Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 203

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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 203
Wounds for Me Too – D-7
“Arcen!”
Deilaina embraced Arcen in shock, her face contorted with anguish. The unconscious boy’s body swayed limply in her arms. She wiped her blood-stained face with the back of her hand, sobbing uncontrollably. Her entire body had turned cold and rigid, as though death itself were approaching.
“How… how could this happen? What’s wrong with Arcen? Tell me!”
At the mother’s anguished cry, the doctor wiped cold sweat from his brow. For reasons unknown, Arcen had sought out Prince Gail and suffered injury as a result. The guards reported that Prince Gail had grabbed Arcen and thrown him.
“Prince Gail did this?”
“Please step aside for a moment, Deilaina.”
“No, no! That monster Gail!”
“What are you all doing? Help Deilaina at once!”
“This way, please come this way, Deilaina.”
The servants barely managed to support Deilaina and pull her away from Arcen. Ever since entering the palace, she had lived constantly watching the moods of the adult princes. The days she had spent clinging to survival at the Emperor’s side to protect her son flashed through her mind.
Yet in the end, both Marib and Gail were harming her sons. Gail had attacked Arcen, and Marib had attacked Jin.
That was when it happened.
Crash!
“Prince Arcen!”
“Is the prince alright?”
“Deilaina, we’ve heard the news. Is it true?”
“My goodness, what could be wrong with such a small body? Tsk, tsk. Prince Gail is truly cruel.”
Officials rushed in, creating a commotion. They assessed the situation upon seeing Arcen lying in bed and Deilaina sitting collapsed on the floor.
“Deilaina, is this… is it true?”
“…Yes. It’s true.”
Deilaina had confirmed that Prince Gail had harmed Arcen, but the officials interpreted her words differently. They understood her affirmation as confirmation that Arcen was indeed a mana user.
“This is fortunate! Truly fortunate! We are saved!”
“…What do you mean?”
“We must not miss this opportunity. Let us execute Prince Gail immediately. As a traitor, he attacked Prince Arcen, who is both a mana user and a powerful heir—is this not equivalent to two rebellions?”
“Exactly! He has raised arms against Bariel twice!”
“I agree. Let us kill him at once.”
“I hear Count Ian has stationed barbarians to defend him. It will be difficult to breach by force, so we must use justification. Count Ian will not yield easily.”
“Wait, wait just a moment. What are you all saying…?”
Deilaina hesitated in confusion. Arcen was a mana user? She had always been by his side, yet she had never sensed any such thing. She wished someone would explain this clearly, but the officials were already excited among themselves, only discussing plans to take Prince Gail’s life.
“By the way, why hasn’t the Magic Ministry sent healing mages? Prince Arcen has fallen unconscious like this—it is improper.”
“They seem too busy protecting their own dogs. What was his name again? That Mage Knight Berik came half-dead and monopolized all the healing mages.”
“I heard he clashed with the Haimanga outside.”
“That’s right. I heard a bounty was placed on him.”
Creak.
“Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Ministry has arrived!”
“Eek!”
The officials who had been gossiping about Ian froze in shock, clamping their mouths shut. Could he have heard them? The servant had announced his arrival, but he was a mage—one who could project his voice across all of Bariel from where he sat. One could never be too careful.
“C-Count Ian.”
“Why have you all gathered here?”
“Well, you see, we heard that Prince Arcen had collapsed, and we grew concerned. Ahem.”
Familiar faces were scattered throughout the room. Just days ago, these same mouths had sworn loyalty to Jin, yet now they fretted over Arcen’s wellbeing. I let out a quiet laugh and stepped inside. The doctor noticed me and rose to offer a greeting.
“Ah, Count Ian.”
“What is his condition?”
“In my assessment, there is nothing critically wrong. He did cough up blood, but… well, I believe it would be wise to continue examinations over time. He appears somewhat fatigued.”
He coughed up blood, yet there’s nothing physically wrong? That was certainly an abnormal response.
As I nodded, the healing mages parted to either side and examined Arcen more closely. They murmured while taking his pulse with their fingertips.
“When the body cannot withstand magical power, it expels blood. You experienced the same thing before, Count Ian.”
After my confrontation with Marib, I too had spilled blood. What Arcen displayed was merely an ‘opening,’ but given the boy’s delicate frame, it was certainly plausible.
“We wish to infuse magical power into his body to examine him more thoroughly. Lady Deilaina, please grant us permission.”
“H-healing mages?”
At the officials’ question from behind, I furrowed my brow—a silent warning not to add foolish commentary. Regardless of my conflict with Arcen, I had duties to fulfill as Minister of Magic.
“I… I grant permission.”
As Deilaina nodded, the healing mages exchanged glances with me. It was their way of acknowledging they would follow my orders.
‘Infuse magical power and observe how he reacts.’
Those who possessed magical power would respond in some manner. This held true not only for mages but for Mage Knights as well. Just as I had once sent magical power through to expose Berik’s true nature, so too would these healing mages do the same now.
*Zing. Zing.*
The moment the two began infusing magical power into Arcen—
*Snap!*
With his eyes still closed, Arcen seized the mage’s wrist. His movements resembled sleepwalking, except his physical response was shockingly swift.
“…Mother.”
“Arcen, Arcen! Are you coming to your senses?”
The boy squeezed out his voice, calling for his mother. Deilaina pushed the mage aside and embraced Arcen. His gaze seemed drained of all vitality. He stared blankly at the ceiling and murmured.
“When Prince Gail tried to harm me, Count Ian sided with him. Please, hand him over to me. I’m frightened, Mother.”
“…Count Ian!”
