Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 130

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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 130. The Novice Mage, The Novice Mage Knight
“It seems Wesley suspects there may be someone in the Magic Department working with me.”
Since I had successfully led the mana confirmation ceremony, it was certainly possible. However, it was inconceivable that Ian, who had just arrived from the borderlands, could have built his own faction. Then I couldn’t overlook the possibility that he was connected to Prince Marib.
“Therefore, before making a choice, I should ask Prince Marib whether there are others besides me who have planted eyes and ears there. Mini, prepare to send a letter at once.”
Snap!
As Ian flicked his hand with the instruction, Mini quickly gathered pen and paper from the study and brought them out. Romandro, who had been listening quietly, startled and moved to Ian’s side.
“So what are you thinking of doing?”
“If His Highness has planted someone, entering that department would be the way to draw the least suspicion from both sides.”
“No. It’s better to pretend you know nothing and enter somewhere else entirely!”
“How could I force people into one department? If I enter the same place, all eyes in that department would focus solely on me.”
There was also the possibility of unforeseen circumstances. A spy in the same department might approach Ian to monitor and check him. But this was a consideration for much later, and for now, it was important to first confirm whether Prince Marib was using someone other than Ian.
“I’m not sure if His Highness will speak truthfully, but in any case, it seems correct that he gave me these choices to test me.”
In truth, I instinctively knew Prince Marib had no other options, but it seemed good to send a letter anyway, partly to explain going to a department other than the Mana Stone Management Division.
“So what you’re saying is, if Prince Marib has his hands and feet there, you’ll go there….”
“If he doesn’t, I’ll go to the Magic Operations Department.”
“Isn’t that department known for difficult work with high fatigue?”
“But throughout all departments, it’s probably almost the only one where loyalty to the commander is higher than to Minister Wesley. Isn’t that always the case with field positions?”
No matter how many superiors there are above a superior, there’s no trust quite like that in a commander who struggles through hardships alongside the troops outside. Moreover, from what I had seen in passing, I could predict that the department’s atmosphere itself would be quite good.
“The Magic Support Department isn’t bad either, but that’s like putting your head into a lion’s mouth.”
Especially if they were mostly involved in the malfunction of the magic circles, it would be quite difficult for Ian to operate. How could he do anything else while spending all day with those watching and pressuring him from all sides?
“The moderately balanced Magic Operations Department is the better choice. This plan too is built on the assumption that Prince Marib has no spies.”
Swish, swish.
Ian composed the letter with elegant prose, and by afternoon, he received Prince Marib’s reply. It contained the message that there was no one in the Magic Department who could help Ian.
* * *
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“Minister Wesley. Viscount Ian Hielo has sent a department entry request.”
At the Steward’s report, Wesley turned her head. While the entry itself had been anticipated, she was quite curious about which department he would join.
“Which department?”
“The Magic Operations Department, she says.”
“Ha ha. The Magic Operations Department?”
Wesley crossed her arms and chewed her lips. It was where Nakina, who had shown suspicious behavior during the mana confirmation ceremony, was located, and Heil, the commander of that department, was quite a difficult person to handle. A rigid man who adhered to principles and rules, he frequently had minor friction with Wesley over various matters.
“This is really giving me a headache. How annoying.”
“Could he really have a connection with Nakina?”
“If that were the case, he wouldn’t have gone to the same department.”
“Then could there be a traitor somewhere else….”
It felt like everything kept tangling without resolution. Since no perfectly clear result was visible, Wesley suddenly recalled what Gail had said.
‘Ian really did fix it.’
That Ian, that chaff from the borderlands, really did fix the magic circle in that brief moment. If that were true, wouldn’t everything become clear without all this confusing scheming? But Wesley couldn’t bring herself to admit it.
‘Impossible. There’s no way that bastard could do what even I can’t….’
This was a problem for her, setting aside Gail. Wesley was the youngest minister in imperial history, which meant her magical abilities were unparalleled. Yet with Ian’s appearance, everything could vanish into the dustbin of history.
“Ian always, always has someone backing him.”
Watching her superior mutter as if her soul had half-departed, the Steward let out a shallow sigh. Wesley suddenly turned to face the Steward and asked.
“When did he say he’d enter the palace?”
“He didn’t specify the details, but it seems the Viscount intends to send his escort knight to the imperial palace training grounds soon.”
“An escort knight? The red-haired one?”
“Yes. He said he’d enter the palace to coincide with the free training day during the week, and asked that a letter be sent before then. He said if the Minister would just approve, he’d handle his business at the training grounds, formally greet the staff, and begin work the next day.”
Wesley’s brow furrowed. How strange—it seemed as though he had completely seen through the entire recruitment process. From here to the imperial palace training grounds, every single movement was laid out with such precision.
“In any case, Romand.”
She disliked how he stuck close by, helping with this and that. She stood abruptly, grabbed her outer robe, and left her office.
Crash!
The Magic Support Division, not far from her office.
As Wesley threw open the door roughly, the mages buried in documents flinched and lifted their heads.
“Minister? Uh, what brings you here?”
This was their first day back after being thoroughly humiliated by the magical circle malfunction during the mana confirmation ceremony. The stiff atmosphere made it abundantly clear how nervous they were. Wesley clicked her tongue inwardly, then gave her orders.
“Prepare to welcome Viscount Ian Hielo.”
“He’s, he’s joining us? Where?”
