Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 261

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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 261
The Three Nations Introduced
“Ahem.”
Romandro cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to shake off the discomfort. Why was he so nervous and embarrassed? He stood before the blackboard, fidgeting endlessly with his chalk.
When he’d been dispatched to disaster sites, he’d delivered reports to dozens of people multiple times a day, yet somehow this felt far more nerve-wracking than those occasions.
Only four people.
And they were all people he knew.
“Romandro, I’m counting on you.”
Perhaps it was because Jhin, the next Emperor of Bariel and the sole imperial heir, was watching him with such bright, eager eyes.
“Romandro, please begin.”
Or perhaps it was because he stood before a boy who’d risen to fourth in the imperial hierarchy with nothing but his bare hands, the Minister of Magic.
Now that he thought about it, this was his first time presenting information like this before Ian. His superior was sharp and meticulous. One mistake and he’d be corrected immediately.
“Come on, hurry up so we can go eat!”
“….”
Jhin and Ian sat side by side at the desk, but Berik sprawled across the sofa, while Xiaoxi stood near the door.
Romandro cleared his throat again and picked up the chalk. These were the two people leading the Bariel Empire. He’d been tasked with introducing them to foreign affairs they knew nothing about—what a weighty responsibility. Setting aside personal feelings, his primary goal was to convey only the facts, plainly and clearly.
Just as he was about to begin, flipping through the map he’d prepared in advance—
“The Great Empire of Bariel!”
“My, what a loud voice you have, Romandro.”
“It lies on the central continent of Gaia, and therefore it is difficult to see the sea anywhere within our territory. However, thanks to our vast lands, abundant resources, and the mountain ranges that border our nation, we have achieved stable development. Look at these mountains. Don’t they resemble something cradled in the hands of the Divine? This is proof that Bariel has received the blessing of the heavens.”
“Wait! Here! Ian, here—it’s Hielo. Hielo!”
Berik squinted at the map, spotted Hielo’s territory, and rushed over to point at it. Nearby, the Monue mountain range where they’d discovered Luronstone was marked in dark color.
Romandro waved him away, but Berik simply alternated his gaze between the center and Hielo, marveling at the distance.
“Wow, it really is far from here to there.”
“It took two weeks by carriage.”
“Right. And here is Karenna! Where we met Hasha!”
Who was Hasha? When Jhin tilted his head in confusion, Ian pointed to the northwest of Bariel with his fingertip and explained.
“The northwestern border is currently in turmoil due to civil strife and natural disasters. The nation is fragmented, with many communities resembling tribes, and even where they aren’t, internal factional conflicts are severe. Hasha is a necromancer from a nation called Astana among them.”
“I’ve heard of it. Former Minister Wesley invited necromancers from various regions for purposes of cultural and academic exchange. But beneath that lay the intention to increase influence by creating a stage for peace among conflicting nations.”
It was a role of mediator she’d taken upon herself. Setting aside the grand cause of resolving conflicts, countless intentions and desires lay hidden beneath. In particular, it was a project built largely on Wesley’s misguided affection.
“Yes, Your Highness. That is correct. You understand well.”
“Mm. To that extent, at least.”
Jhin smiled bashfully.
Ian sketched a simple map of the center on the edge of his notes, then roughly indicated the outer regions.
“The necromancer continues academic research in the outer regions of the center. Most returned to their home nations when Wesley died, but since the agreed-upon period of study hasn’t expired, a small number continue to fulfill the agreement.”
Since it was research requiring corpses, they had no choice but to work in hiding. Jhin listened carefully to Ian’s words, nodding repeatedly.
Seeing this, Romandro pushed past Berik and approached with a slightly tearful expression. He’d been about to explain that! Damn Berik for stealing his thunder.
“Your Highness, please! Allow me to explain what comes next.”
The information and knowledge gained now would shape Jhin, and complete Bariel’s future. Romandro passionately pointed at the map, unwilling to lose this glorious opportunity to contribute to that beginning.
