Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 138

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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 138. I Swear
“Whether it’s sincerity or youthful recklessness, I wonder.”
A peculiar smile played at the corners of Prince Gail’s mouth. Did he truly believe I would speak so carelessly after consuming something called Truth Serum? Beyond its ability to compel truthful speech, it was one of the reasons high-ranking officials grew extremely anxious. They feared what the inscrutable Magic Department might do to their bodies.
“It is sincere, and it is truth.”
“Well then, let me hear it. Those who swear oaths always harbor desires, after all.”
He was asking me to convince him. I placed my hand on the box’s lid and chose my words carefully. From this moment forward, I had to speak with absolute precision, exactly as I had formulated in my mind. Given the high likelihood that Prince Gail would use the Truth Serum, it was wise to construct my words with maximum ambiguity—leaving room for interpretation.
“I became a lord with Prince Marib’s assistance, but I am not his man. Of course, there are conditions I was instructed to fulfill. Your Highness likely suspects as much.”
“That much is known not only to me but to the scribes of the Magic Department as well.”
“Prince Marib wished for me to go to the Mana Stone Management Division.”
The Mana Stone Management Division? Prince Gail’s brow furrowed slightly. It was a small clue, but sufficient to discern Prince Marib’s intentions.
“So you sought to learn about the Truth Serum.”
“I understand it has become a topic of discussion in the palace.”
“Yet you did not go to the Mana Stone Management Division. Why? Did you judge it too easily accessible?”
“Your assessment is correct.”
I nodded in agreement and slowly extended the box. Prince Gail’s eyes gleamed with curiosity and intrigue. I gave a subtle nod of permission, and I opened the lid.
A soft rustling sound.
“I trust you will recognize it immediately.”
“…Luron?”
Most of what Prince Gail had seen before was in powder form. He had glimpsed granules no larger than a fingernail at most, but never a chunk like this. How many kilograms could that possibly be?
“According to the records, the Magic Department currently stores approximately ten kilograms of Luron stone. Since each dose of Truth Serum requires roughly ten grams of Luron, it appears quite abundant on the surface.”
But the problem lay in the fact that research was still ongoing. Five kilograms had been consumed in research thus far, and approximately one more kilogram was expected to be used to improve the formula’s efficacy.
‘Moreover, Luron is a high-grade Mana Stone of exceptional rarity. It would be useful not only for the Truth Serum but in many other applications, and once research progresses further, supplies will inevitably run short.’
The remaining ten kilograms were far from abundant. This was precisely why I had pursued the Bratz Borderlands so persistently, suspecting it to be a deposit site.
Prince Gail lifted the chunk of Luron and held it up to the ceiling light, letting it transmit through the illumination as he murmured.
“…So it was in Bratz after all.”
Prince Gail’s blue eyes rippled. A faint possibility had not merely appeared—it had rolled right before him.
“The deposits in Hielo’s territory have all been mined and are currently managed by the Central government.”
I deliberately emphasized the name Hielo. It was as if to say the borderlands had long since changed hands. The implication was also clear: do not let your gaze wander elsewhere, but focus on me, who stands before you.
Prince Gail continued to fidget with the Luron stone, laughing. The situation seemed to be unfolding quite entertainingly.
“That is merely a fraction.”
“I acknowledge it. Honestly, I am quite astonished.”
“Should Your Highness desire it, I will arrange to trade the Luron stone with the Magic Department. I will supply it at market rates. Then, you can easily dismiss the opposition’s absurd claim that they object because the precious Mana Stone is too valuable to consume in a single dose.”
It was one of the main arguments of the opposition faction.
How could such a precious high-grade Mana Stone be consumed in a single use? Typically, such stones were used as auxiliary tools for magic, so resistance to a consumption method where it would simply disappear was inevitable.
“Will you pay the trading fee as a donation to the treasury?”
“Now that I am in the Capital, there are many places where funds are needed.”
Subtle words deserve subtle responses. As I smiled, Prince Gail fixed his gaze on the Luron stone gleaming with violet light. It was not merely beautiful—it was truly mystical.
“So then, what is it you desire?”
Now, finally speak your true intentions. Prince Gail leaned back against the sofa’s armrest and asked languidly.
“Cultivate me to become the next Director of the Magic Department.”
“…!”
From start to finish, it was nothing but shock after shock. I was genuinely curious what thoughts were swirling in that small head of his. Prince Gail’s lips parted slightly before he burst into laughter.
“Aha! Ahahaha! You’re insane!”
No matter how much high-grade mana stone he supplied in bulk, wasn’t the price he was asking far too steep? The Director of the Magic Department, no less! He’d clearly lost his mind.
Prince Gail made no attempt to suppress his hearty laughter, while I waited patiently for his breathing to settle.
“It’s true that securing Luron stone would make things easier, but that’s where it ends. It would only silence the nonsense about wasting mana stones. Ian, have you lost your mind?”
“Supplying Luron stone is merely a gesture of goodwill toward Your Highness.”
“Is that so? Then what else is there?”
Anyone listening would have thought he was coaxing a child. I stared directly at him, and immediately wiped the smile from Prince Gail’s face.
“I will pass the Truthserum Potion bill.”
“…Your jokes are becoming excessive. It’s no longer amusing.”
“It will be amusing once it becomes reality.”
“How do you intend to do that? You’re nothing but a lowborn baron.”
