Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 33

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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 33. Imperial Palace Investigation Team
The necklace held the sunlight within itself. I could describe it as nothing other than “amber-colored.” Even I, who had lived my entire life surrounded by treasures, had never seen such a jewel before.
‘Ian. What on earth is this?’
How had an illegitimate child from the red-light district been cultivating Silask, and how had he kept something like this inside it? No, wait. If I were to establish the premise from the beginning, perhaps Ian himself didn’t know.
‘His status aside, his actions don’t align. Knowing Mother Philia’s hardships, if he had recognized this as something precious, he would have sold it to help the family finances.’
And above all, the necklace hidden in the soil. It was certainly buried by whoever had planted the Silask.
‘Was he asked by someone? To care for this well?’
That was the only plausible conjecture I could make at the moment. Didn’t that make some sense? He treasured it, but not enough to bring it with him when he entered the Bratz Estate.
Click.
“I cannot fathom it. Truly.”
The most bewildering thing since opening my eyes was the very existence of the illegitimate Ian. It was always this small child who plunged me into contemplation.
“What can’t you fathom?”
“Did it all break?”
“Break? It was just boiling hot!”
“Ah. Right.”
I fastened the necklace around my neck as I replied. Whatever it was, now that I had found it, I had no intention of ever letting it leave my body. The Cheonryeo tribesman who had brought the pot added a word.
“And the Chieftain asked that you come see him after resting.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll go now. It’s all cooled down anyway.”
“It didn’t break, I’m telling you! I didn’t break!”
“Brush the sand from your mouth before you speak, Berik.”
I chuckled and stepped out of the tent. Now that Winchen had regained consciousness, his purpose would be to verify whether there was any falsehood in my words. And moreover, I needed to work out the detailed terms of the right of first negotiation between the Cheonryeo Tribe and myself.
“…?”
“Huh!”
I paused as I left the tent. Cheonryeo tribesmen had gathered at the entrance. Berik, who was following behind, also poked his head out and looked around.
After an awkward silence, they set down what they held in their hands onto the ground. Soft Kusile blankets, sturdy baskets, and more. Items that would make life in the desert more comfortable.
“What is all this?”
“…Things necessary to survive in the desert. We’ve gathered them. Though they pale in comparison to what was given for the Chieftain, the Cheonryeo warriors never forget kindness and enmity until death.”
Whether there had been an order to treat me as a guest, I heard formal speech for the first time. I smiled broadly and nodded.
“Thank you. I’ll use them well.”
“Then….”
They scattered hastily, looking embarrassed, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“Aren’t they endearing? Even those the world considers savage show affection when you look closely. They are human, after all.”
“You’ve become quite the sage.”
“Berik. You organize the supplies while I’m away.”
Damn it! I took back my comment about being a sage and, leaving Berik flailing about in protest, I found Winchen’s tent. Inside lay an elder in much the same state as on the first day.
Swoosh—!
“Ian. Welcome.”
Kakantir was kneeling close to her, whispering something. Seeing it this way, I could certainly feel the elder’s status. A being whom the leader of the tribe knelt before without hesitation.
“Chieftain Winchen. I’m so glad to see you improving.”
The old man smiled faintly and glanced toward the entrance. The smile of a sage who had walked to the very threshold of death brought peace to the heart merely by witnessing it.
“I called you here to bring closure to our previous conversation.”
“Understood. Everything I reported to Chieftain Kakantir is the truth, and I have sworn by the heavens to uphold it. Of course, there are still some facts I haven’t disclosed, but they are unrelated to the Cheonryeo Tribe.”
Ian smiled broadly and spoke first. Kakantir seemed satisfied by his candid demeanor. Winchen brought her hands together and bowed to Ian once more.
“The Divine One….”
A voice squeezed out with great effort. His condition was poor; I thought he wouldn’t speak again. The servants pressed their ears close so as not to miss the old man’s words.
“…commands that you change everything about yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“…even if that means your very existence.”
Ian turned to Kakantir with startled eyes. Winchen was now delivering a divine oracle. It was unheard of to receive the word of the Divine outside a sacred temple, yet Kakantir nodded as if accustomed to it.
“The Empire’s people wouldn’t understand. You believe the Divine’s will can only be discerned within a sacred temple.”
“That is true. We believe only those who interpret the sacred texts can convey the Divine’s will.”
Perhaps the Papal See would condemn this as heresy if they knew. In any case, Ian bowed respectfully to express his gratitude for receiving the Divine’s message.
“Yet the message is hardly pleasant.”
“That cannot be. It is always meaningful.”
Ian immediately objected. Truth does not vanish simply because humans fail to understand it. Kakantir realized he was growing increasingly fond of this golden-haired foreigner. Did he not possess everything a warrior should have?
‘Magnanimous, courageous, and quiet as still, deep waters.’
“I hear the brothers brought you a gift.”
“I received it gratefully.”
“Now we shall work out the details of the preferential trade agreement, but before that, tell me if there is anything you particularly need.”
He was tactfully saying that once negotiations began, he would not yield even on the smallest matter. Yet simultaneously, it was a remarkably generous offer. Ian pondered briefly before answering.
“Is the Cheonryeo Tribe not a tribe of warriors?”
