Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 293

Chapter 293

The Imperial Guard had two buildings. Due to the nature of their duties, one near the Emperor’s quarters and another by the training grounds. Beric led them to the one close to the Emperor’s quarters.

Romandro muttered while looking around curiously.

“Come to think of it, this might be my first time directly visiting this place.”

No one could deny that the Emperor’s quarters were the most noble and splendid place in Bariel.

“It’s shabby.”

Though Beric expressed it quite differently. He spun around to walk backward while leading the way.

“And there are too many things we’re not allowed to do.”

“That’s natural since it’s close to His Majesty the Emperor. But Beric, no guard member has better luck than you. Other members live in dormitories with strict lights-out and wake-up times. Hmm? But you…”

Boom!

Just as Romandro started nagging, backward-walking Beric hit his head on a door. The door suddenly opened at the presence – it was Barsabe. She glanced disdainfully at Beric who was crouching and clutching his head.

“…Welcome.”

“Ow, you did that on purpose, didn’t you Lord Romandro!”

“Did I tell you to walk backward? Doing that himself then complaining.”

Ian passed by Beric and followed Barsabe inside.

The first thing visible was the golden badges filling the wall. All belonged to warriors of the Imperial Guard. Those who met honorable deaths facing enemy forces or magical beasts for Bariel. In Ian’s time, these had overflowed to extend along the adjacent wall.

‘It feels strange anew.’

That this palace where he now stood was from a hundred years ago. As Ian paused in this gap of memory, Jeirutt stood beside him also looking at the badges. Deep reverence showed in his eyes.

“Do you know? The number of these badges matches the number of Imperial Guard members who have passed through history.”

“Captain Jeirutt.”

“Dying honorably. That is the true period at the end of an Imperial Guard member’s sentence.”

The badge of former Third Captain Riama who had betrayed them was not hung here. He had been stripped of his qualification entirely.

In the whirlpool of history where numerous emperors ascended and vanished. Naturally, the Imperial Guard members protecting them couldn’t expect peaceful deaths either.

“I ain’t got no badge though?”

Beric poking in between Ian and Jeirutt. Barsabe grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him away, telling him not to interrupt.

“When you die. I’ll polish it well and hang it up.”

“Are you joking? What good is gold or silver when you’re dead? Give it while I’m alive! Already getting minus salary-“

“Please, just shut up and follow me.”

Ian smiled at Jeirutt while watching Beric being dragged away. Wasn’t this their first meeting since the recruitment tournament? As he had rapidly emerged as a center of opposition forces, meetings themselves weren’t easy.

“It seems it’s been a while, Captain Jeirutt. I wanted to apologize about Beric causing so much trouble, but hadn’t had the chance.”

“It’s fine. We accepted him knowing what to expect to some degree. I know you’re busy with the inauguration ceremony. But there’s something urgent to discuss. This way please.”

A large round table sat in the middle of the common office area, where the new captains Simon and Bonita were standing. They were carefully examining spread-out maps and letters, but noticed Ian and greeted him.

“Hello, Minister. Third Captain Simon.”

“Bonita.”

A light handshake. Though they maintained courtesy, it was utterly stiff. Understandable, as although they were equal rank captains, wasn’t Jeirutt, their senior and pillar, wary of Ian? They weren’t warriors to dress up their words with unnecessary pleasantries.

“Actually, we received contact from the southern border patrol. When checking the magical anomaly detection devices, they found the readings abnormally different from usual years.”

“By how much?”

“…They say it’s triple.”

Ian skimmed through the report stamped with the border patrol seal. He showed no signs of questioning.

Simon and Bonita exchanged slightly surprised glances. They had expected him to at least ask what a magical anomaly detection device was.

“Excuse me, but what is that?”

Just like this Romandro.

Simon handed over another report while explaining:

“It’s a kind of alarm device installed at regular intervals along the borders. Though Bariel is relatively safe from magical beast attacks, we can’t be careless. The north and west are so rough that yearly records fluctuate between 5 and 6.”

“Does it detect magical power?”

“Yes. Though it’s not actually limited to just magical beasts. However, they say this is the first time such readings have been recorded in the south, near Clifford.”

What was happening across all of Gaia, centered on Bariel? Ian tilted his head while flipping through the report.

“The reason for the unexpected inspection of magical anomaly detection devices was due to earthquake aftereffects.”

“We were thinking of dispatching our members and mages to investigate the entire border. Lord Romandro, didn’t you work as a reconstruction advisor examining earthquake-damaged areas before becoming an assistant?”

“Ah yes. That’s right. I was active in that role until just before going down to Brats- no, Hielo. It’s true that both small and large earthquakes have become more frequent.”

Thinking about it now brought tears to his eyes again. To be posted to the provinces right after returning. Romandro clenched his fist, vowing never to leave the central region again.

“How many personnel to dispatch?”

Then came Ian’s question cutting in. Having finished reading all the reports, he placed the stack on the table. Simon and Bonita carefully offered their opinion while watching Jeirutt’s reaction:

“The more the better.”

At those words, Romandro, who had been lost in memories, snapped to attention. When mages were already scarce, to split them up and send them on business trips to all four directions. The intention was too clear.

