Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 269

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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 269
Part 5. Concern for Each Other
The corridor connecting the arena to the exit was where those who had lost everything lingered, unable to bring themselves to leave. Men and women intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, and grim reality stumbled about, creating a quiet commotion with their tears and laughter.
At the dead end of the corridor, the pairing of a brutish, imposing man and a blonde boy seemed incongruous to any observer, yet no one paid them any mind. Everyone here was too overwhelmed by the misfortune rising to their own throats.
“Would you care for one?”
Timothy offered me a cigarette, which I politely declined. Oddly enough, an unexpectedly comfortable silence followed. Perhaps it was the understanding between us? The lighter’s flame briefly illuminated his face before fading with a soft click.
As the smoke dispersed, the two of us measured the present moment through silence rather than exchanging information aloud.
‘He called me Timothy. That means he knows my identity. Did he happen to see me and follow me? What an astounding coincidence.’
Whenever the Kingdom of Burgos sent a delegation, Timothy typically led it. Naturally, there would be quite a few people in the Imperial Palace of Bariel who knew me.
However, it was unexpected that the young Minister of Magic, who had been frantically cleaning up after the palace since his recent appointment, recognized me at a glance.
‘I cannot deny it.’
We had already confirmed each other’s identities. At this point, pretending not to know was nothing short of ridiculous. I cleared my throat and opened the conversation.
“I was somewhat surprised. I never expected to meet you in a place like this.”
“The feeling is mutual. Surely the delegation from Burgos didn’t come early to congratulate me on my appointment.”
I smiled brightly and struck first. Rumors of me becoming the successor were rampant, but no formal invitation had been sent yet—a way of telling him not to make premature excuses.
Timothy paused briefly, then decided to introduce himself properly. Though informal, it would be better remembered as an official meeting within that context.
“Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Timothy Oviatt, envoy of the Diplomatic Corps of the Kingdom of Burgos.”
“I am Ian Hielo, Minister of the Magic Division of the Imperial Palace of Bariel.”
“Did you come here after recognizing me?”
“Yes. I cannot speak for Envoy Timothy, but I have no such hobbies.”
Timothy was about to add that he had no such hobbies either, but there was no opening. I stepped back from the smoke and laughed against the wall.
Ah, yes. I mustn’t be fooled by that youthful appearance. This man seized the Magic Division and reorganized the palace before even coming of age.
“Regardless, it’s truly impressive. It’s only been a short while since I’ve appeared in official settings, yet you recognized me. I didn’t know Burgos’s intelligence capabilities were so exceptional. Of course, that’s thanks to Envoy Timothy’s hardship entering the country so secretly.”
He didn’t rise to his position through magic alone. His manner of speaking is identical to the elderly officials I’ve seen scattered throughout Bariel. Isn’t he essentially attacking me by pointing out that the representative of the delegation has smuggled himself in and is suffering in a place like this?
Timothy swallowed along with the smoke. This might be more troublesome than I initially thought.
“I was uncertain at first myself.”
“Were you?”
Most people would have found it difficult even to meet my gaze. Yet Ian looked at me with surprising directness.
Moreover, in a situation where death wouldn’t be surprising, there was not a trace of fear or confusion. As if he had something to rely on, he remained composed and unperturbed. This captured my attention even more than the commotion Berik was causing.
“…Particularly, the fact that your companions called you Ian was decisive.”
“I see. In any case, it’s good to meet you.”
“Yes. It’s good to meet you.”
We shook hands lightly. We exchanged smiles, but in the darkness, they didn’t land meaningfully. Above all, weren’t the sources of our emotions different?
For me, coming a hundred years into the past, this was my first personal connection with someone who wasn’t blood kin. Though it was an unfamiliar relationship—the ancestor of a close friend.
Living with Naum, I had heard Iza’s praises and boasts until I was sick of them. How strange and wonderful. Rarely did interest bubble up like this, and it felt good.
“Since you’ve identified yourself as an envoy of the Kingdom of Burgos, may I now ask? What brings you to this place?”
Meanwhile, Timothy’s smile was a reflexive diplomatic one. Though not an illegal entry, his presence here itself was a disadvantageous situation, wasn’t it?
If Ian were to report him immediately or use his magical power to suppress this place, he too would face investigation.
An official delegation from the Kingdom of Burgos caught in such a low-grade illegal gambling den! There was no difficulty in making an issue of it. It was problematic both in terms of prestige and standing.
‘Especially now, when Bariel is in a period of power transition—the palace, the nobility, all of it. I cannot predict what policies Prince Jin will pursue toward neighboring nations. I’ve heard that the central noble leadership has already been executed.’
When a nation grows unstable, the wisest course is to redirect its gaze outward. Nothing serves quite as well as war for such purposes. And here was a young prince, an opportunity to strengthen the imperial palace’s internal unity, secure resources—the justifications for conflict were impeccable.
So Timothy’s nervousness was natural. Rather than risk offending a mage, approaching me first was a calculated move befitting the situation.
“I should mention first that I entered with proper authorization.”
He withdrew a document from his inner pocket.
He produced his entry permit, and I merely smiled as though uninterested, pressing him to cut to the point. Under that pressure, Timothy finally revealed his purpose.
“…I’m searching for someone.”
I’d already suspected as much from observing the iron bars in the ceiling. The real question was: who could possibly warrant traveling all the way to Bariel?
“Those who operate here deal in slaves. Illegal ones, at that. Quite a remarkable claim for an envoy to make.”
At my teasing remark, Timothy’s cigarette burned halfway through in an instant—he’d inhaled sharply in panic.
