Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 298

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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 298
Fire. The Fox Prince
‘Let’s put Ruswena front and center.’
Inside the carriage heading toward Cliffford’s palace.
Romandro recalled the conversation they’d had in the reception room. He would never forget the silence that fell when Ian spoke those words. And what followed—both Romandro and Jin had cried out simultaneously.
‘You mean we should conduct a dragon anomaly reaction test?’
‘Precisely. Didn’t Your Majesty already hint at this to Ruswena earlier? Excellent. I’ll send people there immediately to conduct the examination. Once we do, Cliffford will have no grounds to refuse.’
The offer to send a doctor from the imperial palace had been just that—an offer. Since the authority to refuse lay with Cliffford, there would be no way to force entry if they declined.
But the examination itself?
‘He’s been too ill to even meet with Your Majesty, so he won’t leave the palace. It’s better if we go in. This way, we maintain at least a semblance of propriety and courtesy.’
If he continued refusing the examination, they could invoke suspicion of anomalous reaction and enforce it by law. He’d have no choice but to accept. Being dragged out would be an unprecedented humiliation, but he couldn’t lodge diplomatic objections to such a matter.
In the imperial palace of the great empire Bariel, refusing cooperation while harboring the danger of plague was tantamount to threatening the Emperor himself.
‘Moreover, if Prince Noah truly is a beastman, this would be an extraordinarily difficult situation. If he blames it on Ruswena, that would be most convenient. Especially at this critical moment when the alliance of three nations is just beginning.’
Romandro crossed his arms and continued muttering exclamations of admiration. He couldn’t shake the image of Ian’s gentle smile from his mind.
I do hope, above all else, that Viviana’s and my child resembles Ian. I’ve seen him often enough in the womb—it’s not entirely impossible.
As Romandro nodded seriously, Ian turned from gazing out the window. A smile that asked what he was thinking so intently about.
“Are you still worried? Afraid something might go wrong?”
“Hmm? No, no. With you here, what’s there to worry about? When the appointment ceremony comes, make sure to give our Viviana plenty of blessings when she arrives. Say a word to the baby too. I’m counting on you.”
Ian tilted his head. Such an unexpected request. Then Berik, sitting beside him, raised his hand eagerly.
“I can do that too!”
“…Berik. You’re fine.”
“Huh? Why?”
“No. You’re just fine.”
Just as Berik was about to say something, the carriage stopped. The mages who had arrived earlier and were handling matters could be seen laughing and chatting with the Cliffford people.
Ian slightly drew back the curtain and observed them. If Prince Noah truly is a beastman, this is a critical crisis. Yet the atmosphere seems so relaxed?
‘Either he isn’t a beastman, or only his closest associates know.’
Ian pulled out his pocket watch and clicked it open. By now, the examination at Ruswena’s separate palace should be nearing completion. Even if Cliffford’s side tries to verify the truth, there’s still time. Romandro also glanced around and muttered.
“Did we arrive too late? Maybe we shouldn’t have stopped at Ruswena’s first. We should have just sent the mages from the start.”
“No, sir. The order is important for legitimacy. It’s right that we examine Ruswena first and proceed with certainty.”
Unlikely as it was, if by some chance the King of Eriponi caught wind of this entire plan, there was no predicting what schemes he might attempt.
That’s why Ian had gone directly to Ruswena’s separate palace to complete the examination of the King of Eriponi and his inner circle. He’d left the remaining cleanup to the mages.
“True enough, but it seems they haven’t made it inside yet. If they stall and drag out time, we could be in trouble.”
“There’s no need to worry about that either. If this were a matter that could be resolved with magic, they wouldn’t have postponed the meeting with Minister Jin. There’s an unavoidable problem serious enough to abandon the first step of diplomacy. Shall we go?”
Creak.
Ian, Romandro, and Berik descended from the carriage and entered deeper into the separate palace. The mages and Cliffford people greeted them with bows.
After walking a short distance, commotion grew increasingly loud. It was the sound of the Mei Envoy confronting a mage, flanked by guards.
“…Is it perhaps because of us?”
“I-I apologize.”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
Ian approached while listening to the exchange. It was clear they were completely cornered with no way out. Invoking status before those blessed with divine power and mages—how absurd.
The possibility of concealment gradually gained weight. Even if that weren’t the case, there was something desperate enough to endure.
‘If I uncover that, it creates an opening for Bariel to intervene in the three-nation situation.’
Ian cut off his words immediately and pulled out his gloves.
“I’ll conduct the inspection myself. That should be acceptable, yes?”
He smiled broadly to show there was no malice.
At the same time, Mei’s complexion darkened.
“M-Minister Ian.”
“My apologies. It seems we’ve made an error. In Bariel, mages serve the imperial court, so I had no idea the Cliffford royal family would object. Please understand—it stems from cultural differences.”
Regardless of rank, these were Bariel’s most precious talents. The fact that a prince would dare refuse the mages who support the imperial court was remarkable.
When Akorelra first broke out, most of the comprehensive investigations were handled by lower-ranking officials under the administrative branch. For the mages to move directly during such a busy time was itself a form of respect.
“No! That’s absolutely not what I meant. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m well aware of the mages’ nobility.”
Mei, understanding the implication, denied it strongly and even gestured with her hand. It was merely a reflexive gap she’d created. What wouldn’t she conceal to protect Prince Noah’s secret?
The problem was simply that she hadn’t known Ian was waiting in that gap.
“Mage. I merely meant that the prince is uncomfortable with strangers. It seems the message was miscommunicated due to cultural differences. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
Cultural differences—truly a useful phrase. Especially in how it could draw out tolerance even in sensitive matters like this.
