Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 333

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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 333
Fire. The Mages’ Emergency Council
The Prime Minister adjusted his glasses and read through the documents, but his Steward could tell—he hadn’t turned a single page the entire time. The man fidgeted with his pen and checked his watch repeatedly, unable to concentrate.
Tick-tock. With each movement of the minute hand, the Prime Minister’s gaze drifted toward the office door. Surely the other high-ranking officials were doing much the same.
Knock, knock.
A cautious sound from beyond the door. The Prime Minister rose abruptly without thinking, desperately hoping that after all this waiting, the news would be good.
“Come in!”
But the Servant who entered bore an expression that was far from encouraging. The Prime Minister felt his heart sink, and he collapsed back into his seat.
“My apologies. No word has arrived. Shall I convene an emergency council?”
“Yes. Make it urgent. Summon all the Mages as well.”
“Understood. I shall prepare at once.”
Creak.
As the door closed, the Prime Minister touched the deep lines around his eyes and fell into thought. It had been a week since contact was lost with Ian’s group, who had crossed into Cliffford. He had sent ten messenger birds, yet not a single one had returned with a reply.
What was the meaning of this? Why did Cliffford not respond?
“Prime Minister.”
“Yes.”
At the summons that preparations were complete, he rose from his seat. Those missing included the Minister of Magic and the Mages, along with two Palace Guards. These were among the highest-ranking personnel in the palace, and their true fate needed to be clarified.
Clatter-clatter!
Whinnying!
The Prime Minister’s carriage raced toward the main palace, and simultaneously, dozens of other carriages rushed toward the same destination. The movement of officials and Mages responding to the emergency council summons.
“Romandro.”
“Your Highness?”
“Shh.”
On the stairs leading to the council chamber, someone seized Romandro’s arm—Jin and Xiaoxi.
Jin, aware of the surrounding eyes, led him around the corner. The Boy bit his lip repeatedly as he whispered.
“What in the world has happened? Does the Ministry of Magic have any idea? Count Ian hasn’t made contact for a week now.”
The tone was urgent and pressured. Romandro met the Boy’s gaze and spoke calmly to soothe him.
“Your Highness. Please, compose yourself. First, Ian will be fine. You know him well enough, do you not?”
“But, but….”
They investigated the carriage from Cliffford, crossed into the homeland, and now there’s no contact. What more suspicion is needed? No matter how he thought about it, something had clearly gone wrong in Cliffford. In fact, all the officials gathering for the council likely thought the same—except for those from the Ministry of Magic.
“Ian is one who has returned alive from the very heart of the desert. Berik is with him as well. There is nothing to worry about. Come now, let us enter the council. There are many eyes watching, so I shall go in first.”
The distance between Jin and Ian represented the distance between the Imperial House and the Ministry of Magic. Romandro understood Ian’s intention to maintain proper distance for an ideal relationship, and he had the duty to respect it. Just as he bowed his head to turn away—
“Wait, Romandro. How far has the investigation into Idgal progressed?”
Jin grasped him again and whispered. This was an even more secretive and cautious statement.
Xiaoxi glanced around repeatedly, confirming there were no signs of others nearby, and Romandro, sensing this was a grave matter, knelt again.
“The investigation into Idgal consists only of the report submitted to the palace, and there has been no progress yet. Akorelra, who is in charge, is on sick leave, and with the limited number of Idgals in our possession, analysis has been difficult.”
Romandro also knew the contents of Ian’s final note. A comprehensive investigation into Idgal was necessary. He tilted his head in confusion, then paused as something occurred to him.
“Your Highness, could it be….”
“It will be discussed in the council. Be aware of it.”
The Ministry of Magic’s goal is to track down Idgal and annihilate its very existence, but those who oppose the Ministry would instead desire to seize it for themselves.
Romandro unconsciously pressed his forehead and sighed. Of all times, this had to happen when Ian was away.
“Your Majesty. I hear footsteps approaching.”
“Romandro.”
Xiaoxi sensed the distant footsteps drawing near and instructed Jin. Then Jin grasped Romandro’s shoulder and met his gaze firmly. No words were spoken, but the unwavering blue eyes conveyed their message.
You can do this, it seemed to say. I don’t wish for it to come to that either. But given the public scrutiny, I cannot openly assist you, and I regret that deeply.
Whoosh.
Jin nodded, then turned the corner and disappeared. Other officials passing through the corridor flinched upon seeing Romandro kneeling in the middle of the hallway.
“Aren’t you Romandro? Is something wrong?”
“Oh? Ah, no. I just felt a bit dizzy for a moment.”
“Shall I help you up?”
“No, no. I’m fine. I’ll manage.”
Romandro rose to his feet with a vacant expression, dusting off his knees.
Most of the attendees had already arrived, and the Mages were gathered in one corner waiting for Romandro. With Ian absent, his Steward Romandro was effectively acting as Ian’s proxy.
“Now that everyone is here, let us begin the meeting.”
Thud! Bang!
Creak.
As the Prime Minister struck his gavel, the door closed. He unconsciously stroked his chin with a heavy sigh, as though uncertain where to begin.
Despite his long years in public service, he had never encountered such a situation. Not just anyone—the Minister of Magic and the Mages under him had lost all contact.
“Has the Imperial Defense Ministry made contact?”
“Yes. They arrived yesterday and met with the Guards to conduct an investigation. We expect Jeonseogoo to report back this evening.”
Unlike the Mages who traveled directly to the border via portal, the Imperial Defense Ministry moved by horse and had only now reached the location in question.
In truth, Ian had already made contact with the Cliffford caravan and uncovered the details, rendering their investigation unnecessary. Still, they continued their own inquiries regardless.
