Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 136

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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 136. Proving Oneself in Chaos
Wesley was, objectively speaking, truly remarkable.
No one knew her real name or age, which suggested she came from the very bottom of society. Yet in the end, she had achieved the glory of becoming the youngest minister, the honor of leading the Magic Ministry, and the position of being the lover of Prince Gail, the second most powerful figure in the empire. Few in the empire had risen as far as she had.
“What, surely… Ian, no matter what, that can’t be right? Minister Wesley tried to turn Prince Gail into an undead?”
Romandro’s expression showed utter disbelief at Ian’s words. Even though it was his own home, he lowered his voice to a whisper, worried someone might overhear.
“However, given the current situation, I cannot formulate any other hypothesis. I suspect she was trying to find a workaround due to the imperial family’s blessing.”
“W-wait, the imperial family’s blessing? Does that mean mind control magic doesn’t work on the royal bloodline?”
Romandro’s eyes widened again with a soft gasp. It seemed strange that Ian picked up such knowledge despite spending the entire day together. He could only marvel that mages were indeed different, letting out a light exclamation.
“Precisely. Undead magic produces similar results to mind control magic. You can manipulate the target at will. However, the incantation itself differs, and if we delve deeper, it borders more on sorcery than magic.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m ignorant in that field.”
“Magic requires magical power to function, whereas sorcery does not. It draws mysterious power through bloodline, personal training, or various objects.”
Hasha was precisely such a case. Though lacking magical power, he possessed a sorcerer’s bloodline passed down through his family for generations, and he created undead through his own secret techniques. As Ian continued his explanation, he felt as though he were reading Wesley’s hidden intentions.
“Therefore, if someone wished to control royalty, they would need to find methods other than magical power. It is certain that Wesley was the one who attempted to turn a living person into undead, and her only possible motive would be Prince Gail, would it not?”
“Hmm, what if Prince Gail ordered Wesley to do it?”
That possibility certainly existed. Since he harbored rebellion, he would naturally be targeting the Emperor or Prince Marib. But…
“No. It is more likely that Gail was unaware.”
The historical record that necromancy was never used in his rebellion—that was what gave Ian certainty. Had Gail known, he would have undoubtedly attempted to use necromancy. History would have changed for certain.
“Then, what do you intend to do now? Minister Wesley is a great force for Prince Gail, and this poses a threat to Prince Marib. It seems like a significant opportunity.”
“I share that same thought.”
“Wesley must be…”
Romandro clamped his mouth shut. It was too burdensome to speak aloud, but Ian smiled lightly and responded casually.
“Eliminated.”
The Magic Ministry is currently rotten. If the top changes, the bottom will change entirely. This meant a better future for Bariel. Moreover, it would effectively prevent Gail from staging a rebellion backed by the Magic Ministry.
‘But there’s still one problem. Wesley is clearly Gail’s greatest strength right now. But can Gail easily dispose of her? Using love as justification, he might instead persuade her in another way and keep her by his side.’
To strike down Gail, I must use Wesley. To strike down Wesley, I must use Gail. There’s only one solution—give Gail a choice.
‘If the Magic Ministry functions without Wesley, and the rebellion poses no problem… then I can eliminate her. In other words, I need a mage to replace her.’
Among those I know in the Magic Ministry, is there anyone capable enough? No. Heil from the Magic Operations Division seems reliable, but I cannot be certain yet, and given that he’s at odds with Wesley, he clearly won’t align with Gail either.
‘Then I’ll have to do it myself. In terms of magical power, I’m the only one who can match her.’
The tangled threads in Ian’s mind began to unravel one by one. As silence fell, the Boy’s eyes continued to gleam, and Romandro could only watch quietly from beside him.
“Ian, what are you thinking so hard about?”
“Ah, Romandro. Please go upstairs quickly and bid farewell to Mrs. Viviana.”
“To Viviana? Why?”
“It seems you won’t be able to come home for a while.”
At this thunderbolt of a declaration, Romandro’s expression turned shocked.
“Why, why would that be?”
“If Mayor Karenna’s letter reaches Wesley, she’ll immediately know we’re aware of the undead. It’s only a matter of time. I estimate at most three days.”
“That means…”
“She will certainly try to eliminate us.”
Thump! His heart felt as though it were dropping. Then should I flee immediately? No, how could I flee with my pregnant wife?
“I-I must request Prince Marib’s assistance!”
“No. I will inform His Highness myself at an appropriate time.”
“Is that acceptable?”
“Of course. It must be done that way.”
As I instructed Romandro, I continued to flick my fingertips lightly. It was a habit that emerged whenever I organized my complex thoughts.
“Oh, and before you enter the palace, please retrieve some of the Luron mana stones I left in your care. One chunk should suffice. Then, as I asked, after you finish your work at the Administrative Ministry, come to where I am.”
“Where? The Magic Ministry?”
“No. To Prince Gail’s palace.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“I am. And do you happen to know when the high-ranking official appointments ceremony will be held this year?”
“Hmm. Just a moment.”
Romandro consulted the calendar, searching his memory. Within the not-too-distant future, a conference would be held where the Emperor and key officials would gather to reorganize the nation’s personnel. And based on those results, the appointment ceremony would follow within days.
