Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 272

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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 272
Part 5. The King’s Circumstances
The weather was beautiful. Beautiful enough to distract me from the endless stream of documents demanding my signature—my gaze kept drifting toward the swaying branches visible through the window. I set down my pen, looking out at the garden where the Magic Ministry’s annex would soon be constructed.
It had already been over two weeks since Jin’s covert operation—since I met Timothy. He had promised to visit before crossing the border, yet there was still no sign of him. Given his position, this was no trivial matter to overlook.
“Your Highness. Please sign the remainder of these documents.”
The Mage standing beside me urged gently, and I finished signing the papers.
Unlike the bright world outside, my office was suffocating under towering stacks of documents. The fact that Berik, who usually loves this sofa most, had rushed outside said everything. I accepted the next report and asked.
“Where is Berik? Has he gone to the training grounds again?”
“Likely so. The dining hall has been quiet, which suggests as much. The Chef won’t stop praising Xiaoxi. He says the dining hall is peaceful now that Xiaoxi goes to the training grounds with him every day. He speaks so highly of Xiaoxi, calling him a great help.”
I let out a small laugh. The recruitment for the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Defense Ministry would be held soon. Berik and Xiaoxi had been diligently attending the training grounds to build their strength and learn systematic swordsmanship, and they were making perfect use of this opportunity.
Which commoner could use the Imperial Palace training grounds, and who would receive one-on-one instruction from Captain Jairat, the pinnacle of the empire? I flipped through the report and added.
“I heard they get double portions when they return exhausted from training.”
“By then the Chef has already left, so it’s fine. Though he curses every morning. Out of sight, out of mind.”
Knock, knock.
“Enter.”
At the sound, I looked up. Romandro appeared, his hair slightly damp from running about. He exchanged a silent greeting with the Mage, asking permission.
“I have something to report privately.”
“Ah, I’ll excuse myself then. Please call if you need me, Your Highness.”
Even as the Mage left, I kept my eyes on the documents, my fingers pressed to my temples. Though we were alone, Romandro approached cautiously, glancing around.
What he set down was a note no larger than my palm. It was crumpled in places, as if it had been tied to a carrier pigeon.
“This was sent by Shadow.”
“…It’s somewhat late for an initial report.”
The Shadow I had assigned to Melania was reporting on her movements and situation. As if anticipating my reproach, the note’s preamble explained the delay.
-Melania evaded the border guards by crossing through the forests of the southeastern wilderness. I could not secure a carrier pigeon, which caused this delay. As I write this, I am in Ayen, a small town north of Luswena. Melania shows no signs of settling in Luswena; she continues moving while concealing her identity. She was once caught at a guard checkpoint, but I assisted her as instructed.
The primary reason I let Melania live was to establish contact with the Rutherford Merchant Company. I intended to obtain information about their location, but if she were captured by the guards, it would create complications, would it not?
Shadow was “managing” her at an appropriate level, following my orders.
“What does it say?”
“She’s moving northward through Luswena. Apart from her route, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy yet.”
I burned the note away with magic. This was a matter known only to my inner circle—not even the Prime Minister knew of it.
Whatever the reason, wasn’t I essentially protecting the bloodline of a family destroyed for treason? There could be no leaks. I had to maintain absolute silence.
“You’ve worked hard. Is there anything else to report?”
“Regarding Akorelra—her condition is improving, but the palace has exhausted all remaining Karlin infection treatment supplies. New batches must be manufactured.”
It was a disease rarely seen these days, so the palace’s stored supply was minimal. If even the palace, which seemed to have everything, had such limited quantities, it was reasonable to assume none existed in the general population.
“Will the current amount be sufficient until complete recovery?”
“Fortunately, it’s precisely the right amount with no margin for error. Some of the materials needed for manufacturing are difficult to obtain in Bariel, so we nearly faced disaster.”
“I see. Since manufacturing isn’t our department’s responsibility, I’ll simply keep that in mind. Please maintain Akorelra’s medical leave.”
Surely that’s everything now? I thought so and reached for my pen again, when Romandro smiled awkwardly.
“And word has come that Envoy Timothy has entered the palace. Shouldn’t you meet with him alongside Jhin?”
“Ah.”
He’s finally arrived. I stood up as if I’d been waiting for this very moment and straightened my clothes.
“What of Jhin?”
“He’s in the main hall discussing scholarly matters with the Prime Minister. Word should have reached him as well. However, I doubt the Prime Minister will attend. I heard he has a meeting scheduled for this afternoon.”
“Since this visit comes without prior arrangement, that’s perfectly fine. It will be sufficient for Jhin and myself to receive him.”
“If you greet him first, Jhin will surely come.”
“Understood. The weather is lovely today—let’s meet in the garden.”
“I heartily approve of that! Ian, you need to get some sunlight. Everything that comes from nature directly contributes to health! Is anyone outside? Have refreshments prepared in the garden!”
Ian smiled and sorted through several documents. There wasn’t a moment to waste, not when Timothy would soon arrive from the main gate.
It had been quite some time since Ian left his office to walk toward the garden. The Mages hurrying through the corridors often stopped short, wondering if they’d seen an illusion.
“Ian? Why have you come outside?”
“Am I not permitted to go outside?”
“Oh, that’s not what I meant.”
“Ah? Ian, I’m carrying this report right now.”
“Leave it on my desk. A delegation from the Burgos Kingdom has arrived for an audience. I’ll review and respond by this afternoon at the latest.”