Crash!
“To the east of the realm lies Hielo’s domain, and adjacent to it is the Hawan Kingdom. Hawanguk shares borders with Bariel and the Great Desert. The northwestern nations are weak and their governments are in chaos—there is little need to concern yourself with them. Your Highness need only prioritize three nations. Three nations alone. Allow me to explain them in clockwise order.”
Ruswena to the southeast.
Clifford to the south.
Burgos to the west.
“I see….”
Jin murmured softly. He had learned of these nations during his princely education, yet hearing them recounted this way felt strangely unfamiliar. Ian, too, seemed pleased to hear these country names again after so long, his eyebrows twitching slightly.
“Ruswena, you surely know well. It is a nation of deep heritage, possesses excellent granaries, and produces black obsidian. Currently ruled by Queen Eriponi, and her cousin came as an envoy delegation not long ago.”
“What manner of woman is this Eriponi?”
Whoosh!
He had been waiting for that very question!
Romandro flipped through the map and unfurled a crude portrait. Long teal hair, pale skin, and eyes sliced sharply at the corners—particularly striking were the three-white eyes that immediately caught the gaze. Overall, the woman possessed bold and striking features.
“While such judgments are ultimately made by posterity, her reputation both inside and outside the palace is not unfavorable. I wonder if you witnessed the Eldetr delegation that came to the palace.”
“Yes, I did. With Count Ian. A handsome fellow.”
“Blood cannot lie, as they say—they are nearly identical. One might say they differ only in gender. Ah, I’ve heard she enjoys hunting. They say she shoots a bow with remarkable skill, though rumors about leaders tend to be exaggerated regardless of the nation. Hmm.”
“Will the King himself attend the coronation ceremony?”
“Since the letter has not yet been sent, it is difficult to gauge their response. Though it is most likely that Eldetr will return again.”
Ian listened quietly to Romandro’s explanation, his arms crossed as he gazed intently at the portrait of Ruswena’s King. No matter how strong bloodline runs, could the envoy Eldetr truly resemble her so closely? Most peculiar indeed.
“Next is Clifford. The eldest prince there has had his succession confirmed. Traditionally, the heir has served as the envoy to foreign delegations, and it will likely be the same this time. The eldest prince—Noah.”
This was similar to Marib. As the First Prince, Marib had also taken the lead in receiving foreign envoys. As he came of age, he deliberately visited foreign lands. In that process, he had met the Rutherford merchant company, the source of amber gemstones.
As Ian examined the portrait, Berik raised his hand as if something troubled him.
“Ah, but Romandro. Who on earth drew that?”
“…Why?”
“I could draw better with my feet. The eyes look like slits. Isn’t that just lines drawn on paper?”
“That is, well, he’s smiling, so it’s folded like this….”
Romandro’s expression grew wounded as he bit his lip firmly. It was clear he had drawn it himself. Jin, flustered, tried to comfort him.
“It’s very, very well drawn.”
“Is… is it?”
“Of course. Even if we meet at the coronation ceremony, I’ll be able to recognize him easily. Thank you, Romandro.”
Prince Noah possessed bronzed skin and orange hair. Unlike the King of Ruswena, his was a narrow-eyed smile, gentle and warm.
Given how Romandro had drawn him in the portrait, he must be someone who wore a smile as his default expression. I could sense what his temperament might be like.
“Clifford places great emphasis on music and dance. Not only Prince Noah, but it is a cultural phenomenon. It relates to their founding mythology—in short, the tale goes that a god was so moved watching a red bat-fox dance that he granted humans their form.”
“Your Highness, what might you deduce upon hearing this mythology?”
At Ian’s sudden question, Jin’s eyes widened. But soon, hesitantly, counting on his fingers, he spoke what came to mind.
“They love music and dance, and their symbolic animal is the fox? Like Bariel, they must have temples as well. And, ah! They too must have a deep history of founding.”
