Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 257

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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 257
Fire. Jin’s Bariel
“Duke Haiman.”
“Oh my…”
The nobles peering down from the upper level whispered behind their fans and other accessories, their faces hidden.
Though Duke Haiman’s eyes and bearing remained sharp and unfaded, his shabby appearance made him look unmistakably like a criminal. He had always presented himself with such integrity that rumors circulated about how half of all gold coins circulating through Bariel had passed through his hands.
The nobles suppressed their sighs and furrowed their brows. Even if his downfall brought them secondary gains, their identities were still bound to the name of nobility, were they not?
‘Duke Haiman has come to this.’
‘So this is how the once-proud Haiman meets his end…’
‘For now, we must keep our heads down.’
The same thought radiated from dozens of minds. If Haiman had fallen so far, did that not suggest they too could suffer the same fate?
What were they, after all? Could they possibly stand against the power of Jin and Ian? The pathetic silhouettes of the seven houses retreating into the shadows told them clearly—the age of the nobility was ending.
“My. Is that all the defense counsel?”
Twenty-one people stood bound, yet only two lawyers stood beside them. The children of the accused Avalia and Chen families. The two of them stood at opposite ends, gently gripping their parents’ hands.
“Both are direct family members of their houses. Youngsik is from the Avalia family, and Youngae is from the Chen family, I see. I heard they received considerable assistance in the beginning.”
“You have keen eyes. What madman would stand there claiming his family’s innocence? Since the verdict on the family is the verdict on them, there is no one but direct family to defend them.”
When the central nobles were first arrested, there were hands reaching out to help them from all quarters. Seven houses, no less. Dozens of schools, hospitals, and religious facilities had been established with their patronage, and the talented individuals who passed through them were countless.
But when Sereo’s house consolidated the opposition, gathered signatures, and applied pressure, they read the tide of events and cleanly withdrew.
The nobles glanced toward Sereo and whispered among themselves.
“Did you see? He exchanged greetings with Count Ian and that was it. It seems there’s still some misunderstanding about the Chetur district.”
“Rather than that, wasn’t it a matter of a marriage proposal falling through?”
“He proposed to Count Ian, but it turned out he had that kind of relationship with Youngsik, the second son of House Haiman?”
“Shh. Be careful. Did you only hear one part and miss the second? They say Princess Alena tore out all the hair of that second son who started the rumor.”
“My goodness, how violent.”
“Those who spread the rumor are said to be hunted with blazing eyes, so everyone is keeping quiet about it.”
“By the way, who is the gray-haired one next to His Highness Jin?”
“They say Count Ian assigned him as a guard.”
“Count Ian directly for His Highness? As expected…”
“Let’s not discuss it, and after this is over, we’ll speak directly to Count Ian…”
The strange silence Akorelra had felt from the nobles before the trial was no illusion. They had split among themselves and were engaged in subtle displays of power.
Jin, watching the trial from the front row, glanced back slightly. His discomfort was evident. Xiaoxi followed Jin’s gaze in the same manner.
“What troubles you, Your Highness?”
“…Nothing.”
How pathetic. Of course, shifting one’s stance was important for survival, but they lacked all sense of propriety.
In the flow of events, how foolish those who abandoned integrity and conviction, prioritizing mere survival, appeared to be? Whatever dignity remained had fallen completely to the ground. The true nature of humanity, which could not be concealed by fine fabrics and glittering jewels, was laid bare before me.
“I would prefer it if you, Xiao, were sitting in that seat instead.”
Xiaoxi fell silent, unprecedentedly flustered. Emancipation was imminent, but he was still legally a slave. How could he possibly sit in a noble’s seat?
Fortunately, Jin did not seem to expect an answer, as he immediately focused on what lay ahead.
“What is the defendant’s name?”
“Gaudino Haiman. A Duke.”
“The charges brought against Duke Haiman are as follows: conspiracy to commit treason and regicide with Prince Gail, assault on the imperial family, destruction of property, violation of the Dragon Sanctity Accord…”
Swish.
As the Judge turned the documents, rustling sounds echoed from various corners. The indictment was so thick that Romandro couldn’t hold it with one hand alone. Since merely reciting the charges took considerable time, the crowds watching from outside began to murmur.
“Why are there so many? Are all those crimes actually real?”
“If there are seven families, wouldn’t they do this seven more times? By the time he finishes reading, the sun will set.”
“That, that—they should be executed! The imperial palace closure was because of those nobles, wasn’t it?”
“Ahem, there! Do you wish to be removed from the courtroom?”
“Oh my, I apologize. I’m sorry.”
There were ten major charges, but including the detailed ones beneath them, it was truly a lengthy list. Moreover, there were seven families involved. The Judge had to take a breath or two in the middle before he could strike his gavel.
Bang! Bang!
‘The matter related to Arcen has been absorbed into the treason charge and disappeared.’
Jin, who had been listening quietly, touched the wound at his chin and muttered to himself. The matter concerning the Arcen incident was absolutely classified, after all. It was natural that it couldn’t be disclosed before so many imperial citizens.
When the Boy naturally turned his head toward the window, his eyes suddenly met those of the imperial citizens pressed close by.
‘Gasp.’
Both were startled. The Prince had never seen commoners before, and the commoners had never seen the Prince either.
When Jin’s face flushed red and he quickly averted his gaze, the imperial citizens whispered to each other excitedly, sharing their excitement. It was like watching adolescent boys and girls.
Jin bit the inside of his cheek to regain his composure when the Judge’s voice rang out clearly.
“…Do you acknowledge all of the above charges?”
“I do not acknowledge them.”
