Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 137

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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 137. To Gail First
I returned to the Magic Division once more. Perhaps due to the aftermath of the initiation ceremony, the main building felt unusually quiet and devoid of presence. Though a hundred years had passed, little had changed—save for the fact that a Garden now occupied the space where an annex building should have stood, allowing sunlight to pour in more generously.
Tap.
The information would certainly differ depending on access level.
The depth of knowledge permitted to the select few at the helm—both outside and within the Magic Division—could not help but vary. Before meeting with Prince Gail, I intended to verify whether there existed information beyond what was publicly available regarding mana stones and necromancy.
‘Luron likely won’t arrive at the palace until after sunset.’
I detected voices coming from within the Magic Support Division. Only a handful of staff remained on duty, and they moved about removing their robes with expressions of irritation, their pens spinning incessantly. An order had descended from above without warning.
“Summon all the necromancers? Suddenly?”
“Right? Some of them must have left the palace. If we call them without notice, won’t they complain?”
“The funny part is, we can’t say a word to Wesley. She only does this to us because we’re easy targets.”
“Everything becomes discrimination or disrespect because we’re foreigners. Ugh, I’m already exhausted. You do it.”
“No way. I don’t want to. I’m not doing it.”
“Fine, just send the telegram spell already. Wesley looked urgent. If things go wrong, we’ll get it from both sides.”
“Divide them in order—ten people per person from the top.”
“Ah, what did that person’s face look like again? I can’t remember.”
At someone’s remark, they all stretched and executed the telegram spell. Rather than sending sentences like letters, they transmitted colored light according to predetermined signals to convey the situation.
Zing.
Orange light materialized in the mages’ hands, then faded dimly as if diluted in water. The light would have crossed over to the person the mage was envisioning.
‘Orange light for the return signal—basic protocol, then. But Wesley summoned the necromancers?’
Mayor Karenna’s letter had definitely been sent up. I’d told Romand it would take at least four days, but if luck turned against me, I might have to face Wesley in combat immediately.
The path from the borderlands to the center was all the same. If the date were specified, it wouldn’t be difficult to determine that I had passed through Karenna during that period.
‘I need to hurry.’
As I moved toward the archive, the surroundings were remarkably quiet. And suddenly, I found myself recalling that day when I was dragged down from the throne.
‘That day was also as peaceful as today.’
The warm scent of sunlight, the cool breeze, and the soft, low chirping of birds that followed. The storm that divided fate arrived more quietly than expected, and by the time I realized it, water had risen to my chin.
‘The moment destiny changes is but an instant. It simply takes time for it to reach me. Wesley, you may feel the same way. You might regard everything as upheaval, but when you think about it, didn’t it all begin from the moment I awakened in Bratz’s territory? Or perhaps even before that, in my previous life.’
Creak.
I stepped into the archive and surveyed my surroundings. An expansive space with no visible end. Black boxes—whose purpose an ordinary person could never discern—were stacked seamlessly throughout.
“Ian Hielo, Viscount?”
“Good day to you.”
“You had your initiation ceremony today, didn’t you?”
A mage organizing the archive recognized me and acknowledged my presence. But I had no time to spare.
“Yes. Captain Heil and the others have all returned home, and I came back to familiarize myself with my duties.”
“I’m not sure how to say this, but well, you’re quite diligent for a noble. Is this your first time in the archive? Do you know how to navigate it?”
Instead of answering, I placed my palm against the wall. Without hesitation, I released my mana. The responsive light guided me to where I sought.
Zing.
“Pardon me. I’m rather pressed for time.”
“Oh? Uh…”
He nodded awkwardly, watching my retreating figure. So the rumors about him having Prince Marib as his backer and possessing considerable magical prowess weren’t exaggerated after all.
Magic certainly relies on incantations and formulas, but fundamentally, the foundation is the mage’s ability to ‘visualize’ through concentration.
To visualize a target as concretely as possible. If that image blurs, it won’t function properly, and in the worst case, it could cause problems in an entirely unexpected place.
‘No wonder the Magic Support Department is in such an uproar.’
If a monster of a newcomer entered, the hierarchy within the department could be severely shaken. I wondered if that was precisely why Minister Wesley was being so cautious.
“I’m envious. Tsk. Life is unfair.”
Blessed with good looks, half-blood though she may be, her blood is still noble, she’s received territory from the Emperor himself, and she wields magic so well? The employee sprawled out behind the sofa, continuing to voice tiresome complaints.
* * *
Tap, tap, tap!
As the sun began to set, Romandro held a small box containing Luron close to his chest. Whenever the carriage swayed greatly, I flinched unnecessarily and checked whether Luron was intact. Even though it was a mana stone, it was still just a rock, but given how expensive it was, there was nothing I could do about it.
“Should we go further in?”
“Yes. Take us to the entrance of Prince Gail’s palace.”
“Yes, understood.”
The coachman slowed the carriage considerably, as this was one of the few times he’d ventured this deep into the palace. Whenever Romandro entered the palace, I always went only to the Administrative Department or Marib’s office.
Whinnnnny!
“We’ve arrived, Romandro.”
“Ah, yes. Park the carriage far over there. It would look odd if someone saw it.”
“Very well, I’ll wait here.”
