Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 308

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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 308. The Appointment Ceremony
Still nursing the remnants of a hangover, I lay languidly across the bed, my fingers tracing the edges of the documents. Part of me sought to read the characters carefully, but mostly, my touch was a gesture reaching back toward the night two days ago—a night I couldn’t quite remember.
May prepared my formal ceremonial uniform while stealing glances at me.
The corners of my mouth lifted at the outer edges of my narrowed eyes.
Those seeing me for the first time often mistook this expression for a smile—
“May.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Everything written here can be carried out, correct?”
“We received definitive confirmation. Should you wish to review and make revisions, I’m afraid today’s appointment ceremony won’t allow time. Count Ian indicated he would arrange another meeting before your departure.”
I wore this same expression whether handling administrative duties, standing before the King and Queen, or even when reprimanding subordinates.
The only clue to my mood lay in the space between my brows. May concentrated entirely on studying that single point, watching intently. As expected, faint creases began to form slowly.
“At first glance, there are no issues. As with any contract, really.”
Despite my words of approval, the creases between my brows deepened, and May’s eyes widened in bewilderment. I’d just praised her work—why did I look displeased? Was the hangover worse than I thought?
I pressed my temples and let out a groan.
“According to Berik earlier, I apparently….”
‘I am the prince of the Crimson Grape Kingdom! How dare you mock the Grape Kingdom, and waaaah!’
Crunch.
The proposal crumpled along with the furrow between my brows—an unfiltered display of displeasure.
May stiffened and swallowed hard. I was grateful the curse had lifted, truly, but whenever I had to deal with the aftermath like this, the same helpless despair from when the curse manifested threatened to overwhelm me.
“…I made a mistake.”
“A mistake? Ah, well, you did say some embarrassing things, but it’s really nothing to worry about.”
Wait? Is that what you’re referring to?
Though May tried to reassure me, the creases between my brows only deepened. I decided it would have been better not to hear this at all, not to know.
I waved the now-crumpled paper as if to change the subject.
“May. When the three-nation alliance was being discussed, do you remember the ministers’ reactions?”
“Of course. It was quite tumultuous.”
One faction warned that opposing Bariel would bring divine retribution, while another insisted we couldn’t remain under a great power’s sphere of influence indefinitely.
But the fact that now, with only a young prince remaining, this was our opportunity—honestly, no one could deny that.
“Yet now, what will my father say if I affix my seal to this?”
The proposal Ian had presented contained the following:
1. Bariel officially demands exclusive trading rights with Burgos for two years’ worth of premium fertilizer.
1-1. Including all existing fertilizer in Burgos and the amount to be produced over the next two years, this constitutes bulk sales, allowing purchase below market price, with tariffs further reduced to establish an even lower supply price.
2. At the reduced price formed by the above clause, Bariel trades premium fertilizer to Cliffford. Tariffs are similarly waived.
3. In exchange, Cliffford dissolves the three-nation alliance with Burgos and Ruswena, and establishes an exclusive alliance with Bariel.
4. Matters concerning the exclusive alliance shall be formally documented separately at a designated time.
….
Burgos had little justification to refuse Bariel’s trade proposal.
First, it was an opportunity to liquidate stockpiled fertilizer all at once, and moreover, a massive contract spanning into next year. Regardless of relations between the great power and neighboring nations, they couldn’t ignore such an economically advantageous opportunity.
“Don’t we typically negotiate separate contracts every six months? If Bariel waives tariffs, Burgos has no reason to hesitate. Of course we’d sell to them.”
“The two-year term—is it set because of fertilizer production schedules?”
“Yes. Since it’s being produced now, it will be available next year.”
But was Bariel accepting losses to win over Cliffford? No. Tax exemptions would be granted, but these were items they had never traded in the first place.
Since I wasn’t reducing existing imports, there was no actual outflow of funds. Besides, wouldn’t Cliffford resell the fertilizer anyway?
