Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 502

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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 502
The Qualities of a Minister
The garden beside the conference hall was in turmoil. Officials in formal attire hurried back and forth, endless cigarette smoke curled through the air, and whispered conversations murmured incessantly.
When a man with his formal coat draped over his arm entered through the gate, his colleagues gestured in greeting.
“Welcome. This way.”
“You’re all quick. Quite the gathering.”
“I was so shocked the alcohol wore right off. I didn’t even change clothes—just waited here directly. It seems the grand conference will begin within the hour or so. Hmm. How are they reacting?”
Sizzle.
Cigarette flames flickered here and there. The man offered an awkward smile, merely shrugging his shoulders.
“At first they didn’t believe it. When they heard that the missing Minister of Magic, Ian Hielo, appeared looking exactly as he did in childhood, they told me to go inside and sleep off my drunkenness.”
“I heard that too. Damn it.”
“I don’t see anyone from the Administrative Ministry.”
“It’s more convenient for both sides if they don’t come. They’ll show up when the meeting starts. Does the Prince not trust the Minister of Magic? There’s no point in watching their entrance.”
“Romand coming from the Administrative Ministry to the Magic Ministry was the first sign of that.”
“Romand’s transfer to the Magic Ministry happened because of Minister Ian’s proposal.”
“Is that so? But I find it strange. Why does the Prince welcome the Minister of Magic? Of course, if the Magic Ministry functions properly, it would benefit Bariel. But hasn’t it been struggling all these years? We’ve been running the Magic Ministry almost as a direct subsidiary of the Administrative Ministry. Won’t that become difficult once the Minister returns?”
He was a bureaucrat who had only recently taken office.
Those who understood the deeper currents cautiously searched the garden in the shadows. The Judiciary and Legislative branches clustered beneath the zelkova tree in conversation, while the Cultural Ministry spoke loudly around the fountain. Even amid the commotion, their gazes darted about, keenly observing one another.
“The Minister of Magic was the one who elevated the Prince—who was essentially fifth in line for succession—to Crown Prince. Ahem.”
“Ha, that’s absurd. He was just a green boy.”
“Don’t be careless judging by appearances alone. He was the one who brought a storm of blades through the imperial palace.”
“Now, now, that’s not what matters right now. The Minister has returned. What should we do going forward?”
“Imperial power will consolidate around the Administrative and Magic Ministries. Then naturally, our voice will disappear.”
For Bariel’s sake, they regarded their voice as both a right and a duty. Whatever their private thoughts, at least their public justifications were appropriately noble.
“And with the Emperor’s funeral, Prince Jin seems to be watching for an opening. Ugh.”
“That’s not all. Since the ministerial position was vacant, we’ve essentially been using the entire Magic Ministry as public property. Now that becomes impossible, so operations will become difficult.”
When budgets fell short, they created convenient justifications and gradually siphoned off the Magic Ministry’s resources. The Magic Ministry was already diminished anyway, and with no unified projects in progress, there was no responsible party to strongly object to flexible budget transfers. When the next budget was allocated, they promised to return it—and more than one department had taken advantage of this.
“Really, where did this trouble suddenly come from?”
“Indeed. We needed at least another couple of months.”
Personnel was the same. When short-staffed, they easily requisitioned mages. In the field, these individuals accomplished far greater work than dozens of ordinary laborers.
Under the banner of imperial projects, whenever ministers requested cooperation, there was no reason to refuse. Romand was the minister’s proxy, not the minister himself.
“If I’d known this would happen, I should have dissolved the Magic Ministry long ago. How does a ministerial position remain vacant for nearly ten years? Tsk. Now that the Prince is grown and the coronation is imminent, it’s completely lost.”
“Removing Ian Hielo from the ministerial position would be ideal, but given the Prince’s and the Magic Ministry’s firm trust in him, it seems difficult. We should focus on buying time.”
“Hmm. Yes.”
A man withdrew a neatly folded document from his pocket. It was a report listing various suspicions that had been left unresolved when Ian Hielo disappeared, all clearly itemized. And additionally, the ‘charges’ that could be applied against him.
“Good. Let’s proceed this way.”
“What do you think the other ministries will do?”
“The Justice and Judicial Ministries seem likely to split internally, and the Cultural Ministry opposes the Magic Ministry and Ian Hielo. Remember that incident when imperial treasures were lost? We can hold them accountable for that.”
