Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 620

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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 619. A Banquet of Blood
Boom! Thud! Thud!
The mages pouring wine in anticipation of the banquet froze. A loud, powerful sound echoed from beneath the castle. Ian noticed it too and nodded to Heil, who pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and slipped out of the banquet hall.
The mages popped raisins into their mouths and murmured among themselves.
“What was that noise?”
“Who knows. Sounded like a storage cabinet tipping over.”
How in the world did that reach all the way up here?”
“Right? Unless someone threw it.”
Screeeech!
The doors to the banquet hall swung open on both sides. Mrs. Danit Hollin had arrived, her hair neatly pinned and dressed in a pristine gown. Kayla, of course, was unable to attend due to her poor condition.
“Welcome, Mrs. Hollin.”
“Minister Ian. I see you arrived early.”
“Of course. Since His Majesty will be joining us, I wanted to ensure everything was in order.”
Ian smiled and handed the lady an aperitif. His words implied that he was taking precautions against any unforeseen dangers during the Emperor’s meal.
Indeed, though the mages appeared to be idly munching raisins, their eyes had all shifted to a golden hue.
“Ahem.”
The Royalists arrived next. Led by Jorge, their central figure, the officials filed in behind him. Mrs. Danit held her head stiffly without greeting them, and the Royalists deliberately refrained from engaging, each finding their seats.
“….”
An awkward silence hung over the banquet hall. The mages exchanged glances and raised their eyebrows, while Danit and Jorge made no effort to hide their hostile attitudes, their killing intent palpable.
One had driven her daughter to ruin, and the other was a traitor who had struck from behind. The air grew cold from their murderous auras.
“The Emperor has arrived.”
“Please, all rise.”
The Emperor entered. Jin, dressed in lighter attire, gestured to everyone and ordered them to be seated. Only then did the locked killing intent finally dissipate and settle.
“A historic night, this is. Mrs. Danit Hollin, and Count Jorge. Let us dine first.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. As you said, this is truly a historic night. The very fact that the Emperor of the great Bariel has graced the royal palace of Burgos is unprecedented, is it not?”
“It was only possible because of you all.”
Jin replied with hollow courtesy.
From Bariel’s perspective, it was fortunate indeed, but these people had ultimately sold their nation for their own gain. They had opened the castle gates to the enemy and begged for their lives from the enemy for power. Had he been Damon, he would have forgiven them far less than Bariel did.
“Your Majesty.”
Jorge immediately sensed that Jin’s mood was not good. Thus, he carefully unfolded a piece of paper and presented it before Jin, who was wetting his lips with the aperitif.
“This is the response to what the Minister of Magic conveyed earlier. You expressed concern about the supply of mana stones.”
“I understand, but the civil war has closed more than one mine. There is an annex of the Magic Department under construction at the imperial palace, and its supply has been cut off for years now. To resolve this, I would prefer that Bariel take full responsibility for activating the mines.”
His words said “I would prefer,” but in reality, he was demanding they hand over all the mines.
But if a new dynasty could be established, what did a few mines matter? Jorge nodded, assuring him there was nothing to worry about.
“We have narrowed down the major mine locations to three in total. The one the Magic Department most desires is located here. It is a high-grade mana stone called Erectosia. It is about two hours away, but from what we’ve learned, it still suffers from significant landslide damage.”
“How severe?”
“Finding the entrance itself is proving difficult. We have a rough location, but we have no choice but to excavate through the rubble to find it.”
That would be troublesome. Using ordinary laborers would certainly require considerable time and expense.
It seemed the Magic Department would need to dispatch personnel. Though they were already struggling with labor shortages, this matter concerning the Magic Department annex left no choice.
“Those who go will have quite the ordeal, won’t they?”
“Exactly. It’s grave-digging work, and Captain Akorella will be overseeing it anyway. I’m going mad. I absolutely refuse to go.”
“If it were up to us, we wouldn’t worry about it.”
The Mages sensed the grueling field assignment looming ahead and whispered among themselves.
“And there are mid-grade mana stones in my territory. The remaining mana stones are ones that can be procured without difficulty even without Burgos, but if you wish, I will surrender the mining rights. Fortunately, all the mines are located within the territories of those gathered here.”
At Jorge’s words, the Royalist Officials broke into pale smiles. A coincidence? Absolutely not. The strategic locations containing mines had all been divided among the Royalist Officials.
Mrs. Danit, knowing this, narrowed her eyes and twisted her lips into a bitter smile.
“Count Jorge.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do you have children?”
“Children?”
Jorge faltered at the sudden question. Why was she asking that? He couldn’t fathom her intent, but he nodded first.
“Five, Your Majesty.”
“I see. And the rest of you?”
“Ah, everyone here except the Baron is married. And they all have children.”
All but one had heirs.
As if she had expected as much, I dabbed my lips with a napkin. Jin set aside the knife smeared with blood, then smiled and made a proposal to the Royalists.
“Even if you transfer the mining rights to Bariel, Bariel’s workforce will enter that region, eat, work, and dedicate a considerable portion of their lives there. Do you agree?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes, yes. That would be the case.”
“Therefore, I wish to provide them with conveniences. If I take a portion of your territories and hand them over, it would easily resolve food, clothing, and shelter for all. What do you think?”
It wasn’t just asking for the mines—he was demanding entire territories be handed over.
On the surface, it sounded like a rather light proposal, but it concealed an invisible blade. It felt as though at the slightest opening, he would unhesitatingly sever their necks.
“Your Majesty. Before we discuss that matter, there is something we must address first.”
Jorge added, flustered yet maintaining his courtesy. His gaze was directed at Mrs. Danit, for the path the Royalists would choose differed depending on who became the master of the new dynasty.
