Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 501

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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 501
Prepare for the Meeting
Ian, who had lent his ear to the child, turned his head in surprise. The boy’s eyes that met his own held no wavering, and instead seemed to ask—wasn’t this what you wanted?
Ian noticed that Roel’s eye color was somewhat unusual. If his own and Philia’s resembled sun-drenched leaves, then Roel’s were like the dense jungle canopy itself. A robust vitality. Eyes that radiated the raw essence of nature itself.
After a brief hesitation, Ian asked.
“Roel, have you seen something?”
“Not seen, but seeing.”
Seeing—as if dreaming while standing upright? But the boy shifted his gaze into empty space and fell silent.
Ian placed his hand on Roel’s shoulder and looked toward Philia.
“Mother. Did you know?”
That the child was special.
Philia, seeming troubled, fidgeted with her fingertips and turned to Nersaren. She loved everyone in this room, but Roel was the child destined to carry the future of the Cheonryeo Tribe. Her eyes asked how best to explain, and Nersaren nodded. Tell him everything, they agreed.
“Well, we only found out not long ago ourselves. On the way up from Hielo to the capital, he first said something like this. It seems like it must be the destiny that follows after the Winchen Chieftain passed away.”
“…The Winchen Chieftain has passed.”
“But she smiled at the very end.”
Yes, that was so. In a way, it was inevitable. She had grown old, and the Silasque Ian possessed was insufficient. To feel the passage of years through someone’s death. Ian met the gaze of Roel, who was staring directly at him.
‘If Roel succeeds Winchen, then the child will eventually need Silasque as well.’
The bastard Ian—or rather, the God—had possessed two things: Idgal and Silasque. Some secrets regarding Idgal seemed to have been revealed, but there were still no clues about Silasque.
“Roel. Tell me what you see. It will be of benefit to you as well.”
“…The two humans who were with my brother when he fell into the abyss—they are with them. A woman and a man.”
Roel’s pupils lost focus, yet his voice remained clear. As if reciting the very scene unfolding before his eyes.
“The sunset is deep, and black spears rise in places. Toward where the sunset falls, there is a low hill, and the blood-stained flowers are truly beautiful. People in black armor are burying corpses.”
Romandro, who had been listening quietly, startled and moved his pen hurriedly, as if he could not miss a single word of what Roel was saying.
All held their breath, hoping the child would continue, but Roel only moved his lips a few times before falling silent.
A brief stillness.
Berik tilted his head back and murmured.
“Fantastic. But he didn’t say where.”
“We can only speculate. Hmm.”
“Since it’s something currently happening, it seems to be a place not far in time difference from Bariel?”
“He mentioned a hill, so mountainous regions are excluded.”
“Wait, wait just a moment. First of all, who are these two humans who went into the abyss with Count Ian? Isn’t that the important question?”
At the Mages’ question, all eyes in the room focused on Ian. How many fell into the abyss with Ian at that time? And among them, two—a woman and a man. Especially if Rutherford’s group was involved, identifying their identities would be impossible.
But Berik, as if unconcerned, shook Ian’s shoulder and pressed him.
“Ian, you can figure it out! Who could it be? Huh?”
“Berik, do you think Count Ian is a fortune teller? How would he know about Rutherford’s subordinates?”
“Ian’s ignoring me. Ian! He’s ignoring you.”
“No, it’s not ignoring, it’s just common sense—”
“…Melania and Clark?”
Ian’s murmur brought the quarrel between Berik and the Mage to an abrupt halt. Everyone stood dumbfounded for a moment, then erupted in simultaneous chatter.
“What? Who?”
“Are you saying Melania is the daughter of House Haiman?”
“This is insane—true to form for a traitorous house, she’s completely attached herself to Rutherford?”
“But who is Clark?”
“Clark, Clark… It sounds familiar somehow.”
“Romandro! Right? I’ve heard that name before too.”
“Since only Berik and I know about him, is he from Hielo?”
“No, everyone be quiet! We’ll understand once Ian explains!”
Crack!
Unable to bear it any longer, Akorelra clapped her hands loudly, signaling everyone to shut their mouths. The sharp sound carried an ominous warning—if they didn’t keep quiet, next time it wouldn’t be her palms coming down, but their skulls.
Everyone fell silent, their eyes gleaming as if they’d suddenly become obedient children. Ian tapped his cheek thoughtfully with his fingertips, organizing his thoughts.
“When I confronted Rutherford, I believe I caught a glimpse of Melania and Clark.”
“Melania was there. She was inside the exhibition hall. Our eyes met when my ankle was broken. But I’m not sure who Clark is.”
As Akorelra gave a definitive answer, Ian added his thoughts.
“Clark is Mrs. Lien Merelof’s trusted subordinate.”
“Ah! Now I remember! That man who went to Toolun!”
“Oh, I still can’t remember.”
As the fog in his memory lifted, Romandro grabbed Berik excitedly and shook him, while Berik, still lost in confusion, merely scratched his ear.
Regardless, Ian maintained his focus, furrowing his brow as he spoke.
“If two bodies had been found when I cleaned up the scene after my disappearance, it would surely have been recorded.”
“Yes, that’s right. But there’s no such record.”
“Melania was already famous in the imperial palace, and Romandro knows Clark’s face. But since there’s no record, it’s clear they went into the Abyss with me.”
“It’s reasonable to assume they went into the Abyss. But plenty of people followed Rutherford down. Why do you think it was Melania and Clark specifically?”
“Most of those who followed Rutherford down were Mages. I eliminated all the Mages in the Abyss.”
“Ah, I see.”
At Ian’s firm yet concise answer, Romandro’s lips rounded in an O-shape. Hearing such a young face speak so calmly about elimination felt oddly unsettling.
