Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 124

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

Chapter 124. Light of the Oracle
“Minister Wesley. The main body of the Light of the Oracle has arrived. Please take a moment to verify it.”
Wesley’s gaze, which had been looking down at me with displeasure, turned away. The mages around her who had been snickering likewise shifted their attention. They hurried about, preparing to receive the main body.
“You are to wait here.”
I simply nodded, understanding there was no point in arguing, and Wesley left with an even deeper frown etched across her brow.
A lustrous black velvet curtain separated the outside world from this space. The murmur of voices grew louder alongside the melody, making it clear that people were thoroughly enjoying themselves in social merriment.
“Ian. You were smiling just now, weren’t you?”
“Hm? Was I?”
As Berik glanced around the now-emptied space, I realized the floor was covered with numerous magical circles. Would they be erased if we stepped on them? I carefully shifted my feet away, but I walked across them without concern.
“What if those get erased?”
“Magical circles don’t erase easily from being stepped on. Only if covered by something else. The main body of the Light of the Oracle will likely be set up around here.”
I murmured while examining the magical circles. It was an area where complex formulas written in flowing script and curved patterns overlapped in dizzying layers.
“Wesley seems like she’s about to do something. I have a bad feeling about it.”
“She’s likely already done it. The Ministry of Magic would certainly hope that my magical power appears unremarkable.”
First, to humiliate an arrogant illegitimate son, and second, to provide external justification for placing me in a lower department.
“Since I’m perceived as belonging to Prince Marib, it’s naturally burdensome to assign me to a core department.”
“Isn’t the minister the head of that department? Can’t she do as she pleases? Who would say anything? So she has to be cautious and only do menial work?”
It was an independent and distinctive department, but ultimately just one of the massive gears in the Imperial Palace. There were too many constraints to push me to the bottom without justification.
“Do you know what kind of criticism would come from treating a nobleman who received the Emperor’s favor disrespectfully without cause? The nobles wouldn’t be pleased either. No matter how different my origins are, if there’s no respect for those who’ve received titles, they’ll certainly move to check me.”
Especially, the intention was clear—to give Prince Marib no opening whatsoever.
“So, there’s nothing to worry about?”
“It won’t be that simple.”
“Ugh, this is giving me a headache.”
“Berik, I appreciate you worrying on my behalf, but there’s no need. The answer is already decided.”
I noticed a magical circle that caught my eye and murmured to myself.
The formula was subtly different from the incantation for activating the Light of the Oracle that I remembered. There were still many people moving about nearby. I wasn’t paying them attention because they were busy, but if I were to open my magical power, I’d immediately draw their focus.
“It’s easy to look down from above, but difficult to look up from below.”
The Magical Stone Management Department that Prince Marib desired had relatively low preference, making it not difficult to access. So the important thing was to seize the advantage first and expand my options for choice.
In other words, to imprint my presence as strongly as possible in this very place.
‘And above all, because of my lowborn origins, there will be talk among the nobles.’
I needed to show it clearly.
That despite being illegitimate, I had the qualifications to be a noble like them. And moreover, that I possessed abilities far more noble and precious than theirs.
‘To maintain balance between Prince Marib and Prince Gail, I need a third force.’
Of course, Princes 4 and 5, who could become candidates for Emperor, might serve that role, but for now, the power of the masses was most fitting. The core figures of Bariel bound together under the name ‘nobles.’
Whoosh.
After confirming the incorrect magical circle formula, I gestured for Berik to come closer.
“Berik. Lend me your finger.”
“My finger?”
I instructed him as if to bite it and draw blood, so Berik promptly bit his index finger. I crouched down and pointed out the areas to cover.
“Cover here and here.”
“No, if I’d known this would happen, I would’ve brought something actually useful!”
“You’re right. That was my oversight.”
“Fine then. A week’s worth of meat side dishes.”
As Ian nodded in agreement, Berik grinned with satisfaction and rubbed at one section of the magic circle. It was such a small area—barely the size of a fingernail—that it hardly showed.
Whirrrrr.
Just as Ian was giving the magic circle a final visual inspection, the soft sound of wheels rolling came from behind. Berik turned around without thinking and his mouth fell open as he stumbled backward.
“Ian, that thing over there….”
“The Oracle’s Light, it seems.”
The Oracle’s Light. It resembled an enormous harp crafted from gold. The gently flowing curves, the sturdy frame supporting its base, and the intricate decorative carvings all made it appear as though it were a celestial instrument bestowed by the divine.
“Except there are no strings producing sound. Instead, can you see the soft light cascading down in place of the strings?”
At Ian’s explanation, Berik’s eyes widened as he peered closer. But the area was so crowded with mages and officials that he couldn’t get any nearer.
“No, I can’t see it.”
“You’ll see it later. It should be quite a sight.”
The New Year’s Celebration. It was the most important Imperial Palace banquet of the year, meant to provide spectacular entertainment. And it was for the royal family and nobility. The light had to be as beautiful as the pollen cascading across all of Bariel.
“Viscount Ian Hielo.”
“Yes, Minister Wesley.”
At Wesley’s call, Ian slowly approached. The Oracle’s Light sat in the center of the magic circle, ready for activation. Berik’s small bloodstain was hidden beneath the lower part of the Oracle’s Light.
“Do you know how to operate it?”
“You’ve never instructed me, so how could I?”
“Once the Department of Magic initiates the Oracle’s Light, you simply place your hand on this surface and channel your mana. You should remember that the atmosphere of the banquet hall will change depending on the wavelength and intensity.”