They nodded in unison, their resolve hardened. Then palace staff could be seen moving busily about—the clock hand was pointing to midnight.
Tap tap tap!
“The Ministry of Magic has arrived.”
“…They’re here.”
“Ahem. Let’s go!”
The officials stubbed out their cigarettes one by one and rose from their seats. Soon they spotted carriages converging in the distance before the grand conference hall—bearing the seal of the Ministry of Magic, the protagonists of today’s meeting.
* * *
Screech!
Creak.
“We’ve arrived, Minister Ian.”
As the Mage opened the carriage door, I turned my head. How long had I wanted to see this sight? My hair neatly swept back, dressed in formal robes, reading through documents even as we traveled—that was me.
The Mages’ faces bloomed with delight, but Romandro, sitting across from me, snapped his fingers sharply in warning to restrain themselves.
“Look at you all getting emotional. Hey, this isn’t the Ministry of Magic or what?”
“Romandro, you were the one with tears running down your face, and here you are saying that! Besides, I’m not crying? I’m just a little moved, that’s all!”
“Ian, you can leave those two behind.”
As Romandro grumbled, I descended from the carriage and tucked the documents under my arm. An emergency midnight session of the grand conference. Now that I thought about it, when exactly had this urgent summons been issued? It wasn’t so distant in my memory, yet it felt strangely remote.
Employees from each department hurried up and down the stairs, the area bright as midday. I nodded and ascended the stairs first.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Minister Ian!”
With me at the lead, the Mages climbed the grand conference hall stairs in unison. Each carried a stack of reports in hand. The commotion around us fell silent at once, and people covered their mouths as they whispered.
“…He really is just a child.”
“Is that really Ian Hielo?”
“What on earth is the situation that he’s alone like that, honestly.”
“The Mages have returned quite a number. Though it seems some from the south haven’t arrived yet.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen the Ministry of Magic gathered together like that.”
Inside the conference hall, it was even worse. Those gathered in small groups, huddled together in conversation, suddenly turned to look at me in unison—and fell silent. It wasn’t intentional, but the atmosphere felt decidedly awkward.
I found my seat naturally, with an indifferent air. Yet a woman blocked my path.
“Count Ian.”
“Oh, Quintana.”
“My goodness, my goodness!”
She was Quintana, formerly in charge of finances in the Administrative Ministry and now elevated to ministerial rank. She seemed somewhat changed yet remained the same. Appearing shocked, she examined me from head to toe without even noticing her rudeness. After pondering for a long while, she finally spoke.
“…Are you well?”
“Of course.”
“I’m glad you’ve returned.”
“Thank you. Please, sit.”
The Servants bustled about, apparently preparing for the Prince’s arrival. I gestured for Quintana to sit, and soon the Minister of Imperial Defense Maxim Tweller and Captain Jairot entered. They too met my gaze and displayed a wide array of emotions.
“Prince Jin has arrived.”
Thump.
Everyone rose and greeted Jin according to imperial protocol. Watching Jin naturally command authority before the ministers of each department, I felt oddly unsettled. In my absence, Jin truly had lived through ten years. The young Prince who once carved unknown things into corners was no longer visible.
“Everyone has gathered. Please, be seated. As you’ve all heard, this emergency session has been called to announce the return of Minister of Magic Ian Hielo. It’s not merely a matter of the ministerial post that has long remained vacant, but rather to discuss the reappearance of Rutherford, who disappeared alongside Count Ian at that time.”
The conference hall erupted into chaos once more at this unexpected matter. Information regarding Rutherford had been reported directly to Jin by the Imperial Defense Ministry, and Berik had been dispatched immediately, so it hadn’t been addressed in previous sessions.
The Mages distributed the prepared reports to the ministers and high-ranking officials of each department.
Rustle.
The sound of papers turning filled the air from every direction. Ian spoke carefully, as though inviting them to listen while they read.
“I am Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic. The report I’ve just distributed contains publicly available information, with detailed accounts of what transpired in the Abyss.”
So there was classified information as well. The officials reviewed the report’s contents, straightened their posture, and looked toward Jin—a sign they wished to question Ian.
Jin remained silent, merely nodding to indicate they could proceed as they wished.
“Count Ian. First, I sincerely congratulate you on your return to Bariel. Do you remember me?”
“Of course. Vice Minister Hamanna.”
“I am Minister now. According to the report, time flowed differently in the Abyss compared to here, which explains your appearance. Can you prove this?”
