Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 198

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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 198
Seizing the Chaos
Clink.
Deilaina carefully set down her teacup. It was the moment Ian’s voice opening the gates had just faded from her ears.
The servants bowed their heads, watching Deilaina and Arcen carefully. Arcen’s name had not been mentioned in the restoration of the imperial palace.
“How blatant.”
“Indeed.”
As Duke Haiman muttered with raised eyebrows, Deilaina answered through clenched teeth, her voice sharp with indignation. This concerned the succession itself, a matter of honor and prestige. If Jin were mentioned in such a way, one would question what Arcen was doing at that very moment.
Arcen sipped his tea, attempting to soothe his mother.
“There’s nothing to be done. It happened within Count Ian’s authority. It wasn’t entirely unexpected, was it?”
“Had the gates opened even slightly later, the media outlets would have questioned the Magic Ministry’s inaction. What a shame.”
His position statement was clear, and immediately after, he granted access to the imperial palace. With people seeing and hearing things firsthand, fabricated rumors would be pushed to the background.
Haiman stroked his beard and smiled bitterly, and Arcen laughed along.
“It’s not too late. You may continue as planned.”
“Your Highness, everyone nearby heard Ian’s speech. Wouldn’t it be wise to exercise restraint? The slander is so obviously slander that it could backfire instead.”
There was a risk that Ian might find fault with them under the pretext of disturbing the empire’s order. But Arcen nodded slightly, as if to say not to worry.
“Doesn’t Haiman support several media outlets? Not immediately, but after observing the timing, spread rumors through the back alleys.”
Fabricated rumors have no power by themselves. The true purpose is to use them to incite and brainwash.
“No matter how absurd the words, repetition makes people believe. At first, they’ll deny it. But then comes doubt, and doubt is based on a certain level of belief. Wouldn’t it benefit us if even one more person harbored suspicion toward Ian?”
Rumors from the back alleys are difficult to trace to their source. It was a manageable risk, and the butterfly effect we could gain from it was boundless. It was advantageous to continue the incitement.
‘Repetition breeds belief.’
Arcen understood the power of words. Hadn’t his frail brother demonstrated it through results his entire life? Arcen smiled slightly and warned Haiman.
“And remember. We have less time than you might think.”
He had just heard that Prince Marib had entered the interrogation chamber. The process from interrogation to trial ultimately depended on those involved. If they rushed, they could place Marib on the judgment seat as early as tomorrow.
If that happened, Prince Gail’s execution would follow quickly. Then it would be Haiman’s turn, entangled as he was with Gail.
“Yes, Your Highness. I will keep it in mind.”
Haiman answered, his eyes devoid of whites cast downward.
When he returned after receiving orders from the council, the atmosphere between Deilaina and Arcen had subtly shifted. She, who had been chattering incessantly, had chosen silence, and now Arcen was primarily issuing instructions.
‘Well, this is actually better. It means the prince we’re backing isn’t foolish.’
They glanced at the clock. By now, crowds would be gathering at the gates. It was better to wait for things to quiet down before leaving the palace.
“And another thing. Don’t you think we need some ventilation? Not just for me, but especially so Duke Haiman can breathe more easily.”
“Hmm. I agree.”
Kill Prince Gail.
Haiman immediately understood Arcen’s meaning. Gail was living evidence of their conspiracy, and since Ian had taken it upon himself to protect him, killing him would clear the air.
Haiman agreed, but his brow furrowed as he saw no clear path forward.
“However, I’ve heard that two mages are always stationed beside Prince Gail. Security is also extremely tight. Though his self-inflicted wounds run deep, the severity is such that I suspect Ian is keeping a close watch.”
Stopping two mages and killing Gail would require considerable effort. But now, in the bustling imperial palace with so many watchful eyes, how could they create an opportunity?
Arcen also rested his chin on his hand and murmured.
“If only those two mages weren’t there, the task might be simpler.”
“Do you have a method in mind?”
“Yes, well. Anything at all.”
Arcen’s words carried weight, yet no one questioned him. Deilaina stared blankly into empty space, while Duke Haiman had more pressing matters to attend to.
Swish.
Haiman placed the documents his steward had brought onto the table—not before Deilaina, but before Arcen. The boy turned the pages with practiced ease in his small hands.
“Once imperial palace operations normalize, legislation to check the Haimanga will be formally proposed. This is a list we’ve prepared in anticipation. The most likely candidate is multiple taxation, followed by restrictions on foreign trade.”
With Haiman controlling the purse strings, they couldn’t topple him immediately. Instead, they would slowly hook one leg, push his back, and eventually bend his arm to pin him to the ground. This stack of documents traced the trajectory of attack Haiman had foreseen.
Click.
“Isn’t the Duke already paying double taxes compared to other nobles?”
“You’re well informed.”
Once for the title of nobility, and again for conducting financial business—Arcen clicked his tongue as if genuinely sympathetic.
“Since the imperial palace shines thanks to the Duke’s taxes, naturally I know. Hmm. I understand. I’ll discuss this matter with my mother and trustworthy meritorious subjects.”
It was Arcen’s role to block the torrent of regulations that would pour down on Haiman. They were already sailing in the same boat, after all.
“By the way, Mother.”
“Hmm?”
At Arcen’s call, Deilaina turned her head. Her response was so sharp and alert that it was hard to believe she’d been vacant moments before.
“Let’s seek help from your family home as well.”
“From Carbo?”
“Yes, wasn’t that where Jin’s and my covenant began? I believe something will certainly be communicated regarding this matter as well.”
“Ah. Yes. I’ll make contact.”
Tap tap.
