Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 447

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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 447
Fire. The Invisible Leash
Heated exchanges filled the air, while the Prime Minister’s mediation urged restraint. Each delegation spoke in their native tongue rather than Bariel’s common language, their whispers creating a low murmur, while officials shuffled through documents in frantic haste.
Whose harsh words carried such discontent and fury? The Burgos delegation at the center of the controversy endured the chaos with remarkable composure.
A soft rustle.
Then, I raised my hand with an elegant gesture, my sleeve draping gracefully. It was a subtle movement, yet something about it commanded attention. The room fell silent in an instant, and I waited patiently for every eye to turn toward me.
The Prime Minister adjusted his spectacles and brought down his gavel, granting me the floor.
“Minister Ian Hielo of the Department of Magic. You may speak.”
“I’ve just received new information.”
“Information? What kind?”
Just as Timothy had recognized Bania, she seemed to recognize him as well.
The delegation standing behind her showed the same recognition. Among them were those who had worked closely with Timothy, others who had driven blades into his back, and still others who had stood idle while his family was buried in the earth.
Eriponi made a subtle gesture with her fingers, signaling her subordinates to remain silent.
“Envoy Representative Bania, are you perhaps a descendant of the Burgos royal family?”
“Count Ian, what are you saying?”
“Is Envoy Representative Bania blood-related to King Damon?”
Officials who had no knowledge of Timothy’s father-in-law gasped as though they had heard something unspeakable.
And it was I who had said it. By mentioning “descendant” rather than “royal blood,” wasn’t I implying lineage from the previous king and queen? The officials, who had prided themselves on their experience, appeared visibly flustered by this sudden revelation.
Bania concealed her fingertips within her sleeves and lifted her chin.
“I don’t believe that’s a matter for discussion at this moment.”
She spoke with confidence, yet before me, she was helpless. I shook my head, disagreeing.
“If you share blood with King Damon, then you have the qualifications to challenge the throne. You could become the King of Burgos. For such a person to arrive under the false identity and title of envoy representative before even ascending—and to attempt to determine Burgos’s fate—Bariel cannot overlook this. How can we negotiate with someone we cannot trust? It would be cleaner to proceed without the Burgos delegation altogether.”
My voice rang out clearly through the conference hall, each word precise and forceful.
Bania tilted her head slightly, gauging the expressions of Damon and the delegation members seated quietly. She hoped they would give her some signal, but they all kept their eyes fixed on me.
“Your Highness.”
But my gaze was directed at Prince Gin. I placed my hand over my heart and made my request.
“I believe it is proper to verify the qualifications of Burgos’s envoy representative before proceeding with negotiations. Please permit the use of truth serum.”
Our eyes met in an instant. And between us, Timothy inserted himself. As the three of us who knew the secret of his father-in-law, we exchanged meaning without need for special signals.
Gin touched the end of his chin, near where his scar ended, and furrowed his brow. Lately, I had given him much cause for disappointment, but seeing me work like this, he couldn’t bring himself to harbor resentment freely—and that vexed him.
Gin nodded and commanded Bania.
“Bania. As the Crown Prince of the Great Empire of Bariel, I order you: if you wish to negotiate, confess your truth under truth serum. Otherwise, the Burgos delegation must leave this place at once, and my soldiers will personally escort you out.”
It was a warning—if she refused, negotiations would be abandoned and military sanctions would follow.
As words capable of shaking history poured from the young prince’s lips, both Cliffford and Ruswena held their breath in concentration.
Burgos, however, appeared surprisingly composed. Bania raised both hands in submission.
“As Bariel wishes.”
“Count Ian, prepare the truth serum.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Akorelra!”
“Yes? Ah, yes, yes! Just a moment! I’ll bring it right away! Three minutes, or five at most!”
Akorelra bolted from the chamber, and the conference hall erupted into uncontrollable chaos.
The unexpected appearance of Burgos’s heir. Yet why did Damon appear so unperturbed? It was astonishing, bewildering, and suspicious. And there was the opportunity to witness with their own eyes the legendary truth serum of the Department of Magic.
The tension in the room did not ease until Akorelra swept her hair back and entered. The Prime Minister, too, had not managed to grasp the situation.
Screech!
Crash!
“Here it is!”
Akorelra placed the entire vial of truth serum in the center of the massive table. The liquid gleamed with an ethereal brilliance. That small thing, which fit entirely in the palm of one’s hand, would reveal everything down to the deepest depths of hidden secrets.
Ian gestured to Bania as if encouraging her to drink.
“The taste is not particularly pleasant, so please consume it all at once.”
“Just one thing, please confirm one thing for me.”
“What is it?”
“That what comes from my mouth is not fabricated, but pure truth.”
At Bania’s words, Ian hesitated. He had detected a very subtle thorn in her statement. By any reasonable measure, Bania’s words were quite unnatural.
She would be compelled to spill the truth as if vomiting, against her own will—so why would Bariel’s side agree so readily without knowing what questions would be asked?
If any important and disadvantageous secrets were to be revealed, it would need to be dismissed as a scheme and machination of the Magic Ministry.
