Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 468

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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 468
Fire. Ten Years Later
Bariel had not been without crisis. Throughout thousands of years, great and small adversities had always existed, and they were those who had learned from history. Thus, they understood well that this very moment could be etched into the annals at any time.
But therein lay the problem. An outsider’s invasion of the Imperial Palace—something they had never dared imagine. The Minister of Magic’s competency questioned twice in succession, followed by their sudden absence.
Standing at a crossroads in the path of history that Bariel would traverse, they felt the weight of it. The future of Bariel would change depending on their words and choices to come. Moreover, even the fate of Gaia itself hung in the balance.
Creak.
As the conference hall doors opened, the eyes of the officials turned in unison. Jin had already kicked back his chair and risen. He entered the hall without uttering a single word, rendering his earlier perusal of the damage reports meaningless.
“Your Highness. A messenger from King Clipoford has arrived.”
“What does it say?”
“Yes. That is to say…”
The servant presented the note on a golden tray while glancing at King Clipoford and the Prince seated to one side. He could not gauge whether the message the messenger brought was good news or ill for them. Of course, the same uncertainty weighed upon Bariel.
“A black moon appeared and quickly vanished above Prodohna, the capital of Clipoford.”
“Good heavens! It seems Count Ian truly did enter the Rift. They say there exists an abyss beneath the Rift, do they not?”
“My, my. Count Ian is truly reckless.”
“What does this mean for us?”
“Is this not precisely why we have gathered to deliberate? Silence!”
The black moon’s coordinates were confirmed to be at Clipoford’s Rift. It meant that Ian’s publicly declared intention to descend into the abyss had come to pass. Simultaneously, it meant he no longer existed anywhere on the continent of Gaia.
Crunch.
Jin crumpled the note with all his strength, his head bowing. Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes? Ian being swallowed by the black moon. The reality he could not accept crashed down upon Jin like a wave. Pushing forward, demanding he endure—the present moment felt unbearably disorienting.
The servant observed the Crown Prince’s complexion and added carefully.
“The guards of Clipoford’s royal palace are currently searching the vicinity to examine traces, but as you know, the Rift generates lesser demons, and the palace center is entirely inaccessible, so they report that a thorough investigation will be difficult.”
“Are they requesting mages to aid in the investigation?”
“If Bariel is willing—”
King Clipoford, who had been sitting quietly, answered instead.
The capital was already in ruins from war and the Rift. Had he not come to Bariel seeking mage support to organize and manage this very situation? Ian, the strongest among them and the one who had wished to enter the Rift himself, would have been ideal, but given how matters had unfolded, receiving any other mage was now the priority.
“We of Clipoford shall render whatever assistance we can with utmost sincerity.”
“Your Majesty, that cannot be!”
At the King’s words, one official rose abruptly, even gesturing in protest.
“Rutherford’s invasion suggests much. Including that the security of the Imperial Palace is not impeccable. We cannot afford to send even a single mage beyond these walls.”
“Quite right. And in truth, though it is said that Count Ian entered the Rift together with Rutherford, no one actually witnessed it, did they? We cannot confirm Rutherford’s death merely because a black moon appeared over Clipoford. We must be cautious.”
Though they had assumed descent into the abyss meant death, simultaneously they refrained from certainty—contradictory words that both contradicted and comforted Jin’s state of mind. The child’s expression grew complicated.
“I support the dispatch. I understand Count Ian is a great mage, but according to testimony, did he not find Rutherford formidable? The opponent stands above Count Ian. Should he have miraculously survived, we must ascertain this with certainty.”
“Yes. Such a vicious and audacious villain—who knows what he might do!”
“He dared invade the Imperial Palace. It is proper to form an investigation team to prevent future complications.”
“I concur with that opinion. Pursuit and investigation are warranted.”
Jin cut through the air with his hand, indicating no further deliberation was needed. This was about seeking the possibility that Ian yet lived. If there existed even a sliver of hope, there was no reason not to pursue it.
“Dispatch a mage. Heil.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What is the current state of the Ministry of Magic?”
Heil wiped his lips and fell silent for a moment. The bloodstains still vivid on his sleeve seemed to answer in his stead. With the support of the Imperial Guards, the battle had concluded smoothly, yet that final moment remained deeply regrettable.
“Intruders targeting the Ministry of Magic detonated themselves, destroying more than half of the main building. Immediate repairs are critical.”
