Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 910

Early in the morning, Ian headed to the Magic Department, not Energes. There was a slight chill in the air, but the Magic Department was as lively as ever.

No, it was beyond lively—

“Who set up this formula here!”

“Wasn’t that you?”

“I set it up? This idiotic formula?”

“It’s definitely you.”

“Ugh, my head hurts. Should we take a short break?”

“I know you’ve been sleeping five hours a day. Stop exaggerating.”

“Haaahm.”

It was almost boisterous.

Naum was also rubbing his eyes, learning portal formulas in the garden. The world of magic was truly endless, and it seemed like every day brought a new path of learning.

As Naum squatted down, erasing and redrawing formulas while getting them checked, he spotted Ian standing on the stairs.

“Ian?”

“Huh? Ian?”

“Why is Ian here?”

“You skipped school!”

Coming here instead of going to school!

The mages seemed puzzled but didn’t think much of it. Skipping classes, fighting with professors—that’s just how life is, right?

“Ian can really get away with it. He’s a noble, rich, and young. The professor will probably die first.”

“Don’t say that in front of the kid. The Minister will scold you. And usually, the professor dies first anyway.”

“Ian! Why are you here?”

Tap! Ian descended the stairs one by one and entered the garden. The magic circles the mages had drawn overnight were vivid. It was a portal to connect with the North to deliver the news of the death to Crony.

“I also have something to tell Crony.”

“Huh?”

“But is this the right way to do it?”

The child suddenly squatted down and stared at the formula for a long time. The mages just patted his head as if he were cute and explained, sticking close to Ian.

“This is the formula for setting the latitude and longitude. You have to be careful when setting up a portal magic circle. If you mess up, you could end up crashing into the ground or falling from the sky. Well, mages can usually manage, but the problem is when moving other people. It could be a disaster.”

“Hmm. Then, is this part calculated like this?”

“What?”

“Here.”

Ian picked up a twig and traced a part of the formula.

The mages gathered around, wearing fatherly smiles, and checked it. The value the child calculated was completely different. It was a method they had never seen before.

They naturally thought the child’s answer was wrong, but—

“Huh?”

“Whaaat?”

“Like this?”

Ian’s formula was surprisingly creative and perfect. And it was precise too.

The mages couldn’t believe it and exclaimed in amazement. Ian then added more to the bottom line. Without hesitation, and so easily. It was as natural as reciting multiplication tables. The mages were dumbfounded, their mouths agape as they read what Ian had written.

“Ian, who taught you this?”

“Energes.”

“Energes teaches portal magic formulas?”

“No. In the class.”

…This is insane.

The child smiled brightly as if it were nothing, but the mages couldn’t smile. They knew how amazing this ability was.

Is this how it feels to see a child who has just taken their first steps suddenly sprinting? The mages gently wrapped their arms around Ian’s shoulders and led him.

“…Ian, shall we take a look at this side too?”

“Where?”

“Here, the formula on the upper right. No matter how much I look at it, the answer is subtly off.”

“Hey! Follow the order!”

“You follow it. Can’t you see I grabbed Ian first?”

“You should start with the closest one, what kind of manners are these… friends?”

“You want manners after sleeping two hours a day? Go eat a… no, you eat it.”

They were maintaining a smiling face while Ian was watching, but they were all desperately pulling at each other’s collars. They needed to finish their assigned area to get some sleep and something to eat, right? They were burning with the desire to get help first, not knowing when Ian would leave.

“What are you doing?”

Arena, who was passing by, noticed this. The child’s arms were being pulled in both directions by the mages, on the verge of tearing. When Ian looked bewildered, Arena’s eyes flashed sharply. Ian Hadel, I told you not to bother him, right?

“We’re not bothering him, Ian is a genius!”

“You just realized he’s a genius?”

“It’s not about magic power, he’s calculating portal formulas! He hasn’t even learned portal magic.”

“Are you all crazy because you haven’t slept… no, what I mean is, are you not in your right minds?”

“It’s true. Come and see!”

Arena grumbled and entered the garden, checking the formula roughly scribbled with a twig.

Then, her eyes gradually changed. Arena was also so surprised that she covered her mouth.

“…This is.”

“Amazing, right?”

Ian stood awkwardly, fidgeting with the twig. Arena looked like she didn’t know what to say in surprise. After a long time of choosing her words, Arena asked.

“Ian.”

“Yes.”

“You, school?”

“……”

At the unexpected question, Ian’s eyes rolled around. Arena stroked the child’s head and stood up.

“Did you come because you had something to do?”

“Yes. I have an opinion to share.”

“Follow me to the Minister’s office.”

As Ian was about to leave, the mages desperately reached out, trying to grab Ian’s clothes. Arena slapped their hands and warned them.

“Everyone do your own work! If you get caught asking Ian for help, you’re on your own. People, you know, you have to do difficult things to grow.”

“Growth is growth, but let’s work efficiently!”

“Shut your mouth! If you don’t finish by lunch, there’s no food.”

“Wow, look at how he’s choosing his words because Ian is here. Ugh, so hypocritical.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing!”

“Hnghngh, Ian, can’t you stay? Hngh.”

The mages cried out in unison, longing for Ian. Ian turned his head slightly, smiled as if he was sorry, and signaled that he would come back if he could. Then, he accidentally met eyes with Naum. The two exchanged a brief smile.

