Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 928

The Magic Department was always busy, but now, it was incomparably more hectic than before. The mages, looking haggard from not having properly washed or eaten, rushed through the building. The most frequently heard word was, of course…

“Ian!”

“Yes!”

Ian quickly ran and jumped down the stairs. The child’s role was to open and close the portals connecting Burgos and Clifford Capital on schedule, transporting the mages. The aide, flipping through documents, requested,

“It’s 12:15 PM. Please open the Salaitor No. 9 rift in the southern Clifford region. The mages to be dispatched are Alton and Dan… Ah, they’re coming.”

“Sorry!”

“Ian, sorry for being late!”

Ian smiled slightly, as if to say it was okay, then touched the ground in the backyard with his hand. Instantly, his eyes turned gold. At the same time, a portal appeared in the air.

Ziiiiiing.

The two mages hurriedly threw themselves into the portal, barely managing to put on their field passes. Another task completed! Ian quickly modified the formula after closing the portal.

Swoosh.

“Where to next?”

“The Arcoto region in eastern Clifford. Rift number 3. It’s a returning portal.”

“Ah, the one we opened at 5 PM yesterday?”

“That’s correct.”

The child held a map, but without looking at it, he quickly drew the coordinates. Seeing this, the aide clicked his tongue. Could ordinary people even grasp the immense value of Ian’s contributions? Especially those ministers who had gathered in the assembly hall. Opening and closing portals multiple times a day without a single error, it was simply…

“There’s no explaining it.”

Arena, appearing with dark circles under her eyes, spoke the words the aide wanted to say.

“Minister.”

Ian paused at Arena’s voice, and she gestured for him to focus on his work, sipping her coffee. She felt both proud and pained at the same time.

“Something that would take the entire Magic Department over a week to handle, a child does it in a few hours… Isn’t this just too much!”

Arena’s lament was directed at the heavens. How could the favor of the gods be so unequal?

The older humans were practically dying after just one night of staying up, but Ian would come back refreshed after a night’s sleep, boasting his firm skin?!

“Ignore her, Ian.”

“…Yes, I’ll open rift number 3.”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Magic surged from Ian’s fingertips, creating another portal in the air. As if waiting for it, two mages immediately descended. The aide asked, puzzled,

“Why two? Where’s Seri?”

“A monster appeared. Fortunately, it was a low-level one, so it was quickly dealt with, but the locals are still uneasy and have requested an expansion of the patrol area, so Seri has taken charge. Um, please open it again six hours from now.”

“I see. A monster…”

Swoosh.

It was clear that the cause was the breaking of the rift where the Undergod had been sealed. Since that day, monsters had begun to appear in rifts all over. Fortunately, thanks to Ian’s portals, they were able to quickly identify and respond to the situation. Moreover, the power of the rifts was still weak, and only monsters that even ordinary people could resist were appearing.

Arena muttered,

“It’s different from 100 years ago.”

The Dera tribe’s weapons had been steadily distributed in the market, albeit in small quantities, since 100 years ago. This was thanks to the measures taken to make them available to the general public.

As a result, the Dera tribe’s weapons were favored by those who had to be wary of special dangers, such as merchants, mercenaries, or adventurers who traveled long distances. That’s why they were able to cope with the monsters that were now leaking out one by one.

‘But only so far.’

The aide sighed softly as he recorded the situation. He couldn’t predict the future, but it was certain that the appearance of monsters would continue for the time being. Unless they could somehow deal with the awakened Undergod again, the situation would not change.

“Ian, are you okay?”

Ian nodded as if to say he was fine. Perhaps it was because the weather was sunny, but his cheeks were a little flushed, though not noticeably so. Arena turned to a mage who was calling her name repeatedly, but still urged him,

“Don’t overdo it. Okay?”

“Yes, Minister.”

Ian smiled faintly and added not to worry. Then, he turned back to the aide and asked,

“Where to next?”

“This time, it’s towards Burgos.”

