Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 250

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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 250
A Bloody Wind. Opposition Nobles’ Signatures
The office was quiet, the sky gradually brightening with the approach of dawn.
I examined the documents with unwavering focus, then pressed my brow in frustration. The conversation I’d had with Jin earlier kept surfacing in my mind. Perhaps it was because I’d reached the limits of my physical endurance again, but concentration eluded me.
‘Your Majesty, please keep this between us for now. My mother is the type to share good news immediately. It seems she doesn’t know yet, so I think it’s best we pretend we don’t either.’
‘Very well. I shall do so.’
‘By the way, is she beautiful?’
‘Very, very much so.’
That Roberside, whom Jin met in dreams, was no illusion—the Arcen incident had proven as much. Viviana’s hints suggested the same, and now my younger sibling. I couldn’t fathom what kind of ancestor was at work, but each clue was far too significant to dismiss lightly.
Could Philia have borne another illegitimate child besides the illegitimate Ian? Or perhaps another bastard of Count Derga?
Tap, tap.
No, that couldn’t be. I tapped my pen lightly to shake off the excess ink. Had Derga possessed additional illegitimate children, he would have known long ago.
Had there been ample opportunity? Surely rumors would have circulated among the residents during the collapse and reconstruction of a territory. Still, Philia and Nersaren seemed the most likely candidates.
‘Then it is only right to offer my blessing.’
I simply thought as much and signed the document. Philia wasn’t my biological mother, and even if she were, it would pose no problem.
Rather, it was cause for celebration. The likelihood of my ever descending to Hielo’s domain was virtually nonexistent, so their child would be the first step toward cultural fusion and the cornerstone of a steadfast alliance.
‘Above all, it is truly fortunate for Philia. Yes. Living happily. That is everything, what else could there be?’
The entire palace’s fierce struggles, conflicts, and the process of reaching consensus—all of it existed for precisely this purpose.
A complete life that forms the grand tapestry of history. When circumstances sometimes overwhelm everything around me, I occasionally forget where I’m heading. Yet remarkably, I have always found my way in the smallest moments of daily life.
“Krrrrgh….”
For instance, the snoring of Berik, who had dozed off in front of the magical brazier. In a sense, such things too could be considered a complete life.
Hmm. I watched the scene seriously, then closed the file folder.
【Report on Confiscated Magic-Related Items from Seven Houses】
【Current Asset Status of All Central Nobility】
【Request for Judiciary Cooperation】
….
Contrary to the peaceful atmosphere of the office, everything I was reviewing bore titles that would stir up turmoil.
Knock, knock.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
“Come in. I’ve just finished.”
“Ah, thank goodness. Sereo was just—”
A mage entered as if she’d been waiting, her expression vacant. She carefully gathered the files into her arms, then paused upon seeing me. Pale skin, darkened eyes, and….
“Your Majesty Ian. You’re bleeding from your nose.”
“Hmm?”
A faint red tinge beneath my nose. I lifted my head in surprise, and the mage quickly handed me a handkerchief. Berik, who had been snoring loudly, jolted awake at the commotion, his mouth dripping with saliva.
“What? What is it!”
“Quiet, Berik.”
“Blood, Ian! Insane! A double nosebleed!”
“Are you trying to wake everyone else?”
“Wake them? Should I wake them?”
“…Go and bring only Captain Heil back.”
I gestured lightly, issuing instructions to Berik.
He staggered dramatically and tumbled straight out the door. Watching him go, I finally understood why strange rumors circulated through the Magic Ministry. I held a handkerchief to my nose, leaning my head against the chair repeatedly.
“By the way, why Sereo?”
I closed my eyes wearily and asked again. The Mage, who had been quietly observing my appearance, startled and continued his report.
“The resistance from the seven houses, including Haiman, is more severe than anticipated. Since they were the ones supporting the center, the Judiciary and Administrative Ministry are facing considerable difficulties in their operations.”
It wasn’t merely a matter of life and death, but the very existence of their houses hung in the balance. Moreover, we were talking about seven houses.
If I included all members belonging to them, their servants, and even trivial connections through regional ties and academic bonds, Bariel would be making a sacrifice hardly different from severing his own left arm. It was a sacrifice that could never be accomplished without envisioning a better future.
“And then?”
“Since the schedule is delayed, the Sereo house has been collecting signatures from opposing central nobles as their representative.”
“Opposing central nobles?”
Look at that? Opposing?
Only then did I raise my eyebrows and turn to look at the Mage. As if somewhat unexpected.
It was remarkably quick. Barely days had passed since Haiman was excised from the bloc of central nobles, yet those who remained had already named themselves and formed a group. Wasn’t that surprising? Especially that it was called the “opposition”—that was even more significant. It was impossible to specify what they opposed.
“Yes. It has already been submitted to the Judiciary, and the matter has been made known throughout the streets. Of course, not regarding the ‘Mana Verification Incident,’ but concerning the rebellion of the seven houses.”
Sereo was merely a temporary measure. Filling the void left by Haiman, diluting the Imperial Palace’s overt restraint, and providing a means to unite other nobles as desired.
But to step forward so quickly and lead the opposition signatures? I lightly twirled the feather attached to the back of my pen.
‘It’s natural that opportunities come to them only when Haiman and the seven houses are purged swiftly. They’re likely waiting for Haiman’s downfall no less eagerly than the Imperial family. But to move without any prior indication like this…’
How should I put it? It was irritating, to say the least.
Half of the central nobles were Haiman’s faction, and the other half condemned them, so if Sereo occupied their center ‘more brilliantly than expected’?
When the seven houses disappeared and Sereo reaped the benefits, how much could his influence swell? Could I truly guarantee this wouldn’t be the birth of a second Haiman?
