Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 454

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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 454
Fire. Ian Departs
“Are you feeling better now?”
As tears dripped from beneath Jin’s chin, I personally wiped away the moisture with a handkerchief.
Outside remained chaotic, yet the reception room where we sat was truly serene. A low murmur, as if the world had been divided by a single wall. Thanks to this, Jin had shed the dignity of a Prince and now bore the face of a ten-year-old child.
“This is truly excessive, Count Ian. Without a word, what on earth have you done? Everyone was shocked to hear you were dead.”
“I apologize. To activate the curse placed upon Eriponi, some effort was necessary. I believed my death alone would suffice, but it seems it was insufficient for her. Only after drawing Your Highness in did the arrow return.”
“Was that arrow shot directly by Eriponi during the war?”
“Yes. Among the mages who naturalized from Ruswena, do you remember a child named Zaira? She was about Your Highness’s age, a peer.”
“I remember. That child with black hair.”
“Yes. A revenge achieved by burning half of her remaining life. To facilitate smooth negotiations, the absence of the king was necessary, just as with Burgos. However, if Bariel were to act directly, Ruswena, with its strong legitimacy, could have objected, which would have created difficulties for effective governance.”
I wiped away the moisture continuously, as if to confirm he understood, raising one eyebrow. Only when Jin pulled his hand away did I stop.
“Though Zaira naturalized, her origins are Ruswena. The curse was also placed at that time. Since a Ruswena mage essentially caused her own death, they cannot easily lodge a protest. They cannot rashly oppose Bariel either.”
“What if the newly ascended king of Ruswena maintains an anti-Bariel stance?”
“It will not be easy. A great number of mages have come over to our side, and we possess the king’s corpse. If he claims legitimacy to ascend the throne, he must actively coordinate with Bariel, who holds Eriponi’s remains. If he instead denies legitimacy and proceeds otherwise, he would need to convince countless citizens. The timing is not favorable, and time itself is limited.”
“Eldetr. Earlier, it seemed Eldetr had something on his mind.”
“Yes. It was unexpected that he was troubled, but ultimately he will withdraw without participating in the conference.”
Then I need only apply concentrated pressure on Burgos to guide the negotiations. The standards applied to Burgos will naturally apply to Ruswena as well.
Jin’s lips moved silently for a moment before he told me the contents decided upon in the conference.
“Count Ian.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You will go to Cliffford.”
Go to Cliffford, achieve everything you desire, and return.
At Jin’s resolve, I smiled brightly. Had it truly taken so long for the child to make a decision? Yet as expected, this would come to pass. His very act of deciding signified his growth.
I bowed my head and offered sincere thanks.
“I am truly grateful for your permission, Your Highness.”
“Before that, I have something to ask.”
“…You speak of my relationship with Rutherford, yes?”
“I was aware of our connection in childhood and the creation of Idgal. But a master-servant relationship was entirely unexpected.”
The Empire was officially planning to declare Rutherford an enemy. He had a history of participating in rebellion. Bania’s testimony was so unprecedented that it had been glossed over somewhat, but it had firmly taken root in the minds of all Bariel’s officials.
A Minister who serves a man who participated in rebellion as his master? It was absolutely impossible. Especially for Jin.
“I myself do not know. It appears we are bound by a contract curse, but now I live for Bariel, not for Rutherford. This much I can swear to God.”
Words spoken not for Jin, but for Bariel. Strangely, Jin found himself trusting those words even more. After all, he too ultimately lived for Bariel.
Did he think that perhaps I, whom he believed to be looking in a different direction, still held the intention to walk together with him? Jin rubbed away the tear marks with the back of his hand.
“Before the testimony of the Bania delegation representative gains more weight, Count Ian, it would be best for you to depart as you wish. Otherwise, the Hielo domain will also be endangered. Should there not be a space where Philia and those who follow you can live safely?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am grateful for your consideration. I will go down to Cliffford for a time to settle matters, and set everything right. Then when I return here, I will return with a smile.”
“…As I said, I will have the separate quarters for the Ministry of Magic constructed. So please, return even a little faster. Count Ian. Bariel needs you.”
“I too need Bariel.”
Jin and I grasped both hands tightly and exchanged gazes. Now I could understand. No matter how strong the tremors from outside, not a single crack could form in the trust between us two. I saw Jin as history itself, and Jin saw me as family. One is a great wave, and one is the air that fills life completely.
Jin smiled brightly and murmured.
“And when you return—”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Let’s all go outside the palace together again. Berik, Sia, Romandro—everyone.”
Jin was saying he hoped to be given another chance to call him brother.
Ian smiled in response and patted the boy’s hand, then rose as a report came from outside.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness. The Ruswena delegation has decided to depart the palace.”
* * *
The imperial palace was in disarray. More precisely, the Cliffford and Burgos delegations were displaying unprecedented anxiety.
The King of Ruswena, a major power among kingdoms, had suddenly met his end during a break in negotiations. Though some called it karmic retribution from the war, given the circumstances, it was inevitable that fear would seep into the delegations.
Meanwhile, Bariel was abuzz with murmurs over Bania’s statement, yet no one could offer a clear answer, leaving only confusion in the air.
Creak.
“The Prince enters.”
As Jin stepped in to resume the negotiation conference, the great hall fell silent. It was not Jin who drew attention, but Ian, who entered discreetly through a different door. People pretended not to notice while their eyes fixed on the two of them.
“Before we proceed with negotiations, you have all surely heard.”