Ian clicked his tongue inwardly. Even if Wesley intended to catch him off guard, explaining it so carelessly was something else. Ian simply nodded his head and said he understood.
“Everyone, finish your preparations!”
“Yes, Minister.”
Zing. Zing.
Wesley turned her back, signaling there was nothing more to say. One by one, the mages released their mana and poured it into the magic circle on the ground.
The magic circle sparkled as if ignited by flame.
Berik watched with sparkling eyes, fascinated by the sight.
‘The gold is shining even brighter!’
Within the sealed space, the flow of mana created a breeze. The velvet curtains swayed gently, and the murmur of anticipation from the crowd grew louder. Along with it came the accelerating tempo of the orchestra’s performance.
“You there, are you the escort of Viscount Ian? Step back.”
“Huh? Ian?”
Stay here, Berik. It’s fine.”
The moment Ian waved his hand lightly to reassure him, a mage who had been passing by suddenly bit her lip and turned back around.
“Excuse me.”
It was a woman with short pink hair, cropped close like a man’s. Ian immediately recognized who she was. She was Nakina from the Department of Magic, the one who had received commendation for her service in the Battle of Roxan right after Ian.
‘Heil, Tomi, Nakina. Among these three, there’s only one female name.’
“What is it?”
She glanced around cautiously, then let out a quiet sigh. Quickly, she recited the method for checking mana that Wesley hadn’t explained.
“Are you right-handed?”
“I am.”
“Then grasp the staff with your left hand and channel your mana through your right. The crucial part is pressing your entire palm against the surface of light, and to create an illusion that’s both beautiful and natural, your hand movements must be fluid as well.”
“Nakina!”
“Got it! I’m going!”
The one calling her was likewise a man who had received commendation for his role in the Battle of Roxan. Nakina glanced at those around her—more precisely, at Wesley’s expression—before passing by me. Fortunately, a few mages were watching, but it seemed Wesley’s line of sight didn’t catch her.
“Nakina. I told you not to get involved in unnecessary things.”
“But still….”
There had to be some limit to making someone look foolish when they knew nothing about it. Because Nakina didn’t know that Wesley had placed a trick on the magic circle, she grumbled with irritation.
“It feels like I’m being treated like a child. I don’t like it.”
“You’re always like this, aren’t you?”
“Never mind. Let’s head down. I don’t want to watch this.”
“That works. Should we grab some beer for once?”
“Is Heil buying?”
They chose to leave the palace and crack open a barrel in the bustling back alleys rather than watch the awkward mana verification ceremony. I watched them go and recalled the names of those three people.
‘The Battle of Roxan. Heil, Tomi, Nakina.’
As for the mana verification ceremony, I had attended countless times in the past. Of course I knew the method well, but I was impressed by the sincerity in their hearts.
Swooosh.
Just then, light poured brilliantly beside me. The velvet curtains that had divided the banquet hall were drawn open. The atmosphere of the hall, which had been more relaxed than before, came into view at a glance.
“Oh! Viscount Ian Hielo!”
“It seems we’re finally about to begin.”
“You must be exhausted from two rounds in one day. Haha.”
“No, no. Think about it, my friend. You’re someone who scraped by living in back alleys—why would any of this be difficult for you?”
“I’ve never seen a mana verification ceremony like this. I’m excited!”
“But sister, no matter how I look at it, he’s quite handsome, isn’t he? Honestly, just looking at his appearance, I wonder how much his commoner origins really matter.”
“Shush! Stop spouting such reckless nonsense.”
All manner of clamorous voices filled the space. Someone’s ridicule, contempt, curiosity, and favor all blended together, creating a massive wall. Between the platform where I stood and the nobles watching me, an invisible barrier.
‘Ian! You can do this!’
I could also see Romandro behind, his fists clenched tightly. When I raised my gaze slightly, I could confirm that the Emperor and the imperial family were watching me intently. The eyes of Gail and Marib were particularly sharp, but I ignored them and approached the light of the oracle.
“I am Wesley, Minister of the Magic Department.”
Wesley concealed the cold chill she had shown me, instead wearing a smile befitting her position as minister. Her gaze sought to reach Gail on the second floor. Whether it reached him or not, only Gail would know.
“You all surely know that magical power is truly important in supporting the great empire of Bariel. However, in recent years, the lack of new talent has been truly regrettable. Yet as this year comes to an end, it seems that a new blessing is descending upon the Magic Department, and indeed upon Bariel itself. I am truly delighted.”
Wesley smiled with her eyes narrowed. The Magic Department received a particularly large budget allocation compared to other departments. Where did all that budget come from? From the taxes of the nobility, of course.
“I swear that the mana displayed by Viscount Ian Hielo shall be used gloriously for the great empire of Bariel going forward.”
Clap clap clap.
As Wesley applauded and stepped aside, the nobles reflexively clapped as well. Not out of genuine enthusiasm, but rather like a habit ingrained in their very bodies.
‘Hmm.’
My expression remained unchanged. Though the nobles’ piercing gazes poured down, I grasped the light of the oracle without any hesitation.
Tap.
Just as ridicule was about to curl Wesley’s lips at my hesitation, I naturally leaned the light of the oracle against one shoulder to position myself. As if I were about to play a harp without strings.
‘This was how it was done, wasn’t it?’
An old memory—when I was the Emperor and a mage—made my body move with familiarity.
Zing, zing.
“Oh my. Goodness.”
“Look at that. His eyes have changed color!”
And in that same moment, my mana surged open. My green eyes transformed to gold, and wind whirled violently in all directions. I placed my right hand against the surface of light, then began to caress it gently.
Whoooosh!
Splash!
“Ah….”
Following the movement of my hand, thousands of hues scattered across the light. If one could see celestial music with their eyes, it would be exactly this—the nobles’ minds went completely blank.

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