Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 439

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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 439
Fire. When Whales Fight, the Shrimp’s Back Gets Broken
“It’s been a while, Prince. And you as well, Mei Envoy.”
I poured black tea with my own hands and gestured for the two of them to sit. They had spent a few days at the palace for Prince Jin’s inauguration ceremony, but this was their first time venturing this deep into the Ministry of Magic.
The coral-colored building and golden ornamental patterns displayed far more grandeur and lofty prestige than expected. Separately, the unsettled atmosphere also left quite an impression.
“I’m surprised. The imperial palace looks somewhat different from what I imagined.”
“I find it unfamiliar as well. I suspect everyone within the palace feels the same way. However, thanks to this, I can personally greet the Prince and serve him tea like this—wouldn’t you say this has its own charm?”
“Can you really see it that way? The mages outside that window seem to think differently.”
Prince Noah sipped the black tea I had given him and turned to look out the window. In the garden behind the Ministry of Magic, clearly visible, several mages stood rigid like trees. It was a form of protest—wooden signs in their hands bore a sketch that appeared to be me.
“Since major external matters have passed, and they’re guarding the imperial palace during their vacation time, I can only welcome it.”
The war had ended, public opinion praised the mages, and no one within the palace condemned the Ministry of Magic. This was only possible because Prince Jin had taken his rightful place.
There was no need for checks and balances, so within the palace, the mages’ transgression seemed to be treated as merely a minor incident. They themselves lacked resolve, and even during their strike, they were managing their duties adequately. A peculiar phenomenon was occurring where no one harbored complaints.
“Last time they said they had no interest in a salary increase, so next year they’ll likely proceed without negotiation. The administrative branch complained about the taxes required per mage, but this is a good outcome.”
“Hmm.”
Prince Noah murmured while holding the tea, seemingly unable to comprehend it. An absolute majority was united in calling for a strike, yet Ian seemed largely unaffected.
If anything, merely “inconvenienced”?
“Berik. Take what’s in the right box to the administrative branch.”
“Again? What’s with all this paper going back and forth?”
“When you go, they’ll send a reply, so bring it back immediately.”
“Ugh. How many times am I walking the same path this morning? At this rate, I’ll memorize the entire palace layout!”
“You should have memorized it by now if you’ve been walking it that much.”
“What else should I do? Since I’m going out anyway, might as well handle everything!”
“Well, replace the blankets with new ones and fill the inkwell too.”
Strictly speaking, it was Berik who found things inconvenient, attending to every detail of my affairs.
Mei glanced around and asked. She understood well enough how the mages were hindering—though not directly—my work, but where was Romandro?
Understanding the meaning of her gesture, I smiled slightly.
“Romandro had a daughter a few days ago. I gave him an extended vacation, so he won’t be coming to the palace for some time.”
“Is that so? Please convey my congratulations. Separately, Count Ian, your workload must have increased considerably.”
“Yes. Through this, I’ve come to realize anew just how many people have been working hard for my duties. Since the mages have even won over the servants, it’s come to this.”
I laughed playfully and set down my teacup. Then, with a click, I pulled out my pocket watch to check the time.
Prince Noah’s arrival must have already been reported to Jin. If I delayed too long, complaints would arise. About how I received the guest before the Crown Prince. What pretext wouldn’t they seize to remind me of impropriety?
“Since you must pay your respects to the Crown Prince, I’ll speak to the main point quickly. As you can see, the imperial palace remains sound and operates within its normal course—save for the minor disturbance in the Ministry of Magic.”
“I heard Count Ian also experienced some disturbance.”
“That’s also true. The details are difficult to discuss, but I was planning to step down as Minister and go to Cliffford to focus on investigating and repairing the rifts.”
Mei’s fingers clenched within her sleeves. Had any words ever given both hope and despair simultaneously? Not just any other mage—Ian himself would directly support Cliffford on the front lines. And he would do so after stepping down as Bariel’s Minister.
For Cliffford’s position, this was like heaven-sent opportunity. If Ian could be bound to Cliffford, even limitedly, they could fill the decades-long gap when mages were absent in a single breath.
“That expression, ‘was planning to focus on repairs,’ suggests something has now become problematic. Count Ian.”
“Yes. Unfortunately, aside from Berik, no one seems particularly pleased about me going to Cliffford. Romandro expressed his respect for my opinion, but I haven’t actually met with him yet. His wife has just given birth—how could he leave her side, even if the world split in two?”
Clink.
Noah and Mei exchanged glances. The moment when ‘perhaps’ becomes ‘as expected.’ If they couldn’t support Ian now, Cliffford would suffer an enormous loss.
“Would you consider maintaining your ministerial position while investigating the fissures?”
“Mei Envoy, I appreciate your counsel, but it’s impossible. The Minister of Magic is a key position that forms the foundation of Bariel. Since we don’t know how long this investigation will take, I cannot burden myself with such personal ambition.”
Personal ambition? Prince Noah wanted to add that it was anything but small, and far more than mere ambition.
But doing so would be a tactical mistake. In a position where he needed to bring Ian down to Clipoford, Prince Noah had to carefully weigh every word he spoke.
This was truly a matter of national importance—a massive crossroads in history with far greater ramifications than the war against Burgos.
“…Then, Count Ian, you have the will to proceed with the fissure investigation?”
“I do.”
“…Why?”
Noah asked quietly.
It made no sense by ordinary standards. Wasn’t it a blessed life—to remain in the comfortable cradle of Bariel and enjoy peace and contentment until death?