“How many messenger birds have we sent to Cliffford thus far?”
“…Exactly twelve.”
“Not a single reply among them? This is tantamount to admitting that something grave has occurred. I suspect there may be danger to his person.”
“But this is Count Ian. Count Ian, the Minister of Magic. And he travels with no small number of Mages, plus two Palace Guards as well. Even if something happened in Cliffford, surely he would have found a way.”
Cliffford officially had not a single Mage. Therefore, if one wished, escape would be simple, and one could even plunge the nation into chaos.
However, the reports coming from the border indicated that Cliffford had caused no disturbance whatsoever.
“Idgal.”
Someone spoke up, cutting through the murmuring.
“Idgal—isn’t that a substance with effects similar to a mana-sealing stone? It was mentioned in Count Ian’s report. Cliffford must have secured it. If so, all questions are answered.”
“Precisely. We instructed Burgos and Ruswena to monitor the situation as well. This is a three-nation alliance forged in secret.”
“If the royal palace has secured Idgal, then… yes, the mystery is solved. Count Ian, stripped of his mana, is merely a boy, is he not?”
“What of the Mage Knights? Does Idgal affect them as well?”
All eyes turned to Jairot. He took a sip of water, moistened his lips, and offered a careful response.
“The mana of a Mage Knight is fundamentally aligned with that of a Mage. It is effective against them.”
“Good heavens. There is nothing more to discuss.”
“We must mobilize the military. Before the three-nation alliance moves. The justification is clear, so there is no problem.”
“This is not a matter to be taken lightly. What you propose is war. If Bariel strikes Cliffford, will Burgos and Ruswena remain idle? Especially if, as Count Ian reported, they have secured Idgal? With Mages rendered useless, do you have any special strategy?”
The attitude of treating Mages as mere weapons. Nakina clicked her tongue and frowned. Heil did likewise. Suddenly, a cigarette seemed desperately appealing.
“Now, everyone, please calm yourselves.”
Bang! Tap tap!
The Prime Minister called for order, glancing around the room. Jin and Romandro had remained silent throughout. He carefully made his proposal.
“Since the Jeonseogoo cannot reach them, there is no disagreement that we must dispatch people directly. Magic Department?”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“Can you operate the same transportation method as the Black Moon that Count Ian used?”
At his question, Romandro’s expression grew troubled. He was not a mage but an ordinary official. Heil, seated behind him, raised his hand to speak instead.
“I apologize, but it is impossible. It consumes an enormous amount of magical power, and without Ian, the precision of positioning would be severely compromised.”
“Then it cannot be helped. The Imperial Defense Department will organize troops to send to Cliffford and report back.”
“Prime Minister. The Magic Department would like to—”
“The Magic Department will be excluded from this matter.”
“…Pardon?”
Romandro and all the mages wore expressions of disbelief. Their superiors and colleagues had gone missing, yet the Magic Department was being told not to participate?
“If there is a problem with Count Ian’s safety, it means the mages’ power has been rendered useless. Therefore, the Magic Department is excluded from this matter.”
“Wait a moment!”
Nakina raised her hand to protest, but Romandro calmly stopped her.
“However, Prime Minister. If Count Ian and the mages are alive but injured, they will need someone to share their magical power. It would be wise to have a mage accompany us. Even if Idgal exists and poses a threat, a mage would surely be helpful rather than a hindrance. Would you not agree?”
The Prime Minister’s eyes narrowed. Then Jin, seated across from him, shook his head slightly, signaling Romandro. Something was wrong.
“You make a fair point. Then have the Magic Department send minimal personnel to accompany the expedition. However, the investigation into Idgal must continue during this time. The Imperial Palace will send support personnel to the Magic Department.”
Paradoxically, the Magic Department’s power was necessary to control Idgal. With the common sense and abilities of ordinary people, it was beyond reach. For now, the strategy was to place personnel within the Magic Department.
Thus, following them and assisting while grasping authority over Idgal within Bariel, and the moment the Magic Department tried to eliminate it—
‘I would simply take it.’
“Finally, send the Jeonseogoo once more. If there is no response by tomorrow, we march immediately. Magic Department, prepare yourselves thoroughly.”
Bang! Tap!
The signs of war.
Each department anticipated the flood of work ahead and quickly rose from their seats. As if expecting objections from the Magic Department, they all disappeared without a moment’s hesitation.
“Prime Minister!”
“Romandro, I apologize, but let us speak of this later.”
Romandro tried to stop the Prime Minister, but it was futile. The mages were left standing alone. They all let out hollow laughs of exasperation.
“This is maddening. Is this really how we are to be treated?”
“I never expected things to go this far without Ian. Wow. This is harsh, truly. After all we have done.”
“Exactly. I feel like just overturning this whole thing.”
“Isn’t this just completely crushing us under the guise of a meeting? Did we suffer so intensely just to receive this kind of treatment? Unbelievable.”
“…Everyone, watch your words.”
Heil muttered while smoking a cigarette. With so few mages to begin with, and Ian taking half a dozen with him, their numbers had dwindled further.
“If we could somehow manage to activate the portal, we could rush to Cliffford and back quickly…”
“And if there really is a problem with Ian and the others, we could rescue them immediately and bring them back.”
“But we simply don’t have the capability.”
They all sighed with resignation, their thoughts turning to the same thing. The mana amplifier. If only there were no side effects, they might be able to do something with it…
Knock! Knock knock!
At that moment, there came a cheerful knock on the door. Everyone turned in confusion, and there stood a familiar figure. Though she had grown gaunt, her eyes still gleamed with that same wild brilliance.
She waved her hand in greeting.
“Ta-da! The brilliant Akorelra makes her entrance!”

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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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