Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 433

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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 433
Fire. The Velvet Spider
“If there is another reason, what might it be?”
Ian’s voice was remarkably soft and composed. The officials, seemingly flustered, exchanged glances while studying his expression.
The Minister of Magic they all knew would never have reacted this way. He would have cut down the negative rumors with a voice sharp as frost, but now he was not only showing an opening—he was actively inviting them in with wide-open arms.
Was this a new strategy? Finding no edge to sharpen, the officials grew flustered instead, merely shuffling through documents. When no answer came, Ian himself brought it up.
“Are you referring to the absurd rumor that I have connections to the Imperial Family?”
“Count Ian!”
Prince Jin cried out as if begging me to close my mouth. A signal to step back, that there was no need to go further—but
the officials interpreted Jin’s outcry differently. To speak of Imperial bloodlines in such an official setting, and before the Crown Prince no less. Was this not an insult, a sacrilege, an affront itself?
“How sacrilegious! To speak such rumors before the Prince!”
“Yes, Count Ian. Please refrain from such words.”
“This is not a matter to be spoken of carelessly, is it?”
“Is it not? It seems everyone is curious about it. And more importantly, sweeping something under the rug does not make it disappear, does it? It is only natural to address it directly. That is the loyalty I can show to Prince Jin.”
As Ian placed a hand over his chest in salute, the Crown Prince’s eyes reddened. His reaction was tinged with both disappointment and anger.
Only the Prime Minister, standing nearby, noticed this change. Before Prince Jin could become emotional, he brought down his staff to refresh the atmosphere of the council chamber.
Clang! Bang bang!
“Everyone, exercise restraint. Count Ian, if you insist on coming forward thus, we have no reason to remain silent either. The former central nobleman Haiman and King Damon of Burgos both mentioned your bloodline. Can this be seen as coincidence? Explain in as much detail as you can—why did such words come from their mouths?”
“There is actually nothing to explain. The origin of my body is clear. When Hielo was Bratz, I showed a definite paternal response in the homogeneity potion with Count Derga, and I am undeniably similar to my mother, Philia.”
“Then would it be acceptable to call Philia as a witness? If your birth is certain, it seems the clue to the problem might lie in Philia’s birth.”
“Oh, I must refuse that.”
Ian raised his eyebrows and shook his head firmly. The council chamber immediately stirred. They sensed something suspicious in Ian’s reluctance to actively explain his connection to the Imperial Family.
“Why?”
“Because this is not a matter that can be asked and forgotten. My mother is currently carrying my younger brother. Any form of interrogation would clearly place strain on her body.”
“Count Ian.”
What is the meaning of this? The Prime Minister removed his glasses and called to Ian softly. Why are you scratching to create a wound?
Rather than actively insisting that it was all false testimony and baseless rumors, you are showing everyone a refusal to call witnesses while subtly not denying anything.
“Actually, there is something else I wish to discuss.”
“Something else? What could be more important than this?”
“It concerns Idgal.”
“Ian! No! You can’t! Why are you doing this?! Ahhhhh! Someone please cover our Minister’s mouth—I mean, his lips!”
“Captain Akorella! I warned that causing a disturbance would result in expulsion. Leave the council chamber at once.”
Clang! Bang bang!
The moment Ian mentioned Idgal, Akorella shrieked as if seized by a fit. The Prime Minister frowned deeply and ordered her expulsion, and the soldiers guarding the door immediately helped her up and dragged her out.
Even as she was pulled away stiffly, Akorella paid no mind and continued screaming. Since she was being expelled anyway, she might as well say everything before leaving.
“Ian, please, let’s handle this amicably? Yes? Let’s make this easy! We just came up from Cliffford! Bring Romandro! Ian, please!”
Squeak! Boom!
As the door closed, her commotion cut off abruptly. The mages, fearing they too might be expelled like Akorella, deliberately kept their mouths shut and only stared at Ian.
“Is Idgal not a substance in the mana-sealing stone category manufactured and distributed by the Rutherford Company? Why does this matter?”
