Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 347

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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 347
The Emperor’s Bedchamber
Captain Jeirat moved forward with confusion at this unusual summons. Normally, I would head to the Prime Minister’s office, but this time I was being called to stand before the Emperor’s bedchamber itself?
His Majesty had become extremely sensitive to external stimuli and hadn’t been seen since the rebellion. Though I shared the same palace as the Imperial Guards, I had never even approached that wing until now.
Captain Jeirat spotted Jin and the Prime Minister waiting before the Emperor’s quarters and bowed in greeting.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes. Come in.”
“Has something happened to His Majesty? Why have you summoned me to his quarters…?”
Jin gestured to the Prime Minister instead of answering. Now that I thought about it, Xiaoxi, whom I saw daily, was nowhere to be found. The same went for the Prime Minister’s steward and servants.
In the vast corridor before the Emperor’s quarters, only three men stood alone. It felt ominous, or perhaps unsettling—an emotion that could be described either way.
When the Prime Minister opened the doors on both sides, an indescribable smell wafted out. Old wood, disinfectant alcohol, and dust. Whatever it was, it was not a scent one would expect from the dignified Emperor’s quarters of Bariel.
Beneath the softly lit lamps, everything was silent. Jin gestured for me to enter and led the way forward.
Creak.
The Prime Minister looked around before firmly locking the door. Then he spoke that name—the name of my colleague and close friend, the one who had led the role of the Three Great Generals alongside me.
“This is what Beols’ letter meant.”
The day before the Arcen incident, Beols had left me a letter. To stand with the Emperor’s weight. Otherwise, it would become dangerous. This was one of the motivations that had driven me to decide to check the Magic Ministry’s power.
“I… I don’t understand what you’re saying. More importantly, can you speak like this before His Majesty? The doctor said that even the smallest external stimulus causes him severe pain…”
“Father cannot feel pain. He is frozen.”
“…Frozen.”
Frozen? The freezing I knew of?
Jin gestured for me to come closer, and I took careful steps forward. A chill seemed to emanate from within.
When Jin lifted the blanket, the aged Emperor lay exactly as he had been. The wounds from the rebellion, the small scars, even the length of his hair—all unchanged.
“Father felt his life in danger from the attack he received from Prince Marib and feared that Bariel would fall into chaos upon his passing. With Beols’ help, he chose to freeze himself.”
I found myself at a loss for words. In any case, given his condition, there was no difference from what I had always known to be a critical state.
But a body suspended between life and death, unable to communicate, unable to move. Was this truly a fitting end for the Emperor of Bariel?
I deeply regretted anew that my Emperor had been forced to make such a decision. If only I had remained within the palace during the rebellion, if only I had discovered and prevented Riama’s betrayal beforehand. Then His Majesty would not have come to this.
“Your Majesty.”
I pressed my forehead to the floor and murmured sorrowfully. The Imperial Guards exist for the Emperor alone. How could my heart not ache? Jin knelt before me and met my eyes.
“Captain Jeirat. Tell me—what do you think it means that I am showing you Father’s condition?”
“I… I don’t understand.”
“Only I, the Prime Minister, and Count Ian knew of the freezing. Now, with you, only four of us hold this sacred secret.”
I felt as though I had been struck from behind. Count Ian, the Minister of the Magic Ministry, knows of this matter?
“Captain Jeirat, Father’s death is for the stability of Bariel. In other words, once my authority solidifies, Father’s death becomes certain. This means that I and the Emperor are one and the same.”
It was the Emperor’s will left behind, a declaration that I could ascend to that position whenever I wished. I immediately understood
Jin’s meaning. I was to direct the Imperial Guards’ focus not toward the Emperor, but toward Jin himself. My mind grew complicated, and I fell silent for a moment. Then the Prime Minister adjusted the Emperor’s blanket and added,
“I wonder if you’ve heard what Minister Volb said at the grand council.”
“…There have been many rumors.”
“I still believe the Magic Ministry holds too much authority and power. Everyone except the Magic Ministry shares that opinion. But just because our purposes align does not mean our goals are the same.”
Under the restraint of the Magic Ministry, selfish desires were boiling over. Particularly troubling were Volb’s recklessness and the movements of the Imperial Defense Ministry.
“Before trouble arises—before the Magic Ministry returns—we must put the imperial palace in order. The Imperial Defense Ministry especially, as it is the backbone of our forces, requires my particular attention.”
