Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 344

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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 344
A Small War Within the Imperial Palace
“Your Highness, you’ll fall.”
Jin paid no heed to Xiaoxi’s concern and rushed forward. The Boy climbed the conference hall stairs with long strides, passing those who bowed to the side without sparing them a single glance as he pressed straight ahead.
The Servants hastily pulled open the conference room doors on both sides when they saw the Prince approaching.
Creak.
With the sunlight pouring into the conference hall came the gaze of the Officials. The Prime Minister, along with Minister Volb of the Defense Ministry and several other high-ranking officials, were already seated.
The meeting had been hastily convened because a reply had arrived from Clipoford. Romandro also sat at the far end, and the Boy briefly examined his expression and the letter held in the Prime Minister’s hands.
“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”
“You seem to have hurried. Catch your breath.”
Jin appeared unaware that he was breathing heavily. The Boy walked roughly to his seat and asked. It was important to know whether Ian was alive or dead before worry deepened further, before anxiety consumed him.
“What of Count Ian?”
“He is safe, Your Highness.”
The Prime Minister removed his glasses and handed the letter to Jin. A small, crumpled piece of paper. It was Captain Heil’s handwriting—quite rough and crude, with some words illegible. But what was clear was that Ian was alive.
“Ah.”
The Boy pressed his forehead and exhaled in relief. The Officials felt the same way. If something had happened to the Minister of the Magic Ministry and Bariel’s core force, they would have been deeply troubled about how to handle the aftermath.
Romandro cleared his throat and added an explanation.
“However, the report stated that Minister Ian’s injuries are quite severe, and since the Magic Ministry members supporting him have limited magical power, recovery and his return will take time.”
Romandro subtly winked at Jin. The report said one thing, but the signal was that Ian would surely regain his strength and return soon.
While the Officials murmured among themselves, Volb raised an objection with a suspicious tone.
“What is the cause of Count Ian’s injuries?”
“That was not written in the letter.”
“Are you certain of the source?”
“Yes. Captain Heil of the Magic Ministry’s handwriting is confirmed.”
“I don’t understand. That great Count Ian is bedridden so severely he cannot support himself, so much so that even pouring the entire Magic Ministry’s power cannot heal him, yet the cause is unknown? The credibility is questionable. Could Clipoford have orchestrated this?”
“No. I guarantee it. It is Captain Heil’s handwriting, and a mana stone that the Magic Ministry members carried when they rode the Black Moon was enclosed with it.”
“That’s what I’m saying. I suspect Clipoford subdued the Mages and wrote this.”
“That is speculation and a severe leap in logic.”
Volb was someone who hoped for conflict between Clipoford and the Mages. If that happened, the Magic Ministry’s forces would be cut first, and the Defense Ministry’s influence would grow accordingly.
Moreover, if the Empire sent troops to Clipoford to rescue the Mages, a war would occur. If they won and brought glory to the Empire, nothing could block the generals’ path to advancement.
Romandro, well aware of this, countered Volb point by point to stop him. It was admirable that he was trying to find fault, but the reality was that Clipoford was currently nursing Ian.
“I agree with that. The entire number of Mages entered. If there had been any conflict, a report would have come from the border. The lack of mention regarding Count Ian’s injuries is likely due to personal reasons or perhaps an internal matter within the Magic Ministry itself….”
The Prime Minister glared at Romandro with narrowed eyes. Cleverly, by issuing external duty permits to the entire Magic Ministry, there was now no way to hold them accountable when they returned.
Romandro desperately rolled his eyes and avoided the gaze, continuing his report while looking at distant mountains.
“Clipoford likely does not have sufficient resources to help the Mages. Therefore, would it not be wise to dispatch an envoy to assist with mana stone supplies and their return?”
The detailed circumstances could be learned when Ian returned, but for now, there seemed to be no issues that would cause problems with Clipoford.
When the Prime Minister nodded in agreement, several Officials showed their support as well. Volb and the generals of the Defense Ministry, however, looked far from satisfied. In the moment the generals exchanged glances with each other.
Knock knock.
A soldier from the Defense Ministry entered the conference hall. He approached Minister Volb and whispered something to him.
Romandro continued to glance over while discussing the envoy with the Prime Minister. Wasn’t it unsettling that a smile appeared on Minister Volb’s lips?
“Wait.”
As expected, Minister Volb raised his hand to request a pause in the proceedings. The conference hall fell silent in an instant. The Prime Minister tapped his gavel, granting him the floor.
“What is the matter?”
“Intelligence has just arrived. It appears Clipoford is mobilizing their forces.”
“What?”
“Is that truly the case, Minister Volb?”
The officials murmured among themselves in confusion. If Ian was safe and the Mages posed no problems, there was no reason for Clipoford to make military movements, was there?
Minister Volb struck the table with a resounding laugh.
“Look here. Not a single one of those nations bordering us is worth anything. Our Bariel’s Imperial Defense Ministry has already mobilized, so if you simply grant the order to march, we shall depart at once. We should not stake the safety of these precious Mages on mere scraps of paper—we shall go ourselves! We shall see with our own eyes. Earlier, Romandro, what did you say?”
“…What did I say?”
“You spoke of a shortage of mana stones and the condition of the envoys. There is no need to send an envoy—the Imperial Defense Ministry shall handle it. Prime Minister, Your Highness the Prince, I beseech you to grant permission.”
As the atmosphere shifted in an instant, Romandro shot to his feet in opposition. With Ian absent now, he could not place Bariel’s fate in the hands of this power-hungry fool.
“That is unacceptable. Mobilizing the army itself would be an invasion from Clipoford’s perspective, and the prelude to war. Moreover, the messenger Captain Heil sent has only just arrived. How could you possibly know of Clipoford’s military movements so quickly?”