‘But then, she’s blocking her own escape route?’
Something about this felt unnatural. It was not something she could do from her position. Why on earth?
The moment Ian hesitated, it was Akorelra who struck first.
“Of course! The truth serum is one of my life’s greatest works! I swear before Prince Gin here and my superior, Ian Hielo, that there is no manipulation whatsoever—I guarantee this on a mage’s honor.”
Akorelra placed her hand over her chest and bowed to both Gin and Ian.
Gin dimly sensed that Ian was uncomfortable about something, but just then Bania reached for the truth serum, forcing his gaze in that direction.
“Please only ask about my existence. That is why I am drinking this. Your Highness.”
“…Very well.”
Bania unhesitatingly uncorked the vial and drank the truth serum. Gulp, gulp—the sound of the liquid going down seemed unusually loud. After draining the vial in one go, Bania wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and the officials quickly turned to Ian, urging him to ask his questions.
“Count Ian? What are you doing? Not asking questions?”
“Doesn’t that have a duration of effect?”
“It’s still fine. Calm down. Count Ian surely has his reasons.”
Ian rested his elbows on the table and propped his chin on his interlaced fingers. It felt as though one more step forward would cause everything to collapse. It was a sensation he had only felt when facing formidable political enemies—a feeling he had not experienced in quite some time.
“…Envoy Representative Bania. Did you come to this place as the blood of King Damon?”
The moment the question left his lips, Bania answered.
“No.”
“…?!”
What in the world? Everyone’s eyes widened in shock and they froze, but the answer that followed left them with their mouths agape.
“…I am the blood of King Damon, but I did not come here as such. Like you, Count Ian, I am here by the will of Rutherford.”
Bania wore an expression of astonishment and bewilderment at her tongue moving against her will. Immediately after her answer ended, she clapped her hand over her mouth in horror.
A profound silence descended upon the conference chamber. If the sound of eyes rolling could have been heard, it surely would have been deafening, but even that was absent. The only sound was Bania’s muffled breathing through her covered mouth.
“What does this mean….”
“Did she just say Rutherford? Rutherford is the one who manufactures and distributes Idgal, is he not? Count Ian mentioned it before….”
“Wasn’t it said that the creation of Idgal was not Count Ian’s will? Bring the records from the last meeting!”
“What do you mean she came here by Rutherford’s will? Envoy Representative Bania! Clarify your meaning!”
“That’s right! If you’re spreading false information so carelessly, you should stop. The fate of the Burgos people rests on your shoulders!”
“Rutherford, Rutherford….”
“Your Highness, what would you have me do? Is there something that troubles you?”
“These cunning Burgos soldiers! It must be a lie. Even if we accept Idgal, but ‘Count Ian is here by Rutherford’s will’? Count Ian is here by the Emperor’s will, and by Prince Gin’s decision! This is disrespectful! We should silence that mouth at once!”
“Compose yourselves! Please!”
“Count Ian, speak your mind.”
“Did the truth serum really work? It doesn’t seem like it.”
“Didn’t Captain Akorella herself confirm that the potion’s efficacy is reliable?”
As the officials erupted in a cacophony of voices, a flustered Akorella stumbled backward.
This was different from when Damon had been interrogated. Foreign kings and their envoys were watching in real time, and this would not merely be recorded in Bariel’s history—it would be etched into theirs as well.
“Captain Akorella!”
“Y-yes?”
“Can you reaffirm that there is no problem with the truth serum?”
A sharp question from someone.
If Akorella admitted there was a problem, Bania’s testimony would lose credibility, but the entire Magic Ministry’s trust would crumble just as surely. And above all, there was no escaping the reproach of having made such a mistake at such a critical moment.
This was an official proceeding with the Prince present. Unable to fathom what punishment might befall her, Akorella could only bite the inside of her lip.
“Why do you ask the same question twice? Answer clearly.”
There was no choice—she had to admit it either way. Just as Akorella was about to nod.
A swift motion.
Ian raised his hand to stop her. Then, casting a warning glance at the official who had pressed the question, he spoke softly.
“The Magic Ministry, the Captain, and I guarantee it. There is no problem with the truth serum.”
“Count Ian. Do you understand the weight of what you’re saying?”
The tone suggested he was trying to help—why refuse?
But if only he were to fall, there was no reason to taint the Magic Ministry’s reputation as well. Ian stared directly at Bania and asked. The hand that emerged from his sleeve trembled ever so slightly.
‘So this is what she wanted.’
To expose the identity of the ‘bastard’ Ian before everyone’s eyes. From the signs, it seemed Bania’s entire process of consuming the truth serum and speaking was orchestrated under Rutherford’s plan.
Bania’s hands shook as she continued her final statement. These words were not because of the truth serum, but spoken of her own will.
“Just as I serve Lord Rutherford, Count Ian, I have heard you do the same.”
Ian suddenly felt his throat tighten. The contract magic he had made with Rutherford—it felt like a noose strangling his neck.
As Ian frowned and touched his throat, Bania added.
“We are those who move by our master’s will.”

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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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