Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 182

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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 182
A Day Comes to an End
“Has His Majesty passed away?”
I muttered in bewilderment, staring down at the letter. Honestly, it was unexpected. I had assumed the Emperor would naturally still be alive, based on the complex reasoning that Prince Marib had shown me the imperial seal rather than the Emperor’s corpse, and that he had lived a long life in the original history.
“…He still lives.”
Beols answered, jerking his chin toward the painting placed behind him. His gaze as he spoke of the Emperor’s survival was dark.
“But he is not truly alive.”
“Explain in detail.”
“Last night, Prince Marib entered His Majesty’s quarters and inflicted harm upon him while simultaneously seizing the imperial seal. I was present, but it happened in an instant and I could not prevent it. As captain of the imperial guard, I am ashamed.”
Riama’s betrayal. The aging Emperor. A bedroom sealed on all sides. And Marib targeting his father’s life. I could easily reconstruct what had transpired that night.
“This was written within a secret passage. His Majesty calculated the possibilities and anticipated numerous scenarios, and one of them has come to pass. Therefore, I deliver this to you, Count Ian, by His Majesty’s command.”
I accepted the letter. Blood was caked thickly on the tightly bound cord—likely traces left by an aging hand.
“The Emperor—”
“Has frozen himself.”
“…!”
“His health was already poor, and the bleeding was severe. It was a decision His Majesty made of his own will.”
Now that I looked, Beols’s clothes were also stained with blood. Given how much blood the old man had lost, his condition was evident. Before his final breath could leave his body, the Emperor locked himself away in eternal time. For he had been a man of meaning from the moment of his birth until the moment of his death.
“He feared today’s situation would spiral beyond control. If the Emperor were to pass away, it would become a true coup.”
“I agree. If word spreads that the throne is vacant, even the rabble will seize the chaos to reveal their greed. There is even concern that a spark capable of evolution could completely consume Bariel.”
“…He requested that whenever the moment comes when His Majesty’s death no longer threatens Bariel, the freezing be undone at that time.”
“There are those who practice healing magic.”
“I cannot guarantee it. The moment the freezing is undone, what will become of him is uncertain.”
I pondered briefly, then pressed my forehead. First, I should read the Emperor’s letter.
“But you entrusted this to me?”
“More precisely, to ‘a third force that stands with neither prince.'”
So the Emperor lived a long life—I wonder if the hidden history was like this as well? The Emperor does not die until his death is honored as death. That was the final duty the Emperor bore.
‘That’s right. Come to think of it, when I saw him at the New Year’s gathering, he looked like he would collapse any moment, so I wondered how he lived so long.’
Beols gestured hurriedly for me to open the letter.
“I too do not know what is written within.”
“Was it you I spoke with earlier?”
“Yes. I unintentionally tested you, for which I apologize. It was His Majesty’s will, so I ask for your understanding. He was especially concerned that Prince Arcen and Prince Jin not be caught up in the chaos.”
Whoosh.
Unlike the parchment rolled up thickly, the contents were brief.
⁝
-Marib and Gail must reveal their wrongs in detail at trial. In particular, Marib shall have his imperial family name permanently stripped.
-Watch over Jin and Arcen carefully. One is light, and one is darkness. In the year they come of age, seek out the High Priest of Gala again.
⁝
It was no different from a will. Most of it concerned the disposition of the princes, with brief instructions for concluding various state projects he had undertaken.
I rolled up the parchment again and looked at Beols.
“What proof is there that this is His Majesty’s letter?”
“It’s the official seal.”
“Prince Marib has usurped the official seal.”
“His Majesty has a personal seal he used when sending letters to foreign kings. We can verify it by comparing them.”
“Should we inform Deilaina? If His Majesty is absent, the Prime Minister and Deilaina will have to assume that position for the time being.”
“His Majesty instructed that decisions regarding the succession be made through discussion between Deilaina and third-party factions.”
‘Beols will oversee and observe all of that process.’
I set the letter down on the table and pondered. If that were the case, once this crisis concluded, the conflict between Jin and Arcen—between myself and Deilaina—would divide the imperial palace.
Currently, more power and authority had shifted to me, the one who saved their lives.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a knock came from outside. I hid the letter in my robe and gave Beols a meaningful glance.
“First, let’s end this nightmare of a day.”
“Yes. Simply managing the aftermath is a monumental task. There’s no time to waste. Once the palace is organized, I’ll move His Majesty, who is frozen.”
Click!
As I opened the door, Romandro stepped back in surprise. He had clearly heard voices inside, yet only one person was emerging—how could that be?
I wrapped my robe around myself and passed by him.
“I’ve received a letter from His Majesty the Emperor. Prepare yourself, as we’ll now begin properly organizing the imperial palace.”
“What? A letter from His Majesty? Where is he at the moment?”
“Romandro. Before that, there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Yes, yes. Please ask away.”
Romandro spoke respectfully, conscious of the gazes around him. There had been something odd about this from before, but it hadn’t seemed particularly important at the time, so I’d let it pass.
“Where is Deilaina’s family from?”
Both Prince Marib and Prince Gail had mentioned Deilaina’s family once each. Given that she’d risen to the position of imperial concubine, I could guess her family’s influence was considerable. But today was the day when all the central nobility had split apart. Yet I hadn’t heard any mention of forces supporting Deilaina.
“Deilaina? She is the daughter of House Carbo, sir.”
