Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 432

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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 432
Fire. The Investigation Team
“So should we put up the flowers or not?”
“I don’t think we should. The atmosphere feels off.”
“But how long has it been since Count Ian and the Mages arrived? Why has everyone’s attitude flipped like a pancake?”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to decorate with flowers? There’s such a thing as proper courtesy.”
The Servants preparing the banquet stopped their work and exchanged awkward glances. They could feel the air that had been heated by the war hero’s return growing cold. The night following the tournament was supposed to be filled with laughter and merriment as everyone celebrated Bariel’s victory together.
They glanced around at the half-placed flower arrangements and shrugged their shoulders.
“Those who fuss over courtesy usually end up in trouble first. And it’s not just anything—it’s a matter of imperial bloodline. How could anyone close their eyes and ears to that? For Prince Gin, this is no trivial matter.”
“I know, but didn’t the Prince visit the Magic Ministry earlier? Wasn’t he letting us know there was no problem?”
“You only heard half of it. He came out furious, angry from head to toe. And did you hear? About Idgal? You know, that synthetic substance used in the rebellion back then. Turns out it was actually connected to Count Ian!”
“What do you mean by that?”
“What do I mean? I mean the Magic Ministry is falling apart.”
The Servants chattered away endlessly, repeatedly attaching and removing the flower decorations. Soon, they sensed movement from outside. Officials were beginning to arrive at the conference hall one by one.
They peeked their heads through the doorway, trying to gauge the overall atmosphere. Indeed, there was a problem—the Magic Ministry was giving off a completely different energy than when they first arrived.
“Gasp. It’s Count Ian.”
Unlike the Officials who entered with dark expressions, Ian appeared relatively composed. Perhaps it was because of his pale skin and golden hair? The dozens of Mages following behind him all seemed to be observing their surroundings with complicated emotions.
Akorelra moistened her lips and whispered to Ian.
“Lord Ian. Are you truly certain about facing this alone?”
“How am I alone when you are all here?”
“Well, that’s true, but it would be more fitting for Lord Romandro to assist you. There will be many questions coming your way, and since we weren’t at the Magic Ministry, we’re not in the same position as you, Lord Ian.”
There were certainly aspects only Romandro, who had handled the Magic Ministry’s administration, could help with. But Ian simply turned his body lightly and looked back at the Mages.
“Everyone, worry about nothing. Focus only on what is certain. We are war heroes, those who brought victory to Bariel. Everyone will have no choice but to show you goodwill.”
As Ian spoke, the Mages’ eyes narrowed. Wasn’t it Ian they should be worried about, not themselves? He was at the center of all these incidents. Noticing their sharp gazes, Ian smiled faintly and walked ahead once more.
The conference hall, half-filled. As the Magic Ministry entered, all eyes focused and silence fell over the room.
Swiftly.
Ian walked directly to his designated seat and sat down deliberately, and the Mages immediately split to either side, standing behind him. After a brief silence, a somewhat chaotic commotion ensued.
“Count Ian. I heard something happened to King Damon.”
“Yes. He is currently undergoing treatment, so I’m afraid he won’t be able to testify at this gathering. Has an envoy arrived from Burgos?”
“Not yet. It seems there are some internal issues on their end as well.”
“There will likely be discord among the Nobles. King Damon paid quite a price to unite them.”
“Then shall we proceed? Would it work if we change the order like this?”
“That is acceptable to me.”
“Then we shall proceed this way. Count Ian.”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
The Prime Minister adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat loudly. Though they had only exchanged business-like words, the back of his neck felt quite hot. He whispered quietly to Ian.
“The Prince seems to be in a troubled mood. What happened at the Magic Ministry?”
“…It is likely my inadequacy that has caused concern for His Highness. Nothing particularly unusual occurred.”
“Count Ian. And regarding the rumors—I cannot avoid mentioning them. If you have a preferred direction, please tell me. I will do my best to handle it within the bounds of not contradicting His Highness’s wishes.”
At the Prime Minister’s words, Ian’s eyebrows twitched with surprise. This was the man who had taken the lead in monitoring the Magic Ministry from the imperial palace, assisting the Prince.
It seemed that once the Imperial Defense Ministry stabilized and its Minister Tweller became one of Jin’s men, the Prime Minister had begun to relax his vigilance.
“There’s nothing remarkable about it. He simply believes the timing is premature to question the truth. How could the imperial palace cast a shadow over the joy that has seized the citizens of Bariel?”
“I was unaware that you were considering public opinion and approval ratings, Prime Minister.”
“He judged the timing to be unfavorable.”
Though Bariel had suffered no great losses, someone had still died. A victory achieved atop death could not be fully savored, and its meaning would fade if that were forgotten.
“Prince Gin has arrived!”
Screeeech!
Boom!
At that moment, the announcement of Jin’s arrival echoed through the grand conference hall. The Prime Minister alternated his gaze between me and the space behind me before finally returning to his seat and organizing his documents.
Jin entered with a stern expression, his robes billowing behind him. Everyone in the grand conference hall rose from their seats and saluted him.
Thud.
“Please be seated, all of you. Prime Minister, proceed with the conference.”
“Yes, Your Highness. First, we have the matter of naming the war between Cliffford and Burgos. While these two nations have experienced many wars in the past, this was a great war involving Bariel, Ruswena, and even the northern minority peoples. It would be proper to establish an appropriate name and record it in history.”
