Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 341

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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 341
The Bloodthirsty Burgos
Colored light streamed through the stained glass windows into the grand conference hall. Despite the warm illumination, the atmosphere was frigid.
The King of Clipoford, his Advisors, and Prince Noah gathered around an enormous circular table, each studying the others’ expressions. The King’s insistence on detaining the Mages clashed sharply with the Advisors’ demands to send them away immediately.
The King sighed, pressing his plump cheeks.
“Gentlemen, do you think Burgos and Ruswena are unaware of the current situation? If I release the Mages and something goes wrong, the burden falls entirely on our people. With the farming season approaching, we can ill afford complications from any direction.”
“Your Majesty, your words carry merit, but keeping the Mages bound to Clipoford invites greater danger. We must send them away promptly and inform Burgos that Clipoford harbors no Mages and our alliance with Bariel remains uncompromised.”
“But Minister Ian has only just awakened, has he not? The messenger hawk we sent due to the magical anomaly will take longer than usual to arrive. Would you recklessly expel the Mages without waiting?”
“It is a humanitarian concern and a breach of protocol between nations. Count Ian should recover fully before we send them away.”
“The very fact that they remain in the palace now is the problem. Why not announce publicly that they’ve relocated while we secretly protect them here?”
“And if miscommunication arises with Bariel?”
“We’re only informing Burgos. What miscommunication with Bariel could possibly occur?”
“By that logic, there would be no need for this debate at all. How would Burgos even know what transpires between Clipoford and Bariel?”
“Enough, all of you!”
Thump! Thump!
The King struck the table with his fist, demanding order.
He acknowledged the opposing faction’s arguments held merit. Yet the King believed that anticipating the worst-case scenario was the surest way to protect his people’s stability. Thus, he had no choice but to formulate answers based on the assumption of conflict.
One Advisor turned toward Prince Noah and asked earnestly. If the Prince could be persuaded, perhaps the King would reconsider.
“Your Highness, what is your opinion?”
The opposing Advisors watched Prince Noah intently, their hands clenched. He sat second to the King’s left, officially ranking third in authority after the Prime Minister and senior Officials. Unofficially, he ranked second only to the King himself.
“We have received no reports regarding Burgos’s movements, making hasty judgment impossible.”
Prince Noah glanced at the responsible Advisor. In intelligence operations, speed and accuracy were paramount, yet Clipoford’s spy sent to Burgos had yielded no response whatsoever.
“Perhaps you should consult with Count Ian, Father.”
“Count Ian?”
“Yes. After all, Bariel also desires an alliance with Clipoford. Furthermore, if Clipoford clashes with Burgos, they will suffer next. Most importantly, the Mages’ own intentions matter most. That way, whether we release them or take other measures, we’ll have something to convey to Bariel.”
“Hmm. That is not without merit. However—”
Even if Clipoford presented Bariel with the Mages’ unauthorized palace intrusion and Ian’s humanitarian care, Bariel would counter with the missing jewel and possession of Idgal.
For an alliance to be forged, countless negotiations must flow through persistent and tenacious mutual interests. It felt deeply uncomfortable to include a Bariel representative in a conference that would determine the nation’s fate at such a time.
The King exhaled heavily and popped dried grapes into his mouth.
‘If we simply clear our mutual debts and forge an alliance, that would suffice. And that damaged vineyard too. Tsk.’
As the King sat lost in thought, eating grapes, the Advisors spoke cautiously.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“You already gave a hint to your Subordinate Heil, did you not? What did he say in response?”
“He said he would convey it to Count Ian. And I did not come to this conference.”
The opposing Advisors exchanged glances. The King showed no sign of backing down, so they intended to contact the Mages directly and send them away. Prince Noah caught on keenly and cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Since Father wishes the Mages to remain longer, let us take measures accordingly, then assess Burgos’s situation and deliberate again. We should instruct the Doctors to extend the treatment period twofold for diagnosis—”
Screech!
Tap tap tap!
An urgent sound cut off Prince Noah’s words. Everyone in the conference hall turned toward the entrance. A Soldier burst in, gasping for breath.
“Your Majesty!”
“What is it? You’ll make me stumble.”
“Burgos—ah, an envoy from Burgos has arrived.”
At his report, everyone jumped to their feet in alarm. Already? So quickly? The palace was still in chaos, yet how did Burgos know?
The King simply finished swallowing what he was eating with a deep sigh, shaking his head at the Advisors as if to say he’d known this would happen.
“See? I told you so. Tsk, tsk!”
“Your Majesty, what should we do?”
“What do you mean what should we do? Turn away the envoy? The new King of Burgos is different from his father. How should I put it… if the previous King was like a serpent in a pit, King Damon is like a small viper. Ah, let me stand.”
“Everyone, prepare! Bring the Burgos Envoy to the reception hall!”
Prince Noah hurriedly gave the order while supporting his father. The Advisors looked between the King and Prince in confusion before rushing out. If things went this way, wouldn’t it be better to inform them that a Mage was stationed in Cliffford as the King commanded? One Advisor who had been running stopped and turned back, calling out.
“What about the Mages? Should we ask them to attend the reception? Or if they refuse the request…”
“The Mages—”
The King patted his son’s shoulder lightly and pushed him forward. Prince Noah stumbled ahead and turned back to look at his father.
“Noah, you go meet with them. Listen to the conversation from the adjoining room, and if you determine it’s necessary to reveal the Mages’ presence, bring them out then.”
“Yes, Father. I understand.”
“And Noah.”
The Prince met his father’s gaze. The King smiled kindly, deepening the creases at the corners of his eyes. Father and son looked so alike that they resembled two foxes—one large, one small—gazing at each other. Unlike the hurried bustle around them, the moment was unhurried and calm.
