Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 90

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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 90. An Evening Dinner Invitation
Marquis Merelrof dumped the valuables his butler had recovered onto the table. Lady Lien, seated before them, began fastening the jewelry back onto herself one piece at a time, just as she had the day before. The problematic amber ring was no exception.
“Look closely. Since he fancied it, he might have pocketed it.”
“Don’t be absurd.”
The Marquis probed subtly while gauging his wife’s reaction. Had that suspicious atmosphere he’d sensed then merely been his imagination? Just then, the butler cleared his throat to speak.
“Ahem. However, Marquis, there is a problem.”
“A problem? What sort of problem?”
“As we were leaving Bratz’s estate, there were unusually many villagers about. Upon inquiry, it appears Count Ian has opened Gula trading to the estate villagers.”
“Gula trading? Then he’s been controlling my estate villagers’ share all this while?”
The Marquis failed to grasp the true implications. Could he have imagined that the villagers’ trading would open just a day after selling Gula? The butler bit his upper lip, his expression troubled. The Marquis’s face gradually turned pale.
“…Surely not.”
“The villagers of Bratz estate have been selling Gula to the villagers of Merelrof estate. The rumors spread quickly—business was quite brisk.”
“Damn it, that shameless bastard!”
Crash!
Without thinking, the Marquis hurled his teacup across the table. Lady Lien, the butler, and the servants attending from behind all flinched, their senses sharpening toward the Marquis.
“Please calm yourself, Marquis.”
“Calm? Did you just tell me to calm down?”
“The Gula the villagers are selling is roasted. It’s only suitable for consumption and cannot be cultivated, so it shouldn’t pose a significant problem to estate operations.”
Thirty-five gold coins per bundle. To recoup his losses, he had no choice but to pass the Gula he cultivated to the villagers. He could use next year’s tax reduction as justification, or alternatively, sell it to them for money.
“For now, the estate itself faces food shortages, so it’s not entirely unreasonable. The problem is that it happened so suddenly without consultation…”
Yes. When he thought about it, he should actually be grateful to Ian. The man was keeping the villagers alive until the Gula could be cultivated. Yet the Marquis couldn’t help but feel strong displeasure at such unilateral action, and soon he detected something more—a threat.
“What if he floods the market with raw Gula once cultivation is complete?”
The intention to sabotage was unmistakable. The Marquis continued tapping the desk, his expression darkening. He should have been wary from the moment Ian started talking about economic freedom and such nonsense.
“This bastard, this…”
“Perhaps it would be best to calm down as the butler suggests. There’s still time, and above all, we cannot be certain of Count Ian’s true intentions.”
Lady Lien, who had been listening quietly, gestured to a servant. It was a signal to clean up the broken teacup. With something sharp nearby, someone might actually end up bleeding.
“And, well, there is something he proposed to me personally.”
“What? Ian did?”
“Yes. He asked if I would help train the household butler during my personal time. When I declined indirectly, saying it required your permission, he offered separate compensation and said he would return Clark if I wished.”
“Ridiculous. What does one slave matter?”
The Marquis dismissed it carelessly, but Lady Lien understood perfectly. Was he saying she should send the butler if she wanted Clark back? Or after everything was finished?
‘I cannot fathom his intentions. Truly.’
Ever since sending gifts and congratulations to Ian before, the Marquis had become extremely sensitive about correspondence. She had many questions she wished to ask, but she could not act rashly.
“Send another letter.”
“To Count Ian, sir?”
“Invite him to dinner at the mansion.”
Ostensibly, it was to express gratitude for the Gula transaction, but beneath the surface, he intended to deliver a proper warning. The way Ian was acting, backed by the Central authority, was far from reassuring.
“Understood.”
“And you, prepare yourself as well.”
“Of course.”
As the Count rose to his feet, the Servant pausing in the act of sweeping up the broken pieces froze. Fortunately, he had stepped outside to inspect the Gula cultivation work, and relief filled the room in his absence.
