything? Enjoy it while you can,” Hanna teased.

“Anyway, what, what’s going on?” Philia asked, trying to change the subject.

Philia, her face flushed, tidied her hair. Ian slightly parted Romandro’s fingers and looked at Philia.

“I was waiting in front of the mansion to discuss what happened earlier today. But you didn’t come until late, so I was worried and came to pick you up,” Ian explained.

“There was no need for that, Ian. Right~?” Philia said.

“Yeah. I should have just waited in front,” Ian agreed.

“Ian, it’s not like that,” Philia said, trying to clarify.

“Yeah, I know. I know,” Ian said with a bright smile as if to say it was okay.

Unlike Philia, whose face was as red as a beet, Nersarn was calm and unchanged. It seemed like he was a little disappointed that his date was interrupted? Romandro nudged his side and winked.

“We’ll leave you alone soon, so take a little time,” Romandro said with a knowing grin.

“…I don’t know what you mean,” Nersarn replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Aha! I know everything, I know everything!” Romandro exclaimed.

Hanna pushed the group along, saying they shouldn’t make a fuss in the street-

“…….”

Ian, hugged by Hanna, glanced into the alley where Philia had come from. It seemed like a shadow had subtly moved. Ian pretended not to notice and buried his head in Hanna’s shoulder, checking if anyone was following them.

“Come in,” Philia said, inviting them to her home.

Philia’s house was a small, cozy home. It didn’t have a large yard, but it was a space well-decorated with charming furniture.

Nersarn, who seemed to be visiting for the first time, looked around curiously. The ceiling was so low that he would hit his head if he didn’t duck.

“Would you like some tea?” Philia offered.

“I’ll help,” Hanna volunteered.

“Hanna, you’re a guest, so sit down. Everyone except Ian, is coffee okay? Ian, would you like warm milk?” Philia asked.

Everyone nodded at Philia’s suggestion. Romandro and Hanna cleared their throats and moved closer to Nersarn, and Ian, noticing the situation, subtly pulled a chair and sat next to him.

The four of them sat close together. Romandro whispered softly,

“What happened? Weren’t you going to the desert?”

“…I didn’t say I was going,” Nersarn replied.

“Ah, right. If you were in the center, you should have contacted us!” Romandro exclaimed.

“I was a little busy with work,” Nersarn said.

“What work? Love~ work~?” Romandro teased.

“Romandro, you’re being a busybody! Right, Ian?” Hanna said.

“Hmm. It wasn’t dignified,” Ian commented.

“Everyone’s curious, aren’t they?” Romandro asked.

“Well, they are……,” Ian admitted.

Thump.

Philia smiled and placed the tray down. Warm coffees were prepared in the meantime. Hanna and Romandro glanced at each other and quickly grabbed their mugs, and Ian carefully took a sip of his warm milk.

“Ian, did you successfully deliver the situation to the Magic Department?” Philia asked.

“Yeah. Thanks to you. How did you even get there?” Ian replied.

“I know, right? I’m amazed when I think about it now. You were at Crony’s mansion for a reason, right? Did you achieve what you wanted?” Philia asked.

Ian nodded slightly. He had found a clue, at least.

“I’m curious about Lord Lato’s cause of death,” Philia said.

“Ah, that part…. I’m actually curious too. It seems like it will take a long time to get Crony’s consent for an autopsy. I think it will probably be recorded as death by illness as it is,” Philia explained.

“The Magic Department said they’d open a portal tomorrow to deliver the obituary. Wouldn’t it be faster to send it then and get a reply?” Ian suggested.

“Really? Then the process will be faster. Although, it’s uncertain whether Crony will allow it,” Philia said.

Ian took another sip of his milk, then stared intently at his cup as if thinking about something.

“I think there might be one way,” he said.

The problem was whether the Magic Department would allow it.

Ian shrugged and then asked Philia,

“Contact the Magic Department and ask them to use freezing magic on the body. They’ll probably agree,” he suggested.

Preserving the body was the priority before Crony arrived. The hospital wouldn’t allow it, but it was worth a try.

Philia patted Ian’s shoulder, indicating that she understood.

“Yes. Please tell me if there’s anything else I can help with,” she said.

Like today, I’ll always be there for you, Ian, Philia thought. Her warm green eyes were full of a child’s smile.

Ian lightly hugged Philia, expressing his gratitude.

“Thank you for coming today. I would have been in trouble otherwise,” he said.

“Would you like to thank Nersarn as well? I got the opportunity thanks to the prophecy of the Thousand Tribes,” Philia said.

“Really? Nersarn, thank you,” Ian said.

Nersarn slightly lowered his gaze as if it was nothing.

“But how are you going to persuade Crony?” Philia asked.

“…Actually, a lot of things happened. Do you know about Idgal?” Ian asked.

Philia looked clueless at Ian’s question, but Nersarn’s reaction was different. Ian looked up at him.

“Do you know about it?” Ian asked.

“It’s a legend passed down in the Great Desert. I’ve heard of it. It’s said that a golden mage chosen by the gods created it a long time ago,” Nersarn explained.

“……?!” Ian and Romandro’s eyes widened. It was surprising. It was difficult to find even a single line of related information in the Imperial Palace, but there was a clue about Idgal in the Great Desert, in a small tribe called the Thousand Tribes. Since they had a separate history from Bariel, it seemed they had their own records.

Ian pushed his milk cup aside and moved closer.

“More? Is there any other information besides that?” he asked.

“In the Great Desert, I’ve heard that it was first discovered under a flower called Silask. Although it seems to be a distorted version. According to the interpretation……,” Nersarn frowned, as if recalling an old memory.

“I think someone hid Idgal in a flowerpot and brought it to the Great Desert,” he said.

“Is there still Idgal in the Great Desert?” Ian asked.

“No. We respected Bariel’s policies to strengthen our alliance with the Enrow region. I believe that every time Idgal was discovered, it was sent to the Empire,” Nersarn explained.

“Enrow……,” Ian murmured.

It felt like several puzzle pieces were scattered in his head. If he put them together, something would surely be completed, but since he didn’t know what the pieces were supposed to form in the first place, he couldn’t even attempt to assemble them.

Ian sighed softly as if frustrated, and Philia tapped the table.

“Ian, so what’s the way to persuade Crony? You said there was one. Surely… it’s not something dangerous, is it?” she asked.

At Philia’s question, Ian smiled awkwardly. And without answering, he took a sip of his milk and gave a vague answer.

“…I don’t think so?” he said.

Maybe.