Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 113

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 113. Entry
“Well then! Once preparations are complete, let us depart!”
“Nothing’s been forgotten, yes? Water and provisions?”
“I’ve had another carriage loaded with supplies. The higher we climb, the heavier the snow will be. Since we cannot make good speed, we must now ride ceaselessly except through the nights.”
“Right. We cannot afford delays. Let’s be off.”
Romandro drew his coat tight and urged the coachmen forward. For a market master, the quality of workers he’d assembled in mere hours was quite impressive. The coachmen appeared sturdy and well-built, and the horses gleamed with such lustrous coats that one could see how carefully they’d been tended.
It was a silent bribe, a plea to look kindly upon his circumstances.
“Ian. Where is Hasha?”
“Hasha? Who is Hasha?”
“You saw earlier. The dog.”
“…The dog?”
At Berik’s words, Romandro tilted his head in confusion. Now that he thought about it, he’d only seen Hasha dining alongside Berik, never actually heard him speak clearly. Ian instructed the carriage door to be closed and added:
“I’ll explain the details as we travel. This place has far too many eyes and ears.”
“Ah. Yes, quite right.”
“There he comes.”
Berik caught sight of Hasha bounding down the distant hillside and chuckled. The dog was galloping frantically with what appeared to be a family portrait clenched in his mouth, panting heavily as he ran.
“He’s here. Now we depart.”
“Understood. Coachmen, take your positions!”
“The lead carriage will proceed slowly!”
Hasha leaped through the barely-open carriage door and nestled snugly into Ian’s arms. The procession of carriages slowly wound through the streets that had not yet fully recovered. Residents gathered on both sides, waving their hands lightly.
Patter patter patter!
“Travel safely!”
“Farewell, my lord!”
“Oh, do take care!”
The market master followed alongside, bowing repeatedly until the very end. Ian sent a warning through his gaze alone, then drew the curtain closed.
Swish!
Romandro sat across from Hasha, making no effort to hide his tension.
“Are you afraid of beasts?”
“Afraid? No, it’s not that…”
“Yet your neck has drawn quite taut.”
Romandro swallowed hard and continued laughing nervously. Whether fearful or not, he was clearly uncomfortable. Hasha withdrew his panting tongue and soon offered an elegant greeting.
-A pleasure to meet you. I am Hasha and Tokundai.
“…Ah, forgive me. To be honest, I thought you were mages and I was simply mishearing things. You see, those with heightened senses sometimes seem almost mad, or rather—forgive my rudeness. Ahem.”
The moment Romandro heard Hasha’s voice, he confessed. And soon after, he hesitated and grasped Hasha’s foreleg—the very same gesture Ian had made.
“A pleasure. I am Romandro, an advisor to the imperial palace.”
Ian shared the events of the previous night within the moving carriage. The tragedy of the Astanians brought about by Wesley’s atrocities, the massacre of the villagers, and the mysterious band of thieves.
Romandro, who had listened quietly, furrowed his brow.
“Necromancy? The Magic Ministry did summon necromancers of various races several years ago.”
“Was it an official decision?”
“As far as I know. It seems the general assembly granted approval. Either way, there was no official reason to object.”
Undead legions summoned through necromancy were invaluable assets in warfare. It was ethically questionable enough to stir controversy, yet it posed no practical problem. Naturally, political calculations lay beneath the surface.
‘If a faction grew powerful enough to unify the disputed territories, that would become a threat to Bariel. Maintaining balance under the guise of peace served the empire’s overall dominance far better. I’m uncertain what Wesley’s reasoning was, but from the empire’s perspective, it was hardly a poor decision.’
I continued my deliberation.
Yet Wesley was a mage before she was a politician. As one who revered mystical forces, she should know better than anyone how perilous it was to transgress sacred taboos.
‘Why would she go so far?’
It wasn’t a rebellion, at least.
In the history I remembered, the undead never intervened in such affairs. As my brow furrowed slightly with conjecture, Hasha rested her chin on my knee.
There was still time before we reached the capital, she seemed to say.
Wasn’t it too soon for the exhaustion of last night to fade?
I understood Hasha’s meaning and simply stroked her head.
* * *
Clatter clatter.
The carriage’s motion smoothed considerably. I, who had been dozing in seiza, opened my eyes at the change. The road had transformed. Inside the warm carriage, Romandro, Berik, and Hasha leaned against the walls in deep sleep.
‘The road is paved.’
As I drew back the curtain, I inhaled sharply without thinking. Something rose from deep within my chest. Bariel’s capital, the center of all things, revealed its magnificence in the distance.
Though we gazed down from considerable elevation, the city sprawled so vast and prosperous that its edges vanished beyond sight. It bore no comparison whatsoever to Bratz, the frontier settlement.
‘We crossed the great desert in late spring, and now we’ve returned after four seasons have passed.’
It was peculiar indeed. Only four seasons had elapsed in my time, yet the world’s time had moved backward by some hundred years.
I took in the panorama of the great city and recalled my life in the imperial palace. Though it ended tragically, I could not say I was unhappy throughout those three years. The smile that unconsciously graced my lips was proof of that.
“…Ian?”
“Berik. Look there. The capital.”
“Wow! Finally!”
At the mention of the capital, Berik shook off his drowsiness and sat up. After ten grueling days of relentless travel by day, with only nights for rest, we had reached the final stretch.
“We’re here? Oh! We should arrive within two hours.”
Romandro too pressed his face to the window, his hair still disheveled from sleep. Soon he would see his wife and child. Excitement radiated from him palpably.
“Coachman! Please, go faster! I’m dying here!”
At Berik’s plea, the coachman cracked his whip sharply. Even I found myself unusually excited, contrary to my usual demeanor.
