Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 57

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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 57. Merelrof
“What’s the problem?”
“Adjusting the target figures is proving difficult.”
“Wasn’t that expected?”
“I was hoping otherwise. It seems we’ll have no choice but to settle for the second option.”
Kakantir and everyone else nodded in agreement. Berik asked in return.
“Is there funding available?”
“Yes. He didn’t give a definitive answer, but there is funding. By my estimate, it should be around 3,000 gold coins.”
“Wow, damn. That’s insane!”
With enough to support two months of operations, the estimate should be about right. Even with the imperial palace’s assistance in reconstruction, securing stable operating funds was essential for normal operations.
“It seems we’ll likely make contact with Merelrof in the near future, so we should prepare ourselves well.”
“Hmm. Yes.”
Romandro’s gold coins. Merelrof’s provisions. And me, Ian, serving as the intermediary between them. With just a bit of opportunity, quite a satisfactory transaction would come to pass.
Kakantir nodded in understanding.
“By the way, this advisor Romandro—he certainly seems favorable to us. Do you see it that way as well?”
“That’s correct. Since Prince Marib sent him to respond to the situation, his inclinations would be opposite to those of Prince Gail’s faction.”
Moreover, Mollin’s hostility shown upon their first meeting seemed to have played a significant role. Since Count Derga’s informant work appeared to be a collaboration between Mollin and me, they likely believed the two of us were on the same side.
But judging by the atmosphere, Romandro was ready to tear things apart rather than merely sharpen blades. He had somewhat grasped that I wasn’t one of Prince Gail’s people.
“If we draw Romandro to our side, everything will proceed according to plan.”
“Yes. I must admit, I’m rather surprised.”
“What….”
At my puzzled question, Kakantir playfully grasped my hand. He was mimicking the reaction Romandro had shown earlier.
“I never imagined mana practitioners received such treatment in the Empire.”
“They’re called those most resembling the divine, after all.”
The frontier people often regarded the existence of magic as something from mythology. Kakantir and Nersaren were no exception. Even after witnessing Berik’s case, they couldn’t fathom how great a force it might become—the flow of mana was like a river rushing toward a vast ocean.
“Becoming a house lord might not truly be an impossible thing.”
At Kakantir’s words, I merely laughed. It seemed I only gained certainty after witnessing Romandro’s reaction firsthand.
“Let’s drive the wedge in before autumn arrives.”
“I’ll make the preparations.”
“Keep close watch over Mollin and his group.”
“Yes, Kakan.”
“Berik, you did as I instructed?”
“Hiding the mana stones? Of course, of course.”
“Good. Everyone, move out.”
At Kakantir’s command, his subordinates descended the stairs without a sound. I too returned to Romandro’s room with Berik, and the corridor settled into darkness as it always did.
Meanwhile, on the floor directly below.
“Master. What should we do?”
Mac and Dgor, having finished their evening meal, turned to look at Mollin. Their teacher sat by the window, lost in endless thought. Mac lit a cigarette and roughly pulled at his hair.
“I simply cannot think of any way forward.”
“Mac. Try to calm yourself for now.”
“I don’t possess the composure that Dgor does. Erika—well, actually, it doesn’t matter who it is. The lord must become someone cooperative with us. But didn’t you see Ian’s attitude earlier?”
Mac’s outburst made Dgor swallow a sigh as well. How exactly were they supposed to defeat a mana user allied with the Cheonryeo Tribe? And worse, in their stronghold on the frontier, not in the capital.
“If only he had come over to our side amicably, things would be different.”
“That doesn’t seem likely. He’s holding his chin stiffly high, sticking right beside Romandro.”
His perception was quite sharp, wasn’t it? He’d figured out that Mollin’s group and Romandro were in a standoff not long after arriving at the estate. Whether he also knew that Prince Marib and Prince Gail were backing each side respectively remained uncertain.
“In my opinion, it would be better to appoint someone other than Erika.”
“Who?”
“Didn’t Heil from the Magic Division achieve great merit in the recent battle of Roxan? The Emperor seems likely to grant him a title, so wouldn’t it be fitting to recommend this territory to him?”
“Heil is a key force of the imperial palace. The Emperor won’t even grant him leave—how could he possibly give him frontier lands? He won’t provide a reason for him to leave the capital.”
Mac waved his hand dismissively. Smoke from the cigarette caught between his fingers scattered chaotically.
“And Dgor, don’t you know Erika’s temperament?”
“…I know it. I know it far too well.”
“If things slip away from her like this, I can’t even dare predict what she’ll do.”
Dgor’s silence was complete agreement. A woman of common birth who had climbed to the position of investigation commander through sheer determination itself. Rather than following out of loyalty to Prince Gail, she was more interested in the certain wealth and honor that came from it. That was likely why she had volunteered for this Bratz expedition.
Swish.
Mollin, who had been gazing out the window, approached the table and poured wine. He spoke in a voice as heavy as the night air.
“If the one blocking the path refuses to move, you cannot turn back, and there is no other way—what then?”
His eyes held the traces of a life lived. He took a sip of wine and muttered.
“You remove the one blocking the path and proceed.”
“Master.”
“There is always a way.”
Kill Ian.
For now, that was the most certain and clean method. It was troublesome that this was the frontier, but conversely, that was fortunate. If this were the capital, if he bore the title of mage, it would be far more difficult to eliminate him.
“If a mana user becomes hostile to us, it is only right to cut him down before he grows further.”
“Well spoken. If he becomes a mage and grows beyond control, he will soon become a burden to Prince Gail.”
If Ian were gone, everything would be resolved.
Without Ian, the Cheonryeo Tribe beasts would have no justification to remain here, and Romandro, lacking a faction to rely on, would be powerless.