“Carbo? You mean the Carbo Temple?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The Carbo Temple. An ancient place that had conveyed the will of the gods to the Emperor at the founding of Bariel. It was still passed down as a synonym for sanctity, credited with bestowing blessings upon the imperial house.
“Ah, it began when they adopted war orphans and gave them the surname Carbo. Among them, one named Roberside, who didn’t pursue the path of priesthood, achieved victory in a battle against demons and received a title, which has continued to this day.”
Romandro added an explanation, thinking that I, having been born and raised in the borderlands, wouldn’t know this well. A lineage both ancient and symbolically significant. It made sense why Prince Marib would offer to spare his life for the sake of Deilaina’s family.
“House Carbo is rooted in the temple, but with each generation, their identity has grown fainter.”
“So the divine oracle for Jin and Prince Arcen must have come from Carbo as well.”
“Most likely. What good is a family backing, anyway? Once you receive it, it becomes a curse instead. But still, a message from His Majesty the Emperor?”
What could be so important about Deilaina’s family at a time like this!
“And I hear that Prince Gail is handing over the Mana Sealing Stone. What do you intend to do about it?”
My footsteps halted as I was heading toward the lobby.
The Mana Sealing Stone—the only means to check the mages. If we obtain it, there’s nothing to stop the Magic Ministry.
‘It would certainly ensure immediate safety. But that wouldn’t be ideal.’
Checks create balance, and balance creates peace. I was a mage, but at the same time, I was the Emperor. I knew well how dangerous it was when power tilted to one side.
‘I should distribute it—’
First, I’d gather everything, then divide it appropriately.
‘Especially to Jin.’
“Everyone, pay attention.”
I called the mages over. Those who had been attending to their tasks all stopped and turned to look at me.
“A message from His Imperial Majesty has arrived.”
“What? A message from His Majesty?”
“He’s unharmed? Where is he right now?”
“…There is no danger to his life. This is His Majesty’s letter, authenticated by a seal other than the official one.”
Click.
I held up the letter while covering the blood-stained area with my hand. Sensing the shift in the mages’ energy, other officials began gathering one by one, murmuring amongst themselves.
“From this moment forward, the Magic Ministry withdraws its neutral status and will eliminate Prince Marib’s forces that threaten the order of the imperial palace. Prepare amplification magic.”
“Yes, understood!”
At my command, the Magical Tool Crafting Division rushed inside to retrieve the magical device that would serve as an amplifier.
Meanwhile, I continued relaying the orders.
“Prince Gail is also to be captured alive and brought to trial. The Magic Ministry will show no mercy to those who resist.”
“Count Ian. We’ve brought it!”
A round disc mounted on a tall stand. Condensed magical power rippled within the small holes carved into it.
Whirrr. Whirrr.
“You may speak whenever you’re ready.”
“Keep it from reaching the outside and areas near the imperial palace.”
“Yes. No problem!”
I carefully opened my mouth.
-I am Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Ministry.
Whiiirrrrr-
My voice resonated throughout the imperial palace, carried on magical power. Fallen soldiers, hiding officials, fleeing people, even untethered beasts all froze at the strange sound ringing in their ears.
-All who live, listen well. I have received a message from His Imperial Majesty and come to deliver it.
Berik’s ears twitched with each word I spoke. It sounded as though I was speaking once from the front and again within the cochlea.
-Prince Marib is hereby expelled from the imperial family, effective immediately. Those who followed him must lay down their weapons and surrender at once. Failure to do so will be deemed treason and dealt with severely. The Prince Marib you trusted and followed will be captured by the Magic Ministry and executed before your very eyes.
I spoke of death matter-of-factly. If Marib had regained consciousness, he would surely be hearing this announcement right now.
-And Prince Gail.
I looked straight ahead as though facing Prince Gail directly.
-I, Ian Hielo, in my honor as Minister of the Magic Ministry, have lifted your curse. Bariel’s fate is no longer your concern. You too must bear responsibility for this incident.
I declared it. The curse Wesley had left behind was gone. So Prince Gail would no longer cling to life using it as an excuse. Whatever the trial’s outcome, he would have to accept it.
-From this moment, the Magic Ministry and its mages will restore order to the imperial palace. Those who stood with Prince Gail, take note. It is surrender or death.
“Surrender or death!”
“Surrender or death!”
As the mages began the chant and cried out, the voice spread further.
The people of the imperial palace who had sought safety in the neutral zone. Now it was time for them to return to their posts and work toward restoration.
“Move out. And bring Prince Gail to me.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Leave the disposal of bodies to the mages. Romand, assess the damaged structures and submit a reconstruction plan by tomorrow. Disarming the soldiers is the priority. Therefore, urgently admit the high-ranking officials who could not enter from outside.”
Peace is easy to break, but difficult to rebuild. I would put my heads together with my staff to secure the peace of the imperial palace now.
—The chaos has ended. Let all who have survived rejoice, and let the present flow into the past. Tonight shall be different from last night.
I drew a breath, gazing upon the corpses drenched in blood. A single day—the day Xiaoxi entered Prince Gail’s quarters and ignited the signal flare, then rushed back breathlessly.
—Let all celebrate that this day’s nightmare has come to an end.
“Demosa!”
“Demosa!”
Whatever the reason, if there was cause for celebration, then surely the blessing of the divine must be shared. Beginning with the warriors’ thunderous cry, the mages raised their fists. As the sunset’s crimson light descended upon the half-ruined imperial palace, its gates swung open—as if a new history were being written.

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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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