“King Damon? Is he unharmed?”
“Yes. He is safe. However, one Mage holding a captain’s rank sustained severe injuries, and two others suffered minor wounds. Nearly half of the remaining Mages are recovering from moderate to severe injuries.”
“Do we not have Healing Mages available?”
“They have yet to recover their magical power since the war and have reached their limits. We are considering the use of mana amplifiers, but as Captain Akorella—who oversees that department—mentioned, her severe injuries make it difficult.”
“I heard Mages can share their strength with one another?”
At an Official’s remark, Heil exhaled deeply. He had suspected the upper echelons were unreasonable, but facing them directly proved far worse than imagination. The urge to grab them by the collar and shake them surged to the crown of his head.
“Can you extract all of someone’s blood at once, sir?”
“W-what are you saying?”
“All the Mages are already sharing their strength with their full power. If we exceed that, the entire Ministry of Magic will be bedridden and groaning. If that happens, you may have to come in person to retrieve the reports.”
“Now, now! Captain Heil!”
“Silence.”
As an Official rose abruptly from his seat in indignation, Jin waved his hand to restrain him. His words were not wrong, but neither were they appropriate.
“Captain Heil. Mind your courtesy.”
“My apologies. In any case, the Ministry of Magic is currently in a state of dysfunction. More than anything—”
Heil cleared his throat heavily before mentioning Ian.
“Morale has plummeted due to the situation with Ian. A considerable number of Mages have submitted their resignations.”
“Resignations? At such a critical time, how could they!”
“They are citizens of Bariel, not slaves. They have the freedom to go where they wish and do as they please.”
“But still… shouldn’t we try to stop them?”
“Who should?”
Who indeed? How could anyone stop them when Ian, the head of the Ministry of Magic, was gone?
The Officials gaped at Captain Heil accusingly.
“You should!”
“I am captain in name only. I have no such authority.”
“Then wouldn’t it suffice if you assumed the position of Minister?”
“…I refuse.”
“What?”
Unlike the astounded Officials, Jin merely shifted his gaze slightly from the document. Heil’s eyes, fixed on empty space, remained resolute.
“I have told Ian repeatedly—I will not assume the position of Minister of Magic. Captain Akorella likely shares my position, but should she awaken, I will ask her again just in case.”
“Then you intend to leave the position of Minister of Magic vacant?”
“This is absurd! That cannot be allowed!”
“Absurd or not, there is no alternative.”
Unlike other departments, the Ministry of Magic’s special nature was recognized, and its Minister was selected through internal review. Just as Ian had been.
Jin shook his head as if unwilling to discuss further.
“Very well. The selection of a new Minister of Magic is an internal matter of the Ministry, so we shall not discuss it here.”
“Your Highness.”
“What is more pressing now is the restoration of the Imperial Palace and ensuring those who challenged Bariel’s authority pay the price. Am I mistaken?”
Even without a Minister of Magic, the Mages belong to the Imperial Palace. There is no issue in proceeding with operations. Besides, even if a new Minister were selected, could anyone truly fill the void Ian left behind?
Jin frowned as he felt the wound crossing his face throb with pain.
“Your Highness. I’ve heard that Melania, the daughter of the Haimanga house from before, was also with Rutherford. Is this true?”
“Yes. However, we couldn’t confirm the nature of their relationship, and crucially, she was not involved in the battles or the movement of treasures. According to Captain Akorella—”
She appeared to have been caught up in it, but it wasn’t a matter Jin would speak of in an official setting. Jin tapped the report lightly and continued.
“…Regarding the missing imperial treasures, I will issue a wanted notice throughout Gaia. Those who bring them back intact will receive appropriate compensation, and those who hoard them out of greed will face severe punishment.”
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s highly likely the treasures flowed toward Burgos. Given that it appears to be for funding their side, I will investigate thoroughly.”
“Then, what of King Damon’s disposition…?”
“King Damon is—”
”
living a second life.”
”
The secret of Damon that Ian had told me. Despite his defeat in war, he showed no regret or self-reproach as a sovereign—surely he was anticipating his next life. If he had lived twice, why couldn’t he live a third time?
“Confine him to a tower, but manage it thoroughly so he cannot take his own life. This way, I will leave justification for the royalists on Burgos’s side. I will actively support them against the Rutherford faction, making it easier to recover the treasures through them.”
