Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 256

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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 256
A Bloody Wind. The Trial of Seven Houses Begins
Though the moon still hung in the pre-dawn sky, an unprecedented crowd had gathered before the imperial palace—a procession of those eager to witness the final moments of the seven houses up close. The guards stationed atop the gates looked down upon them, realizing that the morning of a momentous day had truly begun.
“It’s nearly opening time.”
“Prepare yourselves.”
“The nobles are to be admitted through the side gate, correct?”
“Yes. Open it wide enough for carriages to pass.”
Even now the line stretched beyond sight, and when the sun rose, the crowd would surge forward like a tidal wave. The gatekeepers, like the seven houses themselves, were destined to perish in this deluge. Those unable to enter within the allotted time would likely press themselves against the palace gates, straining to catch even the faintest echoes of the magical artifacts’ resonance.
As they donned their armor, the main hall of the imperial palace and buildings throughout each department blazed with light. Particularly the Judiciary, and—
“Minister Ian.”
The Mage felt a strange sense of déjà vu watching Ian prepare himself. Sprawled across the sofa, his hair neatly arranged, his badge, his formal uniform, and leather gloves. It seemed he’d dressed this way on the morning of the mana verification ceremony as well.
‘Whenever the Minister dresses like that, someone always dies.’
“What is it?”
“Ah, nothing. You look magnificent today as well.”
“You didn’t come here to jest.”
“These are the questions and inquiries that will be raised during the trial. I’ve reviewed them one final time—there are no issues. I believe we can proceed as planned.”
Ian gestured for the Mage to wait rather than leave, then handed over the papers.
The entire imperial palace united to break the necks of these houses—an event that was scarcely a trial at all, but rather a theatrical performance. What questions the judge would pose to the Department of Magic that had received the charges, how they would answer, and how those answers would be received—all meticulously choreographed. Just as the beginning was predetermined, so too was the end.
The papers rustled softly.
“No problems.”
Though he’d declared there were no issues, he still insisted on verifying everything to the very end. The Mage smiled with resignation and accepted the documents.
“Ah, and regarding Princess Melania.”
“Have they found her?”
Ian asked with feigned nonchalance. The Imperial Defense Ministry had even issued a wanted notice through the Guard Corps, yet they’d found no trace of her—the palace was in turmoil. And for good reason: the surveillance of the residence and the subject herself had come by imperial decree. With only Melania’s disappearance, he could potentially be held accountable in the worst scenario.
“No. It’s quite peculiar. We administered a truth serum to the Second Brother, and he genuinely appears to know nothing. In any case, there’s been talk of transferring the matter to the Imperial Guards. We’ve also requested assistance from the Department of Magic. Surely if we use mana, we could apprehend her immediately?”
“Enough. Once the trial verdict is rendered, a special pursuit team will be assembled anyway. Why should we commit our personnel?”
“That’s true. We’re already short-staffed as it is.”
“Refuse them. The Imperial Guards will likely do the same.”
Of course, this too was merely one of the many reins Ian held over Jin. Just as controlling a noble’s weakness served as a check against them, so too did holding a department’s flaw make them easier to manipulate.
“What of the others?”
Ian exhaled softly, blowing at a strand of hair that had escaped. The Servant noticed his signal and carefully rearranged his hair.
“The second and third couples of the Kuwell house poisoned themselves during the night, I hear. Apart from that, everyone is waiting without incident at their residences. They say they’ll relay the order and carry out the execution the moment the verdict is pronounced.”
The heads of the seven houses and their heirs would meet death within the imperial palace, while their other family members would meet their end at their residences.
Did they harbor hope?
Or were they preparing for death?
Ian’s fingers traced the badge of the Department of Magic that the Servant fastened to his chest, then he rose from his seat.
“Move out.”
“Yes. Everyone is waiting outside.”
