Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 528

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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 527
Defective Weapons
“Would you care for one?”
At Heil’s question, Kayla lifted her head. She studied him carefully to discern his intentions, but soon realized there was nothing hidden beneath the surface, so she straightened her posture.
“No, thank you.”
“Minister Ian will arrive shortly. Please wait a moment.”
I had visited this place once before, following my father, the Marquis Hollin, but I never knew such a location existed within the Magic Department.
It was a cluttered office. Desks stretched in long rows, piles of reports, a makeshift bed wedged in a corner, and half-eaten food scattered about like forgotten relics.
Within that office, in a small space isolated by floor-to-ceiling glass, I maintained an upright posture while deliberately ignoring the gazes of passing mages.
*Knock knock.*
“Captain Heil, are you busy?”
“No, I’m fine. What is it?”
“That doll Romandro submitted before.”
“The one the Puppeteer used?”
“Yes. It turns out it’s made of human skin. The hair is human as well. However, it appears to be a mixture from multiple people, not just one. The Curse Research Division has suggested conducting experiments to see if there’s any curse-related connection. There may be some loss during the experimentation process—should we proceed?”
“It would be best to report this to Minister Ian and receive his permission.”
“Understood. Alternatively, we could seek assistance from the minority tribes in the northern regions who specialize in curses. Wasn’t it mentioned that Astana would be attending the coronation ceremony? You could reference that and submit a report.”
“Very well. Leave it on my desk.”
“By the way, who is that?”
“Princess Kaila of the Marquis Hollin Family.”
“Princess Kaila? Ah, you mean the—”
The mage glanced at me, then promptly slapped his own cheek with a small gesture. Due to the Davion Family’s simultaneous departures, rumors had already spread throughout the imperial palace.
As I glared at the mage, he turned away quite naturally and left. Heil lit a cigarette and apologized on his behalf.
“My apologies.”
“No, it’s only natural in the imperial palace. How much presence must Davion have?”
“But Princess, why did you come here?”
“I’m not entirely sure myself. Count Ian asked to have a conversation, so I came.”
Heil exhaled smoke and scratched his forehead. This place was mostly used as an interrogation room.
There would be no reason for Ian to involve himself in minor disturbances from outside. Something significant seemed to be happening, but since I hadn’t heard anything about it, well.
*Click.*
Then, Ian entered, dressed in Magic Department uniform. Behind him came Romandro, carrying stacks of documents. I remained seated, merely looking up at the two of them.
“Princess Kaila. Stand and show your respect.”
With Ian’s command, another figure entered.
I did not immediately recognize him. Silver hair and a deep scar dividing his face. And eyes as cold as ice. I was startled and rose to my feet without thinking.
“…Your Highness, the Prince.”
“I regret our first meeting was not more pleasant.”
*Swoosh!* Romandro drew the curtains over the glass partition to prepare for the meeting. A thick curtain seemed to descend over my mind as well, which had been preoccupied with what to discuss, what to offer, and how to return home. The Prince’s appearance had cast everything into shadow.
“Forgive me. I had to spare a moment to handle urgent matters and maintain proper uniform standards.”
“No, it’s quite alright.”
To Ian’s apology, I responded with measured composure while gauging Jin’s expression. This was my first time meeting him at such close proximity; I had only ever observed him from a distance.
Oddly enough, the person who suddenly came to mind was Princess Chloe Davion. No matter how strangely circumstances unfolded, I had been the one to meet Jin first between the two of us.
“Yes. There was apparently some commotion outside.”
“I am truly ashamed.”
“I hear there are rumors that you carry the bloodline of the Burgos royal family.”
Ah. Was that the commotion he meant? His attitude suggested he wasn’t even considering the confrontation between Chloe and myself. I bit my lower lip firmly and remained silent.
“There are also suspicions of two Countesses.”
“Your Highness.”
“Are you not a businesswoman? Why take the difficult path when an easy one lies before you? Before we examine your blood and that of your siblings with a homogeneous reagent, wouldn’t it be better for your negotiations to simply confess willingly?”
Ian quietly lowered his gaze and organized only the documents. Though the matter was already decided between them, this was a formal procedure for final confirmation.
I eventually shrugged my shoulders as if raising both hands and feet in surrender.
“Yes, that’s correct. My mother carries the bloodline of the Burgos royal family. Therefore, with the help of the royalist faction, she established a weapons distribution network. But that is the answer. As for the jewel in question, it is true my mother sent it, but I did not know it was an imperial treasure. I’m told it was previously used as a necklace ornament, but I used it as a hair ornament instead. It had already passed through many hands and lost its original form long ago.”
I added urgently, but Jin’s interest lay elsewhere.
“The imperial palace supplies official weapons to the royalist faction. Has other trading been flourishing beyond that?”
“The royalist faction merely provided small assistance in the initial stages. Since Burgos is in civil war and there are so many who need weapons, my mother now independently manages the business.”
“Then, if desired, you could continue supplying weapons to the royalist faction?”
“…Yes. As long as someone doesn’t touch our rice bowl.”
I glanced at Ian while answering. Regarding the general weapons business rights, the very person trying to steal our rice bowl stood right before me. Ian smiled as if he didn’t know anything and made a proposal.
“Princess Kayla. Whether intentional or not, possessing a jewel lost by the imperial palace is a grave crime. And above all, since you say it was sent by a Countess, we have no choice but to examine that process in greater detail.”
