Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 236

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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 236
Fire. To Make It Glory
“Prince Gail. Have you finished eating?”
Philia muttered in frustration. The imperial chef had prepared this meal with meticulous care since dawn, yet its master had refused without lifting a finger.
Judging by the fact that he hadn’t even touched his knife and fork, I could already picture the doctor ranting about being unable to administer medication.
“Yes.”
Whether Prince Gail was aware of the concern surrounding him or not, he lay in bed burning through cigarettes. Each time he exhaled with a soft sound, white smoke drifted languidly through the air.
His gaze had not left Philia since she entered the room. She was well aware of this, and had tried to pretend otherwise, but…
“…No, I cannot.”
His persistence and stubbornness wore her down, and she surrendered. When Philia spoke so abruptly, Prince Gail shrugged his shoulders with feigned innocence.
“What? I said nothing.”
“You’re asking me to accompany you to the mana confirmation ceremony. I cannot. I have no authority. I cannot help until Ian permits it. I apologize.”
“Philia. Do you hold your son above a prince? How remarkable. If you are the mother of such a person, I suppose I am not worthy of even meeting your gaze.”
“That is not what I meant…”
As Philia stammered in confusion, Prince Gail let out a low laugh. Could this woman, who couldn’t even manage a single jest, truly be the one who gave birth to Ian? If not for their strikingly similar appearance, he would never have believed it.
Then, footsteps sounded, and Nersaren appeared.
“Philia.”
“Nersaren.”
It was a call to tidy up and leave soon. Philia set down the dishes and turned to Prince Gail. It was time to go. He had just lit a fresh cigarette in the meantime.
“Listen. Warrior of the desert.”
“…Yes, Prince Gail.”
It was rare for Prince Gail to address Nersaren directly. There was the difference in status between the imperial emperor and a minority from the borderlands, but more importantly, Philia served as the intermediary between them.
“Ian claimed my half-brother was a demon.”
“That is correct.”
“And he declared that one of the two would die today.”
Philia felt her heart drop with a thud. It was a terrifying and dreadful thing to hear. She still could not believe that Ian had staked his life to kill someone.
She wondered if the imperial palace was always like this, but at the same time, she felt a pang of sorrow knowing that Ian must cherish something deeply enough to risk his life for it. Just as she held Ian dear, Ian too must hold something equally precious.
“That is also true.”
“Arcen is my half-brother. If Ian does not die, Arcen will. Do I not have the right to witness the end of my own family?”
Nersaren pondered how best to respond. The imperial palace was a place where circumstances changed by the day. There must be a reason why Prince Gail was making this request, but he simply could not fathom it. They were confined to the separate palace under the guise of protecting Prince Gail, and also because it would be problematic if the empire’s people saw them. Without Ian telling him, his information was necessarily limited.
“I apologize.”
Thus, the conclusion was singular. Refusal.
As Nersaren and Philia moved to leave the bedroom, the sound of a desk drawer opening was heard. Prince Gail stretched his upper body and fumbled with his hand as if searching for something.
Clatter!
“I understand that you do this for your son’s safety.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“The imperial palace is as incomprehensible as the borderlands, so I also understand drawing a line and saying no for now.”
“…”
“As for Arcen, I also have business with Ian.”
“Then please tell me. I will convey every word without omission.”
“Mm. That’s impossible. Do you know what this is?”
Small scraps of paper wedged between Prince Gail’s index and middle fingers. Beyond being crumpled, they were covered in food residue.
Nersaren turned to look at Philia, but she shook her head, equally bewildered.
“These are traces of traitors that Ian flushed out by selling my name.”
The moment rumors spread that he would seek asylum in Ruswena, the response was immediate. Notes appeared between food at every meal, and visits from Jeonseogoo tapping at windows became relentless.
“Some revealed their names, others didn’t. But if we conducted handwriting analysis or had the Magic Ministry investigate, we could easily identify their authors.”
Prince Gail deliberately burned one note with a cigarette. The paper ignited instantly, curling into ash that crumbled away. His smile resembled that of a child playing with fire.
“If you don’t take me with you, I’ll burn all of these.”
“Your Highness. This puts us in a truly difficult position!”
“Philia. Don’t worry. Ian, who doesn’t even know his colleague carries a blade and must trust him with his back, will have the hardest time of all.”
It was blackmail concerning his son. Even if Ian survived the mana verification ceremony and returned alive, what good would it do if traitors were nestled around him? He would inevitably face crisis again before long.
Ting!
Prince Gail flicked a jewel toward Philia. Unable to react, Nersaren caught it from the air instead.
“If you desire it, I’ll give you jewels as well. Even confined here, I remain a prince of my empire. Providing wealth as much as you two desire poses no problem. Desert warrior. I hear you’re something like a tribal leader? I imagine you know well how a prosperous treasury brings a warm spring.”
“Such things aren’t necessary. I simply want what my son—”
“Haha! Your face is flushed.”
“I want what my son wants.”
“Yes. This is what your son wants.”
The paper scraps fluttered at Prince Gail’s fingertips.
Thought, insofar as the Divine permits, is humanity’s sole inviolable sanctuary. Identifying traitors means violating that sanctuary and ransacking it thoroughly.
Moreover, it meant doubting and reading the hearts of allies, not enemies. Truly a difficult, arduous, and troublesome task.
“Why would Ian go to such lengths? The Magic Ministry knows how to neutralize truth serum. I’ve benefited from it myself. So if not these papers, it seems I’ll have quite the ordeal ahead.”
Nersaren swallowed a sigh internally. Beyond the notes themselves, it seemed unlikely Prince Gail would relent even if they turned to leave. What if he caused trouble once out of their sight?
