Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 69

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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 69. Imperial Discipline
A carriage entered through the mansion’s gates with grand fanfare. It resembled the inspection team’s arrival from before, yet was distinctly different—so much so that even a blind man from afar could discern it carried positive tidings.
The estate villagers trailed behind the carriage’s path, their curiosity piqued.
“What is this? Another carriage from the capital?”
“Surely the inspection team hasn’t returned?”
“The flags are different from last time. And doesn’t the carriage look far too expensive? What could this mean, hmm.”
“Carriages are always expensive, you fool.”
“Wait! It’s heading up to the mansion!”
All the servants working at the mansion rushed outside, and I too brushed the dirt from my clothes and walked toward the main gate.
Creak.
Behind the grand and ornate carriage stretched a long procession. Imperial soldiers stood at attention, ceremonial swords in hand. Their dignified bearing silenced any loud murmuring among the crowd.
Then an elderly woman descended from the carriage.
“Ah. Administrator Chielronia.”
Only Romandro recognized her, noting she held a position similar to Mollin’s. Despite her deep wrinkles, her eyes gleamed with sharp brilliance. She surveyed her surroundings with elegant poise before immediately locating me.
“Are you Ian?”
“I am.”
“I bring words from His Imperial Majesty. All of you, kneel.”
I knelt carefully, and soon everyone in the mansion followed suit, prostrating themselves. The woman read the letter aloud in a dignified and weighty voice.
-The recommendation from Prince Marib Verosion and Advisor Romandro has received the approval of the general assembly. In recognition of your distinguished service in estate reconstruction and border protection, I hereby appoint you as the new Baron of the entire Bratz territory. However…
At the mention of my appointment as lord, the servants lifted their heads despite their reverence. Those gathered outside did the same, straining their ears to eavesdrop on what the imperial palace had come to say.
-That you are the illegitimate son of Count Derga Bratz remains an indelible mark in any circumstance. Thus, I propose a conditional arrangement. Should you, as lord, contribute to the imperial palace the unpaid taxes Count Derga Bratz neglected and the opportunity cost of your improved treatment, your new family’s glory shall extend to future generations.
‘Interesting.’
I smiled, raising my eyebrows slightly. In other words, I was being appointed as a provisional lord. If I fulfilled the contribution within the designated period, I could maintain my position without issue. But should I fail, everything would fall under the imperial palace’s disposal.
All my assets, status, and the estate’s wealth.
“Thus concludes His Imperial Majesty’s words. The formal appointment ceremony shall take place at the imperial palace at year’s end, so should you consent, present yourself on the appointed day.”
At the appointment ceremony, I would receive a new surname and could officially declare the family seal and such. I nodded lightly.
“Is there no mention of the contribution period?”
“It shall be one year from the appointment ceremony, and the total amount due is ten thousand gold coins.”
“Gasp!”
Some unknown servant’s astonishment burst forth. In all my life, I’d never heard the sum of ten thousand gold coins mentioned, and how was I supposed to produce it? Separate from regular taxation at that.
Chielronia rolled up the letter and handed it to me.
“You certainly possess the right to refuse.”
“That is unthinkable. These are the words of His Imperial Majesty.”
Truly unthinkable. The letter contained the phrase “opportunity cost of improved treatment.” It likely referred to reducing me, a mana user, to slave status and annexing me. Refusing the appointment here would be no different from requesting to be made a slave. Even if I fled to the Great Desert, should the imperial palace decide to subjugate me, resistance would be futile.
“I shall receive this boundless honor with utmost gratitude.”
“The appointment ceremony shall be held alongside the New Year’s celebration. Detailed arrangements will be conveyed separately, so prepare the family crest you wish to publicly declare.”
The surname, being bestowed by the Emperor, left me no choice in the matter.
“Yes. I understand.”
“Congratulations, Baron Ian.”
Though not formally proclaimed, the Emperor’s decree had reached me. Chielronia bowed lightly to me, offering her congratulations.
“Thank you.”
“Ah, and one more thing.”
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
“Yes?”
“Is Count Mollin safe?”
They belonged to the same administrative branch and were of similar age. Clearly, they were colleagues who had worked together for many years. Through Romandro’s reports, I could confirm there had been friction between myself and Mollin, but the complete absence of any mention regarding his personal safety was more than a little concerning.
“He is safe.”
“From this point forward, I shall convey not the Emperor’s command, but that of Prince Gail.”
She stepped forward from the carriage. Then she withdrew another letter from her inner pocket and unfolded it.
-Secure the persons of Mollin, Mac, and Dgor, and return with them together.
Tsk!
Chielronia lifted her chin sharply and gestured for me to comply at once. I simply folded my arms and stared at her.
“What are you doing?”
“That’s what I’d like to ask you. What are you doing?”
Her eyebrows twisted slightly at my unexpected response. She deserved immediate obedience, yet I dared to question her? But what I added next was information that would have shocked even Romandro.
“His Majesty the Emperor is like the sun itself. Just as the sun moves without ceasing, the carriage must minimize its stops, and just as there is but one sun in the heavens, only His Majesty’s commands should be conveyed. Surely an Administrator would not be unaware of this.”
“…!”