Romandro glanced around to see if anyone was nearby before stepping into Gail’s palace. I could see a guard watching me from a distance. But before that….
“Romandro. Over here.”
“Oh, Ian. Well, I was just coming back from the Administrative Department—”
“Wesley received a letter from Mayor Karenna.”
“Gasp! Right, yes. How did you know? Did she come looking for me?”
“Word spread through the Magic Department. The Luron?”
“It’s here. Now, we’re going inside, yes?”
Ian confirmed the softly glowing Luron inside the box and nodded. Romandro quietly whispered, deliberately ignoring the sharp gaze of the guard piercing into me.
“Ah, and I asked the Administrative Department, and what I said was correct. The high-ranking official appointment ceremony is exactly one week away. The meeting is usually held a day or two before, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, thank you, Romandro.”
“I’ll wait in the carriage until you come out.”
“Understood. I’ll be back shortly.”
Ian gave his shoulder a light pat to reassure him, then approached the guard and handed over his identification, requesting an audience.
“Viscount Ian Hielo of the Magic Department. I wish to see Prince Gail.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but it’s an urgent matter.”
“Without an appointment, I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Is it your duty to concern yourself with visitors?”
“…My apologies.”
At Ian’s firm rebuke, the guard lowered his head slightly and stepped inside.
In truth, it would normally be absurd for a mere viscount to show up unannounced like this and request an audience. But Ian knew that he was a rather irritating presence to Gail. Having come all this way, Gail would not turn him away, though he might make him wait.
Moments later, the Chamberlain appeared to guide Ian.
“Viscount Ian Hielo. This way, please.”
Whoosh.
As the sun set, the palace grew far darker than I’d expected—much like Prince Gail’s hair. Even if it was merely an illusion, Prince Marib’s quarters had always felt warm and inviting, but Prince Gail’s chambers emanated the complete opposite atmosphere.
Knock, knock.
“Ian Hielo, Viscount requests an audience, Your Highness.”
“Let him in.”
The Chamberlain, having received permission, opened the door and gestured to me. As I stepped inside, Prince Gail, dressed in comfortable clothes and lying on his bed, welcomed me. Despite the indolent atmosphere, both sides of the bed were piled high with disorganized documents.
“Ian, I never expected you to seek me out like this. Have you come to share your impressions of joining the Magic Ministry? Or did Marib ask you to convey something? You mentioned it was urgent, so my curiosity is certainly piqued.”
His tone was light and playful. When Prince Gail gestured with his chin, I finally sat on the sofa and set down the box. His sharp eyes immediately fixed on it.
“I hope it’s a gift.”
“Indeed, Your Highness. It will certainly prove to be a gift.”
Prince Gail continued reading his documents while wearing a meaningful smile. A gift for the second most powerful person in the empire? Surely nothing ordinary would satisfy him.
“Since I’ve graciously made time for you, do live up to my expectations.”
I paused, choosing my words carefully with a slight sigh. The fact that he hadn’t gotten out of bed suggested he definitely hadn’t received any report from Wesley.
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask something.”
“You have my permission.”
“Have you perhaps heard anything about the practice of necromancy on the living?”
At my question, Prince Gail’s eyes left the documents. His slowly rising head held no emotion beyond confusion.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
Necromancy was performed on the dead, not the living. Seeing Prince Gail’s brow furrow, I continued.
“The reason I came so urgently is that I have something to report to Your Highness. You should be aware that several years ago, the Magic Ministry invited necromancers to conduct research.”
Prince Gail pushed his documents aside with apparent interest and rose from the bed. As he moved, his long robe slowly swept across the floor.
“Minister Wesley has secretly instructed a necromancer to conduct clandestine research. The essence of it is applying necromancy to the living, and from what I can gather, the target is Your Highness.”
“I asked you to live up to my expectations, yet you’ve done the opposite. How did you learn of Wesley’s secret research? I’m not a merciful person—if there’s any inconsistency in what you say, I’ll kill you on the spot.”
It was a perfectly calm warning. His tone was monotone and flat, as if discussing everyday matters. Yet his gaze fixed directly on me, making clear this was no idle threat.
“I have a research associate as a witness, and I myself witnessed the incident firsthand. You should know of a small city called Karenna.”
I conveyed to Prince Gail the events that had occurred in Karenna as concisely as possible. His brow furrowed deeper with each detail.
‘Wesley conducted separate research without my knowledge? That Wesley? How dare she?’
It was unexpected. Honestly, I was somewhat surprised. I thought she’d simply obey orders, but it seemed the Minister had taken matters into her own hands after all.
“It appears this occurred while she was searching for a way to circumvent the imperial blessing.”
“What’s your evidence that I’m the target?”
“The fact that Your Highness was unaware of this matter is the evidence itself.”
That made sense. If I’d come here personally to dangle this bait, it was certainly worth investigating.
Prince Gail continued with a puzzled question. Then why was he doing this? Why come here personally to tell me? If Wesley were casting a spell on him, wouldn’t Marib be the beneficiary?
‘This could be a scheme to drive a wedge between Wesley and me.’
But I read his thoughts and immediately added:
“To be clear, Prince Marib knows nothing of this matter. I dare swear that you may use truth serum on me the moment I leave this place.”
And I offered him the box.
The real negotiation was only just beginning.

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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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