Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 373

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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 373
Fire. Block All Contact
Minister Maxim Tweller seemed to have firmly believed that one day he would reach that position.
Even as his peers were promoted and others retired without enduring, he never doubted that he would eventually obtain what he desired. Otherwise, he could not have purged the opposing faction so swiftly and precisely.
It was a speed that could only emerge if he had already calculated whom to bring down first and who would be suitable for each position. Day after day, new systems and personnel arrangements from the Imperial Defense Ministry were submitted to the administrative branch.
“Your Highness, it seems you’ve grown a bit taller in the meantime.”
At the servant’s words, Prince Gin looked down at his shortened sleeves.
Prince Gin without Ian was truly remarkable. Both physically and mentally, he was achieving what could only be described as explosive growth.
Prince Gin spread his arms wide, and the servant, as if accustomed to this, began remeasuring around his body. Prince Gin nodded toward Xiaoxi, whose reflection appeared in the mirror.
“Is the Imperial Defense Ministry still in that state?”
“Yes. It appears to be nearly concluded, but there is still considerable internal strife. I believe it will be resolved within a few days.”
Volb had died, and his close associates, the officers, had submitted their resignations en masse.
As Minister Tweller proceeded with personnel appointments regardless of origin and status, as he had stated in the hearing, resistance was arising even from those not part of Volb’s faction.
However, that was Minister Tweller’s work to handle. Prince Gin had made no statements regarding the Imperial Defense Ministry since then. This silence was both direct and indirect evidence that he actively supported Tweller.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness. A message has arrived from Cliffford.”
“What?”
Prince Gin was startled and immediately turned his body. The measuring tape wound around him was hastily removed, and he strode quickly to confirm the note placed on the golden tray.
The way it was neatly folded was exactly as it had hung from the messenger bird. This indicated that Prince Gin had received the report before the Prime Minister.
Whoosh.
Prince Gin hurriedly unfolded the note and read the characters. It was Count Ian’s handwriting. Neat, straight, and flowing with strength. In the letters, Prince Gin felt as though he had met Ian, and joy filled his heart.
Everyone held their breath and watched Prince Gin’s expression. What was happening in Cliffford? Could war truly be breaking out in this day and age?
Prince Gin folded the note carefully and placed it in his bosom, then commanded Xiaoxi.
“Summon the Prime Minister, Romandro, and the ministers in emergency session. Oh, and make an exception for Quintana as well.”
“Yes. Understood, Your Highness.”
“Finish dressing. Quickly.”
Xiaoxi, who had been about to leave the room, hesitated and turned back. This would likely be a significant meeting for external purposes. He selected a subdued color from the clothes held by the servants.
“Your Highness. I believe you should wear this today.”
“Good. Do we have the right size?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will prepare it at once.”
Prince Gin, understanding Xiaoxi’s intention, nodded, and the servants moved busily about. Since the ministers were always residing in the imperial palace in preparation for wartime, it would not take long.
As Prince Gin finished changing his upper garment, word came that everyone had gathered in the nearby conference hall. Dozens of servants followed in Prince Gin’s footsteps.
Tap, tap, tap!
Creak!
“Prince Gin enters!”
As Prince Gin entered, all those assembled rose at once and paid their respects. It was the first official meeting convened since Minister Tweller had assumed his ministerial position. Prince Gin, feeling the weight of the moment, gripped the armrest firmly and straightened his gaze.
Knowing of the bloodshed in the Imperial Defense Ministry, most of the ministers avoided making eye contact with him.
“Word has come from Cliffford. The forces of Burgos have destroyed Cliffford’s barrier and crossed the border.”
“Good heavens. What in the world is the King of Burgos thinking?”
“Indeed. My, my! With Bariel watching with both eyes open, how dare they incite such turmoil.”
“Despite being aware of the alliance agreement between Cliffford and Bariel, proceeding nonetheless presents considerable problems. Your Highness, what message did Count Ian convey? And when does he return? If I may speak freely, without our mages, everyone’s workload has become somewhat….”
He had returned, technically. But not without difficulty.
With mages who had been taken for granted now absent, the inconvenience in administrative duties was compounded by rumors spreading beyond the palace walls—that all of Bariel’s mages had vanished.
Though currently dismissed as mere hearsay, if this situation persisted, the citizens’ anxiety would become uncontrollable.
“It doesn’t seem like they’ll return anytime soon.”
“Pardon? Why is that?”
“Burgos has deployed synthetic monsters.”
Synthetic monsters? What were those? The ministers exchanged confused glances, but none seemed to know.
Then Minister Tweller cleared his throat and raised his hand to speak. He was the only one present with actual combat experience against monsters.
“They are creatures created by combining two or more monsters. Cross-breeding is rare, but typically sorcerers stitch together corpses to create them.”
“It’s an established fact that Burgos has many sorcerers. If synthetic monsters are indeed such things, it makes sense.”
The conference chamber stirred with unease.
Burgos was deploying monsters! Such warfare hadn’t occurred in centuries, and humanity had paid a terrible price from the subsequent monster plague.
This suggested Burgos was fully committed—to swallow Cliffford first, then use it as a stepping stone to reach Bariel.
“Therefore, Count Ian remains in Cliffford to counter the synthetic monsters. This isn’t merely a dispute between nations, but an effort to prevent monsters from advancing southward. However, this creates an opening for Ruswena to intervene.”
Gin turned to Minister Tweller and continued.
“He’s requesting reinforcements. Minister of Imperial Defense, what are your thoughts?”
Tweller bowed lightly in acknowledgment of the Prince’s summons. Being recognized as a minister felt so exhilarating. He smiled confidently as he responded.
“If Count Ian has requested reinforcements, we must naturally send them. If possible, I shall go personally.”
