Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 483

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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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Free Side Story
. Side Effects of a Magical Potion
The first day of the fourth month.
The Magic Department finally experienced a weekend that felt like an actual weekend.
A gentle spring breeze swept softly through every corner of the main building. The lobby stood peacefully empty, a mage on duty sprawled across the sofa napping, and a cat crossing through the Garden. And then, there was Berik, snoring away in his afternoon slumber.
“Ugh, what the—”
Berik wiped the drool trickling from his mouth with the back of his hand and looked around groggily. Ian was nowhere to be seen. He’d been working just a moment ago, so where did he go? I checked the small inner room as well, but no one was there.
Berik stretched powerfully, then gazed at the cluttered desk. Stacks of documents piled high, and a single potion. The shimmering blue glow suggested it was a mana recovery elixir.
Whoosh.
-I’ve created a new recovery potion.
I mixed it with an amplifier, so please drink it straight away.
Don’t give it to anyone else. 🙂
It’s from Akorelra. Well, even if she seems out of her mind most of the time, she’s quick and skilled at making these things. But why does she say not to give it to anyone else? Is she discriminating?
Pop!
As I opened the lid, a sweet fragrance wafted up. It looked more delicious than I expected. I was already thirsty after waking up from my nap anyway.
‘Didn’t Ian drink this last time and sleep for a whole week?’
Perfect timing. Starting next week, they’re talking about some special combat training for war preparations. Drinking this and sleeping sounds like the better option. I’ll be a bit hungry, sure, but whatever. The Dining Hall will be empty anyway—I can just raid it once I wake up.
Berik nodded to himself and was about to drink the potion.
“Berik. Have you seen Ian?”
“Huh? Romandro. Didn’t you go home?”
“Go home? Ian’s right here.”
“That’s incredible, seriously. What are you planning to do with all that money you’re making? Save it up and use it for hospital bills?”
“What do you mean? I’m going to buy delicious things for my big Vivi and little Vivi.”
“Big Vivi? Ugh.”
Romandro waved the brown envelope at Berik, who made a gagging gesture, then flopped onto the sofa with an air of resignation. The Mages could leave once they finished their assigned tasks, but he was in a support role for Ian. He couldn’t rest unless Ian clocked out.
“So, have you seen Ian or not?”
“I just woke up from a nap. He wasn’t here.”
“That so? Strange. He should be waiting for approval documents.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he went out to get some fresh air.”
“Hmm. Well, it’s good to take it easy. I’ll lie down for a bit too. Here goes! Uuuugh.”
As Romandro flopped backward dramatically, Berik alternated his gaze between the potion in his hand and him. Then came a sinister smile spreading across his face.
“Hehehehe.”
“What’s with that laugh?”
“What else? The cry of someone who just got a week of paid leave.”
“Huh? You?”
Did this guy finally lose it? The one who breaks potion bottles every other day got paid leave? Romandro stared at Berik with a bewildered expression. Then his eyes fell on the potion.
“What the heck. What are you talking about?”
“What do you mean? It’s the cheer of someone who got a week of paid leave.”
“Huh? You?”
Has this guy finally lost it? He breaks water jars every other day, and now he’s gotten paid leave? Romandor stared at Berick with a bewildered expression. Then, suddenly, a potion caught his eye.
“Akorelra’s potion? You’re going to drink that?”
“War preparation training? That’s not for me. I’d rather get into a bare-knuckle brawl. Standing in a line, marching in step, all that nonsense—forget it. I’m just going to sleep for a week and wake up. We’ll talk then.”
“Wait, hold on. Berik!”
Romandro jumped up in surprise, and Berik instinctively stepped back. It was an almost reflexive reaction. For a moment, their eyes locked in silence. What? Why is he like that? As Berik stared at me, Romandro spoke first, his voice taking on a solemn tone.
“…Just one sip for me too.”
“No way. I don’t share what I’m drinking.”
“Just, just one sip. So we can rest for just one day, okay? Just one day?”
“Sir, you don’t even have mana.”
“Ah! I saw the report from last time—Akorelra used ordinary people in her experiments too, and there were no problems.”
“…Hmm.”
As Berik’s eyes narrowed, Romandro showed his front teeth and whined.
“So petty. From now on, I’m not sharing anything I eat with you.”
“What? Where did that come from all of a sudden?”
“No, that’s it. Don’t you dare drink even a drop of water from our house! From now on, every time you go down to the Dining Hall, I’m telling the Chef right away. Just you wait! You know, don’t you? He’s been sharpening his knives lately. He’s been itching for a match with you.”
He was literally sharpening actual kitchen knives—with the determination of a warrior to protect the Imperial Palace Food Storage.
Berik scratched his head a few times and nodded in agreement.
“Just, just a little. A very little bit is fine.”
“I really, truly love you, Romandro. It’s hard not to finish it all.”
“Stop with the sappy stuff. Hurry up.”
“Here goes.”
Berik drank down the half-full liquid in one go, leaving just one sip for Romandro. Romandro, showing no hesitation, gulped it down in an instant.
A sweet taste spread across their tongues in an instant. Both of them wiped their mouths simultaneously and tilted their heads in confusion. It was just like drinking sugar water.
“When will the effects kick in?”
“It shouldn’t take long, right? Ian drank it before the meeting too, and things got crazy after it ended.”
Romandro rubbed his belly and tilted his head. That’s strange. Something warm seemed to be spreading, but it wasn’t a signal of hunger or drowsiness.
“Yawn. Well, let me take another nap then.”
That was when it happened.
The moment Berik stretched out his arm.
Pop.
“…B-Berik?”
“Huh?”
A tail sprouting from his rear end. With fluffy red fur, it was unmistakably that of a beast. Berik and Romandro froze in shock, and at the same time, their eyes blinked rapidly.
“…A t-t-tail?”
“N-noooo!”
Berik panicked and slapped his own rear, spinning wildly in place like a madman. But without mercy, two ears sprouted forth relentlessly.
Romandro muttered as if he understood something.
“…A dog.”
“What is this! Aaaaah!”
“…You’re a dog.”
Then what about himself?
Romandro rushed to the mirror to examine his reflection. Round and bulbous, something the size of a fist protruded from his back. And on top of that, there were those broad, elongated ears. Moments later, as he stared at his noticeably lengthened front teeth, Romandro’s face drained of all color.
“…A rabbit.”
“Damn it! Akorelra!”
“Ako! Akorelra!”
“You’re dead, you lunatic. Why the hell did you create this monstrosity?!”
“Ako! I’m sorry! I’ll work hard! I won’t slack off anymore!”
Crash!
Patter patter!
Without hesitation, both figures burst out of the Minister’s Office. There was someone watching them from the Garden across the way.
Meow—
A cat with golden fur and green eyes.
The cat purred contentedly in the sunlight, then settled down comfortably. As if to say she would take it easy for at least this one day.

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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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