Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 514

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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 513
Reversal of Circumstances
Crash!
Marquis Hollin thrust the door open with force.
The Officials who had been clustered together startled at the sudden intrusion, but they quickly composed themselves, rising from their seats with ceremonial smiles. They had read the mood in Marquis Hollin’s cold, observant gaze.
The Marquis entered slowly, his eyes sweeping across the faces of his visitors with piercing intensity.
“What brings you all here so early in the morning?”
Though he already knew, the Marquis threw out the question as if demanding an explanation. Minister Pillenelong then offered a cautious greeting.
“Good morning, Marquis. The weather is quite—”
“Before even glancing outside to judge whether it’s good or bad, you’ve all gathered here. I have nothing to say to that. I ask again: what is this about? Since you’ve all come from the Imperial Palace, I’m deeply concerned. Has a problem arisen?”
As the Marquis crossed his legs while settling into the sofa, Princess Kaila arrived at the reception room at that very moment. Despite the early hour, she was impeccably dressed. She entered the inner chamber and nodded to the visitors, who in turn placed their hands over their chests in greeting. They seemed to think conversing with Kaila might be more effective than dealing with the Marquis in his current agitated state.
As Kaila passed, the visitors parted to either side, welcoming her.
“Good morning, Princess Kaila.”
“Yes, it’s been a while. What brings you all here so early?”
“Ah, it’s regarding the land purchase and infrastructure sale that the Magic Department requested from the Hollin Family.”
“We’ve already submitted our response.”
“We know, but forgive me—might you be willing to adjust the price?”
Kaila’s eyebrows twitched as she swept her gaze across the visitors. What was this? How had the situation developed this way? Not from the Magic Department itself, but from Officials with connections to the Hollin Family arriving en masse with such a request?
Kaila sensed something was amiss and, smoothing her dress, took her seat.
“The Magic Department has debts to settle. For the past decade, we’ve been borrowing against our budget, but the Minister of Magic says the contract amount with the Hollin Family is so substantial that he has no choice but to demand immediate payment.”
“I see.”
A sound of realization escaped her lips. Kaila swept her lustrous hair back and smiled with amusement, raising one corner of her mouth.
“If the debt cannot be repaid, all of you will be brought to trial, Marquis Hollin. For mutual benefit, wouldn’t it be wise to adjust the price according to the Magic Department’s proposal? If you do so, I promise to process the customs procedures for Burgos from a week down to five days.”
“From a broader perspective, this is for Bariel’s sake, so the Marquis would also benefit. Special weapons will diminish the Magic Department’s influence. In time, you can reclaim what’s lost.”
“Yes. And haven’t you already agreed to pay double the land purchase price? There’s no loss for you.”
“Just bend once for us. We’re all in the same boat.”
If the Officials in collusion were forced to step down from their positions, it would be a fatal blow to the Hollin Family. First, Davion, their competitor, would gain prominence and seize control of the Imperial Palace, and once that happened, all of the Hollin Family’s ventures would face obstruction.
The Marquis suppressed his displeasure and reached for a cigarette, while Kaila remained silent, her toes tapping softly.
“The issue is payment?”
“Yes, Marquis.”
“Then we simply pay it ourselves, don’t we? How much is it?”
Rather than drawing funds from other nobles, it was better to keep the lands. He knew all too well that once you let something slip from your grasp, you could never reclaim it.
At the Marquis’s question, the Officials could only offer awkward laughter.
“It’s not just the amount—didn’t you receive the official notice?”
“Official notice? What notice?”
“The Imperial Palace issued a warning to the central nobility. It states that if any transactions occur regarding public matters—that is, official business—the Imperial Palace will dispatch investigators.”
“What?”
Marquis Hollin turned to his Butler, but the Butler shook his head, indicating he had received nothing.
The Marquis clenched his jaw. It was surely no oversight. It would simply arrive ‘slightly’ later than elsewhere. The intention was quite blatant.
“How absurd.”
How much have I sacrificed for this nation, and yet they treat me like this? Do they not know how much tax I collect, how many imperial citizens depend on my rule? The Count ground his cigarette between his teeth, suppressing the fury that threatened to boil over.
Then Princess Kaila covered her mouth with her hand and whispered to her father.
“Father. First….”
The Officials tried to eavesdrop on Princess Kaila’s whisper, but the Butler’s noisy shuffling of teacups made it difficult. Amid the clinking sounds, the Count’s eyes narrowed, and he soon nodded in understanding.
“Ahem. I understand the gravity of the situation. But before that, there’s one thing I must clarify.”
“What might that be? Please, speak freely.”
“If the matter concerns elevating Princess Kaila to Empress, I need not say—I support it without reservation.”
“Of course! Princess Kaila alone is worthy of that position. Who would dare object?”
“Not that!”
The Count lightly struck the table as if to silence their nonsense.
“Even if I accept the Magic Department’s proposed price, can the transaction truly be completed?”
“Pardon?”
What did he mean by that? As everyone exchanged confused glances, Princess Kaila added an explanation in a calm, surprisingly cold voice.
“I speak of the Davion faction. They would hope you fail to persuade us. Should that happen, you would all lose your positions, and Davion would take your place. It would only be a matter of time before Davion, having secured key posts within the imperial palace, pressures the Hollin Family.”
“But what could they do? If the Count agrees to our proposed price.”
