Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 313

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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 313
Fire. Three Passes
“…is arriving.”
A Mage muttered under his breath.
In the distance, the carriage carrying the King of Burgos came into view. The Guards straightened their posture and hurried to prepare for his arrival, while the Mages stopped what they were doing on the stairs and stood at attention.
Creeeeak.
“Welcome, Envoy Timothy. Did you meet well with Captain Akorella?”
Timothy appeared first. As the Mage held the door open and asked, he gave only a small nod.
“Yes. Well, she seemed to be in poor health, so I only confirmed the trade list and quantities before leaving immediately.”
“Is that so? I heard she had nearly recovered. Otherwise, her physician would not have permitted it. While the risk of contagion to adults is said to be low, it is not impossible.”
“Whether from the fever or her scattered mind, she muttered to herself and shouted, making her impossible to pin down.”
The concerned Mage faltered in confusion. It was not that she was ill, but rather that this was Captain Akorella’s true nature—a thought that rose to the tip of his tongue.
That erratic state of mind was her normal condition. He wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, but seeing no benefit in it, he decided to let it go.
“And Minister Ian Hielo?”
“Your Majesty, King of Burgos. The Minister is currently attending to duties in his office. He asked for your understanding that he cannot leave his post.”
Damon descended next. The rumors of the commotion he had caused outside seemed to be true. His already pale cheeks looked even whiter and colder.
Damon walked ahead, his cloak billowing, followed by Timothy and his Subordinates. The commanding presence emanating from his small frame caused the Mages bowing in the lobby to feel an uncanny sense of déjà vu.
“Don’t you think the aura he gives off is somewhat similar to Ian’s?”
“Don’t go around comparing recklessly. You want to die?”
“What I mean is, I’ll pluck out your eyes and polish them for you.”
“No. It’s the atmosphere, the atmosphere.”
Though they chided each other playfully on the surface, they all shared a subtle agreement. As King Damon and his Subordinates turned the corner and disappeared, the Mages discreetly craned their necks to follow.
“But why did the King of Burgos want to see Ian?”
“Who knows. It was a sudden request, apparently.”
Jin had been elevated to Crown Prince, and before a day had passed, orders for his relocation came down. The situation was swirling like the wind, something even the dullest could perceive. What intention did the King of Burgos have in requesting to see Ian? It was only natural that everyone was curious.
Knock, knock.
“Minister. King Damon of Burgos has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
As the Servant stepped aside, Damon took a shallow breath and entered. Timothy, following behind, had darkened features. It was a reaction born of worry at not knowing his lord’s intentions, but Damon gestured with his head, keeping him at a distance.
“Timothy. You wait here.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
Should Timothy harbor any other thoughts, he might disrupt the private audience. Damon lightly adjusted his collar and entered the office. As he went in, Romandro appeared from the opposite corridor where he had been waiting.
“Envoy Timothy.”
“Romandro. What brings you out here?”
“Ha ha. I was dismissed. It seems our lords have something to discuss in private.”
Romandro laughed good-naturedly while glancing at the Burgos Subordinates. His gaze suggested concern that they were standing about with no hospitality whatsoever. Understanding the implication, Timothy checked his pocket watch and asked.
“Do you have any sense of how long it might take?”
“I couldn’t say. That would be for the King who made the request to know.”
“My apologies. That was a thoughtless question.”
“Not at all. If you don’t mind, why don’t you all come to the reception room instead of standing here? It makes it difficult for the Mages to pass by the door.”
I was already exhausted from venturing outside the imperial palace. Everyone silently asked Timothy what should be done about the situation.
“Right. There’s no need for all of you to stand here. I’ll keep watch, so everyone please leave.”
“This way, please. It’s the room right next door.”
As the subordinates left following the servant’s guidance, only Timothy and Romandro remained alone in the corridor.
The silence spoke volumes. As Timothy leaned his back against the wall, Romandro glanced around cautiously.
“Is there something you wished to tell me, Romandro?”
“It’s not from me, but a message from Minister Ian.”
Whoosh.
What Romandro pulled from his breast pocket was a single small letter. Could it be some sort of trade proposal related to mana stones? If possible, I didn’t want to receive it, but since the Minister instructed him to deliver it personally, I couldn’t refuse. Timothy examined the contents with utmost caution.
“What is this…?”
“It’s a travel permit. It’s one of the Minister’s authorities. With this, you can cross the Bariel border without any other identification. Whether entering or leaving.”
“I’m aware of that. What I’m curious about is why you’re giving this to me…”
“For now—”
For now?
Timothy raised his eyebrows and looked at Romandro.
Surprisingly, he also seemed to have no idea what this was about. He was following Ian’s instructions, but he himself seemed curious about the exact reason.
“Regarding the pursuit of the Gypsy, the Minister said he regretted that Bariel couldn’t be of more help. While it’s suspected the Gypsy crossed the border, who knows when they might cross back and forth again? So this is a gift meant to facilitate smooth investigations at the Bariel border…”
Romandro’s words trailed off without him realizing it. In truth, if Timothy, who held the status of a diplomat, wanted to formally enter Bariel, it wouldn’t be that difficult. Wasn’t that why he had been sneaking into the imperial palace and investigating the Gypsy before?
But still, a travel permit for such urgent investigation? These were usually issued to knights stationed at the border…
“Romandro?”
“No, never mind. In any case, please accept this gift from our Minister. Even though it’s a travel permit, records will be kept at the border garrison. You understand, yes?”
Should I accept it?
