Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 941

‘Strange.’

At the word ‘strange,’ Ian reflexively looked up. Lately, his mind had been so preoccupied with Berik that it was a natural reaction.

Count Jark was puzzled by how much Berik ate, but Ian thought there was definitely something more to it. He had no clue what it was, which was a little frustrating.

‘What is it?’

The mage answered without even looking up. The mage, who had muttered ‘strange,’ slumped back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.

‘Now that we’ve handed over the monster cases to the Imperial Defense Department, shouldn’t our work be getting a little easier?’

‘The Magic Department looking for normal? You abnormal bastard.’

‘Why are we so busy? Why?’

‘You left work on time last week. That’s enough.’

‘You’re just used to this absurd way of handling work.’

‘Why don’t you go say that to Minister Arena?’

Ah. It was just the usual idle chatter of the mages.

Ian lowered his head again and focused on writing his report. Then, suddenly, he was distracted by something he heard again.

‘At least we’re better off than the Administrative Department right now. Because of the Imperial Civil Service Exam, they won’t be able to go home for a month.’

‘Seriously, just a month? We’re like that all year round! Huh?! My mom and dad even forgot what I looked like! They didn’t recognize me when I walked by, so I had to chase after them.’

‘That’s because you’re too filthy.’

The Imperial Civil Service Exam. It was the empire’s most prestigious administrative exam, held every few years.

Those who wanted to become officials all gathered in central Bariel and spent a month immersed in the exam. There were ten subjects, and they were given three days for each answer submission, so the physical and mental exhaustion was immense. If you went out on the street, you could easily see people walking around like the dead, and nine out of ten were those taking the exam.

‘Oh, right. Naum, your brother is taking the exam this time, right?’

‘Ah, yes.’

Naum, who had been listening quietly, answered with an awkward smile. The mansion’s servants would take good care of him, but he wanted to see him in person and encourage him, but their schedules didn’t match, which was a big problem.

‘If he passes, you’ll be eating at the Imperial Palace together. Oh, that’ll be nice to see.’

‘If he does. He seems to be working hard, so I’m sure he’ll get good results.’

‘Yeah. Your brother is famous for being smart.’

Everyone was offering words of encouragement when an employee from the Administrative Department staggered into the office with heavy steps. Wow, that was a familiar sight.

‘So that’s how the Magic Department looks to others.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘No, it’s nothing. It’s just that you look like you’re about to die.’

‘Yeah, if I don’t get any sleep today, I really think I’ll die. Ugh, so please stamp this quickly.’

‘Yes, yes. I hate cleaning up corpses.’

The mages quickly took the documents from the Administrative Department employee and checked them. The employee slumped into a chair, closing his eyes as if exhausted. The mage stamped the documents and asked.

‘Are there any outstanding talents?’

‘There are. People are flocking in from all over the empire. But there are also a lot of strange ones. There was one guy who scribbled on the exam paper in ten minutes and left.’

‘Really? Is he taking the exam for fun?’

‘I haven’t graded it yet, but he always leaves first, so he’s famous in the Administrative Department. I don’t know if he’s a real genius, or just some bored young master from some family on a trip to the capital. His name was… Hans, I think?’

At his last words, everyone in the Magic Department, including Naum and Ian, paused. Everyone knew that Naum’s brother was Hans. However, the Administrative Department employee didn’t know at all and kept muttering.

‘He writes without hesitation, as if he knows everything. So, I’m keeping a close eye on him. If he’s just spouting nonsense, I’m going to suggest that we filter out those kinds of idiots in the next exam.’

‘Ah, um. Yes, well, if there are too many of those people, it’s a waste of manpower. But, ahem.’

The mage stamped the documents, glancing at Naum. No matter how much of a genius Hans was, could he really take the notorious Imperial Civil Service Exam that easily?

However, Naum’s expression was not visible because of the partition. Everyone was subtly worried and silent, and the Administrative Department employee raised his head at the strange atmosphere.

‘Why are you all like that?’

‘It’s nothing. Just, keep your mouth shut and rest.’

‘Well, we’ll be able to rest a bit after this, but then it’s the Magic Department’s turn. Hehe.’

He was referring to the Imperial Joint Recruitment.

It was a selection exam organized by the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Department, but to prevent any possible dangers, the mages would set up protective barriers throughout the exam site. In addition, the mages had to move around quite busily to detect if there were any potential magic swordsmen.

Thinking about the gloomy future, the mage stamped the last document.

‘Go and collapse.’

‘Thank you for the kind words. Well, then.’

Slam!

As soon as the Administrative Department employee left, Ian pulled his chair back and looked at Naum, congratulating him.

‘Naum, congratulations. Hans must be first place.’

Naum’s face, which had slightly lifted, was flushed. It was an expression filled with joy, excitement, anticipation, pride, and even affection and tenderness.

‘Oh, no. You never know.’

Even though he was being polite, Naum knew. Hans was not some local young master who came out to play around to kill time. He had written the answer sheet in one go because he knew all the questions, and there was no mistake in that.

The mages, who had been watching Naum, also recognized that it was good news and came over to pat him on the shoulder.

‘Wow! Congratulations in advance, Naum. I heard that the top scorer of the Imperial Civil Service Exam usually gets a ministerial position. This is no ordinary thing, is it?’

‘Let’s treat him well from now on.’

‘We’re doomed… Think about what we’ve done for the past ten years…….’

‘If Hans becomes a minister someday, wouldn’t he be the youngest?’

