Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 215

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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 215
In the Greenhouse
Sunlight poured through the transparent glass ceiling. Though the leaves sprouted from the same stem, each displayed its own distinct color.
I stepped into the greenhouse within the imperial palace gardens and turned to look behind me. Quintana, who had followed me, and several officials sat gathered around a table.
“The weather is truly magnificent. Worthy of being inscribed in history.”
“Indeed it is. You’ve worked hard. Count Ian.”
“What have I done? It was all His Majesty’s will.”
I made small talk while observing them carefully. They wouldn’t have asked to see me without reason. At my glance urging them to speak up quickly, they all merely offered awkward smiles. It was Quintana who stepped forward first.
“May I speak first?”
“Ah, yes, please do. Director Quintana.”
Though her words were clearly seeking permission, no one could refuse, and they all nodded. Quintana summoned her servant to bring a sheet of paper—a budget proposal filled with numbers arranged in a dizzying, dense pattern.
“Is it true that Lord Arcen is a mana user?”
An official listening nearby inadvertently covered his mouth. This was not the question Quintana would typically ask first, given her nature. She was someone who went her own way regardless of the political currents.
I too expressed surprise and asked in return. It didn’t seem like the right question to ask while holding a budget proposal.
“Why do you ask such a thing? Director Quintana.”
“If His Lordship enters the Magic Ministry, dignity maintenance fees will be charged twice over. Moreover, Lord Arcen’s budget allocation is issued under Deilaina’s name, which is only granted when a prince is a minor or lacks other economic income. If he becomes part of the Magic Ministry and receives a stipend, we’ll need to recalculate everything comprehensively.”
“Hmm.”
“As you know, our current finances are not abundant. To ease the burden on the nation even slightly, please tell me the Magic Ministry’s position regarding Lord Arcen.”
It was a plausible pretext, but merely plausible. I sat on a tree stump and laughed. Wasn’t she using the budget as a pretense to gauge the truth of the matter?
“What significance would the Magic Ministry’s position have? Everything will proceed according to proper procedure.”
Is Arcen truly a mana user? If so, what becomes of my position as the head of the Magic Ministry? What about Jin, whom I’m supporting? Questions circled on Quintana’s tongue, but she swallowed them with patience.
“Soon the Oracle’s Light will arrive from the Carbo Temple. Through the mana confirmation ceremony then, we’ll be able to know for certain. The Magic Ministry’s official position will be announced after that. It won’t take long, so you can wait that long, can’t you? Director Quintana.”
The officials exchanged meaningful glances among themselves. The phrase “we’ll be able to know for certain” was remarkably subtle, wasn’t it? I was speaking in roundabout terms that there were doubts about whether Arcen was truly a mana user.
“And as you’ve heard, there are confiscated items from the Chetuhr district. The Magic Ministry is currently analyzing their composition, and if those are also mana stones, it would help our finances.”
“Ah, Chetuhr—you mean the place you visited with the Imperial Guard? I’ve heard rumors that it’s connected to Haimanga…”
Snap!
I snapped my fingers to indicate she’d brought up a good point. For a moment, whether it was magic or simply sunlight falling through the glass window, light sparkled in the empty air.
“Correct. It appears to be connected to the black-armored soldiers that Prince Gail drew in during the rebellion. We’re currently treating those captured at the scene, and once they regain consciousness, we’ll interrogate and gather evidence. Based on this, we’ll formally file charges against Haimanga.”
The officials unconsciously clenched their fists. So this is why people say work snowballs? Due to the rebellion of Marib and Gail, the next conflict was already foreseeable. This time with Haiman involved, the victor would seize the next imperial throne.
“Once the charges are filed, the Grand Council will formally process the agenda. Haimanga is holding far too much for its vessel. When it breaks, it will bring drought not only to Haiman but to Bariel as well. So I intend to gradually open channels beforehand and disperse things here and there.”
“Are you saying you’ll begin formal regulation of Haimanga? In what manner?”