“The one sent from Clipoford took a detour around the border to avoid magical anomalies, whereas this is an urgent dispatch from the Border Guards. And you call yourself the Steward of the Magic Ministry? You overlook such things?”
The generals snickered and averted their gaze. How presumptuous. They had seen it from the moment a non-Mage took the position of Steward to the Magic Ministry.
Just as Romandro was about to counter again, Jin struck the table with a thunderous shout.
Crash!
“Disrespectful language is forbidden in this sacred chamber!”
“…My apologies, Your Highness.”
“Minister Volb, I shall pose a question.”
“Anything at all.”
“Assuming Clipoford’s military action is true, do you believe it is truly meant to threaten Bariel?”
The generals glanced at Minister Volb. In truth, such matters were of little importance to them. What Clipoford intended to threaten was irrelevant. What they desired was to see enemies fall before their swords and to redefine Bariel’s borders anew.
Minister Volb shrugged as if composed, but turned the question back on him instead.
“Then does Your Highness believe Clipoford harbors different intentions?”
“You have a terrible habit of answering questions with questions.”
“….”
It was a sharp and merciless tone that startled everyone present. Even the Prime Minister and Romandro lowered their heads in bewilderment. Jin furrowed his brow and, as if delivering a final warning, flicked his fingers.
“I ask again. Do you judge Clipoford’s military action to be a threat to Bariel?”
“…Yes, Your Highness. I do.”
“How unfortunate. You seem to have forgotten Burgos and Ruswena entirely.”
It was what Jin had first told Romandro.
And it was precisely what Ian had worried about the moment he opened his eyes.
The movements of Burgos.
“Currently, Count Ian and the Magic Ministry are without full strength and relying on Clipoford. This is not mere speculation but something we know from Captain Heil’s dispatch. Everyone knows that at the coronation ceremony, a three-nation alliance centered on Burgos nearly came to pass. Yet only Clipoford broke away from it and turned to a cooperative stance toward Bariel. So I ask again, Minister Volb.”
The Prince forbade disrespectful language in the conference, yet he was publicly cornering Volb.
Within the suffocating tension, only the officials’ eyes darted about rapidly. With Ian absent, Minister Volb, who controlled the military, was the only true power who could wield a sword.
The Prince possessed legitimacy and authority, but everyone in that room had experienced civil strife. If Minister Volb harbored different thoughts, would anyone be able to stop him? Well, perhaps the Imperial Guards.
“If you were the King of Burgos, what would you do?”
“…I would punish Clipoford for rejecting the alliance proposal, and simultaneously suppress the Mages who have left the palace.”
“Precisely. Moreover, with suspicions of Idgal distribution spreading to other nations, they’ll deem this an unparalleled opportunity. Thus, Clipoford has no choice but to consolidate its forces in preparation for Burgos’s assault.”
He was pointing out that their intentions were directed not toward Bariel, but toward Burgos. While this too bordered on speculation, it carried far more credibility than Volb’s argument.
The Prime Minister adjusted his spectacles and mediated.
“Has the Imperial Defense Ministry confirmed the movements of Burgos and Ruswena?”
“No, sir. We have not.”
“We shall discuss deployment only after we’ve assessed their situation as well.”
“Wait. But nothing changes regardless!”
Volb cried out in agitation. It was within reach—he couldn’t allow himself to be blocked here.
“If Clipoford clashes with Burgos, surely Bariel must dispatch reinforcements, yes? Sending military forces is the right course to safely recover the Mages.”
“That’s correct. One way or another, deployment is unavoidable.”
“Please reconsider! Time is of the essence. War waits for no one—a single moment can bring irreversible consequences.”
“No.”
As the generals each added their own remarks, Jin firmly refused.
“Bariel and Clipoford have no formal alliance. Not knowing the justification for Clipoford and Burgos’s war, if we intervene, we risk drawing Ruswena into the conflict.”
“Then what do you propose? That we simply stand by and watch? If Clipoford falls, it spells disaster for Bariel.”
“We wait.”
Jin and Volb rose from their seats, glaring at each other. It was a clash between a large adult and a child, yet neither showed signs of yielding—the tension hung thick. The Prime Minister rapped his staff against the table, pointing out Volb’s rudeness.
Tap! Tap!
“Volb. Be seated. You’re being excessive today.”
“….”
Volb clenched his teeth and sat down. He’d thought they were on the same side, but this was troublesome. Had the Prince forgotten about checking the Magic Ministry when he was so young? Volb cursed inwardly while glaring at the boy.
“Count Ian and the Mages are in Clipoford. Until those present at the scene make their judgment and relay the details, I believe Bariel should remain still.”
“Remain still? Ha!”
“Ah, let me correct myself. We should be monitoring Burgos and Ruswena instead, Minister Volb.”
The Prime Minister stroked his beard and nodded slowly. Several officials also voiced agreement with Jin’s opinion, affirming his words.
“I concur with Your Highness. We cannot predict what pretext Burgos might seize if we act rashly.”
“Indeed. Besides, they’re Mages—what could possibly go wrong? Let us await further word from them.”
“There’s no need for Bariel to rush into the war between Clipoford and Burgos and muddy the waters. I too respect Your Highness’s judgment.”
Volb and the Imperial Defense Ministry generals exchanged hollow laughs and knowing glances. Their expressions made clear they couldn’t accept this outcome. But Jin felt the same way.
‘Minister Volb. Don’t rush. You’re already standing high—move hastily and you’ll slip.’
If Ian struggled outside Bariel, then Jin had no choice but to fight within.
“….”
Xiaoxi, observing all this, caressed the dagger concealed within his sleeve while fixing his gaze on the back of Minister Volb’s neck. If another storm of blood swept through the palace, its source would be right there.

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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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