The Prime Minister cleared his throat and checked whether relevant information had been submitted in reports.
“It appears I was involved in the creation of Idgal.”
“…!”
“…!”
The officials, and even the Prime Minister himself, found their jaws falling open involuntarily.
Jin’s expression became vacant, as though the world itself were crumbling around him, while the mages clutched at their chests as if their hearts had plummeted from their bodies, frozen in place. The scribes recording the proceedings were no different.
“To be honest, I have no memory of it. It seems to have occurred when I was far too young. I cannot claim certainty, but I do possess circumstantial and material evidence. I believe there is undoubtedly an influence from ‘Bastard Ian’ in Idgal’s very existence. That is my judgment.”
“Wait, wait! Have you forgotten you’re the Minister of Magic?”
“Yes. Which is precisely why I cannot conceal it. It would be a disservice to the mages who follow me, and more importantly, I have a duty to make amends. I must emphasize repeatedly—this was a past that ran counter to my will. If possible, I wish to confront it properly, and though late, I wish to attempt it now.”
The Prime Minister held his staff suspended in the air, attempting to organize his spinning thoughts. Ian had unleashed two bombshells in succession. Could this truly be without meaning?
“…Very well, I request a recess, Your Highness.”
“Granted.”
“We shall resume after thirty minutes of rest.”
Boom!
The Prime Minister struck his staff and immediately rose, departing the conference chamber. The officials under his authority scrambled to their feet and followed, and the chamber emptied in moments. Even those with no connection to the Prime Minister could not remain in the chamber with Ian under such circumstances.
And above all, there was Jin, seated motionless in his chair, his gaze fixed upon Ian with a chilling intensity. The atmosphere was so murderous that lingering carelessly would certainly invite disaster.
“Prime Minister, what, what is this sudden calamity?”
“The Minister of Magic created a substance that suppresses mages? Shouldn’t he be stripped of his position?”
“He said he has no memory of it. It occurred long ago, before his appointment—indeed, before he even entered the palace… There may be a way to manage this.”
“You believe his claim of lost memory? Moreover, Count Ian has now officially admitted it, so any means of managing this has gone to the dogs. He’s choosing direct confrontation—do you understand what that means?”
“Heavens. How is this place more chaotic than a battlefield?”
“He mentioned the Imperial bloodline first, and failed to deny it outright—that was the bait. This is maddening!”
It was a kind of balance.
As Minister of Magic, Ian’s position would certainly be shaken considerably, but so long as suspicion of Imperial bloodline remained, it would simultaneously grant him new power.
Was not a former Minister of Magic bearing the title of genius mage far more suited to lead Bariel than a thirteen-year-old prince of no standing?
Like Marib and Gail, this was a branching point where power would fragment. Several officials wracked their minds to gauge Ian’s true intentions and the truth of the matter.
“Given Count Ian’s nature, he would never have broached such a sensitive matter without intent.”
“Does he truly claim Imperial bloodline? If so, then his mother, Philia, must be involved?”
“I thought we’d have peace once the Imperial Defense Ministry was settled, but this… A storm is about to sweep through the Magic Ministry.”
“This is no trivial matter. Mages hold considerable trust within the empire. Moreover, they were the driving force behind our victory in this war, so their connections with Cliffford and influence over foreign powers must be substantial.”
“So what are we supposed to do about it?”
One official cut through the discussion irritably. Just the conclusion, that’s all. The conclusion. So what are we to do now? How should we treat Count Ian when we return?
“Neutrality. Prince Jin’s reaction is crucial. From what we’ve heard before, he follows and cherishes Count Ian like an older brother, though there has been some neglect recently. How Prince Jin responds in this situation is what matters.”
“Of course he’ll have to oppose him. The Crown Prince’s position looks precarious now. No reaction? That would be retreating before the fight even begins, losing the support of the officials. Either way, Prince Jin must—”
He was about to say there was no choice but to cut Ian down, when the mages suddenly poured out through the doorway, and a tremendous crash echoed from within the great conference chamber.
Boom!
Had something fallen? Or shattered? Everyone froze in alarm, staring at the tightly sealed conference chamber.