“Taxation is indeed the most effective, after all.”
“Haiman won’t sit idle. The central nobility will unite and stand against it.”
Worried concerns leaked out from various quarters. Quintana merely tapped the table lightly, contemplating something. If Haiman lost power, the taxes drawn from there could fill the national treasury.
‘And surely Lord Arcen as well…’
Ah. Quintana roughly tousled her hair. From her perspective, Jin and Arcen were princes not much different from each other. Yet somehow, why, for what reason! She couldn’t understand why her heart had always leaned more toward Jin than toward Arcen.
It was the same even now. She naturally recalled the checks against Haimanga and Arcen. I glanced at her and continued speaking.
“I’ve already prepared means to dissolve the unity of the central nobility. So if you wish to participate, I hope you’ll support me from behind at the Grand Council.”
The Magic Ministry would lead from the front, so they need only add their strength. For such work, the glory that would return would be quite considerable.
“Count Ian. What exactly is the content?”
“It would be good for us to prepare as well, so it’s helpful to know…”
“The imperial palace has ears, as they say. I cannot reveal all the details of the regulations here. However, I mention this because of the sincerity I have observed in all of you from the beginning.”
Ever since Jin and Lord Arcen’s positions were established, they had never wavered once. Just moments ago in the courtroom, they had shown their support right after Quintana. Compared to those who fluttered about like bats because Arcen was a mana user, they could be called truly substantial individuals.
‘I don’t know what they might be thinking in their hearts, but since what they’re showing is this much, sharing this level of information is acceptable.’
Besides, Haiman would have anticipated my attack anyway. Just as they were gathered in this greenhouse discussing matters, they would be doing the same on their side, sitting around and deliberating countermeasures.
A soft sound.
“Count Ian. Malon Hof Sereo has arrived with Lord Jin.”
At that moment, Romandro whispered carefully and delivered the message. When Ian sent him a questioning look, he quietly opened his pocket watch to show him. What I had thought would be a brief conversation had already stretched past thirty minutes. It was clear that Jin and Sereo, tired of waiting, had met him outside.
“I’m worried about what might happen with Haimanga. They won’t attempt another rebellion under the cover of this chaos, will they…?”
“That won’t happen. Deilaina and Lord Arcen, who are allied with them, won’t permit it. What is as important as legitimacy for an emperor’s qualifications? If Haiman acts out of desperation, they will discard him immediately. The Duke knows this well.”
“That’s right. Moreover, the reason Lord Arcen sought out Haiman was, frankly, because of Count Ian’s restraint, wasn’t it? Though it may be presumptuous, since the achievement in quelling the rebellion was great and the entire Magic Ministry supports Lord Jin, Haiman was found as a replacement.”
“However, since Lord Arcen is a mana user, the dependence on Haiman drops significantly. The balance collapses, and now Haiman’s side finds themselves at a disadvantage. If they fail to secure the next position of real power, they could face charges of rebellion immediately.”
“Then it’s likely they’ll move domestic funds overseas. Ruswena Kingdom is their maternal family’s territory, correct?”
“Yes. Then let us monitor the banking sector’s business movements.”
“Excellent. Since Vice Minister Quintana is conducting transactions with them, this is perfect!”
While Ian received reports from Romandro, the officials discussed among themselves, estimating Haiman’s moves. Though few in number, they were seasoned veterans of the imperial palace. Their division of duties was swift and precise.
“Excuse me. I have a prior engagement.”
Ian mediated their heated discussion. The officials, who had been chattering away in disarray, suddenly fell silent. In the already warm greenhouse, the heat had flushed their faces red.
“Ah, I see. Indeed, this was a sudden gathering.”
“Is there anything else you need to discuss urgently? If not, shall we reconvene this evening?”
“Yes, yes. Understood. Now that I understand the Magic Ministry’s position, that is sufficient for now. Then we shall withdraw for the time being. We shall see you this evening.”
