Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 228

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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 228
Scene: D-2
“Still not ready?”
“I’m sorry. There’s an order not to let anyone through.”
“Ugh, why is he suddenly like this? I’m going to lose my mind.”
“What about Romand? Where is Romand?”
The sun hung high in the sky, descending toward late afternoon. The Mages lingered before the office door, each clutching their reports. Just yesterday they had come and gone freely, yet none could fathom why I had forbidden entry.
Viviana, standing guard at the door, smiled awkwardly.
“He’s inside with someone. I’ll pass along your message.”
“Couldn’t we just see him for a moment? The judiciary is in chaos. Haiman and his associates have indicated they won’t attend the grand conference being held regarding the indictment filing.”
“We might fall just short of a quorum. If we do, we can’t pass any resolutions even if the meeting convenes. You know how it works.”
“What on earth is he doing in there?”
“Well, I’m not entirely sure myself…”
The Mages grasped at her sleeve almost tearfully. They had been rushing between departments urging attendance at the grand conference, but without me and Romand taking the lead, their efforts were meaningless.
“Could it be… is he unwell?”
“That’s it! He’s been so busy these past few days!”
I had been working like an addict—skipping meals, forgoing sleep. Yet in just one day, I had withdrawn like this, shutting myself away. And with Romand joining in solidarity! When both senior officials acted this way, what were the subordinates supposed to do?
“He’s not ill. Actually, I checked on him earlier, and I got scolded too.”
“Ah…”
As Viviana rubbed the back of her neck and replied helplessly, the Mages could only step back. If not only I but especially my spouse Romand refused to budge, there was no way forward. They checked their watches and bit their lips repeatedly.
“We need a response by six o’clock, so we’ll come back shortly. Countess, we’re counting on you.”
“Of course. Thank you for your efforts.”
“Please, just tell him we wish to see him, even for a moment.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Viviana waved lightly with a smile. The Mages reluctantly turned to leave, adding words of frustration.
“I can’t understand this, with such an important matter ahead.”
“Right. It seems the Oracle’s Light arrived earlier than expected. Didn’t all the staff on duty that night volunteer to go to Dolsan?”
“They went together with Deilaina’s subordinates in the same carriage.”
“That night? Ugh. Just hearing about it makes me uncomfortable.”
“If Lord Arcen is a mana user, Count Ian must be in the most difficult position, so he’s surely lost in thought. Let’s understand.”
“But what if he abandons his duties?”
“Exactly. And Prince Gail has been acting strange lately too.”
“Prince Gail? Why?”
“You haven’t heard? Rumors are spreading that he’s defecting to Luswena.”
“But he’s under confinement—how could he?”
Tap, tap, tap!
As the Mages rounded the corner and disappeared, their murmuring ceased as well. Viviana swallowed a sigh and let her hand fall. Then she opened the firmly closed office door and stepped inside.
Creak.
Click.
“Romand. That book you were looking at earlier—give it to me.”
“The Correlation Between Sacred Temples and Oral Traditions—is this what you meant?”
“There’s also ancient script here. How should I read this?”
“…k. a. r. v. o. It refers to the Karvo Temple.”
My office was so crammed with documents that there was barely space to set foot. Romandro and I had rolled up our shirtsleeves and gone without sleep for nearly a full day, dedicating ourselves to information gathering. Priests Avidel and Macael were doing the same—they’d removed their robes and worked alongside us with unwavering commitment.
“Count Ian. It seems calls keep coming in regarding the Grand Assembly. The Mages are struggling.”
Viviana cleared away empty potion bottles from the desk as she spoke. They had been specially prepared by Captain Akorella—a type of stimulant that could sustain physical strength for up to three days without issue, but after four days, it brought overwhelming fatigue and unbearable side effects.
The fact that they’d consumed two bottles at once left Viviana unable to hide her concern.
“Did House Haiman say they wouldn’t attend the Grand Assembly?”
“They refused, saying the entire group couldn’t make time for it. The Mages seem to be struggling to secure a majority, but there are limits, aren’t there? Everyone is anxious.”
Anxious. I found Viviana’s choice of words satisfying, and a slight smile crossed my face. The emotion that lingered at the end was contentment.
“When did they ask for a response?”
“By six o’clock.”
“Then send word precisely at six. Tell them I will attend the Grand Assembly as scheduled. Whether we achieve a majority or not is irrelevant, but don’t inform the Mages of this.”
My approach here was intentional. Not only was I physically pressed for time reviewing documents, but my primary purpose was to sow confusion throughout the entire Mage Division.
When everyone works in unity toward a single goal, they cannot entertain private thoughts. But what if, in this chaotic atmosphere, with the leader absent and crisis looming?
Two types would emerge. Some would grit their teeth to save the Mage Division to the end, while others would turn their gaze toward their own escape route.
“Philia—no, rather, have you given word to my mother?”
At my question, Viviana nodded. Strengthen Prince Gail’s security, but withdraw the warriors to unseen positions and lower vigilance.
This would allow the rumors to spread and draw those who’d heard them toward Prince Gail for easy approach. Of course, I wouldn’t let them make direct contact.
“Yes. She said she would maintain strict vigilance on her end as well.”
“Good. What about the reinforcements sent to Dolsan?”
“Jeonseogoo flew back saying they’ve descended from Dolsan. If the rain doesn’t fall, they should arrive by tomorrow afternoon.”
I nodded continuously. Everything was proceeding as intended. Viviana, who had been fidgeting with the empty bottle, couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked.
