Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 157

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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 157. Becoming Minister of Magic
“Next item. It appears there is only one candidate nominated for the position of next Minister of Magic.”
In the grand conference hall where the Prime Minister and ministers from each department gathered, the sound of papers being shuffled filled the air. Stacks of support letters for Ian from the mages lay before them, along with numerous requests to expedite the stabilization of the Magic Department. The Prime Minister lightly grasped his gavel and surveyed those around him.
“Additionally, there is a report that Ian Hielo, Viscount’s donation has been paid in full.”
“There are no issues with his qualifications.”
“Let us hear only arguments for and against.”
“Is there anything to oppose? We cannot leave the ministerial position vacant indefinitely, and above all, the mages’ support is remarkably strong.”
The ministers cleared their throats and exchanged glances with one another. With the factions of Prince Marib and Prince Gail intermingled, both sides desired Ian’s appointment. Unable to reverse their true intentions, they merely observed carefully. Though a small minority, even Deilaina’s close associates added their silent affirmation.
Bang, bang!
“Very well. Let us proceed immediately. Those in favor of Ian Hielo, Viscount’s appointment as Minister of Magic, please raise your hands.”
Slowly, hands rose.
The Prime Minister’s eyebrows furrowed in slight surprise. Without exception, every hand was raised in approval. Prince Marib’s faction and Prince Gail’s faction exchanged suspicious glances and remained silent.
“Are there any votes against?”
“…It appears there are none.”
“This is unprecedented. Passing through the grand conference without a single opposing vote. Is this truly correct? If anyone has made an error, please speak now.”
Yet all remained silent, maintaining their stance. They believed that supporting Ian’s appointment as Minister of Magic would ultimately benefit the lords they served.
The Prime Minister let out a short exclamation and tapped his gavel.
Bang, bang, bang!
“I hereby pass the proposal for Ian Hielo, Viscount’s appointment as Minister of Magic. This will be reported to His Imperial Majesty this afternoon, and given the gravity of the matter, we shall proceed with the announcement as swiftly as possible.”
“Agreed.”
“No objections.”
All the ministers spoke with one voice. And truly, the more one considered it, the more remarkable it was.
A ministerial position, no less. No matter how much the Magic Department prioritized ability, Ian had only entered the palace through the New Year’s gathering not long ago. It was barely spring, with the snow only just beginning to melt.
‘Most of the ministers here have been rusting away for nearly ten, no, twenty years.’
He was truly a man rewriting history. Following the first noble mage, now the youngest minister, and the first appointment without a single opposing vote.
The ministers unconsciously shook their heads and lowered their eyes to their documents. It was becoming abundantly clear that a truly remarkable rising star was emerging in the imperial palace.
* * *
The papers crinkled.
Ian, who had been writing documents, paused. Berik, who lay on the sofa, poked his head out, and simultaneously, the members of the Magic Operations Division stopped what they were doing and turned around.
Tomi stood at the door, breathless and flushed with excitement.
Everyone intuitively grasped the meaning and slowly rose to their feet.
“…Has it come?”
“Yes, it has! No, it has! A golden carriage!”
“Excellent! This is it! Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the higher-ups work this quickly. Wonderful, wonderful. Congratulations, Minister Ian.”
Nakina clenched her fists and cried out with joy. Berik danced gleefully in an incomprehensible manner behind Ian, while Heil offered a handshake in greeting.
“Congratulations.”
“It is all thanks to everyone. I am grateful to you all.”
As Ian stepped outside, mages who had heard the news had already gathered in small groups. They bowed in silent respect and parted like the sea, opening a path for him.
“Ian Hielo, Viscount, kneel before His Imperial Majesty’s words.”
It was Chielronia, the Imperial Palace administrator. The elder who had come to deliver his lordship appointment when he was at the frontier, and a colleague of Mollin’s. Her expression showed she could not comprehend this absurd situation. How long had he been a lord before becoming a minister? And of all things, the Magic Department that held the empire’s fate in its grasp?
“It has been quite some time, Administrator. Each time we meet, you bring me joyous tidings. I am truly honored.”
As I knelt on one knee, the mages followed suit, prostrating themselves. The woman swallowed an astonished sigh while maintaining her dignified voice.
“It is most lamentable that the position of Minister of Magic has fallen vacant due to this unfortunate affair. Therefore, as Emperor of Bariel, I hereby decree: Ian Hielo, Viscount. Based on the support of the Magic Ministry and the unanimous consent of the General Assembly, I appoint you as the new Minister of Magic.”
‘What did she just say? Unanimous consent?’
‘The General Assembly voted unanimously?’
‘What has this man been doing behind the scenes? Ian, that bastard.’
‘It’s impossible. There’s no faction opposing the Magic Ministry?’
The mages flinched, wondering if they’d misheard. Did this mean he had unified the support of Marib, Gail, and even a third faction? It also signified that the Magic Ministry’s standing, shaken by the Wesley incident, remained intact.
‘No, it’s even more than that.’
Previously, there had been at least Marib’s checks and balances, but now? It would be difficult to achieve such a result even on matters brought before His Majesty the Emperor.
The mages gazed in admiration at the golden hair swaying in the breeze. So this was the ability of one who had crossed the great desert alone and survived.
“Thus concludes the Emperor’s proclamation. Ian Hielo, Viscount, is henceforth the 18th Minister of Magic and inherits that authority. Dedicate yourselves to the Great Empire of Bariel and His Majesty.”
