Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 530

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 529
Fire. The Arrival of Distinguished Guests
“Ian, could you take a look at this incantation?”
“Yeah. Even I can tell that’s not quite right.”
“Shut up and get out of the way. Focus on your own work.”
“Ian! This section is complete.”
Behind the expansive gardens of the Magic Department.
The Mages scattered in all directions, densely inscribing portal incantations. Most of them underwent transformation into new spells after passing through my hands.
I crouched in one spot, carefully etching incomprehensible and bizarre symbols with precise strokes.
Behind me, the Mages huddled together, craning their necks forward. Having never seen, heard of, or even imagined simultaneous portals before, they all watched me with curious expressions.
“Will this actually work?”
“Hmm. Who knows. It seems like Ian is attempting this for the first time too.”
“Are the coordinate fixations complete?”
As I examined the overall incantation, a Mage flipped through papers and reported.
“Ah, yes! One in the northern monster territory, Ruswena, Hawan, and Cliffford are all set.”
“Good work. Everyone step back.”
“Ian, won’t you run out of magical power?”
At someone’s concern, I smiled, and my colleagues immediately dragged me around and scolded me. They said now wasn’t the time to worry about me—they should worry about themselves, who were already depleting their magical reserves just preparing for the coronation ceremony, let alone creating portals.
I stood in the middle of the vast garden, quietly gazing down at the dizzying spell formation beneath my feet.
Whoooosh—
As the wind blew and grass bent down, the magic circle began to undulate as if coming alive. My eyes shifted gradually from deep green to gold. Following my fingertips, a black moon rose into being.
The Mages watched the sight while chewing on dried meat. No matter how much they called themselves Mages, this wasn’t something easily witnessed.
“One appeared.”
“Oh, look! Another one’s forming behind it.”
“Wow, this is insane. Really.”
Whoooooosh!
Though small in size, they were unmistakably portals. I frowned slightly as if feeling a bit dizzy, but it was only for a moment. Having created four black moons, I gestured to the Mages to approach.
“I’ll maintain the central axis, so take turns watching over them. If the size diminishes or it tilts, inject magical power.”
“Yes, Ian. But are you truly certain about this? Don’t the distinguished guests need these to remain open until they arrive?”
“It’s only a day. I’m fine.”
“A day….”
The Mages rolled their eyes and pressed their lips together. Listen, Ian. For us, even maintaining a single portal together is difficult for tens of minutes. Perhaps he doesn’t understand the sorrows of the mediocre. Hmm.
“Huh? Hey, Ian!”
“There’s movement in the second portal on the left!”
At one Mage’s cry, everyone lifted their heads simultaneously. The second portal on the left—that’s the one connected to the northern territory. Which means—
“Hasha—!”
Romandro cried out with joy. The front of a carriage slowly emerged from the darkness. The Mages moved urgently, flying upward into the sky.
Whoosh!
Zing! Zing!
As the Mages defied gravity, the carriage that seemed about to descend vertically found its proper angle. Soon, as if walking through the sky, it slowly descended onto the Imperial Palace in a safe trajectory.
Dozens of carriages in procession. Palace employees stationed throughout the grounds waved their hands in welcome.
Neigh!
“Oh my, there there. Startled this one. It’s fine. Whoa, whoa!”
“Greetings, we are the Astana delegation!”
“Welcome. Please come in!”
“I thought we’d fall to our deaths. Ha ha!”
The delegation soothed the horses, which snorted nervously in surprise, their faces brightening with smiles. All of them had blue hair and pointed ears.
Soon, the door of the central carriage opened, revealing a figure.
“Count Ian!”
“Hasha?”
It was Hasha, an elderly man with white hair.
He embraced me suddenly and sobbed, while I looked at him with confusion.
“My goodness, it’s really true. You’re truly alive! I heard the rumors, but I honestly couldn’t believe it!”
“Who… who are you?”
When Romandro hesitantly spoke up, Hasha grasped his hand firmly and shook it vigorously. Being a frail old man, his arm fluttered about like a leaf in the wind.
“Romandro! You seem unchanged!”
“H-Hasha?”
“My previous body was beyond preservation, so I obtained a new one. This person is my uncle, and he passed away not long ago.”
“Ah, I see.”
When we met in Karenna, he was a dog; on the battlefield, he was a young man; and now an elder. Though he exists beyond the flow of time, he still seems to follow that natural order.
The old man smiled with missing front teeth and pulled out a necklace. A red mana brooch. It was mine.
“I have waited long and yearned truly. To meet you again.”
I smiled and nodded, and Hasha sought another deep embrace. But after only a brief greeting, I bowed my head to Hasha in the imperial court’s formal manner.
“Your Majesty, King of Astana, thank you for traveling such a great distance. Your noble visit for the Empire’s blessing brings honor, and I hope Astana receives equal glory in return. On behalf of the palace, I offer my gratitude, and I shall guide you to your quarters before you meet with the Crown Prince.”
Right, of course! Romandro also straightened his posture and offered the imperial court’s formal greeting alongside me. Though we were old friends meeting after a long time, he was a king of a nation. Especially now when all had turned their backs—he was nearly the only northern king who stood with Bariel.
Hasha responded with a warm smile and the same formal gesture, then nodded to his attendants.
“The kingdom has prepared a small gift.”
“Oh, the Crown Prince will be delighted. We shall have the Magic Department arrange it.”