“Tell me one truth, I beg you.”
“Gladly.”
“How do you intend to leave?”
“….”
It was nearly as good as acceptance. Prince Gail adjusted his clothing and donned his outer robe. A bundle of notes disappeared into an inner pocket. He checked his cigarette case one final time, a faint smile crossing his lips.
“From my perspective, now is the perfect moment. I doubt the Divine thinks otherwise.”
* * *
The schedule was delayed slightly due to Prince Gail’s accompaniment. They had changed to a larger carriage, brought warriors along as a precaution, and dressed them in imperial attire.
Prince Gail realized he hadn’t been out in a very long time. Though traces of his and Prince Marib’s conflict remained scattered throughout, the appearance of the imperial palace—engraved in his memory his entire life—remained vivid.
Whinnny!
The carriage swayed, but Prince Gail’s gaze remained steady. He gazed enchantedly at the ivory-colored stone walls, golden patterns, and the well-laid red bricks.
Ah. The imperial palace was truly this beautiful. Prince Gail bit his lip firmly, deliberately erasing the memories surfacing in his mind. Memories sometimes breed regret, after all.
“We’ve almost arrived, Nersaren.”
“Hm? But everyone there….”
“Wait a moment. We should stop here, shouldn’t we? It looks like the carriage won’t be able to enter with all these people gathered.”
A throng of people crowded before the Magic Ministry. Carriages, escorts, and disheveled nobles and officials tangled together, creating commotion.
Though chaotic, everyone’s gaze fixed on one point—a strange sight. Philia naturally followed their line of sight and turned her head.
“What… what is that?”
A damp, dark energy descended the stairs of the Magic Ministry. It drew a clear boundary, as if warning others to stay away.
Philia stepped down from the carriage with an ominous expression and surveyed her surroundings.
“Count Ian! Count Ian! Let go of that! I said let go!”
“Romandro!”
“Release it! Mother and Ian are inside!”
“That’s impossible, Your Highness. Please!”
Not far away, Jin thrashed against his guards, kicking and screaming for them to release him and leave him alone. But none of them could comply. He was now the only remaining heir.
Philia seized Romandro’s arm and cried out.
“What is happening? Romandro!”
“Lady Philia! Gasp—that is to say…”
“Philia! Count Ian is inside. Arcen will kill him. Why is everyone just standing here watching!”
“Oh dear, Your Highness, please calm yourself.”
Several soldiers who had attempted to approach the building already lay scattered about. Getting too close brought splitting headaches and dizziness—there was no solution.
The Magic Ministry was devising countermeasures, but all the commanders had already entered. This was truly a dire situation.
“Jin.”
Then Prince Gail withdrew a cigarette and placed it between his lips. At the quiet call, Jin froze and turned around.
Why was Prince Gail here?
“Be quiet.”
“W-what?”
“Is Arcen truly a demon?”
“…Brother.”
“I see. So it is true.”
Prince Gail stared into the void for a moment. The boy’s fate, born alongside a demon, was indeed cruel. He took a breath to steady himself, then stepped into the toxic miasma without hesitation.
“Your Highness!”
“Why has Your Highness come here?”
“He’s entered the miasma!”
“Good heavens, what in the world is—”
His breathing was somewhat labored, but he felt neither particularly dizzy nor weakened. Prince Gail glanced back as he climbed the stairs, then tossed a note he had kept in his breast to Philia as he bid farewell.
“Philia. Thank you for sharing meals with me all this time.”
“Your Highness?”
“When Ian comes out, give him this.”
“Your Highness!”
Prince Gail bounded up the stairs. Those who had not managed to evacuate lay collapsed in various places. In the silent space, Prince Gail clenched his cigarette between his teeth and walked slowly forward.
—Cursed one, you cannot defy your fate. Die of your own will for Bariel, and glory shall grace the world.
Since the day I received the oracle, I have awaited this moment. I am a prince of Bariel. Rather than return to wind like Marib, it is better to meet death beneath the world’s glory.
Even if my name is not carved into history, glory shall remain.
“Go on, try to pierce me! If you kill me, you will die as well. And if you die, Jin will not last long either!”
…Was that Arcen’s voice? How repulsive it sounded. He followed the sound and soon pushed open the door leading into the great hall.
Creeeeak.
Thud.
“Quite the spirited party in broad daylight. Mind if I join in?”
Mysterious light flooded the grand hall. For a moment, Prince Gail wondered if he had stepped into heaven itself.
Ian, who had raised his sword toward the empty air, turned his body around, and the trembling heart before him burst with venom.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you remember the oracle that came down recently?”
“….”
The cigarette flicked away. The last smoke he exhaled would be his final breath.
“It may not be Your Highness’s oracle.”
“It doesn’t matter. If I say it is, then it is.”
Prince Gail picked up the fallen sword from the ground and approached Ian slowly.
“If I die here, I leave behind glory.”
And if I don’t die?
“If I don’t die, then I have eliminated the demon dwelling in the imperial palace with my own hands—that too is glory.”
The veins of the pounding heart within his chest stood out starkly. Prince Gail calmly pointed his sword at its end. Ian gently grasped his arm.
“…No one will ever know.”
That a demon had dwelt within the imperial palace—could such a thing be recorded in history? Never. Everything would be erased without a trace. Those ten unholy years would vanish into the light, leaving not even a shadow behind.
So even if Prince Gail sacrificed himself in death, who would ever know?
“No. The Divine knows.”
Prince Gail smiled and brought his sword to Arcen’s heart. He gestured to Ian to unleash his magic power, murmuring softly.
“And you know as well.”

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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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