A soft sound.
The officials departed the greenhouse with a nod. As they did, they must have encountered Jin, for quiet greetings could be heard exchanged.
“Ian!”
“Your Highness, I apologize for keeping you waiting so long.”
“No. I was walking with Sia and naturally ended up here. I met Count Sereo outside as well.”
Jin came running over with a bright smile, his footsteps quick. Behind him, Malon Hof Sereo appeared slowly. He removed his hat and greeted Ian.
“It has been a long time. Count Ian.”
“Yes. I hope you have been well.”
“Thanks to you. I understand you have been quite busy lately, so I am honored to meet you like this.”
Sereo remained unchanged except for slightly longer hair. With his refined features, he maintained the typical bearing of a noble heir.
At Ian’s gesture, Sereo removed his coat and handed it to a servant. With Jin joining them, three men sat around the table.
“My father earnestly wished to come himself, but his mobility is not what it once was, so I have come in his stead. I ask for your understanding.”
“My, he should make a swift recovery.”
“Well, given his age, haha.”
Malon was the eldest son of the Sereo family. The fact that he attended this meeting that could determine the family’s fate without an escort meant he was a strong candidate to become the next family head.
Ian looked him over and smiled slightly. Jin, sitting beside him, followed suit. Sunlight settled in the dimples of his smile.
“How is your business faring?”
“Thanks to Bariel’s blessing, yes, we manage without difficulty.”
“My, I have always felt it a pity compared to the Sereo family’s prestige. There are not many families that have endured from the center’s founding until now.”
Sereo smiled wryly. Certainly, Ian was right. Despite their storied lineage, their influence at the center of power ran surprisingly shallow. For a noble house to extend its reach, they needed to achieve great success in business, secure power through imperial court positions, or earn distinction in war. Yet House Sereo had nothing particularly remarkable to show beyond their rental operations.
“I understand you received word through my subordinates.”
Ian sipped his tea. Since their purposes and intentions were clear to each other, there was no need to dance around the subject meaninglessly.
“The imperial palace will impose sanctions against Haimanga. I would like House Sereo to take charge of that. If you do so, it will likely become the golden age in your family’s history.”
A share of the financial operations being run in Haiman, promotion to duke, tax reductions, and even the protection of the next emperor.
Ian hadn’t stated it outright, but even what was visible on the surface represented tremendous gain. For anyone with ambition, it was clearly an opportunity not to be missed.
“…You could end up fighting not just Haiman, but all the central nobility.”
“But the imperial palace stands behind you. It will be worth the struggle.”
“Worth it, yes. I understand. I cannot let this slip away, and I’m grateful for the proposal. But before that, I have something I wish to ask.”
“Please do.”
“Why our house?”
Were there only one or two noble families at the center? Even if not House Sereo, alternatives could be found if one looked. That was precisely why this mattered so much to Sereo. The reason it had to be them. Only then could he accept the proposal.
“House Sereo is one of the families that did not participate in the rebellion.”
“That’s proof that you’re unremarkable enough that Prince Gail wouldn’t choose you.”
How negative. Ian raised an eyebrow and set down his tea. If that were the case, whatever he said, Sereo would find fault with the reasoning. In such moments, it was better to let it pass.
“At the New Year’s gathering, you were the first to speak to me, Lord Sereo. There is no other reason.”
“….”
Having said that, it seemed there was nothing more to say. Sereo’s lips moved silently for a moment before he nodded.
“I understand. And I have a proposal.”
“I’m listening.”
“House Sereo also needs a safeguard based on trust.”
Ian hesitated. He had an inkling of what Sereo was about to say.
“Count Ian, please become engaged to my younger sister.”
“What?”
“Pfft—!”
It was Jin, eyes widened like a rabbit’s, who gasped in surprise, and it was Romandro, waiting in the back, who sprayed out his tea. The two exclaimed simultaneously.
“That’s absurd!”
“No, that’s a bit….”

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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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