Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 159

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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 159. The Day Curses Are Revealed
Unlike the pleasant other departments, the entrance to the Mana Stone Management Division had a different air from the moment you stepped inside. Powder and dust clung haphazardly to damp walls, mana stone storage containers gleamed in the darkness, and this place—brimming with heat and cold—evoked the image of a back alley in a marketplace.
“Lower the heat a bit.”
“That’s strange. The threshold is much lower, isn’t it?”
“Just lower the heat, will you?”
Whoosh!
With each step I took, bizarre sounds echoed from all directions—the remnants of research involving crushing, grinding, and boiling mana stones. Occasional explosions rang out, yet no one here paid them much mind. They simply shielded their flasks with their bodies to keep their research undisturbed.
“Hehe… Exquisite, absolutely exquisite.”
I leaned against the doorframe, observing Captain Akorella’s silhouette. A space completely sealed off from the outside world. Only the soft violet light emanating from the Luronstone illuminated her face. She looked every bit the image of a madwoman. Captain Akorella’s subordinate knocked on the door to announce their presence.
Knock, knock.
“Captain Akorella.”
“Why!! I told you not to call me while I’m researching!”
“Minister Ian has arrived.”
“Oh? Really?”
Her shift in demeanor was so swift it bordered on frightening. She removed her goggles and peeled off the gloves from her hands as she approached me.
“What brings you here, Minister? I submitted the report you asked for. Ah, never mind that. This works out perfectly. Come over here and take a look. When I gradually increased the pressure on the Luronstone at extremely low temperatures, the bubble fluctuations became far more active. But since we only dealt with it in powder form, how could we have known? What I mean is, these bubbles are essentially the core of the mana stone—”
“Captain Akorella.”
I calmed the excitedly chattering Captain Akorella. Then I set down a report nearly a hand’s breadth thick on the desk and smiled.
“That’s precisely what I came to ask about. From now on, I’d appreciate it if you could write your reports more simply. From what I gather, you’re saying you can eliminate the side effects that were mentioned regarding the Sildam Elixir.”
“Exactly. When consumed, it causes people to vomit blood, which has contributed significantly to negative public perception. It’s something we absolutely must resolve for commercialization, and I’ve been worried about it. But it seems there won’t be any problems.”
Money and willpower—these are what change the world. With chunks of Luronstone arriving, the research became far more manageable. I continued flipping through the report and asked further.
“There are no issues with its efficacy?”
“It will likely depend on how much Luronstone is incorporated. Originally, the function only worked at the moment of blood vomiting, but by resolving the side effects, we might be able to adjust the timing. Since we’re focusing on commercialization, I’ll coordinate with other departments on that aspect first.”
Boom!
Another explosion sounded from the end of the corridor. Clearly, someone’s research had failed. I nodded in acknowledgment and tapped the table lightly.
“And this question stems from mere anxiety.”
“Yes, yes! Go ahead and ask! I’m not sure what it is, but when you lead with that kind of preamble, you’re almost always right. It must be anxiety.”
As Captain Akorella’s eyes sparkled, her subordinate, unable to bear it any longer, pressed their forehead and left the laboratory. Once we were alone, I folded my arms and laughed.
“I noticed there wasn’t a single word in your report about neutralizing the Sildam Elixir. Are you planning to submit a separate report on that?”
“Oh! Minister Ian. How perceptive of you.”
Research on the Sildam Elixir was proceeding with commercialization as its goal. Commercialization meant gaining the market’s favor, and the easiest path to gaining the market’s favor was to aim for complementary demand.
For instance, if spears sell well, shields will also sell well. If poison sells well, antidotes will have high demand. The Sildam Elixir would be no different. Surely there would be explosive demand for ways to neutralize it.
“The Magic Ministry naturally has no official plans to research neutralization methods. But who knows what unknown apothecaries in other nations or back alleys might do. By understanding in advance how to neutralize the Sildam Elixir, we ultimately maximize long-term profit.”
“Honestly, I’m not very good with such private calculations. I’m simply curious about the spear that pierces anything and the shield that blocks anything. We have discovered several error cases where consumption leads to neutralization. I was planning to organize and submit those separately.”
“That information must remain classified.”
“Of course. You needn’t worry about our people. They hardly ever leave since they only focus on research.”
Boom!
Another explosion. As acrid smoke rose, I frowned—as if questioning whether this situation was truly acceptable. But Captain Akorella rummaged through the drawer with practiced ease. Dust fell between the layered parchments stacked within.
“Hmm, I put it here somewhere, but where did it go? In any case, I’ll organize and submit at least a rough draft by today.”
“I’ll be staying in the ministerial office for the time being, so bring it directly.”
“Yes, understood. Minister Ian, my loyalty to you!”
Akorelra had not only supplied massive quantities of Luronstone but also possessed a genuine understanding of research—a rare quality. She believed Ian’s appointment as minister was a stroke of fortune compared to Wesley, and she saluted him with playful exaggeration.
“Well done.”
I slipped out of the Mana Stone Management Division, gesturing dismissively at the air. Was it any wonder the mages called this place a “den”? A hundred years from now, it wouldn’t be like this—clearly, the temperament of those in charge shaped the entire department’s atmosphere.
‘This side seems adequately prepared.’
“Welcome back, Minister.”
“Someone from the Administrative Division just left.”
“From the Administrative Division?”
As I returned, Tomi scurried after me and set down a stack of documents. Berik, who had been lounging on the sofa eating Gula, frowned in obvious displeasure at the sight of yet another pile.
“They came to verify the progress on the Sildamul Potion production and asked whether the schedule was being met without any delays. I assured them I would send a separate response just in case.”
