Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 284

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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 284
Fire. The Crescent Moon Rises
“Ian, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
Romandro pulled a small handcart forward, tilting his head slightly as he entered. Stacks of papers reached up to a person’s waist, piled high upon it.
Ian, who had been busily wielding his pen, turned his head in confusion at the sound of wheels. Where exactly were all these tasks continuously pouring in from? It had been several days since the selection ceremony ended, yet somehow the workload felt increasingly overwhelming.
Ian glanced at the reports filling his office and nodded.
“Leave them over there.”
“I think I did the same thing an hour ago. Ha.”
“It’s rather fascinating. I wonder if there could possibly be more, but once I actually open the reports, it all makes sense. Please organize them in order of approval deadline.”
“This one can be handled more slowly. It’s a proposal regarding the Magic Ministry’s movements and role distribution on the day of Jhin’s appointment ceremony. For other departments, I only need to notify them of the decision.”
“I see. Understood. This one has already been approved, so please take it out. We’re running out of space.”
Ian fixed his gaze back on the documents, and the sound of his pen resumed its rhythmic pace. But it was short-lived. Ian noticed that Romandro hadn’t left and lifted his head once more.
“Is there something else you need to report?”
“Ah, well, about that…”
When Romandro glanced at the chair, Ian gave him permission to sit with a gesture. Sensing the conversation would be lengthy, Ian set his pen down on the inkwell.
“The matter of Barsabe’s quarters is somewhat ambiguous. Though Xiaoxi is still undergoing treatment, she’s recovered enough to participate in the tournament without difficulty. It seems her assistance is no longer necessary.”
Captain Jairot had ‘naturally’ not ordered Barsabe’s return, and since Ian himself had given no indication regarding it, Romandro was bringing it up directly.
Was it because he was busy? But would Ian, of all people, overlook such a matter simply because he was occupied? Romandro asked cautiously, as if genuinely perplexed.
“Ian.”
“Speak freely.”
“I’m asking just to be sure. The atmosphere in the palace lately seems to be shifting in rather subtle ways.”
“In what manner do you mean?”
Ian pretended not to know and asked in return.
“The day Berik and Captain Jairot had their duel. Since then, the Imperial Guards have been particularly on edge. Berik’s victory doesn’t seem to sit well with them, but the problem is that the Imperial Defense Ministry appears to be riding that wave as well, creating a similar atmosphere.”
Everyone had seen me transfer my magical power to Berik. It was as good as common knowledge that the Magic Minister harbored the intention of placing his own limbs beside the Emperor.
“Of course, it’s been public knowledge that internal evaluation is part of the captain selection process, but the rumors about your intentions have become far too rampant.”
“My intentions? What are they being said to be?”
Ian smiled as if genuinely curious. Seeing his harmless smile, Romandro found himself smiling in return despite himself. If one observed him up close, one would see how radiant he was, but those viewing him from afar seemed unaware of it.
“Well, there are various theories. Since you knew internal evaluation was hopeless, you deliberately crushed the captain to make up for it. Or perhaps you’re demonstrating that while the Magic Ministry’s personnel may have decreased, its military strength remains solid. And so on. When five people gather, five different stories emerge.”
It had been quite a significant incident with considerable ripple effects. It wasn’t just palace officials who witnessed it—even ordinary participants had observed the spectacle. One could sense the heat that wouldn’t easily dissipate, and I understood it as well.
Ian shrugged his shoulders.
“Amusing. One action, yet countless interpretations.”
“Jhin’s appointment ceremony will be held soon, so things should settle down somewhat due to the busyness. Berik’s appointment also fell through. However, it would be wise to exercise some restraint going forward. You understand, but it’s such a sensitive matter. Yes?”
The young Prince and the Magic Minister standing behind him. Once Jhin officially became the heir at the appointment ceremony, concerns and vigilance regarding this matter would only deepen further. Power is like a living thing—the more time passes, the greater it becomes.
Those who understand this is the starting point will surely attempt to gradually turn Jhin’s attention toward themselves.
‘It may have already begun.’
In any case, it seemed better that Barsabe’s quarters be reassigned. She was the very bridge connecting the Imperial Guards and Jhin.
However, Ian simply shook his head to indicate it was fine.
“Her abilities and loyalty have been proven on several occasions, and it’s always better to have more people serving His Highness. Xiaoxi also has much to learn from her, so I’ll observe the situation a while longer.”
“Ian?”
“And truthfully, since she’s my lord’s escort, it’s not a decision I should make alone. It was entirely my lord’s will to accept her in the first place.”
Romandro blinked blankly, bewildered. Did he not understand what it meant for Ian to keep Barsabe at his side? *That* Ian?
It couldn’t be. If so, then surely there was some other intention that Romandro himself had failed to grasp….
“Listen, Ian-”
“Argh! I’m dying here!”
Crash! Bang!
Berik burst in, cutting off Romandro’s words. Romandro frowned and tried to scold him, but Berik paid no attention whatsoever.
“Berik. I told you to give some warning!”
“Wow, I’m so exhausted I can’t even do that. I swear, those Imperial Guards have lost their minds. Why are they running us ragged on the first day? They won’t even let us drink water! Ugh, seriously!”
Today was Berik’s first day training at the Imperial Guard barracks. He’d put on his uniform neatly this morning, but by afternoon he looked like a beggar.
“My goodness, you couldn’t even drink water?”