Even in the short walk, his name was called endlessly. Romandro suddenly recalled when Ian had collapsed. How had the Magic Department even functioned then?
Ian had awakened quickly enough, but from what he could see now, even half a day’s absence would create problems. The dependency on a single person was remarkably high. It spoke to Ian’s exceptional abilities, but it also revealed an organizational imbalance.
Whoooosh—
As they entered the garden, a cool breeze swept through.
“I first met Prince Gail here.”
“Ah, yes. When he came to tour the Magic Department, you encountered him then?”
Upon entering the palace, I had sought this place following Naum’s final words, but there was no separate building—only Gail.
Ian spotted a carriage approaching from a distance. A carriage of an outsider—Timothy’s.
Screeeech!
As Timothy descended from the carriage, Ian approached with a warm greeting. In merely two weeks, he looked quite worn from searching for the Gypsies. The sleeve torn in the underground battle remained tattered as it was.
“Envoy Timothy. It’s been a while.”
“Minister, my apologies for the late greeting.”
“Not at all. We didn’t set a specific time anyway. Please, sit here.”
Timothy naturally looked around the garden as he sat. He had visited the imperial palace several times, and when Wesley was here, he had thoroughly explored the inner areas.
Especially this garden. Wasn’t this the site where she had said the Magic Department’s annex would be built? Though it never came to fruition, discussions regarding magical stones and personnel exchanges had taken place.
“A Magic Department annex will soon be constructed here.”
Ian said so while lifting his teacup. Timothy, about to drink, paused and furrowed his brow. From what he’d heard, Wesley was…
“The former Minister Wesley had been overseeing the Magic Department annex project.”
“Yes. I intend to do the same.”
“If I may ask, is there something regarding her end that we don’t know?”
The Wesley incident had been hotly discussed even in neighboring nations. The downfall of the two who were openly in a romantic relationship was noteworthy in itself, but what drew attention was its final form. The empire’s greatest mage, who had risen to the position of Minister, had fallen to hell under an eternal curse, and the Prince had been cursed because of it.
Depending on what the curse was, the nation’s fate would be determined. No one knew how much effort and resources neighboring countries had invested in uncovering the curse—until Gail falsely testified in court.
“No. What you know is likely all there is.”
“Then why do you intend to continue the former Minister’s work?”
Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to deliberately choose a path opposite to Wesley’s actions? The construction of the Magic Department annex she had promoted should have been abandoned.
“Because I am also the Minister of the Magic Department. This is a decision for the efficiency and standing of the department, as well as other advantages.”
Clink.
Timothy set down his teacup. This simple gesture revealed the extent of my authority—that no force within the palace could stop me from pursuing Wesley’s whereabouts, that I could speak such intentions aloud without hesitation or consequence.
I smiled faintly and invited him to partake of the refreshments.
“Surely this is welcome news for the Kingdom of Burgos?”
“We have always supported the advancement of the imperial family.”
Once the annex construction proceeded, Burgos could sell vast quantities of mana stones and, in return, receive mage support as well. By my reckoning, this was cause for Burgos to welcome with open arms.
“Indeed. Thank you for your words. Your arrival at the palace suggests you have completed your schedule and are preparing to return home. Tell me, have you achieved what you desired?”
He was asking whether I had found the gypsy. Yet Timothy’s lips tightened, and he shook his head. I observed him carefully, probing subtly. If the gypsy Jin had seen in the park was truly that gypsy…
“Since that day, the guards have been conducting intensive crackdowns on illegal slave trafficking. Should any information come to light, I shall inform you at once. An elderly woman with scars on her face and impaired mobility—is that correct?”
“Ah, thank you. However, I cannot be certain whether she was captured as a slave.”
“…Judging by the King’s search, she seems to be no ordinary gypsy.”
“As I mentioned, her circumstances run deep.”
Deep? That phrasing suggested he was merely repeating what he had heard, did it not?
“It seems you do not know the details?”
“What do you mean?”
The one distinguishing feature that set the gypsy he sought apart from all others was singular: she consumed secrets.
I set down my teacup and fixed Timothy with an unwavering gaze. Something flickered in my mind like lightning. Even the one searching for her did not know her defining characteristic?
‘Does the King himself not know? No, he must. If the circumstances were merely deep, he would not have sent the delegation representative to pursue her for such an extended period. The importance runs far deeper than that…’
“Ian?”
“Envoy Timothy.”
I smiled wickedly.
Timothy responded in confusion, but Romandro, watching from behind, recognized the nature of my smile. Just as people died when I made certain preparations, whenever I smiled like this, a new phase of events would unfold.
Romandro quickly refilled Timothy’s teacup, redirecting his attention. He hoped Timothy would reveal a weakness in response to my inquiry.
“How long has the current King been on the throne?”
“It has now been over two years.”
“Ah… is that so?”
Two possibilities emerged. If what the King needed was an accurate prophecy, then he faced some matter of grave importance that warranted glimpsing the future.
Yet I deemed it wise to minimize the likelihood of this scenario. Burgos, after all, was a kingdom that had long held its place on the continent. No matter how accurate a prophetess might be, there would surely be replacements available.
‘Would it be worth expending someone like Timothy for such a purpose? I am uncertain.’
Then it would be better to focus on the matter of consuming secrets…
‘Among the secrets the gypsy has consumed, there exists something the King must know. Or perhaps through her aid, there is a secret that must be erased from the world. Regardless, it means the King of Burgos faces a problem.’

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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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