Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 89

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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 89. The Alchemist
‘How could I have missed something so close at hand?’
I examined the ring with an incredulous laugh. There had been no reason to scrutinize the Countess’s fingers or her jewelry with particular care.
The hand she had signaled with earlier was the opposite one, and the ornaments placed on the table had already exceeded seven or eight pieces beyond the mysterious ring.
“What’s the matter?”
“Do you know what gemstone is set in this ring?”
The Countess regarded me with a puzzled expression—a look that seemed to ask why I was suddenly asking such a thing. Yet since she herself did not know the answer, the question swiftly turned toward Marquis Merelrof instead.
“No. The Marquis gave this to me as a gift, you see….”
The more I examined it, the more certain I became. Even now, wasn’t I wearing a necklace beneath my outer garment? It was the same kind as what had been hidden beneath the Silask planter. A pale yellow raw gemstone, brimming with sunlight, had been precisely crafted.
“The Marquis?”
“Ah, my memory isn’t quite clear, but I believe I received it as a gift from a merchant caravan heading to the Central region. It was the spring of my first year after marrying my wife, so perhaps….”
The Marquis tapped his temples, trying to recall the merchant’s name. Yet strangely, it would not leave his lips—only frustrated groans escaped.
“Ugh. In any case, I did receive it from a merchant caravan. I remember because there was an Alchemist there.”
“An Alchemist?”
“Yes. I asked him to make gold, but whether he failed or it was intentional, I couldn’t quite tell. However, I heard such things are quite popular in foreign lands beyond the Hawan Kingdom, so I accepted it.”
At this unexpected revelation, my words caught in my throat.
An Alchemist—something I had never once suspected of Su. Those who pursue the truths of nature rather than magic, seeking to transform base metals into gold. In some circles, they were regarded as charlatans, madmen, or at worst, heretics attempting to imitate sorcerers.
“It’s remarkable that a merchant caravan would employ an Alchemist.”
“It’s hardly surprising in foreign lands. An Alchemist is practically a living precious metals factory, is he not? I’ve never seen a truly accomplished one myself, but even these half-finished works are pleasant to behold. It’s quite common for them to operate under contract with merchant caravans. Are you not aware of this?”
“How would I know such things?”
“True enough. Such individuals wouldn’t frequent Bratz’s red-light district, after all.”
Marquis Merelrof inadvertently uttered something insulting and flinched in surprise. Wasn’t this the very situation where he was asking Gula to postpone payment and offering collateral?
His tongue had made a proper mistake.
“Ahem.”
The Marquis cleared his throat and gauged my reaction, but I appeared too preoccupied examining the ring to notice.
‘So. It was the Alchemist’s work. But why was it hidden in my planter?’
The puzzle pieces were falling into place.
If the Countess was right that I had obtained the planter after running an errand for the merchant caravan, it must surely be the same one the Marquis spoke of.
“I see. Thank you for explaining.”
“The ring….”
Our gazes locked. I would have gladly paid for it, and the Countess seemed willing to gift it. If only Marquis Merelrof weren’t watching us.
“Is this sufficient as collateral?”
“Of course, Countess. If you send the draft by sunset tomorrow, I shall return your valuables. I do hope our mutual trust remains unshaken.”
“Hmph. I wonder what you truly think of Merelrof.”
“If I’ve offended you, I wish to say it was not my intention.”
Knock, knock.
“Marquis. We’ve finished moving all the sacks.”
Just then, Merelrof’s servant announced from outside in a nearly exhausted voice. There were a full hundred sacks. Now only the task of transporting them remained—a journey the carriage would need to make six times over.
“Very well. Go on. Countess, please retire to the Manor first. I shall finish here with Count Ian and follow.”
“Yes. Understood.”
The Countess gathered her coat and bowed her head lightly to Ian. Though unintended, a certain knowing glance passed between those who shared a secret—brief and subtle.
“Count Ian, thank you for today. You’ve made an excellent choice for Merelrof’s future and the boundless prosperity of this estate.”
“Not at all. It was a satisfactory transaction for me as well.”
The exchange was unremarkable enough to pass any scrutiny, yet the Count felt an inexplicable unease. Was it because of that brief silence over the ring earlier? He watched Ian suspiciously as the Countess departed.
Bang!
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
The moment the door closed, Berik grumbled irritably. Ian merely smiled bemusedly and shrugged. He retrieved a small pouch and gathered the Countess’s ornaments into it.
“Besides, those aren’t even real jewels.”
“What’s so special about jewels? If it glitters and has market value, it’s a jewel.”
“What if the Count says he’ll give us a check tomorrow but doesn’t?”
“You worry about everything. If he does, we should be grateful.”
Ian laughed and handed the pouch to Berik, signaling him to keep it safe.
“Since we’ve drawn up a contract, if he fails to honor it, we can file a formal complaint with the Imperial Palace. Like most Borderlands nobles, he’ll detest entanglement with the Palace, so he’ll pay to avoid it.”
If he didn’t? The case would go to trial, and we’d receive not just the principal but compensation as well. It would be equivalent to selling Gula for far more than 3,500 gold coins.
“And the moment Marquis Merelrof and his party leave the estate, go down to the villages and spread word that we’re permitting Gula trade. For now, only roasted Gula.”
“Only roasted?”
“Yes.”
Timing and order were equally important.
“If we sell raw Gula now, those who eat roasted Gula will have no reason to buy it—they’ll simply purchase and prepare raw Gula themselves. Moreover, in a month’s time, they’ll have the means to buy raw Gula and won’t want roasted anymore.”
