Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 245

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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 245
Fire. The Central Nobility
The grand mansion of Duke Haiman, regarded as the small imperial palace of the central region.
The phrase subtly implied that the Duke’s authority was comparable to that of the imperial family, yet it was also a compliment to the mansion’s genuinely grand and magnificent exterior, rivaling the imperial palace itself.
Sprawling lawns covering thousands of square meters, gardens meticulously maintained throughout the seasons, and the mansion’s walls kept pristine white despite rain and snow.
The Old Gardener, as always, bowed in gratitude while gazing toward the main gate of the residence.
But then.
“Hmm?”
A procession of carriages entering through the distant main gate.
The master hadn’t returned yesterday, but was he coming home now? And those following behind—were they the master’s close associates? The atmosphere of the mansion had seemed unusually subdued.
Clop, clop, clop!
Neigh!
The old man removed his hat and furrowed his brow. This was strange. Why did the carriages keep coming without end? Behind them came mounted riders, and behind them marched armed soldiers in formation.
The old man let his hat drop and hurriedly loaded his garden tools onto a cart.
“Hey there! You!”
“Where are you going?”
His gestures caught the attention of servants resting in the garden at a distance, and their commotion summoned the Butler.
As the Butler descended the central staircase urgently, the carriage had already come to a halt, waiting for signs of movement from within.
“What is the matter? Where have you come from? Duke Haiman is currently away on business.”
The Butler spoke thus, ignoring the fluttering imperial flags. The main gate was several minutes away from here. Yet there had been no advance notice. This meant either they had forced their way in without warning, or the guards had been subdued.
Servants pressed anxiously against the windows. Even by rough estimate, their numbers were considerable, creating an atmosphere as if war had broken out.
“I am Captain Jeirat of the Imperial Guards.”
“Ah, yes. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Is the Countess within?”
“…Might you first explain the purpose of this visit?”
The Butler supported his waist with his left hand as if in pain, sending a hand signal. The servants who understood it quickly ran up the stairs to inform the Duchess Haiman and her children of the situation.
However, there was one thing they overlooked: these messengers of the imperial palace prioritized the notification of title revocation over confiscation and search.
Click.
Jeirat withdrew an official decree from his breast.
“This is an order from the imperial court. All those bearing the name Haiman shall come forth and comply with the solemn will of the imperial family.”
The Butler’s face turned ashen in an instant. From the fleeting glance he caught, the words “title revocation” seemed unmistakably present in the document.
Jeirat checked his pocket watch with a click. With mountains of duties awaiting him, time was not abundant.
“The urgency level is Grade One. Should no one comply, the decree shall take effect by proclamation alone.”
“What is the meaning of this?”
At that moment, the Duchess Haiman and Princess Melania, who remained in the mansion, emerged clutching their dress hems. The Eldest Son, who was both her son and elder brother, was currently in the study verifying whether any problematic documents remained.
“The Duchess Haiman and her daughter, I presume. I shall now deliver the 【Decree Regarding Temporary Title Revocation】.”
“What? What did you say?”
In all her years, she had never heard such a combination of words. Title revocation? Temporary? A decree? Yet instead of explanation, Jeirat read the full text.
“From this moment forward, the ducal title, authority, and privileges previously granted to House Haiman are hereby temporarily revoked. This order is issued by the authority of the Prime Minister as the Emperor’s representative, the imperial family representative, and the administrative branch.”
If lightning were to strike silently, would it feel like this? The shock was so sudden and overwhelming that words caught in her throat.
Captain Jeirat gestured to indicate he wasn’t finished, turning to the next page.
“The following measures will be implemented immediately.”
First: asset freeze.
To facilitate a thorough financial investigation, not a single monetary transaction will be permitted from this moment forward. This became necessary once the aristocratic privilege of “the right to conduct economic activities without interference” was revoked.
“…This includes the inability to pay even a single coin in wages to employees.”
At Captain Jeirat’s declaration, the servants exchanged uncomfortable glances. No wages? Then what reason did they have to remain here?
“Second: mandatory reduction of private forces. All individuals employed for military mobilization purposes—whether knights or soldiers, even if merely personal guards—must be immediately discharged.”
Non-nobles could employ private soldiers only up to three times the number of their direct family members. This was a preemptive policy to eliminate the possibility of rebellion. Consequently, those seeking to build influence would go to great lengths even to obtain the lowest rank of baron.
Captain Jeirat added his assessment.
“Duke Haiman’s direct family totals five. You may retain fifteen soldiers and dismiss the rest.”
“What is this! Where is my husband right now? How dare you bring such absurd orders to this place!”
“Madam. Do not act rashly. That constitutes disrespect to the imperial throne.”
“No. Wait. Just a moment!”
As the enforcement officers moved to enter the residence, the Countess let out a shrill cry, blocking their path. The servants and guards waiting behind her surged forward in response.
“Step aside. This constitutes obstruction of official duties.”
“Wait! I am a member of the Ruswena royal family before I am a countess! No one—not a soul—may enter this residence before I see my husband! Where is he now? Is he imprisoned by the imperial palace?”
“Not imprisoned—detained. And….”
“Get out of my way! You insolent fools!”
“My lady, what shall we do?”
“Stop them! We cannot allow this! Everyone, hurry—”
Shing!
The moment the Countess attempted to issue another command, Captain Jeirat unhesitatingly severed the neck of the servant blocking the entrance. The white marble floor was instantly stained crimson with blood.
Melania watched the head roll down the stairs and gasped, covering her mouth. Captain Jeirat clenched his teeth and spoke in a low voice.