“You intend to dismiss Minister Volb?”
“You should know well enough. Dismissals can only occur at the New Year’s assembly.”
Captain Jeirat found himself doubting whether the Prince before him was truly Jin. There was an unwavering decisiveness—firm, solid, without a shred of hesitation. And those fangs he bared to seize absolute control of the Imperial Palace. Jeirat lowered his head and moistened his lips.
“Assassination, then.”
Placing his own people in key positions. That alone would allow the young Prince to grasp true power.
Jeirat gazed once more at the Emperor, frozen and motionless. There was a vast difference between dying while alive and living while dead. The Emperor was already gone, and if that were so, the Imperial Guards had only one master to serve—the small Prince before his eyes. There was nothing to hesitate about.
“Understood.”
Jin smiled with satisfaction. He had persuaded Jeirat exactly as he wished. If the pillar of the Three Commanders and the center of opposition to the Magic Ministry would heed his orders, everything would proceed far more smoothly.
Jin grasped Jeirat’s hand and pulled him to his feet.
“This is not work for you to do directly.”
“Then who will…?”
Jeirat thought of Xiaoxi. Nimble in movement, capable of holding his own against Berik, a slave-born with those striking, unwavering eyes. Overall, a suitable candidate for assassination.
“When will it be carried out?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“That is urgent.”
“It must be on the night of the new moon—there’s no choice. And I cannot predict when word might come from Cliffford, or what stance Burgos and Ruswena will take. Since the Imperial Defense Ministry has decided to investigate them, we must settle this as quickly as possible.”
Every word was sound, leaving nothing to dispute. Jeirat pondered for a moment before voicing his concern.
“Are you perhaps considering elevating Xiaoxi to Minister of the Imperial Defense Ministry?”
“No. I have someone else in mind. Count Maxim Tweller—capable, but not a military academy graduate, which created promotion difficulties. Yet he maintains his position without issue regardless. His only drawback is his poor relationship with Volb.”
“A disadvantage that looks like an advantage.”
“By my priorities, I have him in mind for the position. Xiaoxi will be promoted to General.”
From the lowest slave to a soldier in the Imperial Defense Ministry, and then to General. It was a meteoric rise, almost legendary in its audacity. Most would surely object.
That is precisely why Jin would send Xiaoxi as the assassin. If he presented Xiaoxi as the one who directly killed those who opposed imperial authority, the one who strengthened imperial power, who could possibly object?
“Xiaoxi, yes. He seems adequate.”
“I would not call it merely adequate, but then again, each person sees things differently.”
Xiao was sharp-minded, with extraordinary aptitude and judgment, and above all, his loyalty was unparalleled. When I grow and sit upon the throne, Xiaoxi too will have a place befitting him.
“Then what should I do?”
Jin smiled as if it were a perfectly appropriate question. That smile—I’ve seen it before, from Ian. Jin placed his hand on Jeirat’s shoulder and gave his command.
“Keep Xiao alive.”
* * *
Captain Jeirat paused for a moment before the entrance to the residence, taking a deep breath.
His subordinates followed behind him. The servants announced the arrival of a new guest, and the thoroughly intoxicated Generals raised their cups in welcome.
“Well, well! Who do we have here? Captain Jeirat of the Imperial Guards, is it not?”
The Imperial Guards and the Imperial Defense Ministry were rivals, but if the Magic Ministry stood between them, that changed everything. The enemy of my enemy is my ally—under this logic, maintaining cordial relations with the Palace was advantageous for now.
Above all, the matter of Idgal was a sensitive issue for the Imperial Guards as well. Working things out amicably was the best course.
“Welcome. What brings you here?”
“What brings me? A good gathering deserves good company—do we need reasons?”
“Ha ha, quite right. Please, come this way.”
“My subordinates will wait outside.”
The Generals gestured for the subordinates to leave, but they did not budge. Standing firm with stern expressions, the Imperial Guards’ response gave the Generals pause. Some, quick to react, stepped back and ordered the servants to retrieve the swords they had left behind.
“Captain Jeirat?”
“I apologize for interrupting your enjoyment.”
“No, no, it’s no interruption at all. Come here and have a drink. Tell your subordinates to step back.”
Jeirat walked slowly through the gathered generals and picked up a wine glass. He took a deliberate sip while surveying the room around him.
“But I must ask—who organized this gathering today?”
What an odd question.
