Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 122

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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 122. The Next Emperor
Exquisite fabric adorned with intricate golden threads without a single gap. Jewels hung so lavishly they made even a crown seem dull, yet the Emperor himself resembled nothing more than a withered, ancient tree.
Deep wrinkles etched by the passage of years, pupils faded to a dull gray. His sallow complexion suggested he could pass away at any moment without raising an eyebrow.
‘Looking at his face, I can place him now.’
I recalled him without difficulty. The Emperor’s portrait hanging at the far left end of the corridor came to mind instantly. His complexion was so poor it had left a lasting impression, and I remembered hearing he had lived quite long despite his appearance, which made him stick in my memory.
‘If that’s the case, then the next one would be….’
My gaze naturally shifted behind the Emperor. Prince Marib and Prince Gail were entering one after another. Unlike before, they wore their formal regalia properly, their bearing dignified and impressive. The other princes showed no intention of ascending the platform and turned back to leave.
‘The next Emperor has silver hair and blue eyes. And he bears a scar running from his right forehead to his left jaw. But I don’t see the other princes here.’
It’s definitely not Marib or Gail. Aside from the scar, their facial features are entirely different. I continued to glance around while picturing the next Emperor’s face.
Perhaps, just perhaps. Though such cases were rare, if I had to account for the possibility of all princes dying like me and bringing in an external heir, I would need to check even the Duke’s family.
‘Silver hair, silver hair….’
Still, silver hair wasn’t a common color. If I saw it, I would recognize it immediately.
Just as I felt a sense of relief and slowly turned my gaze, I realized that Marib and Gail, standing on either side behind the Emperor, were watching me. Their eyes held an expression that could be interpreted as interest, or alternatively, as vigilance and caution.
‘Hmm. Looking at them side by side like this, they are indeed brothers.’
Since they were standing at a distance facing forward, they seemed unaware that they were both looking down at me.
I pretended not to notice and kept my gaze fixed on the Emperor. Only the nobles beside me looked flustered, watching the princes’ expressions.
“Why, why are they looking like that?”
“Not at us—they’re looking at Ian.”
“Indeed, the real protagonist today is someone else.”
“…I have no idea what they’re thinking. It’s frightening.”
“Shh. Be quiet. His Majesty will speak.”
The nobles’ whispered chatter ceased entirely. The Emperor had stepped forward. He worked his parched lips a few times before smiling benevolently.
“Another year of the great Empire of Bariel has passed.”
Though spoken quietly as if squeezed out, the Emperor’s voice resonated throughout every corner of the vast banquet hall. This too was the power of magic—a voice that echoed in the mind without spatial awareness. Berik flinched in surprise, his body trembling.
“I personally commend all of you who have labored for the Empire this year. Surely the flowers that bloom next year will be even more radiant, the fields will be golden, and the winds that return will be warm.”
It was the Emperor’s New Year’s address. The nobles maintained ceremonial smiles and nodded lightly, looking up at the Emperor with an attentive demeanor. He proceeded to recount the past year, touching upon the major and minor events that had occurred in the Empire.
“The restoration of the temple following the great earthquake in spring….”
The Emperor’s endless, tedious speech dragged on and on. I glanced back slightly and caught eyes with Romandro and Berik.
‘So! Bor! Ing!’
Berik mouthed the words to me with exaggerated lip movements, while Romandro merely sighed repeatedly as if his soul had half-departed. As I turned back with a stifled laugh, my name was called.
“The rebellious house of Bratz from the borderlands has been extinguished. Let those who would stand against the great Empire of Bariel look upon their fate.”
Clap, clap, clap.
The nobles responded with light applause. It was a clear message that any house attempting tax evasion or embezzlement would meet the same end as Bratz. As the Emperor spoke, Marib glanced at Gail with a smile. In contrast, Gail remained expressionless without reaction.
Whoosh.
I now realized my name would be called soon. The Prime Minister approached carrying a pedestal decorated with flowers. The Emperor nodded lightly and continued.
“I erase the name of Bratz eternally from history, and by imperial decree, I establish a new house.”
The nobles’ gazes turned toward me one by one. This was the moment I officially stepped into their world.
“Ian.”
As the Emperor called my name personally, the nobles parted left and right, creating a path. Applause and the melody of the imperial orchestra followed, and I advanced with a subtle smile. As I ascended the platform, the Emperor’s face became clearer.
‘How old is he? I understand he’s lived long, but his condition truly seems poor.’
Ian knelt on one knee and offered his respects, while the Emperor himself reached out and patted his shoulder.
“Ian. It’s good to see you.”
“It is my honor, Your Majesty.”
“Though you carry the blood of Count Derga, I recognize your service to the empire in suppressing the traitors, and I acknowledge that you are a talent essential to the development of the Bariel Empire.”
At the Emperor’s gesture, Ian rose and straightened his posture. The brooch adorning his chest displayed an X-shaped sword with white blossoms in full bloom behind it—a design that would henceforth become the emblem of his house.
“What exactly is that supposed to be?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but it appears to be white flowers, doesn’t it?”