“But do you truly need to attend the Grand Assembly? If your purpose is to instill a sense of crisis in the Mage Division, wouldn’t it be better not to go at all? Besides, if they gather below a majority, no resolution can pass anyway.”
“That’s true, but those gathering at the assembly are people unconnected to House Haiman.”
As time passed, the forces gathering around Arcen had grown bloated. More accurately, Jin’s faction was scattering.
The approaching light of divine revelation, the Mage Division’s lukewarm response, and Prince Gail’s exile combined had left Jin’s position like a fallen leaf clinging to the edge of autumn.
“I intend to see their faces in person. And I plan to give them a gift befitting their convictions.”
Click.
I said no more and returned my focus to the documents. It meant unofficially revealing Arcen’s true identity. Viviana felt the whirlwind drawing near, and she pressed her hand against her chest.
“Viviana? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I’ve just been feeling a bit off lately.”
“Go rest inside, please. Set up Xiaoxi.”
“Understood. I’ll bring you a meal.”
“Ah, right.”
Perhaps because the final month was approaching, Viviana simply assured me not to worry and left with the tray of bottles.
In that brief moment, Mages who couldn’t wait came rushing back, crowding the entrance to my office. Viviana pretended not to notice and quickly turned to slip down the corridor.
* * *
Clop-clop-clop-clop!
Neigh!
The night was quiet within the imperial palace.
Two carriages raced through the darkness and arrived at the grand conference hall. Though the Prime Minister had personally convened this session to review the accusation, the surroundings were unusually deserted. Romandro clicked his tongue in disapproval, gripping the documents tucked under his arm firmly.
“Well, would you look at this.”
“It’s peaceful, which is nice.”
“This is too much, even for them. No matter what, the Prime Minister himself is opening this session, and they’re openly disrespecting it. How is this any different? Tsk, tsk!”
Fewer than twenty carriages were parked outside. The attendance fell far short of what a grand conference should have drawn.
I descended the steps slowly, my robes billowing behind me. The conference hall doors weren’t even closed, and the chatter of several guards reached my ears first.
“Minister Ian Hielo of the Mage Division?”
“Please come inside.”
Creak.
The guard pushed the door wider open. The squeaking sound was oddly amusing. The Prime Minister, seated at the center, greeted me with a furrowed brow.
“Count Ian. You’ve arrived.”
“My apologies for the late arrival.”
I had slipped away to avoid the mages blocking the entrance to my office, which made me tardy.
I surveyed those seated in the hall carefully. The three commanders Beols and Jairot, along with Quintana and Erikse, among others. Including all the familiar faces, there were fewer than thirty attendees.
“Is there even a point to holding this meeting? House Haiman insisted during the day that it was absolutely, absolutely impossible, so we held it at night, yet they didn’t attend in the end. Look now. There are more empty seats than occupied ones.”
Someone expressed their dissatisfaction. The complaint was about why the meeting hadn’t been cancelled instead of being held and causing all this trouble.
As I took my seat, Romandro distributed the prepared reports. There seemed to be far more copies left over than needed.
“We haven’t reached a majority, so a resolution is impossible, Count Ian.”
“Indeed. However, you all have still attended here. Those who uphold principle and conviction deserve proper compensation, so I was forced to proceed with this meeting rather than cancel it.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The Prime Minister rolled his beard between his fingers and furrowed his brow. He clearly wanted to quickly dismiss this meaningless gathering and return home, compensation or otherwise.
But I gestured for them to review the reports.
Rustle.
Quintana was the first to read through her copy. A moment of silence passed, and she let out an incredulous laugh. The paper contained the claim that Arcen was a monster. It was the first report she’d ever seen that made her feel the paper itself was wasted.
“…You’ve lost your mind, Count Ian.”
“Count Ian. Is this some kind of joke?”
“This is too serious to be a joke. Now I understand why everyone is turning away from Prince Jin and toward Prince Arcen. But for the Minister of the Mage Division to be this absurd…”
“No matter how much we’re pressed, a falsehood remains a falsehood. You’ve crossed the line, Count Ian. Prime Minister, this warrants immediate punishment for insulting the royal family!”
Fierce reactions erupted immediately. Starting from a children’s book called “The Chronicles of Roberside,” there wasn’t a single logical piece of evidence to support the claim.
They stared at me with eyes as if witnessing a madman. The atmosphere had transcended mere shock and ventured into genuine fear.
“I am sincere.”
“I’ll take my leave. This is a waste of time.”
“Sit down, Quintana. If you dismiss this moment because you find it a waste of time, there may be no Bariel tomorrow.”
I rose from my seat. And meeting each person’s eyes one by one, I continued.
“I mentioned it was a form of compensation. Simply knowing in advance that Arcen is a monster has already changed your futures.”
“Count Ian. Please.”
“You say there’s no visible evidence. Don’t worry. On the day of the mana verification ceremony, you won’t just see it with your eyes—you’ll feel it with all five senses. So for now, please calm yourselves and hear my proposal.”
I gestured for Quintana to sit. She tapped the report on the desk several times, then let out an obvious sigh. But at this point, there was nothing to lose. She crossed her arms and sat back down, speaking loudly.
“So? What exactly are you proposing?”
“To be precise, it would be more accurate to call it a request for cooperation rather than a proposal.”
He murmured as he turned to the final page of the report.
“On the day of the mana verification ceremony, I will kill Arcen.”

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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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