Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 149

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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 149. Registration of Candidates for the Next Minister
The Magic Ministry faced unprecedented chaos. It was the first time two positions—the Minister and the Steward—had become vacant simultaneously. Yet because this vacancy arose from such an unfortunate incident, the entire Magic Ministry found itself in an awkward predicament. It was only natural that the voices of the Captains gathered in the conference hall grew heated.
“Mind your words.”
“But you’re saying you’ll exclude the Magic Support Division from the investigation team!”
“I did not say we would exclude them. I said we would primarily compose the investigation team from other departments.”
“That’s the same thing, is it not? When such an incident occurs, it is the Magic Support Division’s role to deploy personnel. This is an overreach by other departments!”
“Then is it reasonable for Minister Wesley’s direct department—the one that attempted to harm Prince Gail—to continue that investigation? All of you should keep quiet and stay in line.”
“If you were going to serve the Minister, you should have done so properly! What were the Captains of the Magic Support Division doing when such a thing occurred?”
“Ha! We are mages! A family, one and all!”
“Watch your tongue! Wesley is nothing short of a traitor!”
Crash! Bang!
The sound of file folders being slammed against tables echoed from various directions. Only Captain Heil of the Magic Operations Division sniffled and rummaged through his pockets. As the meeting dragged on, he thought he might as well smoke a cigarette.
Creak!
Then, cutting through the chaos, the door opened. It was Ian. The Captains at that moment were in a personnel meeting and had not witnessed the scene firsthand, and among those who had, only Ian had stood against Wesley. He had just returned from attending an emergency meeting with His Majesty the Emperor as the representative of the Magic Ministry.
“Ian, you’re back?”
“Yes. I apologize for being late.”
“No matter. You’ve done well.”
Captain Heil pulled out a chair as if to invite him to sit, tapping the backrest lightly. Behind him, Tomi and Nakina were also clinging along, their expressions somewhat vacant. One could infer that fierce arguments had also taken place here, much like at the Emperor’s emergency meeting.
“There’s blood on your sleeve.”
“Ah, it’s fine. It’s not mine.”
Ian answered Captain Heil’s question with a light laugh. Everyone watched their hushed exchange without missing a single moment. Their expressions betrayed their desperate curiosity about what punishment would be handed down to the Magic Ministry.
“Ian, what did they all say?”
“Report it in detail. Don’t leave out a single thing.”
“Why did they only call in one new recruit, of all people?”
“Because they can’t trust the other mages, that’s why.”
“Thanks to Minister Wesley, our position has become very, very precarious! Damn it!”
The Captains of each department threw in their own remarks, unable to restrain themselves, but Ian sat down and carefully adjusted his clothing.
“Don’t drag this out!”
“Do I appear to be dragging this out unnecessarily?”
At someone’s question, Ian furrowed his delicate brows. The atmosphere instantly froze. Everyone assumed a severe punishment had been handed down and closed their mouths.
‘Amusing.’
Only Captain Heil, who had seen through Ian’s trick, let out a quiet chuckle and merely chewed on his cigarette. He didn’t know what his youngest was thinking, but beneath the table, he playfully wiggled his fingers.
“Prince Gail has regained consciousness. Did you know?”
“What? He’s come to his senses?”
“He has no serious injuries?”
“No. He appeared to have no problems with his mobility.”
“Then… the curse? Is it true that he was actually cursed?”
As everyone tensely asked again, Ian simply nodded with a grave expression. Exclamations of various kinds erupted from those around him. What they had feared and feared had become reality.
“Without question, this is a crisis threatening the very existence of the Magic Ministry.”
“Do we have the materials related to forbidden magic yet?”
“Ian, continue speaking. If possible, tell me everything, down to the smallest detail.”
This was precisely why Ian had adopted such a weighty demeanor.
Currently, Ian alone conveyed the imperial will, and he was the sole connection to Prince Marib, who was rising as the true power behind the throne. The information imbalance would naturally translate into authority, bringing him one step closer to the position of Minister.
“It is not a matter of whether the Magic Department should exist, but whether Bariel should exist. Therefore, the imperial court sought to verify the truth through a truth serum administered to Prince Gail, and has commanded that all currently stored potions be destroyed and new ones be prepared.”