They were trying to divide them.

Whether influence or whatever else.

“The Imperial Guard? Wh-why do you say that about how many people?”

“We’re thinking to inspect based on set numbers from the Ministry of Magic. The Imperial Defense Department said they’ll support with escort forces where needed, so there’s no need to worry about safety.”

“Now see here.”

When Romandro bristled to object, Ian lightly raised his hand to stop him. It was a very slow and quiet gesture, but enough to silence the surroundings.

“Everyone leave except Captain Jeirutt.”

At his request, Romandro withdrew with a cough, and Simon and Bonita too disappeared after getting Jeirutt’s permission.

Ian traced the borders of Bariel marked on the map with his fingertips.

“Captain Jeirutt. I’ll answer first. I won’t send mages to the border. Even if I did send any, one is the maximum I could spare.”

What Ian wanted was to check himself, not the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry of Magic, specifically the mages, were practically Bariel’s central axis. If this wavered, Jin ultimately couldn’t move forward.

‘Is this the limitation of warriors? Though they seem to have aligned understanding with the Imperial Defense Department to some degree, still…’

They seemed to need someone to view the political situation on their behalf. A righteous heart was strong power. But if misdirected, it could be worse than having none at all.

Ian flicked the map and smiled brightly.

“It seems I’ve somehow earned Captain Jeirutt’s displeasure while I wasn’t aware. Perhaps because I left you with an unruly one like Beric?”

“Not at all.”

“There has been a lot of talk lately. Since I have ears, it keeps reaching me and truly bothers me. Though things are certainly unsettled with His Majesty the Emperor preserving his position as he is, aren’t all officials doing their best in their respective positions?”

They were the Emperor’s guard. For those with that as their foundation, it would be advantageous in many ways to be closer to the Administrative Department than the Imperial Defense Department.

“The Ministry of Magic too. There’s constant talk that our treatment is excessive, but if even palace mages are reduced, it’s clear as day there will be problems with department operations. I trust you anticipated I would refuse.”

Jeirutt simply nodded calmly. As Ian said, he hadn’t expected immediate approval at all.

“Yes. Then it seems unlikely you called me just to discuss this.”

Ian sat in a chair and clasped his hands. Then Jeirutt heaved a deep sigh and reached into his breast pocket. A bundle of letters in his hand. He handed them to Ian to read.

“What is this?”

“You’ll understand when you see.”

Jeirutt’s voice was unusual. Ian untied the string, and soon pressed his temple as if surprised.

***

“Where’s Ian?”

“Hey you, what are you doing?”

Romandro who had come out approached Beric with a highly displeased expression. For some unknown reason, Beric was doing a handstand against the wall. Romandro crouched down and grumbled incomprehensibly.

“What’s he saying? Where’s Ian?”

“He’s in there meeting with Captain Jeirutt.”

“Damn, I’m not gonna get scolded, right?”

“Did you do something wrong again?”

Whoosh! Beric got up with a light movement and strongly denied it, making an X with his hands. Did he not know that strong denial was affirmation?

“Absolutely! Absolutely not!”

“…Right. Sure.”

“By the way. When’s the inauguration ceremony actually happening? I heard outside is completely crazy right now. Like alcohol flowing through the sewers, strangers dancing and singing in the streets, everyone’s busy partying.”

He wanted to go out and play too. When Beric’s eyes sparkled and he drew close, Romandro pushed his face away.

“Don’t even dream about it until after the inauguration and the guests leave. How could someone eating imperial rice play around like common folk?”

Eripony had just arrived as the first guest, and he was saying this!

Beric clicked his tongue and lay right down on the floor. The Third Captains Simon and Bonita seemed used to it, discussing something among themselves while pretending not to see.

“Is Viviana coming for the inauguration?”

“Of course, since His Highness Jin invited her.”

At the mention of Viviana, Romandro’s expression softened slightly.

The inauguration itself would take place before nobles and a few invited guests, with the schedule concluding with walking the Emperor’s path while wearing the crown.

Creeak.

“Oh? Ian!”

“Ian! How did it go, did you coordinate well?”

Though Ian’s expression wasn’t particularly different from usual, Beric sniffed saying something seemed strange. Horrified at this sight, Romandro yanked Beric’s sideburns.

“Beric! Whatever else, you can’t do that while wearing the uniform!”

“Our business is concluded. Shall we return to the Ministry of Magic?”

“Ah, yes. Alright.”

“Beric, what about you?”

“I wanna come too! I finished all today’s training!”

Though he seemed to have judged arbitrarily without asking his superiors Simon and Bonita. Ian nodded and left eye greetings with the two.

“Well then, goodbye.”

“Please go safely.”

The two bowed politely, and Ian set off without hesitation. He seemed somewhat hurried.

Romandro attached himself to the left side while running and asked:

“Ian, what’s wrong? What did Jeirutt say? What about the mages?”

“We won’t send any mages.”

“Right? Ah, yes. I said the Imperial Guard was being a bit much!”

And Beric running on the right side. Though he also pestered to be told, it was drowned out by the gesture of a mage standing beside the carriage. The mage shouted loudly upon spotting Ian:

“Lord Ian! They say Clifford’s carriages have started appearing!”