Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 487

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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 487
Fire. The Meaning of Spring
The Pigeon’s journey had clearly been grueling. The moment Xiaoxi collected the mana stone and note, it stretched its wings as if gasping for life and collapsed.
Jin poured water into a teacup, and Romandro took it and pushed it toward the Pigeon. Up close, there wasn’t a single part of its wings or beak that remained intact—its condition was quite severe.
“Tsk, tsk. Berik, you heartless, merciless bastard. Sending a creature that looks like it could die any moment all this way? If something went wrong during the journey and information leaked, the entire nation would be in danger. Good grief. Your Highness! When Berik returns, please give him a proper scolding. That fool doesn’t listen to a word I say, I swear.”
At Romandro’s grumbling, Jin let out a small laugh.
“Since when did he listen to my words?”
“Of course not. Isn’t he the only one in the Imperial Palace who doesn’t obey Your Highness? Even Captain Jairat gave up long ago. That wild colt. I wonder if he’d even function as a proper person if he weren’t a Mage Knight.”
“On the surface, perhaps. But you know, don’t you? Berik is someone who lives entirely by his own will, so even I find it difficult. I’ve taught him how to write reports several times, yet he never improves. He must have his own standards.”
At Jin’s words, Romandro made a grimacing expression. And the familiar prelude naturally emerged.
“Berik, submitting report. This is what you mean, right?”
There were reports in life that were never forgotten, and Berik was responsible for most of them. Jin laughed as if genuinely amused and gestured to Xiaoxi.
“Yes. That one. Xiao, read it once.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At Jin’s command, Xiaoxi unfolded the neatly folded note. The paper felt old and somehow unpleasant. I had assumed it would naturally be a single sheet, but somehow three or four pages were rolled up and enclosed together.
Was this really from Berik? Xiaoxi examined the mana stone from every angle, checking if the Imperial Guards’ seal was engraved upon it. If it weren’t genuine, it wouldn’t have been allowed entry into the Imperial Palace in the first place, but there was no harm in being careful.
Rustle.
Xiaoxi unfolded the top page. Though the sentence structure was crude and he was reluctant to relay it in his own voice, Xiaoxi read through it smoothly without a single change in expression.
“…Berik, submitting report.”
“Good heavens, this damn fool.”
Tap. Romandro struck his own forehead as if he’d expected this, and Jin retrieved a fresh teacup while waiting for what came next. He was filled with curiosity. How far had Berik gone, what had he seen, and had he obtained any clues about Rutherford, and so on.
But as time passed, nothing was heard. Jin sipped his tea and turned to Xiaoxi with a puzzled expression, only to find him staring blankly at the note as if his soul had left his body.
“Xiao?”
“What’s wrong? Did Be, Berik really only write that? That, that madman?”
At the urging of the two men, Xiaoxi seemed to finally regain his senses. He swallowed dryly and murmured.
“Lost the way—”
“I knew it! Tsk, tsk.”
“…and met Count Ian, heading north, he says.”
“Mm. At least he found north properly. Met Ian… what, what did you say?”
“….”
Jin, who had been drinking tea, froze. His pupils dilated. As if time itself had stopped, all three men fell silent, not even aware of their own breathing.
What had Xiaoxi just said? Had he heard correctly? Ian? ‘That’ Ian? It didn’t feel real.
Just as Romandro was about to ask him to repeat it.
Crack!
Shatter—!
Jin sprang up from the sofa and snatched the paper from Xiaoxi’s hand. In the process, the teacup shattered and rolled across the floor, but none of the three men paid it any mind.
“…The next page, quickly!”
“Here it is, Your Highness.”
—To Prince Gin, Your Highness. Minister of Magic Ian Hielo, submitting a report after quite some time….
The handwriting was familiar, neat and upright. Romandro had marveled several times at how straight it was, as if it resembled its owner.
It was a peculiar sensation. All they had ever held and continued to read were things faded by time, yet here was such vivid evidence of Ian’s existence. The unusually deep, dark ink gleamed like a distant night sky.
In truth, it was their own eyes that shone with brilliance, but how could those overcome with emotion possibly comprehend that?
-…How have the springs been treating you?
How have the springs been? I thought I understood the question, but the moment I read it, I realized it meant something else entirely. When the sunlight of now is this beautiful, can the springs that have passed truly be called springs?
-I apologize. At that time, there was nothing I could do, and I believed that was the best choice available to me. Please understand with a generous heart. Furthermore, do not be angry that it took so long to send word. For me, the abyss was merely ten days, and I only recently discovered that time flows quite differently between that place and this one. When I regained my senses, I was near Mount Raza. After much hardship, I met Berik and we travel together. It is unbelievable, but I believe it is God’s intention. Your Highness, I have much to tell you, but I believe it is more appropriate to speak directly, so I shall keep this brief.
1. Rutherford returned from the abyss with me. However, it is quite likely he is near Burgos rather than Toollun. As one who serves the Shadow of God, he uses Toollun as his base, but has newly established Burgos as a strategic stronghold to threaten Bariel. I ask that you keep this in mind when making your decisions.
2. Slave trafficking is occurring near Mount Raza. There are problems with public order and security to the extent that there is no trust in the Border Guards. Please dispatch an investigation team.
3. I found answers to all my questions in the abyss. In the process, I exhausted both magical power and physical strength, and with Berik’s help, I plan to move north first. I will return to the imperial palace with the mages there. It should not take long, so please wait just a little longer.