At his words, everyone’s gaze turned toward the relevant captains. A woman with freckles scattered across her face blinked in surprise.
“Oh, by when?”
It was Akorelra, captain of the Mana Stone Management Department.
“The sooner the better, of course. However, I conveyed that I would need at least two weeks, so as long as you meet that deadline, it should suffice.”
At Ian’s words, she barely managed a trembling sigh. Given the gravity of the matter, she had been worried they might demand it be completed within a day or two. Just then, one of the captains who had been murmuring raised his hand and asked Ian a question.
“Are there any other sanctions being imposed on the Magic Department?”
“Nothing has been specifically ordered. We must conduct the investigation into forbidden magic ourselves. Only after Prince Gail’s curse is identified will related matters be brought up again. I suspect the independent and exclusive authority they have enjoyed thus far will be significantly curtailed.”
“Then, should we not take this opportunity to hastily elect the next Minister?”
“Yes. Even temporarily, that would be best. Everyone will be confused, but in times like these, we must all unite!”
“With a representative, it’s easier to express our position. I’m in favor!”
“However, the Magic Support Department, which was Wesley’s direct division, should be excluded. If a Minister from the Magic Support Department emerges in a situation like this, it would be tantamount to supporting Wesley, would it not?”
At the mages’ sharp gazes, the captain of the Magic Support Department and his subordinates merely clenched their lips. They were frustrated, but had no grounds to object. The captains exchanged glances and cleared their throats awkwardly.
“Captain Jang of the Magic Research Department seems willing to register as a candidate.”
“I have no such intention.”
“The Mana Stone Management Department also abstains.”
“Does it matter if one is not a captain?”
“Why? You’re stepping forward?”
“If there’s no problem. Since even the Research Department, which usually just flips through books, is putting forward a candidate, I’ve gained confidence.”
“Ha! Look at the way this fellow speaks. Listen here! Educate your subordinates properly! If I become Minister, you’re getting demoted immediately.”
“Hahaha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.”
Crash! The conference hall grew chaotic once more. The chatter of those registering as candidates, those opposing them, and those uninterested all blended together into noise. Heil belonged to the latter group.
“Want to grab some food after this?”
“Captain Heil, aren’t you registering as a candidate?”
“No. I’m not. I absolutely hate stamping documents. I can’t even communicate with those high-ranking nobles in the imperial palace. And I don’t want to.”
Tomi and Nakina seemed to feel the same way. They shared cigarettes between them while staring at Ian intently.
“What?”
“Our youngest seems interested.”
“Must’ve been worth it after going up against Wesley.”
“Ah, this guy’s talented. Really. I acknowledge it.”
“…May I proceed?”
In truth, permission was not necessary. Whatever they said, I would do it anyway. I was merely asking out of courtesy and propriety. But Heil responded with complete indifference.
“Go ahead.”
Permission granted without hesitation. I turned to Tomi and Nakina. Both nodded simultaneously. As if to say, why ask about such things? The atmosphere was the complete opposite of the other departments, where shouts and screams echoed loudly.
“Right. If you want to do it, then do it.”
“When you become Minister, throw some budget our way. Actually, damn it, we’re out in the field and our equipment is too shabby.”
“Oh, that’s good. But if our youngest becomes Minister, what should we call him? Minister Youngest?”
“Minister, you idiot.”
“Ah. Huff! Then I won’t have a junior anymore?”
“That’s right. You’ll inevitably remain the eternal last.”
“N-No! I object!”
Tomi shot to his feet, but Nakina’s shin kick forced him back down into his seat. Captain Heil raised his eyebrows meaningfully, signaling for the candidate registration to proceed.
Whoosh.
“Ian Hielo, attached to the Magical Operations Division. I register as a candidate.”
As Ian stood and made his declaration, the murmuring abruptly ceased. It was expected, yet the atmosphere suggested the moment had finally arrived. The captains exchanged glances before questioning the Magical Operations Division.
“Not Captain Heil, but you yourself, Ian Hielo?”
“That is correct. Is there a problem?”
“There’s no problem. Well, there isn’t one, but….”
Jang, who had first registered as a candidate, stroked his beard thoughtfully. Those who exchanged glances with him were the captains from other divisions who had withdrawn. It was clear they had already built their own factions and were firmly eyeing the next ministerial position.
