Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 160

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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 160. The Beginning of Confrontation
Prince Gail’s presence stood out distinctly in the dignified conference hall, and not merely because he was the center of attention that day.
He displayed none of the composure one would expect from someone awaiting judgment. Instead, he draped his arm around Melania’s waist with deliberate ostentation, dripping honey from his every gesture.
“Melania Haiman. It has been quite some time.”
“Oh my, hello. It truly has been ages. This is our first meeting since the New Year’s gathering, isn’t it? Father often mentions you when he’s sorting through his correspondence.”
“But what brings you here today?”
“I accompanied Prince Gail for this important conference.”
“Is that so? Ah, I see, I see! How wonderful. Yes, yes.”
House Haiman. The great family that held Bariel’s economy in the palm of their hand.
Though their lineage carried the blood of foreign royalty, their status could not be compared to that of ordinary nobility. The saying “Haiman, between the imperial family and the aristocracy” circulated widely enough. The fact that banks were revered as sacred as temples itself was proof of their standing.
“Prince Gail, the atmosphere in the conference hall is rather heavy. I should have dressed more formally.”
“No. You look absolutely perfect. Do not worry.”
“I’m delighted to hear you say so.”
While everyone else wore achromatic formal attire, Melania’s dress captured the essence of spring itself. It was radiant and shimmering, each piece of jewelry commanding the eye.
I recognized this as Prince Gail’s simple yet effective stratagem. He had ensured that every person entering the conference hall would take notice of Melania’s presence.
‘Prince Gail has captured the heart of House Haiman’s daughter. In other words, House Haiman supports Prince Gail.’
Not just any noble house, but Haiman. Now I understood why he had been so occupied and reclusive. Everyone in the conference hall was watching them.
Then Prince Gail draped his arm across Melania’s shoulder and glanced back. When his gaze met mine directly, he flashed a grin and gestured toward Melania with his eyes. His mouth moved silently.
‘What do you think?’
That’s what he seemed to be saying. I remained expressionless, merely inclining my head slightly without responding. Prince Gail simply shrugged and turned his face forward again.
“Prince Gail is truly remarkable, I must say.”
“And just a short while ago, he was so attached to Wesley.”
“Reckless. Guard your tongue.”
“…I apologize, Minister.”
I silenced my subordinates and waited for the conference to begin. Before long, Prince Marib and his followers entered, quickly spotting Prince Gail and Melania at the front. Prince Marib stopped in his tracks and let out an incredulous laugh.
“…Gail. Unbelievable.”
“Good morning, Brother.”
Prince Gail released Melania and approached to offer his greeting. Rather than clasping his hand, Prince Marib turned his head slightly and muttered in a contemptuous voice.
“A dog’s habits never change, as they say. Though I wonder who taught you such manners.”
He was alluding to Prince Gail’s birth mother, a woman of insignificant provincial nobility. She had risen to the highest station achievable through beauty alone. A woman the Emperor could not forget even in his dreams, often calling for her in his sleep.
At Prince Marib’s blatant insult, Prince Gail’s jaw clenched visibly.
Crack.
Prince Gail seized Prince Marib’s arm as he tried to pass, his smile widening. His lips curved upward in what appeared to be a smile, yet his eyes were glacial.
“Say that again in front of Father.”
“You tell him yourself. Soon enough you’ll be cast out of the palace anyway. While you’re at it, ease His Majesty’s worries. ‘Father, do not concern yourself. I have no need to worry about sustenance, for my parasitic bloodline remains intact.'”
Smack.
Prince Marib brushed his hand away lightly and walked forward. Even as the atmosphere grew tense, Melania kept her spine straight, her gaze fixed on Prince Gail.
‘If I die, Bariel falls? His Majesty and I die too? Such nonsense has limits. Gail, today is the last day you live under the name of the imperial family.’
