Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 150

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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 150. A Hastily Written Letter
The initial candidate registrations totaled seven people, including Jang and myself. Among them, only three were not from captain backgrounds.
The captains’ challenges had been fewer than expected, likely because taking over Minister Wesley’s position immediately felt burdensome. It wasn’t just a matter of her abilities—the real issue was managing the aftermath of everything she’d already set in motion.
‘The current situation is like a tempest. Rush in carelessly, and you’ll be ground to dust. Better to wait and seize an opportunity later.’
That was the captains’ true sentiment. Of course, there were quite a few like Captain Heil who showed no interest whatsoever. In any case, even if the Magic Ministry selected the next minister from within its own ranks, ultimately the imperial court’s approval was required.
No one could predict when or how the political situation might shift.
“Very well then, let’s conclude the candidate registrations here and schedule the election for sometime next week. The captains who didn’t register as candidates will conduct the proceedings fairly through cooperation. I stake the honor of all mages on this.”
“There will be some simple procedures, including a mana verification, so be aware of that. I’ll inform the candidates separately, and we’ll share the results with everyone as well.”
“Then shall we adjourn for now? I hear Prince Gail has awakened safely, so it would be good if we rested a bit and reconvened to discuss countermeasures.”
While I attended the emergency meeting, the mages endured an equally grueling time. You could tell just from looking at Tomi and Nakina’s drooping postures. I nodded in agreement.
“Understood. All mages currently conducting field investigations and those verifying forbidden grimoires should rotate shifts. Additionally, all communications from the imperial palace will go through me, so keep the emergency summon magic open at all times.”
Jang twisted his mouth. The nerve of this inexperienced youngster stepping forward like that. If they had been at the scene back then, they would have subdued Wesley without issue. They might have even done it before Prince Gail was cursed. There are no hypotheticals in the past, but human thoughts are always overflowing with them.
“And Captain Akorelra.”
“Hmm? What is it, Minister Ian?”
“You’re insane. Absolutely insane, Akorelra!”
At my call, Akorelra’s eyes sparkled as she responded. The other captains had asked her to maintain decorum, but she didn’t budge an inch. This one was formidable in her own way, so I smiled knowingly.
“Captain Akorelra, would you spare me a moment to discuss something? I have a matter regarding Luronstone payments I’d like to consult about.”
“Excellent! Absolutely excellent!”
“Well then, shall we be off? We’ll head out first.”
“Jang, come with us for a moment.”
“Ahem. You’ve worked hard. If anything comes up, just sound the assembly bell.”
The mages all rose and filed out of the conference room. Only Akorelra and her subordinates, along with the Magic Operations Division, remained in the empty space.
I turned to Captain Heil and asked.
“Captain, if you’re hungry, feel free to leave first.”
“No need. Let’s eat together. We’re family, after all.”
Though that’s what he said, his real intention was to assist me during negotiations with the Mana Stone Management Division. Based on Akorelra’s reaction, it seemed she was already halfway convinced.
Akorelra couldn’t hide her excitement and pressed close to me. Her crimson eyes gleamed dangerously.
“So, where is the Luronstone now? I heard it’s being kept at Romandro’s estate—is it there?”
“No. It’s being stored elsewhere.”
“Let’s go! Right now!”
“Ah, Captain Akorelra. But can you receive eighty kilograms all at once?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
I casually perched on the table and counted on my fingers, as if to say: listen carefully to what I’m about to say.
“According to what you said, eighty kilograms of Luronstone far exceeds the Magic Ministry’s budget for several years. It’s an extraordinarily expensive item. Carrying it over to next year for purchase is problematic given the Ministry’s current circumstances.”
Now that the imperial court realized mages’ abilities could determine Bariel’s survival, they would certainly impose restrictions under the guise of oversight. The most basic of these would be budget cuts. Akorelra’s face went pale, and she reacted vehemently.
“No, no! I was just getting excited! Because of the truth serum research, I haven’t been able to conduct any other experiments! The higher-ups keep telling me to use it grain by grain, but is that even reasonable or just nonsense? Let me use it in chunks! Please!”
“Calm yourself. That’s why I’m proposing this: I’ll deliver all eighty kilograms at a price slightly below market rate in one shipment, and we can arrange for payment over an extended period.”
Though I said “extended period,” the sum was so large that ten thousand gold coins immediately wouldn’t be a problem. Akorelra breathed heavily, trying to calm her excitement.
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
“As expected, Minister Ian.”
Snap!
She extended her hand with satisfaction. Tomi and Nakina exchanged pitying glances as they observed Akorelra’s subordinates. Given the deplorable condition of their commanding officer, one could only imagine the hardships those beneath her endured.
“But I suppose I have my own role to play as well?”
Ian clasped Akorelra’s hand and smiled.
“I understand that while all departments within the Magic Bureau maintain agile connections, certain departments collaborate with particular frequency.”
“Exactly. Especially to other departments in need of mana stones—we’re absolutely, absolutely vital! Ahahaha!”
Mana stones found far broader application than one might expect. Where defensive formations fell short, mana stones could be embedded as substitutes for surveillance. Beyond magical tools and potions that supplemented depleted mana, they were utilized nearly everywhere except in magical formations themselves.
Given mages’ preference for magical training, the Mana Stone Management Division possessed low visibility, yet its influence remained undiminished.
‘Indeed, there are no unnecessary departments within the Magic Bureau.’
“Please inform them on my behalf, Akorelra. Should I become Minister, there will be no budget cuts to the Magic Bureau, and I can advance the commercialization of the Truth Serum.”