“Ah, I’ll have to completely change the formula. Is Clifford finished?”

“It’s not finished, but we need to connect to Burgos due to the schedule.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

Ian focused his scattered mind and modified the portal magic formula again.

Mages carrying stacks of documents stopped and watched Ian. How could such an infinite amount of magic come from that small body?

“He doesn’t even get tired. It’s good to be young.”

“How many times has he opened it today?”

“I think four times?”

“Wow, that’s unbelievable. It would take us more than a week to open it four times.”

“You’re lying. It would take more than ten days.”

If he were even groaning, they would be worried, but Ian seemed fine on the outside. Rather, he even seemed happy every time he calculated a new portal formula. The mages clicked their tongues in amazement and hurried to their offices.

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Naum, hurrying to keep up with his seniors, watched the golden streaks of light continuously forming from the child’s fingertips as he passed by.

“Brother!”

Just then, a familiar voice came from the entrance of the Magic Department. It was his younger brother, Hans. Hans smiled, holding up a paper bag.

“Your underwear and clothes.”

“Ah, thanks.”

“I thought I wouldn’t get to see your face, but I got lucky. Are you that busy? You haven’t been home for ten days.”

Knowing that his family had come, the other mages took Naum’s documents into the office, and Naum bowed his head in thanks before approaching Hans. It had only been ten days, but he seemed to have grown a bit taller.

“Sorry. It looks like it’ll be like this for a while.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“You too. Is everything okay?”

“What could be wrong? I’m living comfortably with the money you’re earning.”

A nice mansion, servants to take care of meals and cleaning, and even a carriage to take him to school every day. Had he ever studied so comfortably in his life?

Naum felt proud at Hans’s playful words and patted him on the shoulder.

“But brother, what about Ian?”

It had been quite a while since Hans had seen Ian, as the Magic Department had become busy. He had heard that the magic studies course itself had been canceled. Not knowing the details, Hans whispered, worried and curious.

“There are rumors going around outside. Ian is the first noble mage, right?”

“Yeah.”

“People are saying it’s a lie?”

“What?”

To be precise, it was the gossip of the foolish Energes [a derogatory term for a group or people] idiots. Of course, Hans had dismissed it as too absurd, but he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Perhaps there was some news from the outside that he didn’t know about.

Was that why? Even though he had hit their heads with his bag, he didn’t feel relieved. Why were such rumors spreading? He needed to know something to respond.

“…They’re saying it’s not magic, but fake magic, and something about monsters and the Undergod, but no one actually knows anything. Since there’s no substance, the people spreading the rumors are making it up as they go… Brother. Is something wrong with Ian?”

Naum had also heard the rumors. It was clear that words leaked from other departments were being distorted and exaggerated. However, due to the Magic Department’s own security, there was nothing he could say.

“So, you just let it go?”

“Those guys? No! I hit them on the head.”

“Did you hit them properly?”

“Of course.”

“Good job.”

He could only indirectly dispel the misunderstanding about Ian in this way.

Hans looked around for Ian, and Naum gave him a hint.

“He’s in the backyard. But he’s busy right now, so you won’t be able to say hello. Just look at his face from afar.”

“Okay. I understand.”

As if waiting for it, Hans ran down the stairs to the backyard. Naum watched his younger brother’s back and then walked carefully. He was aware of the office’s gaze, but he intended to watch until Hans left the Magic Department. The Magic Department was a place where many dangerous things happened…

Ziiing! Ziiing!

“Yes. Okay.”

“…What’s next?”

“Um. Next is the Clifford No. 7 rift in two hours. Ian, would you like to rest for a bit? I’ll go submit the report to the Minister.”

Two hours of rest. It was the first break he had since working non-stop since this morning. Ian fell backward, closed his eyes, and took a breath. Only then did he feel that the ends of his hair were soaked with sweat.

‘Haa.’

It was hard. To be honest, he was exhausted. But as Arena had said at the assembly, the Magic Department needed him. It was also the only way to prove that he was not related to the Undergod.