“Count Ian.”
I shook my head briefly. It was a signal to cut through the pleasantries and get to the point. I was the center of my family, a businesswoman, and a clever one at that. The fact that the imperial palace had found leverage meant there was a price my family would have to pay.
“It sounds like you’re asking us to supply defective weapons to Burgos.”
“Oh, your ears are quite keen.”
Betraying the family’s honor and the trust of our clients.
But what could I do? With Bariel’s imperial palace pushing from behind, unless I completely defected to Burgos, I had no choice but to comply with their demands first. I was planning to quit the weapons business soon anyway, so ending things at this level of loss was acceptable.
My scales weighed this and that, and then I nodded.
“Very well. If you mention the more precise details, I will follow your orders. Your Highness.”
“Simple enough. Fill Burgos with weapons we cannot cut through and cannot break—swords that shatter, shields that crumble, and armor that cannot even stop the wind.”
Initially, I would have faced off directly against Rutherford, the anti-royalist faction, but that was merely the beginning. Since I couldn’t gauge how the future royalist faction would emerge, it was prudent to plant problems in their military strength beforehand.
“Understood. Then, regarding the imperial treasure and my mother’s bloodline, you will keep silent?”
“Once I see how things progress.”
“…The bloodline is not something we chose.”
“But you have enjoyed the privileges it granted.”
Jin seemed pleased with my cooperative attitude. With overwhelming circumstantial and physical evidence, it would have been truly exhausting to drag things out stupidly. He rose from his seat first and spoke.
“Coordinate the remaining matters with Count Ian and decide accordingly. And—”
The jewel embedded in my hair ornament. It was once one of the imperial treasures, but it had already been processed and lost its original form and value. There was ample room to interpret it as an insult to the imperial family—
“Consider the jewel as earnest money and keep it.”
Jin overlooked it.
With a meaningful glance to Ian asking for his cooperation and a nod suggesting we share a meal later, Ian, Romandro, and Captain Heil rose from their seats and saw him off with proper courtesy.
Meanwhile, I remained seated in thought, lost in contemplation, until Jin glanced at me briefly before leaving the reception room.
Creak.
“Princess Kaila. The remaining matter refers to you entering Burgos first.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“In place of the Countess, take control of the weapons distribution rights within Burgos. Of course, you’ll establish a contract magic with the Magic Department first before proceeding. Do you agree to this?”
Ian extended a contract to Kaila. It contained terms stating that I would fulfill the conversation and proposal just discussed, and swear loyalty to Bariel without the slightest shame.
However, Kaila merely stared blankly at the door where Jin had exited, not moving an inch. Was something wrong? Heil rubbed out his cigarette and checked the door, but found nothing unusual.
“Princess Kaila?”
“Prince Jin. Seeing him up close, he’s even more impressive.”
What in the world was this?
Heil’s eyebrows twitched as he glanced at Romandro, and Romandro sniffed and looked at Ian in turn. The venom had completely, utterly vanished. Ian seemed to sense it too, tilting his head in bewilderment.
“My lady?”
“…How would I know unless I’d seen him before? Wouldn’t you agree?”
“That’s certainly true, but…”
Kaila finally picked up her pen and read through the contract. Her eyes shone with keen intelligence once more. Yet somehow, she seemed to lose focus again, just as before.
When Ian tapped the desk lightly, she turned her head and asked.
“Count Ian. I’m well aware that having the blood of the Burgos royal family is currently a factor that draws considerable disfavor. The political situation demands it. But what if Bariel succeeds in occupying Burgos and seeks harmony between the two nations? Wouldn’t this bloodline become more valuable than ever?”
“It seems you’ve already assumed the answer.”
“I’m merely asking. You’re quite renowned both inside and outside the imperial palace.”
“Well, it’s not entirely impossible.”
“Exactly. Is there anything in this world that cannot be done? Count Ian himself returned after ten years.”
Kaila finished signing and set down her pen as if she’d realized something.
Until now, the position of Empress had been merely a desire. The highest seat of power she could attain, an opportunity to make her family the foremost nobility, and so forth.
But just now, that desire had transformed into a dream.
“When should I depart for Burgos?”
“If possible, I’d prefer a natural transition so Burgos doesn’t notice. Has any information about the Dera Tribe leaked to them?”
“No. It would undermine the Hollin Family’s competitiveness, so absolutely not.”
“Good. Then I’ll coordinate the schedule within the Magic Department and contact you again. The magical contract will likely be made with Captain Heil here.”
“Understood. Ah, and I have one request.”
Kaila spoke while looking at the empty seat where Jin had been sitting.
“Before I depart for Burgos, please let me see the Prince one more time. There’s something I must tell him.”
“I’ll inquire. If His Highness is unwilling, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Yes, I understand. Then, may I take my leave?”
Since Kaila had been taken into the imperial palace, Davion’s side was probably firing off celebratory cannons. Kaila smiled softly and murmured to herself.
“I should go apologize to Princess Chloe. I’ve left a blemish on that precious face of hers.”
While wearing this hair ornament that His Highness bestowed upon me. It would be nice to add words of gratitude along with the apology.
At Kaila’s smile, both Romandro and Heil felt their spines chill simultaneously and took a step back. No matter how you looked at it, she was certainly not ordinary.

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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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