Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 242

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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 242
Fire. The Ruswena Delegation
The Ruswena delegation was guided to the reception hall farthest from the imperial palace’s main building. It was an unannounced visit from the start, and the intention was to conceal the turmoil within the palace as much as possible.
The Prime Minister leading his advisors crossed the corridor with hurried steps.
“The delegation’s representative is called Eldetr, is that correct?”
“Yes, sir. The current twelfth king of Ruswena, cousin and closest confidant of the King of Eriphony. He currently serves as the king’s advisor. Before becoming an advisor, he held a position as a professor of urban engineering at Ruswena National University.”
“…A professor? He looked quite young.”
The Prime Minister recalled the man he had briefly seen during the recess and marveled. The fact that the king’s closest associate had come meant they did not take Duke Haiman’s request for aid lightly. Indeed, had they thought otherwise, they would never have come directly to the imperial palace.
The Prime Minister furrowed his pale eyes and entered the arched double doors. The servants standing on either side of the reception hall noticed his presence and informed those inside.
Creak.
“The Prime Minister has arrived.”
As the doors swung open on both sides, those who had been drinking tea on the sofa rose simultaneously.
Excluding the guards, the delegation consisted of five members. Among them, Eldetr, the representative, set down his teacup last. A man with long teal hair and sharp eyes, yet with soft lips that contrasted strikingly with his gaze.
“Ah, Prime Minister.”
“I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“Not at all. We are grateful for providing such a peaceful reception hall. My fatigue seems to be melting away already.”
At Eldetr’s courtesy, the advisors flinched. Was he not indirectly referring to being placed in the innermost, most secluded part of the imperial palace?
Moreover, considerable time had been delayed in tidying up the chaotic conference. Under normal circumstances, the delegation should have been assigned quarters to rest rather than remain in the reception hall at this hour. Yet they had been left without anyone to attend to them, remaining in the reception hall all this while. Rather than fatigue melting away, it should have been accumulating.
Setting aside the relationship between the empire and the kingdom, this was clearly a blunder—albeit an unavoidable one—on the palace’s part.
‘Well, well, what do we have here?’
But what could be done? It was impossible for the Emperor himself to step forward for such an unexpected visit, and it certainly could not happen now. Receiving foreign delegations was normally Prince Marib’s responsibility, but he was dead. The Foreign Ministry? All officials of sufficient rank to receive a delegation were tied up in the conference.
“Everything in the imperial palace is of the highest standard. Whatever it may be, it is sufficient to ease your fatigue. Please, be seated.”
Using Duke Haiman as a pretext to probe for fractures in the empire, yet daring to sharpen their tongues? The Prime Minister responded with an equally cold smile, as if to say such treatment was more than they deserved. The advisors and the delegation’s subordinates sensed the chilled atmosphere and held their breath.
“So then, what brings you all this way from distant Ruswena? I hear you are seeking Duke Haiman.”
Though they were neighboring countries, the Prime Minister deliberately added the word “distant.” This was not merely a matter of creating distance or a rhetorical tactic to seize the initiative. Throughout the world, there were few examples of bordering nations maintaining good relations.
“We heard that Duke Haiman was staying within the palace and wished to pay our respects. Please do not read too much into it.”
Wars and conflicts waged to push back drawn borders even slightly, and the hatred, anger, and contempt sown thereby. Of course, since Bariel was an empire and they were a kingdom, it was naturally Bariel that had held the advantage throughout history.
However, Ruswena had developed self-sufficiency centered on fertile lands, and the legitimacy of its royal family was preserved so perfectly that it could be said to rival any other nation. It was a clear example of how distinct their national character was.
“What is it?”
“The matter is this: we have heard of various disturbances within the imperial palace. Fearing that His Majesty the Emperor might be troubled, our king has sent a modest gift.”
At Eldetr’s gesture, his subordinate produced a small box. It was filled with black gems found only in Ruswena and rare medicinal herbs.
The Prime Minister stroked his beard and examined Eldetr carefully. The gems were one thing, but what was the significance of the medicinal herbs? It seemed he knew the Emperor’s condition was serious abroad. Then what about the freeze? Did Haiman not know that much?
“If it pleases you, would you grant us the honor of presenting this directly to His Majesty?”
“I’m afraid that is not possible. His Majesty’s duties are pressing, and he cannot spare time for unscheduled meetings. I shall make certain to emphasize the King of Eriphony’s sincerity in my report.”
The Prime Minister shook his head to indicate refusal. At that, his advisors carefully took the box and carried it out of the reception hall.
Was there another matter? The Prime Minister asked with a glance, and Eldetr merely smiled faintly.
“Though it is regrettable, we are truly grateful that you will do so.”
“The night has grown late, so rest well. The horses will be weary; prepare fresh ones for tomorrow.”
One night. He was granting permission for only one night. At such an overt dismissal, the delegation members’ expressions hardened involuntarily.
Yet this was, after all, an imbalanced form of diplomacy—and moreover, an uninvited visit, so there was no help for it. And above all, as Prime Minister….
‘I should arrange for them to use the innermost chamber of the auxiliary palace. I’ll need to ensure strict silence until they depart. Of all times to arrive today, when the demon Arcen incident occurred—tsk.’
A day that would be completely erased from Bariel’s history.
If outsiders lodged within the palace, variables became unpredictable. For the sake of propriety, a single day at most. No, rather—ten hours until morning. That was the maximum courtesy I could extend.
Then Eldetr spoke casually.
“Your kindness is appreciated, but we shall depart with Duke Haiman. I heard he was at the main residence.”
The Prime Minister, who had been turning to leave, hesitated and looked back at him.