You lack both the qualifications and the requirements to attend the assembly. Yet you speak so confidently of accomplishing it—there’s no deception quite like this.
“Every department except the Magic Department is up in arms over this matter, and you claim you’ll handle it? And for that, you want to be made Director?”
“Not made Director, but rather cultivated into one. At the personnel meeting next week, please dismiss Minister Wesley. Then internal power struggles will erupt within the Magic Department, and afterward, I will handle the rest.”
Audacious. Yet it was an attitude born from unwavering confidence.
Prince Gail fell silent, resting his chin on his hand as he glared at me. The boy met his gaze without a shred of fear.
“You’ll handle it yourself?”
“Is there another department that operates as purely on merit as the Magic Department?”
Prince Gail suddenly recalled Ian from the mana verification ceremony. The mana that had captivated not only the nobility but the entire imperial family. Minister Wesley’s flustered expression was particularly vivid in his memory.
“Did you tamper with the magic circle during the mana verification ceremony?”
“I did.”
“…How on earth?”
“Magic isn’t something that can be explained in words, Your Highness. I apologize.”
It was a way of saying don’t ask—you wouldn’t understand even if I explained it a hundred times. Ian merely smiled, and my thoughts grew more complicated.
‘Perhaps Ian’s mana is actually superior to Wesley’s. If so, even if Wesley doesn’t lose her position as Director this time, Ian will eventually surpass her.’
Reasons were accumulating—reasons why Wesley didn’t have to be the one. Above all, if the target of the curse magic was myself, as Ian said, then there was no point in deliberating. I should settle it quickly.
But….
“Wesley is loyal to me out of affection. What will you offer me for your loyalty? You must understand what it means to sit as the head of the Magic Department.”
He would become my complete instrument. I could acknowledge that he has potential equal to Wesley’s, but the question was whether he possessed the same unwavering devotion to me that she did.
“Your Highness, I…”
Ian finally spoke those words.
“I do not believe Prince Marib is fit to be Emperor.”
“…Ha!”
“So please, use me without hesitation.”
Ian was not lying. The next Emperor would be either Arcen or Jin. At such a blunt statement, I flicked my hand, and immediately a subordinate emerged from the shadows.
“You called, Your Highness?”
“Bring me the Truthserum Potion.”
“As you command.”
Whoosh.
Even as my subordinate moved, Prince Gail never took his eyes off me. He looked ready to devour me at the slightest sign of hesitation.
“What will you do if I reject everything being offered here right now?”
“Though presumptuous, I will proceed to meet Prince Marib. I will report that Minister Wesley attempted to harm Prince Gail using forbidden necromancy.”
If I did that, Marib would kill Wesley without hesitation—for the crime of daring to harm royalty. It would be like cutting off Prince Gail’s arms and legs without giving him any recourse.
Scrape.
Prince Gail drew his sword with an unlit cigarette still in his mouth, then slowly brought the blade close to my neck.
“Ian, you survived the desert like this.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“What about a situation like this? You must have considered this too, haven’t you? Tell me. Right now, I can’t think of any other option besides killing you.”
I gazed calmly at the blade. The dim lighting of the bedroom cast a subtle gleam along its sharp edge.
“I haven’t given it thought. Your Highness is someone who makes wise decisions.”
“Your tongue seems coated with honey.”
Whether I lived or died, Wesley’s crimes would be reported to Marib one way or another. Rather than handing the sword of judgment to Marib, it would be far better to keep me on the same boat.
Whoosh.
The blade’s tip slowly traced up my neck toward my lips, as if to tear them open. Prince Gail was warning me—he could kill me with just a little more pressure.
“Your Highness. I’ve brought the truth serum.”
At the sound of my subordinate’s footsteps from behind, Prince Gail threw his sword to the ground. A transparent liquid in a crystal vial. He personally uncorked it and shook it.
“When Wesley falls from power, the ministerial seat will remain vacant and another assembly will convene. Until then, gathering support within the Magic Department depends entirely on you.”
“I’m confident.”
The upheaval would be tremendous. The Magic Department Minister—someone who could shoot down flying birds with a gesture. The moment he’s removed from office, every mage in the Magic Department would clash fiercely. A department that produces a minister would gain the benefits of power, just like the current Magic Support Ministry. During that chaotic period, I—or my faction—had to establish a clear presence.
“I like your concise answers.”
Tap.
Prince Gail placed the truth serum on the table, gesturing for me to drink it. The way he smiled so brightly looked genuinely dangerous.
“Go ahead and drink. Why, do you think it’s poison?”
“Not at all. As I said, I believe that I can be of help to Your Highness.”
“I haven’t tasted it myself, so I’m quite curious about the flavor. Describe it in detail.”
I carefully drank the truth serum. My throat felt like it was burning, and my heart pounded rapidly. The heat rising through me was no different from strong liquor.
“Ah—”
Following Prince Gail’s instruction, I slowly opened my mouth. In that instant, black blood poured out. There was no pain, but the shock was unavoidable.
“Nothing to be alarmed about. It’s normal.”
“…No wonder the other ministers are so desperate to avoid drinking it.”
“Haha! Yes, it certainly doesn’t look pleasant.”
Prince Gail leaned closer to me and asked a question.
“Count Ian, was there any falsehood in what you told me?”
As I wiped the blood from the back of my hand, the answer spilled from my lips before I could stop it.
“I swear, there is not a single lie.”

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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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