Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 335

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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 335
A Spark About to Ignite. We’re Going Too
“Mother, look at that.”
Following a child’s pointing finger, the adults’ gazes lifted skyward. The black moon had appeared again. It had briefly shown itself a week prior, but had vanished just as quickly.
It would likely disappear again this time. It rose whenever there was commotion at the imperial palace, which was concerning, but without any official announcement, people simply shaded their eyes from the sun and frowned.
“Has something happened?”
“The imperial palace remains open. Perhaps the Mages are conducting experiments.”
“Right. It’s probably nothing serious. It’ll disappear soon enough.”
“Let’s just get back to work!”
The black moon filled the sky, growing gradually larger, yet the people carelessly turned their attention away, oblivious to the change. Only the children, gazing idly upward, noticed the transformation.
And at that very moment.
“Alena, look outside.”
“Outside? Why?”
When Alena of House Sereo drew back the curtains, the black moon appeared before her eyes, as if ready to swallow the imperial palace whole. Unlike the startled servants, she paused for a moment, then immediately rushed downstairs and called for her brother.
Tap, tap, tap!
“Brother! Brother!”
“Miss Alena, be careful. You’ll fall.”
“Go fetch my brother’s coat! Quickly!”
“Alena, what’s all this commotion?”
Sereo lay leisurely on the sofa, smoking a cigarette. Alena seized him at once and pulled him to his feet.
At her gesture, the servants brought his coat and draped it over his shoulders. He hastily buttoned his shirt and swept his hair back.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“Count Ian went to the border a week ago to meet with the Cliffford carriage, didn’t he? And there’s been no contact since.”
“That’s right. There are rumors that Jeonseogoo hasn’t arrived. I’m not certain of the truth, but it’s likely correct. The friend who told me runs a company that supplies the imperial palace.”
“The black moon has appeared again. I believe it means the remaining Mages are also leaving the imperial palace.”
“What? The black moon?”
Only then did Sereo pull back the curtains and peer out the window. The residents passing by had stopped in their tracks, all gazing up at the sky.
Alena grasped her brother’s shoulders firmly and straightened his necktie—a gesture that clearly showed who was truly supporting their family on the brink of ruin.
“Go to the palace immediately and find out what’s happening. Why the Mages have opened the portal again, whether there’s any new information about Count Ian, and everything else you can discover.”
“Understood.”
“And bring back a messenger pigeon!”
“Yes, Miss. Where should I send it to….”
“Do I really need to spell that out for you?”
Ruswena. More precisely, a messenger pigeon bound for the royal palace of Eriponi.
Alena had already sent a messenger pigeon once before when Ian had been absent from the imperial palace. There had been no reply, but since the pigeon had returned safely, it was clear that the King of Eriponi was aware of the situation.
“As soon as my brother returns, I’ll send the messenger pigeon, so move as quickly as possible. Understood? Oh, and on your way out, do me a favor. Ask the Countess Kamia and Youngae if they’ve heard any rumors from the palace.”
They were the wife of a Minister of Defense officer and the niece of the Minister of Justice. They were particularly close to Alena in society, so they were likely to know something.
“Move! Hurry!”
Clap!
As Alena clapped her hands sharply and shouted, Sereo hastily combed his hair and prepared to leave. The servants did likewise. They had no idea what the black moon had to do with House Sereo, but when the young lady commanded it, they obeyed.
Alena pressed her hand against the windowsill, her gaze repeatedly lifting toward the sky.
‘Of all places, the Magic Ministry.’
If the King of Eriponi learns of this, perhaps I might finally receive a response this time.
She gripped the windowsill tightly, staring at the fluttering Bariel flag. The black crescent descended as if to devour it, yet the white emblem still fluttered defiantly—as if to spite Alena.
Snap!
So she too, as if to spite them, drew the curtains shut and turned away. If the House of Sereo could not exist, what meaning could Bariel possibly hold?
* * *
“Relax, pretty thing.”
“Captain Akorella. Every time you do that, I’m truly terrified.”
“So what, you won’t let me?”
“That’s not it. Just… please be normal about it.”