“Prove it how?”
My very appearance was the evidence itself—what more could they possibly want? The mages’ eyes narrowed into triangles of suspicion, while Jin silently tapped the edge of the documents.
“Whether you are truly Ian Hielo, the minister who disappeared. To be frank, I understand the explanation, but it’s difficult to accept readily. Below the Rift swarms with demons, and you’ve appeared in an extraordinary state. Do you understand what this brings to mind for us? If you truly are Ian Hielo.”
Do you remember the Arcen incident? A demon that infiltrated the imperial palace nearly brought Bariel to ruin from within. If you truly are Ian Hielo, prove that you are not a demon wearing a human mask.
Ian smiled brightly and nodded.
“First, Rutherford’s timeline must also be twisted, so he should possess an appearance unaffected by the passage of time. Capture and verify him. Additionally, my mother, Mrs. Philia, currently resides in the imperial palace. I will prove our blood connection using an isotope solution.”
I answered calmly and without hesitation, as though I had anticipated the questions.
“And we could also request holy water or divine light from the temple. You understand, don’t you? If you remember the past.”
A demon would dissolve in holy water and cast no shadow before divine light. Haven’t you all witnessed this firsthand?
“Should you still find it insufficient, I would also recommend a direct visit to the Abyss. The Ministry of Magic will assist with whatever proof is needed, with utmost sincerity.”
If you wish, I will send you. At my warning-laden rebuke, the man merely fidgeted with his pen awkwardly. Then a woman beside him raised her hand.
“Since Mrs. Philia has been mentioned, I must speak. Count Ian Hielo. You will remember that there were suspicions regarding your past.”
“Yes, the matter of imperial bloodline.”
“Would it be acceptable to call Mrs. Philia as a witness?”
“Of course. You may even use a truth serum. However, if you continue to question my origins afterward, I will regard it as an insult to my mother and the imperial family, and I will respond accordingly.”
Do as you wish, but once the results come, keep silent and mention it no further.
The atmosphere grew increasingly heated as questions poured forth.
“You still admit to creating Idgal?”
“I do. I never imagined it would become so useful with time.”
The creation of Idgal had transformed from a weakness into a possibility. Though I had no intention of revealing whether I could still create it now.
“How do you explain your relationship with Rutherford?”
“It was magic. Beyond my control.”
At my words, the officials’ eyes gleamed momentarily—as though they had found a weak point.
“Magic? Then you were unable to stop Rutherford?”
“Count Ian, as Minister of Magic at the time, you had a duty to protect the imperial palace. Yet due to insufficient ability, you could not even prevent merchants from outside infiltrating, and as you just admitted, you could not overcome Rutherford through magic. I apologize for harsh words, but can we truly say you possessed the qualifications?”
“Dozens of imperial treasures were lost due to Rutherford’s rampage alone. This was a failure of the Ministry of Magic beyond valuation—shouldn’t you take responsibility?”
“All those involved with the imperial palace at that time were dismissed to restore its standing. Count Ian, though you were said to be an exceptional mage, that was long ago, was it not? We cannot assume the skills of mages then and now are equal. The world has progressed, after all.”
“Even if they were equal, that would be problematic too. It would mean the Ministry of Magic has stagnated. Ahem.”
“For Count Ian to be reinstated as Minister of Magic, something befitting the position is necessary. Even with a twisted timeline, you are too young—will your subordinates truly feel the former dignity?”
Scratch, scratch. I recorded all their words without changing expression. Behind me, the mages’ triangular eyes transformed into fierce glares, but the officials deliberately ignored them, merely clearing their throats.
Finally, I set down my pen with a soft sound and began answering one by one. First—
“May I have the name of the person who raised the concern about my youth?”
“Pardon? Ah, I’m Daf Lontine from the Ministry of Culture.”
“Lord Lontine, haven’t you only recently assumed your position?”
“…No, sir. This is my fifth year in the role.”
“Oh, I see. My apologies. It seems Prince Jin hasn’t made clear how he’s been leading the imperial palace.”
Jin had only just come of age today. Until now, he had led the imperial palace under the status of a minor, so Ian’s pointed remark about his youth was equally an attack that applied to Jin as well.
As Ian smiled wryly and glanced at Jin, the Prince met his gaze with composure, resting his chin on his hand.
“Indeed. We’ve worked together for five years, yet it seems there’s still much you don’t understand.”

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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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