Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 927

The meeting concluded quickly. It wasn’t really a discussion of opinions but rather a report on the Magic Department’s situation. Faced with the inhuman existence of monsters, the ministers from other departments had no choice but to fully agree with Arena’s opinion. Even the Emperor.

“…Understood. Then, the Magic Department should send out notices to each nation and check for any anomalies in the rifts. Prepare for emergencies, but be careful not to spread anxiety or rumors among the citizens of the Empire.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And the matter of the Dera tribe’s weapons…”

“The Imperial Defense Department will handle that.”

Freddy volunteered, raising his hand lightly. Arming the soldiers was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Defense Department.

The Emperor readily nodded, as the Magic Department couldn’t handle everything.

“And since Chrony, who was considered for the next Imperial Defense Department Minister, has passed away, submit a new list of candidates. I will appoint one after review.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will handle it promptly.”

“Are the soldiers currently in the north returning?”

“Yes. The northern minority tribes and mages are cooperating and remaining there, so all but a minimal force are returning to the center.”

“Good. There’s a saying that a crisis is an opportunity. Although the Undergod has appeared after 100 years, we already have a history of victory. Moreover, we have time to prepare. Everyone in the Imperial Palace, with one heart and one mind…”

The Emperor paused, as if out of breath from speaking for too long.

The ministers’ heads throbbed at the sight. If something were to happen to the Emperor in this situation, it would be a national crisis. Without a Crown Prince, there was a possibility of civil war breaking out, taking advantage of the vacant throne.

‘Well, it’s okay since Minister Arena is standing firm… but who knows what might happen?’

They wondered if she might have her eyes on the throne. The ministers just hoped that the Emperor would remain alive and well until the situation calmed down.

The Emperor, having barely finished speaking, slowly rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting. He then walked with difficulty, aided by his attendants.

“Ah, Ian Hadel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor gestured for Ian to follow him for a moment. Ian glanced at Arena’s expression before quietly getting up and following the Emperor.

Thud.

As the door to the conference hall closed, the air felt different, as if they had entered another space. The Emperor gestured for all but one attendant to step back. Then, walking with difficulty, he asked Ian,

“You’ve worked hard. Are you hurt anywhere in particular?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“Ian, don’t waver.”

“…”

It was an unexpected remark. Ian looked up at the Emperor’s face, but he was still focused on where he was going. Ian somehow felt that the words were meant for the Emperor himself, not him.

“I can’t predict what the Undergod is planning, but one thing is clear. The late Emperor’s instructions. They were to prepare for the current situation.”

Frankly, if the Emperor hadn’t heard anything from his father and grandfather, there would have been no need to keep Ian close. The fact that he possessed the qualities of the next Emperor meant he was a talent who could easily covet his position, and given that the Undergod had mentioned his name directly, it was clear that they were connected in some way. There was no need to keep such a child in the Imperial Palace and risk danger.

If Ian’s power was necessary, he could simply be kept outside the Imperial Palace, with a little strict surveillance and the ability to suppress him at any time if needed.

“There are many cowards in the Imperial Palace. The more they have, the more they think, and that’s just human nature.”

But the Emperor knew that Ian was a blessing from the gods. According to the late Emperor’s instructions, the Undergod was targeting Ian and casting suspicion on him to interfere with the divine blessing.

“Ian, those who don’t know you are a blessing from the gods will continue to distrust you and overthink. And they might hurt you sometimes. But don’t waver, and keep moving forward. Stay focused, and have firm faith in your own worth.”

For now, since he was by Arena’s side and the Undergod’s intentions were unknown, a neutral opinion about Ian would be the majority.

However, as the Magic Department’s power grew stronger, or if the Undergod’s power leaked out of Gaia again, there would be more people questioning Ian’s existence.

“…Do you understand?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. I will keep that in mind.”

“I am resentful. In this chaotic situation, all I can do is walk, as the Emperor…”

The Emperor couldn’t continue. He was lamenting his situation, having to rely on the existence of such a small child, even if he was a blessing from the gods.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor gestured for Ian to return to the conference hall.

“If anything happens, come to me anytime, Ian.”

“Yes. I will do my best to fulfill Your Majesty’s orders. Ian Hadel will do anything for the true Bariel.”

The Emperor placed his hand on the child’s head and looked down at him intently. Then, he slowly headed towards the main palace.

As the attendants following him disappeared around the corner, Ian hurried back the way he had come. It was a relief. He had been worried that His Majesty might misunderstand him, but it was truly a relief.

Wham!

In the distance, the door to the conference hall opened. The ministers, having finished their business, were leaving one by one. Ian made brief eye contact and greeted them with a short nod, but the ministers deliberately avoided his gaze, quickening their awkward steps as they passed by.

‘Hmm.’

Is this what it’s like? What His Majesty was talking about? It’s already like this, and nothing has even started yet.

Ian realized that they didn’t ‘dislike’ him, but ‘feared’ him. As the Emperor had said, those with much to lose were wary of Ian, whose potential was unknown.

Creak.

“What are you doing, Ian? You came back quickly? What did you talk about?”

And finally, Ako, Minister Arena, and Hale came out. Ako had documents tucked between his bandaged arms, and Arena had her arm around Hale’s shoulder.

But Hale’s expression was strange. He looked dark, as if he was in a difficult situation. Ian tilted his head, puzzled, and approached them.

* * *

Immediately after the Emperor and Ian left the conference hall.

The ministers swarmed around Arena as soon as they saw the door close tightly. Arena frowned, as if telling them not to get too close, and held up her hand to stop them.

“What is it? Everyone.”

“Minister Arena, now that no one else is here, please tell us your honest thoughts. That way, we can cooperate smoothly, can’t we?”

“So, what are you talking about?”