“There is no question of it.”
“Congratulations. Well then, I shall take my leave.”
I accepted the appointment certificate from Chielronia with a bow, and she departed without hesitation in her carriage, leaving the Magic Ministry gardens. The mages approached me one by one to offer their congratulations.
“Congratulations, Minister Ian.”
“Congratulations. We look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, thank you. Everyone return to your posts and finish your duties.”
I smiled lightly and encouraged the mages. Normally, an inauguration ceremony and an appropriate celebration would be held, but given the circumstances, I found myself buried under piles of documents, savoring this honor.
Crackle.
“Ian, congrats congrats! Should we ask Viviana to throw a party today? Beef is so cheap these days!”
“Berik, beef is still beyond your station.”
“Why? I’ve been protecting you 24 hours a day, haven’t I, master?”
“Oh? Is that so? I thought you were here because the training grounds have no one, and the manor is inconvenient with all the Astanans.”
Well, there’s some truth to that. At the training grounds, I was chased out by the manager for emptying the food trough alone, and at the manor, the meat portions have dwindled as we’ve had more guests. Mini even locked up the storage.
Whoosh!
I tossed the pile of documents at Berik with a gesture. A signal to stop lounging about and put in some effort.
“We’re moving to the Minister’s office. Take all these things with you.”
“The Minister’s office! Is the sofa there softer?”
“If Wesley had good taste.”
“Let’s go! Let’s go go!”
Berik lifted the heavy box with ease, showing enthusiasm. Though he kept going back and forth down the corridor, unable to find the way.
“And I have a request for the Magic Operations Division.”
“Please speak freely, Minister.”
“…Thank you. Go to the archives and bring out all the first-class classified documents that were previously inaccessible. Forbidden magic is fine, materials on necromancy are fine. Don’t be selective about the list—bring everything with access restrictions to my office.”
“Should I bring them after filing the paperwork?”
“Yes. And authorize the department heads to access non-first-class security materials.”
“Understood, sir.”
The new minister’s first directive. And access to classified materials. This would breathe new life into the stalled investigation of the Wesley Incident.
“Also, I understand the Magic Support Division is the closest department to the Minister’s office.”
“That’s correct.”
“Replace the office.”
This meant that with the change in minister, the real power structure of the department had shifted as well. Everyone had anticipated this, so the Magical Support Division had packed their belongings long ago. They were probably on their way here now, hauling boxes of supplies.
“Come on, let’s get moving. We have plenty to do.”
Heil stubbed out his cigarette and flicked his hand. With the new minister’s inauguration, the Magic Department building had been in chaos and disarray all day long. It wasn’t until the afternoon sun began to set that things finally settled down.
Thud! Bang!
“Last one!”
“Good. Well done.”
Berik rolled his shoulders and set down the box. Every inch of space was crammed full, leaving barely room to stand. Yet he managed to carve out a spot on the sofa and squeezed himself onto it.
“Wow. I don’t know about anything else, but Wesley sure had good taste. This sofa is really soft and comfortable.”
Rustle.
I chuckled softly and slowly scanned through the documents. It would take considerable time to verify everything. So for now, it was more efficient to selectively review the information.
‘Ah, this is….’
-Oracle of Prince 4 Arcen and Prince 5 Jin.-
I found a title that caught my eye among the papers. Deilaina had said it—once you know the truth, you can never return to how things were before. I hesitated for a moment, but then without further doubt, I turned the page.
-…At approximately three in the morning on the full moon of month 00, day 00, the labor pains of Concubine Deilaina began. Soon after, all the lights in the temple were lit, and word was sent to His Majesty the Emperor.
It was a detailed report written in chronological fashion. The testimonies of the midwife and doctor who had assisted with the delivery at the time formed the bulk of it.
-…The labor pains continued, but as the child showed no signs of emerging, Deilaina lost and regained consciousness repeatedly. By the time the morning sun rose, Deilaina’s abdomen was finally cut open.
“…?”
-And with that, an oracle descended: ‘The one born later shall kill the one born first.’ ‘When the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line shall be severed.’
I frowned. The first oracle had been treated as an open secret, but I had never heard of the second one before.
When the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line shall be severed?
‘So that’s why they seemed to overprotect Arcen.’
…The imperial line.
It was a truly ambiguous phrase.
If it referred to the imperial family name, then “Beroshion” had continued until the time of Emperor Ian, and if it meant bloodline, hadn’t it already grown faint through cadet branches over the span of a hundred years? I myself was an emperor who had come from outside.
-When the abdomen was opened, the cause of the difficult birth became clear. One child had been gripping the other’s throat. The doctor extracted the restrained child first to open his airway. The one who had attacked his brother was then given the name Jin, while the other received the name Arcen.
I pondered that sentence, picturing the scene. From the moment of birth, he was a criminal. And so he grew up as one.
“By the way, this is….”
“What? Found something interesting?”
Berik spoke to me, but I was too absorbed to hear him. I continued turning through the documents, drawing closer to the truths of the imperial palace.
Whoosh.
And then, what Wesley must have received reports on. A report concerning forbidden necromancy.
“The quantity is certainly substantial.”
“Iiiian. Is there something interesting?”
“Ah, yes. Right.”
At Berik’s whining, I tapped the documents lightly. A sign that things were about to get interesting.

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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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