“Yes, correct. The existence of a founding mythology means they have existed for a span of time so long that their origins are difficult to determine. It is also a common trait among the three nations Romandro has highlighted.”
Rather than powers born and destroyed amid great and small wars and conflicts, it meant they had protected a portion of the continent alongside Bariel throughout a long span of time.
Berik flipped to the final page as if bored.
Snap!
“Hm?”
Finally, Burgos to the west.
Unlike Queen Eriponi of Ruswena and Prince Noah, whom I had explained earlier, this portrait was filled densely with paper. The moment Berik saw it, he muttered something as if he had realized something.
“…This, this, they all have it.”
“Have what?”
What nonsense was he about to spout now! Romandro raised his hand edge in a tense manner, ready to strike his forehead if necessary. But Berik didn’t flinch and scratched his ear.
“Eriponi is a teal serpent, Noah is a red fox, and this one is a black bear.”
Ah. What was I to do with this ignorant reckless fool. Romandro held his forehead pitifully and shook his head.
“In my opinion, Berik you fool, the heavens are surely watching over you. It was the same in Hielo. Your lifespan is far too long compared to your conduct. Stop idling about and go outside to offer prayers instead.”
“Huh? Did I say something wrong? Refute me then.”
“Never speak of such things in front of others! You’ll truly embarrass me!”
Berik whined about the injustice, while Romandro grumbled for him to be quiet. As the two of them made a commotion, I gazed quietly up at the portrait.
Being of poor quality, it was smudged here and there from fingerprints.
“…Extraordinary. Even in the painting, I can feel his presence.”
A face covered haphazardly with scars, the left ear half-severed with ornaments taking the place of its form, and a rough, angular jaw that appeared solid and unyielding.
Truly a formidable man.
The moment I let out an admiring exclamation.
“…Timothy.”
“Do you know Iza? Count Ian?”
“Yes. I believe I’ve heard the name somewhere. Romandro. Is this man’s name truly Timothy?”
“Yes! That’s right, Timothy!”
Ian’s expression, as he stared straight ahead with his arms crossed, was somehow subtle. He fell silent for a long while as if trying to recall something, even furrowing his brow.
I waited patiently, but Ian said nothing in the end and merely smiled.
“Your Highness. You must familiarize yourself well with these portraits to properly greet the guests at the inauguration ceremony.”
“Don’t worry!”
“Yes. I am not worried. For Your Highness will surely do well.”
Ian answered thus and rose from his seat. Seeing him even put down his pen, it seemed he was about to leave.
“Romandro. Please continue explaining to Jhin. I’ve just remembered some unfinished business, so I’ll return shortly.”
“Ian! Where are you going?”
“I have work to attend to.”
“Let me come with you! Let’s stop by the dining hall on the way back.”
Bang!
Berik, who had been grasping Romandro’s collar, immediately chased after Ian as he left. Startled by the sudden action, I merely stared at the half-open door.
Creak.
Until Xiaoxi completely closed the door. I simply shrugged my shoulders lightly and picked up the pen Ian had left behind. Then, looking at Romandro, I sent him a glance asking him to continue.
“Ahem. Your Highness, then we shall continue between ourselves.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll have many questions!”
“You are most welcome. Well, ah, and Your Highness. This is a concern of mine, but may I speak of it….”
What is it? I smiled and gave my permission.
“When foreigners are present, you must absolutely never speak of imperial secrets. Even if your relationship deepens later. Count Ian is still trustworthy, but henceforth you must not speak of such matters even to Count Ian. A true servant, upon hearing imperial secrets, will voluntarily cover their ears.”
My smile slowly faded from my face. As if I did not understand what he was saying at all.
“Ah, of course, I do not mean that Count Ian was at fault. But for the sake of mutual trust and a better relationship, it is best to keep what must be kept. That is, a small request of mine.”
Romandro offered an awkward smile as he gripped the chalk once more.
“Then, shall we continue?”

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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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