Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 519

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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 518
Your Side, My Side
The atmosphere in the conference hall felt distinctly different. Under normal circumstances, it would be chaotic with officials reviewing meeting agendas and preparing for anticipated questions. Instead, all I heard was anger and contempt laced through every word spoken.
Crash!
“You’ve crossed the line!”
“Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. No matter how noble the Count may be, this is unacceptable. To dare drag palace bureaucrats outside and order them about? How presumptuous!”
“And openly antagonizing the Davion family only stirs unnecessary chaos in the capital.”
“In all my years, I’ve never experienced such a shameful insult.”
“Has the Prince not yet responded?”
“I heard he left the palace. It may take some time.”
The Minister of Magic also vacated his post, so it seems they departed together. The palace is in such disarray! This is absolutely infuriating!”
“And you all are being equally unreasonable.”
A Davion bureaucrat shouted, glaring at the other officials standing at a distance.
“As fellow bureaucrats, instead of immediately refuting this external overreach, you submit reports to the Magic Department exactly as the Count dictated?”
“Why are you venting at us? Would the Count even listen to anything we say right now? Besides, regardless of the content, we must submit the report! We don’t have decision-making authority!”
These were the bureaucrats who had visited Marquis Hollin. They were the Hollin faction—those whose funding was tied to the Magic Department and whose loyalties leaned more toward Hollin.
The Davion faction raised their voices in exasperation.
“You went begging for mercy because your position was precarious, didn’t you? Yet instead of results, you’re just spreading nonsense throughout the palace. It’s deplorable!”
“Begging for mercy? Nonsense? That’s harsh language!”
“We’re the ones who were insulted first. Did you expect kind words?”
“Everyone, enough. This is the sacred palace. And honestly, I understand why the Davion side is upset, but you were watching from across the river while others burned, weren’t you? Now you come speaking of ‘fellow bureaucrats’ and trying to build solidarity. It’s rather absurd.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“When we were being squeezed by the Magic Department over the funding issue, you simply observed. Whether we were eliminated or the Hollin family surrendered their territory, Davion had nothing to lose. And now—”
“You made the funding mistake yourselves. Why are you blaming us for it?”
“Then by that logic, the current situation is the Hollin family’s problem, not ours, is it?”
“What? How old are you?”
It had escalated beyond repair. Documents flew about with a sharp whistle, and accusations flew from all directions.
Maxim Tweller, who had remained silent throughout the chaos, finally sighed and lit a cigarette. Had everyone forgotten we were on the brink of war? I wanted to cut down the enemy’s head, but first I’d like to behead these fools.
The Minister of Technological Development, seated across from him, remained silent, merely massaging his forehead.
“The Prince arrives!”
Then came the servant’s announcement, cutting precisely through the tumult.
Tweller stubbed out his cigarette and rose from his seat, while the bureaucrats, who had been moments away from physical confrontation, straightened their clothes and returned to their places. Though their resentful glares remained unchanged.
Swiftly.
Prince Gin entered and paused, sensing the overheated atmosphere. But only for a moment. He quickly took his seat and gestured for everyone to sit.
Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic, followed immediately after and took his place.
“Even on a day off, you all gather here. You certainly seem energetic.”
“Your Highness, this is truly infuriating and deplorable!”
“Yes, and because you were all so upset, I abandoned my work and came here, didn’t I? So stop making such a racket.”
Those with any sense immediately realized Prince Gin was in a foul mood. Whatever “work” he’d been doing, it seemed he was displeased at being interrupted.
As Prince Gin announced the meeting would begin, Ian handed over documents and spoke first.
“Is it true that the proposal submitted by the Marquis Hollin family is causing controversy?”
“Yes! Absolutely correct. They said they would sell their territory on the condition that we dismiss Marquis Marko from the Administrative Department and Count Chiles from the Interior Ministry. Isn’t that insane?”
“Please restrain yourself, Your Highness the Prince is present!”
Someone issued a warning, but it fell on deaf ears—the Davion faction was already seething with rage.
“Marquis Marko was appointed directly by the late Emperor, and Count Chiles was appointed directly by Your Highness the Prince. And yet they dare to attempt removing such individuals under the guise of a transaction. How is this anything but madness?”
“Exactly. This is no different than challenging Your Highness the Prince directly.”
Officials from other departments glanced toward the Davion faction. If only those two lost their heads, the funding issue would resolve smoothly—yet they persisted in their outrage. Sensing those gazes, the Davion faction responded with narrowed eyes.
Then—
“From the department with frozen funds—”
It was I. With a soft rustling sound, I turned to the next page of documents and continued speaking.
“It seems you haven’t produced any results whatsoever.”
My tone was gentle and measured. Against the heated atmosphere, it created a stark contrast. The Hollin faction officials hesitated but soon countered.
“There is still time remaining, Count Ian.”
“About twenty-one hours, then. Does that hold any significance?”
“Of, of course. While we haven’t brought results, we have opened a path forward. Considering these circumstances, wouldn’t it be appropriate for the Magic Department to extend the deadline?”
“The commotion you’re hearing now—it seems you neither hear nor see it. Yet you speak boldly while disturbing the imperial palace.”
“Well said! Ahem!”
“Yes, yes, how presumptuous of them!”
The Davion faction added their agreement to my rebuke. They had rejected a meeting with Count Davion, but they certainly knew how to read the room!
Jin traced his chin with his fingertips and casually surveyed the conference hall.
“Your Highness must not take sides with anyone. This becomes a matter of fairness, which ultimately cultivates dissatisfaction in one faction, causing us to forfeit the gains we could have obtained through balance. It is not about balance between Your Highness and the bureaucrats. It is about balance between Your Highness, Davion, and Hollin. If we tilt, it means one side rises.”