The current minister had been by the emperor’s side for a long time. He was experienced and led the state affairs well on behalf of the emperor, but didn’t everyone know? The emperor’s life was like a candle in the wind, and the fact that it hadn’t gone out yet was thanks to a small blessing from the gods who protected Bariel.

‘It wouldn’t be strange if he passed away at any time.’

The mages thought to themselves. For the minister to change, the emperor had to change first. They glanced at Ian. Ian, who had been chatting with Naum, was focused on his report as if nothing had happened.

If the emperor’s seat became vacant, what would happen next?

‘It seems like it would be Ian.’

A noble from a collateral line of the imperial family and a genius mage. He was more than qualified. And if Ian ascended to the throne, Hans would naturally be the minister. Not only because of his skills, but also because politically, he would have to keep his closest aide by his side.

The mages flipped through their reports, feeling that an era was slowly passing and a new era was approaching.

‘Then, Lord Romandro won’t be able to see Lady Vivianna’s face much until the wedding.’

The mage’s grumbling made sense. The Administrative Department was busy now, and the Magic Department would be busy next month. Perhaps his wedding would be a festival in itself. The mages, who had suffered all year, would eat and drink and dance all day long.

‘Romandro, he’s been crying every night lately.’

When Ian added with a chuckle, the mages’ eyes sparkled with interest as they approached.

‘Crying? Really?’

‘My room is next to his. I hear him sobbing every night.’

‘Oh, this guy, how cute is he?’

‘I didn’t even know he was crying at night because he’s always swollen.’

Ian smiled faintly and looked at his watch. There was still some time left before he could leave work, but he was planning to go home early today.

‘Oh? Is there something going on today?’

‘Ah, I’m supposed to welcome guests at Count Jark’s mansion. I plan to open the portal around six in the evening. I got permission from the minister in advance, but I’m sharing it again just in case.’

‘Portal? Ah, the Great Desert?’

The mages snapped their fingers, remembering. It was the doctor who had helped Ian when he was young, wasn’t it? Her name was probably Philia. She had married a Cheonryeo warrior and moved to the Great Desert, and recently had a child.

‘Is it because of Lord Romandro’s wedding?’

‘Yes, and also—’

Ian put on his jacket, thinking of the letter he had received from the Enrow family.

‘-To the esteemed Lord Ian Hadel. The letter you sent has been delivered to Nersarn and Philia of Cheonryeo. They wish for you to open a portal for their newborn child.

However, we are also asking for a favor through their long-standing relationship. My son, the second son, Siao Shi Enrow, wishes to apply for the upcoming Imperial Joint Recruitment. We would like him to use the portal together and have time to adjust in the capital with the couple. We will compensate you for your trouble.

If you agree, please open the portal at the time and place below. If there is a problem, please reply immediately.

-From Baron Enrow.’

A person from Enrow was coming. It was a precious opportunity for a member of the Enrow family, whom he had first heard about at Hyman Bank ten years ago, to come to the capital.

Ian bowed to the mages and hurried to his mansion.

‘It’s good that I was curious.’

Why had the Enrow family left gold coins in his name, and what land were they talking about when they mentioned the proceeds from the sale of the territory?

‘For various reasons, I haven’t had a chance to meet and talk until now.’

At first, the couple was traveling around Bariel, so there was naturally no chance to contact them. Later, he was busy with the monster war, so he had no time.

In particular, there was a matter to discuss regarding the most curious fact, ‘1,000 gold coins.’ It was not a conversation that could be exchanged with a piece of paper, so he felt that he needed to meet them in person, whether he went down or they came up, to resolve the questions.

‘Lord Ian?’

‘It’s done.’

When the coachman tried to open the carriage door, Ian refused and flew into the sky.

Whoosh!

Ian disappeared into the sky in an instant. He usually traveled by carriage, so he must have been very busy. Or so it seemed.

No, but from the expression he had just seen, he seemed quite excited? Was it just his imagination? The coachman sniffled and rubbed the forehead of the horse that was snorting.

Thud!

Ian arrived at the Jark mansion in an instant. Berik and Barsabe, who were training intensely, paused for a moment, sensing the magical energy.

‘Ian?’

‘Ian!’

The two looked at him as if wondering why he had suddenly fallen from the sky. A brief gap. Barsabe, who was the first to come to her senses, mercilessly hit Berik’s head repeatedly.

Thwack! Thwack! Thud!

‘Ugh!’

Berik’s jaw dropped as he was about to greet Ian. He wanted to shout that it was cowardly, but he couldn’t speak properly because of Barsabe’s continuous punches.

‘Who told you to look away during a fight?’

‘You looked away too!’

‘Me? Meeee-?!’

Thwack! Thud! Bang!

Ian lightly took off his jacket, ignoring the two who were fighting. The martial arts instructor, now accustomed to Berik and Barsabe’s commotion, added calmly.

‘Berik, clench your fist harder. Barsabe! You could have dodged that just now, right? No, from there, one-two, one…….’

Click.

Ian checked the time with his pocket watch and placed his palm on the wide yard. Then, a huge golden circle appeared in an instant. Along with it, a black portal spread like a cloud in the air.

Thwack! Thwack!

‘……!’

‘……!’

Surprised by the unexpected situation, Berik and Barsabe simultaneously slapped each other’s faces and fell backward. The instructor also stopped in surprise, but Ian shook his head, telling him not to worry.

‘Everyone, do your own thing. I’m just preparing to welcome guests.’