As the Mage had said, all were already prepared. Captain Akorella, unusually dressed in formal attire, caught his eye particularly—she would be giving direct testimony regarding the dragon’s scales. Though she wore protective goggles and a mask that seemed at odds with her formal dress.
“Captain Akorella. I hear your condition has deteriorated considerably.”
“Yes. Well, I can walk. I can speak too.”
“Once today’s trial ends, I’ll take a vacation.”
“I hope so. The air in the basement is so stale—I feel like I’m dying. Ugh.”
The side effects of the mana amplifier I’d prepared for myself seemed to last quite a while. Standing close enough, I could vividly feel the heat radiating from her. I took slow steps for her sake.
“And that, the Idgal you sent me later…”
The half-amber gemstone Melania had given me. I nodded to indicate she should continue.
“There was nothing particularly special about it. When I analyzed the crystal structure, I was able to confirm it was Idgal. Is there perhaps a specific area you’d like me to analyze further?”
“…No. That’s enough.”
A crystal carries the traces of the Alchemist who created it. If I had made it directly as Melania said, wouldn’t there be traces of a different form than Idgal?
‘But it’s unlikely Melania would have lied. She knows the relationship between the merchant guild and the illegitimate Ian, and above all, it’s unclear what the illegitimate Ian’s memories are like. She wouldn’t have fabricated a lie so easily. It was a move to prevent the clan’s destruction.’
Then it would be more natural to conclude that rather than me conducting alchemy directly, I provided crucial assistance to the Alchemist Idgal. Isn’t the illegitimate Ian also considered a mana user now?
I don’t know through what connection alchemy and mana influence each other, but both are transcendent abilities in common. It didn’t seem impossible.
“Let’s depart. Have the rear guard bring Prince Jin.”
“Yes, Ian. I’ll see you shortly.”
I boarded the carriage with Captain Akorella while giving instructions for the remaining matters. Captain Akorella leaned against the window, clutching her head as if suffering from a hangover.
“Ugh, my head’s pounding.”
No matter how I looked at it, something seemed off—it was surprising she’d been cooped up in the basement all this time. Captain Akorella protested needlessly, her protective goggles glinting.
“I-I didn’t drink alcohol.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Please give me paid leave. I shortened my lifespan saving you, Ian.”
I merely raised my eyebrows, indicating she could do as she pleased.
Clatter-clatter—as the carriage sped along, crowds of people gathering in the distance came into view. Not just nobility, but imperial citizens were gathering in small groups, streaming toward the courthouse.
“Everyone’s so eager from morning. Anyway, they won’t be able to enter inside the courtroom, will they?”
“Even if they’re not nobility, those who purchase admission tickets can enter.”
“Admission tickets? Wow. That’s Minister Quintana’s proposal, isn’t it? I won’t speak for myself, but that person is truly mad. Mad for money. I can hear the sound of the calculator being pressed from here, they’re so excited. Like someone who sold their soul for tax revenue. How can people without money even live? Tsk tsk. Come on, become rich!”
“…I proposed it.”
“…As they say, national power comes from the national treasury. You are truly remarkable, Ian. You should become rich too. Ah, you’re already rich, aren’t you?”
“Even those without admission tickets can see inside from outside. Captain Akorella, I’m certain we discussed this together.”
Starting from the placement of magical devices, the Judiciary had requested cooperation from the Magic Ministry several times. Captain Akorella was present at each meeting, yet she seemed unusually quiet. She hadn’t concentrated at all. She coughed awkwardly, groaning.
“…My body feels, cough, like someone jabbed a syringe into my head. Saving you, Ian, I—kergh! Cough!”
Screech!
Creak!
I simply narrowed my eyes and shook my head in exasperation. The carriage had just arrived at the courthouse, and I climbed the steps while receiving reports from my subordinates.
“How are the magical devices installed?”
“The space next to the third pillar on the left turned out to be smaller than expected. We’re working on adjusting just that area. Everything else is fine.”
