Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 348

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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 348
Fire. The Benchmark
Dawn. The sky was sharp and pale, like the faces of the officials.
Inside the carriage that rattled as it rushed forward, the officials adjusted their clothes and smoothed their hair while reading through the urgent dispatch again.
What kind of sudden calamity was this in the middle of the night? Volb, the Minister of Imperial Defense, was dead, and the generals were resigning en masse? I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. With tensions with foreign nations at their peak, if the Imperial Defense Ministry became incapacitated after the Magic Ministry, what were we to do?
As they approached the Imperial Palace, familiar carriages began to appear. The main gate was wide open on both sides, as if welcoming their entry.
Clatter, clatter!
Whinnying!
They couldn’t wait for the coachman to open the door. Most of them opened it themselves the moment the carriage stopped, and those who made eye contact approached each other to discuss the urgent dispatch.
“I wondered if I was dreaming the entire carriage ride here.”
“Is it true that Minister Volb is dead? Any other word?”
“No. I’ve heard nothing. This is the first I’m learning of it. Since the message came from the palace, the Imperial Palace must know the details. Let’s hurry inside.”
“Your shirt appears to be on inside out.”
“…Who would care about that now?”
“True enough. I’ll pretend not to notice.”
“What’s more puzzling than the Minister’s death is the mass resignation of the generals. What on earth happened internally?”
“I’ve been thinking—could it be that the Imperial Guards made a move? You know, there were some awkward issues regarding Idgal. If they acted, things would become quite complicated.”
“Surely not. Captain Jairat isn’t the type to do such a thing. He must know how dangerous the absence of the Imperial Defense Ministry would be to Bariel at this moment. And above all, if the Imperial Guards were to act like that….”
If they acted like that, who could possibly stop them?
The very thought sent chills down their spines. The officials shook their heads, dismissing the worst-case scenario, and soon entered the great conference hall. Most of those who had been notified were already seated and murmuring among themselves.
“The Prince enters!”
Then came the announcement from outside. Everyone fell silent and rose to their feet, watching as the Boy entered. And they understood.
From the Boy’s unhurried gait and composed gaze, from his bearing that showed not a trace of shock like theirs, they realized that everything had begun with him.
“The Prime Minister and Captain Jairat accompany him.”
“…Good heavens.”
The Prime Minister and Jairat followed behind the Boy. They split to either side and flanked the Prince, their subtle demeanor making a statement to the officials. They were fully committed to following the Prince’s commands.
“Be seated.”
“Your Highness, is it true that Minister Volb p-passed away last night?”
Someone spoke up the moment they sat down.
Jin furrowed his brow while offering a sorrowful smile, an expression that was truly enigmatic. Outwardly regretful, yet the inner joy was palpable.
“…You are hasty.”
“F-forgive me, Your Highness.”
“No. It is a grave matter, so such urgency is understandable. To answer directly—yes. Minister Volb was found dead in his residence the night before.”
The Prince publicly confirmed Volb’s death.
“W-what was the cause?”
“Well. An investigation is underway, but given that he was intoxicated, it will likely be difficult to determine a clear cause. I am curious, though. Just at the last conference, he was brimming with vigor. Such is the impermanence of life—truly lamentable.”
It was best not to press further for now. The officials instinctively sensed this and held their tongues. A few of the more astute ones redirected the meeting’s focus.
“While the Minister’s sudden death is regrettable, surely the security of the Empire is of greater importance now? Perhaps we should investigate the cause gradually and first fill the vacant position to prevent chaos.”
“Agreed. And the generals have resigned en masse, it seems….”
Were they truly resignations? The thought flashed briefly, but everyone already knew the answer. Forced resignations related to the Minister’s sudden death.
The Prince, the Captain of the Imperial Guards, and the Prime Minister—these three now held complete control over the Ministry of Imperial Defense.
The Prime Minister was one thing, but I couldn’t understand why Captain Jairat had sided with the Prince and brought chaos to the palace. He was a man who served the Emperor, after all.
