Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 322

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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 322
Fire. The Investigation Team Forms
“Your Highness.”
Xiaoxi’s voice whispered softly.
Prince Jin, who had been dozing with his chin resting on the desk, straightened his posture as if nothing had happened. Footsteps echoed from beyond the door. Soon it opened, and the Prime Minister entered along with several ministers.
Among them were Ian and Romandro as well. Had they arrived late last night? Even setting aside Ian, Romandro’s complexion looked decidedly grave.
“Your Highness. We are truly grateful that you have joined us for this meeting at such an early hour.”
“This is my duty—why offer such formalities? Spare me and be seated.”
Ian, meeting Prince Jin’s gaze, placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head. His greeting was plain and unadorned—so dry that it seemed impossible this was the same man who had been laughing and chattering in this very place mere hours ago, not even a full day.
Prince Jin responded with a nod. Everyone appeared particularly exhausted, having rushed here the moment dawn broke.
“Rising early truly makes for a productive day.”
“You are diligent indeed. I was planning to return and sleep.”
“You make one day serve as two. How conscientious. Ha ha.”
“Now, everyone, please be quiet. You’ve all heard the reports, I presume. Let us dispense with pleasantries and proceed to the matter at hand. Your Highness, we shall begin.”
Thwack! Bang!
Rustle. Crinkle.
As the Prime Minister tapped his gavel, the sound of papers being turned echoed softly. The first to speak was the Minister of Imperial Defense, the one who had received the Guard’s report and conveyed it to the Prime Minister.
“The Guards report that there appears to have been some sort of mysterious skirmish, while Cliffford claims ignorance—is that the crux of the matter being discussed?”
“That is correct.”
They simply repeated the conversation Ian and Romandro had shared at the Magic Ministry. All while assuming either the Guards’ error or Cliffford’s deception.
Romandro, standing behind them, glanced at the back of Ian’s head with an expression of admiration. Precisely as expected—everything unfolded exactly as Ian had predicted. Since there was nothing particularly new, Romandro merely drew meaningless lines in his notebook to show diligence.
“Then, could this not be Burgos’s scheming?”
“The precious goods Burgos brought were of the highest caliber. They may have orchestrated this incident to reclaim them.”
“However—”
Prince Jin, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand to speak. The middle-aged ministers stopped mid-sentence and turned to face the Crown Prince.
“However, for Burgos, this would be neither the best nor the second-best choice. Creating a disturbance within Bariel’s domain would only provide them with an excuse to act against us.”
Romandro, expressionless, exhaled sharply and drew circles violently in his notebook. That’s it, Prince Jin. Exactly that! When did this small child’s thinking become so profound?
As Romandro silently applauded, Ian too tapped his fingers against the documents. His posture showed he was not missing a single word of Prince Jin’s statement.
“There is merit to that. Burgos would certainly find it burdensome, and the losses would outweigh the gains.”
“Then who on earth…”
Silence settled over the conference room. Not Burgos, not Ruswena, not the bandits in the vicinity. If there were a force in Bariel capable of orchestrating such an affair, there was only one place. Here. The Imperial Palace.
As the Prime Minister realized this, he looked around with wavering pupils. Several officials, too, seemed to have grasped it, their observant eyes tinged with particular caution.
A prolonged silence ensued. Xiaoxi, who had been listening intently, approached Prince Jin and whispered something to him.
“Hmm?”
He could not hear what was said. But judging by the way his brows furrowed deeply, it did not seem to be pleasant news.
“Why, why are you like this, Your Highness?”
“It is nothing. Everyone, do not mind me. Continue your discussion.”
Even if told to discuss, it was not easy to broach the subject. Was this not bordering on conspiracy theory? The Imperial Palace had just completed a successful coronation ceremony—why would it deliberately strain relations with another nation? Who could possibly…
‘The Crown Prince Jin has relocated from the Magic Ministry to another residence.’
Swiftly. Everyone’s eyes darted toward Ian. A silent signal had clearly passed between the two, so if anyone were capable of this, would it not be Ian? Of course, it was mere suspicion without a shred of evidence, but one’s thoughts could not help but turn in that direction.
One of the officials cautiously broached the subject.
“…Count Ian. What are your thoughts on this matter?”
“Please share your opinion. Your silence is quite unusual, haha. Perhaps you enjoyed some fine wine yesterday?”
It was a probing remark about Philia and Nersaren’s betrothal. Since she had gained a new father-in-law from the Cheonryeo Tribe, whom they called savages, gossip circulated among the nobles—though they whispered cautiously given the circumstances.
The Prime Minister frowned as if to urge restraint, but how could silent reproach reach them? I set down my pen and answered.
“Yes. Since I’m unfamiliar with wine, I didn’t expect this. The lingering effects haven’t worn off, so I still feel the heat coursing through me.”
A warning that I hadn’t fully sobered up and shouldn’t provoke with careless words. The official who had been openly rebuked stiffened his expression, but what could he do? Pushing further would only harm himself.
I reviewed the schedule Romandro provided.
“Regardless, I think we should form and dispatch an investigation team before Cliffford crosses the border. The Imperial Defense Ministry will handle the guards, and the Magic Ministry will meet with Cliffford.”
“We’ll be leaving Bariel by tomorrow or the day after. How urgent is this?”
“As it happens, today is my day off, so my schedule is clear. I’ll requisition a few mages and make the trip.”
“How—”
Jin began to ask in surprise but stopped himself. He had remembered the black moon that hung in the sky during the rebellion. It had been arduous, but there was no faster way to travel long distances.
“Your Highness. I have a question.”