The officials exchanged glances. In other words, he would incite civil war in Burgos, fracturing the kingdom itself while strengthening Bariel’s control.
“What will you do about Ruswena?”
“The King of Eriponi is dead, and Rutherford’s intrusion has shifted all our attention to Burgos. They will wage their own internal war without provoking Bariel, so I will monitor the situation but take no special measures.”
King Clifford hesitated for a moment, but that was all. The rights to war reparations they would receive had already been transferred to Bariel. Having obtained a Mage, they had no choice but to be satisfied with that.
“Does anyone have further opinions to share?”
“….”
The most important matter remained.
“…There, Your Highness.”
“Shh! Shh shh!”
The final matter regarding Ian.
As someone tried to raise the issue, the officials sitting on both sides grabbed his arm and shushed him. While it would be proper to question him about the crime of manufacturing Idgal, if that topic were broached here, no one could predict how far Jin’s anger would rise.
Besides, he was already dead. What immediate benefit would there be in tarnishing the honor of the deceased?
“Does anyone have opinions?”
“…None, Your Highness. We will continue to report any matters that arise and hold further meetings as needed.”
“Good. Everyone, get to work. The night is short.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Creak.
Jin spoke thus and slowly rose from his seat.
Xiaoxi and Captain Jairat followed behind him. It was in the opposite direction from the bedchamber, but the two walked in silence. They knew where Jin was going.
Tap.
“…You’re still doing this.”
“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”
“Berik. Get up.”
The place where Ian had vanished. The place where the black moon had descended and disappeared. In that place, still stained with blood, Berik sat in a daze, staring blankly at the white moon rising beyond the window as if unable to believe it.
Romandro, too, could not leave Berik alone, and had been sitting beside him for hours now.
“Get up. Berik.”
“….”
“There is much to be done.”
“What am I supposed to do?”
Without a master, what can I even do?
“…Damn it. I told you to come with me. Really. You never listen and just do whatever you want. This is exactly why people say you’re Der’s child.”
“Berik. Look at me.”
Jin crouched before Berik, peering into his faded eyes. Then, carefully but firmly, he grasped his hand.
“Count Ian will return.”
We couldn’t say goodbye, but I made a promise.
“Even if he descends into the abyss, he will return someday. He told me directly. He said that if we build the annex, he can return all the sooner.”
“…Really?”
“Really. I stake everything on it.”
So stop this here and do your part. As Jin soothed him, Berik rubbed his eyes with all his might and cried out.
“Damn it! Ian Hielo, you bastard!”
His wail into the empty air echoed beyond the building into the garden. Once, twice, three times. The sound calling out to Ian grew faint but never ceased.
Until ten springs came to pass.
* * *
“So, what happened?”
Romandro walked through the imperial palace corridors holding the hand of a girl wearing thick glasses. She seemed about ten years old, her hair neatly braided, cradling a thick book in her arms. Romandro tilted his head with an affectionate expression.
“Well, I think Vivi would know better than me?”
“We learned about it roughly at school, but you know more than anyone, Father. It’s just that you never tell me the truly important things.”
Romandro’s daughter, Vivi, blocked his path and stretched out her arms.
“So tell me! Why is only the Ministry of Magic without a Minister? Why are you always so busy even though you don’t care?”
“Oh my, young lady. We agreed you’d be quiet in exchange for a tour of the palace, didn’t we? Hmm? Didn’t you want to see the Prince?”
Vivi pushed her glasses, which barely clung to the bridge of her nose, upward and clamped her mouth shut. Then she nudged her father’s side, urging him to lead the way.
“Romandro!”
“Oh, yes.”
“So this is your daughter. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“This is Vivi. Is the Prince inside? I have something to discuss regarding the coming-of-age ceremony. Ah, of course, you already know my daughter is coming along.”
Vivi pressed herself against her father’s side and peeked her head out cautiously.
Unlike the bright imperial palace, the interior was darker than expected. On one wall of the reception room, a portrait of the Prince commemorating his coming-of-age ceremony lay on the floor. Silver hair and a deep scar crossing his face. Just as I’d heard.
“Romandro. You’ve come.”
“Your Highness.”
Creak.
And in that moment, the inner door opened and the Prince appeared. Jin Berosion. The sole heir of the current empire and the future Emperor. Jin looked down at Vivi and smiled faintly.

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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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