Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 273

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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 273
What Only Ian Knows
Timothy glanced at Ian, who seemed lost in thought. Something clearly occupied his mind, but there was no way to discern what it was. Ian’s gaze remained firmly shuttered.
Perhaps he could glean something through Romandro, his right hand? Timothy turned to look back, but Romandro appeared equally clueless.
Wind seeped through the incomprehensible silence. Timothy gazed at the garden where he sat before continuing.
“If the construction of the Magic Ministry’s annex is virtually assured, I shall bring the relevant contract to Jhin’s succession ceremony. It would serve as one of the congratulatory gifts Burgos can offer.”
“There is no need for such haste. The details must be discussed further.”
“Did you not say it would be built here? Since the site remains the same, the specifics should not differ greatly.”
He meant that discussions had already concluded under Minister Wesley.
The imperial palace was Bariel’s present identity and future legacy. As it had been in the civil unrest resolution conference, even constructing a single building required extensive deliberation among numerous officials.
Though the minister had changed, the site remained identical, as did the building to be erected there. The cost estimate for the magical stones needed for construction had already been perfectly provided by Wesley.
The overall aesthetics must not be compromised, the distinction between main building and annex must be clear, and the standardized number of floors, area, and exterior decorations were all settled. Even if discussed again, it would not differ significantly from before. So what was there to reconsider?
I sipped my tea and shook my head.
“Each party’s position has changed. Especially since the minister has changed. As you yourself found puzzling, I have no intention of simply continuing Wesley’s legacy.”
Particularly because of the condition of dispatching mages, we could not contract under the same terms as before. The Magic Ministry faced severe personnel shortages due to the Arcen incident and the purge of traitors. Moreover, with Akorelra’s medical leave, the limits seemed increasingly visible.
It was only because I stood firm as the central axis that we managed; if we lost more people, the work itself could be compromised.
“Are you saying you wish to alter the conditions?”
“Since Burgos’s magical stones are of such high quality, it seems only right to pay their true value.”
Rather than obtain magical stones at a discount in exchange for providing mages, I would sooner protect my mages and pay the proper price. Money is fine. But what’s better than that is mages with divine power.
Timothy stroked his chin with evident regret.
“I shall return home and report this. Truthfully, I did not expect to discuss such matters today. It seems a matter beyond my authority to decide.”
“Of course, I understand. We have the succession ceremony ahead, so there is no need to rush.”
It falls short of expectations, but opening negotiations itself is something. I had been disappointed, thinking it completely canceled after Wesley’s death. One could hardly question the imperial palace about transaction continuation using a criminal’s death as pretext, and the chaos had left no opportunity.
Before reporting to the king, Timothy asked as if verifying.
“There will be no complications with the Magic Ministry annex construction itself?”
“None. It was already discussed in the grand council, and as long as I have the will, there will be no problems.”
Since I was proceeding with the Luron stone payment I would receive, not even Quintana nor any officials of the imperial palace would easily object.
“Remarkable. You truly are a mage.”
Timothy murmured, suppressing continuous admiration. While not comparable to the Empire, he too stood at the center of one kingdom’s politics. He understood how extraordinary it was to be confident of no opposition while expanding one’s influence.
I laughed with puzzlement at what he was saying.
“Being a mage does not mean everything goes as intended. Former Minister Wesley was also a mage.”
It was obtained through sacrifice after a complex and fierce process. Otherwise, wouldn’t the approval have already been finalized under Wesley?
Timothy realized his slip and hastily apologized.
“I spoke out of turn.”
“I know that was not your intention.”
“I believe you are a figure who leads the development of the community. I am genuinely disappointed, to be honest. Burgos Kingdom has been awaiting the dispatch of mages.”
What abounds are sorcerers. From a common person’s perspective, they are also extraordinary, but compared to mages, their limitations are clear.
One who occasionally strikes truth?
One who manipulates corpses through sorcery?
What use is any of that? Mages soar through the sky, walk upon water, and touch flame. Timothy strongly expressed how desperately they needed such support.
“You hold magic in high regard.”
“In any nation, it is regarded the same. Since it is chosen by the Divine, how could it not be precious and enviable?”
“Who knows? Perhaps the emissary Timothy also possesses magical talent.”
“Most manifest such abilities from childhood. Though if it were my own child, that might be different.”
I studied Timothy’s face carefully. That small part of him. The form passed down to Naum across a hundred years.
Yet because of that, it burns all the brighter. Because of that, it runs all the deeper. In this place where Naum’s presence does not exist, that small thing carries the weight of homesickness itself.
“…In any case, I shall give it some thought.”
At my words, Romandro’s eyes widened behind me. Why? This wasn’t like me to show such a soft attitude toward Timothy’s simple plea.
“If the King of Burgos were to come in person, that would be different.”
Ah, that made sense. Romandro exhaled the breath he’d been holding. Timothy picked up his teacup awkwardly and fell silent, and I did not press him further.
For a king to personally attend the investiture of a successor—that was as good as declaring they stood completely beneath Bariel.
‘And more than that, Bariel undeniably lacks external strength right now. The Emperor is frozen, all the grown princes are dead, and the sole heir is a ten-year-old child. If three nations allied to check Bariel, it would certainly become troublesome. It’s right to meet with the King and those who follow him beforehand to devise countermeasures. And—’
I raised my eyebrows slightly as I observed Timothy.