Upon hearing those words, Deilaina’s eyes widened as she turned to face me. She looked ready to lunge at any moment, but I met her gaze with indifference.
“Prince Gail came at me with deliberate intent, which proved troublesome. That is precisely why I issued the order restricting his access. I’m uncertain what prompted him to enter, so if you would provide an explanation, I too have words to offer.”
Had he gone to the quarters intending to kill Gail? From Gail’s perspective, he was merely attempting to kill someone trying to kill him—hardly a matter of concern. Moreover, it was Arcen who violated the safety protocols, so I bore no responsibility for this incident either.
“Regardless, Prince Gail went too far! This cannot be overlooked—I demand immediate execution!”
“Y-yes, that’s right. His savage nature is a disgrace to the imperial family!”
“Count Ian, drive out the stationed barbarians—no, those Cheonryeo tribespeople, and execute Gail at once.”
The officials seized this opportunity to pressure me. With their bloodshot eyes blazing, they were a pitiful sight. Foolish men who believed that numbers could override all reason, who never considered consequences. What awakened them was the simplest of refusals.
“I refuse.”
“Pardon? Why?”
“Surely you’re not defending Prince Gail?”
I withdrew my pocket watch and checked the time. The city gates had only been open for three or four hours. While Berik was being torn apart and Arcen slipped through the gap, countless citizens had been passing through the gates.
“The gates that were sealed have only just opened. The empire’s people, who were anxious about what might befall the imperial palace and Bariel, have only now found peace of mind and are entering. Yet in the midst of this, you wish to execute Prince Gail? Does that seem reasonable to you?”
“W-well, even so…”
“There is no ‘even so’ about it. Given the current state of affairs, all procedures must be respected. Moreover, is Prince Marib’s trial not scheduled for four days hence? His execution will take place at that same time. To execute Prince Gail beforehand? There is no haste quite like such haste.”
If you insist on proceeding, then do so. However, I will oppose it, and this will eventually become a blemish on your administrative competence. That is what I was saying.
“Furthermore, in one week’s time, we will hold a simple mana verification ceremony. Deilaina, please be aware of this and take good care of Arcen.”
“One week from now?”
“Since you claim to be a mana user, it is naturally the Magic Ministry’s responsibility. I have requested the Light of Oracle. We will proceed simply once it arrives.”
The moment Arcen heard the words “Light of Oracle,” his brow furrowed. He burrowed into his mother and began whimpering with complaint.
“Mother. I don’t want to do this.”
“Arcen?”
“When I use mana, my body aches. That’s why I haven’t told anyone until now. Even that mage said so earlier. If your physical abilities can’t support it, you cough blood. I’m certain I’ll cough blood again, and I’ll be humiliated.”
See? I raised my eyebrows slightly and looked down at Arcen. It would be advantageous to prove himself as a mana user and establish his position immediately, so why was he acting this way?
“Unlike the New Year’s gathering, only a small number will attend. The Light of Oracle responds even to the smallest amount of power, so there’s no need to strain yourself.”
He took the bait well. The more Arcen tried to evade, the more I would push. Once the Oracle’s Light arrived with the high priestess, even Jin’s twisted fate would be set right.
I nailed Arcen down firmly so he couldn’t escape.
“Or perhaps, Your Highness, did you employ deception and trickery?”
“How reckless and presumptuous! Count Ian!”
“Watch your words! This is His Highness, a mana user!”
“Impersonating a mana user is a grave crime regarding blasphemy, fraud, and given Your Highness’s status, it is deception toward Bariel. Your Highness, it’s not too late. If you have anything to say, please speak. I will listen personally.”
It was mockery disguised as kindness, so Arcen clamped his mouth shut and glared at me. Deilaina also frowned as if insulted.
“Your Highness?”
I was certain there was no mana. Even if there were mana, Arcen was a figure destined to disappear from history, so there was nothing to fear. Either way, I had nothing to lose.
Arcen hid in his mother’s arms instead of answering, and Deilaina stepped forward to bite at me.
“Leave now. Arcen’s physical condition is not good at all, so rest comes first. Take your mage with you as well.”
Since my intentions were opaque, even the healing mages could not be trusted—such was the command. At the firm dismissal, the mages bowed and left through the door. I did the same. I examined the officials once more carefully and issued a warning.
“One week from now, Your Highness.”
So take care of yourself. With that farewell, I disappeared. The officials also moved to the adjacent reception room to discuss countermeasures.
The bedroom fell silent in an instant. Arcen, nestled in Deilaina’s arms, asked.
“Mother. You were surprised, weren’t you?”
“A little.”
“Actually, I only found out not long ago. I wasn’t trying to hide it. I was worried it might become a burden for you.”
If one is called a mana user, it immediately overturns the political situation, so how could he think that way? As Deilaina gently stroked the back of the boy’s head in bewilderment, Arcen added.
“You see. Now that I’ve said I’m a mana user, Count Ian’s attitude has become much sharper, hasn’t it? Prince Gail tried to kill me too. Mother. I’m scared.”
“It’s alright. Arcen. I will protect you.”
“What if Prince Gail comes looking to kill me?”
What if? What if he comes here? Arcen’s voice echoed strongly in Deilaina’s mind. Compassion welled up, and she could not hold back her tears.
“It’s alright. Your mother will handle it. Your mother will make sure Gail cannot harm you.”
Deilaina whispered thus while holding Arcen close. Unlike the tender expression of a loving mother, there was no light in Arcen’s eyes. He was occupied with measuring the one week that I had warned about.
‘One week….’
If it were the nearest temple, it shouldn’t take that long, so why did he say one week? Arcen flicked his fingernails and frowned. If things continued this way, matters seemed likely to become somewhat difficult.

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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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