If they could only become the supreme power holder of Burgos, what did a few scraps of territory matter? They could surrender everything without hesitation, and they need only own the prime lands near Kalamata.
“Why are you nodding at me?”
“Mrs. Danit conducted business with Burgos through the weapons trading rights granted by Bariel, but she supplied inferior weapons and reaped unjust profits. During the civil war, we fought tirelessly for the survival of the Burgos dynasty, so this is a matter we cannot overlook. Your Majesty.”
It was a notification that they would recognize it as Mrs. Danit’s independent action. The Royalists would raise no objections to Bariel whatsoever; they were merely beseeching permission to crush only the Hollin Family.
As if expecting it, Mrs. Danit moistened her lips with wine and struck back.
“You have provided no explanation regarding the inferior weapons, yet you persist in your stubbornness to the end. You rejected the proposal for a comprehensive investigation, so on what grounds do you drive the Hollin Family into a corner? Your Majesty. This is an insult to the Hollin Family and a disrespectful attitude toward the Imperial Palace, which officially granted the trading rights.”
“The Emperor is present. Do not make me speak harshly, Madam. We are exercising restraint.”
“Are you restraining yourselves for my sake? You’re restraining yourselves for your own benefit, so stop spouting nonsense.”
“Now, Madam!”
“Enough.”
Jin frowned, unwilling to hear more. What was the point of arguing loudly over a matter already decided?
Then, a sound came from outside, and Jin set down his napkin and stood.
“Let the Royalists draw up the document first. State that you agree to the transfer of mining rights and the surrender of territories.”
“But, Your Majesty!”
“Do you not understand because no blood has been spilled? You are in a position of surrender. Remember that it is only proper to give first before receiving anything.”
As Jin spoke firmly, Jorge faltered in difficulty. But the Emperor’s stance was clear, and the golden-eyed Mages filling the banquet hall were pressing down on Jorge and the Royalists.
After a moment of deliberation, Jorge finally nodded. A Mage, as if waiting, set down paper, pen, and ink before him.
Scratch, scratch.
The banquet hall echoed pleasantly with only the sound of pen nibs scratching against paper. Jin watched the final period mark the end of the last sentence, then turned silently and left, with Ian following him out.
“…?”
Jorge and the Royalists exchanged bewildered glances, looking back and forth between them. Something felt off.
“Your… Your Majesty?”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
In the corridor, Jin encountered a figure moving through the darkness. It was Xiaoxi. His footsteps were light, his eyes gleamed with intensity, and blood stained his blade.
“Xiaoxi, are you ready?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve subdued and eliminated all the Royalist forces stationed in the annex.”
“Good work. Let’s finish this.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jin gave Xiaoxi’s shoulder an encouraging pat.
“The letter written by the Royalists will be kept by Mrs. Danit.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Eliminating the Royalists had to appear as the work of the Hollin Family. That was the burden they would bear, and the reason Bariel positioned the Hollins as the face of power in Burgos.
Later, when the Royalists’ relatives contested the mining rights transfer, the Hollin Family would step forward and present the documents.
Tap, tap, tap!
At Xiaoxi’s signal, soldiers rushed in single file down the corridor connected to the banquet hall. As they moved, the lanterns extinguished one by one, and soon darkness and silence consumed the space.
“I’ll report once it’s finished.”
Xiaoxi left those words behind as he followed his subordinates.
Then, from afar, Heil appeared alongside Akorelra—or more precisely, Heil’s arrival while firmly gripping Akorelra by the nape of her neck.
“Count Ian. I’ve confirmed the cause of the commotion downstairs. While Captain Akorelra was away from her post, Princess Chloe descended into the basement. She rooted out and eliminated all the remaining Royalist remnants, and the tremors were from that process.”
Ian recalled the fractured pillars and cracked marble floor. He didn’t know the details, but if Princess Chloe was involved, it made sense.
“Ah, Your Majesty. And there’s one more thing you should know.”
“What is it?”
“It’s one of the side effects on Princess Chloe. Captain Akorelra reported that it seems she’s taken a liking to Count Xiaoxi.”
“What?”
Jin furrowed his brow and turned back, and Akorelra nodded with sparkling eyes. Her expression was brimming with confidence.
“I’m not sure when or how the side effect will disappear, but I’m certain. Princess Chloe is in love with Count Xiaoxi!”
“What on earth…”
“It’s absurd, but I’ve done it!”
Jin’s eyes followed Xiaoxi’s retreating figure as he disappeared into the darkness. Something didn’t sit right with him.
As Jin’s expression remained stern, Ian added his thoughts.
“I’m not sure what reaction Princess Chloe will show immediately, but truthfully, as far as side effects go, this is fortunate. The Davion Family won’t have grounds to complain either. Most importantly, if Princess Chloe’s heart belongs to Xiaoxi, it benefits Your Majesty as well.”
How many plans had been devised and executed to check the Davion Family? But if Xiaoxi and Chloe became entangled, it would lead to a natural absorption of power.
“…I’m not convinced.”
Yet Jin merely crossed his arms and muttered. The feeling was remarkably similar to when marriage proposals came for Count Ian in his youth. Chloe Davion? Beautiful, perhaps, but still.
“I don’t know.”
“Your Majesty, what exactly are you referring to?”
Akorelra carefully interjected while observing the Emperor’s mood.
“Your Majesty, Princess Chloe has shown such fervent desire to be of great service to Bariel. If you find that concerning in any way, perhaps sending her to the mines would be suitable? Of course, I intend to go as well. The Princess has such abundant energy—I believe she would prove invaluable there.”

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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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