Jin gestured for everyone to be seated, then slowly delivered the news. The vast conference hall, with the Ruswena delegation’s seats conspicuously empty, caught everyone’s eye.
“The King of Eriponi has met with an unexpected tragedy, and the delegations have hastily departed to return home. The negotiations will proceed without interruption. All members of the Ruswena delegation have agreed that there is no right of refusal regarding matters decided here. The terms applied to Burgos will be equally applied to Ruswena, so I ask each of you to state your positions with this in mind. Furthermore, I must make clear that Bariel bears no responsibility whatsoever for the King of Eriponi’s death, and I express sincere condolences for the King’s passing.”
At Jin’s declaration, the foreign delegations exchanged glances. Had an arrow that didn’t exist suddenly appear and pierce her heart in an instant? There were many mages present. Yet Bariel had no involvement—it was an unbelievable claim.
The Prime Minister, as if recognizing this, added further words.
“If anyone has doubts about the King of Eriponi’s death, please raise your hand without hesitation. We will show you the body. If you have the ability, you will be able to confirm that the King of Eriponi’s death is unrelated to the Bariel mage.”
Cliffford had no mage, and Burgos likewise had no means to verify immediately. Their only recourse was Bania’s testimony, who had guarded the scene from beginning to end.
When the Burgos delegation asked in confusion, Bania answered as carefully as if ventriloquizing.
“It appears the King of Ruswena attempted to poison Count Ian. It seems he tried to draw Burgos into it, but something went wrong unintentionally in the process. Count Ian, whom we thought was dead, did not die….”
“He attempted poisoning?”
“Count Ian collapsed the moment he drank the tea.”
The dead speak not, so they could only infer the situation from the remaining circumstances. In truth, what problem would there be if Bariel had killed Eriponi? He was the king of a defeated nation. Like Damon, with his tongue cut out and chains upon him, rolling on the ground—he was in no position to protest.
The Prime Minister, confirming that the atmosphere was gradually settling, brought down his gavel.
Bang! Tap, tap!
“We will continue with the negotiations. Your Majesty, King of Cliffford.”
The King of Cliffford rose from his seat. May still stood at his side. In place of Noah, whose curse had manifested, she was serving as the King’s right hand admirably.
And the Prime Minister’s words continued.
“We acknowledge the damage caused by the rift and fully understand the difficulties it has brought. As desired, we will provide magical support centered on Minister Ian Hielo of the Ministry of Magic. Furthermore, we will arrange for various goods and materials necessary for reconstruction to accompany you on your return journey. Does Cliffford agree to cede its right to claim damages from Bariel?”
“We agree.”
Following the King of Cliffford’s answer, energy rippled through the delegation. Ian is coming! The Cliffford delegation tapped each other’s shoulders and smiled.
They had essentially overcome the most critical hurdle in the negotiations. With Ian alone—with that genius mage—they could not only repair the rift but restore the vineyard to its former glory. If fortune favored them, they might even find a way to reverse the curse.
“Ian is going to Cliffford?”
“Then what happens? Since he’s taking the ministerial position with him, does that mean he’s not leaving the Ministry of Magic?”
“That might be it.”
“Wait, is it more urgent for Ian to step down as Minister of Magic, or to enter the rift?”
“Of course entering the rift is more urgent!”
“If Ian goes to Cliffford, there’s a rift right before his eyes. Do you think he’ll just sit idle? Hmm?”
“Ah.”
The Imperial decision shocked neither Cliffford nor Burgos the most. It was the Ministry of Magic. They attempted to voice their objections to reversing the decision, but were silenced by the resolute gleam in Ian’s eyes.
‘Shh.’
This is the Prince’s decision, so let no one dare contest it. That was what Ian was conveying.
The Mages then sought out Romandro, but he too was helpless. He merely pressed his forehead in bewilderment and gazed at Jin. Surely Jin seemed like he wouldn’t send Ian… Perhaps the Ministry of Magic’s position and the Imperial Palace’s position were simply incompatible?
Whoosh.
The Prime Minister ignored the Ministry of Magic’s agitation and raised one hand to give an order. Soon an official brought forth a lengthy parchment.
“Your Majesty, please sign in the King’s name and affix the seal. I will give you ample time to review it.”
Meanwhile, Jin, watching this unfold, turned his head toward the Burgos delegation.
It had come. The transaction between Bariel and Cliffford was a matter mentioned beneath the surface, and above all, it benefited both sides.
But in the transaction with Burgos that would now unfold, the positions of creditor and debtor would be starkly divided.
“When Bariel demands reparations, what we require from Burgos is as follows.”
Especially for Burgos, where the King was held captive and they had to buy time until Rutherford’s arrival, this would be a grueling battle.
“Burgos shall depose King Damon, who initiated the war, and enthrone a new leader. In this process, actively incorporate Bariel’s opinions, and during the period of vacant kingship, personnel dispatched from Bariel shall ensure there are no problems in state operations. Furthermore, officially order the dissolution of your military, and cede the five major cities bordering Bariel to Bariel’s territory.”
The Burgos delegation exhaled a heavy sigh through their lips. It was tantamount to the dissolution of a nation. No military, no king, and loss of territory—a sequence that would completely destroy legitimacy.
At this, Bania carefully rose from her seat and raised her hand.
“Representative Bania, you may speak.”
And Damon, watching this unfold with composure, unconsciously ran his severed tongue across his teeth, inflicting pain upon himself. Otherwise, he feared he would be unable to suppress the rage boiling up from within.

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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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