Captain Akorella immediately grasped the meaning of my words.
The trial was to be held not in the Judiciary building, but in the central banquet hall of the main building where the New Year’s gathering had taken place. The hall was enormous enough to accommodate hundreds of people, could be viewed from the second floor, and most importantly, had perfect lighting designed to enhance the beauty of the banquet.
‘They’ve removed all the windows connecting to the outside. They were already nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, and without them, the interior is clearly visible even while climbing the stairs.’
With sound amplification magical devices installed as well, those wishing to watch would have no difficulty enjoying the proceedings.
Captain Akorella sat in the seat with her name on it and placed the relevant documents there. Then she stared blankly into space, her forehead resting on her hand.
“…Captain.”
“….”
“Captain Akorella!”
“Huh?”
It wasn’t until a Mage grabbed her shoulder and shook it that I snapped back to awareness. I’d been sitting with my eyes open the whole time, but my sense of time had somehow fragmented and vanished.
When had things become like this? I frowned as I surveyed my surroundings, now packed with Imperial Palace officials, nobles, and spectators.
“It will begin shortly. Is there anything you need?”
“…Bring me some cold water. With plenty of ice.”
“I’ll also bring you a damp cloth. You don’t look like yourself today. You know how bad that makes you appear, right?”
“Pak! Stop talking nonsense.”
Ian was conferring with ministers from other departments, while Prince Jin whispered something with Xiaoxi. Romandro moved about checking for any problems, and the nobles were unusually quiet.
I noticed that most of the commotion was coming from outside through the wide-open windows.
‘Goodness.’
The vast garden that once stretched endlessly without visible boundaries now showed not a trace of grass. The ground was completely obscured by the countless masses of people crowded together.
They couldn’t hide their excitement at seeing the interior of the Imperial Palace for the first time, along with the Mages and the Prince. If not for the Guards maintaining order, they likely would have rushed right up to the windows.
‘Come on, get yourself together.’
This was a crucial moment. Why was I losing focus during this historic page that would mark the end of the Seven Central Houses? While a mistake wouldn’t change the trial’s outcome, this was Prince Jin’s first official appearance before the empire’s people. There couldn’t be even the slightest error.
Crunch.
I reluctantly pulled a pill from my pocket and bit down on it. It was a medication that eased the effects of mana amplification, still in the experimental stage, but it had worked remarkably well these past few days. I felt the bitter taste coating my tongue as I chewed the inside of my cheek.
‘Damn it. I’m definitely taking that paid leave. I should rest by collecting samples for a while. Sigh. I want to lick some luronstone.’
Creak.
Boom!
Just as I swallowed the ice water, the doors at the front of the hall swung wide open, and a sonorous announcement rang out.
“The Judge enters! Silence, please!”
Uuuuung—! Wung!
Simultaneously, the resonance of a magical artifact echoed in my ears—something Ian had used several times during the rebellion. Yet it was clear I would never grow accustomed to this sensation.
The rowdy crowd, unable to resist the strange sensation, instinctively held their breath. Ian rose from his seat, and hundreds of spectators followed suit.
At this solemn sight, the Judge walking ahead smiled, his mouth pressed firmly shut as if nervous.
“Is it because of the Seven Houses? All the Judges from the Judiciary came out? It wasn’t this many even for Prince Gail.”
“There are simply so many of them.”
“Shh. Quiet.”
The Judges wearing white wigs took their seats in a line. The Judge struck his gavel heavily, announcing the trial’s commencement.
“Case Number 52398: The trial for treason and ten counts against the Seven Houses, including House Haiman, is hereby opened. The defendants shall now enter.”
Thwack! Bang! Bang!
With each strike of the gavel, the crowd’s shoulders flinched slightly. As the right rear door slowly opened, all eyes turned toward it.
Twenty-one criminals from the Seven Houses, bound in restraints, appeared before the court.

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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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