Timothy fell into brief contemplation. It seemed the King hadn’t let go of his obsession with the Gypsy, so upon returning home, he might receive orders again to pursue them. In that case, this permit would be quite useful. How much time was consumed in a single entry and exit?
For now, I should accept it. If I accept it, it will prove useful.
“Yes. I understand.”
“And there’s a usage limit.”
“A limit?”
“Three times total. If you have companions, it’s deducted for all of you.”
“…I will keep that in mind and use it wisely. Since you’ve shown such consideration, King Damon will surely be pleased as well.”
This is full of questions.
Timothy thought so and placed the permit in his inner pocket. Then Romandro lowered his voice and spoke carefully.
“Well. Since this is given only to you, Envoy Timothy, please be careful not to let word of this spread elsewhere. It could put the Minister in a difficult position.”
“Of course. We too will send mana stones upon our return with utmost sincerity. We’ll carefully select only flawless and brilliant ones. They’ll be used for the construction of the Magic Ministry’s annex.”
After answering thus, Timothy realized something. Why did the situation feel so strange and unfamiliar? As a diplomatic envoy, being treated with respect was familiar, but the other party was Bariel.
‘What’s strange now is that the roles have reversed. I should have been the one concerned about Romandro. Could this be pointing that out? Should I be giving something in return? But I don’t have spare resources right now…’
As Timothy pressed his eye sockets, Romandro tilted his head with concern. He wasn’t pleased even when given a gift, so Romandro wondered why his reaction was like that.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. It’s nothing.”
Just as Romandro was about to say he could take him to the infirmary if he wished—
Clang!
A sound came from within the office.
It was clear that something like glass had shattered.
Romandro and Timothy exchanged bewildered glances before hurrying urgently toward the office.
Knock, knock.
“Minister Ian. Is something the matter?”
“Timothy, I’m occupied. King Damon.”
But no response came. The two men who had just been laughing while exchanging passes suddenly grew alert, their edges sharpened. As Timothy’s hand moved to his waist, Romandro tensed as well, fingering the whistle in his pocket.
“Your Majesty. If there’s no response—”
Timothy began counting to three silently. If his liege’s voice didn’t come within that count, they would have no choice but to force the door open. Just as he was about to begin counting with tension mounting.
Damon’s voice came through.
“It’s fine. Nothing serious.”
“Are you certain you’re unharmed?”
“I said it’s fine. Withdraw.”
It was a clear command from his liege. Timothy reluctantly withdrew, unable to shake off his unease.
Meanwhile, inside the office, I stood gazing down at the fragments of the shattered vase. The carpet was damp and wet, flower petals scattered across it. The only light filtering into the dim office was a single beam of sunlight seeping through the window crack.
“Your Majesty. Are you injured?”
“….”
“If harm were to come to your noble person, it would prove troublesome for me.”
“Is that so? I rather like that. If I could make you so distressed simply by drawing blood.”
I smiled faintly and stepped past the glass shards, taking a seat across from Damon.
* * *
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
The moment Damon entered the office, what he saw was me sitting at the desk. I was dressed in light casual clothes rather than formal attire, just covering some documents. Despite the King’s entrance, my posture suggested no intention of rising.
“Forgive me. Given the sudden nature of this meeting, I must apologize for the lack of proper decorum.”
“I heard several mages had collapsed, and one of them was you, the Minister.”
Not rising despite the King’s arrival—either the body was indisposed or it was an insult. I offered a faint smile that was neither confirmation nor denial.
“Having prepared this event for so long, my strength seems to have waned. Please forgive my rudeness and make yourself comfortable. Shall I have tea brought?”
“No.”
Damon sat on the sofa and crossed his legs. As he pondered how best to broach the subject, I asked first.
“Perhaps you require revisions or amendments to the mana stone trade agreement? I apologize, but the administrative department’s approval has likely already come down, so if that’s the case, we would have no choice but to begin the entire process anew. Your Majesty.”
I knew that wasn’t his purpose. It was a question telling him not to speak in riddles but to state plainly why he had come.
Damon rested his arm on the sofa, supporting his pale cheek with his hand. What he needed to ascertain was clear.
‘Does the imperial palace know the Gypsy’s true identity? If they do, have they traded secrets and consumed what is mine? And furthermore, is there the matter of Timothy’s betrayal?’
But the problem was where to begin.
I waited patiently for Damon to open. It was a sensitive matter—merely bringing it up first would place him in a disadvantageous position. He had no choice but to probe carefully.
“Minister Ian Hielo.”
“Please speak, Your Majesty.”
“I’ve heard rumors circulating in the imperial palace. With the Emperor in such a state, there must be much concern and worry. Since the Crown Prince has only you to trust and rely upon, I too wish to have many conversations with you.”
“There are several who hold ministerial positions in the imperial palace. What am I among them? And above all, though the Crown Prince is young, he is the one who will carry all of Bariel forward in the future. Would it not be more desirable for you to converse with him rather than with me?”
“That is also true. But do not deny that you are the Crown Prince’s sole support, having no maternal relatives. Even in the foreign land of Burgos, such talk spreads—how can you try to hide the sky with your palm?”
“Your Majesty is holding firm, so I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Holding firm?”
Damon tilted his head with a puzzled smile.
In my past life, the current Emperor did live a long life, but there’s no guarantee he’ll do the same now. He’s lying there without even showing his face.
“Minister, it seems you’re quite confident that His Majesty will live a long life.”
With a probing tone, the two men’s gazes finally locked directly.

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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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