Your Highness, I hear the coming-of-age ceremony will be held soon. I have also heard of the Emperor’s passing. I sincerely anticipate and hope for the brilliant history you will write. Until the day we meet again, please remain safe.
Next, I address Romandro and the Ministry of Magic.
Romandro, it seems the administrative duties have piled up considerably, and I apologize. Is the Boy growing well? You have worked hard maintaining the Minister’s office alone all this time. Please convey my regards to Mother and the family. Tell them that Ian Hielo is alive. Thanks to His Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony, everyone is staying in the capital, so I am fortunate to be able to send word quickly. And….
Romandro wiped away tears streaming down the back of his hand. The brief request to let them know that Ian Hielo was alive had unleashed a torrent of emotions.
Gin calmly turned the next page and soon confirmed the brief command Ian had left behind.
-All members of the Ministry of Magic, gather at the imperial palace.
“My, my goodness! This, this is!”
Romandro exclaimed in astonishment, not knowing what to do with himself. Ten long years. Ian had returned, leaving behind all those who had whispered that he was surely dead. Ian had returned! Tears streamed down his face without his knowledge as he struggled to breathe, his body trembling with overwhelming emotion.
“Y-Your Highness! Your Highness! It’s Count Ian! This, the handwriting, anyone can see it’s Count Ian’s. I know. I, I’ve seen documents until I was sick of them, so I can be certain. It’s Count Ian! My! Goodness!”
Romandro also checked Berik’s note just to be sure. Sloppy, wretched handwriting and terrible spelling. It was definitely Berik!
If someone suddenly claimed to be Ian, he would suspect them first, but this was unmistakable. The mana stone bearing the seal of the Imperial Guards. And Berik! The one who rushes forward like a mad dog whenever it concerns Ian’s affairs is traveling with him, is he not?
Thump.
Gin handed the mana stone to Romandro with a steady hand.
“…Request a handwriting analysis. Have Akorelra properly verify whether this is indeed an Imperial Guards mana stone, and keep silent about the message until the results come back.”
“Yes, yes! Understood, Your Highness!”
Tap tap tap!
Romandro received the mana stone with both hands, then rushed out urgently. The servants in charge of the doors were startled, but he saw nothing now. He simply moved his short legs as fast as they could carry him, running down the Prince’s palace corridor with all his might.
Soon, a waiting carriage came into view in the distance.
“You there! Carriage! Carriage!!”
“Huh, Romandro?”
“To the Ministry of Magic, quickly! Hurry! Now!”
“Not to the Grand Council Chamber?”
“Depart! Please! The Ministry of Magic!”
“Ah, yes yes. Understood.”
Whiiiing!
Gin turned away only after confirming that Romandro’s carriage had departed. The startled servants and Xiaoxi, who did not know what to do. They all looked toward Gin.
“…Postpone the Grand Council.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Make up an appropriate reason. And until I give permission, let no one enter this place. Do not allow anyone to approach the vicinity either. Xiaoxi, the same applies to you. Only when the Ministry of Magic sends word should you inform those outside.”
“I, I shall obey.”
As Gin nodded, the servants bowed lightly and all left. Xiaoxi slowly closed the door, taking in the scattered teacups and the silhouette of his lord, which somehow seemed darker now.
Creak.
Thump.
I was alone.
Jin stood motionless for a long while, listening for any sign of presence around him. Save for the old pigeon spreading its wings, the surroundings were remarkably silent—as though a tempest had swept through and departed.
Only then did Jin, unable to contain himself, roughly seized the curtains.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The once-bright office gradually surrendered to darkness. The pigeon looked at him in bewilderment, but Jin paid no mind, breathing heavily as he continued moving with his own hands. His eyes reddened, and he felt himself approaching the breaking point.
Whoosh!
When he finally drew the last curtain, a single tear rolled down Jin’s cheek.
He slowly sank against the wall, watching the light seep through beneath the curtains. The relief of finally finding shelter was fleeting—the warm sunlight proved relentless, and his tears would not cease. Jin held his breath carefully, ensuring not even a single sob escaped.
‘…Count Ian has returned. Count Ian came back alive.’
He dwelled on it for a long time—that moment when he could confidently declare how much I had grown during all these years without him. Yet to find myself in such a state. Jin found himself pathetic and absurd, covering his face with both hands.
His fingertips traced the deep scars etched into his palms. The mark of a survivor, and a single thread connecting me to Count Ian. Ian’s voice, which believed without doubt that I would become a righteous Emperor, finally seemed to ring true.
Yes, that radiant golden hair and the emerald eyes befitting it.
All those fading images bloomed vividly once more.
Coo. Cooing.
Jin gazed up at the pigeon sitting blankly and murmured.
“You saw Count Ian with your own eyes, didn’t you?”
How was he? Tell me. Share with me everything you witnessed. Jin remained seated for a long time, sketching and re-sketching Ian’s image in his mind.
How much time had passed?
By the time the sunlight filtering beneath the curtains had turned golden.
Knock knock.
Xiaoxi made his presence known from beyond the door. Without opening it.
“Your Highness. The Ministry of Magic has sent word. They confirm the mana stone given to Berik of the Imperial Guards is genuine. And the handwriting analysis matches both Berik’s and Count Ian’s writing.”

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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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