“No. No, of course not. There are slave markets in Burgos as well. I’m….”
He hesitated briefly, then realized there was no turning back and spoke.
“I’m searching for a Gypsy.”
Burgos, positioned in the west, had the clearest view of the conflicts brewing among the northwestern nations where Astana lay. Being closer to Bariel than Burgos was, they observed these disputes most vividly.
I raised my eyebrows in genuine surprise. He didn’t seem to be lying, yet the content was utterly absurd.
“You came all this way to find a single Gypsy?”
Due to refugees and migrants from the conflict zones, the Kingdom of Burgos had entered a new era. Gypsies, sorcerers, and those who fell outside the reach of magical power flooded in, bringing about new social and cultural transformations.
In particular, their king actively sought to employ those versed in “prophecy.” The future was as eternally unreachable as the truths of the universe itself.
“This Gypsy has a complicated history. Tracking them led me here. I’ve crossed through quite a few nations in recent months. According to the latest information, they were spotted in this vicinity. Given their condition and the fact that such a market exists here….”
In a well-organized place like Bariel, it mattered little, but in smaller nations, Timothy’s envoy credentials would have made them readily adjust entry and exit procedures.
“You’ve been traveling for quite some time.”
“Bariel is my last stop. I’ll be returning now. As you mentioned, Prince 5’s successor appointment ceremony is coming soon.”
Timothy stubbed out his remaining cigarette and blew away the last smoke. His gaze passed over my shoulder—an employee was approaching.
“Guest. We made inquiries in the area, and they say this person has no scars on their face. Their limbs are intact as well.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes, yes. Other than that, they match the appearance you described. Would you like us to arrange a meeting? By the way, since they’re not our merchandise, you’ll need to pay the broker fee twice.”
Timothy shook his head.
“No. That’s enough.”
He flicked a coin as a service fee to conclude the transaction. Yet the employee didn’t leave even after receiving the money, prompting both Timothy and me to regard him with confusion.
“Ah, um…. Do you know this person?”
“Why do you ask?”
The employee gestured with his eyes toward me. Rumors had already spread among the staff—a wealthy fool had arrived, and once the game ended, they should prepare to strip him bare.
They couldn’t possibly know what I was, that throughout my life I’d never once been called a fool, and never would be.
“I have some business to attend to. If you’re not acquainted, the guest should leave first.”
For various reasons, Timothy’s presence would be awkward. His bearing alone was formidable, and if he were to help me? They’d need to drag in staff from the neighboring building as well.
Sensing the situation’s direction, Timothy let out a small snort.
“We’re acquainted.”
“Pardon?”
“If your business is done, why don’t you leave?”
Timothy waved his hand dismissively, telling the man to get lost. They were acquainted, after all. Just now, but still.
“Understood, sir….”
The employee’s footsteps squelched away. Though I knew a mage would have no trouble, this was Timothy’s courtesy and consideration. He checked his pocket watch and asked.
“I think it would be best to leave here first. Once night falls, far more dangerous creatures emerge.”
“Ah, I’d like to, but I left something behind in the cell.”
Not that I’m worried. It’s just that I’ll find it tedious when Berik returns and pours out his complaints and whining to me later.
Timothy paused upon realizing Berik’s existence. I am the true power of the Imperial Palace; Timothy is a dispatch envoy. With the hierarchy of power firmly established, actions too are predetermined.
“I’ll attempt to negotiate. A single gold coin, which I was about to offer earlier, is actually excessive compensation, so it should be resolved easily.”
“Oh, I’d appreciate that.”
As if I hadn’t expected such kindness, I replied with casual nonchalance. Though I had known.
“Then I must repay the favor. Before you leave the Central region, come find me. I’ll offer you tea.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Timothy clicked his tongue inwardly. Tea, he says—but what meaning lies beneath those words? He would formalize my visit to the Central region, forcibly share the tracking results, and unilaterally relay everything to King Burgos.
Whether I knew of his concerns or not, I smiled plainly and headed toward the arena.
Perhaps we would have continued walking like that. If not for the sound of dozens of footsteps descending the stairs.
Screeeech.
Tap-tap-tap!
Timothy and I turned around simultaneously. The employee who had taken the errand fee appeared with his colleagues. All were perfectly armed.
“Are those the ones?”
“Yeah. The blond one won at least thirty gold coins just from chips earlier, and that big guy said he’d pay five times the price to rescue some old slave. If we shake them down, we won’t need to work for a while.”
“What kind of people are they to have so much money?”
“Hey. We’ll let you off the hook, honestly. That blond one is friends with the guy who wrecked the establishment, so we can’t let him slide. Just leave the money pouch.”
The man standing in front chuckled and swung his sword. Footsteps continued to echo. It seemed all those cooperating in the area had gathered. All for the imposing Timothy.
“What will you do, Timothy? They’re asking you to leave the pouch.”
When I casually asked, Timothy rolled up his sleeves. Could that even be called a response? If I were injured even slightly here, I couldn’t predict how it would boomerang back to Burgos.
In the worst case, rumors could spread that Timothy orchestrated my assassination. It seemed far-fetched, but in the world they inhabited, such slander was truly commonplace.
“You know my answer. If Ian is killed or injured here, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
I stepped back and looked at him.
“In fact, I’m in the same position.”
If Timothy were killed or injured here, it would be truly troublesome.
Naum might disappear from the future.
At my murmur, Timothy hesitated briefly, and the man standing nearby hurled his blade like a spear.
Whiiissh!
Zing! Zing!
Crack!
As I unleashed my mana, Timothy deflected the blade with his armored forearm.

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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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