Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 381

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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 381
Fire. Ian’s Letter
-Your Highness, I hope this finds you in good health. I submit this report as Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Ministry.
I have just conferred with Minister Maxim Tweller of the Imperial Defense Ministry and exchanged views. The Minister has blocked certain supply routes connecting Ruswena to Burgos, and is currently tracking others by sending shadows to discover their supply depots. The composure he displays, clearly earned from traversing countless battlefields over the years, has given me and even Clipoford confidence in the Minister’s resolve. I believe it would ease Your Highness’s mind to entrust all matters regarding supply routes entirely to Minister Tweller and rest assured.
Your Highness, as you well know, blocking supply routes provides Ruswena with justification. There is a possibility of fractures forming beneath Clipoford’s surface, so I cannot recklessly deploy the Mages’ power. Therefore, I wish to prepare for a decisive strike, and I would be grateful if you could send the maximum available forces that can be spared from the Imperial Palace. The Burgos Legion that has entered Clipoford currently remains encamped without movement. A fierce clash seems imminent, so I urgently request you dispatch additional legions. I will buy as much time as possible, so I humbly ask that you continue to send our proud soldiers without end. This is a matter that I, Minister Tweller, and the Clipoford royal family all desire with one heart. I sincerely hope everything proceeds smoothly at the Imperial Palace.
…Your Highness, I wish to ask again if you are well. It seems many things have transpired at the Imperial Palace during my absence. I worry that even the smallest cold wind might have wounded you. Yet listening to Minister Tweller’s words, it seems my concern may be needless. However, one thing I can say with certainty is that the Imperial Defense Ministry finally seems to be finding its proper place. I earnestly hope that through your efforts, Your Highness will take root deep in Minister Tweller’s heart.
Your Highness, Berik sends his regards. Upon hearing that Xiaoxi received a title, he has been rolling about in jealousy alone. I cannot tell if this is mere jealousy or something else. Berik has always been a difficult man to understand. I am also curious how Romandro fares.
Your Highness, I shall see you in Bariel. By then, it seems I may be worthy of your gaze from above. When you look down upon me, I hope to fill the empty time by gazing up at you. Then, dedicating the endless glory of Bariel to Prince Gin Your Highness, I shall end this letter.
-Submitted by Minister Ian Hielo.
Xiaoxi checked the clock. Had thirty minutes passed?
Gin read Ian’s letter again and again, engraving each character upon his heart as if savoring them. Until now, only simple reports about the war had arrived, so this was the first time such personal regards had been written. Gin did not dare touch the paper for fear it might wear, instead gazing down at the letter in proper posture.
“Xiao.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Count Ian is now saying I may look down upon him.”
Though I did not understand what it meant, it was certainly good news for Gin. The dimples in the boy’s cheeks had deepened in a rare smile.
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
“I thought there was still a long way to go, but it seems I have retreated quite far. It seems I have.”
The proper distance necessary to uphold Bariel. Was not everything Ian did—leaving me, restraining me, and openly drawing out attacks—all for that reason?
When I ascended as Prince, Ian told me not to look down. But now he says I may, which means Ian believes I have climbed quite high.
“Shall I prepare a reply?”
“Yes, do that. Also convene a council. The letter states that Minister Tweller hopes for this request, so there should be no major issues, but observing proper procedure will benefit everyone. I will provide additional forces. This time not toward the Deadlands, but toward the Clipoford royal palace. The journey will be shorter, yes?”
“Yes. The Deadlands route requires passing through Clipoford territory as well, but that palace is not far from Bariel’s border. It will arrive at the opportune moment Ian desires, if we simply make haste.”
“Good. Gather the officials while I write the reply.”
Xiaoxi bowed and left. Alone, Gin continued reading Ian’s letter without even thinking to retrieve pen and paper.
When Ian returns to the Imperial Palace, I need not grow distant anymore. I have made the Imperial Defense Ministry, the Imperial Guards, and even the Administrative Ministry into my forces, so my very existence will be sufficient to adequately check the Magic Ministry.
I can return to life as it was before. Even if I visit the Magic Ministry without any ulterior motive, no one will worry, and no one will attack the Magic Ministry out of concern for imbalance.
As before, once again as before….
Whoosh.
Gin grasped the pen with reverent heart and began writing the opening. Yet something displeased him, and he crumpled several sheets of paper. The boy took a deep breath and organized his thoughts.
‘If Count Ian safely protects Clipoford and returns, benefits from that alliance will follow. This is an achievement that cannot be overlooked. Upon his return, I shall promote his title, and bestow appropriate rewards upon those who fought on the front lines with him. If Berik desires it, I may grant him an appropriate title as well. However, since there is a need to make him aware of the responsibilities that come with rank, I shall entrust that to Count Ian….’
The moment Gin smiled and brought pen to paper.
Knock knock.
The sudden sound startled him, and the pen nib cracked, causing ink to spread messily across the page. He had thought this time he could write well. Gin frowned and told the servant to enter.
“What is the matter?”
“Your Highness, the diplomat from Ruswena says he wishes to return to his homeland.”
He had come to protest the trade suspension, but now he suddenly wishes to leave?
The Imperial Palace had never intended to give him an answer anyway, and since his arrival he had been confined to the guest palace. Now that he suddenly wishes to leave, it is highly suspicious.
Yet if I forcibly stop him here, I would be handing Ruswena an invaluable pretext. Already with the supply route attacks, tensions run high—I could blame Burgos then, but this is purely a matter between Bariel and Ruswena alone.
“When?”
“As soon as his belongings are packed. And our diplomatic ministry has also contacted us, but it seems this matter has become somewhat larger.”
“You’re referring to Barial Diplomat from Ruswena, our diplomatic corps?”