It was the moment Arcen contentedly grasped his mother’s hand. Footsteps sounded from outside, and soon one of Haiman’s subordinates rushed in urgently.
“Your Grace, Duke. We’ve received word from outside.”
He whispered something into the Duke’s ear. Haiman, who had been listening calmly, furrowed his brow, then looked at his subordinate in disbelief, his neck flushing crimson with rising fury.
Crack!
“Oh my.”
Without hesitation, he struck the subordinate across the face.
Deilaina covered her mouth slightly, showing surprise, but that was all. What was so grave about a master striking a subordinate? Rather, she found it odd that he hadn’t maintained his dignity before Deilaina and Arcen.
“How do you manage your subordinates at all!”
“My apologies.”
His massive pupils seemed to expand further without any whites showing. Arcen popped a pastry into his mouth and asked Haiman.
“What’s the matter?”
“…No, it’s nothing. I’ve been rude. My apologies.”
“Duke, you must speak for us to help. We’re on the same side, aren’t we? We’ve told you everything. If you hold back like this, we feel a bit hurt.”
They had even shared that Deilaina had been stripped of parental rights over Jin. It would become public knowledge anyway, but sharing even trivial matters faithfully was the foundation of true alliance.
Haiman placed his hand on his waist and paced before the window.
“Duke.”
“…Outside, my subordinates caused an incident.”
“An incident, you say?”
“It seems Ian sent people to print an extra edition, and in the process of stopping them, my subordinates used mage stone armor.”
Slapping the subordinate’s cheek on the spot made perfect sense. Arcen silently whistled to himself—quite the blunder indeed.
“So the opponent was a Mage? It seems unlikely they would have used such a technique on an ordinary person. It’s unfortunate we can’t make a full judgment, but it’s best to assume there were circumstances.”
“They say it was a Mage Knight.”
“A Mage Knight? The one with red hair?”
“You know of them?”
“They’re Count Ian’s closest confidant. A Mage Knight, you say? What happened? Are they dead?”
“They’ve been living as a half-corpse. If you’re going to kill them, do it properly. Tsk! I hear all the Mages are swarming around trying to save them right now. There’s supposedly another Mage Knight as well, but—”
“Wait, all the Mages are swarming around?”
Arcen cut off Haiman’s words and asked back.
If all the Mages were swarming there, that meant the healing Mages were also gathered in that place.
“…!”
“Duke, I suggest you leave the palace immediately.”
Prince Gail’s quarters were empty. Realizing this, Arcen rose from his seat and soon helped his mother up, bidding her farewell. With a promise to see her again soon, they parted ways.
Screech.
Haiman lit a cigarette and glanced back at his subordinate. Blood was flowing from a torn cheek marked by a ring.
“So, what became of the blue-haired swordsman?”
“That is….”
Though only members of Haimanga were in the room, the subordinate drew closer and whispered. In the imperial palace, even the ears attached to portraits served their purpose. It was extremely cautious to speak in a way that prevented sound from leaking out.
* * *
“Good heavens, good heavens! Berik! You bastard Berik!”
“Lay them over here! Warm water and clean cloth!”
“The Mages will take turns infusing their power! Help the healing magic with your strength! Call all the doctors! We need to stitch the torn wounds!”
“The bones, are the bones aligned correctly?”
“Damn it, I’m going mad. Check if the fingers are still attached!”
“Berik, oh my, Berik….”
“Romandro. Please step aside. You’re in the way.”
“Ugh, please, save them. Our Berik, how could this….”
The Mages continued to infuse their power with furrowed brows. At first, I thought Ian had brought a torn corpse. It was so mangled that there was no part that seemed alive at all—not a single intact area remained.
Romandro wiped away tears and snot, continuously moving bowls of hot water. Viviana had been ordered to keep her distance, lest she be shocked.
“Sigh, they’re actually alive, right?”
“They even spoke.”
“Insane, how could they have survived like this? This isn’t a person. This can’t possibly be a person.”
Zing. Zing.
The healing Mages swept over the overall injuries, dripping with sweat. What I felt through my fingertips inside Berik’s body. All the organs were destroyed.
“Gasp! What on earth—”
“Suture the wounds! I’m not sure if this means anything! First, we need to stop the bleeding. Akorelra! Tell Akorelra to give us all the potions with anesthetic effects!”
I looked down at my blood-soaked hands and turned to Berik. I’m grateful they’re not dead, but something is certainly strange. With injuries like that, I should just dig a hole and bury them, yet somehow Berik is alive.
“Count Ian.”
Knock knock.
It was Jairot, one of the three commanders. He knocked on the open door and called me. He glanced briefly at the mangled Berik, then asked awkwardly.
“Do you happen to know where Barsabe is?”
“…I’ve heard nothing of the sort. According to Viviana, she lured out those in armor. We’ve issued a search warrant through the Imperial Guard. If anyone spots a swordsman with black armor and blue hair, reports will come flooding in.”
They vanished. Both the armor and Barsabe disappeared without a trace. Jairot’s expression darkened as he pressed his fingers against the deep furrow between his brows.
“Sigh.”
The daughter of a fallen comrade and a trusted subordinate. I didn’t doubt her abilities, but Berik had been carried in that condition. My worry was unavoidable.
“And Count Ian, do you remember when I said I would investigate that bastard Berik last time?”
When Berik and Jairot first clashed in the training grounds, both had harbored suspicions about Berik’s true identity. There were far too many inconsistencies to dismiss him as merely a Mage Knight.
“I gathered what information I could hear, but nothing gave me certainty. Seeing his condition now, there is one suspicion among them that stands out.”
Ian wiped away the blood with his handkerchief and looked at him. His expression urged Jairot to speak.
“Do you know of the Atan Clan?”

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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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