Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 523

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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 522
The Condition of Refusal
“Why is this conversation taking so long?”
“Right? I’m dying of curiosity.”
“Don’t push. Even if you press your ear against the door, you won’t hear anything.”
“How much longer are you all going to stand here? Aren’t you supposed to be packing?”
“Do I look like I came here to play? I came to get approval.”
“Ian? Ian!”
“Shh. Be quiet, Berik!”
Berik and the Mages pressed themselves against the door, continuously listening for any sound. While Zaira was certainly a key figure in the Cliffford Rift investigation, this one-on-one meeting had stretched far longer than expected.
As a result, Mages had gathered one by one to receive my approval, forming a line, and Berik, who wanted nothing more than to sprawl across the sofa, kept making a fuss and sending signals inside.
“Excuse me.”
An Imperial Palace employee at the end of the corridor called out to them cautiously. As all eyes turned toward him, his expression grew quite flustered.
“Is there some problem with the Minister?”
“Are you here to submit a report too? Either leave it and go, or get in line. We’re waiting as well.”
“It is by order of the Prince.”
“Oh.”
Well, that changes everything!
While the Mages parted left and right to clear a path, Berik clung to the door handle and whined incessantly.
Knock knock.
“Minister. Pardon the interruption for a moment.”
“Ian! The Prince’s orders!”
There was no way to ignore this, and the employee hesitated before stepping over Berik’s arms and legs. Immediately, permission came from inside.
“Come in.”
The door swung open!
I stood before my desk sorting through documents, while Zaira was wiping her glasses. Suddenly, more than a dozen Mages poked their heads in simultaneously, their eyes darting about.
“What is the matter?”
“Ah, yes. News from the delegation that went to Burgos. They were suddenly attacked, and everyone except the messenger was killed. The Prince has called for an official emergency meeting, and the Magic Department is ordered to attend without fail.”
The entire delegation was dead.
My hand, which had been organizing documents, froze. The Mages’ gazes, which had been surveying the office, now focused on the employee. They had all understood. This was the spark that would ignite war.
“Understood.”
“Yes, then.”
The employee bowed and retreated, and Berik came rushing over to sprawl across the sofa.
“Honestly, Berik—you want to lie down even in a situation like this?”
“When war breaks out, I’ll be rolling in filth, so I might as well enjoy myself while I can. You all should rest too if you can. Oh right. We have to attend the Magic Department meeting? Haha.”
Snap. The Mages’ eyes were laughing, but they couldn’t hide the frustration rising from within. As they all rushed to grab Berik by the collar, Zaira stood up and brushed off her upper garment.
“We’ll be providing support from the rear, so we won’t have to smell that filth. Go ahead and roll around all you want, Berik.”
“What, speaking informally to your elder?”
“Why? Isn’t that what you do?”
“Ugh! Get over here!”
“Ian. I’ll take my leave then. I’ll submit a detailed report later, so we can discuss further at that time.”
As Zaira bowed to me, she raised her middle finger behind her back. It was clear that Berik played a significant role in the Mages from Ruswena infiltrating the Magic Department. Though he himself seemed unaware of it.
“That little brat! I’ll kill her, I swear!”
…Still the same. In every way.
I chuckled and waved for her to go, while Berik ground his teeth at Zaira, held fast by the group of Mages pummeling him.
“Ian. Regarding the meeting about the attack on the diplomatic delegation—what should the Magic Department prepare?”
A diplomatic delegation attacked. It was unprecedented, beyond rare. I felt at a loss for what to prepare.
I picked up the documents and read through them carefully, pondering for a moment. Depending on who attacked the delegation, the course of the war would shift slightly. Whether it was Rutherford’s faction, the Atan Clan, or perhaps unexpectedly the royalists or another force entirely.
In any case, the priority was the coronation ceremony, but…
“I suspect we should hold the coronation and the military campaign launch together.”
“Ah, that could work. The Prince has shown strong resolve to participate in the war.”