As the murmuring refused to settle, Jin raised his hand lightly. It was a signal for everyone to compose themselves. He still had much to say.
“It seems most of the current generals were successors under Minister Volb, so they’ve judged themselves unable to work with a new minister. I intend to respect their decision.”
It was common for organizations to be restructured when their leadership changed.
But what if Volb’s sudden death had truly been mere coincidence?
The Prince wouldn’t have been able to conduct the meeting with such stability as he was now. The remaining generals would have caused a split, each vying for the minister’s position.
Whichever way one looked at it, having them resign en masse was the proper course of action. Even if it caused some confusion, wasn’t that better than division?
“And while we’re at it, I intend to reform the military’s bad practices and corrupt systems. I will delegate extensive investigative authority over this matter to the Imperial Guards.”
It was a declaration that he would overturn everything.
Volb’s core faction had already been forced to resign, but officers below the generals remained. He intended to carefully select which ones were legitimate and build a new Ministry of Imperial Defense, so no one should complain.
Moreover, by granting that authority to the Imperial Guards, it seemed the balance that had wavered due to Idgal would tip once more in their favor.
“Furthermore, by the appointment authority of the Prince of the Bariel Empire, I shall appoint Count Maxim Tweller as Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Defense. Officials, prepare for the confirmation hearing.”
“Count Maxim Tweller, you say?”
Why would his name come up here?
He had no interest in politics, and being a non-military academy graduate, he was far removed from advancement. While his poor relationship with Volb was one thing, it was surprising that he had some connection with the young Prince.
“Is there a problem?”
“Ah, no, Your Highness. Count Maxim Tweller is certainly an excellent soldier. However, there has been no precedent of a non-military academy graduate becoming minister until now….”
“Do arrows on the battlefield somehow know to avoid military academy graduates?”
“Pardon?”
“On the battlefield, I mean. Do arrows have eyes and ears such that they know to avoid military academy graduates? Count Maxim Tweller rose to officer rank as a non-military academy graduate, and he spent half his life there. The other half he spent on the battlefield. If there is someone more suitable to recommend for the position of Minister of Imperial Defense, I shall hear it myself.”
If anyone has a worthy candidate to recommend, speak freely.
In a situation where the current Minister of Imperial Defense had died with his cause of death unknown, who could possibly do so? Everyone’s words caught in their throats, and only silence hung in the air.
“….”
They wondered if the small child before them was truly the Jin they had known all this time. The way he swiftly and decisively seized control of the Ministry of Imperial Defense without causing great upheaval in the palace was remarkably clean. Whatever else might be said, his handling of affairs was something he had learned very well from Count Ian. Perhaps this was why education of children was so important?
The officials realized what foolish thoughts they were having and quietly slapped their own cheeks. Jin looked at the source of the sound with an amused smile.
“Did I summon you too early in the morning?”
“No, no, Your Highness. That is, I also support the appointment of Count Maxim Tweller. The confirmation hearing should proceed without difficulty. But there is one problem—he is not a military academy graduate.”
After officer came general, and finally minister. When a minister came from among military academy graduate officers or generals, naturally all those below were fellow soldiers and direct junior subordinates, and this allowed for smooth organizational operations.
But if Maxim Tweller, a non-military academy officer graduate, became minister, all the generals under him would be filled with uncertainty. It was natural to worry whether chaos might arise.
“That is a problem for Minister Maxim Tweller to solve. Managing subordinates and operating the organization is his duty. First, let us fill the vacant minister position. We will proceed at dawn, so officials should prepare based on the previous confirmation hearing materials related to Minister Volb’s matter.”
Volb had assumed office arbitrarily during the rebellion, so the confirmation hearing was merely formal. In other words, it was an order to prepare without any obstacles for Tweller’s appointment.
The officials signaled the stewards with their eyes, and the sound of people rushing down the corridor was heard from various directions.
“Oh, I almost forgot. We shall also hold the title conferment ceremony simply.”
