Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 210

Chapter 210

The grand mansion of House Hayman, known as the small imperial palace in the center.

Its grandeur and splendor were so impressive that it rivaled the imperial palace itself in both scale and magnificence. It was said that foreign visitors to the capital often mistook it for the actual imperial palace and tried to enter, which spoke volumes about its imposing presence.

Duke Hayman was smoking a water pipe while gazing at the small fountain flowing in the reception room.

“So, you’re saying they clashed with the Imperial Guards in the Chetur district?”

“I deeply apologize.”

“And Commander Jeirutt was there in person?”

“Currently, access to the inner Chetur area is restricted. The bridge is flooded, and on the other side, the Imperial Guards are checking IDs and blocking entry. From what we’ve heard, most of the magic armors were damaged, and those stored in warehouses were also confiscated…”

Whack!

The aide couldn’t continue speaking. The long water pipe had struck him squarely across the face. Nevertheless, he remained silent, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor.

“I believe I clearly instructed to keep those underlings in check.”

Ever since the incident, those wearing black armor had been causing trouble at every turn. It seemed to be because they weren’t official knights of House Hayman, but mercenaries brought in under contract.

The aide bowed deeply and apologized once more.

“I sincerely apologize.”

“If they’re taken in as witnesses, then what? You’re clever, so you should know. What do you think will happen? Hm? With Gale still alive, do you think that bastard Ian will leave us alone?”

Hayman’s pitch-black eyes gleamed. They were like the eyes of a crow. His gaze, devoid of any white, made the aide shrink his shoulders even more.

“It’s reported that over half of them died on the spot due to the Imperial Guards’ attack. Those escorted to the palace have received treatment, but we’re told their survival cannot be guaranteed.”

Hayman didn’t know exactly how many people in the palace were on his payroll. Anyone with a shadow, anyone who knew the glint of gold coins, became Hayman’s eyes and ears, relaying information in detail.

Did Ian also notice that Hayman’s gold coins had rolled into the Ministry of Magic?

“Clean it up. Thoroughly.”

“Yes. I will ensure that is done without fail.”

They were men whose lifespans couldn’t be guaranteed from one day to the next. If we just give them a little push when they’re gasping for their last breath, we can proceed with the cleanup without raising suspicion. Hayman exhaled a particularly pungent cloud of smoke.

“And the materials in Chetur were confiscated?”

“What would you like us to do?”

The magic armor is Hayman’s core military strength. Originally made for bank security, the family had countless stored away. But it would be a bit troublesome if the supply of ‘that’ material was cut off. Hayman muttered, constantly twirling his beard.

“I suppose Commander Akorella has begun her research?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

If we claim the magic stones are House Hayman’s property, we’d have to take responsibility for the night battle without being able to deny it. Confronting the Imperial Guards is undeniably a serious crime. But to have it taken away while we stand by and watch—there’s no worse bolt from the blue than this.

“Commander Akorella is skilled, so she’ll likely discover its nature soon. That’s not bad in itself, but the issue is about ownership.”

Even if it becomes property of the imperial palace, we can retrieve it if Arsen takes power. But with Ian and Jin standing firmly in the way, that mad researcher Akorella won’t leave it alone. She’ll surely use it in all sorts of research, poking and prodding it.

“It seems nothing is going right except for Prince Arsen being a mana user. What about Gale’s side?”

“We keep trying, but the security is extremely tight.”

“I wish someone would just stab him outright, pretending to be crazy. Once Mariv’s trial is over, House Hayman will be the main topic of discussion.”

Hayman scratched the leather armrest with his fingernail and called for his butler.

“Butler.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I will write a letter to Ruswena. Prepare the materials.”

Ruswena was the oldest among the countries bordering Bariel. It was a powerful, prosperous nation centered around fertile lands, knowing no lack.

It was also the country ruled by Melania’s maternal relatives. The butler immediately prepared high-quality paper and a pen, presenting them before Hayman.

“Shall I send it by messenger bird?”

“No. Send it directly, with proper etiquette.”

“I’ll prepare someone who rides well.”

Creak.

Hayman stared at the blank paper for a long time, as if trying to organize his thoughts. It was only when the candle was about to burn out that he elegantly picked up the pen and began to write the introduction.

-To the Queen of Ruswena. I beseech you to aid House Hayman.

***

Neigh!

As the sun was setting, Romandro arrived at the Ministry of Magic with the Imperial Guards, driving a carriage. His shoulders cracked every time he rolled them, tired from the long day.

“Lord Romandro! Thank you for your hard work!”

“Oh. Yes. It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“We saw each other just yesterday, didn’t we? Are these all the items confiscated from the Chetur district? Greetings, Imperial Guards. Please set down the luggage. We’ll move it ourselves.”

Five or six small boxes were unloaded from the back of the carriage.

Half of what was found after thoroughly searching the Chetur district was allocated to the Ministry of Magic. Research purposes took priority, and since both the Imperial Guards and the Ministry of Magic were involved in the incident, it was evenly distributed. Later, through a formal proposal, even the items kept by the Imperial Guards are scheduled to be transferred to the Ministry of Magic.

‘The sun is setting. Finally, tomorrow, the trial…’

Just as Romandro was stretching out, he locked eyes with a gleaming gaze from the top of the stairs. Upon closer inspection, it was Akorella’s research safety goggles reflecting the light.

“Lord Romandro!”

“Oh my, you startled me.”

Tap tap tap!

Swoosh!

It was Akorella. Instead of walking down the stairs, she leaned against the railing and slid down in one smooth motion. Her subordinates followed closely behind.

