Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 116

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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 116. The Man at the Secondary Palace
Click.
Prince Marib opened the drawer of the tea table and retrieved his spectacles. He then gestured to his Steward, who brought forth documents. The man who had been waiting like a shadow placed a report bound in a leather case before them.
“Do you know what mana stones are?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Cough—!”
Ian nodded politely from his seated position, but Romand, whose feet were itching with discomfort, erupted into a coughing fit. It seemed Ian had been trying to conceal something about mana stones, yet the very word had just come from the Prince’s lips.
“My, Romand.”
“I—I apologize, Your Highness.”
As Prince Marib’s expression darkened, the Steward approached and offered him a handkerchief, then carefully suggested he step outside for fresh air. Coughing and spraying saliva before the Prince was hardly a matter of propriety.
“Romand. Perhaps you should step outside and get some air.”
“Yes, of course. Ahem. Pardon me.”
As Romand rose from his seat, he cast worried glances at Ian. He wondered if Ian could manage alone without him, but such concern was unnecessary. Ian continued to observe Prince Marib’s face without the slightest hint of agitation.
Creak.
Once Romand had left, Prince Marib put on his spectacles and gestured—permission to examine the documents.
“When the Magic Ministry assigns departments, they will likely ask for your preference first.”
As Ian turned the pages, he suppressed an inward smile. From the very first page, information was densely packed alongside illustrations of a high-grade mana stone called Luron. Had Romand been present, his coughing fit would have been far worse.
“The Mana Stone Management Division within the Magic Ministry perpetually lacks personnel. The mages concern themselves only with their own magical training and spiritual cultivation, showing little interest in secondary research such as mana stones.”
“Perhaps it mirrors how swordsmen prefer wielding their blades to researching weapons.”
“From what I observe of you, Count Ian, you seem to possess considerable talent for scholarly inquiry.”
It was an order to join the Mana Stone Management Division.
Ian smiled faintly and nodded. While he needed to assess the broader situation, before the Prince he could only respond with unconditional acceptance.
“Yes, Your Highness. I am always thirsty for knowledge, lacking as my learning is.”
Moreover, this was quite a significant gain.
Information about mana stones that had lingered only as faint, fragmented memories was now being presented to him in organized form! Judging by the thickness of the report, it was clearly compiled directly from the Magic Ministry’s own archives.
“That is fortunate. If you are assigned to the Mana Stone Management Division and reveal the locations of mana stone deposits, I shall actively assist with my donation matter. Particularly focusing on this Luron mentioned on the first page.”
It was not an offer of ten thousand gold coins, but rather an offer of assistance. It seemed he might reopen the general assembly and overturn the previous decision.
Ian found himself momentarily speechless, his lips parting slightly. Beyond the unreasonableness of the proposal, he needed to gauge Prince Marib’s true intentions.
He already knew that Prince Gail sought to monopolize the Luron mana stones. Naturally, since the Magic Ministry was his primary base of support, this made some sense. But seeing even Prince Marib, who had no apparent connection, inserting himself suggested deeper political machinations were at play.
‘And when it comes to Luron deposits, doesn’t that mean Bratz? Of course, there are other locations, but Bratz is certainly one of the major deposits.’
If he discovered it? What would be his next move?
If his intention was to monopolize Luron before Prince Gail, things might become easier. But conversely…
‘What if he meant to destroy all the Luron so Prince Gail couldn’t use it?’
Then Prince Marib would become as troublesome an opponent as Prince Gail. Setting aside the Bratz mines, the Luron that Ian had brought could vanish in an instant.
Ian first lowered his head, signaling his acceptance of the command.
“Thank you for your words, Your Highness. I shall do my utmost.”
Prince Marib smiled with satisfaction and removed his spectacles. In his experience, those who did not question “why” when given orders typically executed their tasks well. Instead, Prince Marib found himself curious and continued with a question.
“But tell me, Count Ian—do you always answer so readily? We have not known each other long, yet you speak only in such positive terms. It makes me suspicious, rather.”
Ian met the Prince’s blue eyes. While it was difficult to read the expression of a prince, he could sense a subtle playfulness beneath the surface. Had it been anyone else, the question would have seemed quite menacing.
Ian immediately lowered his gaze and answered.
“Since Romandro came down to the Borderlands, I have considered it as having met Prince Marib.”
Though this was our first actual meeting, hadn’t I been receiving the Prince’s orders for quite some time? Marib laughed aloud and tapped the armrest of the sofa rhythmically.
“Indeed. I see. I’ve heard it’s become fashionable lately to paint with pigments mixed with mana stones, so I thought I might support the painters I patronize with such materials.”
Marib added this to lighten the atmosphere. The report also contained mentions of the elixir, but interpreting that as political intent was entirely dependent on Ian’s ability. If he understood, it would prove his competence; if not, he would simply follow orders as given.
“Then, let us rise. Hmm, it seems Romandro has been taken directly to the infirmary, so there is no need to visit. You may depart the palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If you have anything to convey in the future, do not go through Romandro but deliver it directly to the Steward.”
Though I could not yet believe we were in the same boat, acknowledging that we were looking in the same direction was what mattered. I placed my hand over my chest once more and offered my farewell.
“It has been an honor to meet you.”
“I enjoyed it as well.”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Creak.
The moment I stepped out of the reception room, my eyes met Romandro’s, who had been pacing at the end of the corridor. He rushed over silently and grabbed my arm.
“Is it… finished?”
“Why didn’t you come in? Let’s go.”
“No, no. It felt awkward to go back in. But shouldn’t I offer my respects?”
“Prince Marib said there is no need to visit. You may leave.”