“It’s far more advantageous for Cliffford to purchase through Bariel than through Burgos.”
“Roughly speaking, what’s the calculation?”
“On average, they can obtain it at about ten percent cheaper. We had information that Burgos would become increasingly barren and prices would rise. They claim there are no plans for increases, but didn’t they raise prices without notice two years ago as well?”
Beyond obtaining fertilizer at a lower cost, Cliffford would be forming an alliance with Bariel, the mightiest nation.
In truth, that would be the greatest advantage. They could navigate through secretly holding hands with three nations without significant complications.
Furthermore, they could achieve complete independence from Burgos, with whom they had conducted trade solely because fertilizer was one of their critical imports.
“So money really does make the world go round. May. Only a nation wealthy enough to purchase such vast quantities of fertilizer all at once could manage this.”
“We too can become such a nation someday.”
“Indeed. We must become one. But…”
Noah stroked his chin and fell silent.
Lowering dependence on Burgos meant, in other words, heightening dependence on Bariel. Could Cliffford handle negotiations with a great power holding decision-making authority over two years’ worth of fertilizer supply?
No, wait. If Burgos discovered this, the subsequent contract would undoubtedly fall through. All future fertilizer transactions would proceed exclusively through Bariel.
They call it an alliance in words, but who knows. Nothing is more precious and valuable than one’s own national pride.
‘Monopolies are always dangerous. Yet if I reject the proposal, it becomes a risk factor.’
If Cliffford took an uncooperative stance, there was a possibility that Bariel would purchase the fertilizer and distribute it nowhere. Then they would face the greatest calamity of all.
“And this was merely discussed verbally, but they say that upon concluding an official alliance, they would include a clause to maintain permanent silence regarding the curse afflicting the Cliffford royal family.”
Yes. There was that too.
If fertilizer was a card that could destroy a nation’s economy, the curse was a weapon that could topple a nation’s very system. For them, there were scarcely any other options. If there were any…
‘It would be to share this with the three nations and devise countermeasures.’
I couldn’t be certain how Burgos and Ruswena would respond, and even if I invoked the three-nation alliance to help, whether it would be effective remained questionable.
It was far too reckless a choice. If I informed Burgos of this, it would immediately amount to rejecting Bariel’s proposal.
“Damn it. Really, how filthy. Absolutely filthy.”
“I understand your concerns well. However, that is a problem that could arise when concluding an official alliance, and at present, I believe there is no better proposal available. Regarding the matter of dependence, we can devise countermeasures by pooling time and wisdom.”
She was right. I couldn’t sacrifice immediate gains by worrying over uncertain problems. Noah threw off his blanket and rose from the bed.
“Convey to Minister Ian Hielo that the proposal will be rewritten.”
“Which sections will you modify?”
“Not two years, but at least ten. And while it’s good that they’re offering at the established lower price, it must be trustworthy. Add a clause that upon pricing, the transaction records between Bariel and Burgos will be made public.”
By setting the longest possible supply period and stable pricing, even if dependence increased, the risk would diminish. With ten years, Cliffford itself could develop solutions regarding fertilizer.
May nodded in understanding and rang a small bell.
Ding.
“Prince Noah is preparing. Admit the servants.”
At her summons, the servants waiting outside entered in perfect unison.
“By the way, what of the King of Burgos and the King of Ruswena? What have they been doing?”
Noah asked while accepting the servants’ assistance. He had spent the time completely unconscious due to the drug’s side effects, but surely the others had not.
May merely shrugged her shoulders and whispered.
“I didn’t see them either. Bariel deliberately separated their movements. From what I heard, Ruswena went out to the western hunting grounds and discussed business related to that area, while Burgos visited the Magic Ministry and discussed matters regarding the magical stone trade and supply they had been trying to pursue previously. That’s all from yesterday though. By now, they’re probably preparing just like you, Your Highness.”
The three nations had been kept thoroughly separated. Likely, aside from the banquet and the main ceremony, there would be no opportunity for them to meet. If I had to guess, the departure dates for returning to their respective nations were probably set separately as well.
