Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 174

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 174. Moving Forward, Bit by Bit
Shortly after, Xiaoxi noticed the area around Ian had cleared and stepped into the conference room. He stood among the mages, papers in hand, observing the mana stone dust scattered across the round table.
I couldn’t discern which specks represented Marib and Gail among the countless particles, but it was sufficient to assess the current situation. I tapped two points on the rolled paper with my fingertips.
“I sensed Beols’s mana at these two locations.”
“Indeed. The physical distance is considerable for movement in such a short timeframe. It would be difficult for anyone but a mage, or even the Mage Knight serving His Majesty, to traverse it.”
“If His Majesty the Emperor possesses secret passages, we would find it difficult to detect. It would be best to inform the Magic Ministry of our neutral stance and await his arrival.”
“Count Ian, do you have a suspicion?”
“I’ve instructed Romandro to retrieve the documents from Wesley’s time. Once I examine those, I can make a more accurate assessment. What of Berik? Is he preparing adequately?”
“He’s downstairs in the dining hall eating. Since Prince Marib’s forces fill the surrounding area, it seems we’ll need some preparation.”
Prince Marib’s forces—what a laughable notion. Even Bariel’s insignificant beasts stood beneath the Emperor. For these guards to step forward and create chaos was truly reckless.
I chuckled softly and set down the documents. Akorelra, who had been organizing the mana stone dust, caught Xiaoxi’s presence and signaled with her eyes.
“Minister. Your subordinate has arrived.”
“Xiaoxi?”
“…I have something to report.”
Xiaoxi lowered his head calmly and glanced around at the mages, his gaze questioning whether this was information they should hear.
“Oh, I should check the defensive formations!”
“Right. I was just thinking the same thing. Yes, yes.”
The mages bustled about and left the room. They didn’t know Xiaoxi was enslaved; they regarded him as my left arm. Berik’s constant singing about wanting another round had influenced their perception as well.
“What is it?”
I turned to face Xiaoxi with my arms crossed. He was such a taciturn man that I couldn’t guess what he might say.
“Last night, I believe I saw Prince Arcen at Prince Gail’s quarters.”
…This was beyond mere doubt—it was astonishing. I uncrossed my arms and furrowed my brow. Why would Arcen be at Gail’s quarters? More importantly, how was that even possible?
“Explain in detail.”
“I saw brilliant blue eyes gleaming in the darkness of the corridor. I initially thought the person was the subject’s son and passed by, but upon reflection just now, I’m certain it was Prince Arcen, not the boy.”
“…Prince Jin and Prince Arcen share identical appearances. How can you be certain it was Prince Arcen?”
“By instinct—”
Xiaoxi paused. It had been only a fleeting moment, yet it remained etched in my mind, unforgettable. That coldness, that murderous aura—a sensation of otherness, as though it didn’t belong to the living. Or perhaps the chilling presence of a predator in dominance. Indescribable words tangled together, refusing to form properly.
Would Ian understand this?
He continued speaking.
“—I could tell.”
….
Tap, tap. I drummed my fingertips rhythmically against the chair’s leather. My eyes gazed into empty space as though contemplating something. The green light in them burned particularly vivid.
“…Please believe me.”
“I do believe you.”
Xiaoxi flinched at how readily the answer came. I looked down at him, smiling as though asking why he was so startled.
“Prince Jin and Prince Arcen resemble each other like mirror images, yet their temperaments differ, so everyone in the palace could distinguish them easily. If you sensed Prince Arcen, then it was Prince Arcen.”
To be precise, the one with the bright, cheerful smile and lively demeanor was Arcen, while the composed and quiet one was Jin.
“What puzzles me is how and why Prince Arcen was at Prince Gail’s quarters that night.”
I said this while glancing at the mana stone dust map. The imperial palace was so vast that Gail’s quarters and Arcen’s quarters weren’t entirely distant from one another.
But for the boy to have entered Gail’s quarters without transportation, on that particular night, defied all common sense no matter how I considered it.
“I’ve assigned guards to receive you, and yes, I managed to let you enter somehow. But there are more than one or two things I don’t understand.”
At Ian’s murmuring, Xiaoxi lowered his eyes. He should have grabbed the boy then and there. He should have confirmed whether it was truly Arcen, and delivered more useful information to his master.
“Xiaoxi.”
At Ian’s call, he lifted his gaze.
“For the time being, care well for the twin princes, and especially keep watch over Prince Arcen. There are many things that trouble me.”
“I shall keep it in mind.”
The oracle spoke thus as well.
The one born later shall harm the one born first.
When the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line shall be severed.
‘I have some inkling about the latter.’
From Ian’s perspective, Jin, who was now certain to be the next emperor, was the one closest to the throne. Therefore, it was only natural that if Jin died, the imperial line would be severed.
“…And Prince Arcen?”
“He went inside, saying it was inconvenient with people coming and going.”
Ian rose from his seat and took the lead, thinking that he would need to separate Jin and Arcen somewhat going forward.
“Inside, where exactly?”
* * *
“Please tell me immediately if you experience any pain.”
“…It’s bearable.”