And above all, it was something only he could do. To work hard, and keep working hard, for the safety of Gaia [the name of the world].

“Hey.”

It was then. He opened his eyes at the sudden presence, and saw Hans’s face upside down. When Ian tried to get up, Hans pushed his forehead, telling him to stay still.

“…It’s been a while, Hans.”

“Yeah. The Magic Department is really cruel. Are they making a kid like you work this hard?”

“It’s not like that. It’s been a while, Naum.”

“Huh? Why are you being so formal? You’re in the same Magic Department, but you haven’t seen each other?”

“I told you, I was busy.”

“Wow, it’s vicious. Vicious.”

Ian chuckled as if it was funny. He wondered what Minister Arena would say if she heard that.

“Haa.”

But such thoughts were fleeting. The gentle breeze made all the strength drain from his body. Soon, Ian’s breathing became shallow. He had fallen into a deep sleep.

Hans carefully arranged Ian’s hair and collar, frowning with pity.

“He’s passed out.”

“He’s passed out.”

Hans and Naum whispered at the same time.

Naum gently placed his hand on the child’s forehead and shared his magic. It was nothing compared to Ian’s in terms of quantity or quality, but if it could help even a little…

“Hey, Naum!”

“Ah.”

Just then, mages passing by found Naum and Hans and called out loudly. Hans put a finger to his lips, telling them to be quiet, and the mages, who belatedly discovered Ian, rushed over.

“What’s wrong with Ian?”

“He’s sleeping. Shhh.”

“Ah. You scared me.”

“He was opening portals non-stop until just now, and he fell asleep right away? Sigh. How tired must he be.”

“Yeah. I didn’t know because he didn’t show it.”

“Oh dear, the poor kid is going to wear himself out.”

The mages also joined hands one by one. Hearts gently overlapping on Naum’s hand. They shone their golden eyes, sincerely hoping to be of some help.

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Hans gasped at the extraordinary sight unfolding before his eyes. Those sparkling golden eyes! They were awe-inspiring every time he saw them. Seeing them so close, it was as if he wasn’t human. He was like a messenger of the gods!

“Is that enough?”

The short but dreamlike moment ended. The mages, thinking they had infused enough magic, withdrew their golden eyes, and those who had seemed like messengers of the gods returned to their usual selves.

“Hey, hey, be careful. You’ll wake the kid.”

“The report? Where did you put the one you gave me earlier?”

“Why are you asking me? You should know.”

“Haa… Never mind. Let’s go. The Minister said to get the approval within 5 minutes.”

“It’s already late, isn’t it?”

“If we’re any later, we’re dead.”

The mages quickly disappeared. In this gap, Naum also saw Hans off outside the Magic Department. Soon, no one was left by Ian’s side.

Two hours later, Ian, who had slept soundly, opened his eyes.

“Um?”

There was a parasol over his head. The aide was sitting on a nearby table bench, waiting for Ian to wake up. His hands were full of newly received documents.

“Have you woken up?”

“Has it already been two hours?”

“There are about 5 minutes left.”

Ian jumped up and looked at his hands, wiggling them. The aide adjusted his glasses and asked,

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“Um, Mr. Aide.”

“Yes.”

Ian’s eyes sparkled as if he couldn’t believe it. Then, quite seriously, he stated that he had discovered a strange and surprising fact.

“I think Minister Arena is right.”

“About what?”

“Why I’m so energetic. It’s because I’m young. I only slept for two hours, but my whole body feels as light as a feather!”

Ian smiled brightly, and the aide also burst into laughter. The child wouldn’t know how many mages had passed through the backyard in the past two hours. Nor did he need to.

“I see.”

“Yes! Being young is a good thing!”

“I’m glad you’ve realized that. Shall we start again?”

Ian nodded vigorously and jumped up, saying he was ready for anything. Then, he disappeared into the distance, among the mages who were groaning and trudging along.