Everyone froze at Ian’s words. Not only the Mana Stone Management Division members, but Heil, Tomi, and Nakina as well. Wasn’t the Truth Serum proposal the very issue that every department except the Magic Bureau had vehemently opposed?
Yet he claimed he could advance it?
“Ian, are you serious?”
“This matter has already been discussed and settled with Prince Marib.”
He didn’t specify which prince. But most of them already knew Ian and Prince Marib were in collusion.
‘It’s true that those opposing the Truth Serum were Prince Marib’s faction. If Ian becomes Minister, it might become possible. Though the entire Magic Bureau would then be colored by Prince Marib’s influence.’
Akorelra didn’t mind. In fact, it was only natural. With Prince Gail bearing a curse, continuing to back him would mean being swept away together.
The Magic Bureau ultimately belonged to the imperial palace. Factions changed as a matter of course—that was simply the natural flow of history.
“I’m fine with anything. As long as I can continue my research.”
“Once the Truth Serum is commercialized, additional income for mages can also be guaranteed. Furthermore, the Magic Bureau’s standing, shaken by the Wesley incident, can be immediately restored. This applies not only to related departments but to everyone.”
Besides, the mages had followed Prince Gail largely due to Wesley’s influence. Without her, there was no particular reason it had to be Gail.
“Okay! I understand now!”
Snap!
Akorelra excitedly snapped her fingers repeatedly, her entire body trembling with exhilaration from head to toe.
“If I vote for you, my research flourishes! That’s it, right?”
“Essentially correct.”
“Got it. Then before the mana verification, I’ll make contact with other departments and spread the word. I’ll even create opportunities. There are plenty of fellows who’ve secretly received potions from us! I’ve recorded every single one in the ledger! Ahahaha!”
If they don’t vote for me, I’ll expose it! Since they received it without their lovers knowing, where else would they have used it? It could cause quite a stir. Watching Akorelra’s sinister smile, Ian realized he’d unexpectedly drawn a dangerously capable person to his side.
Indeed, one should never carelessly provoke those obsessed with something.
“…That’s pleasant to hear.”
“Heil, you have a most capable junior!”
“If he becomes Minister, he’s no longer a junior.”
Akorelra then offered her hand to Heil as well. The members of both departments standing behind also followed suit. Though they were colleagues who shared hardships together, this kind of collusion felt strange.
“Among the other candidates, there’s likely none backed by a prince.”
And certainly not by both Prince Marib and Prince Gail simultaneously.
Honestly, securing the Minister position didn’t feel difficult for Ian. The real challenge lay in what came after—establishing a separate wing of the Magic Bureau in a stable situation.
‘As the investigation into forbidden magic progresses, I should be able to find clues about Naum’s magic.’
In a sense, Wesley’s misdeeds were fortunate for Ian. They not only granted him a promotion but also allowed him to uncover various clues.
Ian suddenly recalled Naum’s final words.
“Ian. It’s all right. There are always opportunities, always. God does not present us with unanswerable questions.”
If I returned, would I meet Naum alive? Or would I return only after everything had ended? If so, had I truly found the correct answer?
What if I couldn’t return at all….
“Ian.”
My thoughts had spiraled endlessly, but Captain Heil’s call severed them with ease. I straightened my expression at once and turned to face him.
“Yes, Captain.”
“It seems we have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
I turned my head to follow Captain Heil’s gaze. Through the slightly ajar door, a round face peeked through—it was Romandro. He smiled awkwardly and called out to me carefully.
“Say, um, are you all quite busy? The office was completely empty when I stopped by.”
“No, we’ve finished everything.”
“Good. Then let’s wrap this up here. Ian, just wait for my word. I’m going to—hehehehe—eliminate every last nuisance in the way.”
Akorelra let out a sinister laugh and gestured to her subordinates. They offered brief farewells before leaving the conference room. Romandro wiped his brow with a handkerchief, glancing at her departing figure.
“Are all mages like that?”
“She seems rather exceptional. But what brings you here? Aren’t you busy?”
After the Wesley incident, Romandro had endured an equally hectic day. When the imperial palace was thrown into chaos, so too was the administrative branch. He had barely managed to carve out this moment between handling matters without even time for a bathroom break.
“I received word from Viviana. A vagrant came to the estate and handed over these items, demanding compensation.”
He greeted Captain Heil with a smirk before whispering to me. What Romandro held was a crumpled sheet of paper and a compass connected to a mana brooch. It was something Berik had carried.
“It seems Berik has ventured beyond the capital.”
“I’m not sure about that. The vagrant apparently came from a slum not far from here. In any case, Viviana immediately sent someone to bring these to the administrative branch. Take a look.”
Whoosh.
He wasn’t the sort to die in some random place, but receiving contact after a week in this form was certainly worrying. As I unfolded the paper, Romandro leaned in close to read alongside me.
-Ian. Come get me. Found something!
“This is….”
Was it written with charcoal rolling about? Setting aside the crude handwriting, it was so smudged as to be nearly illegible. Romandro scratched his chin and muttered.
“Could Hasha have written this?”
“Romandro. Hasha is a dog.”
“Ah, right.”
“It seems Berik drew this according to what Hasha indicated.”
“What should we do? Will you go retrieve him?”
At Romandro’s question, I checked the compass. Surely something had arisen that prevented him from returning alone, prompting this contact.
I smiled faintly and nodded.
“I have some time to spare.”

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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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