“I shouldn’t have drunk at dinner. It seems like that was our last chance for the three leaders to sit close and have a real conversation.”
“There’s no need for self-reproach, Your Highness. Though King Damon and King Eriponi did both leave their seats, it wasn’t for long. I heard King Eriponi didn’t return until Jhin stepped forward.”
“Is that so? What were they doing?”
“I’m not certain of the details. But it’s clear that King Damon and King Eriponi weren’t able to have any deep conversation either. Given the suspicion of eavesdropping by the mages, how could they?”
May muttered while glancing around the room. It was baseless suspicion, but so rational that she couldn’t help herself.
Noah changed into Cliffford’s traditional formal attire, then checked the time.
“What time is the appointment ceremony?”
“Oh dear. We’re running a bit tight. You should hurry with your preparations.”
The appointment ceremony would be held at noon, when the sun reached its highest point. A time perfectly suited for the beginning of a new Bariel.
* * *
“Romandro. Prince Noah will likely request modifications to the proposal. I suspect he’ll press on matters of duration and price. Please schedule the conference for the day after Burgos’s departure. That will be more advantageous for negotiations in several ways.”
“Understood. Truth be told, we’re hardly in a position to talk about advantage or disadvantage. Ha. So we leave Ruswena at the palace?”
“Yes. It would be best to send Ruswena last.”
“We’ll proceed as planned. Though I am a bit concerned—if we pressure Burgos this way, won’t it make the supply of mana stones difficult when we construct the separate building for the Magic Ministry?”
Romandro, who had been running alongside Ian while organizing tasks, posed the question. Ian smiled and tilted his head slightly in response—a smile of mild surprise.
“No. Because it’s visible. Ahem.”
“I had thought you were opposed to the separate building construction, sir.”
…He saw right through me.
Romandro simply avoided answering with repeated coughs.
In truth, as the Steward of the Magic Ministry, he should properly support it, but before that! Did they really need to create controversy by scratching where there was no itch?
“Good is good, that’s why it is.”
“You needn’t worry about such things.”
Just then, a mage came rushing over breathlessly.
“Ian! Ian! I received word through the Mana Stone Management Department, and there seems to be an omission in the report. Could you check it first? And there are two mages listed twice for the ceremony. What should we do?”
“Change the Philip listed at the bottom to Philic. Bring the report here.”
“Ah, Philic? But he didn’t look well. I’m worried about him leading from the front.”
“Not well? How so?”
“He ate inside the carriage while receiving goods from outside. It seems he’s gotten quite indigestion.”
“Tell him to come to my office. And there’s no omission in the report. The recorded figures are correct.”
Ian didn’t elaborate on what his concern was. If he had time, he might have continued talking, but he didn’t.
Romandro gripped the documents and pen firmly as he watched mages rushing about from all directions. For now, the priority was getting through the ceremony that was only hours away.
Creak.
Ian and Romandro entered the office, and immediately came face to face with those sitting on the sofa.
Jhin, who was smiling stiffly as if nervous. And Viviana, who was offering him all her praise and encouragement.
“Ian.”
“Welcome, Mother.”
Philia and Nersaren were here as well.
Ian exchanged light embraces and greetings with his guests.
“Your Highness. It’s time for you to move to the main palace first. I’ll finish up here at the Magic Ministry and escort our guests in. The Prime Minister will go over the ceremony procedures again, so please confirm them.”
“Right. Y-yes. I understand.”
“Your Majesty.”
The Boy’s posture had gone rigid as stone. Seeing this, I offered a sorrowful smile and lowered myself to meet his eyes.
“What did I tell you this day would be?”
“The official appointment ceremony.”
“And?”
Jin gripped my shoulder tightly without realizing it, as though trying to shake off his own tension and transfer it to me.
I accepted it willingly, supporting his elbow in return.
“…The day a new era dawns for Bariel.”

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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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