Prince Marib looked toward me, as if to confirm that I had made all necessary preparations. I nodded, and with the Emperor’s entrance, the judgment—though not called such—began.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
“Everyone, please rise!”
The Emperor ascended the highest platform with Deilaina’s support. Every time I saw him, his complexion was ashen, and even his movements seemed labored. Humans were powerless before the passage of time, but with an invisible hand targeting his very breath, it was only natural.
“Begin.”
“Minister of Magic, Ian Hielo, Viscount, please come forward.”
Tap, tap, tap!
As the Prime Minister’s gavel rang out forcefully, I stepped forward, cradling the bottle I had prepared beforehand on a cushion.
“I am Ian Hielo, the newly appointed Minister of Magic. By imperial decree, I have disposed of all the previous Shildam potions and manufactured new ones.”
The transparent, crystalline liquid contained in the glass vial caught the yellowish light of the conference room perfectly.
The nobles leaned forward with interest, peering down at it. If it were to be commercialized, it would surely become a significant magical potion that would permeate their daily lives.
“Through extensive research enabled by the large-scale supply of Luron stones, we have resolved several side effects. Most notably, including the hemoptysis that had been frequently mentioned.”
“Was the Luron supply conducted by you, Ian Hielo?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Prince Marib deliberately brought it up. It was both to reinforce Ian’s authority and to make clear that he would bear full responsibility should any problems arise.
The Prime Minister summoned Prince Gail forward.
“Prince Gail. I shall inquire in the name of His Majesty.”
“I shall answer faithfully with utmost sincerity.”
The Prime Minister adjusted his glasses and paused for a moment.
“Prince Gail, you have been cursed by the former Minister of Magic, Wesley. Is this correct?”
“It is.”
“And beginning with Your Highness’s death, the shadow of death will fall upon countless citizens of Bariel, which constitutes the decline and destruction of Bariel itself—this curse as well is accurate, is it not?”
“It is.”
Prince Gail raised his hand in oath. Those who believed his words implicitly let out sorrowful sighs, while the opposition faction merely scoffed.
“Finally, is it also true that a curse of death has been placed upon Prince Marib and His Majesty the Emperor?”
Everyone swallowed hard. Prince Marib wore an expression of contempt with his arms crossed, while the Emperor’s face was difficult to read beneath his wrinkled skin. Deilaina grasped the Emperor’s hand and closed her eyes gently.
“It is true.”
Crash!
“Prince Gail, you persist in this manner to the very end.”
“Ah! The curse of destruction upon Bariel—!”
“Silence!”
“Silence!”
Someone’s indignant voice seemed to create ripples. The commotion spread uncontrollably in all directions, and the Prime Minister continued striking his gavel repeatedly.
Though silence was commanded, the atmosphere did not easily settle—not until Prince Gail raised the Shildam potion.
Whoosh.
“What is all this clamor for? Is there anything different from before? We have gathered to face the truth, so all of you, look carefully.”
“….”
He took a sip of the Shildam potion and then deliberately raised his head. His Adam’s apple bobbed with his breath. It was to confirm that the potion had flowed down his esophagus. Prince Gail wiped the corner of his mouth and gestured to the Prime Minister.
“…Prince Gail. Have you spoken any falsehood in answer to my questions here today?”
As Prince Gail offered a faint smile, Prince Marib rose abruptly without thinking. But nothing could move faster than words.
“All is truth.”
Tap, tap! Tap!
“Prince Gail spoke no lies!”
“From this moment forward, the Prince’s safety is Bariel’s safety. We must protect him with utmost vigilance. Anyone who harms the Prince must be punished as a traitor!”
“This is absurd!”
“Prince Marib! What on earth is—”
Prince Marib’s followers crowded around him in panic, clamoring from all sides. Amid their chaos, Prince Marib stared at Prince Gail with an expressionless face. He slowly rose from his seat and removed his glasses.
“Gail.”
…The curse is real? Impossible.
