Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 209

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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 209
Special Grade A++
“We’ve arrived, Count Ian.”
At the coachman’s announcement, I opened my eyes. Apart from resting my head lightly against the window, my posture remained upright. I noticed the landscape outside had changed and exhaled softly. I couldn’t even remember when I’d fallen asleep. There must have been a reason Romandro had insisted so strongly on my rest.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Not at all.”
The coachman bowed deeply, glancing toward the back. In truth, thirty minutes had passed since arriving at the Magic Division, but we’d been waiting due to the staff’s instructions. I’d wondered when we could finally head home, but at least it hadn’t taken too long.
As the carriage door opened, the mages lingering nearby all rushed forward.
“Count Ian, you’ve returned?”
“Where is Romandro?”
“He’s out on business. Is something urgent?”
“No, it can be handled later. The urgent matters are on the desk in the office. By the way, I heard the Imperial Guards had a fierce battle in the middle of the night. Is that true?”

As I climbed the stairs, someone draped a warm robe over my shoulders. Those who had escorted Barsabe and the armored battalion to the palace had quickly informed everyone. I accepted the robe gratefully. My entire body felt chilled after that brief sleep.
“Count Ian, you’re here.”
“Perfect timing, Captain Akorella.”
“Me? Why?”
As I passed through the lobby, Akorella was greeting her subordinates and about to pass by, but she stopped at my call. Though she herself seemed unaware, her bangs were singed and curled. It was unmistakably the mark of a failed experiment.
Toss!
“Huh?”
“Do you know what this is?”
I pulled out a mysterious mana stone from my pocket and tossed it to her. Akorella caught it lightly with both hands, then immediately brought it close to her nose and examined it intently. Her subordinates standing behind her did the same, crowding so close their breath mingled as they scrutinized the mana stone.
“This pitch-black thing…”
“Surely…”
“…for the first time?”
Akorella’s expression gradually crumbled. Her eyes widened, her jaw hung slack, and her nostrils fluttered helplessly. As if her breath had caught, she couldn’t form proper words.
“W-w-what is this?”
“I don’t know either, which is why I’m asking.”
Akorella doesn’t know. Her subordinates don’t know. I don’t know either, which means this must be a mana stone discovered for the first time, doesn’t it? Akorella let out an involuntary shriek.
“…Kyaaaaaaah!! Aaaah! Ahhh!”
“Captain! Captain! W-wait for us!”
“We’ll fall! Wait, slowly!”
“Open the lab door faster, you fools!”
Crash! Boom! Thud!
As a researcher and mage, she couldn’t help but be excited. She practically tumbled down to the basement, her subordinates following close behind.
“The Mana Stone Management Division is fine with this, right? I don’t need to stop her?”
“W-well, it’s not the first or second time, but Count Ian, if there aren’t more samples, it would be good to mention that beforehand. Captain Akorella always ends up smashing things in the end.”
“Understood. Soon boxes will come rolling in. When the Imperial Guards arrive, just guide Captain Akorella to them.”
“Why would the Imperial Guards be bringing mana stones?”
“They were confiscated from the Chetur District. They’re connected to the Haimanga. Fragments of the Black Armor will come as well, so focus the Mana Stone Management Division as the main force and assist with utmost sincerity.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Black Armor—the very armor that had supposedly killed the great general Riama. The mages, knowing the political relationship between Ian and Haiman, grasped the gravity of the situation immediately.
Ian skimmed through the incoming report carelessly and asked back.
“What about Berik?”
“Ah! Right, yes. Berik has regained consciousness.”
“Regained consciousness, meaning he still can’t move.”
“If he could move in that condition, that would be… well.”
Ian smiled faintly and turned the corner toward Berik’s quarters. Numerous mages rushed after him. After seeing Berik, he planned to go to his office and ask them to process their reports first.
“Is he speaking well?”
“I found myself wondering what kind of person acts like that.”
“Ha. I see.”