Erika had not acted out of fear for her own life, but for Mollin, there was something more terrifying than death—failure. He could not bear for the great Prince Gail’s endeavors to be hindered by a mere commoner-born bastard.
“For the next few days, we’ll stay and observe the situation.”
“Yes, Master.”
Watch for an opening, seize the opportunity.
It was a plan they had formed the moment Mollin’s group descended into the estate. They rinsed their mouths with wine as if wanting the words they had spoken to disappear.
Unaware that beneath the bed hung a red brooch—a mana stone.
* * *
A clear morning without a single cloud.
A long procession extending from the Bratz territory was passing through the forest. It included Ian and Berik, as well as Romandro and his subordinates, plus Cheonryeo Tribe guard warriors.
Romandro muttered while gazing out the window.
“The distance is greater than I expected.”
“Once we clear the forest, it won’t be long.”
“Does that region also border the Great Desert?”
“Merelrof does border the desert in some places, but it has almost no influence from it. To the east, it’s closest to the Hawan Kingdom.”
“Ah, yes. So the Hawan Kingdom is in that direction.”
Since Merelrof maintained friendly relations with Bariel and conducted brisk trade, the territory profited greatly as an exchange hub between the two nations. After all, Mrs. Mary obtained fabrics from the east through the Countess Merelrof.
“Halt. Where have you come from?”
“The Advisor has come from Bratz territory, sir.”
The gatekeeper guarding the outer wall checked the coachman’s pass and opened the way. The interior resembled Bratz yet bore unmistakable exotic traces. Just as Bratz had been influenced by the Great Desert and the Cheonryeo Tribe, this place bore the influence of the Hawan Kingdom.
“They haven’t maintained continuous contact, have they?”
“I cannot speak to Count Derga’s time, but after the investigation team arrived, they sealed their doors. Given the circumstances, it would have been troublesome to become entangled.”
However, after Erika withdrew, when I began managing the territory in earnest, letters arrived first. They were for routine situational assessment—whether Count Derga truly died, whether the Cheonryeo Tribe had occupied the territory, and so forth. It was information I should naturally know as a neighbor, but…
‘Perhaps if the Advisor hadn’t come from the imperial palace, they would have caused trouble.’
Wasn’t that the basic method of expanding power at the borders? Devouring neighbors to grow larger. They had been watching for any opportunity, yet the arrival of the Advisor from the imperial palace clearly showed their alarm.
Creak.
The carriage procession rode on and finally arrived at the mansion. As the coachman opened the door, the Advisor descended first and surveyed the surroundings. Unlike the quiet Bratz, the landscaping exuded refined and ornate elegance.
“Are you Advisor Romandro?”
“I am.”
“Please come inside. The Count is waiting for you.”
An elderly butler guided them with courtesy. He glanced at the Cheonryeo Tribe warriors following behind, but that was all.
“Advisor Romandro?”
“Greetings, Count Carlo Merelof.”
“Welcome.”
In the reception room sat an extremely gaunt middle-aged man. His appearance was bloodless and rigid as tree bark. He exhaled a plume of tobacco smoke, then fixed his gaze upon me.
“So you are Ian.”
His stare was cold and piercing. As if seeing through my very essence, subtle arrogance emanated from him.
“I am honored to meet you, Count Merelof.”
“You bear no resemblance to Derga whatsoever.”
“I appreciate the compliment.”
“…Do sit.”
Merelof, Romandro, and I settled around a large circular table. The Count offered them tea and broached the main topic.
“I hear you seek provisions.”
“Indeed. The territory is already barren, and even next month’s food supply is uncertain. As a neighboring territory, I hoped to request assistance from Merelrof.”
“There are no other problems, it seems.”
“The recovery has been better than expected. If we can resolve just the next two months, normalization should be possible before and after winter.”
Count Merelof tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. He was clearly deep in thought. He nodded, then issued an order to the butler.
“Bring the prepared documents.”
“Yes, Count.”
“Upon receiving your letter, I deliberated considerably. As a neighboring territory, I cannot turn a blind eye to suffering, yet I cannot sacrifice my own territory to save another.”
Without the imperial Advisor’s presence, he surely would not have offered even a trading opportunity. His funds were clearly depleted, and as he said, his own territory mattered far more than a neighbor.
“This is the list of what we can provide and the prices we’ve set.”
As Romandro slowly examined the documents, his brow furrowed. Wheat and corn, which I had considered essentials, were excluded entirely. The remaining items, which could barely serve as supplementary materials, were priced at more than five times market value.
“…Excuse me, Count Merelof.”
“Yes, Advisor.”
Romandro, exasperated, addressed the Marquis, but he remained unmoved. Though he’d agreed when the imperial palace’s Advisor demanded a transaction, he made his reluctance abundantly clear.
Romandro, fidgeting with only the edge of the documents, hesitated before glancing at me. Our eyes met, and he awkwardly sought my permission.
“Would it be acceptable if we conferred among ourselves for a moment?”
“Oh! Ha ha ha! With him?”
The “ourselves” Romandro mentioned included me. Marquis Merelrof, catching this, burst into genuine laughter for the first time. An Advisor from the imperial palace conferring with a lowborn bastard. How amusing.
“Those who come from the center are indeed different.”
It was blatant contempt, but I didn’t so much as blink. I simply studied the figures presented, lost in thought.
Merelrof, though called a Marquis, was a man whose belly was full from sweet trade. He had every reason to be this bold. This too was entirely as I’d anticipated.
“Thank you for the kind words.”
I let out a soft laugh and turned my head away.
Even the grandest laughter fades eventually.

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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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