It was a kind of trial. A judgment to determine whether the curse Prince Gail testified to was truth or falsehood. The outcome would determine which direction the currents of the imperial palace would sweep.
I could roughly discern the path ahead, but rapids are rapids—I couldn’t predict their exact course. Who among men could know where every droplet would scatter?
“Tell them there are no problems.”
“Yes, understood.”
‘Prince Gail has narrowly escaped death, and for the time being, he gains a protective barrier that no one can easily breach.’
His death was said to be Bariel’s death. Eventually it would be revealed, but until then, even Prince Marib would hesitate to harm him.
‘Then what will Prince Marib do? He seeks to push, while Gail seeks to hold firm. Will he merely watch as Gail survives with one foot already over the cliff’s edge?’
Absolutely not.
For Prince Marib, this is an opportunity that will never come again. To seize it, he will employ any means necessary to push Gail down—ensuring he cannot climb back up, that he falls into the abyss.
‘And the move that would create the greatest upheaval…’
I found myself biting my lip. It was something so sacrilegious and horrifying that I feared even thinking it, yet it was not entirely without possibility.
“Ian, your expression is grim again.”
Berik, who had been watching me quietly, threw out a comment. Lately, I’d been falling into deep thought like this rather often, hadn’t I? When I smiled faintly, Berik clenched his fists and launched into a passionate speech.
“We’re just trying to make a living here, right? So let’s not work! Besides, he probably did a half-hearted job anyway.”
“Even making a living has its standards. Berik, if you wish to live on nothing but Gula, then do so.”
“…Then will Ian work just a little harder?”
“Ah, by the way, have you smelled it?”
I had Berik smell the drug that Prince Gail had given me. At the border, people collapsed the moment they caught a whiff and experienced hallucinations, so if it were the same substance, the reaction should be identical. At my words, Berik sniffed it.
“I passed out and missed dinner.”
“So it’s the same thing. You experienced hallucinations too?”
“Yes. But they were less intense than before.”
“Even if it’s the same drug, the manufacturer and method of production create vast differences. What matters is that they’re fundamentally identical.”
I twirled a pen in my hand and nodded. What connection could there possibly be between the merchant guild distributing this drug and Prince Marib?
‘I sent a letter to Hielo and gave Merelrof a hint as well. I asked them to find out where that drug Lady Lien gave me originally came from.’
But it would take time. Moreover, Lady Lien had merely obtained the drug; the likelihood of her being connected to the central forces was remarkably low. Under the Count’s watchful surveillance at the time, she hadn’t engaged in any particular external activities. For now, the fastest and most reliable method was to obtain the materials Prince Gail had gathered.
‘Clues about the merchant guild are clues about Prince Marib’s weakness.’
It would be best to think about this after the conference. Depending on the outcome—more precisely, depending on Prince Marib’s actions—my own response would differ accordingly.
Whoosh.
I gazed out the window, wondering where the messenger bird I’d sent to Hielo might be flying by now. Thanks to the garden situated where the annex would have been, sunlight poured down without restraint.
* * *
And finally, that day arrived.
“I can’t enter the palace today? Why?”
“The delivery deadline is today.”
“I don’t know the details either. Orders came down to restrict outsiders from entering the palace as much as possible until sunset today.”
The atmosphere of the imperial palace was distinctly different. Like those preparing for battle, it was tense and grave, with everyone on high alert. The guards restricted entry and exit to a minimum just in case, and everyone who drew salary from the imperial palace crowded toward the grand conference hall.
“The Magic Ministry.”
“The Magic Ministry has arrived.”
“Is that Ian Hielo, the Minister?”
“Ah, so he’s the new minister.”
Ian walked at the front in full ceremonial dress. His cloak billowed behind him, followed by Captain Akorella and members of the Magic Operations Division. Until they reached the grand conference hall, the murmuring around them showed no signs of stopping.
“I hear they’ve newly manufactured the Siltham Elixir.”
“Is that so? Ha, well then.”
Those gathered in small groups at someone’s words wore peculiar expressions. As if Prince Gail were finished. An elixir made by someone who became Minister of Magic with Prince Marib’s backing—the outcome was obvious.
“But these days, we hardly see Prince Gail anymore.”
“Perhaps he’s cursed. He must be avoiding going out.”
Without realizing it, I glanced in that direction. Truth be told, I was incredibly curious as well. Of course, with the public eye and Marib’s attention, we couldn’t make contact alone, but there had been no response to my messages either.
‘I switched out the Siltham Elixir and even sent a neutralization method just in case, but there’s been no reply.’
Had he gone mad? Well, if so, I had no intention of stopping him anyway. That was when the sound of a carriage running loudly echoed behind me. A magnificent horse with such momentum that the earth trembled.
“Ah.”
And on the flag attached to the carriage was the crest of House Haiman. I, the Magic Ministry, and all the staff from each department stopped and looked down at the carriage.
Whinnnngh!
The man who descended with light movements was Gail. He smiled leisurely and swept back his hair. At Gail’s sudden appearance, everyone bowed respectfully.
“Your Highness, please take my hand.”
And then came the voice of a woman. Melania, the youngest daughter of House Haiman. Gail naturally took her hand and soon wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Be careful, Melania.”
“With Your Highness holding me, there’s nothing to be careful about.”
Everyone noticed the unusual energy between the two. As Gail climbed the stairs, his eyes met mine, and he subtly raised his eyebrows.
‘So you were busy with that.’
He was one of the ropes I could grab before falling off the cliff.
I let out a small, hollow laugh and met his gaze. As if to say, how impressive.

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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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