In Cliffford’s history, it would be recorded as Cliffford’s War, but in Bariel it would be recorded as Bariel’s War. Thus, the Prime Minister and the officials exchanged opinions, seeking first to establish the name of the war.
“Hmm. On this matter, we cannot overlook the opinion of the Magic Ministry, which played a prominent role on the front lines of the war. Count Ian, do you have any thoughts?”
“I do not. Though the war has ended, the cracks that have opened mean its aftermath has not yet concluded. It would be better to prioritize the interpretations of future generations.”
“The cracks—how severely have they opened? Is there no sign they will close soon?”
At an official’s words, the mages simultaneously shook their heads. Did he think a wounded land would simply knit itself back together so easily? Their expressions were all bewildered.
“When the Magic Ministry and I last confirmed the situation, the activity response corresponded to Stage Three. Please refer to the attached materials for the stages of the cracks. The Magic Ministry defines Stage Three as the emergence of formless magical beasts—Dust.”
Rustle, rustle.
As I spoke, the sound of documents being passed filled the hall simultaneously. Since this was a concept established centuries ago, no one could be certain whether it remained valid in the present.
Jin furrowed his brow and pressed his lips firmly shut. He wanted to object to this, but if he did, everything would flow according to my intentions. I would surely argue that an investigation of the cracks was necessary for re-establishment, and I and Bariel’s mages would head to Cliffford once more.
‘Count Ian. You’ve made a mistake.’
Jin glared at me with that thought. Had he not known, it would be one thing, but he understood perfectly well what I was thinking. He was not one to yield so easily.
Someone raised their hand and asked.
“According to the records, this was established centuries ago. Is it still valid?”
Who dares?
Jin deepened his frown and objected in my stead.
“I have heard that in the history of magic, centuries are but a fleeting moment. Unlike other forms of knowledge, magic grows closer to truth the deeper its years run. Are you unaware of this?”
“I, I apologize.”
Just as I was about to speak, Jin cut off my words and answered instead.
Was Prince Jin protecting Count Ian? The atmosphere certainly suggested it. Everyone simply rolled their eyes and kept their mouths firmly shut. They had believed there would be problems based on the rumors, but it seemed there were none.
“No, Your Highness.”
I fell silent for a moment, then carefully objected. The boy’s clear voice, filled with anger, was truly pleasant to hear. In a way, he was raising his voice so loudly for my sake.
“The question is valid. While the Magic Ministry’s standards have been passed down for centuries, there is no record of who established them. For a more certain response, it is true that the Magic Ministry itself requires an investigation.”
“Count Ian!”
“Your Highness. Have I spoken out of turn?”
When Jin shouted in anger, I responded calmly. This was the grand conference hall, and we were exchanging matters before the officials who were watching.
I was telling him to maintain propriety, and Jin bit his lip hard. The mages observing from behind stirred and whispered at my statement.
“An investigation by the Magic Ministry itself? We must return to Cliffford again?”
“How exactly do you plan to investigate the fissure?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure I can find a way.”
“Inma, get your head on straight. We just got back to Bariel. If they tell us to go to Cliffford again, can we even go?”
“Shh! Shhhh! Everyone, quiet!”
“Captain Akorella!”
I let the whispers behind me go in one ear and out the other as I spoke.
“However, investigating the fissure inevitably carries considerable danger. In Bariel, each and every mage is a precious and valuable asset, so I cannot proceed based solely on my own unilateral judgment. I believe other departments will understand this as well. How could I force my subordinates into such peril?”
“What… what are you trying to say, Count Ian?”
“I will recruit volunteers. We will assemble an investigation team from those willing to participate in the fissure survey.”
“Will anyone actually go? I certainly wouldn’t.”
“If recruitment fails, then I will go myself.”
Silence fell once more.
The officials’ eyes widened as if they might burst from their sockets, and Jin wrapped his forehead in his hands again. The mages did the same, freezing mid-whisper and staring fixedly at the back of my head.
“Ah…”
“Why would you go there, Ian? Are you insane?”
“Akorella, restrain yourself.”
“No, when has a Minister ever gone personally? Really. If the Magic Department is left empty, who’s supposed to handle the work?”
“Captain Akorella! Compose yourself!”
Bang! Bang bang!
The Prime Minister struck his staff down in warning, but he could not control the agitated Akorella. The mages held her limbs as they stared at me with expressions of bewilderment.
“The investigation must be conducted, and if there are no volunteers, then I must go. Isn’t that a superior’s responsibility?”
“That’s… that’s not it!”
“What do you mean ‘not’? Akorella. If you raise your voice disrespectfully one more time, I will have you removed.”
“I, I—!”
Akorella ground her teeth, acutely feeling the absence of Romandro. There was no more effective way to offer frank counsel to Ian than through Romandro’s voice.
I continued, examining the documents once more.
“This is not yet final. There are mages in Ruswena and the North as well, so I intend to make proposals to them too. I will decide in a way that minimizes losses to Bariel’s mages, so please do not worry too much.”
Wouldn’t my absence be the greatest loss? The mages felt their throats tighten as they exchanged bewildered glances with one another.
“Count Ian. Your effort to fulfill your duty as a supervisor is truly exemplary, but I cannot shake the feeling that this is somewhat reckless. Is there perhaps another reason?”
At that moment, one of the officials raised a question, interpreting it as a sort of action to contain the strange rumors that had occupied the imperial palace.
I raised my eyebrows as if it were a very apt observation.

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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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