The doctor knelt and examined Jin’s wounds. As he wiped away the streaked blood, the depth of the wound became more apparent. Fortunately, it had missed his eyes and mouth, but the scar would likely be permanent. The doctor sighed without realizing it and disinfected the gaping wound.
“…Mother?”
“Deilaina is resting. She merely fainted from shock. I am more concerned about your injuries, my prince.”
Jin fell silent and closed his eyes. Did these people know that he had been abandoned by his mother and siblings? There were no secrets in the imperial palace, so once the situation settled, everyone would surely learn of it.
‘Then, how am I to live?’
It was still vivid. The last warmth of his mother’s hand as she let go. Since the bond had broken, even if it healed, it could never return to what it was before. Like the scar on his face, the mark would remain on their relationship.
“Since the wound is diagonal, the bandage will be somewhat uncomfortable. But please bear with it for now. If it becomes infected, it will hurt more and cause you greater suffering.”
The doctor finished the treatment with clean cloth and stood up. Then those who could wield healing magic approached and bathed him in their warm energy.
Zing. Zing.
“This will ease your pain. Since you are still young and your body is in poor condition, I will monitor the situation and infuse my mana gradually.”
“Magic is your domain, so proceed as you see fit.”
At Jin’s kind words, the mages smiled warmly. Ah, outside the grown princes were causing such a commotion, yet this young prince bore his pain without a single cry, showing such composure.
“Please wait a moment. I shall bring you fresh clothes.”
“Where is Count Ian?”
“The Minister appears to be attending to some matters at the moment. Shall I call for him?”
“No need. I was merely curious.”
“He will be here shortly.”
The mage noticed Jin’s clothes were in disarray and bowed his head. Sitting on the bed, Jin closed his eyes and slowly swung his legs.
‘When I see Count Ian, I shall first thank him. For helping me survive thus. For embracing me without hesitation, I am truly grateful. And for saving even Mother—’
Creak.
He was a prince, but before that, he was a child. Since opening his eyes, one unbearable event after another had unfolded. Jin did not notice the approaching footsteps amid his tangled thoughts.
Tap.
Footsteps drew near. Jin closed his eyes and turned his head. Had the Mage returned?
“Jin.”
At the familiar voice, Jin’s eyes snapped open. Arcen had drawn so close that he was peering directly into his face. Jin held his breath and went rigid.
“Jin. How are your wounds? Are you alright?”
“…Arcen.”
“Prince Marib really went too far.”
Arcen’s eyes reddened as he touched his brother’s wound. When Jin winced at the sting, Arcen made a fuss as if startled.
“I’m sorry. Does it hurt a lot?”
“….”
Jin averted his gaze and didn’t answer. It had always been difficult to face him, but this was incomparable. I had no idea what expression to wear when meeting Arcen.
“Jin. Are you very angry about what happened earlier?”
“….”
“That’s why I told you beforehand. Your role would be important. You know how complicated the imperial palace is right now, don’t you? We simply encountered this crisis far too quickly.”
Arcen embraced Jin and whispered softly. Jin, who had been staring into empty space, murmured.
“You wish for my death.”
Arcen’s hand, which had been patting his back, stopped.
“Before I die because of the oracle, you’re hoping I die first.”
Arcen’s lips curved as he regarded Jin calmly. Then, unable to contain himself, he burst into loud laughter.
“Jin! What are you saying? Anyone listening would think I was the one who gave the oracle. It’s me who lives in fear of death, isn’t it? Because of your existence, I’ve been living under such a fate since the moment of my birth.”
“That’s a lie. You—”
“Mother’s choice is Mother’s will. Don’t take it out on me.”
Jin’s eyes widened at Arcen’s words. So it was his fault that Mother abandoned you? You were simply abandoned for being yourself, yet he didn’t understand why you were raising your voice at him. That was the tone of his words.
Jin felt tears welling up without his knowledge.
“It’s fortunate that Count Ian appeared and armored men showed up. Because of you, Mother and I nearly died.”
Each word from Arcen burned through Jin’s veins like poison. Jin didn’t realize it was rage.
“From now on, please be careful with your actions. Yes? I can’t help that you hate me, but I can’t abandon Mother as well, can I?”
Jin bit his lip. He wanted to retort, but the dagger Arcen had wielded his entire life seemed to choke his throat.
Then a shadow fell across the doorway. Arcen, facing Jin, merely chuckled and rubbed his cheek against his brother’s shoulder.
Whoosh.
It was Ian. Leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, Ian gazed at them. Jin’s heart pounded wildly.
“Jin, promise me. We’re family, aren’t we?”
“….”
Ian’s comfort—that precious tears should be shed—erased Arcen’s whisper. The statement that his own breath mattered more than their screams was so shocking that he could easily recall Ian’s voice again.
“I, I am—”
Ian touched his own lips with his hand.
Don’t cry. Smile instead.
The tears of the precious are heavy and will fill heaven and earth.
“I am—”
Ian nodded.
Your worth will be recognized by yourself, so trust and follow your own path. When you follow your own path, only you will remain, wholly yourself.
“I refuse.”
“…What?”
Arcen stopped polishing his cheeks and lifted his head. Jin stared at him with tears brimming at the edges of his eyes, glistening but refusing to fall.
“I don’t want to die. Arcen, please don’t ask me to bear the weight of your fate anymore.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————