“Precisely. It is not a matter they can interfere with.”
“And frankly, since the Count is at odds with the Magic Department, Davion would likely adjust their stance and approach the Magic Department favorably. It is an opportunity for them, after all.”
“Yes. That troubles us.”
Whether the transaction succeeded or failed, Davion stood to gain. They would at worst break even, but the Hollin Family risked losing everything in an instant.
That would be most inconvenient. Princess Kaila lifted her chin sharply, her expression hardening.
“I will not ask you to bring me the position of Empress immediately. I understand it is impossible, and I know you have little time remaining.”
The Officials could immediately move to elevate Princess Kaila, but it would be meaningless, and a hasty attempt would only backfire.
The choice remained ultimately Prince Gin’s prerogative. To infringe upon that authority, the Officials’ influence needed to grow stronger. The influence of those standing behind them.
Swish.
The Count lightly wrote something on a blank sheet of paper that lay on one side of the table. Then, with a flourish, he tossed it before everyone. The names of Officials from the Davion faction were written upon it.
“Seize them.”
“Seize them, you say….”
“If you remove these men from their positions, I will transfer my territory and all its foundations at the price I proposed. And I shall have a document drawn up regarding Princess Kaila’s future elevation to Empress as well.”
“But these are not minor positions… they all hold key posts.”
“Precisely because they hold key posts that I propose this now. If there is truly no other way, go to the Magic Department and relay this as is. Surely the esteemed Minister of Magic has thoughts on the matter.”
The Officials from the Davion faction already belonged to the Emperor’s faction. Would they truly break their own wings?
Though it was called a conditional proposal, in reality the Magic Department pushed from behind while the Hollin Family pushed from the front. The Officials wore expressions of dismay, smoking their cigarettes heavily.
“Well. My business here is concluded, so I shall take my leave.”
“Count! Count!”
“Pardon me.”
“Princess, might we speak for a moment?”
Creak.
Princess Kaila closed the door without hesitation and followed her father, whispering.
“It was perfectly calibrated. Whether it succeeds or fails, we gain—an ideal proposal for buying time. Father.”
“Indeed. What a day this has been, right from the morning.”
“I’ll come by every day to complain. For now, let’s wait and see. Just in case, should I prepare ‘that’?”
The Count nodded at Kayla’s question and patted his daughter’s shoulder. A commotion echoed from behind them, but the two descended the stairs without sparing it a glance.
* * *
Meanwhile, I was walking toward the Magic Tower with Romandro. Despite the brilliant weather, the faces of the passing employees were dark. Noticing this, Romandro muttered quietly to me.
“Ian. The imperial palace seems rather unsettled.”
“Besides the department that will bear the costs, Davion’s side will also be in chaos. If you visit other buildings now, they’ll either be empty or too busy to even speak with you. It’s one or the other.”
“We don’t need to look into Davion’s side?”
“She won’t take any direct action. Watching the flow between me and the officials, she’ll naturally move toward cooperation.”
The Magic Tower appeared in the distance. A massive, towering structure that steadfastly guarded the four directions of the imperial palace. The Bariel imperial flag seemed to flutter particularly refreshingly.
“Then what about Marquis Hollin? Do we need to apply more pressure? He looked like he was barely holding his ground. It would be good if we backed him up when the officials pushed forward.”
“There are advantages to stepping back. If we get too close to this mudslinging, we’ll lose our clothes.”
A guard recognized me and Romandro, saluted, and raised his sword to clear the path into the Magic Tower.
“We just need to monitor from one step behind.”
“Monitor? In what way?”
“The Hollin Family’s scarecrow.”
“What are you even talking about?”
“I’m not entirely certain myself. From the Hollin Family’s perspective, it’s something they’d only reveal at the very end.”
Creak.
“Master Ian. You’ve arrived?”
“Is he inside?”
“Yes. You may enter. Following the doctor’s advice, we’ll keep the restraints but remove the gag. During your conversation, I’ll remain present to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. If there are security concerns, please inform me in advance.”
I nodded, and the soldier pushed open the thick iron door.
A dark space where only a handful of sunlight entered through a window the size of a palm. A sparse room with nothing but a bed and a desk. The figure sitting on the bed heard the footsteps and slowly turned his head.
“It’s been a while.”
Damon’s eyes widened upon recognizing me. His neat short hair remained the same, but his paler skin and gaunt frame were more pronounced. I dragged over a chair and sat before him, then smiled slightly.
“Did you miss me?”
“….”
“Your tongue’s already been cut off—what do you have to chew on that you keep causing trouble and wearing a gag?”
At my gesture, the soldier released the restraint on Damon’s right arm. It fell with a thud, pale and withered. He couldn’t even clench his fist easily, so he didn’t move.
I tossed a pen and paper at him and asked.
“You can ask if you’re curious. I also have things to ask, so this seems like a fair trade, wouldn’t you say?”
Damon stared at the pen for a moment, then slowly grasped it. Scratch, scratch—words written weakly. Romandro scratched his mustache and handed me the paper.
“Ian. This….”
-When exactly do I die?
Reading the words, I shrugged and answered.
“Who knows. When your value has completely faded and lost its luster? There’s not much time left. But you see, I have quite an interesting idea for you.”
As I drew closer, Damon’s eyes followed me, moving only his pupils.
“A way to not give you a next life. Do you know what the Abyss is?”

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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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