“Yes. He reports that military movements are unusual. There’s a possibility that the King of Eriponi himself may take the field, and we wondered if this matter should be discussed in conference?”
If the King of Eriponi took the field himself, then I could do the same. I stared at the ink-stained letter for a moment before rising from my seat.
“Very well. Let us depart at once. Have all the officials assembled?”
“They are on constant standby at the Imperial Palace, so it would be appropriate to depart now. Xiaoxi instructed me to escort you.”
Damon and the King of Eriponi. I could be certain that this was not merely a simple war over Clipoford, but that there lay some unspoken purpose beneath it all.
Even if their king took to the battlefield, Bariel was an empire—a matter of different standing. I could not, and had no reason to, take the field myself. I was still but a child. Therefore, Tweller and Ian would have no choice but to face both nations in my stead as the Prince.
Tap, tap, tap!
Creak.
“Your Highness. Have you heard the news?”
“Every day brings word of the world turning upside down, so I cannot say which matter you speak of, but yes, I have heard.”
I took my seat at the head of the conference table as I replied.
Xiaoxi keenly noticed the shift in the child’s mood. Just moments ago, he had seemed pleased upon receiving Ian’s letter, yet now he appeared so downcast. Xiaoxi failed to perceive that the boy, while acknowledging his own youth, lamented that he could not take to the front lines as other kings could.
“The diplomats from Ruswena and Burgos are said to be departing. They are packing their belongings as we speak—how should we handle this?”
“If they wish to return to their homeland, how can we stop them? Should we detain them by force here, it would only tarnish Bariel’s reputation in Gaia.”
“Yet in these times, it seems strange to send back those who have entered the Imperial Palace itself. Should we not find some means to keep them here?”
“Not to lay hands upon diplomats is an unspoken accord. Your Highness, I believe we should allow that matter to proceed as it will, while we focus on assisting Minister Ian and Minister Tweller.”
The officials each voiced their opinions freely, heating the atmosphere of the conference. But the moment I gestured for silence, the room fell dead quiet.
“I too believe it unwise to lay hands upon the diplomats without proper justification. Should any of you wish to prevent their departure, each of you must devise ‘appropriate’ reasons and submit reports to me. I shall review them for validity before issuing orders. And regarding the letters to Count Ian and Count Tweller—I wish to provide additional military support—”
As I gestured with my eyes, the Vice-Minister of Imperial Defense bowed and met my gaze.
“Given Clipoford’s circumstances, a prolonged battle seems impossible. Dispatch all currently available soldiers in sequence so we may resolve this with a single decisive strike.”
“Yes. Understood, Your Highness.”
“And Jairot.”
“Yes. What are your orders?”
“It would be good to select from among the Imperial Guard commanders to dispatch as well. You are now one of the Three Great Commanders, are you not? Whether you go yourself or grant the newer commanders an opportunity to gain experience—I shall leave this decision to you.”
“Yes. I shall obey your command.”
Jairot would not leave the Imperial Palace. He would likely send one of the two remaining commanders instead. And since the Imperial Guard existed solely for the safety of the Emperor—myself—at most five or six would be dispatched.
But they were warriors strong enough to match entire legions.
“And we have received information that the kings of Burgos and Ruswena are taking the field themselves. Can we verify whether this intelligence is accurate?”
I set the report down lightly and looked toward the officials, hoping that someone would provide a satisfying answer.
* * *
Tap, tap, tap!
Whinny!
Soldiers of Ruswena bearing yellow seals pulled hard on their reins as they charged toward Clipoford’s barrier.
Ruswena’s soldiers, already arrayed in black armor, began to come into view. They waved their flags in signal, and the approaching soldiers slowed their horses’ pace and joined their ranks.
“Are there any problems?”
“None thus far, but—”
“But?”
“Since yesterday, the Clipoford soldiers atop the barrier have been nowhere to be seen. I thought it might only happen at night, yet even now, not a single trace of them appears.”
“What?”
The border gate stood firmly sealed. Normally, soldiers would be stationed atop it, maintaining vigilance, yet it lay empty as if abandoned. They furrowed their brows, surveying their surroundings and muttering amongst themselves.
“In a few days, Prince Eriponi will come himself.”
“What? His Highness?”
“Yes. So it’s best to clear the way in advance. When the sun reaches its zenith, destroy the barrier and advance inward. Lead with those clad in black armor.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
The soldier hurried back to camp and reported the situation. Soon, those in black armor moved about busily. With a deep horn blast—buuuu—a warning cry echoed forth.
“Hear us, Clipoford! We have come bearing news that Ruswena’s military convoy was ambushed. We request entry for investigative purposes. Should you refuse, we shall employ force as well, and all tragedies that befall your lands henceforth shall be your own doing!”
Yet no response came. It felt like shouting into an empty void.
The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances and hurled hooks at the barrier, then began climbing the wall using ladders and other means.
Thud!
“Ah…”
“What is all this?”
“That’s what I’m saying. No matter how I look at it, something’s off.”
And the sight that greeted them: scattered across the empty field were inexplicable wooden branches jutting from the ground, bound with colorful cloth that fluttered in the wind.
And between them, a path lay open for passage.
“Hey, you! Step forward and go down that path.”
“M-me?”
It was obviously a suspicious path, yet they were ordering him to walk it. Damn it. The soldier cautiously stepped forward, and the moment he advanced.
Boom! Boom!
“Ahhhhh!”
Something nearby exploded, shaking the earth. The soldiers climbed back atop the barrier, staring at the cloths and path before them, muttering once more.
“Damn it.”
When Prince Eriponi arrived, they would likely be ordered to pass through first, but this looked unmistakably like a mage’s trap.
They exchanged blank stares with one another, then slowly descended the wall they had climbed.

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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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