The Emperor’s command cannot bear additions. Imperial decrees must be conveyed purely as imperial decrees alone, with no extraneous branches attached. This was an ancient protocol of the imperial court. Yet how could she append Prince Gail’s words to it?
“It is truly irreverent. You are well aware that if His Majesty the Emperor learned of this, you could be dismissed from office, are you not?”
Beside me, Romandro panicked and rolled his eyes.
“Is, is that truly the case, Ian?”
“It is basic protocol. Were you not aware, Romandro?”
“One would need to have directly received an imperial command to know such things….”
Unless it was something truly exceptional, imperial decrees were typically concluded at the general assembly. There were almost no occasions requiring transmission to such distant places. This was a kind of implicit regulation that I could know only because I had once been Emperor.
Chielronia’s face hardened like stone.
‘How could a baseborn illegitimate from the frontier provinces know such a thing….’
Even most nobles would be ignorant of it if they paid no attention, yet I knew it and dared to counter her thus. She was considering what else to say when I struck first.
“It seems a most irreverent act toward both His Majesty the Emperor and Prince Marib. Administrator Chielronia. I can ‘confirm’ that Mollin and his companions are in no danger, but anything beyond that is impossible.”
Protocol aside, Mollin and his companions were the enemy’s loyal instruments. I could not know when they might become daggers flying toward me again.
‘Is the Magic Division, along with the Administrative Division, aligned with Gail? Or is it only Mollin and Chielronia? Regardless, I cannot surrender those three to her.’
I studied Chielronia’s expression with a resolute face. It seemed Prince Gail had taken responsibility and attempted to secure their release, but until Prince Marib’s orders came, no one could lay hands on them.
“…Count Ian. This case is a special circumstance.”
“Special, you say. In what way? For your information, everything you say now will be heard by everyone present. Choose your words carefully.”
Lies beget lies. I nodded, urging her to speak. I was thorough enough in imperial protocol to know more than she could hide.
Chielronia bit her lower lip slightly and wiped away her troubled expression.
“…First, let us confirm the safety of Mollin and his companions. This will be reported to the imperial palace.”
“Very well. I shall guide you. Berik!”
“Yes, understood!”
“The carriage has been standing long. It would be best to hurry, Administrator Chielronia.”
Chielronia ignored me and entered the main hall. As I moved to follow her, I suddenly locked eyes with the servants standing in a line, watching me. Their eyes sparkled like stars. They clenched their teeth as if practicing ventriloquism and whispered quietly.
“Congratulations, Ian!”
“My goodness, you’ve become a nobleman. What on earth is this….”
“Ian is receiving a Baron’s title!”
“A Baron? That’s far above a Viscount, isn’t it?”
With one heart and one mind, they celebrated my elevation in status. It meant that Bratz, their homeland, would be restored to normalcy, and the employment security of the mansion would become even more solid.
I expressed my gratitude with a smile and followed Chielronia down into the underground prison.
“This way.”
At Berik’s guidance, Chielronia’s pace quickened. But then came my words, stopping her.
“Do not engage in hasty conversation.”
“What?”
“Mollin is suspected of conspiring with outside forces to assassinate me. Now that I’ve been appointed Lord, I have the authority to detain Mollin for my own security.”
It was a threatening warning—make any foolish moves and I’d turn them into corpses. Chielronia felt her carefully laid plans slipping away. This wasn’t the picture she’d drawn over the past two weeks.
‘It feels like I’m being blocked at every turn….’
There was a good method for such situations: speak as little as possible. Chielronia stared straight ahead in silence, and after studying her, I commanded the Cheonryeo Tribe member.
“Open the door.”
Creak.
As the door opened, a strange musty smell poured out. Though we swept and cleaned daily, the lack of windows made it unavoidable.
“Mollin!”
“…Chielronia?”
“Lady Chielronia!”
“What’s going on here? More importantly, let us out! That worthless bastard locked us away….”
Mac cried out, then trailed off upon seeing Chielronia’s attire. It was the formal ceremonial dress worn when delivering imperial decrees. If an imperial decree was being issued at this time, there could be only one thing.
“Could it be that that bastard Ian received a Lord’s Appointment?”
Mac’s bewildered question was answered with silence. Mollin sat in a chair, gently rubbing his eye sockets. For them, this was the worst of all possible outcomes. Everything continued to unravel without resolution.
“How is Prince Gail faring?”
“Haha.”
At Mollin’s question, I burst into laughter from beside him. It rang out so clear and bright that Chielronia could only stare in bewilderment.
“You see? He’s eating well, sleeping well, and doing just fine—worrying about others. Aside from the lack of windows, it’s quite livable. Where else would an assassination conspirator find such luxury?”
Chielronia couldn’t refute my words. Though they’d grown shabby, there were no traces of torture or abuse. The prison was so spacious and furnished that one might question if it truly was a dungeon.
“If you have anything to say, speak freely. And Mac, as you’ve grasped, from this moment forward I am Baron Ian. I expect proper forms of address.”
There was a significant difference between being the child of a noble house and holding a noble title. I had become someone responsible for a territory, so I was making clear that proper respect was required. Otherwise, they could be charged with insult to nobility.
“Ian… Baron. I wish to share something with you, if I may.”
Chielronia, who had been observing the situation, interjected with a plea. But my answer was already decided.
“I’m afraid I must refuse.”

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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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