It seemed he’d caused quite a commotion. As the mage’s expression darkened, Ian couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
This had happened before. When returning from the great desert to Bratz, Berik couldn’t walk but had the same temperament, so he’d hung from Kusile like baggage and had to be carried.
Tap, tap, tap.
The door to the quarters was slightly ajar. What leaked through the gap wasn’t just voices. The distinct aroma of meat wafted out.
“No, this is really too much! Your Highness Jin!”
“Berik, calm down. Your stitches will burst. The doctor said so, didn’t he? If you eat anything now, you’ll really die.”
“I’m dying anyway!”
“You’re not. You’ll be fine.”
“Ugh, I’m going insane. Sia! Try to convince His Highness Jin!”
“…”
“That bastard won’t even respond about eating meat?”
“Now, Berik. Don’t be like that. Just keep smelling it.”
“Ahhhhh! Ian!”
Sizzle.
Quite a sight. Beside Berik, who lay motionless on the bed, Xiaoxi and Jin were grilling and eating meat. A pile of premium beef in bright crimson was stacked to one side. When Berik cried out calling for Ian, Xiaoxi noticed him first.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Oh! Count Ian! You’re here?”
“Ian? Iaaaan!”
Greetings poured out simultaneously. Ian pushed the mages back and closed the door. Since Berik couldn’t move below his neck, only his eyes blinked frantically, expressing his joy.
“Your Highness, why are you dining here? Why not go to the dining hall? If it’s a bit chilly, the afternoon sun is warm—you could dine in the garden instead.”
“Count Ian! Listen to what I’m saying. The moment Berik regained consciousness, he pestered the servants to bring him meat, didn’t he? I ordered absolute fasting because his intestines are completely damaged, yet he still—”
“Is that so?”
“He even threw a tantrum at the doctor, so it reached my ears as well. I came running immediately and stopped Berik!”
Jin’s eyes sparkled as he looked up at Ian. His gaze seemed to ask for praise, so Ian gently patted Jin’s shoulder.
“You did well.”
“I did well? But grilling and eating meat right beside him—that’s cheating! It’s torture! Your Highness Jin! This is really too much!”
“Didn’t you ask me to let you smell the meat?”
“No… really. Ian, you know what I meant, right?”
He’d probably meant to have the aroma waft over so he could catch a whiff. Jin didn’t even know how to use a fan properly. Ian sat on the edge of the bed and carefully examined Berik’s condition.
“…My body.”
“It’s fine. So just one bite.”
“Be patient a little longer. Even a healthy person finds it burdensome to eat meat immediately upon waking, so why are you like this?”
When I spoke, Jin hurried over and nodded repeatedly. Regardless, Xiaoxi simply chewed what was in her mouth without complaint.
“Ah. I’m really. Sigh.”
“Barsabe has returned alive.”
“What? She really survived?”
I changed the subject with a slight smile. How simple—the boy who had been wearing a sorrowful expression just moments ago immediately brightened at the news of Barsabe’s survival.
In truth, I wasn’t certain whether Barsabe considered Berik a true friend, but he was certainly one of the few intimate acquaintances Berik possessed. I nodded.
“She’s injured somewhat, but she’ll recover quickly. So you focus on your treatment too. If you do, I’ll feed you whatever you want.”
“Ah! Okay, okay! Call the doctor! Treat me quickly! Apply medicine!! Keep applying it!”
Jin fanned continuously as his own form of comfort, wafting the aroma of meat. It was fortunate that despite being immobilized, he seemed perfectly fine. I glanced at the black sword placed beside the bed and asked.
“Berik.”
“There was no choice! If I hadn’t used my magic power, I would’ve really died.”
Berik preempted me with a guess. I had told him not to channel magic into the black sword, yet he had fully unleashed it and faced the enemy. Since it was a blade that summoned demonic beasts, it was fortunate there were none nearby—otherwise the secondary damage would have been catastrophic.
“That’s not what I intended to scold you about.”
“Huh? Really? Never mind then.”