“Ian Hadel. He’s really not dangerous, right?”

Arena frowned repeatedly, looking around as if she was troubled. Beyond the swarming ministers, Freddy was watching them with his arms crossed. Just as she was about to say something,

“It’s hard to say, isn’t it?”

Freddy suddenly interjected.

“I understand. The rifts, which have been quiet for over 100 years, suddenly awakened as soon as they came into contact with Ian Hadel. It’s not a situation where we can say there’s no connection between the two, is it? And it’s not certain whether Ian has the ability to stop the Undergod.”

At Freddy’s remark, Arena looked at him, twirling her pen. His intentions were obvious.

‘Look at that bastard? He’s aiming for the Imperial Defense Department Minister position in this situation?’

He was planning to use Chrony’s death to make Ian an enemy, strengthen internal unity, and use the ‘protective barrier around Astana’ as a means to check the Magic Department.

‘Bastard. It’s written all over your face.’

Instead of replying, Arena clicked her tongue and organized her documents. It was a sign that she was about to leave. At this, Ako, who couldn’t use his hands, poked Hale in the side, and Hale, who had been quiet, reluctantly gathered the papers for him.

“Hey, Minister Arena, please answer us.”

“Let’s talk for a moment!”

Arena, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped. Then, she turned around abruptly. Damn it, she had to say what she needed to say.

“Ian Hadel is not dangerous. At least, not as long as I’m here.”

It was a declaration of confidence that she would take responsibility and stop him, no matter what dangerous things he might do. It was a public statement as the Minister of the Magic Department. The ministers breathed a sigh of relief at her clear statement.

“And Ian Hadel is an asset to Bariel, not a liability. What were you all listening to during the meeting?”

“Well, it’s not easy to speak so openly in front of the person himself.”

“Why are you so afraid of a five-year-old?”

“He’s a mage, a mage! And one with strange powers!”

“I will share the details as soon as they are confirmed, so please refrain from going on business trips for the time being.”

Arena gestured towards the door, as if to say she had nothing more to say. It was a sign for them to leave. Being buried among those bat-like, annoying old men was irritating.

The ministers left in a rush, still expressing their concerns about Ian Hadel, and Freddy reluctantly followed behind them.

“Shall we go too?”

Arena didn’t move at Ako’s question. She waited until the conference room was completely empty before opening her mouth.

“Hale.”

“Yes?”

“How about joining the Magic Department?”

Hale paused at the sudden proposal. Arena took out a cigarette, offered one to him, and put one in her own mouth. She also put one in Ako’s mouth, who was constantly gesturing for one.

Flick.

Three cigarettes slowly burned. Arena was the first to speak. She raised an eyebrow and explained.

“Did you see that bastard Freddy’s eyes? He’s gone crazy trying to find any excuse to take something from the Magic Department.”

“I couldn’t tell, his eyes were like a dead fish.”

“Ako. Just keep your cigarette in your mouth.”

The power struggle between departments was a long-standing tradition of the Imperial Palace. Right now, the Magic Department had the upper hand, but over time, each department would try to take it back from the Magic Department and constantly pick fights.

“He’s definitely going to dig into you about the protective barrier you put up in Astana, you know? That’s the only justification the Imperial Defense Department has to speak up. And the Astana barrier issue is quite critical.”

“Wasn’t that why you sent me there? To handle things so that I wouldn’t get involved with the Magic Department?”

“I didn’t say to block our own people.”

Wasn’t it like protecting the enemy while the Bariel Empire was attacking them? It was an issue that could be used to tear someone apart if they wanted to.

“The Imperial Defense Department will be focusing on you, can you handle that? As an individual.”

This wasn’t a physical fight, but a political one. His experience as a mercenary wouldn’t be of much help.

“And you can’t leave Bariel, can you?”

He was bound by a contract with Energes, and he had come to Bariel because he wanted to settle down in one place, but he couldn’t leave again.

Arena flicked off the ash and added,

“So, join the Magic Department. Then I can cover for you in many ways. Ian can’t go back to Energes for a while, so he won’t have any classes. I’ll talk to the headmaster.”

If Hale joined the Magic Department, Arena could help and protect him in many ways. The Astana issue also needed to be silenced, and that could be handled through the mages currently remaining in the north.

At Arena’s gaze, asking what he thought, Hale hesitated, not saying anything.

“I’ll think about it.”

“You’ll miss your chance if you think too much. Our pay is good too. We get the most money in the Imperial Palace. Right, Ako?”

“Yes. But I don’t have time to use it- Ugh!”

Thwack! Arena stood up and flicked Ako’s cigarette away. He was really no help at all.

“Anyway, give me an answer by today. Let’s go.”

The three of them left the conference hall. Soon, they spotted Ian standing alone in the distance. Arena put her hand on Hale’s shoulder and called out cheerfully.

“What are you doing, Ian? You came back quickly? What did you talk about?”

“Ah, yes. We just walked and had a brief conversation.”

“Really? But Ian, I have good news. Do you want to hear it?”

Arena smiled and squeezed Hale’s shoulder tightly.

“Hale has decided to work with us in the Magic Department.”

“When did I- Ugh?”

It was the moment Hale was about to object. Ian, who had run over, grabbed Hale’s waist and looked up at him. His eyes were sparkling with joy.

“Really? Is Professor also becoming a member of the Magic Department?”

“No, that’s-”

“Wow, that’s great! I look forward to learning a lot from you in the future.”

“Ian, you’re the senior. Hale, you have to treat him with respect?”

“What does that matter? Once a teacher, always a teacher!”

Ian smiled brightly as he looked up at Hale. Hale groaned, choosing his words for a long time. But the answer was already decided. In front of the child’s increasingly shining eyes, Hale had only one thing to say.

“…Okay, Ian. Please take care of me.”