“Always remember and take pride in the fact that you successfully completed your mission as Bariel’s envoy. Understood?”
“Father.”
“Now go. Get along well with the Mages.”
Noah embraced his father briefly, his heart heavy with regret and frustration.
Honestly, what had he accomplished well? He had failed to establish the three-nation alliance, the royal curse had been exposed, and his greed for Idgal had even gotten him caught by Bariel.
Yet his father the King, instead of reproaching him, gave him another chance.
The three-nation alliance always followed the times, the royal curse was not Noah’s fault but stemmed from his predecessors, and his dealings with Idgal were all executed from patriotic motives.
“I shall see you shortly.”
“Very well.”
Noah bowed with a resolute expression, then rushed toward the Mages’ separate residence. Dozens of Advisors parted to either side and hastened their steps.
The King watched his son’s retreating figure, then slowly walked toward the reception hall. He savored the lingering sweetness on his lips as he spoke.
“Bring warm wine to our distant guests.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Why did they arrive at sunset?”
In Cliffford, where grape farming was the lifeblood, sunset was considered sacred—the time when people finished their day’s labor and returned home.
It was an evening meant for dancing and drinking to forget hardship and prepare for the next day, yet business had to intrude. The King handed dried grapes to the Servant who trotted beside him.
“Don’t be nervous. Moisten your mouth.”
“Th-thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. All will be well. By God’s will.”
Dong—
Ah— oah—
From afar came the sound of bells and what seemed like farmers humming, though it was quickly drowned out by the palace’s commotion.
* * *
Crash! Bang!
The door burst open!
“Ugh, you startled me! What is this!”
“Wow, Prince Noah. Hello there?”
“You scared me half to death. Doesn’t Ian tell you not to run like that in the palace?”
The Mages were nowhere to be seen in the secondary palace. Noah, breathing heavily, threw open Ian’s bedroom door and found the Mages sprawled across the floor in a tangled heap.
Why were they all in such a state? Those who had been raging wildly were now collapsed as if unconscious. The bed sat empty.
“…Why is everyone like this?”
“Why? They exhausted themselves channeling power to Ian. Sigh.”
“Where is Count Ian?”
“Ian? Maybe he went to the bathroom?”
“No. I saw him leave earlier with Heil and Akorelra. It seemed they had urgent matters to discuss.”
“That’s right. Prince Noah, is your brother the Prince doing well?”
“Everyone, get up now!”
“Why, why are you saying that? We’re not feeling well…”
Those who were conscious managed to prop themselves up on their elbows, but that was all they could manage. They had no strength left and promptly collapsed backward again. How could they prove they were Mages before the Burgos Envoy like this?
“Okay, okay, I’m up! Ta-da!”
Berik sprang to his feet and flexed his muscles.
Noah watched him with annoyance, then immediately turned away and ordered his Subordinates to search for Ian.
“He should be nearby. Find him.”
“Yes, Prince Noah.”
“Why are you looking for Ian? I’m the expert at finding Ian! Want me to look? Huh?”
“Be quiet! Do you understand how urgent this is—!”
“It’s this way, this way. I can smell him.”
Whether Noah was frustrated or not, Berik simply sniffed the air and walked past him. Noah stared at his retreating figure in disbelief, grinding his teeth and placing his hand on his sword hilt.
“If you waste my time, I won’t let it slide.”
“Heh. Is that a challenge? I’d love that.”
“You bastard!”
“This way, this way!”
Though unfamiliar with the secondary palace’s layout, Berik moved forward with confident strides.
Noah followed, keeping his hand on his sword hilt and eyeing the back of Berik’s head. After turning a couple of corners, Berik suddenly jumped up and waved his hand.
“Iaaaan!”
“Berik. You’re awake?”
“Ah, I don’t know. The Prince suddenly went bang on the door! Wake up, Mages! That’s how everyone woke up.”
“It’s about time to eat anyway. You were supposed to wake up soon.”
“Ah. Is that so? Then that’s that. Let’s eat!”
As Berik stretched and shouted, Ian turned his head toward Noah. With a slight nod as a brief greeting, he smiled. It seemed as though Ian already knew why Prince Noah had come to find him.
“It appears we have a visitor at the main gate.”
“Count Ian. Move with us.”
Time was pressing, but Ian showed no sign of moving. Heil and Akorelra, who stood firmly beside him, were the same. Berik, sensing something was amiss, quietly moved to Ian’s side.
“Your Majesty possesses remarkable foresight. Even I did not anticipate Burgos would move so swiftly.”
“Does Bariel not desire an alliance with Cliffford?”
“He does. And he also wishes for Cliffford to not fall behind Burgos. However…”
I sent Noah a puzzled glance.
“Are you perhaps considering admitting the Burgos Envoy into the palace?”
“What?”
So he meant to entertain a foreign envoy and then send him away? Absurd! As Noah failed to grasp my meaning and asked again, I offered a sorrowful smile.
“Burgos is desperately seeking justification—they are no different from common assailants. If you admit them into the palace, matters will become far more complicated.”
“What exactly are you—”
Patter patter!
At that moment, Soldiers came rushing down the corridor from which Noah had arrived. All of them looked pale as they called out frantically for the Prince.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
“A crisis has occurred!”
“What is this commotion!”
I had run about far more frantically than that earlier, yet here I was. As Berik twisted his mouth in amusement, I signaled him to exercise restraint. From this moment forward, we would be treading upon a needle’s edge, walking on thin ice.
“One of the Burgos Envoys collapsed immediately after drinking the welcoming beverage!”

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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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