Following my advice, Jin exercised maximum restraint in his remarks, yet his tongue itched from the way things were unfolding. He desperately wanted to lash out.
I sensed Jin’s true feelings and hastily continued.
“But I heard that Davion is planning a strike. Is that true?”
“Rather than a strike, we have declared that we will not engage in work until Your Highness punishes the Hollin family and restores order. This is also a matter of honor, you see. Unless the problem is resolved, normal operations are impossible.”
“How can you expect the imperial palace to take responsibility for that? It was the Magic Department that submitted the proposal first.”
I laughed as if bewildered and looked directly ahead. Everyone had tacitly admitted that the imperial court and the Magic Department shared the same intentions.
“The Magic Department should bear the responsibility. Perhaps times have changed, but since the previous meeting, the discussion of responsibility has been quite strange.”
“The Magic Department? What are you suggesting?”
As if they had no authority over personnel matters.
I lifted my chin slightly, then fell silent as if pondering. Soon, a cunning smile crossed my face.
“Ah, this is difficult. Truthfully, I would like to accept the proposal from Marquis Hollin.”
“What? Count Ian Hielo!”
“Do you understand what you’re saying?”
“You’re defending the Hollin family’s overreach?”
As everyone shouted as if ready to leap from their seats, I gestured languidly.
“Please, calm yourselves. I said ‘I would like to’—hypothetically. Surely you all know the purchase price of the territory and the Magic Department’s annual budget? Marquis Hollin is demanding five times the original purchase price, and I question whether two bureaucrats are worth such an amount. As you know, I have not been abroad for ten years.”
If we removed just two people, we could save an astronomical budget—but were they worth sacrificing that?
At my blunt question, the Davion faction fell into momentary silence. It was obvious that even if combined with all the Davion family’s assets, it would not match the value of those two.
“Their tenure has been quite long, yet they seem to have no particularly notable projects, and I question whether they even attend properly. Isn’t Marquis Marko over seventy? It seems he’s eyeing the position of next minister, but I have my doubts.”
“Minister Quintana is holding firm, heh.”
“Indeed? I share that assessment. She is capable, and above all, still young.”
When officials from other departments subtly defended me, the Davion faction’s fervor surged. So they wanted to cut me now? Despite the clear overreach of nobility, were they bowing their heads before mere money?
Just as the Davion faction officials were about to storm out, dismissing further discussion—
“However, the Count’s words alone cannot remove a member of the imperial palace.”
My addition left everyone’s faces marked with confusion.
…Was I on their side or someone else’s? Who could tell.
“Count Ian, what exactly is your position?”
“The current victims are the two individuals stripped of membership by Marquis Hollin, so let those two file a formal complaint directly. The Magic Department will provide support.”
“A formal complaint, you say?”
“Regarding abuse of authority. The charges would be—”
I paused briefly in thought, then smiled wryly.
“There are several possibilities, but as with the initial request for remedy from the imperial palace, we should list violations of imperial law as the primary charge.”
The Judiciary officials, who had been listening quietly, suddenly startled and lifted their heads. If the trial proceeded on charges of imperial law violation, any damages awarded upon victory would be forfeited entirely to the imperial palace. The victims were Marquis Marko and Count Chiles, but compensation would come from the imperial treasury.
Did he know all of this and still proceed?
“Do you have any objections?”
I met the Minister of Justice’s gaze and asked.
Ah. So he does know.
“…No. None at all.”
“Yes, I’m relieved to hear it.”
A hypothesis formed in the Minister of Justice’s mind. With high probability, the damages would be claimed from Hollin family territories. Then those profits would flow directly into the Magic Department’s coffers. Truly repugnant.
“For now, this is the Magic Department’s official position, but I wanted you all to understand—by my personal valuation, I would accept Marquis Hollin’s proposal immediately.”
“What standard does Count Ian use to determine this value of yours? The Administrative Department considers her indispensable, and the Interior Ministry feels the same. Other departments are hardly—”
“Ah, I see. There is no standard.”
When someone made that point, I seized the opening without hesitation.
“If there were a quantifiable standard, everyone could understand and accept it. Your Highness, I have a proposal.”
“Speak.”
Prince Gin, who had been resting his chin on his hand, straightened and granted permission.
“Though this is a conflict between the Davion and Hollin families, substantial budgets are at stake. The Magic Department wishes to accept the Count’s proposal for territorial acquisition, but since that would be improper, I propose a compromise.”
“What sort of compromise?”
“How about implementing an evaluation system that can quantify the ‘value’ of all officials, including Marquis Marko and Count Chiles?”
Everyone’s eyes widened simultaneously as if they might burst from their sockets, and all heads turned toward me. Had I truly lost my mind?
“If we do so, the imperial palace can more easily determine what holds greater value. With periodic evaluations determining rank assignments and positions, the Hollin family would feel their proposal was somewhat accommodated, making the negotiation easier to arrange.”
“Wait, just a moment. Count Ian?”
You’re a bureaucrat just like us.
Do you understand what you’re saying?
“Once the deal is arranged, immediate payment isn’t even necessary—”
I surveyed the relevant departments carefully. If they failed to pay within the next twenty-one hours, it would likewise become a matter for formal complaint. Either they’d be stripped of office through accusation, or they’d wear the noose around their necks—I was presenting them with one of two choices.
“And since I need not reverse my position to one supporting the dismissal of these two officials, which would be improper, wouldn’t that be preferable in every way?”
For the Magic Department, cutting two bureaucrats and saving the payment was far more economical and profitable. Following the righteous path meant siding with Davion, so I was telling them to slip the noose around their own necks as well.
“What do you all think?”
Jin asked indifferently, but no answer came from anywhere. Silence meant consent, so Jin shrugged once and replied.
“Very well. I shall do as you wish.”

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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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