The higher Ian’s presence and status rose, the more the existing captains had to remain vigilant. There was nothing more dreadful than serving under a newcomer as one’s superior.
“Please, continue.”
“Viscount Ian Hielo. You are certainly a nobleman granted territory by His Majesty the Emperor. Furthermore, you’ve distinguished yourself during times when we captains were absent.”
Ian nodded slowly, as if listening intently. Laying groundwork before pointing out problems was not something to be done carelessly. Yet this man seemed unaware of that.
“I acknowledge that among those present at the scene, excluding the captains, you certainly possess ability.”
He continued subtly emphasizing that Ian could only have stepped forward because the captains were absent.
Captain Heil sniffed and observed those who exchanged glances with Jang. His political maneuvering was impressive—even amid such chaos, he had skillfully laid the foundation for his faction.
Ian merely shrugged his shoulders in response.
“I still don’t understand what the problem is.”
“But Ian, doesn’t your status have an expiration date? I believe I heard it was one year.”
“An expiration date? What do you mean by that?”
“Ah. There are quite a few who don’t know. Ian Hielo, you are the illegitimate son of the former Marquis Bratz. Everyone knows he was beheaded for treason. Since you informed on your father’s crime and His Majesty suppressed the traitor, you must naturally pay both the reward and the debt for the crime.”
The reward was the new surname Hielo and the position of lord, while the debt was a tribute of ten thousand gold coins. All within one year.
“If you fail to contribute ten thousand gold coins within one year, your title will be stripped and you’ll become a slave of the imperial palace. Tell me, have you secured a way to survive? If not, many will face difficulties. We’ve never even heard of a slave who is a mage, let alone a former minister who is a slave. There is no greater dishonor than this.”
“Exactly! If that happens, it’s a disgrace to the Magical Division!”
“A minister of the Magical Division becomes a slave?”
“This man, it’s already a problem for a ministerial candidate to rise to such a position. How ridiculous will the Magical Division appear in the future?”
Those hearing Ian’s circumstances for the first time stirred with agitation. Captain Heil, Tomi, and Nakina also swallowed their sighs inwardly and looked back at Ian.
‘Ian?’
Yet his expression showed no disturbance whatsoever. Rather, as if savoring this situation, a faint smile played across his face.
“Ian Hielo, is everything Jang said true?”
“It is all true.”
“Then I shall refuse your candidate registration.”
“Indeed! I also refuse!”
“I assure you, there is no problem in securing the tribute.”
“Do not lie! Are you not currently relying on the residence of Romandro from the Administrative Division?”
“It seems you take quite an interest in me, Captain Jang.”
At Ian’s composed response, Jang’s expression twisted in disbelief. Ian turned toward Akorelra, the captain of the Mana Stone Management Division, and asked a question.
“I must ask. What is the current market price of Luronstone?”
“Lu, Luronstone? I haven’t checked today’s rates.”
“An approximation will suffice. Let me ask again. If we’re talking about eighty kilograms of Luronstone, what would that be worth?”
“I cannot calculate immediately, but… well, it would likely far exceed several years’ worth of the Magic Ministry’s budget.”
Akorelra tilted her head, wondering why I was asking such a question. Then, suddenly, she cried out in excitement. Her previously quiet voice vanished entirely, replaced by the shriek of a scientist obsessed with mana stones.
“Surely! You’re saying there’s that much Luronstone!?”
“A Luron deposit has been discovered in Hielo’s territory. We shall formally deliver it to the Magic Ministry and settle the tribute payment immediately. With this, there should be no problems whatsoever.”
“That’s, that’s a lie!”
I laughed at Captain Jang’s one-dimensional denial.
“What reason would I have to deceive you? I shall settle the tribute payment within today or tomorrow. Once done, I am a nobleman granted territory by His Majesty the Emperor himself, and the sole mage who actively contributed at the scene—surely I am more than qualified, am I not?”
“Of course! With eighty kilograms of Luronstone, I’ll gladly cast my vote for youuuu!”
“Captain Akorelra, please compose yourself.”
“Compose myself? Do I look composed right now!?”
Akorelra’s eyes rolled back wildly as she shrieked like a madwoman, while I merely nodded. As you can see, there are no problems—add my name to the candidates.
“I! I support youuuu!!”
“Captain Akorelra!”
One vote secured already.

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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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