Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 302

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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 302
Fire. A Taste of Magic
“Ah, do you produce a lot of wine here?”
“The quality is excellent.”
“Then it really is a nation of grapes! Just as I thought!”
“Ha, if Cliffford is grapes, then is Bariel bananas?”
“Ugh—how childish. What are you even saying?”
“You started it first!”
Ian paused as he was about to enter Prince Noah’s private chamber. Romandro, standing behind him, did the same.
The conversation echoing from the prince’s bedroom was hardly befitting of his station. It was clear the prince had been influenced by Berik during this time.
Knock, knock.
Creak.
“Forgive the intrusion, Your Highness. I am Minister Ian Hielo.”
“Oh! Welcome, welcome! Please, take Iza away with you!”
“Hehe, why are you like this? We were having fun. Ian, I’ve been keeping His Highness company.”
“Company? Nonsense! All you do is spout foolish remarks at every turn, and my mind grows muddled!”
Two beasts rushed toward Ian the moment they saw him. Noah no longer bothered to hide his beastkin nature, his ears and tail openly displayed.
The two began circling Ian. Romandro managed to stop them only by grabbing Berik by the scruff of his neck.
“Sigh.”
It was a sigh from the Mei Envoy. She sat at the table with her forehead pressed against her palm in frustration. Her reason had already been fragmented by the curse, and now she had been corrupted by Berik’s influence. She kept muttering softly that her prince was not like this.
“Your Highness, please calm yourself and sit down.”
“If it weren’t for that wretch Berik, I wouldn’t be so agitated!”
“Now, now, you shouldn’t say that, Your Highness. I rolled around in the garden with you! You said it was fun!”
What on earth had happened over the past few hours? Ian placed a transparent crystal bottle on the table and took his seat. Then, with a gentle smile, he gestured for the two of them to sit with his eyes.
Berik, who had been chattering away with Noah, noticed Ian’s gaze and quietly slipped into a chair.
“Your Highness, what are you doing? Standing there alone.”
“You…!”
He never missed an opportunity to tease Noah.
Ian checked the time. It was tighter than expected, so it would be better to hurry.
“Prince Noah. The banquet time has been set. It will be held at seven in the evening in the main palace’s grand hall. The order of entry for each nation will follow the order of arrival. The Burgos delegation is still unpacking their carriages.”
“Has the King of Burgos arrived?”
“Yes. Without incident.”
Without incident. That included a meeting with Prince Jin as well. Of the three nations, only Cliffford had failed to follow proper procedure. Realizing this, Mei let out another troubled groan.
Whoosh.
“Prince Jin has been informed of your condition, Your Highness.”
“W-what did he say?”
“He said nothing in particular.”
“…Is that truly so?”
“He merely said he understood.”
Of course, it was a lie.
When Noah revealed that he was a beastkin, the boy’s eyes widened to perfect circles. He seemed to be restraining himself, but excitement and astonishment flickered across his face nonetheless.
“Oh, oh my! Prince Noah is a beastkin!”
“This is quite fortunate. It appears to be an inherent secret of the royal family itself. Since it’s a top-secret matter known only to the innermost circle within the palace, we should be able to secure considerable cooperation from Bariel. Berik has done something commendable for once.”
Ian glanced sideways at Berik. He stuffed a snack from the table into his mouth, then immediately looked away with an innocent expression. His cheeks bulged noticeably, yet his face insisted he hadn’t eaten anything at all.
“Then, is this the potion that will help me?”
At that moment, Noah reached out to touch a crystal vial and asked. More than half of it was filled with a pale grayish-blue liquid. By appearance alone, Berik’s assessment was that it looked utterly unpalatable.
“Indeed. Unfortunately, the mage specialized in this field is currently absent due to illness, so it was manufactured by the mages under him. The effect is certain, but the side effects cannot be ignored, I’m told.”
“Side effects?”
Noah and May’s brows furrowed simultaneously. Suspicion bloomed in an instant. It was easy enough to speak of side effects in words. But who could guarantee that it wouldn’t cut off Noah’s breath?
At the mere mention of side effects, both of them grew cautious, their eyes turning cold.
“There is no need to be so concerned.”
“You didn’t say that before. The Prince is Cliffford’s successor. We decline anything that could be problematic. We should have the carriage brought around right now—”
“I understand you’re sensitive given the circumstances in a foreign land, but you’re being hasty. Envoy May. Anyone listening would think you were cursed.”
They say that when cursed, one’s reason dulls. That’s what you’re doing now. Ian calmed May with a composed yet firm tone.
“Even medicines considered beneficial to health have side effects. How much more so when we’re temporarily erasing a phenomenon that Cliffford’s authorities themselves call a ‘curse’? To claim there are no side effects would be a lie.”
Whoosh.
Romandro withdrew a neatly folded sheet of paper from his inner pocket. It was brief, but a sort of contract. Ian’s signature was clearly affixed at the bottom.
“According to the mages who manufactured it, while it can temporarily conceal unwanted physical characteristics, after the effect wears off, those characteristics return two to three times more intensely before gradually returning to their original state.”
“You mean… ears or a tail would multiply into two or three?”
Noah grabbed his own ears in alarm. Even now he looked monstrous enough—the thought of his ears multiplying was horrifying! He didn’t even want to imagine it.
“No. Rather, there’s a significant possibility of problems with the fullness of fur or maintaining your rationality, which you’re currently experiencing.”
“…How long does the effect last?”
“That can be adjusted. If you drink all the potion, seven hours. However, the side effects will correspondingly increase by two to three times.”
“So at maximum, around twenty-one hours…”
May calculated with her fingertips, counting off the schedule. Ah. Fortunately, she could attend the inauguration ceremony without issue.
