Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 143

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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 143. Fall from Grace
“Why is it so noisy outside?”
“I shall investigate, Your Highness.”
“If there is a disturbance, inform me which department is responsible.”
“Yes, yes. Understood, Paal.”
Prince Marib’s Steward pressed the servant for answers. A critical conference was underway, yet noise filtered through the door gaps. He caught Prince Marib’s gaze from the elevated platform and bowed deeply. This was a conference where the Magic Department’s fall from grace was anticipated—absolutely nothing could go wrong.
“Silence, all. We now commence the Imperial Year 1101 Personnel Conference. Rise and swear your loyalty to His Majesty.”
A rustling sound.
Those seated rose in unison, placing their hands over their hearts. Prince Marib and Prince Gail, seated closest to the Emperor, did likewise. The Emperor, positioned at the highest point, gazed down upon them with solemn dignity.
“I swear that the purpose of this personnel conference is to contribute to the rightful advancement of the Bariel Empire through the proper appointment of worthy talent.”
“I swear.”
“I swear.”
Ridiculous. They spoke of impartiality, yet their hearts brimmed with selfish ambitions. Those with voting rights led the oath, followed by those with only advisory authority.
“Then we shall begin. First, the Legislative Department. Current Minister Cartes, please come forward.”
The current minister needed to actively advocate for what he had accomplished for Bariel over the past year and what results he had achieved. Whether for reappointment or for honor as one who had received a salary, it was necessary.
“Next, I shall call the five candidates nominated for the position of Legislative Minister. In Bariel alphabetical order, please rise and introduce yourselves.”
The designated successor had already laid groundwork through behind-the-scenes negotiations before the conference. The other candidates were merely supporting actors, building their careers for the future. I watched the proceedings with a stern expression.
“Your Highness.”
That was when Steward Paal, who had stepped behind the platform, called out to me. I kept my gaze fixed forward, merely tilting my head to the side.
“Mages outside are erecting a magical barrier, Your Highness.”
“A barrier? Are not all the commanders already in the conference?”
“Mysterious smoke originating from the north is approaching. Outside, those attempting to halt the conference and those wishing to continue have clashed.”
I furrowed my brow. I could not fathom what was happening. In that moment, the Prime Minister announced it was the Magic Department’s turn.
“Next is the Magic Department. Minister Wesley is absent, but as there is no registered successor candidate, reappointment shall proceed—”
“I object.”
It was Prince Gail who cut off the Prime Minister’s words. He raised his hand and stood as if he had been waiting for this moment. In an instant, murmurs rippled swiftly through the conference hall.
“Surely not?”
“Really? Prince Gail and Minister Wesley?”
“Hush, be quiet now.”
The moment rumors became visible reality. Everyone in the hall fixed their attention on Prince Gail. The Emperor did the same.
‘Your Highness, if the Minister truly falls from grace and opportunity comes to me…’
I recalled what Ian had said in the dead of night. Honestly, I had been skeptical, believing hidden motives lay beneath. Yet was there any better news for me than Wesley’s true fall from grace?
“I oppose Minister Wesley’s reappointment.”
“Good heavens!”
“Your Highness, what do you mean by this?”
“Your Highness! Minister Wesley of the Magic Department! That Wesley!”
“Now, let us suspend the conference for a moment.”
“That is impossible. There is nothing problematic about this statement.”
“All of you, silence!”
A thunderous crash.
When the Prime Minister struck his gavel, the commotion ceased abruptly. In a situation like this, expulsion would be the greatest humiliation. Prince Gail turned slowly to regard his elder brother, Marib.
‘This is what you wanted, isn’t it, Marib?’
That’s precisely what his expression seemed to convey. Marib let out a gasp of admiration, his face flushed with excitement. Just as Ian had said, something had clearly transpired between the two brothers. He had excised the poison before it could grow larger—that alone explained Prince Gail’s conduct.
“Prince Gail, please continue your remarks.”
“It has been quite some time since Minister Wesley was appointed to lead the Magic Department. Though capable, the Minister has shown no willingness to improve, dismissing the problems that continue to arise.”
Excessive budget allocations. Opaque administrative processes. Nepotistic appointments. Widespread abuse of authority—and more. As Prince Gail enumerated each transgression, the faces around the chamber paled with shock. No one could fathom why he would do such a thing.
Yet wasn’t he himself the very beneficiary of all these corruptions?
“Therefore, I believe it would be in the Magic Department’s best interest to oppose Minister Wesley’s reappointment and nominate a new leader. What do those with voting authority think?”
At Prince Gail’s question, the chamber erupted into murmurs once more.
“If Wesley falls, what of the backlash? Will the witch simply accept it?”
“True, judging by what we didn’t know, Wesley probably doesn’t know either.”
“Don’t you see? Can’t you understand what it means that Minister Wesley didn’t attend this meeting?”
“Has Prince Gail already made his move?”
“Good heavens, how did things come to this…?”
“Prince Gail must already have someone in mind for the next Magic Department Minister.”
“It seems Prince Gail intends to place the Magic Department under his direct control. My, my.”
Chaos erupted among Prince Gail’s faction—or more precisely, among those who had relied on the Magic Department. While serving Prince Gail was correct, their connection had been clearly through Wesley.
“Brother, won’t you say something?”
Prince Gail smiled faintly as he addressed Marib. Nearly half of those present were followers of the First Prince, after all. He had lit the spark; now let them handle it themselves.