“Phew.”
The Countess and the Servants exhaled simultaneously. Their eyes met for a moment before they awkwardly looked away from one another.
* * *
“This can’t be real.”
Berik rubbed his eyes and muttered. It had been merely a day since Merelrof approved the Gula trade, and while I’d sensed commotion in the village outside the estate, I hadn’t expected it to reach this scale.
“This is all the money earned in just one day?”
“They seem more resourceful than I expected. Dealing with those who make their living through commerce, you see.”
I laughed at the sight of coins filling the chest. Most were silver and copper coins, but gold coins were scattered throughout. These were likely taxes paid by those conducting large-scale tenant farming.
“So that’s why people keep saying unearned income is so profitable?”
“Wherever you go, those who own land and houses all possess this advantage. Though it’s amusing for me to say such things.”
Revenue generated from the Estate Villagers’ transactions had come in as taxes. Certainly, being the first day of implementation, there would be omissions and trial-and-error cases. But as supplementary income, it was not merely adequate—it was substantial.
“And since it’s the first day, it will gradually decrease from here. Many of the Estate Villagers who made bulk purchases will have stockpiled supplies, and surplus inventory will eventually run dry.”
The Villagers of Bratz were earning profits after setting aside their own portions to sustain themselves through winter. Not many possessed greenhouses. Anticipating potential Gula shortages, Subordinates of Romandro constantly patrolled the village to monitor transactions.
“How much is all of this?”
“That’s the question. Berik, how much do you think it is?”
“I don’t know? Shouldn’t we count it?”
“I suppose so. Go ahead and count it.”
“…Uh, excuse me. Master?”
“Separate all the gold, silver, and copper coins and gather them into distinct piles. If you lack hands, ask for assistance.”
“From whom?”
“Clark—I heard you’ve been keeping him around like a Servant these days?”
“Oh, him? Never mind. He’s no fun.”
As the saying goes, those who’ve commanded others use them well, and since Berik had never subordinated anyone before, his amusement lasted barely a day. The greatest problem was that Clark couldn’t serve as a sword practice partner.
“But Ian.”
“Hmm?”
“When you head to the capital, will you take me with you?”
Berik crouched down and began sorting the coins in the chest one by one. The sight was both amusing and pitiful, so I sat across from him and helped divide the coins.
“That’s up to you.”
My arrangement with Berik was simple.
I would awaken the latent potential of a Mage Knight within him.
He would protect my safety.
In truth, now that Bratz had been annihilated and I’d formed an alliance with the Cheonrye, there were virtually no threats to my life. Once I ascended to the capital, my status as a mage user would also serve as a shield.
‘But since no one knows what will happen once I enter the Imperial Magic Ministry’s auxiliary palace, there’s no need to bring many attendants.’
“What else could I learn there?”
“Of course. Berik. The Imperial Palace—those who excel at protecting Variel will all be gathered there.”
“Compared to the Cheonryeo Tribe? How strong are they?”
“Hmm….”
I paused to consider. There were simply too many criteria by which to measure the balance of power.
For one, mages directly engaged in combat under the Magic Ministry would be nearly unrivaled without control stones, and physically, there would be the Imperial Palace Guardsmen Captains.
“There’s no comparison. When was it… my memory’s a bit hazy, but it was in the north…”
“The north? Why did you stop mid-sentence?”
I nearly made a mistake. I’d confused something that hadn’t happened yet with something that had. Berik asked irritably, but I clamped my mouth shut.
“Why! Why won’t you speak!”
“Even the northern warriors can’t stand against the Guardsmen Captains, or so I’ve heard.”
“Wow, you’re really making that up as you go.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Anyone with a brain would notice.”
“I’m sorry. I actually forgot.”
