Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 945

The Imperial Palace walls were crowded with people. It was the day the results of the month-long grand journey, the Imperial Civil Service Exam, were to be released.

Even passersby stopped in their tracks, waiting with curiosity, while the examinees clasped their hands together, muttering earnestly as they awaited the notice.

“Make way!”

A bureaucrat emerged from the Imperial Palace, pushing through the crowd. The paper was so large that two soldiers had to hold each end. They skillfully posted the notice, and people began searching for their names on the list of successful candidates.

“Agh, damn it. I failed.”

“Look again. There! There’s your name!”

“Huk! Huk! Thank you! Thank you!”

A commotion erupted. The stark contrast between those who passed and those who failed led to loud shouts and cheers bursting out from all directions.

Hans was among them, and he grinned broadly as he saw his name at the very top. Then, he carefully pushed through the crowd, dusting off his jacket.

“See, why couldn’t you trust what I said?”

At that moment, someone whispered softly behind Hans. It was Ian, wearing a robe.

As Hans was about to shout out in joy, Ian signaled him to be quiet by putting a finger to his lips and quietly slipped away. The moment the two entered a quiet alley, Hans clenched his fist and cheered softly.

“Being the top scorer means I’m first in line for promotion, right?”

“You’re already thinking about promotion before even starting the job.”

“Just you wait and see. I’ll become the youngest Prime Minister of Bariel [the capital city].”

“Why didn’t you believe me? I told you repeatedly that you were the top scorer.”

Ian and Hans bickered as they set out to find a pub. Hans gave an awkward laugh and put his arm around Ian’s shoulder.

“Well, I thought it was one of those white lies.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Well, you know, because our brother does.”

Immediately after the Siltham Potion test, the rankings were determined. Those who admitted to cheating were disqualified, and Hans, who hadn’t shed a single drop of blood, was at the top of the list. Hans was still thrilled, smiling as he recalled that day.

“I mean, people next to me were spitting blood and going crazy, and I was like, ‘What is going on?'”

“That’s for discipline.”

“Discipline?”

“The Imperial Palace isn’t an easy place, that kind of thing. It’s like a welcoming ceremony for new recruits. Ah. We’re here.”

Ian gestured towards a pub. It was a honey beer pub with a history of over 100 years. Now, it had branches all over Bariel, so there was no one in the area who didn’t know it.

“Oh, Ian! Hans! Over here!”

“The star of the day has arrived!”

The mages who had secured a spot in advance waved their hands in welcome. It was a relatively quiet time before the Imperial Joint Recruitment period. Naum and the mages had arranged this gathering to celebrate Hans’s top score.

Hans bowed and entered, while Ian hung his robe on a coat rack and looked around the pub.

“Did you rent the whole place?”

“Of course. Who do you think we are? We’re mages. Imperial Palace mages at that!”

“I don’t think it’s right to use the authority of the Magic Department in this way.”

It wasn’t just a branch, but the main store, wasn’t this too much of an abuse of power? As Ian muttered this, the owner came out of the kitchen with a large pitcher of honey beer, joking around.

“Oh, no, not at all. You’re all working for the Empire in the Imperial Palace, so this much is only natural. It’s a popular place for company dinners for other departments as well, so don’t feel too burdened.”

The owner distributed the honey beer to the mages and pointed to a spot by the window.

“And our pub has quite a deep connection with the Imperial Palace.”

“A connection with the Imperial Palace?”

“That spot right there is where Emperor Jin Verosian, the previous emperor, had secret meetings with the Empress 100 years ago! My great-grandfather would talk about it every chance he got, I’ve heard it hundreds of times.”

Jin Verosian, that name. Ian showed interest and sat in a spot where he could see the window well.

“I know the Empress was from Clifford.”

“Yes, well, that’s right.”

The owner smiled awkwardly, as if hiding a secret. Then, one of the mages chimed in, adding.

“Actually, there’s a rumor that she wasn’t from Clifford, but from a commoner family in Bariel. They say she was registered with the Clifford royal family to cover up her background.”

“Oh, mage. That’s not right!”

“What does it matter? It’s a well-known story. They say the Empress worked here when she was a commoner. There are vivid testimonies from people who saw her, how can you cover that up?”

“My great-grandfather was dragged to the Imperial Palace and severely scolded for talking about it to customers.”

“Scolded? He just made thousands of honey beers there, I heard.”

“Well, it’s not easy for an old man over 60.”

“Ah. That’s true.”

As Ian glanced at the honey beer, a mage took away his glass and brought a new one. It was honey milk. Ian was more mature and composed than anyone else here, but he hadn’t had his coming-of-age ceremony yet, so alcohol was forbidden.

“I’d like to give you some, but if Director Arena finds out, we’re all dead.”

“It’s okay. The company is what matters.”

“Alright, then, Hans! Let’s get started!”

At the mages’ encouragement, Hans stood up and raised his glass. Naum also smiled and picked up his glass, following his younger brother.

“Yes, thank you all for celebrating with me. Although we’re in different departments, please take care of me. And please stop bothering my brother.”

“Bothering? Who’s bothering Naum?”