“White flowers, when they’re so brilliantly colored…”
Several nobles let out subtle sneers, but I paid them no mind. Unlike my surname, I had chosen the house emblem myself.
‘It might be the Gula flower.’
In the borderlands, Gula had already become an indispensable crop. Soon, Gula would be commercialized throughout the entire Bariel Empire, which meant the resolution of the great famine. To make it clear that I had led this great achievement, I had chosen the Gula blossom itself as my house emblem.
In time, this white flower would become the most honored symbol in the empire.
“Therefore, I bestow upon you the title of Marquis Hielo.”
Ian Hielo.
That was my new name. I bowed my head gracefully and with dignity.
‘Hielo? I’ve heard that name somewhere before.’
The name felt familiar to my ears, yet I couldn’t quite place it. It didn’t seem to be from a noble house, and it felt as though I’d heard it in passing somewhere.
Hielo, Hielo.
I continued to turn over my newly received surname as I accepted my title.
“For the glory of Bariel.”
“For the glory of Bariel.”
I placed my hand over my heart and swore my loyalty to the Emperor. Prince Marib, watching from behind, smiled broadly and offered his applause. Prince Gail did the same, though more ceremonially. The lights of spirits filling the banquet hall created beautiful currents, scattering like pollen.
Clap, clap, clap.
“Marquis Ian Hielo. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Marquis Hokmen.”
“Oh, you know of me?”
“More precisely, I know your son, Count Furin. Humanism—I’ve received much help from that philosophy.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Duke Haines.”
“Your Grace. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”
As I descended, the nobles’ reactions became somewhat more favorable—simply because the Emperor had granted me a name. There was nothing different between the old Ian and the current one, yet it was undeniable that I had become the center of high society. Of course, there were still more factions that kept their distance and whispered behind my back, but for now, I was clearly at the heart of the social sphere.
“Next, we shall commend the achievements of the Roxan Campaign. From the Magic Division: Heil, Tomi, and Nakina.”
My turn had ended, but the New Year’s ceremony continued. There were many knights who had distinguished themselves in large and small wars, and several nobles were being elevated in rank. As the congratulations for me began to fade, I carefully stepped backward.
“Ian! Over here!”
“Yes! Master Ian Hielo~?”
“So you’re a real marquis now. A nobleman, no less. Congratulations!”
Romandro and Berik had apparently been looking for me, for we met almost immediately. They whispered excitedly, unable to hide their joy at my elevation. I smiled and nodded in response.
“The mana verification ceremony will take some time to begin.”
“Yes. Now we can simply stand and watch, which is quite a relief.”
There were no other promotions as dramatic as mine, so everyone else was using the stairs beside the platform rather than the red carpet in the center to ascend.
“But Romandro…”
“Hmm?”
I had walked straight through the entrance without noticing. Women were gathered in small groups on the second floor above the doorway, watching the New Year’s celebration.
“Are those ladies seated upstairs the Emperor’s concubines?”
“Ah, yes.”
The hierarchy was drawn with absolute clarity. Except for the Emperor, the Empress, and the Princes, all other family members stood one step removed from the center of power.
‘Ah. Silver hair.’
I spotted a woman sitting among them. Her hair was pinned up in a single knot, and her bearing was dignified—she appeared to hold quite a high position even among the concubines. I glanced subtly at Romandro again.
“Do you know who that silver-haired concubine is?”
“Who? Silver-haired? Ah.”
Romandro glanced around before whispering quietly. Though the place was secluded and everyone seemed more interested in their own hushed gossip than the Emperor’s words, this was the imperial palace. Every single word had to be chosen carefully.
“That would be Deilaina.”
Deilaina. The biological mother of Prince 4 and Prince 5, and currently the only concubine actively assisting the Emperor at his side. The other concubines had married for purely political reasons and maintained little contact with the aging Emperor who seemed close to death.
But Deilaina, who had sons to protect, had to cling to whatever thread of power she could grasp. She directly served the Emperor and actively took the lead in organizing palace events.
“Deilaina prepared the New Year’s celebration on behalf of the Emperor. She handles all manner of internal affairs and fills the void left by the Empress quite well.”
So Deilaina had silver hair.
Then….
“Do her sons also have silver hair?”
“Hmm? Yes, they do. They inherited their mother Deilaina’s hair color, but their eyes resemble their father, the Emperor.”
Blue eyes, that is. I could now be certain that the next Emperor would be Deilaina’s son. The question then was which one—Prince 4 or Prince 5….
‘With both Prince Gail and Prince 2 already pushed from the throne, the order between Prince 4 and Prince 5 holds no significance.’
I continued to watch upstairs, searching for any sign of the Princes.
That was when it happened.
“…!”
A boy who appeared to be around thirteen appeared beside Deilaina. I immediately recognized him from the Emperor’s portrait I had seen. If that boy grew up, he would become the man in that painting.
“Romandro. By any chance, is that….”
I was about to ask whether that boy was Prince 4 or Prince 5.
When another boy who looked identical appeared. Romandro glanced upward without much concern and answered.
“Ah yes. Prince 4 and Prince 5 are twins, you see.”

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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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