The generals reflexively turned their heads, each looking at someone else. One looked to another, who looked to yet another. Hadn’t they all received word to gather at Minister Volb’s residence?
“I… what…?”
“You contacted me to congratulate Minister Volb.”
“No, I only passed along what I was told.”
“From whom?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and something felt distinctly wrong. Jeirat moved leisurely between them, asking again.
“How many generals here were appointed by Minister Volb?”
Roughly seven. They sensed the atmosphere had shifted ominously. Then someone’s hand flew to their sword hilt as they shouted.
“Captain Jeirat, this goes beyond mere interruption. What is your purpose?”
“We all serve the Emperor, but we cannot ignore our direct chain of command. What will you do if Minister Volb dies?”
“What… what did you say?”
Minister Volb dying? The generals simultaneously looked toward the stairs leading upward. Just as they moved to rush that way—
Zing. Zing!
Boom!
“Ahhhhh!”
The Imperial Guards’ subordinates unleashed their mana in warning, making clear they would not be approached. Though the generals were warriors themselves, these were Mage Knights—the difference in power was stark, and their very existence transcended ordinary soldiers.
At Jeirat’s gesture, his subordinates distributed a single sheet of paper to each general.
“Resignation letters. Sign them or use your blood—do as you wish. When Minister Volb dies, a new minister will take his place. Do you think you’ll work well together?”
“This… this is treason!”
At someone’s cry, Jeirat’s gaze turned cold. Then they all realized who stood behind him. The young Prince. The little one had orchestrated this scheme so cleverly.
Jeirat activated his mana and summoned his Mage Sword.
Zing. Zing.
“I repeat: sign them or use your blood.”
The generals’ pupils darted about frantically. Where were their subordinates and what were they doing? Even if all of them rushed him together, they might not overcome a single Mage Knight—at the very least, they needed to escape alive.
That was when—
“Kyaaahhh!”
A courtesan woman tumbled down the stairs from above, shattering the tense atmosphere in an instant. She fell forward, babbling incoherently.
“Why… why is this happening?”
“Up… upstairs, the master, blood, blood, who…”
“Calm yourself.”
“Someone stabbed the master! A man with gray hair, and, ah, I don’t know! We must go up quickly!”
The generals froze like stone, staring only at Jeirat. Had he truly killed Volb?
But Jeirat merely gestured for them to hurry. One wrong move here and all their lives would be forfeit. One general bit his finger first, drawing blood.
“I… I’ve written here.”
“Xiaoxi!”
“Let me leave.”
“Damn it, are you insane? Right now—!”
“I’m submitting my resignation as well.”
“Everyone, come to your senses!”
Boom! Thud!
A dull sound echoed from above—the commotion of Volb and Xiaoxi grappling. One drunken General drew his dagger and slashed the Courtesan Woman.
Splurt!
“Kyaaaah!”
“Gasp, gasp….”
“Oh no.”
“P-please spare my life. There will be no witnesses.”
The only witness—the woman he had killed himself—begged for his life in exchange for her silence. Captain Jeirat caught the falling woman and clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“No witnesses, you say? Yet everyone here heard the woman’s screams. Come now, let us go upstairs.”
“W-what—”
“Follow me.”
See it with your own eyes, then seal your lips.
Bear witness to the scene, yet remain silent, and compound your guilt in Volb’s death.
Captain Jeirat led the way up the spiral staircase, his Subordinates pushing the General forward. At the top of the winding stairs, he found the door wide open and Xiaoxi sitting there in a daze.
“Xiaoxi.”
The Generals caught sight of Volb’s corpse beyond Captain Jeirat and drew sharp breaths, trembling violently. They realized they could truly die here if things went wrong.
Captain Jeirat turned to face the Generals.
“What do you see, Generals? What do you make of this?”
“That….”
“To my eyes, it appears to be the end of a greedy man.”
“Y-yes, yes. That….”
Volb’s door closed once more. With it, all trace of what had transpired vanished as if nothing had ever happened.
“It seems like nothing of consequence. Let us return downstairs. Curious, isn’t it? On such a fine day as this.”
“…Captain Jeirat.”
“I understand perfectly well what this is about. I will submit my resignation, so please spare my life. I swear on my honor to keep my eyes and ears closed.”
“We have already made arrangements at your residences, so please enjoy yourselves. We shall escort you.”
…Where to?
“To the Imperial Palace.”

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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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