“I’d estimate around next week.”
“The timing is perfect.”
“I’m uncertain how the matter will unfold due to the Shidamul elixir issue. I should investigate this thoroughly as well. The power struggles between departments have intensified… Sigh, things have been difficult lately.”
“This is fortunate for us.”
“How so?”
“Because those who prevail amid chaos prove their capabilities.”
I brushed off my hands lightly and rose from my seat. It was time to move.
“I’ll stop by the Magic Ministry first, then head to Prince Gail’s palace. I’ll see you after sunset.”
“Right, then. But what about this one?”
“Krrrgh.”
Berik, blissfully unconscious, scratched at his jaw. We needed someone to protect Viviana and Mini against Wesley, yet our guard was so utterly lacking in vigilance…
“Leave him be. I can count on one hand the days he’s been knocked out this severely. For now, what matters is acting before Wesley does. Let’s move.”
“Ah, understood.”
Whoosh.
I tucked the letter into my breast and hurried to prepare for departure. Romandro did the same. We exchanged a glance as we shared a carriage, agreeing to meet again within the imperial palace.
“Excuse me, where shall I take you both?”
“We’re going separate ways. To the Magic Ministry.”
“And we’re heading to the commercial district.”
“Ah, yes! Understood!”
The two carriages raced in a straight line before diverging at the fork in the road. I headed toward the palace, while Romandro made for the hidden location of the Luron mana stones.
Whinnny!
Clatter clatter!
Romandro kept glancing back at my carriage as it receded into the distance, worry etched on his face. Meanwhile, I kept my head fixed forward, too busy calculating numbers in my mind.
“Sigh.”
This is why the imperial palace is so chaotic. Romandro could only make repeated vows to himself that he would retire soon and move to the countryside with Viviana.
“But where on earth has Hasha gone?”
* * *
Meanwhile, Hasha was dashing recklessly through a back alley where melting snow made the ground slushy. How had a simple solo walk around the neighborhood to ease her frustration come to this?
Woof! Woof woof!
The familiar scent of home drifted to my nose. With just one breeze, it would vanish, and my heart clenched at the thought. I continued moving my four legs rapidly, following the faint traces that remained.
‘The scent of Astana!’
More precisely, it was the smell of spices commonly used in Astana. That distinctive sweet and tangy aroma had been absent for so long, yet it was etched vividly in my memory.
Patter!
If they were from the same homeland, and if heaven favored me with the same sect, they might even take me back to Astana. Astana primarily practiced spirit magic, but certain sects had traditionally preserved and worshipped various forms of sorcery. Even if this body wasn’t my own, I might find a path to return to human form.
Everything—every hope—stemmed from that faint spice scent that had brushed past me.
‘Is this far enough? No, I need to go deeper! Just move a little slower, please! Fellow countryman!’
“My, what’s this dog doing…?”
“Get out of here, you mutt!”
“What the hell, why’s it suddenly charging at us?”
I used my small body to chase the scent as quickly and closely as possible. I pushed through piles of crates, leaped between elders drinking on the street, and didn’t hesitate to step through cold puddles.
Patter!
And then, at some point, I felt so close that I wasn’t chasing the scent anymore—I was inside it. I hid my presence as much as possible and looked around. The damp, filthy, dark alley was devoid of any sign of people.
“Hahaha! So?”
“Don’t even mention it. The moment I grabbed him by the collar, he started blubbering. I’ve never seen a person cry like that before.”
“Such exaggeration. You’re getting more talkative every day. Hmm. Growing.”
“No, I’m serious!”
Then I heard the sound of rough men emerging from the building. Judging by the cigarettes in their hands, they seemed to be taking a break from whatever they were doing inside.
“Huh? What’s that?”
They looked menacing and far from ordinary at first glance. Their skin was scarred in places, their hair unkempt and filthy, and their half-crazed eyes looked dangerous.
“Dogs?”
“Yeah, a dog.”
I couldn’t find a chance to turn back and froze in place. I felt my throat tighten in panic, but they simply regarded me as an ordinary dog and continued puffing away on their cigarettes.
“What are you looking at, you mutt!”
“I should just grab it and eat it. Kahahaha!”
“Now that you mention it, I’m actually starving. When’s Parkens coming back? We need him to settle our wages so we can hit the tavern or whatever. Ugh.”
Parkens? My ears perked up.
I’d heard that name somewhere before. I pretended not to understand, sniffing at the ground, but I kept watching them intently with the whites of my eyes.
“So this time, the goods are supposed to be pretty lucrative, right? What was it called again? Uh, uh, un…?”
“Undead, you idiot! How many times do I have to tell you?”
“Right. Anyway, won’t we get a lot of money from that?”
“Gasp!”
I let out an involuntary exclamation. Parkens—the memory came back to me. The slave traders in Karenna who had created undead through sorcery and sold them! That slave trading organization was called Parkens!
“Huh?”
“Did you just make that sound?”
“No, I didn’t say anything!”
Pant! Pant!
The men flicked their cigarette ash and slowly turned their heads. The only thing here was a white dog?
I drooled as much as I could, making an expression that said ‘I know nothing.’ Damn it.

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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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