“Personally? Is that feasible?”
The Imperial Defense Ministry’s affairs hadn’t been fully concluded yet. Purges, accusations, and resistance continued to create chaos. Yet he would go personally?
“Yes, Your Highness. I shall complete preparations for deployment within three days.”
Yet Tweller projected confidence. This was essentially a guarantee that he could quell the turmoil within three days.
In truth, he had the means. When internal matters were chaotic, redirecting attention outward was the wisest choice, wasn’t it? If he led from the front and returned with great achievements, it would strengthen his position as minister.
And above all, this was a war between Cliffford and Burgos—an excellent opportunity to gain honor without expending great effort. For Tweller, Ian’s request for support couldn’t have been more welcome.
“If Count Tweller is so eager, I shall trust you.”
“I shall certainly live up to Your Highness’s trust.”
“Then I shall entrust this matter entirely to Count Tweller. What number of reinforcements do you think would be appropriate?”
“The details aren’t specified, but I believe five thousand would suffice. We’ll assess the situation on arrival and coordinate with the Magic Ministry to develop tactics. Our priority will be ensuring the safe return of our mages.”
He smiled at the other ministers. They had all been clamoring about when the mages would return, so if they did, the Imperial Defense Ministry would receive credit for it.
Gin approved the deployment with satisfaction, and each minister handed relevant documents to their stewards.
“However, something troubles me.”
“Please speak, Your Highness.”
Gin fingered the edge of the note Ian had sent, studying him. From its contents, Ian’s concern appeared to be Ruswena’s intervention.
With two nations encircling Cliffford front and back, if they attacked simultaneously, military forces would be divided and the situation could become precarious. And worse, it would trigger an irreversible multi-national war.
“Count Ian is facing Burgos in Cliffford, yet he doesn’t seem unconcerned about Ruswena’s movements.”
“Yes, that’s certainly possible.”
“Then is there nothing the palace can do about it?”
Gin pressed the ministers for answers.
But no opinions came forth readily. It was clear they were hesitant, fearing collision with the Imperial Defense Ministry, which currently rode the tide of power.
Jin shifted the direction of his question.
“Count Tweller.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What is the most crucial element in war? More specifically, what can we do to assist Count Ian during the course of this conflict?”
The Boy’s question prompted a moment of silence from him.
The most crucial element, he thought.
“If Ruswena and Burgos have formed an alliance, then severing their lines of communication would be the priority. However, locating Jeonseogoo will not be easy.”
Communication. So Ruswena and Burgos were maintaining contact.
Information sharing would be the primary objective, but from the appointment ceremony onward, they had given the impression of exchanging something they mutually desired. Jin rubbed his temples slowly, then murmured.
“I suspect Ruswena will be supplying materials to Burgos. As far as I know, Burgos suffers from poor soil and lacks sufficient provisions and other resources.”
“That is also an excellent observation. Cutting off supplies is indeed a shortcut to victory.”
“…The black armor of Haimanga. Do you think Ruswena is aware of it?”
As Jin lifted his head as if he had realized something, the Prime Minister answered somewhat taken aback.
“Of course. Lady Haiman is from that region, after all.”
“Bring me a map!”
At Jin’s command, the Servants unrolled a massive map across the table with a flourish. Then he gestured to Tweller.
“If Ruswena does not pass through Cliffford when heading to Burgos, they have no choice but to cross the Deadlands. Count Ian would surely be aware of contact between the two nations and would have informed Cliffford accordingly. What are your thoughts, Count Tweller?”
“Yes. That route appears to be the correct one. Once we join forces with the Mage Division, I will conduct a search there and attempt to sever their supply lines.”
Then I should request additional reinforcements. This was what Tweller thought in that moment.
“…Bariel.”
“Yes?”
“What if Ruswena, concerned about this very thing, avoids the Deadlands? What if they anticipate Count Ian’s suspicion and attempt an alternative route? The only remaining path is Bariel, and there are no barriers beyond where the Border Guards stand, are there?”
Everyone’s expressions suggested disbelief. No matter how bold they were, surely they wouldn’t supply materials to Burgos through Bariel.
But Jin remembered Eriponi precisely. A woman like a teal serpent. Aggressive, audacious, and in her own way, remarkably cunning.
“No. I believe it is possible. Block imports from Ruswena and prevent exports to Burgos. Yes, that must be exactly right. Listen, what would be the extent of damage if we temporarily halt trade with Ruswena?”
“Wait, just a moment. Forgive me, Your Highness.”
At Jin’s sudden question, the relevant departments sprang into urgent action.
“What timeframe should we use for the calculation?”
“Calculate it in weekly increments.”
“Yes, understood.”
Quintana rushed about with documents, calculating the anticipated damages with each ministerial department head.
“We import a considerable amount of grain from Ruswena, so there would be some impact, but fortunately it is not winter, so it should be manageable. Hmm…”
“Burgos is one of our export destinations. We anticipate no major problems.”
“Your Highness. Even so, wouldn’t it be difficult to completely halt trade? It is not even certain.”
At one minister’s words, Jin responded firmly.
“Consider the damage that would result if the scale of war expands due to contact between Burgos and Ruswena. Would temporarily halting trade cause greater harm than that?”
“…Ah, my calculations were wrong, Your Highness. I believe we can have a report organized by tonight. There will be a margin of error, but it should be within acceptable range.”
“Very well. After review, we shall inform Ruswena of the decision made in conjunction with Minister Tweller’s departure.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Jin signaled the Prime Minister with a glance—a signal to strike the gavel.
Bang! Bang!
The moment the ministers learned the conference had ended, they bolted from the room, with servants laden with stacks of documents hurrying after them.
Watching Jin’s elegant silhouette as he observed this scene, Xiaoxi sensed the presence of Ian.

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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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