“That’s what I’m saying. But here’s the funny part—only the recruits can’t drink. They told me if I wanted water, I had to run around the training grounds for an hour.”
Oh. Good heavens. Berik, that’s what you call hazing.
Romandro covered his mouth and looked at Berik sympathetically. His scolding about lack of manners had long since vanished.
“So… what did you do?”
“What do you mean? I ran for an hour and emptied that water barrel completely. Hahahaha!”
Looking closer, he still wore his training clothes under the uniform. He must have rushed over without even changing. The Imperial Guards clearly found Berik’s presence unwelcome in every way, and seemed intent on venting their frustrations like this. But still, there was the empire’s honor to consider. How could they….
“And then they told me to refill the water barrel. They should fetch their own water to drink, shouldn’t they? I got so mad I smashed it all and just left. They said we’re having beef for dinner tonight. Romandro, by the way—is that water barrel expensive? It was a bit bigger than me.”
“You broke the water barrel? On your first day? Good grief, why on earth?!”
“Because I was annoyed!”
Romandro silently made the sign of the cross in his heart, mourning the Imperial Guards. He prayed they would make a proper man out of this reckless brat, roughing him up even more if needed.
“Berik.”
“Huh?”
“What did I tell you this morning?”
“…Not to cause trouble.”
“So you were listening. I’ll tell Captain Jairot to deduct the barrel’s cost from your salary. With your first paycheck, you’ll barely be able to afford a single mug of beer.”
If he could even afford that much. Given the chaos on day one, he’d probably be in debt within a month.
As Berik’s mouth fell open in shock, Ian suddenly recalled the awards ceremony. He seemed to remember mentioning an “accident” that morning too….
“Berik, about that time. When you were late the morning of the awards ceremony, you mentioned an accident. What happened?”
“That time? Hmm? Oh! Oh!”
Berik snapped his fingers, realizing he’d completely forgotten about it.
“It was nothing much. I was in a hurry that day and almost hit some old man.”
“You madman!”
Smack!
“Ow! I didn’t hit him! Not a single hair touched him!”
“Why are you only telling me now? Did you handle it properly? Even a small shock can be dangerous for the elderly!”
“He was completely fine! And honestly, I feel wronged too! The old woman was crawling across the street. It’s hard to notice right away.”
“So what did you do?!”
“I tried to give him money, but he wouldn’t take it. What did he say? Something about… eating secrets or something? He seemed a bit strange. He said you should bring me to him?”
At Berik’s words, Romandro inhaled sharply with a gasp. Even Ian, who rarely showed surprise, did the same. His eyes widened slightly, and wasn’t he setting down his pen?
Both men’s expressions shifted simultaneously. Berik retreated behind the sofa, looking flustered.
“Why, why are you both reacting like that? Nothing strange happened that day, I swear.”
“No, Berik. Tell me in detail. An Elder, a woman, you said? And she consumes secrets? She was a Gypsy, wasn’t she?”
“A Gypsy? I can’t really tell those things apart.”
“Ian. From the way you described her crawling along the roadside, it’s clear she was an Elder without legs.”
“Oh! That’s right. She had no legs!”
“Good heavens!”
Romandro clutched his head as if seized by convulsions, twisting his body this way and that. His movements conveyed some mixture of elation, trembling, and shock.
He had issued a wanted notice across all of Bariel at Timothy’s request, yet no word had come until now.
But Berik?
On that night when Berik had come home late after drinking, he had encountered her!
“Berik, what do you mean by bringing Ian to me as a reward?”
“Well, you said if I wanted compensation, I should bring someone thoughtful, quiet, and strange. That’s completely Ian, isn’t it?”
“That’s… that’s true, it is Ian.”
“…?”
Ian tilted his head in confusion, looking at Romandro. Both seemed uncertain what the other was saying.
Romandro struggled to maintain composure as he pressed further.
“Where, exactly? When?”
“On the night the half-moon rises, at that place where the accident happened. Ah, it was near the alley where the newspaper office was. If you turn a few corners and intersections, you reach the entrance to a large park.”
The night the half-moon rises! Ian and Romandro simultaneously checked the calendar above the bookshelf.
“That’s tonight.”
“It is tonight.”
As Ian and Romandro murmured in unison, Berik grinned sheepishly. He had completely forgotten.
“Really? You didn’t know?”
“…I can’t even scold you for this.”
“Romandro. There’s still time before nightfall, so prepare yourself. I’ll finish reviewing these documents. Let me ascertain the exact location and seal off all the passages leading there. It would be wise to requisition several Mages as well, just in case.”
“Very well.”
“Berik, go with Romandro and assist him.”
Berik whined that he had just arrived and was tired, but was dragged away obediently when Romandro grabbed his ear.
Ian picked up his pen to finish what he had been working on, but set it down again.
‘The one who consumes secrets. The Gypsy the King of Burgos desperately seeks.’
Soon, the reason why the King of Burgos sought her would be revealed. Either she possessed secrets he wished to erase, or there was something among the secrets she held that he absolutely needed to know.
If it were the latter, I too was genuinely curious.
And I too genuinely needed to know.
‘In response to the three-nation situation, she will surely be a crucial key. Moreover, to guide Timothy’s naturalization smoothly, it would be wise to learn anything possible about the King of Burgos.’
Whoosh.
I steadied my resolve and gazed out the window.
Soon the moon would rise.

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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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