“That would be better. With war on the verge of breaking out, it’s been awkward to set a date for the coronation anyway. And nothing boosts morale quite like such an event.”
“Then the Magic Department should focus on preparing the ceremony. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate that the Magic Department remains strong.”
I smiled faintly. The Mages had quickly grasped the meaning behind my brief hint. Though the most important part hadn’t been mentioned yet.
‘By inviting foreign dignitaries, we can gauge each nation’s position.’
Would we merely gauge their positions? A coronation followed immediately by military campaign meant we could bind key figures from nations opposed to the Empire to Bariel.
Each nation would likely consider this and either send representatives from opposition factions or decline attendance altogether. The former would give us an opportunity to contact those opposed to the established powers, while the latter could be used as grounds for saying they showed disrespect to the Empire.
‘If they don’t attend, we’ll meet them on the battlefield anyway, so there’s no need to quibble over justifications.’
“Also, prepare the messengers to send abroad. Instruct the Mana Stone Management Department to recheck whether there are any issues with the Mana Stones.”
“Yes, understood!”
Cliffford was certainly an ally, but I couldn’t be certain how Ruswena, Hawan, and the other minor nations would act. The nations near the north would likely lean toward Rutherford’s faction.
“Also—”
“More? There’s more?”
The Mages had barely taken a step before another order came, so they stopped in their tracks as they tried to leave the Minister’s office.
“Tell the Dera Tribe to submit general weapons for quality inspection. Hollinga will use every trick in the book to protect her remaining business rights. We’re nearly at the final stage of this battle.”
“The final stage of battle?”
“Yes.”
Becoming Empress versus becoming Crown Princess. Which would be easier?
Before Jin ascends to the throne, the competition to secure the position at his side will intensify. If no clear victor emerges between the Hollin and Davion families, those below them will reach upward, and those below them will do the same, all seeking to rise.
‘But Roberside… that dream of his is quite curious.’
The man who had appointed himself Jin’s guardian since childhood—wasn’t he a new figure the Prince had shown? While I suspected he might be Jin’s match, I had nothing concrete to confirm it.
I unconsciously picked up my pen and lightly sketched the woman I had seen that day. Though I hadn’t seen her clearly, the image was hazy…
“Hmm.”
As I stroked my chin in thought, the Mages stealthily peeked at my drawing. Their jaws dropped in unison.
‘So Ian does have a human side after all…’
‘His drawing skills are exactly the same as Prince Jin’s.’
‘Is that a drawing? Or some foreign language we don’t know?’
‘Doesn’t look like a person? Eyes, nose, mouth…’
‘Looks like some kind of sprouted food to me.’
‘…Indeed, the Gods are fair. Truly.’
The Mages exchanged glances, their eyes repeatedly darting toward the tip of my pen. Noticing their stares, I lifted my head with a puzzled expression and spoke.
“You’re dismissed.”
“…Ah, yes!”
“Our apologies!”
“W-wait, Ian-”
“Stop your nonsense and get out!”
Crash!
The Mage who had clumsily attempted to praise my artistic skill was dragged out by his colleagues.
What’s gotten into all of them? I stared at the firmly shut door before returning my focus to the documents.
* * *
“How dare they attack the Bariel delegation!”
“Are they mad? We must teach them a lesson at once!”
The conference hall was unified for the first time in ages. Just days ago, they had squabbled over departmental boundaries, but now that a common enemy had emerged, only their shared identity as Bariel remained.
Thud.
Prince Jin threw the report onto the table. His gaze was cold enough that anyone could sense the Prince’s fury.
“According to the messenger’s report, the attack occurred around five in the morning. Dawn had broken, but it was still dark. The delegation leader was killed instantly inside the carriage by the sudden assault. The guards resisted, but the overwhelming difference in power left them unable to mount any real defense before they fell. All the Stewards who tried to flee were captured and beheaded on the spot. The messenger escaped, though it seemed they deliberately let him go.”