Their expressions were peculiar—a mixture of hope that he wouldn’t come to the Magic Support Division and the opposite desire that he would. After all, they had grand plans to work him to death if he did arrive.
“He said he’s going to the Magic Operations Division, so inform them as well.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Understood.”
“…Get your heads on straight.”
A new recruit after several years, but no ordinary one. And on top of that, he had Prince Marib trailing behind him. At Wesley’s warning, they all snapped to attention and nodded.
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“We’re very much looking forward to it. Haha!”
“Ridiculous… just get to work.”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
Screech!
Slam!
At Wesley’s rebuke, the mages buried their noses back in their documents. Once their superior left, they all exhaled in relief and glanced at one another.
“A new recruit’s coming.”
“Yeah. It’s been forever. How many years has it been?”
“We should give him a proper welcome. And verify whether the Oracle’s light was real or not.”
They had been suspecting whether the magical circle malfunction had amplified the mana’s power. The mages began moving busily again, preparing to receive the newcomer.
“Did you hear? Viscount Hielo is going to the Magic Operations Division.”
“What? Really? Then they’re really getting the short end of the stick? I thought with his achievements in the Roxan Battle, he’d finally establish himself this time.”
“Not at all. Minister Wesley gave him the choice, and Count Ian chose it himself.”
“Either way, the Magic Operations Division is in for a rough time. Suddenly taking on Ian. They’ll completely fall out of favor with Minister Wesley.”
“Think about it carefully. This might actually be an opportunity. If you just handle Count Ian well instead of Minister Wesley, isn’t that a chance to score points?”
“Shh. Watch your tongue! No matter how incompetent, a noble is still a noble. Haha!”
News that Ian would be joining the Magic Operations Division spread quickly. The Magic Division was already understaffed, but since it was such a matter of attention from outside, there wasn’t a soul in the imperial palace who didn’t know about it.
“Huh?”
Everyone except the Magic Operations Division itself, that is.
Heil, the captain of the Magic Operations Division who had been eating in the dining hall, dropped his spoon and turned around. Those who had been chattering fell silent the moment their eyes met his, and they hastily moved to another table.
“What is this nonsense? Nakina, did you hear that?”
“Just now. Everyone’s been talking about it everywhere, so I heard it clearly.”
“So you didn’t know either.”
Tomi, who had been burying his face in his food tray, asked Heil.
“Is there a problem? I heard a new recruit is coming.”
“No. There isn’t.”
“Then just eat your meal.”
At Tomi’s words, Heil sniffled and picked up his utensils again.
Besides, what did it matter? As long as I kept working as I had been. The three of them ignored the sharp gazes stabbing into the back of their heads and continued shoveling food into their mouths.
* * *
“Ian! Iaaaan!”
“You’re loud, Berik.”
“Hurry up and get ready. Why are you so slow?”
Ian stared at Berik in disbelief as he whined while hanging from the door handle. Today was both the Imperial Palace’s free training day and the day of Ian’s welcome ceremony to the Magic Division. It was amusing that the one who usually prepared last was now rushing him like this.
“Are you looking forward to it that much?”
“Aren’t there a bunch of Cheonryeo Tribe members or something?”
“Yes. Your nose will probably be completely crushed by the end of today.”
Ian muttered as he fastened his cuffs. Free training day was literally when the training grounds were opened to the public. Those with access to the Imperial Palace gathered together to gauge each other’s abilities and build relationships—a sort of break day, in a sense.
“So what do I do when I get there?”
“It’s not difficult. When you arrive, everyone will either be talking or training. You simply approach whoever you wish to face, offer a respectful greeting, and request a match.”
Normally, a renowned swordsman from outside the palace would meet a patron to gain access to the Imperial Palace, but Ian and Berik had already built that relationship over a long time.
“You fool, consider yourself honored. Do you think opportunities to spar with Imperial Palace knights come around often?”
“Romandro, sir. Ha, this is ridiculous. You should see it. The knights should be the ones feeling honored. Where else would they get such a thorough beating?”
“You’re the one who’ll be getting beaten. Tsk tsk. Should I call a doctor in advance…?”
Whether or not Berik was aware of Romandro’s concern, he puffed out his chest and polished his sword with self-satisfaction. Once Ian finished preparing, he turned to Berik and spoke.
“Take a different sword.”
“Why? I don’t want to!”
That mysterious black sword that exploded when it absorbed energy. Ian furrowed his brow slightly as he advised him.
“Nearly half the people there will be Mage Knights. If something happens to your sword, won’t that be problematic?”
“Are you worried my sword will break?”
“Your neck.”
“Ah. That’s fine then! Everyone will fight with their own weapons, so I can’t be the only one holding a practice wooden sword, right? Right, Master?”
“…Do as you wish.”
Berik ran around swinging his sword excitedly, while Romandro tried to stop him in exasperation. The coachman honked the horn outside, signaling that he was ready.
“Let’s go. Oh, and Romandro, sir.”
“Hmm?”
Ian extended his hand to him with a smile. Romandro, without knowing why, grasped it and smiled back.
“This is my final farewell. They say shaking hands with a mage brings good fortune, and by the time I return from the palace, I’ll already be a sorcerer myself.”
“Ah, is that so! Let’s do it once more!”
“Of course.”
“Me too, me too! Shake my hand!”
“Very well. Now put that sword away.”
The three of them clasped hands tightly, sharing in the fortune, unaware of what fate awaited them ahead.

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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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