“Got it. Roll up your sleeve! Come on!”
Unable to resist Captain Akorella’s insistence, the Mage squeezed his eyes shut. The needle pierced his forearm without hesitation. It was merely a slight sting, and given his worry, the lack of reaction was almost embarrassing—until he heard Akorella’s murmur.
“Hmm. But you have allergies, don’t you?”
“…Pardon?”
“Report your progress to me separately later. Sorry, but I’m not confident about that area.”
“Ah, Captain Akorella!”
“Next!”
“Move aside. Go help draw the magic circle!”
The Mage withdrew with a grimace under his colleagues’ insistence.
In the Magic Ministry’s garden, all the Mages who had received the amplification serum gathered together. A massive magic circle was drawn without a single gap, and the spaces between were meticulously filled and refined with complex incantations.
With Ian absent to judge right from wrong, they proceeded by adjusting positions while keeping the black crescent suspended. Had Ian been present, he would have said the citizens were worried, but what could they do? Even with the amplification serum, this was the best they could manage.
“Hmm, something seems off, doesn’t it?”
“Wasn’t there an abnormal mana reaction reported at the southern border? That’s why. We should position it lower.”
“I’ll try again. Please recalculate the left side.”
“Ah, I miss Ian. When he’d give us answers like that, it was really convenient and wonderful.”
“That’s why we’re going to see Ian, so focus!”
“Let’s hurry. The drug’s effects are wearing off.”
Then, visitors arrived at the bustling Magic Ministry garden. They were Prince Gin, Jairot, Volb, and other officials from various departments who had been with the Prime Minister.
They had entered the Magic Ministry building, found it empty, and hurriedly returned to the garden. Volb looked around in disbelief and shouted.
“What in the world are you all doing?!”
His voice rang out sharply. The Mages stopped in unison and looked toward the garden entrance. They bowed only to Prince Gin, then continued their work.
Only Heil stepped forward to greet them. Coming to another department and asking what they were doing—could there be a more absurd question?
“Your Highness, what brings you here?”
“Heil. What on earth is…?”
The Boy alternated his gaze between the Mages and the empty air, murmuring. Unlike the bewildered expressions of the Prime Minister and Volb, he seemed almost delighted.
Surely just moments ago, opening a portal was said to be impossible—yet somehow they had managed it! As the Boy’s eyes sparkled with wonder, Heil gestured toward Akorella and explained.
“Captain Akorella has developed a mana amplification serum.”
“What? They’ve been injected with it?”
“Have no concern. There are said to be no side effects.”
Captain Akorella’s hand froze mid-injection as her eyes met Gin’s gaze. She waved frantically, and though the Mage cried out in pain, she seemed not to hear.
Volb, grasping the situation, barked at her to stop.
“What are you all doing? Injecting something that hasn’t been verified? And if all the Mages suddenly develop complications? What reckless nonsense is this?”
“Minister Volb speaks correctly. Captain Heil, a matter of this magnitude should be discussed together in the Grand Council. Stop the injections at once.”
A few Mages still remained in line. Captain Heil stood his ground without yielding, signaling his refusal.
How presumptuous. They instinctively knew the Imperial Palace couldn’t function without the Magic Ministry, yet they dared display such defiance in the Grand Council itself. Captain Heil took a drag from his cigarette before responding.
“Opening a portal is the most effective method available.”
“That’s only valid if there are no problems! The previous report stated that a Mage who received the amplifier nearly died. Right now—”
“Yes! That Mage who nearly died—he’s alive right here!”
“There is no issue. Captain Akorella is a recognized researcher and scholar of the Magic Ministry. If she says there are no side effects, then there are none.”
Akorella beamed with delight, blowing kisses and making a fuss. The Prime Minister and Volb, being outsiders to magical matters, found themselves at a loss for words.
“Heil, if the Magic Ministry departs for the border with the Imperial Defense Ministry, it seems the Palace won’t be able to provide support.”