Should I tell him that Berik might be of the Atan Clan? While I was deliberating, a piece of meat suddenly appeared before my eyes. Jin had offered it.
“Count Ian. It’s not yet lunchtime, is it?”
“That’s correct, Your Highness.”
“Have some. Berik ordered far too much meat. I wonder why he ordered so much, thinking he’d eat it all alone.”
“Ha! Your Highness Jin. I eat all of that in one meal?”
“A lie. How could a person eat meat larger than mine? You’re mocking me, Berik.”
“I’ll show you. Please put it in your mouth.”
Jin clamped his mouth shut and shook his head firmly. Absolutely, absolutely—he could not give meat. I accepted the meat Jin offered and ate it.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
“…Berik. You ordered an expensive cut.”
“Of course! Ian is wealthy! Premium grade! The most expensive stuff!”
I called for a servant and pulled up a chair to sit. The moment I ate a piece of meat, it struck me—I couldn’t remember when I last had a proper meal. I had merely satisfied my hunger with things like Gula in between, and it had been ages since I’d had a meal prepared like this.
Whoosh.
When Xiaoxi rose from her seat, I gestured for her to sit back down.
“The bedroom is cramped. It’s fine, so sit.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Xiaoxi, try eating this again. It’s very tender. Must I keep telling you to eat?”
“No, Your Highness.”
Xiaoxi stared awkwardly at the meat Jin had placed in her bowl. She had eaten reluctantly before, but she wasn’t sure this was right. A slave dining at the same table as her master? And with royalty no less? As she hesitantly picked up her fork, I pointed out.
“Xiaoxi. When cutting meat, hold the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left. Keep your elbows aligned with the table so the blade doesn’t become too sharp.”
Jin follows Xiaoxi well. Since her temperament is trustworthy, barring any special circumstances, Xiaoxi will continue to serve Jin going forward. Therefore, it’s good for her to learn basic dining etiquette.
“Ahhh! Xiaoxi! You too!”
“….”
Berik gazed at the three of them eating and let out a rather pitiful wail. The fact that no one paid him any attention only made it sound more sorrowful.
“Count Ian, did you see the painting?”
“The ox you mentioned? Did Your Highness draw it?”
“Berik asked me to draw it, so I did.”
“Your skill improves with each piece. Truly remarkable.”
Gentle conversation and the pleasant clinking of dishes filled the air. When I glanced back after a moment of silence, Berik was asleep with his mouth hanging wide open. Despite appearing energetic, his body was in such poor condition that he lost consciousness at any moment.
“By the way, Count Ian. You’re aware that Prince Marib’s trial is tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Of course. The Magic Ministry is preparing meticulously. He will certainly face consequences for his attempt to harm Your Highness Jhin.”
“Mother will come too, and so will Arcen.”
“That is so. If you still lack resolve, you need not attend.”
It was a question of resolve regarding meeting my mother. Jhin boldly popped a piece of meat into his mouth and shook his head. In keeping with proper dining etiquette, a brief shake of the head served as his answer.
“No. I’ve come to realize something. Resolve isn’t built in a single moment—it’s constructed day by day, piece by piece. So I will attend the trial as well.”
I smiled gently and placed meat on Jhin’s plate. Had I witnessed a successor in my past life, had I possessed a child, I would have wanted one like Jhin.
“Understood. I will prepare everything without issue.”
“Yes. I will do the same.”
“Please, have more.”
Clatter, clatter. I laughed watching Jhin vigorously devour the meat. Berik stirred awake occasionally and murmured, but even that felt like peaceful noise. The day after rain could be this warm and comforting. Without realizing it, I finished eating and drifted to sleep.
Creak.
“Oh. He’s sleeping.”
“My goodness, what should we do?”
“Let’s wait another hour before leaving.”
The bedroom that had thrummed with the stench of blood now held only the aroma of meat and the sound of steady breathing—shared by Jhin, Xiaoxi, and Berik.

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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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