‘If you show too much enthusiasm depending on circumstances, that becomes problematic in its own way, Lord Sereo.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly. I couldn’t know his true intentions for certain. Was it to drive a wedge of loyalty to the Imperial Palace—to Jin and myself—or was he opening new horizons in the world of nobility for future gain?
Regardless, he was now treading dangerously close to the line I had drawn. Without my permission to cross it.
“I understand for now.”
First, what’s already happened. Regardless of intent, it’s wise to accept the benefits.
At that moment, Captain Heil burst urgently into the office.
Thud, thud, thud!
Crash!
“Minister! You’re hemorrhaging severely!”
“Ah, Captain Heil. Come here and give me some mana.”
“M-mana?”
As I waved my hand casually, Heil stopped in his tracks.
What? He’s asking for mana? Again?
He rarely felt physically exhausted, but Heil could feel cold sweat breaking out. How was he supposed to gauge the size of my mana reserves? It would be cleaner and easier to go fight monsters and roll around a few times.
Berik, who had followed behind, pushed at Heil’s back to hurry him along.
“What are you doing? The master is asking for mana!”
“Hey. Is this your business right now?”
“Your business is my business! My business is your business!”
The Mage, who had been listening quietly beside them, offered a suggestion while exchanging my handkerchief.
“Ian. Please, get some rest. No matter how skilled a mage you are, there are limits to recovering stamina through external mana. A deep sleep would be far more effective. You only slept for a day before returning to work.”
It was contradictory to express concern while collecting approval documents at dawn, but Ian found the advice reasonable. He entered the inner chamber where his bed was and asked.
“Sereo has left the palace by now, hasn’t he?”
“Yes. He received the Seal of Silence spell first and departed.”
A privilege gained by seeking to become part of Ian’s faction.
Ian sat on the edge of the bed, pondering something deeply. Sereo seemed thrilled and excited at the prospect of succeeding Haiman, but openly reproaching him would introduce another variable to calculate.
So then—
“After midday, bring Princess Melania here. Let’s share a meal together.”
“Here, sir?”
“As you can see, I’m busy, and the princess is confined, isn’t she?”
“Understood. I shall arrange it. Please rest well. I’ll return for the remaining reports then.”
The Mage shrugged as if bewildered and left the office. Captain Heil also tried to slip out quietly behind him, but Berik clung to his arm with all his strength.
“Where are you going! Ian needs mana!”
“I think he’d be better off with you.”
“Hmm? Really? Ian, is that so?”
“No. Captain Heil, come here.”
Ian neatly arranged his pillow. Then he lay down in proper posture, wiggling only his fingers.
Captain Heil stroked his rough beard and pulled a chair beside the bed.
Whoosh.
“Perhaps I should receive a mana amplification injection.”
“I heard Captain Akorella received one because of me. There are no serious side effects, you say? If there aren’t any significant ones, it might be better for me to receive it directly.”
Among Haiman’s charges was ‘dragon scales.’ Captain Akorella’s active cooperation was necessary, but since receiving the mana amplification injection, she had secluded herself underground and was rarely seen. Some attributed it to side effects, while others assumed, as always, that she was conducting research.
“Yes. Well, when I saw her yesterday, aside from some sweating, she seemed exactly as usual. Since it’s still in the experimental stage, even the creator doesn’t know what the side effects are. She was taking her temperature, laughing, recording things… I thought she’d gone mad.”
“Captain Akorella was already mad.”
Zing. Zing.
At Berik’s retort, Ian chuckled. If it came from anyone else, it might be different, but such words shouldn’t come from Berik’s mouth.
Ian tapped the side of the bed to signal for quiet, and soon fell into deep sleep.
* * *
Screech!
Creak!
Melania descended from the carriage, completely enveloped in her robe.
After Ian left, I couldn’t fathom how much I tormented myself, biting my lips. If only I hadn’t said it that way, if I’d approached it differently, if I’d done this instead—then Ian would have reacted more strongly. Everything was darkness, so even this thread of hope felt desperately precious.
“This way, please.”
Ian called for me again. This meant, in any form, that Ian had shown interest. Melania calmly followed the Mage’s guidance toward the office.
“Wait, hold on! Romandro, that’s mine?”
“You fool, what claim do you have here? Ian bought all of it.”
“I eat the most here, so it’s mine!”
“Sia, come eat some too.”
“No, sir. I’m fine.”
“Snap. Tsk, we’re fellow retainers yet the value differs so greatly. Berik, you need to reflect. Ow! Did you bite me? You actually bit me?”
The Mage, about to make his presence known, glanced sideways at Melania. This was hardly the sort of commotion one would expect from a provincial school’s lunch hour—certainly not befitting the office of the Minister of Magic. The Mage cleared his throat, preparing to announce Melania’s arrival.
“By the way, Ian. Why are you summoning Haiman’s youngest daughter?”
At Berik’s question, Melania swiftly seized the Mage’s wrist. A desperate plea—just a moment, just a brief moment to eavesdrop on the conversation. The Mage, flustered by this behavior so unbecoming of her station, hesitated in confusion.
“Ah, Berik. Have you ever watched a combat tournament?”
“I’ve even competed in one myself. But why the sudden question about fighting?”
“In such matches, there’s a champion and a challenger. In this case, Haiman is the champion, and Sereo is the challenger.”
“And us?”
“We are the ones overseeing the match—the arbiters, so to speak?”
Ian spoke only in cryptic terms, a faint smile playing at his lips. It was at that moment that Melania, her ear pressed against the door, furrowed her brow.
“Then, Princess Melania. Perhaps you should stop eavesdropping and come inside.”

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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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