Even if it affected his own nation, there was no need to go this far. Not from the perspective of Bariel’s minister.
So the ‘why’ mattered. Before it was Noah’s purpose to understand the reason, it was pure curiosity. What was it that so powerfully drew Ian and held him so tightly? Even if there was disagreement with the imperial palace, knowing this alone would solve everything.
“I would call it a sense of responsibility.”
“Those who should bear responsibility are those with Burgos citizenship. Even if we conscript all of Burgos’s mages, Gaia’s allied forces won’t strongly object. Bariel, and you, Count Ian, have already done more than your share. How can you speak of responsibility? Count Ian, forgive me, but I’m not Berik.”
It was the kind of remark that would have sent Berik into a frenzy if he’d heard it, but he was outside moving boxes. Yet sensing something amiss, he soon poked his face through the doorway and scanned the office.
“Ian? Did you call me?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“That’s strange. My ears are tingling. You don’t have anything else for me, right? I’m really going to the administrative division now? If you send me back and forth again, I’m running away.”
“Even if you do, eat some meat before you go. It’ll be mealtime soon.”
“Is it that late already? Okay, okay. I’ll be right back.”
Thud!
Berik closed the office door with his foot while carrying the box on one shoulder. As he disappeared without any fuss, Noah cleared his throat awkwardly and apologized.
“Did I speak out of turn?”
“Not at all. The person in question seems to be in good spirits, so it’s fine.”
“In any case, Count Ian, I wish you would be honest with me. Why are you setting everything aside to do this? You’re someone who wouldn’t act if the Crown Prince opposed it. It seems you must be harboring something important. If I knew that, wouldn’t I be able to offer you even greater support?”
Ian smiled with his eyes slightly downcast. That last remark was truly fox-like. Wasn’t Noah the one who would be most welcoming and delighted if Ian went to Clipoford, yet he was acting as though he were helping him? Moreover, he was subtly coaxing him into being on the same boat.
But there was something to be cautious about upon closer inspection. Anything important enough for Ian to set aside national affairs could become his weakness.
‘Given the nature of the Clipoford royal family, it seems unlikely.’
But there are no exceptions.
Ian shook his head and let his words trail off.
“It truly is a sense of responsibility. And for my identity as a mage. The fissure is a world of mystery by its very existence, so I believe it will be a gateway through which I can glimpse something of magic, monsters, and the will of the divine.”
Even as they sat facing each other in conversation, Noah could feel Ian slipping away. Like a cunning fox. Judging by how the imperial palace was stirring, it seemed he might learn the truth if he just pried open a crack.
‘Isn’t that right?’
‘Yes, that’s correct.’
Noah and Mei exchanged signals with their eyes once more. With voices opposing his resignation being so loud, Ian would need to provide a reason convincing enough for the entire imperial palace, not just the two of them.
It would be good to observe carefully. Yes, yes. As Noah thought this to himself, Ian spoke up.
“How much progress has been made in containing the fissures in Clipoford? I’m quite concerned, as there are no mages in your country. Soon I will order the mages I left behind to return.”
“With the mages and many others helping, I am truly grateful. But separately, the damage from the fissures isn’t being contained. Like a broken vessel that leaves cracks even when mended, dead earth does not come back to life.”
“Your concerns must be great. I wish I could go and help, but I worry it might only be a burden given Clipoford’s current situation. If I resign from my ministerial position, the Magic Ministry will appoint a new minister who will present new measures for containing the fissures. I’m uncertain whether the forces of the previous and current ministers will work together effectively in the field.”
Ian subtly tested Noah. For self-deprecation grounded in fact was more powerful than ever. He was simply confirming how much force a simple question—’shouldn’t you go?’—could wield.
The outcome was predictable—I could tell just from Noah’s expression as he fell silent.
“No. The more mages, the better. That’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“Quite so? Then, Prince Noah, if you would assist me as you’ve said, that would suffice.”
I knew he was a fox, so this was a small warning not to employ fox-like rhetoric. All for the sake of seizing control.
“Prince Jin will surely order Cliffford to deny my entry. You could say it’s practically a command. Or perhaps he intends to delegate the jurisdiction of that territory to Bariel for a certain period, attempting to bring the authority over the crevasse investigation under Bariel’s control.”
“To prevent your resignation?”
“Among various benefits, that is merely one of them.”
“…Cliffford is troublesome. We’ve grown too weary of the winds blowing through the imperial palace.”
“Thus, I sought this audience first. In any manner, Cliffford has no choice but to relinquish that authority. The King is coming, is he not? The King has entered into a contract magic with the Magic Ministry.”
Noah irritably scratched the tip of his ear. His curse manifestation had advanced considerably due to anguish and stress, yet he remained unaware of it. There were still no symptoms. Only I noticed Noah’s habitual gesture.
“And one more thing—the royal family owes a debt to me as well, do they not? Apart from Bariel?”
The moment Noah heard my words, he tilted his head back over the sofa and sighed. This Bariel. Why does he shake everything loose the moment he enters the imperial palace?
“What, again, what? What what? So what are you trying to say?”
As Noah cried out in frustration, the door burst open.
Creak! Bang!
“Since the guest wouldn’t come, I’ve come myself.”
“Prince Jin.”
“It’s been a while, Prince Noah.”
Jin arrived leading Xiaoxi and his servants. He crossed his arms tightly and glared around the office with narrowed eyes.

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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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