As Prince Marib approached Prince Gail with killing intent, his followers grew excited and tried to follow, only to be firmly blocked by the dignified Prime Minister’s warning.
“Anyone disrupting the assembly’s atmosphere will be expelled without warning and charged with contempt of court.”
Prince Marib faced Prince Gail. After staring at him for a long moment, he turned to me. From the sound of his voice seeping through clenched teeth, I could sense his fury.
“Ian, I heard the truth serum had no problems.”
“Yes. No problems.”
“Then why—!”
“Brother.”
Prince Gail calmly cut him off. His voice held no inflection, yet why did it carry an undertone of amusement?
“Just because it isn’t the truth you desired doesn’t mean it disappears. Or perhaps you wish to make your wishes into truth?”
Veins bulged at Prince Marib’s temples. Seeing this, I approached and whispered as if urging restraint.
“His Majesty the Emperor is watching. You should calm yourself and exercise restraint. And I stake my life on this—the potion has no problems.”
At my words, Prince Marib looked up at the platform. The Emperor slowly moved his eyes, observing the friction between his sons. Prince Marib, unable to tear his gaze from the Emperor, muttered.
“…Very well? Then we should verify it. Is anyone there!?”
Prince Marib turned away and laughed as if regaining composure. But the threatening atmosphere felt instinctively real. His followers hesitated in confusion.
“Let anyone come forward and drink the potion with me.”
“…Pardon? Your Highness, what do you mean?”
“Come forward, anyone.”
Those who had been fawning moments before now froze in awkwardness. The truth serum, here and now?
“…Your, Your Highness.”
“Lord Kailot? Won’t you step forward? Or Nolervekin? What about you? Ah yes, Beckerman! You drink it.”
Those called upon turned ashen, their lips merely moistened with saliva as they stood. Wasn’t the entire palace watching, including the Emperor? And opposing factions stood with eyes wide open, ready to tear them apart. Even a saint without a speck of dust would find this unbearable.
“Your Highness. Allow me to drink and prove it.”
“No. I’ll exclude those affiliated with the Magic Department.”
“So you don’t trust me.”
I furrowed my brow as if displeased. Acting made my skin crawl. I’d felt it since the Borderlands, but I truly had neither the constitution nor the talent for acting. It seemed Prince Marib in his excitement hadn’t noticed much.
He stood silent for a moment, merely catching his breath.
‘…Damn.’
I am the Minister of Magic and useful in many ways. Losing me in a moment of excitement like this would be wasteful. I realized my mistake immediately.
“Or perhaps you should drink it yourself, brother.”
Prince Gail slowly twirled the potion. The remaining liquid sloshed softly.
“Since you trust no one, drinking it yourself would be the best method, wouldn’t it?”
Then he smiled wickedly. As if hoping Prince Marib would drink it right away.
“And I have questions for you as well, brother. Whether you know Father has been unwell lately. Whether there are useful merchant guilds abroad. Things like that.”
Prince Marib’s eyes widened at his words.
“How about it? Would you care to taste it yourself? It’s rather pathetic to refuse what you won’t eat while forcing your subordinates to consume it.”
“Prince Gail….”
Their whispers were so quiet that only I could hear them. Unable to bear the awkward silence any longer, the Emperor stepped in directly.
“Marib. That’s enough.”
“…Your Majesty.”
As the Emperor’s command fell, Prince Marib’s expression changed quite noticeably. The complete opposite of Prince Gail’s triumphant demeanor.
“…Then, may I continue with my report?”
“Minister Ian Hielo. What report are you referring to?”
Clink.
I took the truth serum from Prince Marib’s hand and set it on the table. Prince Marib watched me with an enigmatic gaze. If one side receives support, shouldn’t the other side receive equal consideration?
“Regarding the curse of forbidden magic. No matter how powerful a spell may be, a curse is still a curse. Just as every problem has a solution, there must be a way to break a curse, wouldn’t you agree?”

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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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