“I appreciate that. Thanks to that black moon, I arrived in no time at all. I’m not tired in the slightest. Thank you.”
I also signaled the mages and palace employees to begin guiding the guests. Hasha boarded the carriage again and headed to the main palace, while the mages tidied the surroundings and asked me a question.
“Lord Ian, shouldn’t we close the northern portal now? It takes considerable effort to maintain it.”
“Hmm. Wait a moment.”
Concentric circles bloomed endlessly from my palm. It was a spell formation so densely packed that the gears meshed perfectly without a single gap. I had deciphered this many times, but I soon shrugged my shoulders as if giving up.
“Since they were opened simultaneously, there’s a problem with lowering just one. If I attempt it and accidentally close another, that would be troublesome, so I’ll maintain them for now until this time tomorrow.”
“Understood. We’ll do our best to help as well.”
“I’m not sure if it will show, but ahem.”
“But about the other guests—aren’t they deliberately arriving late? You said you’d keep the portal open on schedule, and they’re trying to drain your strength.”
At one mage’s complaint, I only laughed. It was somewhat speculative, but the suspicion had merit. The other mages also grumbled while looking up at the still-silent portal.
“Honestly, it’s quite possible. If a time was set, they should have waited beforehand and entered the moment the portal opened. Isn’t that proper etiquette? Like Astana did!”
“Everyone knows this isn’t an ordinary matter, but people really are shameless these days.”
“Some of them likely don’t wish to leave their homeland, so their feet may be reluctant to move.”
“Well, that’s true, but still. They lack basic composure. Ian, why don’t you narrow the entrance? Or should we catch them halfway through if they fall?”
The moment the Mages added their comments, I let out a small exclamation. The rear end of another carriage had appeared from the portal. This time—
“It’s from Clipoford!”
“Distinguished guests have arrived from Clipoford!”
“My, their carriage looks quite heavy. Let’s go!”
“Yes, I’ll go too!”
Zing! Whoosh!
The Mages flew up as before to catch the carriage. However, there was a problem. Unlike Astana’s carriage, the King of Clipoford’s carriage had an open ceiling.
“Huh?”
Akorelra narrowed her eyes, staring intently at something separated from the carriage. A plump figure spinning helplessly through the air. Akorelra reported to me without concern.
“Ian, I believe that’s the King of Clipoford.”
Aaahhhhh—
A clear yet sorrowful scream echoed from the sky. With the Mages present, there was no danger of falling, but the person in question seemed completely unaware.
The King descended slowly, trembling with his eyes squeezed shut.
Whoosh.
The King of Clipoford landed gently. Even with both feet on the ground, he kept his eyes tightly closed and his teeth clenched. Plump and round, just as before.
“…Welcome.”
“…Gasp!”
At my greeting, the King of Clipoford finally came to his senses and looked around. His face had gone pale, but he soon wiped away cold sweat and offered an awkward smile.
“I thought I was going to die.”
“My apologies. I should have explained the method more clearly.”
“No, no, it was my fault for letting go in shock. Anyway, Count Ian. It’s been a while. I heard from Noah, but ha! You truly haven’t aged a day!”
“It’s been long since we last met. Thank you for making such a long journey.”
“Father!”
“Father! Are you alright?”
“Your Majesty!”
Tap tap tap! As the carriage also landed safely, Prince Noah, his younger siblings, and the advisors rushed over to check on the King’s condition.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
“Ugh. That’s why I told you not to sit on top of the carriage!”
“You had no dignity at all!”
“Well, I didn’t know the route would be like this…”
Noah’s younger siblings, who once toddled about, had grown considerably—now as tall as Vivi and Roel. The children, unfamiliar with me, stayed close to Noah’s side and watched with cautious eyes.
“Greetings, Princess. Prince. Were you not startled?”
“Oh, I wasn’t startled…”
“Only Father was startled…”
Whoosh. But with a cool breeze and my gentle greeting, the Princess and Prince unknowingly grasped my hand and gazed up at me blankly.
Noah then ordered his younger siblings to reorganize the carriage.
“Should we proceed to the main palace?”
“Yes, Prince. Let’s first rest and recover from the journey. After that, we will have an audience with the Prince. Since you’ve arrived second after Astana, you will be received second.”
“I hurried as much as I could, but it seems I’m a bit late. I understand.”
“Yes, then.”
Whiiiing!
The carriages of Clipoford also lined up in formation and proceeded toward the main palace.
Since all the early guests had already arrived, the Mages collapsed onto the lawn with a sigh of relief. They had merely caught carriages and luggage from the air, yet they were this exhausted—how on earth was Ian maintaining all those portals?
“And he’ll be leading the main ceremony too.”
“Exactly. I’d like to believe he’s doing this because he’s young, truly. Otherwise, this pathetic body of mine feels far too pitiful.”
“Want a cigarette?”
“Ah, Captain Heil! I told you I quit?!”
“Is that why you keep offering things you don’t have?”
Heil also flopped down and was about to light a cigarette when Ian gestured for everyone to stand up.
“Another guest is arriving.”
“What? From where?”
“The spirit is properly anchored, but ah, the timing is terrible. This is going to be exhausting.”
Whoosh! The Mages sprang to their feet and followed Ian’s fingertip with their eyes. Which country was it this time?
“…Is it Hawan?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————