‘If I meet the King directly, I might learn something.’
It was nearly a hopeless invitation for now, but if I set a small trap…
“The invitation has already been sent. If the King would grace us with his presence, the relationship between Bariel and the Kingdom of Burgos would become all the more solid.”
“…I shall certainly convey your words.”
“Burgos will surely prepare gifts. We too shall prepare with utmost sincerity. That gypsy the King desires and the emissary Timothy has long pursued—”
A trap to find that person.
If we find the gypsy, there’s even a slim chance the King of Burgos will come in person. Likely proportional to his desperation. How curious. From his reaction, I’ll be able to gauge the gravity of the situation.
“Shall we issue a search warrant throughout Bariel’s borders and territories?”
“Y-your kindness is far too generous.”
“It’s nothing.”
Truly, it was nothing. It was what the border guards did anyway.
“By the way, His Majesty seems to be running late.”
He hasn’t appeared even after I finished a cup of tea. The distance from the main hall to the Magic Ministry should be more than enough to arrive.
“Waiting for His Majesty itself is an honor, so I shall continue to wait. But tell me, is this Berik fellow truly unharmed? Even with the iron bars protecting him, it seems he must have sustained injuries.”
“Oh, Berik?”
I laughed and waved it off. He does seem to have some wounds, but I couldn’t tell whether they were from this time or last time.
“He’s perfectly fine. When he heard you were coming, he was so eager. If he hadn’t gone to the training grounds, he would have been quite a nuisance.”
So he really was a true friend! And one who even lived in the palace! Timothy seemed newly shocked, blinking rapidly and clearing his throat awkwardly.
“He seems quite the aggressive sort. There are rumors in the streets. The Imperial Guards and the Imperial Defense Ministry are selecting talent, and I wondered if he went to prepare for that?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“If I may be so bold, it seemed likely. I simply couldn’t imagine him as someone drawing a salary…”
Someone who will draw one in the future, I see. Timothy rarely brought up such matters, but Berik was an exception. I was simply curious how such a reckless colt had even made it to the palace.
As Jin and I naturally fell into conversation, Jin’s carriage arrived at the Magic Ministry.
Screeeech!
Thud!
“Your Majesty, you’ll fall.”
“If I fall, you catch me, Sia.”
Thanks to Timothy’s visit, the scholarly discussion ended early. Jin was delighted as he climbed the steps toward the Magic Ministry, but upon hearing they were in the garden, he changed direction. In the distance, I could see Ian and Timothy.
“Your Highness.”
When our eyes met, Jin stopped running and walked slowly instead. I had silently scolded him for maintaining proper decorum.
Still, he entered the garden at a slightly faster pace than usual, his face brimming with a smile. Timothy immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, placing his hand over his heart.
“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Timothy Oviatt of the Bergos Kingdom, whom you met previously.”
“Yes, that’s right. When we last met, circumstances prevented us from having a deeper conversation. Please, sit.”
I pulled out Jin’s chair and chuckled softly. The boy seemed to be in quite a good mood. The scholarly discussion must have been terribly boring for him.
We settled around the table in the sunlight and continued our conversation. The official matters had already been concluded with me. Most of the discussion centered on what Jin had learned from the scholarly debate and Timothy’s subsequent praise.
“By the way, Timothy. Do you have a family?”
“I have a son, Your Highness.”
“…You have a son?”
“Yes. He just turned five years old.”
I asked in surprise, having been listening quietly. Romandro’s expression was one of shock. He had a family! And a five-year-old son at that! Yet they had let him wander abroad for months! Even the King of Bergos seemed quite something.
But I was surprised for an entirely different reason. Naum’s proud laughter, tinged with amusement, seemed to echo in my ears.
‘Timothy came to Bariel alone and single-handedly rebuilt the foundation of his house. Isn’t that truly remarkable? There are plenty of people who squander perfectly good families. Of course, the person he met at the time helped considerably.’
As I recalled, Timothy had naturalized as a single man. Alone, without family. How could this be?
Romandro kept empathizing and letting out sympathetic exclamations.
“The Countess must feel quite lonely. Five years old—such a precious age. Ah, by the way, I don’t have children yet, but my wife is currently pregnant. Everyone around me says the same thing. At five years old, that’s when they’re truly like little angels.”
“There’s no helping it. That’s simply the nature of my work.”
“Still, it must be difficult.”
The Countess is ‘still’ alive then. An illness? An accident? Or perhaps some other incident? With only fragmentary information, it was difficult to draw conclusions. So the words I could offer were equally fragmentary. I added my thoughts carefully and calmly.
“…When you return, spend long stretches of time with your family.”
Humans live through memories. Even if you lose two people, spend time together and find happiness—enough that the pain won’t be unbearable.
Timothy’s expression showed surprise at my advice, but soon a brilliant smile bloomed across his face. Though we hadn’t known each other long, this seemed to be the first time I’d seen Timothy smile like that.
“I shall do exactly that. When I return, I’ll spend all my time with them until I depart as an envoy again. There’s so much I’ve failed to give them.”

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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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