“…You have my permission.”
As I turned to face Jin, the Boy flinched before answering. It was the first time he had spoken since the meeting began.
“Should we discover any suspicious behavior from another nation during the investigation, how would Your Highness wish to handle it?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The guards suspected a fierce confrontation. The Magic Ministry and Imperial Defense Ministry will proceed prepared for any unforeseen incidents, but all of this will be carried out under Your Highness’s will.”
Explosions were always ignited by private sparks. If friction arose with another nation, the response would depend on the decision-maker.
“…If possible, I desire peace. I am guaranteed safety within the imperial palace, but the people who make that region their home face complete danger. I do not wish to hear their screams.”
“Understood. I will honor your wishes with all my heart.”
I nodded while glancing toward the Imperial Defense Ministry. It was a signal to resolve the matter as quietly as possible in accordance with the Prince’s will.
‘The Imperial Defense Ministry grows through bloodshed.’
They had already failed to distinguish themselves within the imperial palace. There was a strong possibility they would cause trouble given the opportunity, so I used the Prince’s words to issue a warning.
For now, addressing the three foreign nations outside was the priority. The other officials broke the tension with awkward laughter.
“Ahem. If the guards were mistaken, we could resolve this without any trouble at all.”
“Indeed. As for which general from the Imperial Defense Ministry we should dispatch for the field investigation….”
“I’ll get started first.”
Whoosh.
I closed my report. I wondered if there was another matter I hadn’t anticipated, but they all seemed to think similarly. There was no reason for me to remain.
Besides—
“The teleportation magic circle is quite complex. To construct it properly and securely, I should begin now.”
“Yes, yes. Please do so.”
“If there are any messages, please convey them separately.”
Wouldn’t they speak more freely once I was gone? As I rose from my seat and walked toward the door, the officials’ gazes stretched out to follow me.
Boom!
“Prince Jin. I think it would be better to send not just the Magic Ministry, but also personnel from other departments.”
“Agreed. I concur as well.”
They hadn’t directly said the Magic Ministry was suspicious, but their wariness was evident. Jin’s gaze tilted slightly toward Xiaoxi.
“Your Highness. Do you remember? Last time, Count Ian mentioned that a traitor remained in the Magic Ministry.”
What Xiaoxi had just reminded me of was the existence of a betrayer I had forgotten about. If a third party was involved in this matter, he would be the most likely candidate. Ian would know this too.
I unconsciously touched my bangs, pondering the matter.
“Of course. We’ll need someone to keep an appropriate watch. I’ll issue orders to another department directly.”
“Yes. A wise decision, Your Highness.”
The ministers patted their chests in relief and praised the decision, unaware that I had selected the Imperial Guards as that other department.
Sending Barsabe and Berik would appear appropriate to outsiders, and it didn’t seem like it would particularly hinder Count Ian. I gestured to Xiaoxi and whispered.
“When Count Ian’s list of mages to be requisitioned is prepared, bring it to me.”
“Understood.”
A traitor remaining in the Magic Ministry. By looking at Ian’s list, I would be able to discern who he suspected.
The Prime Minister tapped his gavel, asking the ministers for silence. Count Ian’s seat remained empty, but the meeting continued. Naturally.
* * *
“Ian. Should I issue a summons order?”
I still vividly remembered how much commotion there had been during the rebellion when drawing the magic circle. Of course, now we had time and stamina to spare, so it was manageable. But wasn’t there a need to hurry?
Ian nodded and gave his instruction.
“Please do so. Everyone will be quite startled from this morning.”
“Should we be the only ones? It’s better than hearing it while drinking.”
Ian continued walking without response. Romandro blocked his path and held up the report.
“Ian. That mage you mentioned earlier—that traitor, right? The one we failed to root out last time.”
A single note that Prince Gail had set ablaze as a threat to Philia.
I wondered if anyone in this world had been blessed with such fortune. I had seen with my own eyes what became of the traitors. If the heavens granted such rare fortune twice, I would live like a shadow, so why reveal oneself in such commotion?
“I don’t know yet.”
“Don’t know? Do I not know you?”
“You know the principle of presumption of innocence, don’t you?”
“Don’t jest!”
As Ian tried to pass to the side, Romandro moved to block him. From the way his lips were pressed firmly together, it seemed he had no intention of backing down easily. Ian tilted his head and asked what he wanted.
“Shouldn’t we catch that person first before creating the magic circle? And ask Prince Jin again to keep his distance from him.”
“…That would be somewhat difficult.”
“Why?”
Ian finally leaned against the window. Despite having just come from the meeting, it was still early morning and no one else was around.
“If it’s the traitor from back then, you should be able to guess who he’s connected with.”
“Haiman?”
“That’s why I find myself holding a rather difficult hand.”
“How is that difficult? It’s advantageous for us. If he’s entangled with the Annihilation Clan, we can handle it even more easily.”
“Romandro. Do you remember? When the Cliffford Envoy arrived at the capital, I had a brief meeting with Captain Jeirat.”
“Yes. A report came in from the southern border regarding the magical anomaly detection device.”
“He grew suspicious.”
“Hmm?”
Romandro remembered. The private conversation between Ian and Captain Jeirat. Ian never revealed what they discussed.
“Captain Jeirat suspects the circumstances of letting Melania go and then even attaching a shadow afterward. From what I observed, it seems that traitor heard news of Melania and leaked it to Captain Jeirat’s side.”
How could I correct things otherwise? I needed to completely understand and uncover everything about my opponent. I slipped past the bewildered Romand and spoke.
“Go and summon Philic first. I will personally lead the investigation team and accompany you.”

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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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