“Then why don’t you let him leave work?”

“Look at this ignorant kid. You’ll see when you enter the Imperial Palace. It’s not something you can control.”

“Okay, enough! Let’s toast. Cheers!”

“Is Hans paying today?”

“Naum should pay. Why are you trying to take advantage of a newbie?”

“Let’s just toast, you bastards!”

The mages clinked their glasses, and Ian also lightly raised his milk glass to join in.

Clink!

With a clear and bright sound, everyone simultaneously gulped down their beer. It was a truly enjoyable gathering after a long time. Putting aside the fun and food, they couldn’t even remember when they had last left work on time.

“Still, Director Arena has a heart. He cleared Naum’s schedule because his brother passed as the top scorer.”

“And I even got the company dinner expenses! Hehehe! If it’s not enough, we can put it on Director Arena’s tab.”

“I feel sorry for the guys on duty today.”

“Let’s have another drink to commemorate them.”

“Owner! Keep the drinks coming. Non-stop! You know what I mean?”

“Yes! I understand!”

It was partly because he was Naum’s brother, but also because Hans was the top scorer in the administrative department. Hans would be promoted faster than anyone else and would eventually hold a key position in the administrative department. It was good to build connections in advance to ensure close cooperation with the Magic Department.

‘Well, I don’t think they’re thinking that far ahead.’

Ian took a sip of his sweet milk, pushing away any complicated thoughts. The Imperial Joint Recruitment would begin soon. When that time came, even he, who had been leaving work on time, might have to stay late. Considering his studies, he would have a busier life than anyone else.

As if reading Ian’s thoughts, Hans raised his eyebrows and smiled.

“I’m done now.”

He’s teasing me. Just as Ian was about to retort, a mage with beer foam all over his upper lip asked Ian.

“Hey Ian, isn’t today the day Jack and Langnode are returning?”

“Yes, that’s right. I wrote the formula in the back garden and left work, so it should activate with just a magic injection.”

“Ah, I see. I should have left a message and told them to come here.”

“The guys on duty will tell them. But wouldn’t it be too tiring to come straight here after a business trip?”

“The director said he’d give them leave. And Jack is crazy about the honey beer here.”

Ian suddenly checked his watch. It was almost time for their scheduled return. He peeked out the window towards the Imperial Palace. Under the sunset sky, darkness was slowly rising, and a portal was forming.

‘It’s working properly.’

If they had to confirm and deal with monsters, it would take more time to write the report. The mages were just making silly bets about whether the two would come or not.

How much time had passed? Time flowed like water, and the sky had already darkened. Ian suddenly looked outside again.

“…?”

Ian was leaning against the window frame, looking worried. Naum, noticing him, approached him. Ian’s expression, no, his eyes were unusual.

“…The portal isn’t closing.”

“Huh?”

“It definitely opened an hour ago.”

At Ian’s words, the mages simultaneously looked at their watches.

Maintaining a portal for a long time requires a great deal of power. But it had been open for an hour? This meant that Arena was directly involved in maintaining the portal. And that Jack and Langnode had not yet returned.

“What’s going on? Usually, 30 minutes is the maximum.”

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances during the return, a 30-minute grace period was given. They were required to respond within that time, either by contacting the Magic Department or by returning directly.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

At that moment, a sparkling flame shot up in front of the mages. A dark red, blazing signal.

“…!”

“…!”

The mages were startled and stood up at the same time. Only Hans, who didn’t understand what was going on, was coughing while drinking his beer, and Ian quickly grabbed his robe.

“Hans, I’m sorry. It’s an emergency call signal.”

“Huh? The Magic Department? It’s okay. Go quickly.”

“Owner, I’ll leave the money here, please take care of the bill. Hans, sorry, please take care of the cleanup.”

The mages, led by Ian, rushed out of the pub and immediately flew into the sky. Naum patted the worried Hans on the back and quickly added.

“I’ll contact you later, Hans. Go home first.”

“Brother, it’s not dangerous, is it?”

“…I don’t know. It’s the first time this has happened to me.”

An emergency call signal. It was the director’s privilege to summon all the mages outside the Imperial Palace in case of an emergency. He had been working in the Magic Department for 10 years, but this had never happened before.

“Brother! Be careful! Ian, you too! Everyone be careful!”

Hans shouted to the mages flying out the window and sighed. On the table, freshly prepared, hot food was steaming.

* * *

Whoosh!

Ian, who arrived first, entered the Magic Department. There were no mages in sight, only staff running around frantically.

They pointed towards the back garden when they saw Ian and the mages returning.

“Go to the garden!”

Thud!

Ian and the mages rushed to the garden, their robes fluttering. What they saw was the duty officers standing frozen, and Arena sitting on the ground, holding her forehead.

“Director?”

At Ian’s call, Arena turned her head. It was a look he had never seen before. Anger, sadness, and despair… all those emotions swirling in her eyes.

In front of her, two bodies lay side by side. They were covered with white cloths, but they didn’t need to see who they were to know.

“Th, this is…”

Jack and Langard.

They, who were supposed to return in a week, were dead, their bodies in a terrible state.