A subtle movement.
“Marib, please speak.”
When Marib raised his hand with an enigmatic expression, the entire chamber fell silent once more. He looked not at the crowd but directly at Prince Gail, punctuating his intent.
“…I too support Wesley’s removal from office.”
Immediately, cries of approval erupted. Those who followed Marib, having heard the First Prince’s true intention, lent their voices.
“I support it! I also support it!”
“Quite right. The Magic Department must gradually undergo reform.”
“I support it! Absolutely support it!”
“No objections!”
“Since the Minister is absent, there is no need to hear counterarguments! Let us proceed! We can receive candidates for the next Minister at a later time!”
Only the pro-Wesley faction, centered in the Magic Department, remained silent in the storm of the chamber. They lacked speaking rights, and with the situation flowing this way, it was wiser to release the rope that was Wesley. Had she been present, they might have devised some countermeasure…
“My, my…”
“What is this? What are they saying? Minister Wesley is being removed?”
“This cannot be!”
“Silence! The commanders under the Magic Department have no speaking rights!”
“Impossible! No! Something is terribly wrong here!”
As the commander of the Magic Support Division particularly erupted, shrieking, the guards escorted him out. The conference chamber had become a battlefield in an instant. Though the Prime Minister repeatedly struck his gavel to restore order, those already inflamed would not easily lower their voices.
Heil merely stroked his beard calmly, his expression one of shock.
A tremendous crash.
It was then.
A violent tremor shook the chamber from outside, accompanied by a deafening roar. The guards moved swiftly, and the Prime Minister struck his gavel again, demanding silence.
“Prince Gail.”
Gail noticed the Steward’s voice trembling. His frown deepened only briefly before his lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze turning lethal as he glared at the Steward.
“How exactly did you handle this?”
“I-I apologize profusely. I was certain I dealt with Wesley’s Steward as well, but the moment the body was sent outside the palace, it transformed into wood chips.”
“And Wesley?”
“It appears she freed herself from the shackles with the Steward’s help.”
“You should prepare yourself once this matter concludes.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
This is why I despise Mages! Gail clicked his tongue and rose from his seat, prompting the Prime Minister to regard him with confusion.
“Continue the meeting. My brother will surely cover for my absence. Brother, I shall go handle the disturbance outside.”
The most significant agenda item had already been presented anyway. If the commotion outside was Wesley’s doing, I needed to go out personally and eliminate her before her loose tongue spilled unnecessary words. I moved first to ensure Marib couldn’t leave his seat, then turned away.
“Prince Marib, what should we do?”
The Prime Minister’s voice crawled as he sought Marib’s intentions. Though the Emperor stood firm behind him, the very fact that he was asking Marib instead of the Emperor revealed who truly held power in the palace. Marib watched Gail’s empty seat before nodding.
“Continue.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Even if I didn’t go myself, I had many eyes and ears. This would be reported to me later. For now, concluding Wesley’s fall was the priority.
‘For the first time, Gail and I are of one mind.’
Though they each harbored different intentions, I believed this would ultimately become Gail’s blunder. He had lost an important faction in Wesley, and in doing so, revealed a critical weakness to me.
“Silence! The meeting shall continue!”
Bang, bang, bang!
Even if heaven and earth were torn asunder, even if the building crumbled, the meeting would persist. The obsession of those on the verge of seizing absolute power heated the air around them.
Crash!
Another thunderous sound echoed, but this time no one paid it any mind. They simply ignored it desperately. Their focus remained on what lay within the conference chamber.
* * *
Tap, tap, tap!
Gail rushed into the lobby, escorted by the Steward and guards. His hand unconsciously reached for his waist, finding it empty. The Steward, noticing the gesture, quickly instructed a Servant.
“Bring His Highness’s sword that was left with us upon entering the meeting!”
“Yes, understood!”
“And fetch the bow. The arrows with the mana-sealing stones.”
As Gail added his instructions, the Servant spun around and bolted. By the time they reached the end of the hallway, they could see the lobby clearly before them…
Zing! Zing!
“Damn it! A magic circle! We don’t have enough power!”
“Ahhhhh! I’m at my limit!”
“Stay focused! Wesley! Please, stop this!”
“Someone give me some mana!”
“Wesley! You can’t come through like this!”
An opaque golden wall inscribed with a magic circle. A defensive barrier created by Mages. They all had their palms pressed against the wall, squeezing out every ounce of their strength.
Dozens of Mages, standing against a single opponent.
“Please! What exactly have you done?!”
Wesley. It was her.
My body is burning. It feels as though a fire demon is raging within me. The scorching heat radiating from my skin, accompanied by black smoke, reached even this distance.
“What is everyone doing?”
“Ah, Prince Gail.”
“Prince Gail!”
Everyone turned with relief at Prince Gail’s arrival. Since they didn’t know what was happening inside, they were at a loss for what to do about Wesley. But Ian could discern the situation from the mere fact that Prince Gail had left his seat.
“Your Highness, that is Minister Wesley’s condition….”
“This is the Grand Conference Hall. Inside are His Majesty and all the high-ranking officials of the Bariel Empire. Yet he attempts to enter in such a state. This threatens our safety and, moreover, constitutes a grave crime.”
“…Your Highness?”
Was Prince Gail, Wesley’s lover, really saying this? Everyone stared at him in bewilderment, but Prince Gail issued his command without the slightest wavering.
“Kill 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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