Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor

The mages’ footsteps were remarkably heavy as they entered the Ministry of Magic. Just as they weren’t used to leaving work, coming to work felt equally unfamiliar. They had completely forgotten how wonderful it was to sleep in a bed instead of on a sofa, to eat at a dining table rather than a desk.

Felix hesitated the moment he opened the department door. Though it was clearly sunny outside, why did he see dark clouds, of all things?

“Hi. Good morning.”

“Yeah. Can’t relate.”

“What’s wrong with everyone? Didn’t you all go home yesterday? Did you work even after going home?”

“No, we rested. But after resting once, sitting here feels like death.”

“Felix, how are you feeling? You look tired.”

“No. I’m fine, thanks.”

“He’s been resting since the appointment ceremony because of indigestion. It would be unfair if he wasn’t fine. Come on, hurry and sit. There’s a lot of stuff on your desk.”

Felix smiled and checked his seat. Though there were piles of things from various places, the most noticeable was a summons. It was an order from the Minister’s office to come up immediately upon seeing it.

“A summons?”

“Yep yep. Just head straight to the office.”

“Does anyone know why?”

Felix casually asked while examining the back page. His sharp eyes quickly assessed his colleagues’ mood. But there was nothing special, just everyone focused on starting their work.

“Must be something. Don’t you know the office is open every day? Why act surprised now?”

It wasn’t a metaphor, but reality. With so many people coming and going, there was rarely time to close the door. Someone sitting in the corner added:

“I heard they’re going on field work, you might be selected for that? About six people are going together.”

“…Where to?”

“Don’t know. Go find out yourself.”

The mages gave perfunctory answers before focusing on their work. Felix just stood there, repeatedly looking down at the summons.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if you did something wrong. You’re just standing there after being called.”

“What are you talking about. I’ll be back.”

Felix casually organized his things before leaving the office. The mages watching his retreating figure exchanged glances and shrugged in puzzlement.

“Felix. Hello.”

“Oh, yeah, hi.”

In the corridor leading to the office. Though passing colleagues greeted him, Felix could only let it go in one ear and out the other. He was too unsettled. Ṟá𝐍𝘰ʙĚꞩ

There had been several summons before, but those were clear interactions based on specific work. There hadn’t been anything warranting such a special individual call, and of all times…

‘Clifford, seems that’s already become known.’

An investigation team? What other matter could suddenly require assembling field work? Surely the incident that occurred in Bariel’s outskirts must have reached the Imperial Palace.

How fast. Felix leaned against a corner and nervously chewed his fingernails.

‘But why call me of all people? Is it okay to go in? Though the Minister’s attention is no joke, this is earlier than expected.’

“What are you doing?”

“Ah.”

Felix startled and turned around at the voice calling him. Barsabe, in Imperial Guard uniform, was looking him up and down. Though he was a mage, his behavior seemed quite suspicious.

Rustle

She passed by Felix and knocked on the office door. If she reported him standing around here like this, it would look even more suspicious. Felix quickly followed behind Barsabe as she entered.

“Excuse me. General Jeirutt told me to come-“

“Ack.”

Something caught at Barsabe’s feet. It was Beric sprawled on the floor. She pushed his side with an extremely displeased expression.

“Why are you collapsed here?”

“Oh, Iron Teeth. Ah, why am I here?”

“Must be crazy. Reeks of alcohol!”

Beric too had been drinking heavily all night, then entered the palace after an urgent morning summons. More precisely, he’d been carried in slung over the shoulder of an attendant sent by Jeirutt.

Beric rolled and tumbled his way to the sofa. Though drinking with the warriors was fun, the aftermath was truly terrible.

“Urghh. Do those bastards have muscles in their liver too?”

“What are you- Ah, Lord Ian.”

“Yes. You’ve come.”

Ian, having changed clothes in the inner room, greeted Barsabe. And Felix standing awkwardly behind her.

Felix bowed his head while observing Ian. Given his outdoor clothes, the field work must be real. Then what about the atmosphere? Though he looked for anything different, there was nothing special. A gaze businesslike to the point of being dry. He seemed a bit tired too.

Romandro explained while organizing Ian’s clothes:

“We’re going to meet Clifford heading toward the border. Originally just mages would suffice, but, well, General Jeirutt is particularly concerned about safety. So two Imperial Guards will join.”

“Two? Me too?”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“Was gonna sleep. I really like this sofa here. So soft and comfy.”

Beric’s reluctance and Barsabe’s horrified expression clearly showed they’d rather go alone.

Ian sat at his desk while fastening his sleeve buttons.

“Sit, Felix. This will take some time.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Besides Beric and Barsabe, including myself five people will go together, but two haven’t arrived yet. Check the list separately, and when everyone gathers, design the magic formation in the garden behind the building.”

A single note Ian handed over. All familiar names.

“Isn’t Lord Romandro going?”

“Me? I need to stay and handle work in the Minister’s place.”

“I see.”

As Romandro grabbed Beric’s nape to lift him up, Barsabe supported him. They were trying to change his clothes stained from drinking.

Though small commotion arose behind them, Ian didn’t react and kept turning pages. Felix, wondering what to say, raised his head at the sudden question.

“Is the central address listed your family home?”

“Pardon?”

“I know you’re unmarried, so I was curious.”