An incident that occurred north of the Bariel Empire. It was a shock to an empire that had been largely free from monster attacks. I remembered studying how the descendants of the Atan Clan, called the blood tribe, had grown their power significantly before being defeated and killed by a Guardsmen Captain.
‘That’s right. That will happen soon too.’
Besides that, there were several other major wars, battles, and rebellions as well.
I began counting years instead of coins. One, two… Berik’s eyes sparkled as he watched my counting fingers.
“There are that many?”
“Hm? Many of what?”
“Are there that many captains?”
“Ah. The principle is that there are three Guardsmen Captains.”
Unless there were chaotic situations like the Emperor being dragged down. All the Guardsmen Captains I remembered existed only as figures from behind—either leaving me, or dying while fighting to protect me.
“The imperial palace must be quite something.”
“It’s not just because it’s the imperial palace. The center is filled with talented individuals. The frontier isn’t called the frontier for nothing.”
“You speak as if you’ve actually been to the capital.”
“…I’ve picked up bits and pieces here and there.”
“Then I want to go too.”
Berik made his decision firmly. Going to the capital felt like he could rise to the next level. After all, swordsmanship, like strength, only improves with increasingly intense stimulation.
“I want to go! Take me with you!”
“All right. I understand.”
He seemed not to have thought at all about what he’d do once there, but it worked out well for me too. It meant the journey to the center would be that much safer. Whatever else, I could trust Berik’s skills. Just recently, he’d cut down dozens of enemies in an unexpected ambush.
‘It wouldn’t be bad to put him in the Central Army.’
A Mage Knight was talent the empire absolutely couldn’t afford to lose. It seemed like a good choice for Bariel’s future and for Berik’s stable life.
Knock, knock.
“Count Ian. A letter has arrived from Merelrof.”
“Again? That old man certainly has time on his hands.”
“It’s probably because of the permission to trade Gula. I thought he’d come charging in directly, but this is unexpected.”
I smiled and accepted the letter. It contained a request for me to join him for dinner either today or tomorrow.
“What does it say?”
“He’s asking me to come eat.”
I handed the letter to Berik and stood up.
“If we finish organizing the coins by afternoon, I’ll take you to the meal. Berik. Since it’s a formal invitation, there will surely be plenty of good food.”
“Got it. Leave it to me.”
Berik quickly set his hands to work and focused on the task. But when Hena arrived with two more heavy pouches, calling them additional income, he couldn’t help but feel defeated.
“Count Ian, you’re going out this evening?”
“Yes. I received a dinner invitation from Merelrof.”
“I’ll prepare a change of clothes for you.”
Hena promptly retrieved a neat formal outfit and laid it on the bed. As I changed, I suddenly became aware of the necklace around my neck. Since I never took it off, I often forgot about it like this.
“Will you be wearing the necklace as well?”
“Yes. It bothers me to leave it behind.”
“Then change into something with a higher neckline.”
“Why?”
Hena rummaged through the wardrobe as she answered.
“Didn’t you mention that Marquis Merelrof has an unusual temperament? That he has something like pathological jealousy?”
“That’s true.”
“If he says anything about you wearing the same jewelry as Lady Lien, it could become unnecessarily troublesome.”
“Surely not.”
I smiled faintly, unconvinced. No matter how unhinged someone might be, I doubted they’d cause a scene over something so trivial. Yet Hena remained matter-of-fact and unmoved.
“Surely not, you say? But the mentally unstable always exceed one’s expectations. Wear this instead.”
I changed clothes as Hena suggested and mulled over her words carefully.
“Hena.”
“Yes, Count Ian.”
“I’ll take Clark with me. Prepare him.”
“I’ll have him ready at once.”
Creak.
Clark was a means for me to control the Countess, but wasn’t he the only ally she had in this mansion? It seemed best to send him along for her safety.
“Iaaaan! I’m done!”
Thud! Thud thud!
From down the corridor, Berik’s excited voice rang out. I chuckled softly and fastened the remaining buttons properly.

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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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