This was my homeland—where I was born, raised, and died, brimming with the meaning of a lifetime. Among the countless buildings, I instantly located the imperial palace.
‘The imperial palace.’
The palace of a hundred years past remained solemn, resplendent, and as steadfast as if supporting the very center of the world.
“We’re passing through the city walls!”
“Wow!”
As we passed beneath the colossal walls, Hasha and Berik craned their necks out the window, gazing upward. Gates of immeasurable height opened and closed of their own accord in endless repetition.
Romandro puffed up with pride and explained each detail to our group.
“That is the power of magic. Feats impossible by human strength alone. Thanks to it, life in the capital flourishes all the more. Thus, the capital levies slightly higher taxes than other territories.”
“That’s incredible.”
The reaction of a child witnessing something new. Among the procession of entering carriages, many others like Berik and Hasha craned their necks out. They were likely all entering the capital for the first time.
“Romandro! They’re asking for your credentials!”
“Ah, yes. Here you are!”
“Thank you.”
Romandro’s credentials as an advisor streamlined the entry procedures considerably. We passed through the castle gates far more quickly than the other waiting travelers, and the carriage picked up speed once more.
“Berik, do you see that road over there?”
“Where, where? The golden road?”
“That’s a road reserved exclusively for the royal family, so be careful not to venture onto it. And that up there is the sky path where Jeonseogoo flies.”
“Gasp! There’s a glowing line in the sky!”
“It’s a sky path created by magic. Similarly, when you reach the upper levels, be careful not to throw objects or cause any disturbances.”
“Me?”
“You’re worse than the boy, which is why I’m saying this. Berik, do you remember the things I told you on the way up?”
“Yes. Don’t pick up anything with your hands except bread when eating.”
“Also, in the capital, it’s customary to exchange eye smiles as greetings when your eyes meet. And when you speak to someone or approach them, it’s good to begin with a respectful prefix. Open with phrases like ‘My dear’ or ‘Good morning.'”
“Goodness, how particular.”
“Commoners are exempt, but anyone of some standing should maintain such manners. When Ian receives his title as a baron, you as his escort must also uphold dignity.”
Berik had endured Romandro’s impromptu etiquette lessons the entire journey. He frowned as if his ears were bleeding, but Romandro’s nagging showed no signs of stopping.
“Shall we head directly to the royal palace?”
At my question, Romandro, who had been rattling off instructions, paused. He glanced out the window, then suddenly shouted to the coachman.
“Coachman! Take us to the residence instead!”
By protocol, I should have reported to my superior immediately upon entering the capital, but after nearly two weeks of grueling travel through winter roads, we were all in terrible condition.
Beyond mere exhaustion, our clothing and cleanliness were far beneath the standards befitting the royal palace.
“It’s fortunate we arrived in the morning. Let’s bathe, rest a bit, and then enter in the afternoon.”
“That seems like the better choice. You should see the Countess as well.”
“Heh heh. It’s not particularly that, ahem.”
At my words, Romandro’s knees began trembling rapidly. How long had it been since he’d seen his wife, whom he’d dreamed of countless times? Romandro’s residence was situated in an upscale neighborhood not far from the royal palace.
“From here on, pay special attention to your conduct. This is where the royal palace officials live.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Okay~!”
“Okay? You rascal!”
“…Understood, sir.”
As Romandro glared as if ready to flick Berik’s forehead, the boy reluctantly corrected himself. His expression clearly showed his annoyance, but there was nothing to be done about it.
Screeeech!
“We’ve arrived, Romandro.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for your trouble.”
Romandro quickly descended from the carriage and entered the courtyard. Though not large, it was spacious enough—a residence perfectly suited for a newlywed couple.
“Viviana!”
Romandro’s voice cracked as he called out his wife’s name. A sound came from within, and soon a servant emerged to greet him.
“Goodness! Romandro! You’ve returned!”
“Yes. Where is Viviana?”
“She’s inside. Just a moment! Madam! Romandro has arrived! Come out and see!”
At the servant’s call, a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties hurried out, carefully cradling her swollen belly.
“Darling!”
“Viviana!”
The Countess welcomed him warmly, throwing her arms around her husband’s neck. Romand too wept softly, gently patting his wife’s back as tears streamed down his face.
“Ian! Shall we unload the baggage?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
While the Subordinates organized the carriage, Romand and the Countess continued to embrace, whispering tender words of affection. Once their emotions had settled, Romand wiped his eyes and called out to Ian and Berik.
“Ian! Berik! Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Viviana.”
“Good day, dear Marquis. And honored Knight. I am Viviana. I’ve heard much about you both through letters. Thank you for treating my husband with such kindness.”
As the Countess extended her hand, Ian brought it to his lips with a respectful nod.
“You are too kind. I myself have benefited greatly from Romand’s assistance.”
“Please, come inside! I heard you would be staying at the estate for some time, so I’ve had the rooms prepared.”
“Thank you, Countess. Ah, our party has grown by one on the journey here.”
“My! A dog! How splendid indeed.”
“I should tell you about our fortnight’s journey, Countess.”
“Please, come in. Mini! Bring us some warm tea.”
“Yes, understood!”
Romand was about to lead the two inside when he gestured to the Subordinates who were unloading the document boxes.
“You’ve all worked hard. Go home and rest well. I’ll send word when I need you.”
“Romand! What should we do with these?”
“Leave them as they are. I have to go to the palace this afternoon anyway.”
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work.”
“You’ve done well!”
Romand smiled and ushered the Subordinates to hurry home, then stepped inside. He believed he had half a day’s leisure before the afternoon.
He had completely forgotten that today was the regular social gathering at the palace, one that Prince Marib and Prince Gail would be attending.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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