“Indeed. We are those who command the Great Desert.”
“I wish for you to teach the red-haired one I brought with me everything about being a warrior. He wishes to believe he is the strongest in the world, but he still has much to learn.”
“You mean Berik?”
Cherishing one’s subordinates is a leader’s virtue. Since it was not a difficult matter, Kakantir readily agreed.
“So it shall be.”
“Thank you.”
“Bring paper.”
Whoosh—!
At Kakantir’s call, servants from outside brought paper and brush. They began to create a true contract, with Winchen present.
* * *
Thud! Thud-thud! Crash!
At the sudden noise, Count Derga’s pen skipped across the document. He was nearly finished, and now it seemed he would have to start from the beginning.
“Count! Count!”
“What is all this commotion!”
Splat!
The moment the door opened, Count Derga reflexively hurled his inkwell. The sky hadn’t split in two—what was the meaning of this outburst! And here he was already plagued by headaches over tax calculations!
The servant who took the bottle directly to his chest flustered and wiped his trousers.
“I-I apologize. But it seems you must come out at once. Someone has arrived from the Central authority.”
The certificate of entry was supposed to arrive, so wasn’t it natural? But something about the servant’s behavior seemed off. I hid myself behind the curtain and peered out the window.
“…?!”
Normally, if it were just for document delivery, two people would have come. But from the front gate to the entrance, carriages were lined up in abundance, and at their head, a familiar flag was fluttering.
“Isn’t that the Imperial Palace Investigation Unit?”
“The butler is currently receiving the guests, but….”
Something felt wrong. I gathered the documents on my desk and shouted.
“You, move all these documents to the steward’s office immediately! And wait inside with the door locked. There are plenty of ink bottles in the left storage cabinet. If something seems amiss, spill them all out. Understand?”
“Yes? Y-yes. Ah, I understand.”
“Damn it!”
I gave firm instructions and descended the stairs. The servants were all gathered in the central entrance with anxious expressions.
“M-master. What on earth is this….”
“Move aside!”
I straightened my clothes and stepped forward. The butler withdrew with an awkward expression, and I faced the head of the Imperial Palace Investigation Unit.
“Are you Count Derga of Bratz?”
“I am, but? I don’t understand what this is about.”
“I am Erika Berti, head of the Imperial Palace Investigation Unit dispatched from the Imperial Palace. This is a permit bearing the Emperor’s personal seal. I have been dispatched to investigate charges of treason due to tax evasion, and I swear to conduct this process with sincerity and honesty.”
Treason due to tax evasion.
The moment I heard the reason for the dispatch, my heart sank. How did these bastards find out? How in the world? But the words I spoke were brazen and confident.
“How utterly offensive. I have been defending Bariel from those savages on the frontier with a heart devoted to our nation! And what is this? Treason due to tax evasion? Nonsense!”
First, denial. Until guilt was certain. I was a count, and this was my domain. Dozens of carriages had arrived, but in terms of military strength, I held the advantage.
Erika, as if accustomed to this, drew another document from her possession.
“Is this the seal of Bratz?”
A tiger and laurel pattern. It was clearly stamped over someone’s hastily scrawled coat of arms.
-I report the tax evasion of House Bratz. Your Majesty, I beseech you to investigate without a single doubt.
As I reached to grab the letter, Erika firmly extended her hand. An informant’s letter with a seal—they could tear apart the mansion immediately without a word of protest from me.
“We shall manage the mansion for the time being. All servants, including yourself, Count, must follow the orders of my deputy commander. Infantry will arrive shortly, so please clear the garden for them.”
Additional forces would arrive in succession, a warning not to entertain rash thoughts. At Erika’s signal, her subordinates drew their swords and surged into the mansion.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Aaaah!”
“W-wait, please!”
“Everyone, be quiet and follow!”
“M-master! Master!”
“You there! The one heading up the stairs!”
“Noooo!”
They couldn’t very well bind a nobleman count, so they subdued his hands and feet—the servants—first. Erika trampled across the carpet with her boot and entered.
“Quite a magnificent mansion you have.”
“You….”
“Young Master Chel and Mrs. Mary should be returning soon as well. You needn’t worry, simply follow instructions and remain still. Everyone, sweep from the top floor down!”
At Erika’s cry, my head rang like a bell. These people knew the study was on the top floor? That information wasn’t written in the informant’s letter. Which meant they hadn’t just sent papers—they had sent someone.
‘Mollin!’
I fed that wretched bastard meat and treated him with respect, and this is how he repays me?! Count Derga’s face flushed crimson as if his blood were boiling backward. Erika passed him with a faint smile, and all that could be heard were the screams of the servants.
“My lord!”
The one rushing up the stairs appeared to be the Butler. He was dragged down, but Derga remained motionless, lost in thought.
‘Mollin, how did that bastard stamp the seal? Is it connected to the Steward after all? But he still hasn’t awakened. I’m still keeping watch over him….’
Derga let out a bewildered laugh. If I had to name one person who was close to Mollin in Bratz….
“Iaaaaan!”
At the anguished roar that burst forth, the soldiers glanced over, but none dared to stop him. He looked as though he might collapse from high blood pressure at any moment. Since he was going to die anyway, dying sooner rather than later was hardly a poor choice.

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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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