“Why are you here so late?”

“Me? Do I have reports to process?”

“I’ve been waiting! Really!”

Saying this, she immediately opened the lid of a box. It was full of black raw stones. Akorella unknowingly let out a nosebleed while grinning from ear to ear. Is this even human? It’s so extreme that one might wonder if they’re seeing things due to mental and physical exhaustion.

Akorella suddenly turned her head, causing Romandro to flinch and take a step back.

“Can I take these straight to the lab?”

“Please do. No one else in the Ministry of Magic would touch these except for Commander Akorella anyway.”

“Yippee! Woo-hoo! The one Ian gave me earlier today, I must have done something wrong because it got completely ruined. This amount should be no problem. Mmm. Very good. Too good!”

As Akorella gestured to her subordinates to hurry and move the boxes, the Imperial Guards hastily tidied up the back of the carriage, saying it was all good.

“Lord Romandro. Then I’ll be going now.”

“Ah, thank you for your hard work. I’ll contact you again.”

“Hard work, hard work! Completely grateful! Ahahahaha!”

Neigh!

Until the carriage departed, Akorella waved her hand enthusiastically with sincere gratitude. Romandro climbed the stairs with her and asked.

“So, has there been any progress in your research?”

Akorella, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped and whirled around. Romandro nearly fell over in surprise, but she paid no attention and blinked her eyes excitedly.

“Lord Romandro. Even the most brilliant researcher can’t know a-ny-thing with just one sample. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for those?”

“…”

“But you know what! But-!”

She seems incredibly excited. She’s usually crazy, but now she’s almost at another-world level.

“Who am I? I’m Akorella, aren’t I?! Ahahahaha!”

“Commander, can we please have a normal conversation for once?”

“I did find out a few peculiar things. First of all, the crystal structure is oddly jumbled. In cases like this, it’s not formed as a raw stone itself, but either it’s been refined somewhere or created through a complex synthesis process…”

Romandro squinted his eyes and looked up at Akorella. His expression showed that he couldn’t understand a word she was saying, even though they were speaking the same Bariel language.

She abruptly stopped talking and grinned.

“My guess is that it’s a byproduct derived from the fusion process of an organism. There aren’t many organisms in the world sturdy enough to withstand the Imperial Guards’ attacks. And to have such a beautiful jet-black color!”

What on earth is she talking about? Romandro sniffled and nodded his head slightly. In the distance, Viviana was approaching with Mini, carrying blankets.

“I’ve been out in the rain all day, and, well, running around without eating, so I’m not in my right mind now. Even if you explain, I won’t understand, so please write it nicely in your report later.”

“Sure thing! I’ll write it for you with colored pens!”

“I’ll pass on that.”

Saying this, Romandro fell into Viviana’s arms. Viviana sympathetically welcomed her husband, who was damp from the rain. Seeing this, Akorella shouted loudly as she ran down to her lab.

“That’s some a-ma-zing love! Ahahahaha!”

She seems to be in an exceptionally good mood. At this point, one might suspect she’s drunk. Romandro clicked his tongue and entered the office with Viviana. During his absence, she had organized the documents on his desk in order of urgency.

“Thanks, Vivi. Where’s Lord Ian?”

“He went to sleep after dinner earlier and hasn’t woken up yet. His Highness Jin is with him too.”

“Oh my, they must be tired. Let’s not wake them and let them sleep soundly until tomorrow. The trial mediation will be done by the Judicial Department anyway, so we only need to prepare the testimony on our side.”

Rustle.

Tomorrow, the First Prince of Bariel will disappear from history. To think that someone everyone believed would be the future emperor would fall like this. It seems true that you can’t predict even a step ahead in human affairs.

Viviana sat next to Romandro, flipping through documents and murmuring.

“Was it two years ago? Before I took my leave of absence.”

She, like Romandro, was a consultant who traveled throughout the palace handling various matters. Naturally, she had the opportunity to see Mariv and Prince Gale a few times.

“At that time, the two princes were truly, truly beautiful. Beyond their physical appearance, I could feel that both of them loved Bariel fiercely, each in their own way.”

But the Mariv and Gale she saw after entering the palace had changed to an astonishing degree.

One was in the position of a criminal awaiting trial, his wrists bound with iron chains, while the other had collapsed in a state unable to control his body, in a wretched condition.

“I just don’t know where it all went wrong.”

“That’s why tomorrow’s trial will be closed to the public. It’s a consideration to maintain the prince’s dignity until the very end. Even if he disappears from history, he will continue to live on in Bariel for the time being.”

I won’t deny it. Mariv, after all, had led Bariel well until now, standing in for the aging emperor. Romandro patted the back of Viviana’s hand and looked down at Mariv’s name written on the document.

And it wasn’t just the Ministry of Magic that was reminiscing about Mariv and Gale’s former glory.

‘The day is about to change.’

‘Your Highness Mariv, in the end…’

‘So this is how they go. I feel like I’m in the midst of history.’

The staff taking down the princes’ photos hanging in the main palace lobby, the servants cleaning Mariv’s quarters, the guards watching over him in front of the prison—all of them recalled Mariv’s brilliant past as they awaited his final moments.

The same was true for Mariv himself.

“…Ah.”

He tilted his head back as far as he could and looked up at the black ceiling. The days he had lived in the palace until now were vividly coming back to him.

When he was very young, he never thought his death would be like this.

Dong- Dong-

As the sound announcing midnight rang out, Mariv finally closed his eyes.