“It’s difficult for ordinary people to survive in the Abyss. And escaping from there is nearly impossible. If it’s Melania, she might know my childhood secret and have made a deal with the Gypsy to travel with them.”
“Your childhood secret?”
“The contents of the magical contract I made with Rutherford. I lost my memory, but she seemed to know about it.”
“Ah, that makes sense then.”
“The woman seems certainly to be Melania, but I can’t be certain the man is Clark. Well, it doesn’t matter much either way.”
A Gypsy who devours secrets. Someone who moves freely between all of Gaia and the Abyss—truthfully, I had no idea where to begin searching. But thanks to Roel, that scope had narrowed considerably.
Jin, who had been listening quietly, issued an order to Xiaoxi.
“Finding Melania would be easier. Issue a wanted notice throughout Bariel and neighboring nations.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And deliver Roel’s testimony to each department so they can compile their opinions. The Magic Ministry should do the same. Have them analyze and submit a report.”
“Ah—”
Romandro reflexively began to answer before quickly covering his own mouth and looking at Ian. He’d realized he’d unconsciously performed the role he’d taken on during the vacancy in the Minister position. But that wasn’t his place anymore, was it?
Noticing Romandro’s hesitation, Ian smiled and replied.
“Understood, Your Highness. I’ll see that the report is submitted.”
“One more thing.”
Jin gestured toward Roel.
“Roel’s question. Have you an answer to ‘Have you seen God’?”
“Oh, right. I nearly forgot. And this expression about ‘dying multiple times’—it’s strange, Ian. I don’t quite understand it.”
“Ah.”
I hesitated. I couldn’t reveal that my existence as a bastard was divine intervention. The Gypsy had carelessly consumed the secret in the abyss, but now with suspicions about imperial bloodline needing clarification, adding confusion would only complicate matters.
Over the years, Jin had grown strong enough to handle illegitimate bloodlines entirely, yet there was no need to deliberately add weight to the situation, was there?
And above all—
‘Philia exists.’
Since I couldn’t fathom Philia’s heart, I judged silence the better course.
The Boy smiled faintly and glanced around.
“I shall speak to His Highness separately.”
With so many ears listening, I would answer that question later.
Jin shrugged in acknowledgment. Then he withdrew a pocket watch from his breast and checked the time.
Click.
“The Grand Council will commence shortly. Count Ian, as head of the Mage Division, you must attend. I have already grasped the general matters, so ensure all proceeds without issue.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”
“Akorelra.”
“Yes?”
“You mentioned the recovery elixir has side effects. I trust you understand the balance of gains and losses, yet I worry greatly since Count Ian has only just returned.”
“Oh my, Your Highness!”
Akorelra laughed heartily and waved her hand. Would she ever give Ian something harmful? She had made it with utmost care and love!
There were side effects, certainly, but they were truly trivial. More importantly, to prove Ian’s existence at the Grand Council, the manifestation of magical power was essential. As one strong enough to lead all the Mages, let no one dare question the Minister’s return.
“Have no concerns. Those who haven’t even tasted it make the most noise. I myself consumed a bowl yesterday, did I not? Look at me. Perfectly fine, am I not?”
“You’re not perfectly fine, Commander.”
“Hmm? Who’s that? Who’s adding interference?”
“Then that settles it. Count Ian. The choice is yours. I shall depart now. We shall meet soon.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I shall see you at the Grand Council chamber.”
“Do go. Farewell.”
“Berik! How presumptuous, bowing like that!”
Smack!
Jin accepted the Mages’ farewells and left the Minister’s office. In his absence, Vivi wriggled into his seat.
Without a word, she simply adjusted her glasses and gazed at me with wonder. Her eyes sparkled so brightly that I found myself smiling without thinking.
“Wow, you look even more amazing when you smile.”
“Vivi, what about me? Don’t I look handsome when I smile?”
Berik grinned widely and thrust his face forward, but Vivi pushed his cheek away as if to say ‘move aside.’
“Uncle Berik should smile while living. Otherwise it’s difficult.”
“What? You should smile while living too!”
“I’m smiling right now. Can’t you see?”
While Berik and Vivi bantered, I gently tapped Roel’s shoulder as she stood quietly. The child turned her head, raising her eyebrows slightly.
“How much did you see?”
“….”
Roel seemed to have glimpsed me in the abyss, but judging from her first question—”Did you see God?”—it was clear she didn’t know the details.
I probed her cautiously, but the Boy simply refused to answer and retreated into his Mother’s embrace. His unwillingness to speak further was unmistakable.
“Roel.”
Philia patted Roel’s back with an awkward smile, and I shook my head as if to say it was fine.
“It’s good to see you, Mother.”
“…Ian, you too.”
Brief words, yet they carried a tender inquiry into each other’s well-being.
Akorelra hurriedly instructed the Mages to move quickly, while Romand barely managed to separate Vivi and Berik—like breaking up a pair of quarreling puppies and kittens.
“Well then, shall we begin preparations? Count Ian, what would you have us do?”
“Have the Mages from the north compile and organize all the reports they’ve sent to the Imperial Palace thus far. As for the rest, bring me every record from ten years ago, when I disappeared.”
“Yes, understood!”
“Wow, we’re working! I’ll head out first!”
“By the way, should we also prepare the reports from Cliffford in the south?”
“Yes. Bring me everything. I’ll review it all thoroughly before the meeting begins.”
The Mages left the Minister’s office with gleeful grins, clearly delighted. I retrieved an empty teacup and slid it toward Akorelra, and she poured a potion into it as if I’d made the right call.
“By the way, what are the side effects?”
“Ah, that?”
Akorelra held the teacup out to me as if urging me to drink it all at once, then leaned close and whispered in my ear.
And moments later, as if it truly was nothing serious, I raised an eyebrow and brought the teacup to my lips.

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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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