The corridor fell silent in an instant. The Prime Minister pressed his hand to his forehead and checked the time. It seemed he had made the recess period far too long.
* * *
“Count Ian! You’re lying, aren’t you? You couldn’t have created Idgal—at least make your lies convincing!”
“How, how did you create it? You don’t remember at all?”
“You, you bastard, are you under Captain Akorella?”
“No. Honestly, doesn’t it strike you as odd? A mage creating a mana-sealing stone is like a woodcutter staging a protest to enact forest protection laws, isn’t it?”
“Count Ian. Your current remarks and actions—I honestly cannot discern your true intentions. If you possess even a shred of concern for us, please, I beg you to stop and first—”
“All of you, leave.”
I turned slightly and spoke thus. Prince Jin stood before me, his gaze unwavering and direct.
The boy’s breathing grew ragged, his eyes reddening, while the mages sensed the unusual tension and quietly retreated.
“Count Ian. We need to talk. Just the two of us. You understand, don’t you?”
“I… I’ll step outside for some air. Ahem.”
Screech! Crash!
Only I, Prince Jin, and Xiaoxi remained in the grand hall. The Prince could not contain himself and shot to his feet, his chair scraping backward with a loud bang as it toppled over.
“Ian! This is too much, even for you!”
“Please calm yourself, Your Highness.”
“Calm myself? Did you just tell me to calm myself? How could you? How could you do this? I made my request perfectly clear! It would not have been enough to actively deny the suspicions, yet what is this ambiguous attitude of yours? And what of your confession regarding Idgal? Are you mocking me? Or are you conspiring with those who whisper in the shadows, coveting this very position?!”
As the boy cried out in anguish, I exhaled softly and rose slowly to my feet. Then I approached Prince Jin and knelt naturally before him.
“How could you speak such words, Your Highness? I am wounded by them.”
“I am the one who should feel wounded! Do I not appear as Crown Prince in your eyes? Is that why you continue to create factions of opposition? What is a pillar? What is this vaunted pillar that you keep—”
Tears streamed down the Prince’s face. He wiped them hastily with the back of his hand, yet the traces remained vivid.
“Why do you keep distancing yourself from me like this…?”
“Your Highness. I genuinely regard you as the master of Bariel.”
“…That is a lie.”
“It is the truth. Though Your Highness has admirably pacified the Imperial Defense Ministry, you must continue to solidify that power until you reach adulthood. I will soon depart to investigate the Cliffford Rift.”
According to the records, it took Bandor ten years from entering the rift until the earth sealed itself.
Ten years is no short span within the imperial palace. Rather, it is an extraordinarily long period—time enough for my absence to be filled by another.
“You wish to send me toward Cliffford. An exile disguised as an investigative expedition.”
“I humbly accept, Your Highness. The vile rumors connecting me to the Imperial bloodline have already spread far and wide. Soon they will reach the common people, and when that happens, I cannot honestly predict what public opinion will become. Please, do not hesitate. Accept things as they are.”
Like lancing a festering wound before it worsens, by having Prince Jin suppress me preemptively when suspicions arise about me, he would secure his position.
Thus, the Prince could seize complete dominion over the Imperial Family, and by the authority of having purged the Minister of Magic, he would stand more firmly upon the throne of Crown Prince.
“…There exists a creature called the velvet spider. It dwells in deserts, a spider that offers itself as sustenance to its own offspring. Knowing its body is already forfeit, it willingly surrenders its flesh to nourish its young. Who could dare point a finger at the mother spider and call it foolish?”
“Count Ian.”
“Use me thus. Step upon me and climb to greater heights, gaze toward more distant horizons.”
“Why must you enter the rift? What lies there that compels you? Is there no other way? Is it guilt born of Idgal? Such trivial matters are of no consequence—”
“The Abyss appears to be there.”
The Abyss—that place called the hell of mages.
I grasped the Prince’s hand carefully and smiled.
“There is one I must meet in the Abyss. I have no choice but to surrender everything and turn my gaze toward that place, Your Highness.”

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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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