“…Do my orders seem like a jest to you, Madam?”
If the private forces were not disbanded, they would all be subdued. That was precisely why the Captain of the Imperial Guards had come to House Haiman. Among the nobility, their forces were the largest.
After clearing the residence, he planned to proceed to the nearby private soldier training grounds. Captain Jeirat pointed his blade at the remaining servants.
“Does this look like a joke to you?”
“Aaah!”
“Anyone who obstructs or interferes will be cut down immediately. Those who value their lives will step back and cooperate.”
The Countess sensed that something had gone terribly wrong. Either Prince Arcen’s mana verification had failed, or it had succeeded but Jin and Ian had orchestrated some scheme that had solidified the imperial palace’s position. There was no other conclusion she could reach.
“Mother! Melania!”
“Older brother!”
“What in the world is happening!”
Clang! Clang!
At that moment, the Eldest Son and Second Son, having organized the study upstairs, came rushing down with drawn swords. Not understanding the situation, they were holding bloodstained blades before their mother. As the Eldest Son ran forward, Melania spread her arms to block him.
“No! Older brother!”
“Melania!”
“Please, truly, no.”
For now, we must remain still. First, I must ascertain the movements of the other nobles allied with Father and understand the situation within the imperial palace.
If my older brothers were to oppose the imperial throne here, it would provide them with justification. If matters were more serious than they appeared, they could even be charged with treason. Without Father, and without my brothers, we would be walking down a path from which there was no return.
Whoosh.
Captain Jeirat stepped over the corpse and entered the mansion. The two brothers hesitated, utterly bewildered, and simply retreated backward.
“A wise decision, Princess.”
“Do not damage the mansion. Authority over private property does not belong solely to the nobility.”
Captain Jeirat gestured, allowing the enforcers to enter the mansion. As if they had already grasped its layout, they dispersed methodically throughout without haste.
The servants, terrified, pressed themselves against the walls and let out only quiet gasps.
“And the Duchess and the Eldest Son shall proceed to the imperial palace. There are matters to investigate.”
The Duchess and the Eldest Son. Melania immediately grasped why these two had been singled out. They held the right of succession. If something happened to Father, authority would pass to Mother next, and then to her eldest brother. The talk of freezing assets was not merely for investigation.
“I shall accompany them.”
“Melania, then I will too.”
“My younger brother must remain here to guard the mansion.”
Melania stopped her younger brother with a soft whisper. The fact that they had forced their way into the Haiman mansion meant the same was happening at other noble houses. Therefore, she desperately needed someone outside the palace who could coordinate and unite their forces.
“We depart in five minutes.”
“This way! This is the study!”
“The door is locked?”
“Bring an axe!”
“Hurry! Smash it to pieces!”
Crash! Bang! Bang!
Crack—!
Captain Jeirat showed no mercy. There was no need to grant them extra time to prepare. While they sealed off the private military training grounds, others would move the carriages to transport the Haiman family to the palace.
Melania nodded, then quickly rushed up to her bedroom.
Patter, patter, patter!
“Miss! What should we do?”
“Hush. Keep the others in line. If anyone tries to smuggle out the mansion’s belongings, report them immediately and stop them. If we scatter, we all die.”
As Melania spoke to her attendant, she pulled out a small jewelry box from the bottom drawer. Faint dust and fingerprints remained on the fine cloth—traces from when she had opened it after returning from Prince Gail’s quarters before.
Click.
Inside lay a half-broken amber stone, a pressed red flower bookmark, and several worn notes that seemed ready to crumble. Melania bit her lip firmly and held it close to her heart.
“Go.”
“Miss!”
“That’s enough. Don’t cry.”
If Father was in crisis, it was naturally because of Ian on the opposing side. Melania could only pray that she might somehow stop Ian.
‘No matter how I think about it, too many things don’t add up.’
On that moonlit night, she had subtly tested Ian in front of Prince Gail’s quarters, but he hadn’t moved an inch. And based on his subsequent actions, she had believed it was genuine.
But if things had come to this, she had no choice but to gamble on even the slimmest possibility.
“What is that?”
“A box containing miscellaneous items. Shall I show you?”
“The box appears quite valuable.”
“Nothing in House Haiman is inexpensive. If you wish, you may simply take it wrapped in cloth. It merely contains a bookmark and notes from a friend.”
Mother had already been placed in the carriage, and her eldest brother waited for her. An imperial palace official had briefly inspected them, but upon finding nothing amiss, opened the carriage door.
Neigh!
Clop, clop, clop!
“I’ll head to the imperial palace first.”
“Yes. I’ll join you shortly.”
The administrator sitting beside the coachman bowed to Captain Jeirat. Melania gazed back at the grand mansion growing distant, her lips trembling with despair.
“What on earth is happening….”
“Mother. It’s alright. Please calm yourself.”
Her eldest son soothed her, gently patting her shoulder.
The carriage soon left Duke Haiman’s private estate and entered the central thoroughfare. As they drew closer to the imperial palace, weaving through the crowds, similar carriages became increasingly common.
But then.
“Ah.”
Melania turned her head toward the window upon seeing bloodstains scattered throughout the carriage. These were all the returns of those who had visited the central noble mansions to carry out the orders.
A half-dazed man sat drenched in blood. It was the moment Captain Jeirat’s question echoed in her ears—was this some kind of joke?
“What in the world is this….”
Familiar faces visible outside the carriage. The heirs of all seven central noble houses were converging upon the imperial palace.

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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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