The mage bowed and accepted the apology.
“No. As you say, I’m aware there are cultural differences.”
Honestly, he had been displeased, but once his superior Ian stepped in, everything became irrelevant. Ian signaled the mage with a glance to withdraw, and the mage, smiling with trust, turned back and left.
Ian smiled faintly and placed his hand over his chest.
“Since the Cliffford envoy has attended and assisted in his appointment ceremony, we also wish to treat them accordingly. As a courtesy to greet the prince, I shall conduct the inspection personally.”
Mei felt her vision darken.
This was clearly a warning to behave properly. Depending on their attitude, the treatment would differ—a statement presupposing coercion, saying that if they didn’t step aside now and caused trouble, appropriate measures would be taken.
A prince being dragged out by a foreign soldier.
And in the form of a captive at that?
‘If I’d known it would come to this, I should have just let that mage in.’
Trying to avoid a deer, she’d met a tiger instead. Standing before Ian, that mage from moments ago felt remarkably easy. With him, she might have managed to get through somehow.
“Pardon me. Mei Envoy. Please introduce Prince Noah to me.”
Lead the way. Step aside and make a path yourself.
Under Ian’s pressure, Mei found herself backing away without realizing it. The guards hesitated and withdrew as well, and she reluctantly grasped the door handle.
‘Sigh.’
Her mind felt hazy, but she would do everything she could manage. Wasn’t this a moment upon which the fate of the Cliffford royal family hung? It was too early to give up.
She gathered all her strength and knocked on the door repeatedly.
Bang, bang!
Was she trying to break it down? Romandro flinched so badly he grabbed Berik’s arm.
“Prince Noah! Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Bureau has arrived! An abnormal dragon reaction from the Ruswena source has been detected, and he says he’ll inspect it. It won’t take long, and you just need to extend your hand for a moment!”
Shouting at the top of her lungs. She was clearly signaling those inside to prepare thoroughly. Romandro and Berik exchanged glances upon seeing this.
‘F-there’s definitely something going on.’
‘This is serious, really. Have you been scammed somewhere? Why can’t you trust him?’
While the two exchanged awkward glances, Mei pressed her forehead against the door and tried to gauge the sounds from within. Anxiously quiet, and damnably silent.
She bit her lip and slowly opened the door.
Squeak.
“…Your Highness?”
Prince Noah lay on the bed with every piece of fabric in the room piled over him. It looked like a single, thick mound had been erected.
Ian passed by Mei and approached him.
“Greetings, Prince Noah. I am Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department. I’ve come to conduct a brief examination as a precaution against the plague from Ruswena. I understand it’s uncomfortable, but would you please extend your hand for a moment?”
Fidget. A single finger poked out from the edge of the blanket.
“…More, please.”
Then came more squirming. The Prince revealed his wrist.
Ian stared at it blankly, then turned to Mei. The examination would only be meaningful if he could confirm who he was examining, but how could he tell who was who with just a hand extended like this?
He was about to ask for the blanket to be pulled back, but changed his mind. After all, it was often easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
“Then I’ll proceed. The sensation will feel a bit raw, but it won’t hurt, so please don’t worry.”
Zing. Zing.
As Ian released his magical power, wind currents swept through the enclosed space.
Mei stopped biting her nails and held her breath for a moment. At this level, something was certainly suspicious, but it could pass without major issue. Just as she was praying internally—
“Ah. That’s right.”
Berik, standing close behind Ian, muttered something as realization dawned. Now that he was near enough to smell it, he was certain. It was the stench of beast hide he’d encountered at the market. Especially on humid days—that acrid smell of wet fur.
“Beast smell.”
Flinch. Ian realized that Prince Noah, whom he was holding, had reacted. Berik merely scratched his ears and muttered to himself.
“Are people from Grape Country used to this sort of thing? Everyone seemed clueless. Romandro. You don’t smell it?”
“I d-don’t think I—”
Flutter!
“Grape Country?! It’s Cliffford!”
As Prince Noah, who had been silent, suddenly burst out in anger and shouted, Ian seized the moment and forcefully pushed his magical power beneath the blanket.
Zing! Zing!
As if the wind were tearing things away, what the Prince had been covering himself with was half-stripped off. In that fleeting moment, what they saw was vertically slit pupils and pointed ears.
“…!”
“…!”
Romandro and Mei froze with their mouths agape. Berik merely laughed while waving his hand.
“Ah. My bad. Cream Grape.”
“Aaaahhh!”
Prince Noah roughly pushed Ian’s hand away and curled up with the disheveled blanket, his body rolled into a ball with his back turned.
“W-wait, just a moment—!”
“Yes! Yes yes! That’s right! Just a moment!”
“So, that—!”
Mei floundered in extreme panic, but only Romandro responded. Berik threw open the window to ventilate and loudly proclaimed that he’d been right all along.
“Hahahaha! See! I’m not crazy!”
“H-he is actually Prince Noah! No, wait, that’s not it. So, everyone please calm down!”
“C-calm down, yes. Yes yes! This is my first time seeing a beastkin, so, well. Oh dear.”
“Not a beastkin! What are you talking about?!”
“Hahahaha! I was right, wasn’t I? Wasn’t I!”
Crash! Bang! Everyone was in an uproar.
Ian looked down at Prince Noah, who was trembling uncontrollably, and offered a subtle apology.
“Your Highness, I apologize. It seems my control over my magical power was insufficient, and I startled you.”
“….”
There was no response. He simply seemed to hope that May would hurry and lead everyone out.
Ian hesitated for a moment and smiled.
“…But Your Highness, your tail is showing.”

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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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