Seizing the moment, Gin conveyed his message. Even if the Magic Ministry’s personnel diminished, the Palace wouldn’t interfere under the pretense of lacking manpower to support them. He was signaling them not to overextend themselves and to distribute personnel appropriately. Captain Heil caught the meaning and nodded.
“I understand, Your Highness. We’re uncertain how many Mages will be mobilized, but we’re currently prioritizing the rescue of Count Ian and his companion.”
“Look here, Captain Heil, is it? This is an emergency situation! The Grand Council is in session, yet you proceed unilaterally like this? Are Mages exempt from following the Palace’s order? Are they?”
Volb had been trying to seize the opportunity of Ian’s absence, but the Magic Ministry’s bold move had complicated matters. The Prime Minister gestured for restraint, but Volb only grew more agitated, appealing to him instead.
“Your Excellency the Prime Minister, you are now the acting regent with the Emperor’s delegated authority. Yet the Mages act in unison against decisions made in the Grand Council!”
“Ah, wait just a moment!”
At that moment, Romandro came rushing from afar, clutching a thick stack of papers. Volb’s expression darkened as he glared at him, his face clearly asking: what now?
“Romandro. What is it?”
“These. Official travel permits.”
“What? Travel permits?”
Romandro was breathless from the short sprint. He paused to catch his breath before waving the papers at the Mages.
“Just as the Prime Minister acts as regent in the Emperor’s absence, I serve as his proxy when Count Ian is away. I’ve issued official travel permits to the Mages, so there’s nothing to object to.”
Travel permits—documents issued under Ian’s and the Palace’s authority—signified that the bearers were conducting official business.
This meant the Mages had no legal obstacle to leaving the Palace en masse. Even if the Prime Minister ordered their return, they could claim the distance made it take longer to receive the message.
“Nakina!”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Tomi!”
Romandro called each Mage by name and distributed the permits. Volb watched the scene unfold in disbelief.
The Prime Minister’s expression grew grave, as if he’d realized he’d mishandled something. He hadn’t anticipated the Magic Ministry would respond with such bold, independent action.
“And finally, Akorella?”
“Yes, yes, yes! I’m coming too!”
Akorella approached to receive her permit. She then looked Volb up and down, her eyes gleaming as she whispered sweetly.
“Minister, if you’re worried about the amplifier, would you like to try it yourself?”
“What, what?”
“We haven’t tested it on ordinary citizens yet—”
Captain Heil grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and dragged her away, urging her to shut up.
At that moment, as if a missing piece had fallen into place, one of the Mages exclaimed.
“It matches, Captain Heil! The location corresponds to Cliffford!”
“Everyone, activate your magic!”
Zing! Zing!
At Captain Heil’s command, the Mages frantically searched for syringes and plunged them into their arms. In an instant, a violent wind swept through the area. The Mages had merely activated their magic, yet the shockwave was tremendous.
“Ooooh!”
“Captain Akorella! What is this?”
“See? Am I crazy? Krkh, this is going to be exhilarating.”
Captain Akorella flicked her nose proudly and laughed loudly.
Minute particles of magic flowed through the bloodstream, making the heart feel as though it would burst. The Mages’ eyes simultaneously glowed gold. At that overwhelming sight, Volb staggered backward and froze.
“Oh right, I need one too.”
Captain Akorella injected the amplifier into her own forearm and nodded. Prince Gin was watching them with sparkling eyes. Captain Akorella winked at the boy in greeting.
“I’ll bring Count Ian back safely, Your Highness.”
“…P-please be careful. Very careful.”
“Everyone, send out Jeonseogoo right away! You all have the magic stones, right?”
“Of course! Romand, you guard the mansion well!”
“Th-the way you speak! Bring Ian back alive!”
“Ahahaha! Wow! This is thrilling!”
Whoooosh!
Swish!
The Mages leaped into the air, crying out with exhilaration. The black moon vanished in an instant. As if that commotion had been an illusion, only silence hung over the Magic Ministry’s garden. Except for war, there had never been an instance where all the Mages left their posts simultaneously.
Volb gazed blankly at the sky and muttered.
“What in the world….”
Since Ian took office, the Magic Ministry had become strange.

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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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