But if we announce we’re selling roasted Gula first, those who crave it will have no choice but to keep buying.
Then, a month later when Marquis Merelrof implements Gula distribution at a slightly lower price, we can turn another profit.
“Most importantly, even with a contract in place, the Count will undoubtedly cause trouble, so we need justification as a shield.”
Though we agreed not to interfere with economic activity, releasing inventory immediately after the transaction was unpredictable in its consequences. One thing was certain—it would be extraordinarily tedious.
“Since it’s roasted Gula, for now it’s unrelated to the Count’s interests, and later on….”
“Later on?”
Berik asked curiously, but Ian merely smiled and shook his head. He had no intention of explaining.
“That’s enough.”
“Ah, why! Tell me!”
“Go help with the work. That way we can leave sooner. Oh, and tell the villagers that we’ll levy a 10 percent tax on roasted Gula sales revenue.”
“Okay. 10 percent. One out of ten. I know that much now!”
How much would actually come in was unclear. Additional revenue would depend on the villagers’ sales acumen. Berik moved toward the door to carry out Ian’s instructions but stopped.
“What about that Clark fellow?”
“Ah, keep him around. Since he has connections with the Countess, he’ll prove useful one way or another.”
“Don’t use him?”
Ian turned at Berik’s words. He seemed bothered by Clark lounging idle in a room all day. Clark must feel like a prisoner.
“Well, if you have a use for him, feel free. Just make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”
“Yes!”
Crash!
What on earth was he planning to do….
The moment Ian gave permission, Berik eagerly dashed outside. Drawing back the curtain, the Gula sorting work was nearly complete.
* * *
“Count Ian!”
“Yes, Hena. Another commotion today, I see.”
“Marquis Merelrof’s butler came personally. He says he’s brought payment for Gula.”
“Ah, I see.”
With my permission, Merelrof’s butler entered the study. His refined bearing and composed demeanor seemed superior to the Count’s own.
Creak.
“Welcome.”
“I present myself before Count Ian. This is payment for Gula that could not be settled yesterday. A promissory note guaranteeing 2,500 gold coins, excluding the 1,000 gold coins paid in advance. Please verify it.”
The butler placed an envelope on a silver tray at the edge of my desk. I examined the check bearing the Hyman Bank’s seal, then inspected the Count’s official stamp and handwritten signature.
“No issues here.”
“I’m relieved.”
“I’ll have the valuables entrusted to the Countess brought out. Hena, tell Berik to fetch the items.”
“Yes, Count Ian.”
“Please sit and wait a moment. Is there any urgent business?”
“No. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
The butler sat down looking flustered. Since he’d stated his business before I could even offer him tea, it was fair to point out his breach of etiquette.
But there was nothing to be done about the awkwardness of the situation.
Previously, the butler had sent a request for Gula trading under his own name. Naturally, I never replied, but upon reflection, wasn’t that tantamount to exposing Merelrof’s circumstances to the outside world? It was the same as surrendering the upper hand in negotiations.
If the Count ever discovered this fact…
“Your name is Samon, if I recall correctly.”
“Yes, that’s right. You remember.”
The butler barely managed to shake off his anxious thoughts before answering.
“Indeed. I’ve read your letter several times over.”
Damn. I’d been caught. The butler felt his heart drop, yet maintained an expressionless face outwardly.
“From your name, it seems you’re not a butler passed down through the family line. Where do you hail from? How long have you been in service?”
The butler answered with silence, gauging my intentions. He couldn’t fathom why I would ask such things.
“It’s nothing sinister—we’re in need of a butler ourselves.”
“I intend to be buried in Merelrof’s soil.”
“Yes, of course. You may be buried there. But I’m looking for someone to train.”
“Training, sir?”
He wondered if this was a recruitment attempt. A butler was a key figure in any manor, and nobles frequently poached them from one another.
“Of course, it would require the Count’s permission, but I’m telling you this so you know our intentions beforehand.”
“…I’ll discuss it with him.”
“Good. You’re sincere and sharp—teaching you would be worthwhile. Naturally, I won’t skimp on compensation. If you wish, I’ll even return that fellow Clark who worked here before. He has considerable experience working in manors, so he’d be even more helpful.”
The answer was obvious without asking.
The Count would refuse stubbornly. But this wasn’t a request for the Count’s permission—it was a separate message to the Countess. After I carry out my plan and want to obtain Clark, I’m asking to borrow the butler.
“Yes, I understand. I’ll convey it as you’ve said.”
Knock knock.
“Count Ian. Berik has brought the pouch.”
“Ah, yes. Hena. Come over here.”
“Yes?”
Hena set the pouch on the table, and I introduced her to the Butler with a smile.
“This is Hena.”
“Ah, pleased to meet you?”
“…I see. Understood.”
Hena would become the next Butler of this estate.
Only Hena, unaware of what was happening, awkwardly wiggled her fingers in greeting. The Butler confirmed the valuables inside the pouch, then rose from his seat.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
“Yes. Thank you for your trouble.”
“Ah, allow me to see you out!”
Creak!
I watched through the window as the Butler departed the Manor. Then I chuckled softly at the check for 2,500 gold coins placed on the tray.
Tap tap tap!
Meanwhile, Butler Samon’s carriage could not pick up speed and began moving slowly. The streets had become crowded with people. He muttered while gazing out the carriage window.
“It’s cold out, yet everyone’s out and about…”
Curious about what they were doing, the Butler furrowed his brow, wondering if what he’d seen was real.

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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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