All the deceased were Officials who had long served the Foreign Ministry. The Foreign Minister, equally enraged as Prince Jin, added his assessment.
“Based on the combat methods and witness testimony, we believe the perpetrators are Atan Tribe Leader Efdiram and her subordinate chief, Beno.”
“Isn’t the Chieftain a Mage? Did she use magic?”
“She didn’t use it directly. We suspect it was Beno’s doing. Evidence of a Demon Sword was found at the scene. The delegation leader’s corpse was split in two along with the carriage.”
The Officials grimaced at the thought of such a gruesome death.
“If the Atan Tribe attacked the Bariel delegation, there’s no need to hear their side of the story.”
“These incomprehensible savages. If they stayed north of Bariel, they could feed on Demons without any great effort.”
“Can we accurately assess the Atan Tribe’s military strength?”
“The Magic Department has been sending steady reports from the northern Rift region, so while not comprehensive, we have some understanding.”
“Then we can assume Burgos’s anti-imperial faction—that is, Rutherford—has colluded with the Atan Tribe? Are there no other forces involved?”
“That is-”
As the Foreign Minister began to speak, Prince Jin raised his hand. I kept my head slightly bowed, waiting for the Prince’s words.
“While no foreign power has shown any particular diplomatic movements yet, I will use the coronation ceremony to uncover them.”
As expected. My eyebrows twitched slightly, and I found myself smiling with satisfaction despite myself. Though we had never discussed it directly, when our thoughts aligned like this, a smile naturally escaped.
Several Officials gaped as if struck by lightning.
“Use the coronation ceremony, Your Highness? I’m afraid I don’t understand your meaning.”
“If we hold the coronation and the military campaign ceremony together, we can observe the movements of foreign powers while simultaneously keeping the dignitaries of each nation in Bariel. There’s no better opportunity to create.”
“But Your Highness, the coronation is a matter of imperial significance. To combine it with a military campaign ceremony would be-”
“If there’s a reason it cannot be combined, speak now.”
At Prince Jin’s command, the Officials whispered among themselves for a moment.
The Emperor’s coronation was inherently tied to imperial authority, making it something the Emperor himself was most concerned with. It was an occasion to proclaim his power to the world with greater grandeur and magnificence than ever before. If Prince Jin himself proposed combining it with the military campaign, there was truly no reason to object.
The Officials nudged each other’s sides and shook their heads slightly. The signal was clear: stay silent and let this proceed according to the Prince’s will.
“There is none.”
“Yes. If the coronation and military campaign ceremony proceed together, it will greatly boost the morale of our Citizens.”
“Then, Your Highness. Will you march to the front immediately after the coronation?”
“If I don’t lead the way, will you?”
“Ah. I was merely asking, Your Highness.”
At Jin’s blunt retort, the official merely scratched his beard awkwardly.
In that same moment, eyes gleamed with sudden understanding. If the Emperor vacated the palace, someone would need to remain in his stead—the Empress, for instance.
“Your Highness. Perhaps it would be wise to welcome the Crown Princess before the coronation and establish the inner chambers?”
“I wholeheartedly agree and recommend it. While Your Highness is away from Bariel, you will need someone steadfast to hold the realm.”
“Given the pressing timeline, I suggest a modest betrothal ceremony for now. After the war concludes, a grand state marriage with celebratory fanfare would be most fitting.”
Jin lifted his head with the air of one who had anticipated this very moment. Yet this was a matter worth addressing precisely—for his position beside him was not merely important to himself, but to Bariel as well.
“I have set certain criteria of my own.”
“Yes. Please speak, Your Highness.”
“Either she contributes eighty percent or more of her family’s wealth under the guise of defense funding—”
What? What kind of madness is this? What family in the world would agree?
The officials’ eyes widened in unison, growing round with shock.
“Or I prefer a woman who will march across the battlefield alongside me.”

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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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