Squeak.

The door to the Minister’s office closed. Arena poured tea for Ian.

“So, what’s the matter? Why did you skip school and come to the Magic Department this morning?”

“One of the doctors who confirmed Lord Lato’s death is Philia. She was the doctor who saw my parents’ last moments. She’s trustworthy and cares for me.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“She suspects Lord Lato’s death and wants an autopsy. I think it would be good if that happened too.”

“I agree. If we look inside, we’ll find something, right? The problem is Crony. He won’t allow it.”

“So, I was wondering if I could step in.”

“In what…?”

Ian handed Arena a piece of paper.

“This is a document stating that the Magic Department and Lord Crony will become my joint guardians. Since there are no family members left in the mansion, if Lord Crony becomes my guardian, I will have the right to decide on the autopsy.”

“……!”

Becoming a formal guardian meant taking on the obligations of a legal supporter, that is, becoming a relative. Then, as Ian said, as a relative of Crony, he could obtain the authority for an autopsy.

Even if Crony later returned and raised an objection, what could he do? It had already happened.

“And if the autopsy reveals clear evidence of homicide, I can request the revocation of Lord Crony’s guardianship. Claiming that the guardian left the mansion and exposed me to a dangerous situation.”

Of course, the Magic Department would have to actively support it. He didn’t say it directly, but Arena could read between the lines. It felt like her eyes had widened.

‘…If that happens?’

Since Crony was in the North, it would be acknowledged that he could not fulfill his role as guardian until he returned. This would be a decisive reason for disqualification. Using the portal? The Magic Department would never cooperate, so at least a month could be bought.

Arena muttered, staring at the document.

“Still, it’s too dangerous.”

Either way, it was like walking into the opponent’s grasp. If they could just go and conduct the autopsy and get out safely, it would be perfect, but that was just a plan. What if something went wrong?

‘What will Crony do to keep Ian, or is this even part of his scheme… There’s nothing certain right now.’

As Arena’s worries grew, Ian added anxiously.

“Buying time is key, and there will be no danger in that regard. Crony is the commander of the expeditionary force right now, and he can never return home before his soldiers. Especially as the next Minister of the Imperial Defense Department.”

“That’s true too.”

If he returned home first to catch Ian, there would be a controversy over his qualifications. It was a bad move for Crony, especially in such a chaotic time.

“So, today, instead of sending news of Lord Lato’s death through the portal, I’d like to send news that I’ve applied to make Lord Crony my joint guardian. We just need to receive a reply. What do you think?”

Hana, Romandro, and Philia all said it was dangerous at first, but when they thought about it, there was no other way to catch Crony. Ian becoming his family. That was the only way to hold his leash.

Arena rubbed her chin and pondered for a long time.

“We need to set conditions.”

The fact that it was a joint guardianship with the Magic Department. The fact that his qualification could be revoked at any time if there was a problem with Ian’s surroundings. And most importantly, that Ian’s will was always the most important. Especially regarding the management of assets, they would put in place safety measures, etc.

It might look like a blatant bait, but it didn’t seem like Crony wouldn’t bite.

‘Even if he knows it’s a trap, he won’t be able to ignore it.’

Rather, he would try to grab it tightly by any means.

Arena frowned, looking very concerned. She was annoyed by the fact that she had to use this young child to catch Crony. Ian, sensing her feelings, grabbed Arena’s hand.

“Minister. I have something to confess.”

Ian’s secret, whispered solemnly and with difficulty.

“Actually, my parents also died because of Crony.”

“……!”

“I think this is the perfect opportunity. If I can’t beat Crony, I’ll have to live in fear of him forever.”

Some might say, just step back. Wasn’t that what his mother said in her last words? Don’t confront Crony until you find someone to help you.

“I want to try anything when I have the chance. For me, and for my parents.”

“Ian.”

He was too young. Arena tried to hide her pity and stroked Ian’s back. He was a smart child, so he probably knew what all of this meant.

Ian hugged Arena tightly, and Arena hugged the child back.

‘I have to protect him.’

If Crony doesn’t let go of your hand, I will cut off each of his fingers, no matter what.

Ian, whether he knew Arena’s firm resolve or not, smiled softly in her warm embrace.

* * *

Northern border area.

In the distance, a small ethnic group’s army could be seen, but there was no sense of tension in the Bariel army’s camp. They were all gathered around the campfire, organizing their shoes or polishing their armor, actions that couldn’t be seen with the enemy so close.

That was because, since arriving in the northern region, no armed conflict had occurred. Even though they had been facing each other at close range.

Only Crony and the other leaders had crossed the border for several fruitless talks. As things turned out this way, the tension about the war naturally disappeared.

“Commander.”

Crony, who was checking documents, raised his head. Cold air seeped through the tent flap.

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived from Bariel. The portal has opened…”

“Portal? Ah.”

It seems the time has finally come.

Crony slowly got up as if he had expected it. Then, he went outside and looked up at the portal. In the mysterious darkness, a rolled-up letter fell with a thud.

Thud.

As Crony calmly read it, his eyes gradually widened. The subordinates watching beside him asked worriedly.

“Commander Crony?”

But instead of answering, Crony hurried back to the tent and gave an order.

“Request a meeting with the northern bastards. Immediately.”