“Phew. My goodness, I’m grateful. Let’s hurry!”
Escaping my superior’s chambers felt like breathing freely again. My feet grew heavy at the thought of returning, and Romandro whimpered embarrassed complaints under his breath.
“So, what did he say? What about the report?”
“Romandro. You should know this. In the Imperial Palace, even the portraits have ears.”
Shh, I covered my lips with a finger and smiled faintly. It was a signal that I would explain once we were outside the palace.
“It seems we should stop by the Magic Division on our way out. It would be best to depart the palace before the sun sets completely, wouldn’t it?”
“Right. Once it gets dark, the guards at the gates become more meticulous, which would be troublesome.”
The two of us quickened our pace and descended the grand main staircase. In a space vast enough for hundreds to climb at once, only our soft footsteps echoed faintly.
Tap-tap-tap!
“Pass by the Magic Division and then depart the palace.”
At Romandro’s words, the coachman gripped the reins firmly. The carriage carrying us both quickly exited the Imperial Palace’s main building. Romandro, his tension finally released, groaned and whimpered.
“Ah, it’s been so long since a formal audience. It’s exhausting.”
“You’ve worked hard. But Romandro, are there perhaps other Princes?”
“Hmm? Other Princes?”
At my question, Romandro wiped cold sweat from his brow and turned to look at me.
“There are quite a few Highnesses, yes.”
I let out a small exclamation of understanding.
“However, in truth, aside from these two, none of the others hold any real standing in the Imperial Palace. The Third Prince fell from a horse several years ago and passed away, and the Fourth and Fifth Princes are still too young.”
By succession rank, there are none below them to consider. The Princes below them, even as they age, fall far in the succession order and lack the capabilities to surpass Marib and Gail.
“Currently, there is one concubine who uniquely stands beside His Majesty the Emperor. Her name is Deilaina, and she is the birth mother of the Fourth and Fifth Princes. She monopolizes the Emperor’s trust to such a degree that she even prepares the New Year’s celebration in his stead.”
The Empress’s seat remained vacant, and the numerous concubines dared not set foot in the power struggle.
How could they compete with Marib and Gail when they had to rely on an Emperor flickering like a candle about to extinguish? Yet Deilaina had no choice.
‘To protect her princes, the only corner she could trust would be the Emperor alone.’
If either Prince Marib or Prince Gail ascended to the throne, the other successors would inevitably be purged under the guise of checks and balances.
“Prince Marib seems to have particular disdain for Deilaina…”
“You dislike her, then?”
“Disregard would be the more accurate term.”
Romandro spoke as though each word weighed heavily upon him, clearing his throat unnecessarily while glancing about. Though there were only the two of them—himself and Ian—inside the carriage.
‘It seems likely the next Emperor will emerge from among the other princes.’
It was merely a corridor he traversed daily out of habit. To summon information that had been unconsciously imprinted, he required a definitive catalyst—something intuitive, like the face of the current Emperor.
“We should be able to see everyone at the New Year’s celebration.”
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we shall. It is the Empire’s most important and grandest event, after all.”
The New Year’s celebration. Beyond the investiture ceremony, it would undoubtedly be a most significant occasion. Ian noticed the landscape gradually shifting in the darkness—they had arrived at the central main building of the Secondary Imperial Palace.
‘We’ve arrived.’
Ian found himself pressing his face against the window.
“Please let me down here.”
“What? Here?”
“If you’re spotted near the Magic Ministry, there’s no telling what rumors might spread. Since my face remains unknown, it should be fine for me.”
“But…”
“It’s alright. I only intend to look around briefly from outside.”
His words held merit. If Romandro, known as Prince Marib’s subordinate, were seen lingering about, who knew what gossip might circulate. The Imperial Palace was a place where one had to guard even their breath.
Creak.
“Ian. If anything happens, come running at once.”
“What could possibly happen in the Imperial Palace, Romandro?”
Ian descended from the carriage, pausing briefly to look back at him.
What if he discovered traces of Naum’s magic in the annex? What if he could return to his original form, his original time? This might be the last moment he would spend with Romandro.
‘Ah. I should have said a proper farewell to Berik.’
That is somewhat regrettable. But what can be done?
I was never meant to be in this place to begin with.
Ian patted Romandro’s shoulder and offered a bitter smile.
“Thank you truly. And for taking such good care of Berik.”
“What’s this sudden sentimentality? Hurry back. That brat Berik will throw another fit if you’re late.”
To his words of farewell, Ian offered no reply. He merely left his smile behind and walked along the familiar path. When he suddenly felt his breath growing labored, Ian realized he had begun to run.
‘To return to my original world, and to Naum—’
I want to save him. Naum, my only teacher and cherished friend.
A small building constructed of terracotta brick came into view—the shelter used by the Magic Ministry guards. Beyond that point, if he turned, lay the annex.
Thump.
His heart thundered wildly, yet his footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
“…The annex is gone.”
It was gone. Where the Magic Ministry’s annex should have stood, dozens of massive, gnarled trees now occupied the space instead. It was too haphazardly maintained to be called a garden, yet too naturally formed to be anything else—save for the inexplicable flags planted throughout.
Crunch.
Ian walked among the trees, making no effort to conceal his despair. Moonlight filtered brilliantly through the swaying branches. Colorful flags fluttered in the wind as well. The mystical atmosphere was fleeting; Ian turned at the sound of footsteps behind him.
“Ah. So you are Ian?”
Whoosh.
Black hair and blue eyes. A man with a massive, sturdy frame and sharp, piercing eyes that radiated an icy coldness. Though his presence was entirely different, I recognized at once that he was Prince Marib’s brother.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I am Prince Gail.”

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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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