Rustle

Ian was looking at Felix’s personal information. He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.

“No. I’m from the provinces. As you know, most mages are.”

“True. Me too.”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s fine. It’s the truth.”

The fact that most mages came from commoner backgrounds. Though Ian held the honor of being the first noble mage, wasn’t there a stain of being a provincial commoner at his start?

Romandro kept glancing at Felix while combing Beric’s hair. Though Ian was treating him perfectly normally…

‘You say General Jeirutt is suspicious? Wait wait, I’m struggling with my hangover here, Ian.’

‘You know that Melania is seeking the Rutherford Merchant Group to entrust herself. Though I don’t know who’s involved in between, Felix heard and knew about it. The fact that Melania is alive.’

‘That we’re watching over her afterward too?’

‘Please refrain from saying “we.” Since I did it.’

“Ow!”

Beric cried out in surprise. Lost in thought, Romandro had pulled his hair too hard.

“Oh my, sorry. Does it hurt?”

“Gentle, ah, be gentle!”

The plea to be more gentle resonated and faded in Romandro’s mind. Ian’s statement that it wasn’t “we” but “himself” who did it was too intense.

Saving Melania and letting her go contradicted the imperial order of extermination. It was truly a grave crime among grave crimes, so Ian had drawn the line that it was solely his doing.

He suddenly realized anew that they were in the eye of the storm.

‘So he told that to General Jeirutt? Felix did?’

‘For now, that seems the only plausible inference. The shadows we attached couldn’t have been discovered.’

‘How much does General Jeirutt seem to know?’

‘Not certain, more like subtly confirming. Given his personality, isn’t it obvious what would have happened if he knew I let Melania live?’

‘T-true. He would have immediately made it public and overturned everything.’

‘We need to investigate Felix more thoroughly. Even I don’t understand why he took action without regard for himself.’

‘Should’ve just stayed quiet, tsk tsk.’

‘The direction is the same for now. Some want me to step down out of concern for Prince Jin, while others want me to step down so their department can rise. Felix is the same. He merely used General Jeirutt.’

Since Jeirutt was rapidly emerging as Ian’s check at the time, that’s who he chose.

Romandro’s gaze grew even sharper as he glared at Felix. What a complete scoundrel! Other departments, other people might be one thing, but a mage shouldn’t do that! What kind of existence is Ian!

“Lord Romandro. Did I make any mistakes while drinking yesterday?”

“Huh? Oh oh, I’m sorry. Sorry.”

“Use words, use words!”

Beric whining, Barsabe watching in surprise.

Romandro came to his senses and looked down at his hands. He had been tightly gripping the red hair with both hands, making the already messy hair look like a lion’s mane.

Felix glanced back before straightening his posture again.

“But Lord Ian. Why me…”

Ian looked up from his documents to stare at Felix. As if he had no idea what the question meant. Felix waved his hands and made excuses.

“Magic formations aren’t my specialty. And I don’t have much field experience either. Haha.”

“You’ve been resting continuously since the appointment ceremony. I thought your physical condition would be better than others. Perhaps you haven’t recovered yet?”

Ian asked smoothly. His eyes said what could be wrong when you’ve been resting since leaving right after the appointment ceremony until now.

“Not at all. Not in the least.”

“That’s good then. Actually, you looked unwell coming in, so I wondered if there had been problems while you were resting.”

Romandro sharpened his gaze again. Problems? Of course there would be! If it’s related to the Clifford delegation incident, doesn’t that mean he traveled between here and there alone? And he must have done some scheming over there too! Having used up magical power, there could only be problems.

This time Barsabe tapped Romandro’s arm.

“Lord Romandro. Um, Beric’s… cheeks are tearing.”

“Huh? Oh!”

Beric’s cheeks stretched long to either side. He now seemed resigned, half-glaring at Romandro with half-open eyes.

“…I made a mistake. I made a big mistake yesterday. Come on, tell me. What did I say when I was drunk? Did I call Lord Romandro fatty? Or short legs? Did I say I wanted to pluck his beard?”

“Y-you thought of me that way normally!?”

“Then what!? What’s with you? It hurts!”

“You rascal, really!”

“I got it! You found out I told Viviana about that time you skimmed from the extra allowance!”

“Y-you told about that? You… you…! Come here. This won’t do. Instead of tearing, I need to sew you up completely.”

Thoom! Thump!

Quite a commotion around one sofa. So noisy that not a single movement could be heard from outside.

A mage poked his head in and called to Ian.

“Lord Ian. The other two have arrived too. Should we start heading to the garden…”

“Right, let’s go. Felix. Get ready.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

“Lord Romandro. Please prepare as the magic formation design will take some time. Beric, wash up and come out.”

“Save me! Ian, save me! Ack!”

Ian took Felix and headed to the garden. The mages writing basic magical formulas bowed their heads to greet Ian. He rolled up his sleeves, then placed his hand on Felix’s shoulder.

“Location set to the southern border, near Clifford.”

“Yes. No problem. Will you input the magical power, Lord Ian?”

“No.”

Ian patted his shoulder lightly.

“Felix will lead in inputting magical power. Having rested the longest among us, there should be no problem. Right, Felix?”

“Ah, yes…”

Pushed forward, Felix hid his awkwardness with a smile.

The hour hand crossed the zenith. Soon they would be able to see the sun and black moon rising together.