“A title conferment ceremony? Count Tweller already holds the rank of baron. There is no precedent for promotion upon taking office. Promotion is typically granted upon retirement after establishing merit—”
“I never said it was Count Maxim Tweller’s title conferment ceremony.”
“Pardon? Then whose….”
The officials only then realized the existence of Xiaoxi. The one who followed Jin like a shadow every day. Sometimes they had been startled by the inability to sense his presence.
Xiaoxi stood by the door as always, but today the atmosphere he gave off was special. A feeling impossible to describe. The officials gasped inwardly.
‘Ah.’
Iza played a decisive role in Volb’s death.
“Now I understand why you chose Count Tweller.”
“When His Highness comes of age, Count Tweller will also reach retirement. It will be time for him to lead the nation in earnest, and you wish to prevent a vacancy among his closest advisors.”
“To grant a title to a freedman of slave origin means to elevate him beyond the rank of officer, does it not?”
I’m paving the way for Maxim Tweller in advance. Precedents are difficult to establish, but once created, no one remembers what came before.
If there exists a case of someone from outside the military academy receiving a special promotion from officer rank, then one day a minister of slave origin could emerge. What Xiaoxi needs is simply time to gain experience.
“Your Highness, when you speak of a title….”
“I mean a barony.”
At least that was reasonable. In personnel restructuring, it was natural to distribute authority and power to one’s own people. The officials exhaled in relief, but then an extraordinary addendum followed.
“And should a position open among the generals appointed by Count Tweller, I shall appoint Xiaoxi to that post with special consideration.”
“Your Highness, that cannot be!”
“A general, you say? Not even an officer appointment, but….”
“There will be fierce opposition. It is absolutely impossible!”
“His birth is humble, even setting aside the military academy!”
“Ah, so those of humble birth cannot hold high office?”
As Jin murmured as if he hadn’t realized this, the officials faltered. A precedent came to mind simultaneously—none other than Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic.
They all opened their mouths to protest, but dared not speak lest they inadvertently insult Ian publicly.
“That is not what we meant….”
“I state again. When Count Maxim Tweller selects talent and a position becomes vacant, I shall appoint Xiaoxi as general.”
In other words, they should not bring their grievances about Xiaoxi’s personnel matters to him, but rather go to Count Tweller to plead or argue.
Everyone in the room could sense that the deal was already done. The distribution of opposition and criticism was so seamless that the officials summoned in the dead of night found it difficult to respond.
“Well, dawn will break soon. If you wish to spend the afternoon at your residences, you should move quickly. Let us adjourn, and reconvene shortly.”
As Jin signaled to the Prime Minister, he struck his gavel to declare the meeting concluded.
No one rose easily, instead huddling together to murmur about the matter at hand. Jin left the great conference hall first, and Xiaoxi, as always, followed in his footsteps.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
Then, suddenly hearing my name called, I stopped.
The Boy turned with bright, alert eyes, showing no sign of fatigue. There was so much to do. Confirmation hearings awaited, as well as the title-granting ceremony, investigations of generals and officers, and countermeasures against the three nations.
Xiaoxi slowly knelt before the Boy and conveyed his concern.
“Your Highness. That you grant me a title is truly an honor. As the officials said, one as lowborn as I should be grateful merely to stand here in the imperial palace beside you. Yet I worry this matter might become a burden to you….”
“Sia.”
The Boy smiled broadly and shook his head firmly. This was for Xiaoxi’s sake, but ultimately it was for himself and for Bariel.
“I know that harming people for someone’s sake is no easy matter. You deserve this much in return. And—”
And the reason I must push to make Xiaoxi a general.
“To know how far I can reach, I must stretch my hand as far as possible. Sia. If I can elevate you to general, it means I possess that much power here in the imperial palace right now.”
I needed to test how far my influence could extend, and if it proved impossible, that would be my limit—the next challenge to overcome.
Jin gently embraced Xiaoxi, who had returned alive, and murmured softly.
“There must be nothing I cannot accomplish in Bariel. Sia. You are my measure.”

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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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