“Beyond what I’ve mentioned, you may experience chills, fever, and nausea, though nothing is certain. As I said, the specialized mage is currently absent.”
“Then couldn’t we order that person to enter the palace temporarily?”
“I’m afraid not. They left due to an abnormal dragon reaction reported by Ruswena. Since there’s a risk of contagion, that’s impossible.”
Noah’s ears perked up sharply. Ruswena. Now that he thought about it, everything had started because of her.
How had the dragon breeding grounds been managed so poorly that a plague that had disappeared before was now emerging anew? If not for that, there would have been no risk of discovery in the first place.
“Then, what is this contract?”
“It’s a contract confirming that both parties acknowledge the side effects I’ve mentioned. Beyond this, if any other physical problems arise, it means they’re not due to the potion but rather Prince Noah’s personal condition.”
Perhaps Noah might raise excessive objections and create trouble.
Since the potion was manufactured by Bariel’s Magic Ministry, if something went wrong, it could become a diplomatic incident. This contract was presented to prevent that in advance.
Of course, Cliffford was not pleased about it.
‘The first meeting of the three-nation alliance, committing a second consecutive discourtesy to Bariel. If there are no problems, drinking the medicine and attending would be far more advantageous… but…’
Pop.
While May deliberated, Noah unhesitatingly pulled out the cork stopper and sniffed the liquid.
It smelled sweeter than expected. Noah’s eyes narrowed, and his tail moved slowly side to side in a cautious manner.
“Minister Ian Hielo. Swear by the mage’s oath that there is no deception beyond what you’ve stated.”
Oh. So you understand the Mage’s Oath.
It was unexpected. Unlike Ruswena, where only a handful of mages exist, I heard the last mage in Cliffford died ten years ago.
Ian raised his hand to show he was swearing an oath.
“Your Highness. I swear by the Mage’s Oath that the potion has been successfully created without issue. Please also swear by Cliffford that you will not abuse Bariel’s goodwill and that you will sincerely congratulate Prince Jin on his appointment.”
Noah’s tail struck the ground sharply, tap-tap. He seemed to be revealing his emotions without realizing it.
“Very well. I shall make this promise as well.”
Noah drank the potion in one gulp without hesitation. May tried to stop him in alarm, but it was too late.
From the beginning, when Ian discovered my identity, I was prepared to die anyway. I had thought of digging my own grave and crawling into a coffin, so this is at worst breaking even, and for me, it’s an opportunity like no other.
“Pen!”
“Right here.”
The moment Noah tried to sign the contract, the potion’s effects began to manifest. His luxuriant tail gradually shrank, and his pointed ears flattened as if folding backward.
Berik, watching from beside him, let out exclamations of amazement.
“Wow, they’re disappearing. The ears and tail are gone! Incredible!”
“What? Already? What do we do now?”
Noah, having finished signing, felt his head and backside with his fingertips. It was real. They had vanished without a trace. Yet the sensation lingered subtly, which was quite strange.
“This lasts seven hours, right?”
“…Your Highness. I never said you should drink it now.”
Thud. Noah froze in shock. Just how reckless was a prince without his reason? When Ian turned to May, she had her eyes firmly shut.
Noah carefully felt along May’s waist and found her pocket watch.
“How many hours until the banquet?”
“Two hours, Your Highness.”
“Oh no.”
Five hours? That’s cutting it rather close…
Ian, having finished his business, stood up and placed the contract in his inner pocket.
“I shall see you at the banquet. Just in case, I’ll prepare more potion. What about Berik? Shall I leave him here?”
“No! Take him with you!”
“Seriously? Your Highness, you’re breaking my heart! After all the hard work I did! I even brushed your tail, and I gave you delicious food!”
“You bit my tail while brushing it! And the delicious food was prepared by the royal palace—why are you taking credit for it?”
“Because you’re so plump, I thought you’d like something to bite, and the food—”
“Enough! Count Ian, take him with you.”
“…My apologies.”
At Ian’s glance, Romandro dragged Berik away by the scruff of his neck.
Noah’s bedchamber fell silent in an instant. He sprawled across the bed and let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew.”
“How do you feel, Your Highness? Any problems?”
“I’m fine. No strange sensations at all.”
At May’s question, Noah awkwardly stroked his own head repeatedly.
Magic truly is remarkable, isn’t it? The royal curse that had persisted since ancient times. I couldn’t fathom how much effort my predecessors had expended to conceal it.
Yet a potion created in mere hours could produce such an effect…
“May. This must be the true power of magic. I wish I could take several mages back with me when we return.”
May also nodded while casually tidying the table.
“That’s precisely why the King of Burgos made such a proposal. Once the imperial palace opens, mages will pour in like a flood. Nothing will be sweeter than the fruits they bring. What will you do about the banquet? Things have become rather complicated…”
“More than that, my condition is what troubles me.”
“I was somewhat surprised, but it’s because you’re just passing through the transition period. Please don’t worry too much. Who knows? Though it’s the power of magic, since the beastkin characteristics have disappeared, perhaps your judgment will return as well.”
“That would be problematic. If the effect wears off and I become more than twice as foolish, it will be worse than Berik. I’d rather not experience that.”
Noah rubbed his face against the pillow and muttered. May started to add that he’d still drunk quite well, but held back.
“Please get up now. The banquet is in two hours, so you should begin preparing.”
“Right. Okay.”
Noah stretched like a fox and rose to his feet. It seemed only his appearance had changed—his reason had not yet returned.
Beyond the curtains, the sun began to set. As twilight deepened and night descended completely, the imperial palace would shine with light far more brilliant and radiant than during the day.
It was the moment of the first banquet between the three nations and Bariel, the gathering of kings.

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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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