“…With Duke Haiman?”
“Yes. As you know, the Countess is of Luswena’s royal blood. The King entrusted me with a letter to deliver, so that would be preferable. We’re already grateful you made time for this sudden visit—we cannot impose further.”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words. His immediate departure was welcome, but with Haiman? Revealing the Duke’s whereabouts would be providing clues about the imperial palace situation.
If I didn’t reveal it? Haiman’s disappearance from the palace would raise questions, leading to an official inquiry and providing pretext for a larger delegation’s visit.
Either way, this was rather troublesome.
“Prime Minister?”
“…Duke Haiman is currently detained on charges of lèse-majesté and incitement to riot. You should be aware of the rebellion involving Prince Marib and Prince Gail.”
A matter that began with extra editions and was announced throughout the capital by Ian using magical artifacts. This news had reached everywhere that knew of the Bariel Empire’s existence, not just neighboring kingdoms.
“The trial regarding this matter will soon reach its verdict. I suspect he won’t be able to leave for some time. The delegation should rest and return alone.”
“Ah. Is that so?”
Eldetr let out a surprised exclamation. Regardless of being the King’s son-in-law, he was still a Duke of Bariel. If he was entangled in charges of rebellion and faced trial, there was no way around it. Above all, if the Emperor wouldn’t meet with him, how could negotiations proceed?
The Prime Minister swept his robes and left the reception room, signaling an end to the conversation.
Crash!
As the door closed, Eldetr swept back his long hair and reclined on the sofa. His subordinates loosened their neckties and sighed.
“We seem to have arrived too late.”
“If a trial date has been set, it appears the situation has tilted toward Prince 5. This is troublesome. What shall we report to the King?”
“We should have come a bit earlier.”
They desired not to save Haiman himself, but rather his family’s vast wealth. If he were executed for rebellion, all assets would revert to Bariel, so their purpose was to have the Duke or Countess flee to Luswena before that happened, smuggling the entire fortune out.
Haiman seemed to hope they would bring troops, leveraging his wife’s royal status, but that was hardly possible. To be frank, the King actually hoped Haiman would die ‘without legal complications.’
“If it’s a rebellion charge, the Countess will likely be implicated as well. Hmm.”
If the Countess remained alone, the optimal plan was to persuade her to return home, allowing them to absorb House Haiman’s assets. Then they could insert themselves into the Bariel Empire’s economic dominance without lifting a finger.
“Lord Eldetr. What should we do?”
“Wait. Let me think for a moment.”
He swept his silken hair back and stared into the void. But wasn’t something odd about this?
“…Do you remember the main gate?”
“The main gate? Yes, yes. Well, there were quite a few people gathered there—carriages and such—for such a late hour.”
“Access to the imperial palace is naturally restricted at night. Yet why were they gathered there? Isn’t it natural to assume they were waiting continuously?”
“You mean they’ve been doing this since daytime? Why?”
“Who knows. Perhaps the palace gates wouldn’t open?”
At Eldetr’s speculation, his subordinates shrugged. The imperial palace gates wouldn’t fail to open—unless it was a lockdown.
“And the delegation’s reception room is normally on the main residence floor. Even accounting for our arrival being unannounced, this seems rather unusual.”
Something had happened in the imperial palace. Or was happening. Eldetr made this assessment and sipped the remaining tea. There were too many unsettling details to simply depart tomorrow.
“Now then. Everyone, finish your tea without leaving any.”
“Huh. That’s….”
“Eldetr. Surely we don’t need to sacrifice more than one person?”
“No. Everyone drinks.”
“Good heavens, this is maddening.”
Eldetr chuckled as he sprinkled a fine black powder—prepared in advance—into his subordinates’ teacups. It was a powder exceptionally adept at inducing stomach distress.
* * *
Zzzzzing. Zing.
My fingertips twitched.
And then, slowly, my eyelids parted.
My vision was hazy, wandering aimlessly, but after several blinks, clarity returned.
It was Heil. He held an unlit cigarette between his teeth while channeling his mana into it. The mages had been taking turns infusing their mana to aid my recovery.
“…Heil.”
Did I actually speak? I wondered, flexing my fingers tentatively. At that, Heil—who had been lost in thought—shot to his feet and bellowed outside. His voice was not merely loud, but thunderous, tearing through the air.
“Ian is awake! He’s awakeeeeee!!”
“Ian is awake, you say?”
Crash!
Bang! Slam!
Thud-thud-thud! Clang!
“Hey, fetch the doctor!”
“Captain Heil, you couldn’t resist—another cigarette already!”
“No, I was just holding it.”
“Ian. Are you conscious? Do you recognize me?”
“Move aside, move aside. Ian!”
I couldn’t tell who was who. A wave of voices in various tones crashed over me, and my head throbbed dully. I managed to furrow my brow and mutter weakly.
“Everyone, please be quiet….”
“Oh. My apologies.”
“Shut up, all of you!!”
“You’re the loudest one, you bird-brain.”
I exhaled a faint sigh and asked for water. My upper body was propped up, and lukewarm water trickled into my mouth. With that, my voice came more easily.
“Can you sit up?”
“…Not yet.”
I pressed my forehead and fell silent for a moment. The mages all waited for my stabilization, and the room grew quiet with me.
After several minutes, I lifted my head and asked.
“…Where is Prince Jhin?”
“His Highness is sleeping. It’s still dawn.”
I seemed to have said something in my sleep, but I couldn’t remember it. I lay back on the bed and wiggled my fingers. What could it mean?
As Heil hesitantly offered me a cigarette, I immediately knocked it away and replied.
“Gather and bring me a summary of what happened while I was asleep.”

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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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