Duke Haiman immediately denied the charges and pushed forward his innocence. His attitude showed not a moment’s hesitation, such that anyone unfamiliar with the truth might be deceived into thinking it was genuine.
“You do not acknowledge them, you say…”
The Judge repeated his words while lightly pressing his temples. Irrefutable testimonies and evidence had already been presented perfectly. To claim not to acknowledge them would only mean wasting time uselessly.
“Very well. Let us examine them one by one.”
Sighs erupted from various quarters. Still, everything had its procedures. If Haiman was going to conduct himself this way, the Judiciary had no other recourse. They would have to proceed by the book, extracting each charge one by one.
Bang! Bang!
Ian sat with his back straight against the chair, observing Haiman. Beneath the desk, he could see the Duke and Duchess holding hands. After all, they were husband and wife.
“First, regarding the charge of conspiracy to commit treason and regicide with Prince Gail, I offer this rebuttal. As has been testified in previous investigations, the black armor used by Haiman Bank possesses exceptional magical properties, capable of withstanding the strength of a hundred soldiers. At that time, Prince Gail requested that Haiman dedicate a portion of the armor to strengthen the empire’s national defense, and Haiman responded with a heart devoted to the empire.”
Haiman’s pupils remained steady. And his voice was even more resolute. As if reading a prepared rebuttal from his mind, the flow of sentences and their correspondence flowed as naturally as water. He was indeed a man who held the economic currents of Bariel firmly in his grasp.
“However, I swear that I had no knowledge whatsoever that Prince Gail would use it for treason. As proof of this, when I realized matters were going awry midway, I refused to provide the remaining half of the armor.”
In a courtroom, before so many witnesses, in a battle whose outcome was already determined, how many could defend themselves? Even the direct descendants of the families who had taken on the role of defense counsel had lost their enthusiasm and stood silently.
“The Duke testified as such. Yes. It has been confirmed. However, according to the letters, contracts, and testimonies later submitted by Prince Gail… it is determined that the Duke already knew of Prince Gail’s intentions.”
Rustle.
The Judge turned the documents and pointed to one. The fact that Gail had promised Princess Melania the position of Empress had particularly weighed heavily.
“Furthermore, you claimed you did not provide the remaining half of the magical armor, yet the preparations for treason were completed the night before. There is evidence in Prince Gail’s letters asking why only half was given. This contradicts your claim that you realized his intentions midway and refused to provide it. Duke Haiman’s argument is rejected.”
Bang! Bang!
Gail was dead, but his traces still remained in the imperial palace. In the grasp of Ian, who had mediated between Marib and Gail at that time.
Had Haiman believed that things would be somewhat more favorable in the trial if Gail were dead? That was a scenario assuming Arcen was a Mage rather than a demon. Haiman’s rebuttal was immediately rejected.
“Next, we proceed. The charge of assault on the imperial family.”
Assault on the imperial family. The suspicion regarding the Arcen incident was covertly included here. Whether he was deceived by a demon or not was not a particularly important matter. He had sponsored the demon, and as a result, Deilaina and Gail had died. No excuse would suffice regarding this.
“Your Highness. Was Duke Haiman also placed under a silencing spell?”
“Yes. We were sealed together during the investigation.”
Xiaoxi asked quietly, concern evident in his voice. With everyone’s attention fixed upon us, he worried what might happen if I mentioned Arcen to break the tension.
“…Therefore, my will played no part in the deaths of Deilaina and Prince Gail.”
As Jin stated, Duke Haiman struggled to continue speaking, as if hindered by the seal magic, and barely managed to finish his defense.
“I reject this claim.”
Tap!
Despite his earnest effort, the rejection came in an instant.
The Judge struck the gavel sharply and briefly, signaling haste.
“Rejected.”
Charge of special property destruction.
Tap!
“Rejected.”
Violation of the Dragon Sacred Accord.
Tap!
With each strike of the gavel, it felt as though her heart was being torn to shreds. The Duchess Haiman finally burst into tears. Her son, the heir, embraced his mother, and the other nobles waiting for their turn covered their faces, looking like death itself.
The Judge paused as he shuffled through the documents.
“Here, I see that testimony from Jin has been requested.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. The Judge—I hadn’t realized he had such talent for acting. This was something I had arranged so that Jin would deliver his first public address before the empire’s people.
The Judge lowered his glasses slightly and called out to Jin.
“Your Highness. What will you do? Shall we proceed?”
“Of course.”
Jin rose from his seat eagerly, as if he had been waiting. Then I also stood and extended my hand to the Boy.
With my escort, Jin descended the stairs. As he climbed toward the witness stand, he gripped my hand tightly with tension. I responded in kind, squeezing gently.
“Your Highness. This way.”
“…Thank you.”
Once I confirmed that His Highness had properly taken the witness stand, I stepped back at a distance and gave a signal to the Mages. My gaze promised punishment if there was any problem with the magical device amplifying His Highness’s voice. The Mages hurried to concentrate, channeling their magic with even greater grandeur.
Zing. Zing.
“Witness, please state your identity.”
At the Judge’s gentle request, Jin turned his gaze toward the window.
An endless sea of people. The crowd recognized the young Prince, the future Bariel, the little Emperor, and their eyes gleamed with excitement. The Boy could feel that energy so vividly.
Jin stared out, mesmerized by that brilliance, before finally speaking his name.
“…I am Prince 5 of Bariel, Jin Berosion.”
Clap clap clap!
I clapped loudly with my hands raised high. Then the palace officials followed, the nobles joined in, and the people cheered.
It was the moment Jin first witnessed his own Bariel.

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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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